Podcasts about Balaam

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Numbers 5-6; Mark 7 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast for February 28th, 2026! In this episode, Hunter, your Bible reading coach, guides us through a significant stretch of scripture, exploring Numbers chapters 24 through 27 and the well-loved passage of 1 Corinthians 13. Together, we uncover stories of blessing, rebellion, and hope from Israel's wilderness journey—including Balaam's prophecy, the consequences of idolatry, a new census, and the bold petition of Zelophehad's daughters. We also witness the passing of leadership from Moses to Joshua. Shifting to the New Testament, we're reminded by Paul's poetic words that love is the greatest virtue of all—outlasting even faith and hope. Hunter reflects on the challenge of seeking clarity in life and scripture, and invites us to hold tightly to the peace Christ offers, even as our understanding remains incomplete. The episode closes with a time of heartfelt prayer, encouragement to walk in God's love and joy, and a special thank you to the listeners who make this daily journey possible. Get ready for a thoughtful, hope-filled exploration of God's Word—and a reminder that, above all, you are loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: We see things as a puzzling reflection, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13. And as we move through passages like today's readings in Numbers, it's clear that our understanding—of God, of ourselves, and of our journey—can often feel incomplete, mysterious, even perplexing. The days of our lives, the choices we make, the events that unfold: all of it can sometimes seem like a riddle, a story only half-told. But the invitation of God is not to clarity and certainty in this life, but to peace. Christ invites us to rest in his embrace, even (and especially) while things are unclear. He calls us to discover his way of love, to value faith and hope and love above all things. "These are the greatest things," we are reminded. Our task is not to figure it all out—because, as we read, knowledge is partial and incomplete. Instead, our task is to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, to learn his way of love, and to offer that same love to the world. Beyond clarity today is Christ himself—who stands with us in the midst of uncertainty, who brings us peace that passes understanding, who encourages and strengthens us in every circumstance. It is Christ who helps us to endure, to remain hopeful, and above all, to love—because love endures through every circumstance. So, let's keep our eyes on him. Let's trust that, in God's good time, all things will become clear, and all will be well when Christ is all and in all. In the meantime, let faith, hope, and love be our guiding lights. That's the prayer for my own soul. That's the prayer I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

This week on Consider This, Justin Ebert sits down with Ryan Vincent and Drew Henderson to explore Numbers 21–36 and Mark 7–8. From the bronze serpent and Balaam's troubling story to the purpose of the cities of refuge, we unpack the theology and tension of Israel's journey. In Mark, we wrestle with Jesus' warnings about tradition and the heart, Jesus' gradual healing, and what it really means to take up our cross.

My guest on the show today is Jonny Thakkar. Jonny is an Assistant Professor in Political Science at Swarthmore College and one of the founding editors of The Point. He's the author of various articles, most recently “Beyond Equality” in the newest issue of the Point, and the 2018 book Plato as Critical Theorist.I asked Jonny on to talk about his late friend and mentor the philosopher and psychoanalyst Jonathan Lear, who was his advisor at the University of Chicago Committee on Social Thought and, as you'll hear in our discussion, his occasional advisor on matters of the heart.He wrote about Lear, after his death, along with a collection of other remembrances from friends and colleagues of Lear's:His own career path was so individual as to be impossible to emulate. Institutionally speaking, he had completed two undergraduate degrees, one in history and the other in philosophy, followed by two graduate degrees, the first a Ph.D. on Aristotle's logic under the supervision of Saul Kripke—a prodigy in contemporary logic and metaphysics who was only eight years older than Jonathan, had no expertise in Aristotle and only ever supervised one other dissertation—and the second a professional qualification in psychoanalysis that licensed him to treat patients clinically. His philosophical interlocutors were many and various, among them Plato, Aristotle, Kierkegaard, Freud, Heidegger, Wittgenstein, Williams, J. M. Coetzee and Marilynne Robinson, but he was no dilettante. He wanted to understand what it meant to be human, and he simply followed that question wherever it took him. Without end, I should add: he took up the study of ancient Hebrew in his mid-seventies because he had become so puzzled by the treatment of the prophet Balaam that he wanted to make sure he wasn't missing anything in translation!That ethos of constant self-development was central to what you might call Jonathan's philosophy of life. Some people use the term “perpetual student” pejoratively; for Jonathan, being open to learning from the world was the key to human flourishing. As he told matriculating undergraduates in a 2009 address, “the aim of education is to teach us how to be students.” In the preface to Open Minded, he wrote that achieving tenure at Cambridge in his twenties freed him from professional pressures to such an extent that he was forced to confront the meaning of his own existence. “I realized that before I died, I wanted to be in intimate touch with some of the world's greatest thinkers, with some of the deepest thoughts which humans have encountered. I wanted to think thoughts—and also to write something which mattered to me.”We talk about Lear's work, but also about what it means to be, or be influenced by, what Lear called a “local exemplar,” which is someone who has a profound influence on the people around him or her. An exemplar could be a real mentor in the classic sense, as Lear was for Jonny and other students of his, or a writer who affects other people just through text, which is how he functioned in my life. It could also be someone who just said or did something once or a few times that stays with us, imprints itself on us, and changes us in ways that unfold over time.So we talk about how Lear played that role in our lives, but also about the ways in which Thakkar may be playing the role of local exemplar, as a teacher, in the lives of his students, and more generally what it is about someone, or something, that makes it capable of influencing us in these ways.One reason we ended up in this space, I think, is that I've been wrestling a lot, lately, with the question of how writing does or doesn't influence people, because I'm writing a book, on relationships and therapy, that edges into the territory of self-help, and I've become moderately obsessed with not replicating the mistake that so many self-help books make on this front, which is thinking that in order to help people, the thing to do is give them straightforward advice on how to do or be better.This always seems to me like a fundamental misunderstanding of how texts change people, and in some ways an odd one to make in particular for the therapists and psychologists who write so many of these books. If anyone should understand that the human psyche is tricky and that real change tends be a product of close relationships and communal structures playing out over time, rather than advice distilled to words, it should be therapists.Texts do change people's lives, but it's indirect. They're poetic. They're narrative. They're allusive and elusive. They're not precision tools to achieve a predictable outcome in readers.Lear understood this. I asked him once if the style of his essays was deliberately looping and associative because he was trying to emulate something about the rhythms of psychoanalytic practice, and his response was surprise. I just try to write clearly, he said, and the more I think the more I believe him. I think there was something so integrated in the way he did all these things – teach, write, practice psychoanalysis – that his version of writing clearly became this thing that I perceived as indirect, and that it is because of this, in some sense, that his writing has the capacity to affect people in a way that most self-help literature doesn't.I didn't know Lear well, as a person, but he had, and continues to have, a big influence on me. That's even more the case for Jonny, as you'll hear. I don't think he's for everyone, but if he might be for you, I really encourage you to pick up one of his books or find one of his essays online. I'll drop in some links to a few of below. He was a remarkable person.Hope you enjoy. Peace.Jonathan Lear articles:* “Aims of Education”* “Inside and Outside the Republic”* “A Case for Irony”* “Wisdom Won from Illness” [this is actually the whole text of one of his books]* “Transience and hope: A return to Freud in a time of pandemic”* “Jumping from the Couch: An Essay on Phantasy and Emotional Structure”* “Can the virtuous person exist in the modern world?” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danieloppenheimer.substack.com/subscribe

