Podcasts about Cor

Ezra 1:1-2:70, 1 Cor 1:18-2:5, Ps 27:7-14, Pr 20:22-23

2 Chron 35:1-36:23, 1 Cor 1:1-17, Ps 27:1-6, Pr 20:20-21

“If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Cor 8:2). 

“What can we do to comfort the suffering?” In this episode, we explore this vital question alongside topics such as the selection of the apostles and the reasons behind God’s allowance of suffering and evil. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:00 – How to discern between Catholic and Protestant apologetics? 21:24 – How were the apostles chosen? 23:47 – How can we comfort the suffering (2 Cor 1:3–5)? 28:41 – Why does God allow suffering and evil? 45:50 – Do we receive the full Eucharist with just the host?

Follow the Wind by Megan J. Conner explores how the Holy Spirit often moves like the wind—subtle, powerful, and unseen. Through a vivid moment on a quiet balcony overlooking the ocean, Megan reflects on Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:8 and encourages us to embrace the evidence of God’s presence, even when we can’t physically see it. This devotional invites listeners to deepen their faith walk, embrace spiritual discernment, and trust God’s guidance—even when the path isn’t clear. Highlights Reflecting on the invisible but undeniable movement of the Holy Spirit A faith-building reminder that God leads us even when we can’t see the full picture Encouragement to take a personal inventory of areas where faith feels strong versus where doubt creeps in Scripture focus: “The wind blows where it wishes…” – John 3:8 Practical prayer prompt and journaling activity to strengthen your trust in God Join the Conversation Have you ever felt the quiet nudge of the Spirit or seen God’s hand guiding you when the road ahead was unclear? Share your experience and tag @LifeAudioNetwork using #FaithInTheUnseen. We’d love to hear how you’re following the wind.

Join Brian and Jimmy as they discuss the opportunities we have to share the gospel with those who profess belief in Christ, yet don't bear the marks of a true Christian.  Helpful Questions below.  QUESTIONS FOR GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS WITH PROFESSING BELIEVERSQuestions About Salvation/Testimony“When did you come to know the Lord personally?”“Can you tell me what changed in your life after you got saved?”“What do you mean when you say you're a Christian?”“If someone asked you how to become a Christian, what would you say?”“How do you know your sins are forgiven?”Questions About the Gospel Itself“What is the gospel, in your own words?”“Why did Jesus have to die?”“Do you believe someone can be saved without repentance?”“How would you explain grace to someone who's never been to church?”“Is Christianity more about what we do, or what Christ has done?”Questions for Self-Examination (2 Cor. 13:5)“Do you see the fruit of the Spirit growing in your life?”“When you sin, how do you respond?”“Is your relationship with Jesus personal or more of a tradition?”“What's your greatest hope when you stand before God one day?”Questions That Expose False Assurance“If you died tonight and stood before God, and He asked, ‘Why should I let you into heaven?'—what would you say?”“Has your view of sin changed since becoming a Christian?”“Is there anything in your life that you're holding onto more tightly than Christ?”“What does it mean to be born again?”Questions About Worship & Discipleship“Do you enjoy reading God's Word? Why or why not?”“How do you pursue spiritual growth?”“Do you love God's people and desire to be part of a local church?”“Are there areas where God has been convicting you lately?”For Relational and Casual Conversations“Do you ever doubt your salvation? What do you do when that happens?”“What does prayer look like in your life?”“How do you respond when someone challenges your faith?”“How would your closest friends describe your walk with Christ?”

Fr. Michael Copenhagen is a Melkite (Eastern Catholic) priest, husband, and father, at St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Melkite Catholic Church in Gates, New York. He holds a Bachelors of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.   In Today's Show: Are the Ukrainian Orthodox and Catholic Church the same? How does "Honor thy mother and father" change a child becomes an adult? What happens if you receive a blessing from God, but choose to reject it?  Can an Eastern rite priest say mass in other rites? Why weren't Eastern Rite liturgies changed after Vatican II? What is the Eastern church's stance on contraception vs. the West? Which type of funeral mass should we have for a non-practicing Catholic? What do Eastern Catholics think of the feud between the Novus Ordo and Traditional Latin Mass? Can you explain kneeling vs. standing during mass in the different rites? What is the Eastern Catholic view on the synodal church? Any advice on discerning between “waiting on the Lord” and trusting in His timing? ​Is 1 Cor 10:2 an example of a type of infant baptism? Visit the show page at thestationofthecross.com/askapriest to listen live, check out the weekly lineup, listen to podcasts of past episodes, watch live video, find show resources, sign up for our mailing list of upcoming shows, and submit your question for Father!

Aprofunde sua devoção a Deus em fiel.in/devocionalO sofrimento que esmaga a féMas eles não têm raiz em si mesmos, sendo, antes, de pouca duração; em lhes chegando a angústia ou a perseguição por causa da palavra, logo se escandalizam. (Marcos 4.17)A fé de alguns é esmagada, em vez de edificada, pelo sofrimento. Jesus sabia disso e o descreveu aqui na parábola dos quatro solos. Algumas pessoas ouvem a Palavra e inicialmente a recebem com alegria, mas depois vem o sofrimento e as faz cair.Assim, a aflição nem sempre torna a fé mais forte. Às vezes, ela esmaga a fé. E, então, as palavras paradoxais de Jesus tornam-se realidade: “Ao que não tem, até o que tem lhe será tirado” (Marcos 4.25).Esse é um chamado para que possamos suportar o sofrimento com firme fé na graça futura, para que nossa fé possa se tornar mais forte e não se provar vã (1 Coríntios 15.2). “Ao que tem se lhe dará” (Marcos 4.25). Conhecer o propósito de Deus no sofrimento é um dos principais meios de crescer em meio ao sofrimento.Se você pensa que o seu sofrimento é inútil, ou que Deus não está no controle, ou que ele é caprichoso ou cruel, então o seu sofrimento o afastará de Deus, em vez de afastar você de tudo, menos de Deus — como deveria ser. Portanto, é crucial que a fé na graça de Deus inclua a fé de que ele concede graça através do sofrimento.--Devocional Alegria Inabalável, por John Piper | Editora Fiel.Conteúdo oferecido em parceria entre Desiring God e Ministério Fiel.

Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

15 Aspectos del Señor en Su Ascension 3) Coronado con Gloria y Honor. 4) Entronizado para llevar a cabo la administracion de Dios. (He. 2:9; 1 P. 2:7; He. 12:2; Ap. 3:21; 22:1, 3; 1 Cor. 6:17; Ap. 5:6). 30/7/25

Le Super Daily vous emmène au cœur de la Corée du Sud, un véritable laboratoire digital où le futur est déjà le présent !Plongez dans un écosystème numérique ultra-avancé où plus de 97,2% de la population est connectée à Internet et le taux de pénétration du mobile frôle les 97%. Les Sud-Coréens passent en moyenne 2h30 par jour sur leur téléphone, dont 1h15 sur les réseaux sociaux.Découvrez comment le pays a réinventé le e-commerce et le social commerce, devenant le 5e marché mondial du shopping en ligne avec un marché estimé à 104 milliards de dollars. Le social commerce pèse environ 30 à 35% du chiffre d'affaires du e-commerce total. Le Live Shopping y a explosé post-Covid, étant multiplié par 7 en un an, avec plus d'un habitant de Séoul sur deux ayant déjà acheté via ce format où tout se passe par téléphone. Des plateformes dédiées comme Na Shopping Live et Kakao Live Shopping dominent, et même YouTube a lancé sa propre chaîne dédiée au live shopping en juin 2023. La mode et la beauté sont les secteurs phares, attirant 63% des acheteurs.Explorez Kakao, bien plus qu'une simple application, c'est une super app et un écosystème digital complet, présente sur 93% des téléphones portables notamment via sa messagerie Kakao Talk. Elle intègre progressivement de nombreuses briques comme les paiements (Kakao Pay), les services de réservation de taxi (Kakao Taxi), et des plateformes de divertissement (Kakao Game, Musique, Webtoon), la transformant en une sorte de "centre commercial à ciel ouvert".La Corée est aussi le lieu fondateur du vrai Esport, une industrie en croissance de plus de 9% chaque année. Les compétitions se déroulent dans de véritables arènes physiques qui peuvent accueillir des milliers de spectateurs, et sont massivement diffusées à la télévision ou en streaming. La plateforme coréenne Soup (anciennement Afreeca TV), spécialisée dans le streaming d'Esport, a même réussi à "tuer" Twitch sur le territoire coréen en février 2024, forçant la plateforme américaine à se retirer. Des légendes comme Faker, star de League of Legends, ont leur main droite assurée pour 700 000 €.Le pays est un terreau fertile pour des phénomènes culturels uniques nés sur le web et les réseaux sociaux:La Corée du Sud, bien que petit pays de 51 millions d'habitants, est incroyablement influent sur la scène culturelle et numérique mondiale, un véritable laboratoire où tout est interconnecté : le live, le commerce, la culture et le divertissement.Bonne écoute ! Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

