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In every trial, God offers not just an escape but the deeper gift of knowing him as the true deliverer. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Anna and Matt team up with Firefighter Cody to learn about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. Through their courage and faith, kids discover that God is Deliverer—He rescues His children and has the power to save us from anything, even the fire! What You'll Learn:
Join us this week for the sixth message in our series, "Hello Jesus," with Pastors Jared Clausen.
The story of Noah and the flood is not for little children. The story of the flood is horrific, frightening, and tragic. The flood is the justifiable holocaust of an entire generation with the exception of one solitary family. Had any of the children that day survived the flood and been asked to draw on paper what they had experienced, I do not believe you would have seen anything close to what we see in our churches today like the image below: Instead, what you would have seen is something like the pictures some of the children who survived the tsunami of 2004 that killed over 200,000 people drew to illustrate their experience: After Cain murdered Abel and was driven away from his family to be a wanderer with his wife, we are told that the hearts of his descendants grew increasingly evil. Cains great, great, great grandson Lamech was much more violent than Cain and became known for twisting the institution of marriage by taking two wives instead of one (see Gen. 4:24-24). After Seth was born, we learn that people began to call upon the name of the God of Adam and Eve (4:26). Through Seth, another bloodline was started to counter the bloodline of Cain. Cains line represents evil, while Seths line represents the line through which the promised Deliverer would come. Cains line grew to be both secular and violent, while Seths line represented godliness in a world when calling upon the name of the Lord was rare and unpopular. The Wickedness on the Earth Became Great Through Seth, God would fulfill the promise made to Adam and Eve, but there were dark powers that would seek and strive to keep the Descendant of Eve from ever being born! It is to that part of the story we now turn our attention: Now it came about, when mankind began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. Then the Lord said, My Spirit will not remain with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years. The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of mankind, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. (Gen. 6:1-4) Three groups of people are named in Genesis 6:1-4. There are the sons of God, the daughters of mankind, and the Nephilim. There are also three main views that have served to explain who these three sets of people were, I will share the three ways theologians throughout the ages have understood who these people are in Genesis and then I will offer a fourth possible way of understanding these verses: The sons of God represent the line of Seth, and the daughters of men represent the line of Cain. The intermingling of Seths descendants with Cains line blurred the distinction between those devoted to God and those who had turned away. This union led to a moral collapse that hastened humanitys corruption and ultimately brought about Gods judgment through the flood. One widely held perspective is that the sons of God (a phrase frequently referring to angels)[1] were fallen angels who took on human appearance and engaged in relationships with human women, referred to as the daughters of men. According to this interpretation, these unions resulted in the birth of the Nephilimfigures described as formidable, possibly giant warriors who were both feared and renowned. This view has been prominent throughout Jewish and Christian tradition. Another interpretation suggests that the sons of God were regional kings who were exalted as divine figures by the people they governed. Much like Lamech, these rulers acted with unchecked authority, taking as many wives from among the daughters of men (ordinary women) as they desired, often practicing extensive polygamy. The offspring of these unions became influential princes, celebrated as mighty men of old, men of renown. I used to hold to the first view, but have since rejected it, and I have always struggled with the second view for the simple fact that angels are spiritual beings (Heb. 1:14) who do not share our DNA and therefore make it impossible to impregnate human women. However, I do believe that fallen angels (sons of God) possessed the sons of god (regional rulers/kings) who took the daughters of men as wives for themselves. The reason why I believe this is because of what Jude and Peter wrote about concerning Genesis 6:1-4.[2] According to Jude and Peter, what happened in Genesis 6 was a demonic overstepping so severe that they were judged immediately before the rest of the demons who will eventually be cast into the lake of fire. Let me share with you where I land on what is happening in Genesis 6:1-4 that seems to best fit the context and progression of sin from Cain to the flooding of the earth. Here is the way I see it: By the time we get to Genesis 6, the culture of humankind has grown exceedingly promiscuous and violent. Cain killed Abel. Lamech killed a man and a child and took two wives for himself, and then one generation later we are introduced to the sons of god taking the daughters of men to have children known as the Nephilim. There was little regard for the sanctity of life and Gods design for sex within the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. When we come to Genesis 6, we are told, The Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually (v. 5). In light of what we know about the religious practices of the ancient East and that fallen angels are capable of demonic possession of humans (see Mark 5:1-20), It is possible that the sons of God (fallen angels) possessed regional kings who were so wicked that they welcomed the possession of demons they may have worshiped as gods (see Deut. 32:15-17; 1 Cor. 10:20). It is possible that the regional kings, while under the influence of those fallen angels, took on a harem of women (the daughters of men). The regional kings of Genesis 6 opened themselves up to being demonized, and that fallen angles used their bodies to further pervert the sanctity of marriage as an institution created and sanctioned by God. We will certainly see this when we get to the book of Revelation in January, but for now what you should know is that the institution of marriage was always designed to function as a portrait of Christs relationship to the Church; the apostle Paul goes as far as to state the original design of the institution of marriage