Pastor Randy Bradley

The church in Pergamum had lost its edge, so Jesus brought His sword to church. In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally continues the sermon series on the letters of Revelation.Pergamum, the Roman capital of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), faced intense pressure to worship Caesar and was filled with temples to false gods.Revelation 2:12 (NLT): This is the message to Pergamum from the one with the sharp two-edged sword...Hebrews 4:12 (NLT): The word of God is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword...The word of God has two edges: comfort and correction—one delivers, the other disciples.Revelation 2:13 (NLT): I know that you live where Satan has his throne.Pergamum was saturated with idolatry.Revelation 2:14–15 (NLT): You tolerate teaching like Balaam and the Nicolaitans—the doctrine that sin is no big deal.Jesus confronts their compromise with sexual immorality and idolatry.Revelation 2:16 (NLT):God wants to fight for you, but if you play for the other team, He will fight against you. Refuse His correction, and you will face sin's consequences.Revelation 2:17 (NLT):The promises: manna—provision now and in the life to come—and a white stone with a new name. A white stone meant "not guilty" and was a token of admission.Timeless Truths1. Where you live shouldn't affect how you live.Philippians 3:20 (ESV): Our citizenship is in heaven.You live here, but obey there—address here, allegiance there.James 4:4 (NLT):Be friends to the world, not of it. A friend OF the world imitates it; a friend TO the world calls people out of it.You can't be like the world and help it. Boats belong in the water, but water doesn't belong in the boat. You're in the world; it shouldn't be in you.2. Jesus gives freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.Grace empowers you to meet the standard.Compromise treats forgiveness as a reset instead of transformation.God's forgiveness gives freedom to say no.Titus 2:11–12 (NLT):Live with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion. Grace gives power over sin, not permission for it.3. Change comes from repentance, not remorse.Remorse feels; repentance acts. Remorse looks back; repentance moves forward.2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT):Worldly sorrow repeats the pattern; godly sorrow produces change.God's word is a sword—it cuts to heal, not humiliate. Repentance isn't "I'm sorry," but "I surrender."4. God's promise is greater than your compromise.God's grace outruns our failures.2 Timothy 2:13 (NLT): If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful.Your failure isn't final. God warns to welcome, not write you off—He writes a new name on a white stone.ClosingCompromise is a destructive fire—ignored, it spreads and consumes.Though compromise destroys, Jesus restores. He calls us to repent, not to shame us, but to save us.What compromise is God asking you to deal with today?

In this sobering and eye-opening message, Pastor Corey Erman unpacks the Doctrine of Balaam and its warning to the Church. From the Old Testament account in Numbers to Jesus' words in Revelation, this teaching reveals how compromise, greed, and spiritual corruption can subtly lead believers away from truth. Learn how to guard your heart, remain faithful to God's Word, and resist the pressures of culture that attempt to dilute righteousness. “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam…” - Revelation 2:14To support this ministry and help us reach the nations with revival visit RiverWPB.com or text GIVE and any amount to (855) 968-3708.

There was a pagan sorcerer in the Old Testament named Balaam.  And he was hired by a man named Balak to curse the people of Israel.  But whenever Balaam tried to curse God's people, God Himself intervened and prevented him from doing so.  Today, Pastor Dan shows how this principle is carried forward into the New Testament.  God will never forsake you.  He'll never stop caring for you.  But he does allow you the choice, on a daily and moment-by-moment basis, whether or not to follow Him.  

In this message from Revelation 2, we explore Jesus' letter to the church in Pergamum, a church that stood strong under persecution but slowly drifted through compromise. Jesus warns that when pressure doesn't destroy you, pleasure will try to seduce you. From the doctrine of Balaam to the influence of the Nicolaitans, we uncover how small allowances, cultural conformity, and subtle mixture can erode spiritual authority from the inside out. “The Drift That Destroys” calls us to examine what we've tolerated, what we've blended, and how to intentionally return to a life of conviction, purity, and bold faith in a world that constantly pulls us away.

It's truly amazing to read some of the prophecies in the Old Testament, and to understand their meanings.  Today, Pastor Dan explains a prophecy made by a pagan sorcerer named Balaam*.  Through this man, God spoke a prophecy of a star, representing deity, and a scepter, representing the King, coming from Israel.  Have you noticed the stars in Jewish symbolism?  Do you remember what guided the magi from the East?  This prophecy is about Jesus the Messiah: your God and your King.

Jim Osman examines one of the Old Testament's most troubling figures: Balaam, the prophet for hire who tried to curse God's people for money. Though God spoke through him, Balaam was driven by greed and immorality, making him the perfect example of the false teachers Peter warns against. This message walks through Numbers 22-24, answering questions about why God used such a wicked man and what it reveals about false prophets today. Balaam's motives exposed his heart—he loved the wages of unrighteousness and deliberately departed from the right way. His morals led him to scheme against Israel through sexual immorality and idolatry when his curses failed. His madness shows the insanity of pursuing money and sin at the expense of eternal well-being. The talking donkey is the least confusing part of the story. The real issue is how someone can speak truth while living a lie, and what that teaches us about marking and avoiding false teachers whose hearts are trained in greed. If you have Christ and nothing else, you're richer than the wealthiest false teacher. ★ Support this podcast ★

False doctrine and false teachers have always been present in New Testament churches. It is vital that believers know the Word of God so that they do not fall into the snares of such iniquity.

Have you ever known someone who's making an important decision, and they consult some pretty unusual sources?  Maybe the horoscope, maybe a medium, or perhaps they're looking for signs in the stars or their lottery numbers.  Today, Pastor Dan says: don't be surprised by that.  It's been a practice for ages, to consult the gods by omens and numbers.  But that's not the way to consult the Living God.  And that's what our man Balaam* will learn in today's message.  And that message is a reminder for you too.

Join Rod and Janice Hembree on Bible Discovery as they explore Numbers 22, where Balaam is summoned by King Balak to curse Israel. Delve into the fascinating historical and spiritual insights of this biblical narrative, including the story of Balaam's talking donkey. Discover the profound lessons about faith, spiritual warfare, and the protection of God's will.

2 Peter 2:12-16 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss the ancient prophet Balaam and his desire to benefit himself above glorifying God. Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=24416The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Imagine you're on a flight and the captain comes on with some bad news.  Or at your job, the announcement comes that your company just got bought.  What do people do?  Well, according to Pastor Dan, if they're anything like most people, most often, they'll all start praying to all kinds of gods.  Today, you'll see how this happened with a character named Balaam*, who was hired to curse Israel.  He called on seven gods.  But he heard back from One. The question is: which God are you calling on?

Join the hosts as they dive into some of the Bible's strangest accounts, sharing baffling stories and trying to make sense of them. Highlights include an extended look at Ezekiel's prophetic sign (the 390 days, the siege brick, and the infamous dung-bread), the talking donkey and angel of Yahweh in the Balaam narrative from Numbers, and jaw-dropping episodes from Judges—Ehud's assassination of a fat king and Samson's superhuman feats and downfall. This episode blends historical context, theological reflection, personal reactions, and plenty of humor and banter as they weigh literal versus allegorical readings and what these accounts reveal about God's sovereignty and methods. Expect curious details, cultural background, vivid storytelling, and takeaways about the Bible's mysteries—most notably a reminder that the gospel remains Scripture's deepest, most surprising mystery.   Check out our partners: -Barbell Apparel at BARBELL APPAREL WEBSITE Use code "Chadd" for a free pair of shorts with a purchase of $99 or more.    -Bare Performance Nutrition and use code "3of7" for 10% OFF! https://www.bareperformancenutrition.com   -Check out 3 of 7 Project https://www.3of7project.com -Apply for our courses at: https://www.3of7project.com/train -Thank you for supporting Three of Seven Podcast on Patreon at: www.patreon.com/threeofseven -Three of Seven Project Store: https://3of7project.myshopify.com/pages/shop Nuff Said.    

On today's episode, we discuss what scholars mean by the “historical Jesus” and how that project differs from simply asking what extra‑biblical sources say about Christ or spinning speculative tales like a secret marriage to Mary Magdalene. Historical‑Jesus research is presented as historiography—the history of how 18th–21st century scholars have tried to reconstruct Jesus using modern historical methods while partially suspending full trust in the Gospels and early church tradition. The episode walks through form criticism and the influential “criterion of double dissimilarity,” which tries to identify sayings and actions most likely authentic when they are unlike both 1st‑century Judaism and later Christian preaching, along with the more aggressive “criterion of embarrassment,” which treats unflattering or awkward details—such as Jesus praying that the cup of suffering might pass—as especially historically plausible. The hosts debate the strengths and abuses of these tools, noting that they can highlight Jesus's genuine uniqueness and humanity but become distorting when used to deny continuity between Jesus and the early church or to strip him from his Jewish context, effectively turning him into an ahistorical “alien.” The conversation then drills into dense theological questions: whether the “Word of God” in John 1 refers to Jesus, Scripture, the gospel, or all of the above; how divine inspiration relates to fallible human memory; and why the Gospels are better seen as faithful, interpretive testimonies to Jesus rather than verbatim transcripts. Finally, the episode turns pastoral and practical as they wrestle with blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (attributing Spirit‑empowered exorcisms to Satan), Satan's temptation offers and “permissive will,” Old Testament figures like Samson and Balaam, and why, despite scholarly debates about method, the non‑negotiable center for Christians remains trusting the risen Christ revealed in Scripture. Don't miss it!