Introduction      What follows is an overview of future prophetic events as revealed in Scripture. It is not a comprehensive or technical analysis, but a panoramic survey designed to provide clarity and structure for understanding God's prophetic program. This presentation moves sequentially—from the Rapture of the Church to the eternal state—outlining the major movements of eschatology as understood from a literal, historical, grammatical interpretation of Scripture. Each section is grounded in key biblical passages and reflects a traditional dispensational perspective, affirming the distinctiveness of Israel and the Church and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan through both time and eternity. Readers should note that this is a bird's-eye view, intended to give the big picture. Deeper exegetical and theological treatments of these subjects are available elsewhere—but for now, we take our place as students of prophecy, watching history move steadily toward its divine consummation. Prophetic Overview      The next great event in God's prophetic program is the Rapture of the Church (John 14:1-3), which is the sudden, bodily, and upward catching away of all Church-age believers—both living and dead—to meet Christ in the air (1 Th 4:13-18; 1 Cor 15:51-53). The word Rapture—though not found in English Bibles—comes from the Latin rapturo, which translates the Greek harpazō (“to snatch away”) in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, and accurately describes the sudden catching away of believers to meet Christ in the air. This event is imminent, meaning it could occur at any moment, with no signs preceding it. It is distinct from the Second Coming and is exclusively for the Church, the body and bride of Christ (Eph 5:25-27). At the Rapture, deceased believers will be resurrected, and living believers will be instantly transformed. This marks the end of the Church Age—a mystery age not revealed in the Old Testament—and removes believers from the earth before God pours out His wrath in the Tribulation (1 Th 1:10; 5:9). The Church is promised deliverance, not participation, in the Day of the Lord (Rev 3:10). According to Fruchtenbaum: "The Church is composed of all true believers from Pentecost in Acts two until the Rapture of the Church. The Rapture excludes the Old Testament saints. It also excludes the Tribulation saints. The only saints who will be raptured are the Church saints. The Rapture passages clearly state that only those who are in Christ will partake of the Rapture."[1]      After the Rapture and while the Tribulation unfolds on earth, believers in heaven will appear before the judgment seat of Christ—also called the Bema seat—for evaluation and reward (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10-12). According to Pentecost, “The believer's works are brought into judgment, called ‘the things done in his body' (2 Cor. 5:10), in order that it may be determined whether they are good or bad.”[2] This is not a judgment for sin, as all sins were fully paid for by Christ on the cross (Rom 8:1; Heb 10:14), and believers are already justified by faith (Rom 3:28; 5:1; Gal 2:16). Rather, the Bema is a judgment of the believer's service, motives, and faithfulness in the Christian life. Paul describes this as a testing of each person's work—whether it was built with gold, silver, and precious stones, or with wood, hay, and straw (1 Cor 3:12-15). Those works of eternal value, done in alignment with God's Word, empowered by the Spirit, and offered for the glory of God, will endure the fire of divine evaluation and be rewarded. Unfruitful or self-centered efforts will be burned up, resulting in loss of reward—but not loss of salvation. The Bema seat thus underscores the seriousness of our stewardship in this life and highlights the grace of God, who not only saves but also rewards His people for their faithfulness. It is here that crowns are awarded (2 Tim 4:8; 1 Pet 5:4; Jam 1:12), and the Church is made ready as the adorned bride of Christ (Rev 19:7-8).      Following the Rapture, the Tribulation period begins, a seven-year timeframe marked by divine judgment and escalating global chaos (Dan 9:27; Matt 24:4-28). According to Thomas Ice, “In this discourse [Matt 24:4-28], Jesus describes for the disciples the tribulation period. In verses 4-14, He speaks about the first half of the tribulation, and in verses 15-28, He describes the second half leading up to the second coming.”[3] The Tribulation begins with the signing of a covenant between the coming world ruler—the Antichrist—and Israel (Dan 9:27). This covenant allows Israel to resume temple worship, likely including animal sacrifices. The first half of the Tribulation (three and a half years) is marked by political deception, regional wars, famine, and limited divine judgments (Rev 6:1-8). Though catastrophic, these judgments are restrained, giving the world time to repent. Two notable events during this time include the ministry of the 144,000 sealed Jewish evangelists (Rev 7:1-8) and the rise of global religious syncretism symbolized by the harlot of Revelation 17.      Midway through the Tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel, halts temple sacrifices, and sets up the abomination of desolation in the rebuilt Jewish temple, proclaiming himself to be God (Dan 9:27; Matt 24:15; 2 Th 2:3-4). This initiates the Great Tribulation, the second and more intense half of the seven-year period (Matt 24:21-22). During this time, Satan is cast down to earth with great fury (Rev 12:7-12), and the Antichrist is empowered to wage war against the saints, particularly the believing Jewish remnant and Gentile converts who refuse to worship him (Rev 13:7-10). The False Prophet promotes this global idolatry and enforces the mark of the beast (Rev 13:11-18). Despite escalating evil, God continues to offer grace through angelic proclamations (Rev 14:6-7) and the faithful witness of believers, many of whom are martyred.      As the Tribulation nears its end, a series of cataclysmic judgments intensify God's wrath: trumpet and bowl judgments devastate the environment, economy, and world population (Rev 8-9; 16). Political alliances form against Israel, setting the stage for the Battle of Armageddon. The kings of the earth, stirred by demonic influence, gather in the valley of Megiddo to destroy Jerusalem and annihilate the Jewish people (Zech 12:2-3; Rev 16:13-16). But just as it seems all hope is lost, the heavens open, and Christ returns in glory with His holy angels and glorified saints (Zech 14:1-11; Rev 19:11-16). According to Ryrie, “the second coming of Christ will occur prior to the Millennium, which will see the establishment of Christ's kingdom on this earth for a literal one thousand years.”[4] This Second Coming is visible, dramatic, and earth-shaking. Christ will personally destroy the Antichrist and the False Prophet, casting them into the lake of fire (Rev 19:19-20), and He will bind Satan in the abyss for 1,000 years (Rev 20:1-3).      At the return of Christ, the Millennial Kingdom will be established—a literal 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth, centered in Jerusalem (Rev 20:4-6). Fruchtenbaum states, “The Millennium will not begin the day immediately following the last day of the Great Tribulation because there will be a seventy-five day interval.”[5] The 75-day interval serves to cleanse and prepare the earth for Christ's Millennial reign by judging the nations, restoring order, and inaugurating millennial blessings (Dan 12:11-12; Matt 25:31-46). After that, Christ will establish His kingdom on earth. He will fulfill all Old Testament covenants with Israel, including the Abrahamic (Gen 12:1-3), Davidic (2 Sam 7:16; Psa 89:35-37; Luke 1:31-33), and New Covenants (Jer 31:31-34). Israel will be regathered, restored, and exalted among the nations (Isa 2:2-4; Zech 14:16-21). The curse on nature will be partially lifted, and peace, righteousness, and justice will characterize Christ's reign (Isa 11:1-10). Temple worship will resume, though modified, with sacrifices serving as memorials of Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Ezek 40–48). Though Satan is bound, human beings born during the Millennium—descendants of Tribulation survivors—will still have sin natures and need salvation.      At the end of the thousand years, Satan is released for a final rebellion (Rev 20:7-9). He will deceive a vast number of people, proving that even in a perfect environment, man's sin nature still inclines him to rebel against God. Fire from heaven will consume the rebellious forces, and Satan will be cast into the lake of fire forever (Rev 20:10). Then comes the Great White Throne Judgment, where all unbelievers throughout history are resurrected, judged according to their works, and condemned to eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15). This is not a judgment to determine salvation, but to reveal the just grounds for condemnation due to their rejection of God's provision of grace. There is no mention of the Church here, as believers were already judged at the Bema Seat following the Rapture (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10).      After the final judgment, God creates a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1). The eternal state begins, free from sin, death, pain, and sorrow. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, adorned like a bride, and becomes the dwelling place of the redeemed (Rev 21:2-4). God's people from all ages will dwell in perfect fellowship with Him forever, enjoying His presence, His glory, and His goodness without end. There will be no temple in the New Jerusalem, for the Lord God and the Lamb are its temple (Rev 21:22). The curse is gone (Rev 22:3), the water of life flows freely, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Eternity will be a time of unbroken peace, joy, service, and worship. The former things will have passed away, and the redeemed will enjoy their inheritance in the presence of their Savior forever. Summary      The prophetic Word of God unveils a majestic and ordered panorama of future events, from the imminent Rapture of the Church to the eternal state in the new heavens and new earth. Each stage—whether the Tribulation, Christ's return, the Millennial Kingdom, or the final judgment—demonstrates God's sovereign control over history and His faithfulness to fulfill every covenant and promise. For the Church, prophecy is about prediction and preparation. It reminds us that history is moving steadily toward divine consummation, and that our hope is anchored not in the shifting sands of this world, but in the unshakable promises of our returning Savior. As we await that blessed hope, we do so with confidence, vigilance, and joy, knowing that the same God who keeps His Word about the future is the same God who sustains us in the present. Come, Lord Jesus (Rev 22:20). Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.     [1] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events, Rev. ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 2003), 142. [2] J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come: A Study in Biblical Eschatology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1958), 223. [3] Timothy J. Demy and Thomas Ice, Answers to Common Questions about the End Times (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2011), 64. [4] Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1999), 522. [5] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, The Footsteps of the Messiah, 361.