in Genesis 1:26-28 and 2:18-25, Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband (Eph. 5:3133). It was because of the violence against the image of God and the perversion of the sanctity of marriage that we are told in the following verses: Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the Lord said, I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them. (Gen. 6:5-7). Gods Infinite Goodness Overcomes the Deepest Wickedness It was only because the wickedness of Noahs generation was so great, pervasive, and unrelenting that He chose to flood the earth. Yet, even in the midst of great evil and wickedness, God chose to spare a man and his family to start over, and he did it through Noahs family (v. 8). So, God instructed Noah, The end of humanity has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of people; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth. Make for yourself an ark of gopher wood; you shall make the ark with compartments, and cover it inside and out with pitch (Gen. 6:13-14). Only Noah, his family, and two of every animal according to their kind were spared, as God intended to begin anew through them (notice that God specified "kind," not "species"). To Noah, God declared, But I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall enter the arkyou, your sons, your wife, and your sons wives with you. Of every living creature of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female (vv. 18-19). So, Noah and his family entered the ark, and then the floodwaters came, resulting in the destruction of thousands under the judgment of a holy God. Although God could have rightly destroyed every living creature, He chose to spare Noah and his family. Through Noah, his family, and a chosen group of animals, protected in an ark made from wood, God demonstrated mercy. God then assured Noah with a promise: Now behold, I Myself am establishing My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you.... I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be eliminated by the waters of a flood, nor shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth (vv. 8-9, 11). What would be the sign of the covenant made with Noah? Here is what God said: This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations; I have set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall serve as a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth (Gen. 9:12-13). The rainbow stands as a powerful reminderto us and to Godthat He has set aside His warriors bow, placing it in the sky as a sign of peace. The flood cleansed the blood stained soil of the earth caused by the wickedness of humanity and washed away the rampant perversion that became a part of the culture. Gods promise to Adam and Eve that a deliverer would comethe hope they saw in Seth and his descendantswas kept through Noah, who remained righteous in a corrupt world. God overcame human wickedness with the flood, but in His goodness, He also provided a way for the coming of Christ. Not long after Noah and his family were saved from the judgment of God, we are reminded that no flood can remedy the problem of the human heart. In Genesis 9:20-29, we learn that Noah got drunk and passed out naked and his son Ham looked upon his fathers nakedness in a way that was shameful and disrespectful. Ham was cursed to become a servant of the descendants of his older brothers, while Shem would carry on the bloodline that would eventually lead to the birth of Jesus Christ. The sins of Adam, Cain, Lamech, Noah, and Ham are our struggles too. We all have a heart problem that only Christ can fix. The trees provided the gopher wood that saved Noah and his family from the flood of Gods wrath, and yet it was also a treethe crosswhere Jesus, the descendant of Adam, Seth, Noah, and Shem, was nailed to bear the curse we deserved. Although Noah was considered righteous in Gods sight, he still struggled with the same sin-problem that plagued every generation before him. In contrast, Jesus was perfectly righteous, as Scripture declares: For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18a). Conclusion Please listen closely to what I am about to share. The rainbow, given by God as a sign of His covenant with Noah, was never meant to be used as a justification to redefine, distort, or undermine the institution of marriage or the sacredness of sex within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. God did not create the sun to shine and its light to form the beautiful arc of colors in the sky through rain, so that anyone might feel free to alter the biological nature with which they were created and choose an identity apart from His design. The rainbow is a powerful reminder that God takes all sin seriouslyincluding heterosexual sins such as sex before marriage and any form of sexual relations with anyone other than your spouse. It calls us to recognize that Gods standard for purity and faithfulness within marriage apply to everyone and serves as a visible sign of both His justice and His mercy.[3] The rainbow serves as a vivid reminder of Gods undeserved mercy, highlighting the justice that, by all rights, should fall upon us. When we see a rainbow stretched across the sky, its not a testament to our worthiness and rights, but instead displays Gods compassion that permits us to behold it. We must understand that, according to Gods perfect justice, we deserve not only death but eternal separation from Him. Yet, by His mercy alone, we are given the blessing of another daynot so we can pursue our own desires, but so we may be drawn to the cross where Gods Son was slaughtered for our sins. Ultimately, it is only through the cross of Christ that we can be saved from Gods just wrath. Jesus alone is qualified and able to bear the judgment our sins deserve, offering us true hope and redemption. The tree that Christ was cursed upon in our place is not permission to run to our sin, but the demand to run from our sin to the One who bore all of it, for our salvation from the floods of Gods wrath that we each deserve.Man [1] The term sons of God refers to angels in several Old Testament passages, specifically inJob 1:6,2:1,38:7, andPsalms 29:1and 89:6. [2] Jude 67. And angels who did not keep their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling place, these He has kept in eternal restraints under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these angels indulged in sexual perversion and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 2 Peter 2:4. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, held for judgment... [3] Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. (Heb. 13:4)
The judges of Israel delivered the people time and again from wicked foreign rulers. But Christ is a better deliverer because He saves us from sin and the evil one.