I believe the book of Revelation is intentionally shaped by the rhythm of the seven Jewish feasts, with deep echoes of the Exodus and Israels wilderness journey woven throughout its visions. We have already seen how this works in chapter 1, where the imagery echoes Passover. Passover marked Israels deliverance from slavery through the blood of a substituteand in Revelation 1:1216, that substitute is revealed in all His risen glory. Jesus stands among His churches as the victorious Lamb who was slain and now lives forever. Because of His sacrifice, the Christian belongs to God. If you have been redeemed by Almighty God through His Son, what is there to fear? Jesus Himself answers that question: Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Rev. 1:1718). Our confidence is not rooted in our circumstances, but in the One who has conquered death itself. As we move into Revelation 23 and read the seven letters to the churches, the dominant echo is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately followed Passover. This feast called Gods redeemed people to live holy lives, set apart for Him (Lev. 11:4445; 1 Pet. 1:1617). Israel removed all leaven from their homes as a visible reminder that they belonged to the Lord and were no longer to live under the old patterns of corruption. That same call still comes to us today: You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:1920). Each of the seven churches faced real and pressing challenges in their own dayand what they struggled with are many of the same things we struggle with today, just dressed differently. While we will look at each church individually, here is a brief snapshot of what we will encounter: The church in Ephesus had lost its first love. The church in Smyrna was about to suffer tribulation for ten days. The church in Pergamum struggled with faithfulness to sound doctrine. The church in Thyatira tolerated a false teacher within the congregation. The church in Sardis was spiritually lethargic and nearly dead. The church in Philadelphia faithfully clung to the word of God. The church in Laodicea was lukewarm and missionally useless. In every one of these churches, there was the danger of leavensin quietly working its way through the house. And the call of Christ was to remove it: through renewed love for Jesus and for one another, faithful endurance in suffering, a commitment to truth, intolerance for evil, vigilance against spiritual apathy, unflinching obedience to Christ, and a wholehearted devotion to the mission of God. About forty years before Revelation was written, Paul wrote about Gods expectation for His church: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2). Revelation 1 is about the One who makes our salvation possible. Revelation 2-3 addresses the kind of people He calls us to be. So, when we come to Revelation 4, we encounter the One on the throne who is holy, holy, holy! The City of Ephesus When the gospel came to Ephesus, it was a wealthy and influential trading city, best known for the Temple of Artemis (also called Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The citys economy, culture, and moral life centered on the worship of this goddess. Artemis worship was deeply sexualized and demonic, marked by ritual immorality and idolatry (1 Cor. 10:20). Ephesus was a place where spiritual darkness was not hiddenit was celebrated, institutionalized, and profitable. Into this city, the gospel came with unmistakable power, as it always does in Gods timing and in His way. What we read in the epistle to the Romans was experienced in Ephesus: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... (Rom. 1:16). When the apostle Paul preached Christ in Ephesus, lives were transformed, and the worship of Artemis was directly challenged. So disruptive was the gospel that those who profited from idolatry feared economic collapse, admitting that Paul had persuaded many that gods made with hands are not gods at all (Acts 19:26). Paul spent over two years there, and in this spiritually hostile environment, God birthed a faithful churchthe same church later addressed by Christ Himself in Revelation 2. What makes Jesus words to Ephesus so sobering is not the citys darkness but the fact that a church born in such devotion, perseverance, and truth would later be warned: You have abandoned the love you had at first (2:4). So what happened? To answer that question, we need to first recognize the many things Jesus praises the church for. What the Ephesian Church Was Doing Right The Ephesian church was commended for many things by Jesus such as their toil, patient endurance, and intolerance for evil. Heraclitus, a native of Ephesus and philosopher, spoke with open contempt of his citys moral corruptionso severe that later writers summarized his viewby saying no one could live in Ephesus without weeping.1 The fact that the church was able to endure for forty years in a city known for its sexual promiscuity and demonized idolatrous worship, while holding on to biblical orthodoxy, is staggering! Because of their orthodoxy and fidelity to the Word of God, the church was intolerant of evil, refused to ignore false teachers, and shared Jesuss hatred of the Nicolaitans. Forty years earlier, Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church: I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears (Acts. 20:29-31). This is what the church did well, and Jesus praised them for it. Now, notice what Jesus does not say to the church in Ephesus. He does not say they were being too orthodox. He does not say they were too truthful, or that their intolerance of evil, false teachers, and the works of the Nicolaitans was too extreme. Jesus does not tell the church to dial it back but instead celebrates these as examples of what they were doing well. What the church did well was refusing to yield to the pressures from their city to conform. Before we look at what the church got wrong, we need to address who the Nicolaitans were and why Jesus hated their teaching. From what we know, the Nicolaitans were a heretical Christian sect associated with the teaching of Balaam (Rev. 2:14-15). They taught that the grace of God permitted freedom to engage in the kinds of things their pagan neighbors enjoyed, such as sexual immorality and full participation in pagan temple feasts. Why? Because grace covered it all. We will come back to Balaam when we look at the church in Pergamum, but for now what you need to know is that Balaam is known for his false teaching that served to seduce the men of Israel to engage in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab that also resulted in the worship of their gods in place of obedience and worship of Yahweh (see Num. 25). The Nicolaitans did not deny Jesus, they just reinterpreted what obedience to Jesus really meant, in that you could both be loyal to Jesus and actively pursue and participate in the kinds of things the Word of God commands the people of God to flee from. The Ephesian church was rightfully commended for their hatred and intolerance of the works of the Nicolaitans because Jesus shares their hatred for the same reasons. Listen carefully. Jesus does not merely disagree with teachings of the Nicolaitans He hates them. He hates any belief that suggests a person can remain loyal to Him while willfully embracing the very sins He died to free us from. The cross was not a license to make peace with sin; it was Gods declaration of war against it. To claim Christ while pursuing what nailed Him to the tree is not freedomit is self-deception. Christ did not die to make sin safe, but to make His people holy. 1 Richard D. Phillips, Revelation, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing, 2017), 91. What the Ephesian Church Got Wrong So what was it that the church in Ephesus lost? Well, we know it wasnt the churchs orthodoxy. It was the love they had at first. What love did they have at first? I believe the love the church lost was a combination of their love for Jesus and others. I believe this because of what the apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Ephesians and what Jesus said the church needed to do to regain the love they had lost. First, lets look at Jesus criticism in verses 4-5, But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. The way back to regain what they had lost was to first remember where they had fallen or had lost sight of their love, then to repent by doing the works they had done at first. What were the works they had done at first? We are given a few clues in Ephesians about the church from what Paul says at the beginning and the end of his epistle to the Ephesians. 1st Clue: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers... (Eph. 1:15-16) 2nd Clue: Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Eph. 6:24) I believe that the love the Ephesian church lost had to do with the love they had for Jesus and for one another. The New Living Translation captures this in their translation of Revelation 2:4, But I have this complaint against you. You dont love me or each other as you did at first! When a group of religious leaders asked Jesus to identify the most important commandment, His response was clear: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:3739). Genuine love for God leads to love for othersyou cannot claim to love God while refusing to love those who bear His image. As our love for God grows, it overflows into love for those around us, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you find this hard to accept, consider the words of the apostle John: If someone says, I love God, but hates his brother, that person is a liar; for anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20). I believe the Ephesian church, first known for their faith in Jesus and their incorruptible love for Him, became the catalyst that fostered in them a love for one another, which they were known for in the early days of the churchs existence. Their love infused their faith in Jesus, and their love for all the saints was the cocktail God used to push back evil and transform lives! What Revelation 2:1-4 teaches us is that Jesus wants our obedience, but He also wants our hearts! In fact, if Jesus has your heart, He will have your obedience. Conclusion I believe the Ephesian church is listed first among the seven churches because of the danger we face when what we believe and what we do are no longer tethered to a living love for Jesus and His people. Listen carefully. Rather than criticizing the Ephesian church for its zeal for the truth of Gods Word, Jesus praised them for it. Orthodoxy is essential to the spiritual health of both Christians and the church as a whole. When believers abandon orthodoxy, spirituality does not become freer or deeperit becomes hollow and lifeless. So do their churches. But love keeps orthodoxy from hardening into something Jesus also hated. When truth is severed from love, orthodoxy collapses into legalism. And legalism is not holiness; it is a corruption of orthopraxyright living. Christian, we are called to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy. Scripture commands us: As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy (1 Pet. 1:1416). But the way we pursue holiness is not through cold precision or moral superiority. It is through the kind of love the Ephesian church once hadand then lost. This is the first of seven ways Christ calls His people to cleanse His house of leaven. What is that love? Scripture defines it plainly: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth Love never ends (1 Cor. 13:48). This is the love Jesus spoke of that must be true of His followers: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). We live in a nation deeply fracturedso fractured that many believe we are in a cold civil war. Civil conversation between the left and the right is nearly impossible. But it must not be that way in the church Jesus redeemed from the world. Our love for Christ must overflow into genuine love for one anotherstrong enough to allow disagreement without division, conviction without contempt, and truth without hatred. Let me take this one step further. If you love the Jesus who died to ransom people from every tribe, language, people, and nation, then you must be liberated from the partisan blindness that grips both the left and the right. Christian, you belong to another kingdom. Your allegiance is not to a political ideology but to King Jesus. Please hear me: the world will not see, hear, or receive the gospel from the left or the rightbut only from Jesus Christ Himself. By Gods design, His gospel is not entrusted to government but to His church. The mess in the White House, ournation, and the world is evidence that what people need is the One who makes the Gospel the Gospelnamely, Jesus! If you cannot see thatif you cannot believe that while still calling yourself a Christianthen you are in danger of the very thing that threatened the church in Ephesus. You have lost your first love. So I leave you with the same words Jesus spoke to them: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