No culto de celebração dominical no MAP Curitiba, o Pr. Adeildo Nascimento trouxe uma palavra poderosa sobre a verdadeira essência do Evangelho: a graça de Deus.Muitos desejam apenas o poder, os dons, os milagres. Mas há algo ainda maior: a graça que nos sustenta, transforma e nos torna semelhantes a Cristo. Sem graça, não há continuidade. Sem graça, não há cruz. E sem cruz, não há ressurreição.Essa mensagem é um convite para voltarmos à essência do Evangelho e reconhecermos que é a graça de Deus que nos basta.

Sabbath School panel discussion and insight by 3ABN pastors and teachers. This podcast episode follows 2025 quarter 3, lesson 5 of the adult Bible study guide book. This quarter's book topic is “Exodus”. and this week's Sabbath School lesson is titled “Passover” Join us every week for a fresh and relevant study of the word of God. Reading: Exod. 11:1-10 | Mic. 6:8 | Exod. 12:1-30 | 1 Cor. 5:7 | Exod. 13:14-16 | Heb. 11:28. Memory Text: " 'And it shall be, when your children say to you, "What do you mean by this service?" that you shall say, "It is the Passover sacrifice of the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households"'" (Exodus 12:26, 27, NKJV). (July 26 - August 1) Sunday (John Lomacang) - “One More Plague”Monday (James Rafferty) - “Healing the Body” Tuesday (Shelley Quinn) - “Pesach”Wednesday (John Dinzey) - “Passing the Torch”Thursday (Jill Morikone) - “The Divine Judgment” Want the Panelists' notes? You can sign up here: https://3abnsabbathschoolpanel.com/notes/ Questions or Comments? Email us at mail@3abn.org Donate: https://3abn.org/donate-quick.html

Are you “able to comfort those who are in any trouble”? You can if you share the comfort of God (2 Cor 1:4). 

====================================================SUSCRIBETEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpffyr-7_zP1x1lS89ByaQ?sub_confirmation=1==================================================== LECCIÓN DE ESCUELA SABÁTICA         III TRIMESTRE DEL 2025Narrado por: Miguel PáezDesde: Bogotá, ColombiaUna cortesía de DR'Ministries y Canaan Seventh-Day Adventist ChurchMARTES 29 DE JULIOPÉSAJ Lee Éxodo 12:17 al 23. ¿Qué papel desempeña la sangre en la celebración de esta nueva festividad religiosa? La sangre del cordero sacrificado era un elemento clave en esta celebración. Quienes participaban de esta, mojaban con ella los marcos de las puertas de sus casas. De este modo, demostraban su fe en que Dios los libraría de lo que tendrían que afrontar quienes no estuvieran protegidos por la sangre. ¡Qué poderosa representación de lo que significa el evangelio!El cordero pascual tenía que ser sin defecto pues señalaba a Jesucristo, “¡el Cordero de Dios, que quita el pecado del mundo!” La sangre del animal cumplía una función crucial: simbolizaba protección y era una señal de vida en un momento de muerte. “La sangre será la señal de las casas donde ustedes estén. Al ver la sangre, pasaré de largo, y no habrá entre ustedes mortandad cuando yo hiera la tierra de Egipto” (Éxo. 12:13). Todo el evangelio estaba asociado con la celebración de la Pascua porque esta no solo apuntaba a la liberación de la esclavitud y la partida hacia la Tierra Prometida, sino también al sacrificio de Jesucristo por nuestros pecados y a sus méritos aplicados a todos los que están cubiertos por su sangre. Siglos más tarde, Pablo escribió lo siguiente al recordar esta celebración: “Límpiense de la vieja levadura, para que sean nueva masa sin levadura como son. Porque nuestra Pascua, que es Cristo, ya fue sacrificada por nosotros” (1 Cor. 5:7). La levadura, o fermento, era utilizada para preparar masas de diversos tipos. Se la menciona por primera vez en la Biblia en relación con la preparación del pan ácimo (sin levadura) en la víspera de la salida de los israelitas de Egipto. También era necesario eliminar la levadura de sus casas (Éxo. 12:8, 15-20; 13:3-7). En este contexto concreto, la levadura era un símbolo de pecado (1 Cor. 5:6-8). Por lo tanto, no debía ser utilizada en el contexto de la fiesta de la Pascua durante una semana. El pan sin levadura es un símbolo del Mesías sin pecado, quien venció todas las tentaciones y dio su vida por nosotros (Juan 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 4:15). El “manojo de hisopo” empapado en sangre simbolizaba la gracia purificadora de Dios (Sal. 51:7). En resumen, la obra redentora de Jesús era revelada a lo largo de la Pascua. ¿Qué nos dice acerca de la gravedad del pecado el hecho de que fuera necesaria la sangre de Jesús, Dios mismo, para expiarlo? 

Lev. 23:9-14; Prov. 3:9-10; Matt. 6:33; Mal. 3:10; 1 Cor. 15:20-23 Offer the First Fruits of Your Time Offer the First Fruits of Your Talent Offer the First Fruits of Your Treasure Offer First Fruits as the Father Offered His First Fruits Speaker: Pastor Dale Evrist You can also listen to the Walking Through The Word Podcast and Walking Through The Word Podcast 4 Kids at https://www.lifereachresources.com/podcasts. You can get your CORE4 and CORE4Kids discipleship resources at https://www.lifereachresources.com/core4. Find out more about becoming a Disciple-Maker at https://www.lifereachresources.com/disciplemakingteam.

Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

8 Aspectos del Señor en el NT, concernientes a su reproduccion en resurrección. 6) El Espiritu dador de Vida (Vivificante). 7) El Señor Espiritu y 8) Cristo en los Creyentes (1 Cor. 15:45b; Jn. 14:16-20; 20:19-22; 2 Cor. 3:17-18, Rom. 8:29; 8:10; Col. 1:27; 2 Cor. 13:5; 3:4; Ef. 3:17 Hch. 6:7; 1 Tim. 1:19). 28/7/25

Passagens Complementares:1 Coríntios 10,7Atos dos Apóstolos 17,29Romanos 1,22-23I Coríntios 8,4Apocalipse 9,20

The Bible foretells a day when prophecies and tongues will cease (1 Cor 13:8), when 'the perfect' comes. Some believe that day has already come and gone with the establishment of the Bible. Others believe the spiritual gifts continue on. It all hinges on what exactly 'The Perfect' is. Thankfully, it doesn't need to be a mystery to us. Support Rise on Fire Ministries by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rise-on-fireRead transcript

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

A Slow Journey Back - Hebrews 10:24-25, 2 Cor. 1:3-7, 1 Peter 5:5-11 - Bryan Maxwell, Guest Speaker by FBC Benicia

Continuing with our series “UNSTOPPABLE Church”, today Pastor Ira teaches on Unstoppable Reconciliation. The greatest reconciliation in history took place on the cross. In the early church it transformed the culture. Today we are called to live in this same “reconciliation reality” that brings forgiveness, breaking down cultural barriers that we are all negatively impacted by every day. Key Scriptures:Acts 10:1-48, Mark 7:18-20, 1 Tim 2:3-4, 2 Cor 5:16-17, Gal 3:26-28