This message was given by Pastor DJ Ritchey on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Memorial Heights Baptist Church.

I believe the book of Revelation is intentionally shaped by the rhythm of the seven Jewish feasts, with deep echoes of the Exodus and Israels wilderness journey woven throughout its visions. We have already seen how this works in chapter 1, where the imagery echoes Passover. Passover marked Israels deliverance from slavery through the blood of a substituteand in Revelation 1:1216, that substitute is revealed in all His risen glory. Jesus stands among His churches as the victorious Lamb who was slain and now lives forever. Because of His sacrifice, the Christian belongs to God. If you have been redeemed by Almighty God through His Son, what is there to fear? Jesus Himself answers that question: Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Rev. 1:1718). Our confidence is not rooted in our circumstances, but in the One who has conquered death itself. As we move into Revelation 23 and read the seven letters to the churches, the dominant echo is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately followed Passover. This feast called Gods redeemed people to live holy lives, set apart for Him (Lev. 11:4445; 1 Pet. 1:1617). Israel removed all leaven from their homes as a visible reminder that they belonged to the Lord and were no longer to live under the old patterns of corruption. That same call still comes to us today: You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:1920). Each of the seven churches faced real and pressing challenges in their own dayand what they struggled with are many of the same things we struggle with today, just dressed differently. While we will look at each church individually, here is a brief snapshot of what we will encounter: The church in Ephesus had lost its first love. The church in Smyrna was about to suffer tribulation for ten days. The church in Pergamum struggled with faithfulness to sound doctrine. The church in Thyatira tolerated a false teacher within the congregation. The church in Sardis was spiritually lethargic and nearly dead. The church in Philadelphia faithfully clung to the word of God. The church in Laodicea was lukewarm and missionally useless. In every one of these churches, there was the danger of leavensin quietly working its way through the house. And the call of Christ was to remove it: through renewed love for Jesus and for one another, faithful endurance in suffering, a commitment to truth, intolerance for evil, vigilance against spiritual apathy, unflinching obedience to Christ, and a wholehearted devotion to the mission of God. About forty years before Revelation was written, Paul wrote about Gods expectation for His church: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Eph. 5:1-2). Revelation 1 is about the One who makes our salvation possible. Revelation 2-3 addresses the kind of people He calls us to be. So, when we come to Revelation 4, we encounter the One on the throne who is holy, holy, holy! The City of Ephesus When the gospel came to Ephesus, it was a wealthy and influential trading city, best known for the Temple of Artemis (also called Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The citys economy, culture, and moral life centered on the worship of this goddess. Artemis worship was deeply sexualized and demonic, marked by ritual immorality and idolatry (1 Cor. 10:20). Ephesus was a place where spiritual darkness was not hiddenit was celebrated, institutionalized, and profitable. Into this city, the gospel came with unmistakable power, as it always does in Gods timing and in His way. What we read in the epistle to the Romans was experienced in Ephesus: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... (Rom. 1:16). When the apostle Paul preached Christ in Ephesus, lives were transformed, and the worship of Artemis was directly challenged. So disruptive was the gospel that those who profited from idolatry feared economic collapse, admitting that Paul had persuaded many that gods made with hands are not gods at all (Acts 19:26). Paul spent over two years there, and in this spiritually hostile environment, God birthed a faithful churchthe same church later addressed by Christ Himself in Revelation 2. What makes Jesus words to Ephesus so sobering is not the citys darkness but the fact that a church born in such devotion, perseverance, and truth would later be warned: You have abandoned the love you had at first (2:4). So what happened? To answer that question, we need to first recognize the many things Jesus praises the church for. What the Ephesian Church Was Doing Right The Ephesian church was commended for many things by Jesus such as their toil, patient endurance, and intolerance for evil. Heraclitus, a native of Ephesus and philosopher, spoke with open contempt of his citys moral corruptionso severe that later writers summarized his viewby saying no one could live in Ephesus without weeping.1 The fact that the church was able to endure for forty years in a city known for its sexual promiscuity and demonized idolatrous worship, while holding on to biblical orthodoxy, is staggering! Because of their orthodoxy and fidelity to the Word of God, the church was intolerant of evil, refused to ignore false teachers, and shared Jesuss hatred of the Nicolaitans. Forty years earlier, Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church: I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears (Acts. 20:29-31). This is what the church did well, and Jesus praised them for it. Now, notice what Jesus does not say to the church in Ephesus. He does not say they were being too orthodox. He does not say they were too truthful, or that their intolerance of evil, false teachers, and the works of the Nicolaitans was too extreme. Jesus does not tell the church to dial it back but instead celebrates these as examples of what they were doing well. What the church did well was refusing to yield to the pressures from their city to conform. Before we look at what the church got wrong, we need to address who the Nicolaitans were and why Jesus hated their teaching. From what we know, the Nicolaitans were a heretical Christian sect associated with the teaching of Balaam (Rev. 2:14-15). They taught that the grace of God permitted freedom to engage in the kinds of things their pagan neighbors enjoyed, such as sexual immorality and full participation in pagan temple feasts. Why? Because grace covered it all. We will come back to Balaam when we look at the church in Pergamum, but for now what you need to know is that Balaam is known for his false teaching that served to seduce the men of Israel to engage in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab that also resulted in the worship of their gods in place of obedience and worship of Yahweh (see Num. 25). The Nicolaitans did not deny Jesus, they just reinterpreted what obedience to Jesus really meant, in that you could both be loyal to Jesus and actively pursue and participate in the kinds of things the Word of God commands the people of God to flee from. The Ephesian church was rightfully commended for their hatred and intolerance of the works of the Nicolaitans because Jesus shares their hatred for the same reasons. Listen carefully. Jesus does not merely disagree with teachings of the Nicolaitans He hates them. He hates any belief that suggests a person can remain loyal to Him while willfully embracing the very sins He died to free us from. The cross was not a license to make peace with sin; it was Gods declaration of war against it. To claim Christ while pursuing what nailed Him to the tree is not freedomit is self-deception. Christ did not die to make sin safe, but to make His people holy. 1 Richard D. Phillips, Revelation, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing, 2017), 91. What the Ephesian Church Got Wrong So what was it that the church in Ephesus lost? Well, we know it wasnt the churchs orthodoxy. It was the love they had at first. What love did they have at first? I believe the love the church lost was a combination of their love for Jesus and others. I believe this because of what the apostle Paul wrote in his epistle to the Ephesians and what Jesus said the church needed to do to regain the love they had lost. First, lets look at Jesus criticism in verses 4-5, But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. The way back to regain what they had lost was to first remember where they had fallen or had lost sight of their love, then to repent by doing the works they had done at first. What were the works they had done at first? We are given a few clues in Ephesians about the church from what Paul says at the beginning and the end of his epistle to the Ephesians. 1st Clue: For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers... (Eph. 1:15-16) 2nd Clue: Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (Eph. 6:24) I believe that the love the Ephesian church lost had to do with the love they had for Jesus and for one another. The New Living Translation captures this in their translation of Revelation 2:4, But I have this complaint against you. You dont love me or each other as you did at first! When a group of religious leaders asked Jesus to identify the most important commandment, His response was clear: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:3739). Genuine love for God leads to love for othersyou cannot claim to love God while refusing to love those who bear His image. As our love for God grows, it overflows into love for those around us, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you find this hard to accept, consider the words of the apostle John: If someone says, I love God, but hates his brother, that person is a liar; for anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20). I believe the Ephesian church, first known for their faith in Jesus and their incorruptible love for Him, became the catalyst that fostered in them a love for one another, which they were known for in the early days of the churchs existence. Their love infused their faith in Jesus, and their love for all the saints was the cocktail God used to push back evil and transform lives! What Revelation 2:1-4 teaches us is that Jesus wants our obedience, but He also wants our hearts! In fact, if Jesus has your heart, He will have your obedience. Conclusion I believe the Ephesian church is listed first among the seven churches because of the danger we face when what we believe and what we do are no longer tethered to a living love for Jesus and His people. Listen carefully. Rather than criticizing the Ephesian church for its zeal for the truth of Gods Word, Jesus praised them for it. Orthodoxy is essential to the spiritual health of both Christians and the church as a whole. When believers abandon orthodoxy, spirituality does not become freer or deeperit becomes hollow and lifeless. So do their churches. But love keeps orthodoxy from hardening into something Jesus also hated. When truth is severed from love, orthodoxy collapses into legalism. And legalism is not holiness; it is a corruption of orthopraxyright living. Christian, we are called to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy. Scripture commands us: As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy (1 Pet. 1:1416). But the way we pursue holiness is not through cold precision or moral superiority. It is through the kind of love the Ephesian church once hadand then lost. This is the first of seven ways Christ calls His people to cleanse His house of leaven. What is that love? Scripture defines it plainly: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth Love never ends (1 Cor. 13:48). This is the love Jesus spoke of that must be true of His followers: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). We live in a nation deeply fracturedso fractured that many believe we are in a cold civil war. Civil conversation between the left and the right is nearly impossible. But it must not be that way in the church Jesus redeemed from the world. Our love for Christ must overflow into genuine love for one anotherstrong enough to allow disagreement without division, conviction without contempt, and truth without hatred. Let me take this one step further. If you love the Jesus who died to ransom people from every tribe, language, people, and nation, then you must be liberated from the partisan blindness that grips both the left and the right. Christian, you belong to another kingdom. Your allegiance is not to a political ideology but to King Jesus. Please hear me: the world will not see, hear, or receive the gospel from the left or the rightbut only from Jesus Christ Himself. By Gods design, His gospel is not entrusted to government but to His church. The mess in the White House, ournation, and the world is evidence that what people need is the One who makes the Gospel the Gospelnamely, Jesus! If you cannot see thatif you cannot believe that while still calling yourself a Christianthen you are in danger of the very thing that threatened the church in Ephesus. You have lost your first love. So I leave you with the same words Jesus spoke to them: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

A person is being consistently critical of my children. How should I approach this situation? What is the main thing God wants us to know and do in the Christian life? You inspired me to share Christ with someone! Who was Ishmael? Who were his descendants? What's the big takeaway? What is the doctrine of Balaam that believers are warned about in Revelation 2? What are your thoughts on finding God's will for your life? How can I know that I'm praying (and living) with the right motives?

With Pastor Ron HammondsVisit cotr.com for more resources and sermons from GTCOTR.

ENTRANCE HYMN #569 God the Omnipotent!SEQUENCE HYMN #656 Blest Are The Pure In HeartOFFERTORY ANTHEM Be Thou My Vision (arr. Behnke)COMMUNION ANTHEM Beatitudes (Avery & Walsh, arr. Wilson)POST-COMMUNION HYMN #556 Rejoice, Ye Pure In Heart, vss. 1-5THE COLLECT OF THE DAYAlmighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.FIRST READING Micah 6:1-8Reader A reading from the Prophet Micah.Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.“O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with tens of thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?ReaderThe Word of the Lord.PeopleThanks be to God.PSALM Psalm 15 Domine, quis habitabit?1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *who may abide upon your holy hill?2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *who speaks the truth from his heart.3 There is no guile upon his tongue;he does no evil to his friend; *he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, *but he honors those who fear the Lord.5 He has sworn to do no wrong *and does not take back his word.6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, *nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.7 Whoever does these things *shall never be overthrown.SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 1:18-31Reader A Reading from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the...

The Letter of Jude E5 — In verses 11-16, Jude continues warning his Jewish messianic audience about deceptive, immoral people infiltrating their house churches. He compares them to three characters from the Hebrew Bible—Cain, Balaam, and Korah—who choose rebellion for themselves and lead others astray. Next, he compares the corrupt church members to a series of images from Scripture, including selfish shepherds, rainless clouds, and wandering stars. In this episode, Jon and Tim continue exploring Jude's dense prose, where he seamlessly weaves together allusions to the Hebrew Bible and Second-Temple period literature into a piercing critique of imposters within a community of disciples.FULL SHOW NOTESFor chapter-by-chapter summaries, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.CHAPTERSCain, Balaam, and Korah (0:00-23:23)Six Images of Corrupt Leaders (23:23-37:45)The Prophecy of Enoch (37:45-55:42)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.BIBLEPROJECT JUDE TRANSLATIONView our full translation of the Letter of Jude.REFERENCED RESOURCESAntiquities of the Jews by JosephusCheck out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“Gentle Lamb” by Lofi Sunday, Yoni Charis“Purple Clouds ft. Marc Vanparla” by Lofi SundayBibleProject theme song by TENTS SHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The Illuminated Woman, I'm diving into one of the strangest, most eye-opening sections of the Old Testament—Numbers 21 - 24. These chapters are filled with unexpected messengers: a fiery serpent, a talking donkey, and a corrupt oracle. And yet, each one is used by God to confront, correct, and protect.I share a personal story about how one small word - church - kept showing up in my life during the summer of 2024. I didn't want it. I tried to ignore it. But just like the serpent in the wilderness, the donkey on the road, or the prophetic blessing spoken by Balaam, it was the unexpected thing God used to open my eyes.This episode is for the woman who's been hearing a whisper she didn't expect. The one who's unsure if God could really be speaking through pain, people she dismissed, or even circumstances that feel confrontational. We'll unpack what these strange messengers reveal about God's protection, His holiness, and the way He opens the eyes of His daughters - even when they've been wandering.