La population mondiale s'élevait en 2020 à 7,8 milliards d'habitants. En 2030, nous serons au moins 8,5 milliards. Et en 2050 ce chiffre pourrait dépasser les 10 milliards dans l'hypothèse d'une fécondité forte. La démographie est l'un des principaux éléments de la puissance d'un État, en même temps qu'elle peut aussi être un facteur de sous-développement. Ces chiffres sur la démographie mondiale recoupent des réalités extrêmement différentes. Alors que l'Europe connait un hiver démographique qui ne permet plus le renouvellement des générations, en Asie, l'Inde est devenue le pays le plus peuplé du monde avec 1,3 milliard d'habitants, devançant la Chine, dont la population vieillit inexorablement. Ce vieillissement de la population est déjà manifeste depuis des années au Japon et maintenant en Corée du Sud. En revanche la population africaine explose. Nombre de pays du continent n'ont pas achevé leur transition démographique. En 1950 l'Afrique pesait à peine pour 8,3% de la population mondiale et avait moins d'habitants que les États-Unis. En 2050 le continent africain devrait abriter un quart de la population mondiale. Quels effets ces nouvelles donnes démographiques auront-elles géopolitiquement et militairement ? Édition en partenariat avec la revue Questions Internationales « Démographie. Une inconnue décisive ». Invités : Gérard-François Dumont, professeur à Sorbonne Université. Président de la revue Population et Avenir. « Géographie des populations », Armand Colin. Jean-Pierre Guengant, démographe et économiste du Développement. Directeur de recherche à l'Institut de Recherche pour le Développement. Serge Sur, professeur émérite de l'Université Panthéon Assas, rédacteur en chef de la Revue Questions internationales. Membre de l'Institut - Académie des sciences morales et politiques.

Disciples of Jesus are Ambassadors - 2 Cor 5, 11-21 - Brian Hammonds by NewBranch

     Those who are positive to God desire to know Him, His Word, and to pursue His will.[1] Jesus said to fellow Jews, “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17). Jesus explained that knowing God's Word is predicated on a desire to do (ποιέω poieo) His will. But some hearts are negative to God. And when the heart is negative, no amount of divine revelation will prove persuasive. For example, Noah preached to his generation for one hundred and twenty years, but they refused to listen (Gen 6:3; 2 Pet 2:5). Jeremiah spoke to the leaders of Israel, saying, “these twenty-three years the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened” (Jer 25:3). Preachers are responsible for the accurate output of the message, not the outcome of response. Jesus spoke to the hard-hearted Pharisees and said, “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word” (John 8:43). Jesus then gave the answer, saying, “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father” (John 8:44). They could not hear His words because they were unsaved and negative to God. These were men who “loved the darkness rather than the Light” (John 3:19). Paul described them as ones “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18). Paul also spoke about the unsaved person, saying, “But an unbeliever does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised” (1 Cor 2:14).      Of the one with positive volition it is said, “his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psa 1:2). The benefit of such a lifelong meditation is that “He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers” (Psa 1:3). The godly person is positive to the Lord and welcomes His Word. David said, “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart” (Psa 40:8). The word delight (חָפֵץ chaphets) means, “to take pleasure in, desire…to delight in…to be willing…to feel inclined.”[2] This speaks of positive volition. God's will (רָצוֹן ratson) refers to what pleases Him. And the word Law (תּוֹרָה torah) means teaching, direction, or instruction. Jeremiah said, “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jer 15:16). To eat God's Word is a picture of positive volition, as Jeremiah welcomed the divine revelation into himself. Once received, it delighted (שִׂמְחָה simchah – delight, joy, gladness, mirth) his heart (לֵבָב lebab – inner person, mind, will). When the human heart is receptive to God's Word, it transforms that person from the inside out, and this is both cognitive and experiential. David and Jeremiah wanted to know and walk with God, and His divine revelation, properly understood and applied, was the means to know and do it.      God will open His Word to the believer who dedicates his/her life to Him. Paul wrote, “I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:1-2). A surrendered life to God makes the Christian sensitive to the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit, who aids the believer to know God's will. Concerning this passage, Arnold Fruchtenbaum states: "It is hard to understand what the will of God is without this act of dedication because the believer does not have the Spirit's illumination, which is needed to determine God's will from His Word. Dedication brings knowledge of the will of God. Having the knowledge, the logical outworking of the dedicated life is that the believer now does the will of God."[3]      God's Word is powerful and accomplishes what He desires (Isa 55:10-11; Heb 4:12), and it lights a fire in the heart of those who welcome it. For example, Jesus, after his resurrection, walked for several miles with two disciples and gave them a Bible lesson which lasted for several hours as they traveled “to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:13). Luke records what Jesus taught them, saying, “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). After His Bible lesson, the two disciples said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). The heart that is positive to God receives His Word and is excited by what is learned.  Theological Categories of God's Will      The will of God can be divided between His secret will and revealed will. Moses wrote, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law” (Deut 29:29). What God has revealed in Scripture is what He deems important for us to know. But there are secret things that belong to the Lord, and on these matters, He remains silent. To spend our days pursuing what God has sovereignly chosen to keep hidden will only lead to unending frustration. If we have prayed and studied God's Word thoroughly yet received no clear answer, it may be because God does not want us to know—or not to know at this time. Though we may seek to discern God's will through daily experiences, such providential insight must always remain subordinate to His written revelation. Though we don't know many particulars about what God is doing, we know He is in control and directing history to the return of Christ and the eternal state, and we are part of that grand plan. Concerning God's revealed will, Scripture presents several classifications. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] For the Christian, this does not mean our sin nature is removed, nor that we are free from the sinful pressures of living in a fallen world. Paul said, “I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members” (Rom 7:21-23). This struggle with sin continues until we leave this world and enter into heaven. Until then, it is God's will that we remain in this world (John 17:15) as His ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). [2] Ludwig Koehler et al., The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, 340. [3] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Faith Alone: The Condition of Our Salvation: An Exposition of the Book of Galatians and Other Relevant Topics, ed. Christiane Jurik, Second Edition. (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2016), 120.

A sermon by John Zeigler with the title "Sufficiency and Efficacy" from John 6:5-10, 2 Cor. 12:7-9 and other passages

====================================================SUSCRIBETEhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpffyr-7_zP1x1lS89ByaQ?sub_confirmation=1==================================================== LECCIÓN DE ESCUELA SABÁTICA         III TRIMESTRE DEL 2025Narrado por: Miguel PáezDesde: Bogotá, ColombiaUna cortesía de DR'Ministries y Canaan Seventh-Day Adventist ChurchSÁBADO 26 DE JULIOLA PASCUA LEE PARA EL ESTUDIO DE ESTA SEMANA: Éxodo 11:1-10; Miqueas 6:8; Éxodo 12:1-30; 1 Corintios 5:7; Éxodo 13:14-16; Hebreos 11:28. PARA MEMORIZAR:“Y cuando sus hijos les pregunten: ‘¿Qué significa este rito?', responderán: ‘Es la víctima de la Pascua en honor del Señor, que pasó por alto las casas de los israelitas en Egipto, cuando hirió a los egipcios, y libró nuestras casas' ” (Éxo. 12:26, 27). La décima y última plaga está a punto de caer. Se da el último aviso. Es necesario tomar la decisión final. Se trata de una cuestión de vida o muerte. No solo está en juego la vida de un individuo, sino la prosperidad de las familias y de toda la nación. El faraón y sus funcionarios serán responsables del destino de muchas personas, ya sea para vida o para muerte. Su actitud respecto del Dios vivo de Israel determinará no solo su futuro, sino también el de su nación. ¿Cómo nos sentimos y qué hacemos cuando la gravedad de las circunstancias se cierne sobre nosotros y tenemos que tomar una decisión que puede tener un gran impacto en la vida de muchos otros además de la nuestra? Dios está más que dispuesto a concedernos sabiduría, entendimiento y poder para hacer lo correcto (1 Cor. 1:30; Fil. 2:13). El problema, sin embargo, es que nuestro obstinado corazón no siempre está dispuesto a hacer lo correcto. Sabemos en qué consiste esto, pero nos negamos a hacerlo. En el relato acerca del éxodo, la negativa de un hombre a someterse a Dios, incluso ante la abrumadora evidencia, resultó, como siempre ocurre, en una tragedia para él y para muchos otros. 

Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

8 Aspectos de Cristo en Su reproduccion, en resurrección: 5)Un Hombre Resucitado con Cuerpo Espiritual de Carne y Huesos (Jn. 20:19; Lc. 24:36-37, 38, 39, 40; 1 Cor. 15:44; Lc. 24:41-43; Fil. 3:21; Lc. 24:36; Rom. 6:9). 23/7/25

1 Cor 13:4-5 4 Love suffereth long, (and) is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;

Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

Being called by God to do something you feel ill-equipped to do can be somewhat of a frightening place to be. That is where Katie Lassiter, our storyteller from our Montgomery, Alabama community group, found herself when her husband approached her about becoming a foster family.   Katie was adamant she could not do it as she didn't think she was mentally strong enough.  But, as you will see in her story, when God calls you to something, He will equip you with the strength and the resources you need.    What are you being called to today? Katie's story is going to encourage you to take a step towards that calling even if you feel unprepared because the Lord will indeed empower you.   IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: - God's plan is always better than your plan. - If you feel God is calling you to something, just take one step and let Him lead. - God's grace is sufficient for you in your weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9)   Links: Give to StoryTellers Live in honor of Katie and our past storytellers!!   Become a Patreon Insider to access bonus content~ including an interview with Robyn Kown.  This is the third and final episode of our “Meet the Hosts” series on Patreon!   Register for our Finding God in the Details: A Guide to Discerning His Voice and Discovering Your Story workshop being offered in-person on September 10th; 9:30 AM -12:00 PM CST Shop for our When God Shows Up Bible Study series   Check out all of our live speaking engagement opportunities on our website Sign up to receive StoryTellers Live's weekly newsletter for updates and details on our live gatherings starting back up in  the Fall

SCRIPTURE- 1 Cor 16:13“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”REFLECTION- Sr. KarolynMUSIC- NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.

What are the desires of your heart? Sometimes we think, “If I just had ___, then I’d finally be happy.” Psalm 37:4 offers a different promise:“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This powerful devotional by Megan J. Conner explores how God lovingly transforms our longings—helping us discover that what we truly desire is Him. If you’ve ever wondered why even your biggest wins still leave you wanting more, this message will speak to the deeper need in your soul: true contentment in God.

In this message, we reflected on the deceptive nature of the world system and God's loving response toward His people. Through Scripture, we explored how God uses chastisement not to condemn us but to keep us aligned with His truth. We considered the role of judgment, prophecy, and obedience in preserving our spiritual identity. We recognized how the world subtly influences thoughts, behaviors, and even religious traditions, often masking rebellion in the guise of culture or progress. By abiding in Christ, walking in truth, and receiving divine counsel, we are called to resist temptation and live as distinct from the world. The meeting closed with gratitude for God's unwavering love, and a prayer for His protection and guidance.

Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

Leprosy is a picture (a metaphor for sin). We see in Leviticus 13-14 a description of leprosy (defiling skin diseases) that paints a picture of what sin is like and what has been done for us as a result of it.We see in Leviticus 13 that Sin Spreads (Lev 13.5-8), and that Sin Defiles & Isolates us (Lev 13.44-46). Sin desensatises us, it deadens our nerves (just like leprosy does). We see in Leviticus 14 the process that the sick person went through to be cleansed: First, the Priest went to the leper (Lev 14.1-3) - Jesus came to us (Luke 19.10, and Matt 18.12-14). Second, a sacrifice was offered (Lev 14.8-20) - Jesus is our sacrificial lamb (Heb 9.22, 10.1-25; John 1.29; 1 Cor 5.7; 1 John 4.9-10, and John 3.16). Three, the sick person had to do something; they had to act. In Leviticus, they were responsible for cleaning themselves (Lev 14.8-9). Today, we too have to do something, we have to act, and that simple act is accepting the sacrifice that was made in our place (Rom 10.9-10, 13).In looking at Leviticus 13 and 14, we see a picture of what sin does to us, and what God has done to free us from it!Outline:00:45 - Introduction to Leprosy (disease) as a picture of sin.02:23 - Sin is more than skin deep. Lev 13.3-4, 25, 30-32, 34. Jer 17.9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”08:37 - Sin spreads Bible Verses: Lev 13.5-8, 22-23, 27-28, 32, 34-36, 51, 53, 55; 14.39, 44, 48; James 1.14-15; Mat 16.5-12; Gal 5.9, and Rom 1.18-32.15:53 - Sin DefilesBible Verses: Lev 13.44-46; Num 32.23, Isa 6,.5 and 64.6.20:17 - Sin isolatesBible Verse: Lev 13.44-46.22:58 - Sin deadens our nerves - causes us to lose sensitivity to right and wrong. Bible Verse: Eph 4.17-19.25:53 - SALVATION26:58 - The priest went to the leperBible Verses: Lev 14.1-3; Luke 19.10, and Matt 18.12-14. 28:15 - The victim offers a sacrificeBible Verses: Lev 14.8-20; Heb 9.22, 10.1-25; John 1.29; Ex 11-12; 1 Cor 5.7; 1 John 4.9-10, and John 3.16.35:03 - The Sick had to ActBible Verses: Lev 14.8-9; Mark 1.40-44; Rom 12.2; Psa 1; Rev 3.20, and Rom 10.9-10, 13.Support Iron Sheep Ministries: https://Ironsheep.org/donateListen to the podcast: https://anchor.fm/ironsheepContact Dave & the ISM team: info@ironsheep.orgBe notified of each new teaching, join the email list: http://eepurl.com/g-2zAD

Du lundi au samedi, rendez-vous avec l'actualité de la Corée sous tous ses angles.