To get a copy of our new book "Embracing the Truth" or to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.TS Wright Speaks: Church in Pergamum Revelation 2:12-17Introduction: In the third chapter of Revelation, we encounter the Church in Pergamum, a community grappling with the challenges of faith amid a culture steeped in idolatry and immorality. This podcast episode dives deep into the lessons Jesus imparts to this church, offering timeless wisdom that resonates with believers today.Main Content: **The Context of Pergamum** The Church in Pergamum existed in a city notorious for its pagan worship and idol practices, symbolized by the phrase "where the throne of Satan sits." TS Wright highlights that this church was located right in the midst of spiritual warfare, a battleground where faith and culture collided. Despite the overwhelming presence of evil, members of the church held fast to their faith, demonstrating remarkable courage and commitment.**Commendation for Faithfulness** Jesus begins His message with commendation, acknowledging the church's perseverance even in the face of persecution. TS Wright points out the significance of this acknowledgment, especially regarding Antipas, a faithful witness who was killed for his beliefs. This serves as a powerful reminder that true faith often requires sacrifice, and believers today must also hold fast to their convictions despite cultural pressures.**Warnings Against Compromise** However, the message is not solely one of encouragement. Jesus issues a stern warning against those in the church who have adopted the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans, practices that led to idolatry and sexual immorality. TS Wright emphasizes that just as the early church faced temptations to conform to cultural norms, modern believers must also guard against the subtle ways in which culture can infiltrate their faith. He urges listeners to recognize the importance of living a life that is set apart, above the moral compromises prevalent in society.**The Call to Repentance** A key theme in this message is the call to repentance. TS Wright elucidates that repentance is a process, not just a one-time confession. It involves a deep heart transformation, turning away from sin, and taking active steps towards obedience. He reminds believers that while the journey may be challenging, the promise of restoration and a new identity in Christ awaits those who repent. **Living Above Culture** In a world where cultural acceptance is often equated with success, TS Wright's insights challenge believers to prioritize their relationship with Jesus above all else. He discusses the dangers of becoming a "carnal Christian," attempting to blend faith with worldly ideologies. Instead, he encourages a commitment to living out the teachings of Christ, even when it comes at a personal cost. The podcast underscores the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between faith and culture, particularly in moments of conflict.Conclusion: The message to the Church in Pergamum serves as a timely reminder for contemporary believers to navigate their faith with courage and conviction. Key takeaways include the...

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Old Testament: Micah 6:1-8 1Hear what the Lord says: Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. 2Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel. 3"O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied you? Answer me! 4For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. 5O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised, what Balaam son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the saving acts of the Lord." 6"With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" 8He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Psalm: Psalm 15 1 Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? *        who may abide upon your holy hill? 2 Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, *        who speaks the truth from his heart. 3 There is no guile upon his tongue;   he does no evil to his friend; *        he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor. 4 In his sight the wicked is rejected, *        but he honors those who fear the Lord. 5 He has sworn to do no wrong *        and does not take back his word. 6 He does not give his money in hope of gain, *        nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. 7 Whoever does these things *        shall never be overthrown. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, 23but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. 26Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31in order that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12 1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

In this episode, we explore God's unique calling for each believer. What does it mean to walk worthy of that calling? How do our skills, passions, and spiritual gifts reveal God's purpose for us? Rowan, Noah, and Don discuss Scripture, practical examples, and the vital role of community in recognizing and stewarding the gifts God has given you. Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to tmadask@gmail.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbkAVsuqU5_zWnmGca-OYaw/videos Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/RELISH319 Apologetics, Theology, Kalona, Wellman, Washington, Kalona Mennonite Church, West Chester Community Church, Jesus, Christianity, Christian, Church, Best New Christian Videos, Podcast, Relish  00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview Introduction to today's theme: discovering God's unique calling and gifts. 01:20 – Dreaming Big: Your “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Goals Exploring personal dreams, from Augusta National to skydiving, as a metaphor for God's calling. 05:05 – When God Calls: Biblical Questions Begin Transition into theological discussion about divine purpose and calling. 06:59 – Talking Animals in Scripture Eve, the serpent, and Balaam's donkey: understanding extraordinary events in biblical context. 11:59 – Understanding God's Calling Walking worthy of your calling, Ephesians 4:1, and distinguishing God's work from human ambition. 17:25 – Skills & Talents in God's Plan How God equips each believer with unique gifts for specific purposes (Ephesians 2:10). 19:15 – The Value of Every Role Why every skill and vocation matters equally in God's kingdom, beyond societal status. 21:47 – Community & Discovering Your Calling The importance of others in identifying your spiritual gifts and real-world talents. 23:27 – Closing Remarks & Takeaways Final thoughts, practical applications, and encouragement to engage your gifts in daily life.

Why does God tell Balaam to go with the Moabites and then get angry because he went? Why did God seemingly change His mind?

Revelation 2 To the Church in Ephesus 2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. To the Church in Smyrna 8 “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. 9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. To the Church in Pergamum 12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. To the Church in Thyatira 18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. 24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, 25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.' 26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery'—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Spiritual evil is real. But it is no match for our Holy God! This week in Numbers 22:1-35, we learn how to respond to the idolatry, witchcraft, and superstition that is growing more and more prevalent in our culture.Got a question about this teaching or a teaching from this series? ⁠⁠Submit it here!⁠⁠About Music Track: Track: Inspirational Flight Artist: AShamaluevMusic Owner: Aleksandr Shamaluev.

Jim Morris in conversation with David Eastaugh  https://balaamandtheangel.co.uk/ Balaam and the Angel are a rock band founded by Mark, James (Jim), and Desmond (Des) Morris  in 1984. Initially the band self-released a series of EPs and an album entitled Sun Family via their own Chapter 22 and played some tour dates opening for The Cult. This caught the attention of Virgin Records, who signed them and released their debut album, The Greatest Story Ever Told. They toured in the USA with Kiss and label mate Iggy Pop.

Pastor Mike teaches about the devil’s tactic, as seen with Balaam. The devil uses relationships with people who do not believe like you, to try and hinder you. Audio>

Battling Lust and Pornography  Part 7:  The Curse of Balaam  -  English only.   How powerful is lust? A lesson from over 3000 years ago, will still be relevant at the end of time!    Recorded November 6, 2025.

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 56b-57a, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the dramatic aftermath of the Temple's destruction through Titus's deathbed fear of divine judgment (scattering his ashes over seven seas to evade accountability) and Onkelos's necromantic consultations with Titus, Balaam, and Jewish sinners—all affirming Jewish prominence in the World to Come while warning against joining or harming Israel.The Talmud contrasts: idolaters' prophets (like Balaam) advise attacking Jews for worldly leadership, while even Jewish sinners urge seeking Jewish benefit ("one who touches them touches the apple of His eye"). Punishments fit measure-for-measure: Titus scattered eternally, Balaam in boiling semen for seduction schemes.Rabbi Wolbe connects this to modern miracles (e.g., a Yemenite missile landing harmlessly near Tel Aviv's airport on May 4, 2025) as Hashem's "hug" reminding us of divine control—not military might or technology. He stresses humility, gratitude, and recognizing "there is no happenstance" (mikre = only from Hashem), urging constant awareness that everything is Hashem's precise guidance.The episode emphasizes living with eternal perspective: prioritize Torah, mitzvot, and family over fleeting materialism, as we'll face judgment on maximizing our unique potential ("Why weren't you you?")._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios to a live audience on December 26, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 9, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud, #Gittin, #Kamtza, #Temple, #JewishHistory, #Exile, #Yochanan, #Vespasian, #Titus, #Blasphemy, #Yavne ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 56b-57a, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the dramatic aftermath of the Temple's destruction through Titus's deathbed fear of divine judgment (scattering his ashes over seven seas to evade accountability) and Onkelos's necromantic consultations with Titus, Balaam, and Jewish sinners—all affirming Jewish prominence in the World to Come while warning against joining or harming Israel.The Talmud contrasts: idolaters' prophets (like Balaam) advise attacking Jews for worldly leadership, while even Jewish sinners urge seeking Jewish benefit ("one who touches them touches the apple of His eye"). Punishments fit measure-for-measure: Titus scattered eternally, Balaam in boiling semen for seduction schemes.Rabbi Wolbe connects this to modern miracles (e.g., a Yemenite missile landing harmlessly near Tel Aviv's airport on May 4, 2025) as Hashem's "hug" reminding us of divine control—not military might or technology. He stresses humility, gratitude, and recognizing "there is no happenstance" (mikre = only from Hashem), urging constant awareness that everything is Hashem's precise guidance.The episode emphasizes living with eternal perspective: prioritize Torah, mitzvot, and family over fleeting materialism, as we'll face judgment on maximizing our unique potential ("Why weren't you you?")._____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by David & Susan MarbinRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios to a live audience on December 26, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 9, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-talmudist-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1648951154Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0cZ7q9bGYSBYSPQfJvwgzmShare your questions at aw@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content._____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Talmud, #Gittin, #Kamtza, #Temple, #JewishHistory, #Exile, #Yochanan, #Vespasian, #Titus, #Blasphemy, #Yavne ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Sunday Service message from New Creation Church, Pastor Nate Rauschert explores how obedience to God—especially when the outcome isn't clear—can lead to life-changing and generational impact. This sermon challenges believers to examine where God may be inviting them to say yes today. Through biblical examples such as the disciples leaving their nets, Ananias' courageous obedience, and Balaam's warning against partial surrender, this message encourages listeners to fully trust God with every area of life.

He was born in Rome, and as a young man was chosen by the Emperor Constantine to assist in the foundation of his new capital at Byzantium. An outbreak of leprosy in the new City became so severe that the Emperor ordered that all lepers, whatever their rank, be driven from the city or drowned in the sea. Zoticus, moved by compassion for these people, went to the Emperor and asked him for a large amount of gold to buy gems and pearls to enhance the glory of the city, 'For, as Your Majesty knows, I am well-qualified in this field.' The Saint then used the gold to ransom all those being led into exile or to drowning, and to establish for them a camp on the hill of Olivet on the opposite shore of the Bosphorus. There he brought the sick and provided for their care.   In 337 Constantius, an Arian heretic, took the throne upon the death of his father. Some of Zoticus' enemies at court, seeing an opportunity, denounced Zoticus to the new Emperor, saying that he not only held subversive views, but had misappropriated public money. When he learned of these charges, Zoticus presented himself to the Emperor, finely dressed, and offered to take Constantius to see the gems and pearls that he had bought on his behalf. When they reached the hill of Olivet, Constantius was astonished to see a company of lepers coming to greet him with lighted candles, honoring and praising him and their patron Zoticus. Then the holy Zoticus said to the Emperor, 'These are the precious stones and brilliant pearls that give luster to the crown of the heavenly Kingdom that you will inherit by their prayers. I bought them for the salvation of your soul.'   Instead of being grateful, the heartless Emperor ordered that Zoticus be tied behind wild mules and dragged until dead. The mules ran down the hill, breaking the Saint's body upon the rocks and brush. Then, of their own accord, they returned to the top of the hill, still dragging the body, and, like Balaam's ass (Numbers ch. 22), spoke and proclaimed that the Martyr must be buried on that hill. The astonished and repentant Emperor ordered the Martyr buried with honor, and commanded that a hospital for lepers be built there, staffed by the best physicians and caretakers.   Saint Zoticus is also called Orphanotrophos, 'Cherisher of Orphans,' because in later years a large orphanage was added to the leprosarium. The orphanage included a general hospital and a home for the aged. The Saint was honored throughout Byzantine history as the patron of the orphanage.

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-735995925390297f16d8b5e92cfdbbd5{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-735995925390297f16d8b5e92cfdbbd5 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-735995925390297f16d8b5e92cfdbbd5 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 02 – December 30Revelation 2:8-17 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – December 30 Revelation 2:8-17 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/02-1230db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible Revelation 2 Letter to the Church in Smyrna 8 To the messenger of the church in Smyrna write: The First and the Last, who was dead and came to life again, says this: 9 I know [1] your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich. And I know the blasphemy that comes from those who say they are Jews but are not; rather, they are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear anything that [2] you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you will be tested, and you will suffer for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. Letter to the Church in Pergamum 12 To the messenger of the church in Pergamum write: The one who has the sharp, two-edged sword says this: 13 I know [3] where you live—where the throne of Satan is. And I know that you hold fast to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me even in the days when Antipas, my faithful witness, [4] was put to death near you, the place where Satan lives. 14 But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who instructed Balak to put a stumbling block in front of the children of Israel so that they would eat things offered to idols and commit sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have some people who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore, [5] repent! If not, I will come to you soon, and I will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious I will give some of the hidden manna. [6] I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, which no one will know except the one who receives it. Footnotes Revelation 2:9 A few witnesses to the text add your works. Revelation 2:10 Some witnesses to the text read Do not fear what. Revelation 2:13 A few witnesses to the text add your works and. Revelation 2:13 Or martyr Revelation 2:16 Some witnesses to the text omit Therefore. Revelation 2:17 A few witnesses to the text add to eat. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

(This is a sermon I preached earlier this year at First Assembly of God in Carl Junction)There is so much to pick apart in Balaam's story. There are a lot more strange things going on than just a talking donkey.For example, in the first chapter where Balaam appears, he does exactly what God says, and then it says that God wanted to kill him for it.  Some men approached Balaam and asked him to curse the Israelites for them, and here's what it said:Numbers 22:20-2220 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men have come to call you, rise, go with them; but only do what I tell you.” 21 So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.So far so good, right? God says go. Balaam goes. 22 But God's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the Lord took his stand in the way as his adversary.It will even say later that this angel of the Lord was standing there to literally kill Balaam! But why- wasn't Balaam doing exactly what God wanted? That's the question we're going to analyze in this message.Watch these episodes at my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LukeTaylorPodcastsNeed to get in touch with me? Reach me at GodAndHisProphetsPodcast@gmail.comIf you're looking for a Bible study podcast that goes deep into the major and minor prophets, God and His Prophets offers a verse by verse Bible study through these powerful Old Testament writings. Each episode explores the prophecy in the Bible, from the Book of Ezekiel study and later in Zechariah, helping listeners in understanding prophetic books and seeing their relevance today. We also connect the prophets' words to end times Bible teaching and highlight connections to Revelation, giving you a Christian Bible commentary that equips you for spiritual insight and growth.

Send us a textWe trace the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem and show how ancient prophecies meet real history in the birth of Jesus. From Micah and Isaiah to the Magi's star and the tears at Rama, we follow a thread of humility, courage and steadfast hope.• Roman census as the hinge of providence• Micah's Bethlehem promise fulfilled in detail• Isaiah's Emmanuel realized in Mary's fiat• Davidic lineage and the shape of true kingship• Shepherds as first witnesses and messengers of joy• The manger as a sign of poverty and glory• The star, the Magi and Balaam's oracle• Rachel's weeping and the innocence of martyrdom• Flight into Egypt and Hosea's echo of deliverance• Joseph's silent obedience as a model of faith• A call to live fulfilled prophecy with courageBlessed Christmas from Journeys of Faith be sure to click the link in the description for special news item and since there is more to this article finish reading and check out the special offerBlessed Christmas from Journeys of FaithOpen by Steve Bailey Support the showJourneys of Faith brings your Super Saints Podcasts ***Our Core Beliefs*** The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Faith." Catechism 132 Click Here “This is the will of God, your sanctification.” 1Thessalonians 4“ Click Here ... lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...” Matthew 6:19-2 Click Here The Goal is Heaven Click Here Why you should shop here at Journeys of Faith official site! Lowest Prices and Higher discounts up to 50% Free Shipping starts at $18 - Express Safe Checkout Click Here Cannot find it let us find or create it - - Click Here Rewards Program is active - ...

NOTAS DE ELENAMaterial complementario de la escuela Sabática para adultosNarrado por: Patty CuyanDesde: California, USAUna cortesía de DR'Ministries y Canaan Seventh-Day Adventist ChurchJUEVES, 25 DE DICIEMBREUN BUEN FINALEl carácter santo de Josué no ostentaba mancha alguna. Era un sabio dirigente. Su vida estaba totalmente dedicada a Dios. Antes de morir reunió a las huestes hebreas y siguiendo el ejemplo de Moisés recapituló sus peregrinaciones por el desierto y también la obra misericordiosa llevada a cabo por el Señor en favor de ellos. Acto seguido les habló con elocuencia. Les contó que el rey de Moab estaba en guerra con ellos y había llamado a Balaam para que los maldijera; pero Dios no quiso "escuchar a Balaam, por lo cual os bendijo repetidamente". Después les dijo: "Y si mal os parece servir a Jehová, escogeos hoy a quien sirváis; si a los dioses a quienes sirvieron vuestros padres cuando estuvieron al otro lado del río, o a los dioses de los amorreos en cuya tierra habitáis; pero yo y mi casa serviremos a Jehová". "Entonces el pueblo respondió y dijo: Nunca tal acontezca, que dejemos a Jehová para servir a otros dioses; porque Jehová nuestro Dios es el que nos sacó a nosotros y a nuestros padres de la tierra de Egipto, de la casa de servidumbre; el que ha hecho estas grandes señales y nos ha guardado por todo el camino por donde hemos andado, y en todos los pueblos por entre los cuales pasamos". El pueblo renovó su pacto con Josué. Le dijeron: "A Jehová nuestro Dios serviremos, y su voz obedeceremos". Josué escribió las palabras de este pacto en el libro que contenía las leyes y los estatutos dados a Moisés. Recibió el amor y el respeto de todo Israel, y su muerte fue sumamente lamentada (La historia de la redención, pp. 185, 186). El alma que mantiene encendido el amor de Cristo está llena de libertad, de luz y gozo en Cristo. En un alma tal no hay pensamientos divididos. El hombre entero desea ardientemente a Dios. No acude a los hombres en busca de consejo, para conocer su deber, sino al Señor Jesús, la fuente de toda sabiduría. Investiga la Palabra de Dios para encontrar en ella cuanta norma haya sido establecida... Cuanto más aprendemos de Cristo por su Palabra, tanto más sentimos nuestra necesidad de él en nuestra experiencia. No deberíamos descansar hasta que podamos descansar al llevar el yugo de Cristo y sus cargas. Cuanto más fieles seamos en su servicio, tanto más lo amaremos, tanto más lo ensalzaremos. Todo deber, grande o pequeño, que realicemos, será hecho con fidelidad, y al seguir conociendo a nuestro Señor, tanto mayor será nuestro deseo de glorificarlo (En los lugares celestiales, p. 144). VIERNES, 26 DE DICIEMBRE: PARA ESTUDIAR Y MEDITAREn los lugares celestiales, "La demanda del Padre celestial", 1° de mayo, p. 130. A fin de conocerle, “Un mensaje para los muchachos y las niñas”, 4 de febrero, p. 42.