Satan, whose name means “adversary,” is a created angelic being who once held an exalted position in God's heavenly order. In Ezekiel 28:12-15, under the figure of the king of Tyre, we are given insight into Satan's pre-fall splendor: he was “the anointed cherub who covers,” full of wisdom and perfect in beauty, created blameless until iniquity was found in him. Isaiah 14:12-15, speaking of the fall of “Lucifer, son of the morning” (KJV), reveals the inner ambition of this being who said in his heart, “I will ascend to heaven... I will make myself like the Most High.” These five self-centered declarations form the anatomy of the first sin—prideful rebellion against God's sovereign authority. Though the passage addresses the king of Babylon, the language transcends the human plane, revealing a supernatural reality behind the earthly ruler. Satan's fall was not due to ignorance or weakness, but the willful distortion of his privileged position and beauty, which corrupted his wisdom (Ezek 28:17). His rebellion marked the beginning of moral evil in the universe. When Adam, the original theocratic steward of the earth (Gen 1:26-28), sinned by submitting to Satan's temptation (Gen 3:1-6), dominion was effectively transferred from man to Satan (Luke 4:5-6), who then became “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4) and “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31). While God remains sovereign over all (Psa 103:19), Satan now exerts delegated influence over human systems, cultures, and ideologies through deception and darkness (Eph 2:2; 1 John 5:19). Following his fall, Satan became the chief adversary of God, His program, and His people. He is the “god of this world” who blinds the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4), the “prince of the power of the air” who energizes the sons of disobedience (Eph 2:2), and the “deceiver of the whole world” (Rev 12:9). His access to heaven has not yet been fully revoked, for he presently accuses believers before God, day and night (Job 1:6-12; Rev 12:10). He is active in the affairs of nations (Dan 10:13), sows tares among the wheat (Matt 13:39), and promotes counterfeit signs, doctrines, and ministers (2 Cor 11:13-15; 1 Tim 4:1). Jesus called him a murderer and “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Yet even now, Satan operates only within divinely permitted boundaries—he is a defeated foe on a short leash. At the cross, Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities,” triumphing over them (Col 2:15), and though Satan remains active, his judgment is certain. His end has already been decreed. Satan's ultimate demise will unfold in stages. During the future Tribulation, he will be cast down from his heavenly access and confined to earth (Rev 12:7-9). Near the end of the Tribulation, he will empower the Beast and the False Prophet in their final global rebellion (Rev 13:2-7). At Christ's Second Coming, Satan will be bound and imprisoned in the abyss for a thousand years during the millennial reign (Rev 20:1-3). After the thousand years, he will be released for one final revolt, gathering the nations for battle against Christ's kingdom, only to be defeated in a moment and cast into the lake of fire, where he will be tormented forever (Rev 20:7-10). This is not annihilation, but conscious, eternal punishment. The irony is profound: the one who said, “I will ascend,” will be brought “down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit” (Isa 14:15). His story ends not with exaltation, but humiliation—forever crushed under the heel of the Sovereign God (Gen 3:15; Rom 16:20). Demons Fallen angels, often referred to as demons, are those angelic beings who chose to rebel against God. Revelation 12:4 suggests that one-third of the angels followed Satan in his rebellion and were cast down with him. These fallen angels became hostile spiritual entities, operating in opposition to God's purposes and in deceptive rebellion against divine truth. Some are active in the present age (Mark 1:32-34), while others are bound in chains awaiting future judgment (Jude 1:6; Rev 9:1-2, 14). Others are active in influencing world leaders, as seen when demonic spirits go out to deceive the kings of the earth and gather them for battle at Armageddon (Rev 16:13-16). Still others are employed by God as agents of discipline and judgment (Judg 9:23; 1 Sam 16:14-16). Demons are consistently depicted in Scripture as unclean spirits (Matt 10:1; Mark 6:7), deceitful and malevolent (1 Tim 4:1; Rev 16:14). They promote false doctrine (1 Tim 4:1), oppose the truth (2 Cor 4:4), and seek to destroy lives, both spiritually and physically (Mark 5:2-5; Luke 9:39). Their activity includes demon possession (Matt 8:16; Mark 9:17-29), where they exert direct control over human faculties, often producing self-harm, mental torment, and violent behavior. While possession is a reality in the Gospels and Acts, believers today are assured they cannot be possessed by demons, for they are indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit (John 14:17; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Eph 1:13-14). Still, demons can tempt, oppress, and deceive (Eph 4:26-27; 2 Cor 2:11). Satan, as the leader of fallen angels, is called the “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4), “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), and the “accuser of our brethren” (Rev 12:10). He blinds unbelievers, tempts saints, and prowls like a roaring lion seeking to devour (1 Pet 5:8). He is cunning, having disguised himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14), and he works through systems of false religion, secular ideologies, and demonic doctrines to oppose the gospel (Rev 2:13-24; 1 John 4:1-3). His defeat is already secured through Christ's work on the cross (Col 2:15; Heb 2:14), and his final doom awaits in the lake of fire (Rev 20:10). Until then, believers are called to resist him by submitting to God and standing firm in the truth (Jam 4:7; Eph 6:10-18). Our victory is not in power encounters or mystical deliverance rites, but in the sufficiency of Christ, the authority of His Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Satan's Strategies to Deceive Satan's primary method of attack is deception. As “the father of lies” (John 8:44), he traffics in half-truths, distortions, and subtle misrepresentations of God's Word. His first recorded words in Scripture are an assault on divine truth: “Indeed, has God said…?” (Gen 3:1). He questioned God's goodness, denied His judgment, and promised a counterfeit enlightenment to Eve (Gen 3:4-5). This pattern persists. Satan's deception often appears religious and even virtuous. He disguises himself as “an angel of light,” and his agents as “servants of righteousness” (2 Cor 11:14-15). He promotes false doctrine that appeals to human pride and legalism (1 Tim 4:1-3), enticing people to trust in rituals, works, or mystical experiences rather than the sufficiency of Christ and the clarity of the gospel (Gal 1:6-9; Col 2:8). He twists Scripture, as he did when tempting Jesus in the wilderness (Matt 4:6), seeking to lead believers into disobedience through misapplied truth. One of his deadliest tools is religious systems that use biblical language but deny grace, subtly shifting trust away from Christ to human performance. Another key strategy Satan uses is infiltration into the thought life of believers. Paul warns of being “led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3), and commands believers to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). Satan sows seeds of fear, anxiety, envy, bitterness, and doubt—undermining the believer's confidence in God's character and promises. He exploits emotional instability, tempts toward discontentment, and entices with worldly lusts (1 John 2:15-17). He is the master of discouragement, often accusing believers and dredging up past failures to immobilize present faith (Rev 12:10). Moreover, Satan creates ideological strongholds—philosophies, political movements, and cultural trends—that oppose biblical truth and condition people to reject the gospel (Col 2:8). He builds systems of thought that appear noble or compassionate but are anchored in rebellion against God. His endgame is to blind minds (2 Cor 4:4), corrupt hearts, and neutralize the impact of God's people. Yet believers are not helpless. By walking in the Spirit, renewing our minds with Scripture, and putting on the full armor of God, we are equipped to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11-17). How to Be Rescued from Satan's Kingdom All people are born into Satan's domain of darkness, separated from God and spiritually dead in sin (Col 1:13; Eph 2:1-3). But in His grace, God rescues us through the finished work of Christ. At the moment of faith in Jesus—believing that He is the eternal Son of God who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Cor 15:3-4)—the believer is delivered from the authority of Satan and transferred into the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Col 1:13-14). This transfer is instantaneous, permanent, and entirely the work of God. Justification is by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9), through faith alone (Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16), in Christ alone (John 14:6; Acts 4:12), and results in spiritual rebirth (1 Pet 1:3, 23) and a new identity in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). Though Satan can no longer possess or eternally condemn the believer, he still seeks to deceive, discourage, and derail. The Christian life, therefore, is a spiritual battleground—not for salvation, but for sanctification, fruitfulness, and eternal reward (2 Cor 10:3-5; 1 Cor 3:12-15). To live effectively for the Lord in this fallen world, believers must learn and live God's Word by faith. Scripture is our source of truth and stability in the face of Satan's lies (John 17:17). It nourishes spiritual growth (1 Pet 2:2), renews the mind (Rom 12:2), and equips us for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17). As we walk by faith and are filled with the Spirit (2 Cor 5:7; Eph 5:18), prayer becomes the posture of dependence—bringing our needs, confessions, thanksgiving, and intercessions before the throne of grace (Phil 4:6-7; Heb 4:16). Sharing the gospel is both our privilege and duty, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1:16), and through it, others can be rescued from darkness as we were. Doing good—as God defines it—is not about self-promotion or religious performance, but humble service empowered by the Spirit and aligned with divine truth (Gal 6:10; Tit 2:11-14). As we abide in Christ, our lives bear fruit—bringing glory to God and blessing to others (John 15:5-8). This is how we shine as lights in the world and stand firm against the darkness—not in fear, but in confident obedience to the One who saved us by grace and sustains us through truth (Phil 2:15-16; Eph 6:10-13). The Christian Armor Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesians with a powerful call to spiritual readiness: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might” (Eph 6:10). The verb endunamoō (“be strong”) is in the passive voice, indicating that believers are to be strengthened by God, not by self-effort. This strength comes in the Lord (en kyriō), through dependence on His strength and might. The believer stands not in personal resolve, but in the resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead (Eph 1:18-20). To walk in that strength, we are commanded to “put on the full armor of God” (panoplia), a reference to the complete suit of Roman military equipment—every piece essential for defense and stability (Eph 6:11). The goal is not to attack, but “to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” The term methodeias refers to Satan's cunning strategies—his deceitful systems, twisted half-truths, and subversive ideologies designed to lead believers astray. Paul clarifies that our conflict is not “against flesh and blood” but against unseen forces of spiritual evil (Eph 6:12). The battle is not political or cultural at its root, but spiritual. Demonic powers are organized in ranks—rulers, authorities, world-rulers of this darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness—and they operate in the heavenly realms. For this reason, Paul repeats the command to take up the full armor of God so that we may resist in “the evil day” (Eph 6:13)—those seasons of intense spiritual assault. The goal, repeated throughout the passage, is to stand, firm and immovable. Victory is not flashy or mystical; it is doctrinal, daily, and practical. We are to gird our loins with truth (Eph 6:14)—that is, fasten ourselves with God's revealed Word, which brings stability and prepares us for action. The breastplate of righteousness refers not to justification but to sanctification—practical righteousness that guards the inner life and silences Satan's accusations (1 Pet 3:16). A holy life is one of the best defenses against spiritual attack. Paul next highlights the footwear of the believer: “having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph 6:15). This speaks of readiness and sure-footedness. Just as Roman soldiers wore sandals studded with nails for grip, the believer stands firm when grounded in the gospel. The peace we have with God through Christ (Rom 5:1) brings confidence and steadiness in battle. Then comes the shield of faith (Eph 6:16)—the thyreon, a large Roman shield used to block arrows. Faith is trust in God's person and promises, and it extinguishes the devil's flaming arrows—temptations, accusations, and lies. When doubts or fears are hurled at the soul, faith deflects them with the truth of God's character (1 John 5:4). The helmet of salvation (Eph 6:17) protects the mind, pointing not only to justification, but also to our future glorification—our hope in Christ's return and full deliverance (1 Th 5:8-9). Lastly, the believer takes up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” This is the machaira, a short sword for close combat, and the word rhēma refers to the spoken Word—specific Scriptures applied in real-time spiritual conflict. Just as Jesus used Scripture in the wilderness to deflect Satan's temptations (Matt 4:1-11), so must we. The Spirit empowers the believer not with mystical formulas, but with rightly understood and applied Scripture. Victory in spiritual warfare belongs to those who abide in Christ, walk by faith, think biblically, and live obediently—not in fear, but in confidence grounded in divine truth. Conclusion In the end, the study of angels, Satan, and demons grounds the believer in spiritual reality. It helps us interpret the chaos of our world through the lens of God's revealed truth, not mere human observation. We are reminded that unseen spiritual agents—both holy and hostile—operate within the bounds of God's sovereign rule, and that we are not spectators, but participants in an ongoing conflict between truth and deception, light and darkness. Our calling is not to speculate about the invisible, but to stand firm in what God has revealed. As we obey His commands, share His gospel, and endure in hope, we bring glory to the One who has already secured the final victory. And so, we press on—not with fear, but with clarity, confidence, and courage, knowing that the Lord of hosts is with us, and the battle is the Lord's (1 Sam 17:47; Rom 8:37-39). Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.        