Is it possible to read the Balaam narrative of Numbers 22-24 cohesively? Ben Wiggershaus says, “Yes,” and part of his solution is in reading the Balaam Cycle in light of its ancient Near Eastern context. Tune in as we speak with Ben Wiggershaus about his recent monograph, The Man of Opened Eye: Ancient Near Eastern Revelatory Convention and the Balaam Cycle (Gorgias Press, 2025). Ben Wiggershaus holds a PhD in Biblical Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary, and is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Ministry at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

(2:38) Bible Study from Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a and the Gospel of Matthew. In addition, Fr. Simon gives some context behind Balaam of Beor who is in the first reading from Numbers. (22:52) Break 1 (23:23) Letters (23:34) Donna - A question about Sabellianism and analogies that don’t work for the Trinity. It is important to understand the differences and distinctions. (30:02) Laura – My mother has become angry and disagreeable after getting Alzheimer’s. How do I handle this? (34:48) Break 2 (35:40) Word of the Day: “tapeinos” (42:43) Phones: (42:54) Nicole - What is the best chapter of scripture in the New Testament that mentions free will? (45:38) Andrew - Could you clarify your view on how the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son?

Father Matt reminds us that God never stops speaking — but too often, we are the ones who stop listening. Not because God is unclear, but because we already have our own plans, expectations, and conclusions. At the root of this resistance is a deeper struggle: We do not want to submit to God's authority or His will.In today's reflection, Fr. Matt discusses the prophecy of Balaam in the Book of Numbers. Balaam, a pagan soothsayer, is compelled to proclaim the truth: “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel.” Though Balaam himself was far from holy, God still spoke through him, showing that divine truth is not limited by the weakness of the messenger. That prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ — the true King, whose authority extends not just over Israel, but over all nations.The same King enters Jerusalem humbly, riding on a donkey, praised by children, and rejected by leaders who refuse to listen. Their question — “By what authority are you doing these things?” — is not born of curiosity, but of hardened hearts. They hear the words, but they are willfully deaf to their meaning.Father Matt challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we listening for God's voice, or only for what confirms what we already want? Like the Blessed Virgin Mary, true blessing comes when we say, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” God speaks in Scripture, in the poor, in His Church, in prayer, and in the Eucharist — but He will not force our ears open.God speaks. The question remains: will we listen? ★ Support this podcast ★

In this eye-opening message, special guest Dr. Robi Sonderegger unpacks the biblical warning against “the way of Balaam,” revealing how resisting God's instruction can impact our purpose, relationships, and spiritual maturity. Drawing from Revelation 2, Numbers 22, and attachment theory, Dr. Robi shows how our emotional patterns, spiritual disobedience, and relational habits can either align us with blessing — or lead us down a destructive path.

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)YouTube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comJude Jude writes to believers with the original intent of encouraging them in their shared salvation, but he shifts his focus to urge them to contend for the faith. He warns that ungodly people have secretly slipped in among them, twisting God's grace into a license for immorality and denying Jesus Christ. Jude reminds readers of past judgments on those who rejected God, including the Israelites in the wilderness, rebellious angels, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. These false teachers are dangerous influences, driven by pride, greed, and rebellion. Believers must remain strong by building themselves up in faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, and staying in God's love. Jude closes with praise to God, who is able to keep them from falling and bring them into His glorious presence.  God calls us to hold tightly to the faith He has given us, even as the world around us becomes increasingly confused and careless with truth. We must be careful not to follow those who twist grace or reject Jesus; they are known by their attitude and the fruit they produce. Instead, we should build our lives on His Word, maintain a close connection with Him through prayer, and rely on His love to guide us. We live in God's love and wait for Christ's return. When others struggle, we respond with mercy, helping them return to the truth. Our hope is not in ourselves but in the God who keeps us secure and saves us through our Lord Jesus.     Majestic Lord, we praise You for our shared salvation and the hope of eternal life that guides our hearts and lives. Strengthen us to defend the gospel message wherever You lead us. So many have denied Your worthy authority in their lives. Help us recognize the foolishness of Cain, Balaam, and Korah, and instead choose to humbly follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Please block the false teachers and deceitful workers who hinder the good work You have for us to accomplish. Guide us in teaching the lost, assisting those who struggle, and empowering us with Your strength and protection.  Thought Questions: What does it mean to “contend earnestly for the faith”? Why should that primarily involve defending Jesus as Master and Lord? What will God do to all who do not believe? What are the errors of Cain, Balaam, and Korah that often lead to rampant disobedience? When was the last time you snatched someone from the fire? How vital is mercy towards others and efforts made to restore and help them?

We're popping a Curiously Kaitlyn episode into your feed this week because we're starting a brand-new Advent series, and—let's be honest—the nativity story gets weird. Kids notice all the odd details we learned to ignore, and suddenly you're fielding questions you did not prepare for in Sunday School.So instead of scrambling for answers all by yourself, you can join us all month as we explore the questions your kids (and most adults!) are genuinely curious about. First up: Who exactly are the wise men, and why do they show up in the nativity scene at all? If you enjoy the conversation, make sure you're subscribed to Curiously Kaitlyn wherever you get your podcasts. We've got a whole month of Christmas episodes coming your way. 0:00 - Theme Song   2:05 - What's Up With the Star?   9:00 - How Many Wise Men?   12:50 - Sponsor - Blueland - For 15% off first order of Blueland cleaning products, go to this link: https://www.blueland.com/CURIOUSLY   14:03 - Sponsor - Aura Frames - Need a holiday gift to share memories? Get 35% off the Aura Carver Mat Frame with promo code KAITLYN at https://www.auraframes.com   15:04 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/CURIOUSLY to receive 50% off your first order   17:00 - Why's this in the Bible?   27:00 - Balaam and the Magi   37:37 - End Credits

We all know the wise men from our nativity sets, but what's actually going on in this story? Who were the wise men, and why did Matthew include them in his accounting of the birth of Christ? This well-known but undeniably odd part of the nativity story is loaded with meaning that can reorient how we enter Advent. Kaitlyn and Producer Mike follow kids' simple questions about stars, gifts, and travel timelines into the deeper layers of Matthew's Gospel, where foreign astrologers, of all people, become some of the first to recognize Jesus as king. 0:00 - Theme Song   2:05 - What's Up With the Star?   9:00 - How Many Wise Men?   12:50 - Sponsor - Blueland - For 15% off first order of Blueland cleaning products, go to this link: https://www.blueland.com/CURIOUSLY   14:03 - Sponsor - Aura Frames - Need a holiday gift to share memories? Get 35% off the Aura Carver Mat Frame with promo code KAITLYN at https://www.auraframes.com   15:04 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/CURIOUSLY to receive 50% off your first order   17:00 - Why's this in the Bible?   27:00 - Balaam and the Magi   37:37 - End Credits