On this episode of the Giants Huddle podcast, John Schmeelk is joined by the Giants cornerbacks, including Deonte Banks, Dru Phillips, Tre Hawkins, Cor’Dale Flott, and Korie Black. They discuss the depth in the room, what they worked on in the offseason, and their goals for 2025. :00 - Dru Phillips 3:55 - Cor’Dale Flott 7:30 - Deonte Banks 12:22 - Tre Hawkins 15:20 - Korie BlackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

True repentance begins when the Spirit of God opens our eyes to the weight of our sin—producing sorrow, not just over the consequences, but over our offense against a holy God (2 Cor. 7:9–10; Ps. 51:3–4). This sobering conviction is not self-generated guilt but a gracious confrontation that prepares the heart for real change.

True repentance begins when the Spirit of God opens our eyes to the weight of our sin—producing sorrow, not just over the consequences, but over our offense against a holy God (2 Cor. 7:9–10; Ps. 51:3–4). This sobering conviction is not self-generated guilt but a gracious confrontation that prepares the heart for real change.

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

Welcome to the Podcast of Southwest Bible Fellowship in Tempe, Arizona. WHO ARE WE? • We are a group of people who are committed to living the grace life as set forth by the apostle of the Gentiles, the Apostle Paul. • We come together to study our Bibles, and yes, we believe we have God's perfect Word in the King James Bible. It and it alone is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice! • We do not come together and study our Bibles for the intent of being smarter than others. We understand that knowledge for the sake of knowledge is purely vain and serves no Godly purpose. • We do come together and study our Bibles for the intent of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Philippians 3:10) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that we have been crucified with Christ; nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ liveth in us: and the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. (Galatians 2:20) • We do come together and study our Bibles to understand that because Jesus Christ shed His blood for us and we should not live for ourselves but for Him, who died for us and rose again. (2 Cor. 5:15) • We do not claim to have attained to these lofty goals, but we press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) You can donate to this ministry through www.butnow.org and the PayPal button on the homepage.

Psalm 93,The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!5 Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore. Most mornings in the Schumann household start out the same way. Following time in the word, we make a round of toast with peanut butter and honey for everyone at the table. Next, if it's nice, we go outside for a walk or scooter ride around the block. After that, I get ready for work, grab my lunch, and then right before leaving, ask each of our kids three questions. They are the exact same questions every single morning.Who is the king of the world?Who are the king's people?And, What is better than being the king's people?Just about every morning in our house starts out this way and has now for quite some time. There are easier, simpler ways we start out a morning. For one, we could just skip the questions. I mean, the same three questions every single morning? Is that really necessary? Is that really worth slowing your progress out the door? I think it is. And the reason I think that is because none of us ever truly knows what the day ahead of us is really going to bring — it may be a whole set of circumstances that leave you feeling completely disorienting. Significantly unsteadied. Life can tend to do that kind of thing, you know. It can tend to knock-us-off-balance just when we're least expecting it. Each day carries with it the potential for quite the barrage of disorienting experiences: A suddenly fractured friendship you thought would stand the test of time, shocking news of a failed marriage you believed stood as solid as a pillar, an unforeseen illness in place of ongoing health, an unexpected accident in place of continued safety, loss of trust in someone you had thought trustworthy, or loss of life in someone you had thought invincible.Life can be disorienting. Any given day can leave you feeling turned totally upside down. And that's why, coffee in hand, backpack on shoulders, about to head to work, I ask our kids the questions: Who is the king of the world?Who are the king's people?And, What is better than being the king's people?And then, I listen for the answers we've taught them. Who is the king of the world? God is the king of the world.Who are the king's people? We are the king's people.And, What is better than being the king's people? There is nothing better than being the king's people. That is the message I hope to give my kids every single morning, and it is the message I believe Psalm 93 aims to give us this morning. Cities Church: God is the king of the world. Psalm 93 invites us to anchor ourselves to that truth, that we might be able to ride out all life's disorienting storms.Let's pray and ask for God's help before going any further. King Over the WorldSo, Psalm 93 — God is king over the world. More specifically, God is king over the world's future, its floods, it's faithful. Let's begin with what it means for God to be king more generally, then we'll consider his kingship over the future, floods, and faithful. So, God is king over the world. Beginning with verse one:“the Lord reigns.” The Lord reigns. He reigns. He does not merely manage or supervise — he reigns. As a verb, reign pertains to the realm of royalty. Reigning involves sitting upon a throne, wielding complete authority, and bearing the title “king.”And, this is something God does by right, for his kingly throne is “from of old.” Verse 2,“Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.”So, verse one, God is king, and, verse two, his status as king is no new thing. He is king and he has been king, and there has never been a time, or a world, in which God was not King.Go ahead, take all of reality, all that has ever been, bind it all together into a single book. Turn to its very last pages and then start flipping backward. You'll just keep seeing it over and over again — God seated upon a throne. Brothers and sisters, the empires of our world are as a blink of an eye compared to the reign of God. Entire royal lines — a snap of the fingers. The timeline of the universe is the timeline of God's reign.So, God is king. God reigns as king, and he does so, still verse one, “robed in majesty.”“The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty;” You've all seen movies or books where ancient kings have been depicted. Sometimes they're clothed in garments of purple laced with gold, or a cloak of red with white and black-dotted collar. King Aragorn kind of ends up with this cool black cloak with the white tree insignia — that one's pretty cool. Take all those images together, the basic idea is the same: kings set themselves apart from others by way of clothing. They choose, from all the finest clothing in the land, garments to signify their unique position. They adorn themselves, and they do so with articles of clothing that are exterior, outside themselves.The image here of God, the true High King, is similar — but not the same. Verse one describes the Great King's attire, but with one major difference. Here, it seems the Lord, the true reigning King, does not go looking for something exterior himself to wear. He doesn't go searching for outward, purchasable splendor. Rather, it seems he possesses within himself an inherent majesty, inherent greatness, which emanates out from him so real and so palpable that it is to him his robe.In other words, he's robed not in the majesty of man. Majesty is his very essence. He is what it means to be majestic.We see much of the same in terms of his belt. The text reads, still verse one,“He has put on strength as his belt.”Now, remember, we're talking about God here. God who does not borrow strength from elsewhere. Does not increase in strength, as if some form of it could even exist outside of him. He's what all forms of strength depend upon. And so when we read, God has put on strength, or God has robed himself in majesty, I believe we are meant to understand it as not suggesting God is adding anything to himself, but rather that God is revealing something of himself to us. Put another way: His putting on of strength, robing himself with majesty is simply what God looks like, from our angle, whenever he reveals himself to us.Brothers and sisters: God is king over the world. And, more specifically, God is king over the future of the world. King Over the FutureTake another look at verses one and two, and notice what's sandwiched between the words on God's kingship. See it with me, on one side of the sandwich, verse one:“The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.”All thoroughly Godward statements, yes? All concerning God's kingship. On the other side, verse 2:“Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.”Again, thoroughly Godward statements. All concerning God's kingship.But then, in the middle, a statement that doesn't immediately seem to fit. End of verse one:“Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.”Nothing thoroughly Godward here, right? The world is what's in view. Not God's kingship, but the world and the promise that it shall never be moved.Now, how does that fit here? What is the connection? God, God, God on one side. God, God, God on the other. Earth sandwiched in the middle. I think the point is this: We don't know what tomorrow will look like for our world, do we? We don't know the world's future. From a purely scientific angle, it doesn't look great. Think about it: We are literally standing on a ball, that's currently hurling through space, and held in the orbit of an even bigger ball, that's burning like a furnace, so massive and so powerful, that it makes nuclear reactors look like candle sticks.Will the sun go out tomorrow? Will the earth erode? Will a gigantic asteroid smash into us and break our planet in two? Will food run scarce? Will the waters dry up? Will the temperature rise too high?What will the future of our world hold? Any future at all?Psalm 93:“Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.”And the reason it won't ever be moved is because God is king over its future. He is king over the world's tomorrow. The world does not exist independently from God. The world is not a clock simply wound up by God and left to tick away on its own.God has told us his son is coming back to this world. God has told us he is going to free this world from its bondage to decay. Till he does, he has also told us his Son is the one who upholds the universe by the word of his power (Heb. 1:3). God is not going to let this world turn to dust. Psalm 93: “Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.” God is king over the future of the world.You feel flipped upside down by certain reports in the news. You feel disoriented, confused, by the possibility of chaos or catastrophe. Take heart, God is king over the future of the world. No one gets to decide what tomorrow will bring save him.God is king over the future of the world. And, God is King over the floods of the world.King Over the FloodsVerse 3,“The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.”Certainly seems significant, given recent events. Last I read, the death count from the recent flooding in Texas has reached 134 people. The floods have certainly lifted up their roaring, and it's not the first time. Now its true, the term “floods” here could also be translated as rivers. NIV has “seas.” So we want to be careful here to not interpret this too narrowly. Waters is the idea. Bodies of water. Whether in the form of an ocean threatening deep sea fishing boats far from land, or a rising tide that breaks over embankments and floods into a city. Bodies of water, and all the potential energy amassed within them — that's the idea here. And in the ancient world, these bodies of waters were regularly feared as extremely threatening and unpredictable. Thought by many to be the realm of worldly chaos.In fact, so threatening, unpredictable, and chaotic were these bodies of water that the term itself — whether rivers, waters, or floods — became synonymous for enemy nations.Isaiah 8:7, with regard to Assyria:“The Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks,”Jeremiah 46:7, with regard to Egypt:“Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers whose waters surge? Egypt rises like the Nile, like rivers whose waters surge.”Revelation 12:15, with regard to Satan himself:“The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.”So, floods here, could mean literal floods, like that which recently swept over parts of Texas. Or it could mean figurative floods, like warring nations that have swept over our world. Truth be told, I think both are in mind here in Psalm 93, because what follows is just as true concerning both. See it with me, verse 4: “Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!”God is king over the world's floods — it's literal floods (think Noah and the Ark) as well as its figurative floods (think Egypt's watery grave). God is king, and can be king, over the world's floods because he is mightier than they. His power far exceeds their own. The floods are to him as freshly poured tar upon the road, where he is to them the steamroller. He drives his will right on through without the least degree of resistance.Does he, at times, allow the floods to wreak havoc? Yes, according to his all-knowing, loving, and perfect wisdom, he does. But that's the key word, allows. And the moment he stops allowing, the floods must cease. Jesus slept for a time in the boat, yes? The waves crashed, the waters roared. But when Jesus woke, and spoke: “quiet, be still.” The waves were forced to bow to him. Our Psalm 93 king is mightier than the floods. Friends, no matter how out-of-control things look. No matter how in-control the enemy may seem to be. In seasons of disorientation and confusion, step away from the tilt-a-whirl of circumstances. And steady yourself upon the truth that God is king over the floods of the world.Anchor yourself to that truth, and ride out the storm from there. God is king over the floods of the world.Lastly, God is king over the faithful of the world.King Over the FaithfulVerse 5:“Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.”Key terms here — decrees, think Laws. And House, think household, or family. In other words, what's in view here is the church. The faithful who are in Christ. After all, it is we who are the members of his house, “holiness befits your house.” It is we who are the possessors of his decrees, “Your decrees are very trustworthy.” We, the church, the faithful in Christ, we are in view here. Which means, God is king over us as well. God is king over the faithful of the world.And I want us to really think for a moment about what that means. God is king over us. Kings, as we said, sit upon a throne. They wield complete authority. They reign. And as they do, their citizens do what? They obey. They submit. They endeavor to do what the king tells them.In the church, we call Jesus our friend, and we should, because Jesus first called us his friend (John 15:15).We call Jesus our Good Shepherd, and we're right to, because Jesus told us that's who he is (John 10:11).We call the Father our Father, because Jesus invites us to call him Father (Matt. 6:9).We call Jesus our Savior because that's just what he came to — save us from our sin (Matthew 1:21). We call Jesus, Jesus, because though fully God, he also became fully human, even to the point of taking on a human name, Jesus. How often do we call Jesus king? How often do we call him king and really mean it? To call Jesus king means you intend to submit to him, right? You intent to obey him. You intend to abide by the rules of his kingdom.Are you winking at any of King Jesus' commands in this season? Are you taking lightly any of King Jesus' words? Friends, in all our love for, nearness to, and enjoyment of Jesus, don't forget, this same Jesus is also King. A King deserving of our obedience to him.DecreesAnd now, two quick words concerning your King: First, verse 5, his decrees are very trustworthy. Speaking to the king,“Your decrees [think testimony, Law — the words of this book he's given us called the Bible] are very trustworthy.”His decrees are very reliable. And that's important, because his word is also very challenging, “better to pluck out your eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell.” Pluck out my eye? Am I really to take sin that seriously? His word is also not always intuitive, “whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). Really, I have to lose it, to find it? How can that be? His word is also humbling, “no one is righteous, no not one.” Ouch. Self-help books don't talk that way. His word is also very candid and to the point, “Here you have no lasting city.” Phew, kind of sobers you to reality just a bit, huh.So, given the challenging, not always intuitive, humbling, and to-the-point nature of God's word, we could tend to find ourselves sifting through it a bit, don't you think? Customizing it — I like this part, not that part. But these are not the words of a common citizen. Advice from the guy on the corner to either be taken or dismissed. They are the words of your King. And your king is telling you that they are very worth your trusting them.The world would have you to doubt God's word. Your sin would have you ignore it. Follow the king's word. Submit to it by faith. His decrees are very worth your trust.HolinessSecond, and lastly, holiness befits his house. Speaking to him in verse 5, “Holiness befits your house.”Whether his kingdom in heaven, his church here on earth. Holiness befits his house.And, look, this ought to be such a relief. Such an encouragement. I mean, a King can be a frightening thing. All that power, handed over to one single person? Turn the pages of history, human kings have wreaked havoc on the world. There's a reason most countries don't want them anymore.But, here's good news of a good King. One who is purely, perfectly, unchangeably holy. A king who is set apart and entirely untouched by sin, unmarred by evil, unendingly good.“Holiness befits your house.”You need not ever fear this King acting capriciously, selfishly, or deceptively like human kings. This King has no sin for you to worry about. He is radiant in holiness and it decks the walls of his house. No sin or evil ever touches this king. And the fact that holiness befits his house, means that everyone he calls near to it, he too makes holy. 1 Peter 2:9,“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,”Christian, God has made you holy, that he might bring you near. So, be holy, because you're headed to his house in heaven. And, don't miss this, be holy now, because you are his house on earth. 1 Cor. 3:17,“If anyone destroys God's temple [God's house], God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.”Holiness befits his house. You are that house. Therefore, be holy.Application for you: What is one step you can take today toward greater holiness? One sinful habit you can drop. One godless activity you can quit. One decision by which you can say, “God, you've made me holy by your Son, you've called me to live holy in this world. You are my king, and as a member of your household, I will choose holiness here. What is here for you this morning?Christian, we've got good news about a good king. It's news we can anchor our souls to in the midst of stormy weather and disorienting seasons.Who is the king of the world? God is the king of the world.Who are the king's people? We are the king's people.And, What's better than being the king's people? There is nothing better than being the king's people.The TableNow, what brings us to the table this morning is the fact that none of us here deserve to be the king's people. Had the king done nothing, and we continued in our sin just as before, we could expect nothing but rightful judgment from him. But, King Jesus did, in fact, do something. He left heaven, came to earth, took on the form of a servant, was mocked, beaten, scorned, and then hung upon a cross to die for us. Our King purchased our citizenship into his kingdom, by his life, death, and resurrection. So, because that's what this table represent, if you're here today and you've trusted in Jesus as your Savior King by faith, then we invite you to take and eat with us. If you've not put your trust in Jesus, we ask that you'd let the bread and cup pass, and in this moment, turn from your trust in all other things, give your full allegiance to Jesus. Say “Jesus, be my king.”

By Kevin D Willis - The shema ("hear") in Deut 6 contains a unique concept that God commands of His people. No other religions had required that its adherents love their gods. How do we love God? Paul describes how we should express love in 1 Cor 13 (sometimes called "the love chapter").