I once heard a story that I would like to share with you and then I would like to follow it up with a question. A man is on death row for murder, the day of his execution has come, and you have been invited to spend 30 minutes with the man. You ask the man if he is guilty; his answer seems sincere and heartfelt: It was years ago when I committed that crime, but it is true that I am guilty of murder. He continues to explain how year after year he and his lawyers have tried to appeal his death sentence, but all his appeals have failed. Now his only hope is the small chance his lawyers may be able to get the court, or even the governor, to agree to a stay of execution. Just before your 30 minutes are up the man learns that there will be no stay of execution and within the next hour, he will die by lethal injection. You decide to stay to see if by some chance a reprieve might be granted. The time of execution arrives, and the man is ushered to the room where he will be executed. He passes by as you watch, and through his loud sobs, you hear the man repeat, I am so sorry, I am so sorry! I am so sorry! My question for you is this: Is the man sorry that he took the life of another human, or is he sorry that he will never be able to murder again? The account of the first family provides valuable insight into what genuine love for God and true worship look like. Following their disobedience in the garden, God gave Adam and Eve a promise: a Descendanta seed who would come to defeat and destroy the deceiver who had led them astray. Their reaction to Gods promise in the midst of their failure becomes a powerful example of repentance and worship. To truly grasp what led Cain to kill his brother, we must first consider how Adam and Eve responded to Gods assurance and what it reveals about the heart of repentance and worship. Before Adam and Eves sin, they were commanded to fill the earth with children and not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The two trees in the center of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Every day that Adam and his wife passed by those trees, they were given the option to choose life and blessing by eating from the tree of life, or to choose death and cursing by disobeying God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. As you know, they chose death and cursing. After God found them, His promise of good news to the couple was that One would come through their decedents who would crush the serpent. Their response to their sin and Gods promise is found in Genesis 3:20 - 4:1, and it was beautiful! Adam named his wife Eve which means mother of all the living. Gods response after Adam named his wife was to cover them with animal skins, which means that God shed the blood of an animal to cover their shame. God then sent them out of the Garden which was the consequence of their sin and the new reality of the curse they would now live under. Then, even after they were no longer permitted to live in the garden, Adam and Eve responded in faith to the promise of God by finally choosing to have children with the birth of Cain and then Abel; when she gave birth to Cain, Eve said, I have obtained a male child with the help of the Lord. The expectation Adam and Eve had for their son Cain was one of hope, filled with dreams that they also shared for Abel. When it came to the worship of Yahweh, Cain brought a portion from his labors from the ground while Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions in worship to the Lord. What this tells us is that Adam and Eve shared the stories of their God with their two sons; they also instructed them in the way they were to worship God out of thanksgiving and reverence that all that they had was from the Lord. Both Adam and Eve understood that the Deliverer promised to them would either be one of their sons or one who would come by way of the sons of their children. Although Cain and Abel grew up in the same household, raised by the same parents, and taught the same values, their lives and choices could not have been more different. Cain chose to work the soil as a farmer, while Abel became a shepherd, tending flocks (4:2). There was nothing wrong with Cains occupation, nor was his offering itself unacceptable. The real issue lay in the condition of Cains heartspiritually, his attitude and motivation before God was deeply flawed. Worship is More than What You Do The offering that Cain and Abel brought to the Lord was their way of thanking God; it was their way of worshiping Him for all the good that He brought into their lives through their respective occupations. Cain was a farmer, so he brought the produce of His work to God not because God needed it, but as a way of worshiping Him. Abel was a shepherd, so he brought a portion of his labor before the Lord as an offering. In verse three we are told that Cain brought his offering, In the course of time.. which is probably a reference to the end of the agricultural season. So, this was not the first time Cain or Abel worshiped God through their respective offerings. Abels offering was that of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. The reason for the detail here is that Abels offering was thought out, carefully prepared, and the best of what he had to offer God, while Cains offering was not. The point is that Cain came to God on his own terms, while Abel came to God on Gods terms. Cains offering was motivated out of obligation and duty, while Abels was motivated by reverence and love. We know Abels offering was motivated by his love and reverence of God for two reasons: First, according to verse 5, but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain was very angry and his face was gloomy. The second reason is found in Hebrews 11:4, By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. What I find amazing about this story is that God did not ridicule Cain for his half-hearted worship, but instead instructed him as to how his offering could be accepted just like his brothers was: If you do well, will your face not be cheerful? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it (v. 7). Worship is a Matter of the Heart Abel worshiped God as one who understood who he himself was in light of who God is (Abel was poor in spirit), he understood that his only righteousness was to be found in God (he mourned over his sins), and his offering came out of a spirit of humility before God (Abel was meek). For Abel, worship was not a duty, but a delight. Cains response to Gods favor for Abel over himself reveals everything we need to know about the man. He first responded in anger (Cain believed what he had was enough), Cain did not listen to God (he did not see his sin for what it was), he was jealous of his brothers relationship with God (Cains pride was wounded). Instead of repenting, Cain chose to murder his brother instead! Cain had the opportunity to respond to God's displeasure with genuine repentance and humility, seeking forgiveness. Rather than mastering his sin, Cain allowed it to dominate him, channeling his rage into a tragic act: Cain talked to his brother Abel; and it happened that when they were in the field Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him (v. 8). The beast that God warned Cain about was not sitting at the door of his heart, it was lurking within his heart! Faced with a choice between life and death, Cain chose death by taking his brother's life. The profound tragedy of Cain's actions lies in his motivationhe killed Abel not only out of anger, but because Abel's devotion reminded him of the holiness of God. While Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in their desire to be like God, Cain murdered out of spite, resenting his brother's sincere worship of God. After Cain murdered his brother, God did not wait for Cain to confess; rather, He confronted Cain directly, asking, Where is Abel your brother? Cains reply, I do not know. Am I my brothers keeper? (v. 9), which reveals not just his guilt, but also his attempt to deceive God. Cain committed not only the act of murder but compounded his sin by lying to God. Despite having witnessed his parents experienceknowing that nothing can be hidden from GodCains response illustrates the irrationality of sin. He wrongly assumed his actions could be concealed from God and tried to cover them up with dishonesty. Where Adam shifted blame for his own wrongdoing, Cain chose to respond with outright deceit. Cains calloused answer to God regarding his brother is deafening. Yet the Lord approached Cain anyway: What have you done? The voice of your brothers blood is crying to me from the ground. And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brothers blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth (vv. 10-12). What Cain failed to consider was that although dirt covered the corpse of his murdered brother, the blood of Abel screamed for justice, and that is what God gave Cain. As is often the case with sin, Cains actions had lasting consequences on his relationships. Once able to nurture life from the soil, Cain now found the earth to be hostile toward him. Overwhelmed by the severity of his punishment, Cain lamented, My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you have driven me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me may kill me (vv. 13-14). What amazes me most about this story is that, even after Cain murdered his brother and responded to God with callousness and deceit, God still heard Cains desperate plea for mercy. Instead of abandoning him, God responded with unexpected grace: Then the LORD said to him, Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden (vv. 15-16). Ever since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, humanity's condition has not improved but has only deteriorated. The serpent tricked Adam and Eve into thinking they could be like God, but Cain escalated the rebellion by taking a lifesomething only God has the authority overwhen he murdered his brother. Just a few generations later, human wickedness intensified. By the time we come to Genesis 6, we see that the sin of Adam and Eve had infected every generation, spreading like a disease until Scripture declares, The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Gen. 6:5). Application I can hardly fathom the grief and devastation Adam and Eve felt upon discovering that their firstborn son had taken the life of his brother Abel. With Cain under judgment and Abel gone, Adam and Eve were left childless, and the promise God made to them in the Garden must have seemed shattered and out of reach. Although Adam and Eves sin resulted in a curse, they ultimately experienced redemption, forgiveness, and the hope of salvation. In contrast, Cain was condemned to wander the earth under a curse, and his life was irrevocably changed. From Cains story, much like Adam and Eves, we discover that sin always comes at a high priceit never fulfills its promises, it destroys peace, brings shame, and robs the sinner of true joy. When darkness seemed to overwhelm and hope appeared lost under the weight of the curse, Adam and Eve conceived again and bore a third son and gave him the name Seth which means appointed. This time, Eves words reflected a shift in perspective: rather than saying she had a child with the help of the Lord, she instead said: God has appointed me another child in place of Abel, because Cain killed him (v. 25). With Seths birth, Scripture notes that people began to call upon the name of the Lord (v. 26). As S.A. Sacks observed, Hope rises like a phoenix from the ashes of shattered dreams. From the brokenness of the first family, God brought forth hope once morespecifically, through Seth and the enduring promise of a Deliverer. The slaughter of Abel as an innocent representation of the God he served was a foreshadowing of the One who would come through the bloodline of Abels younger brother, Seth. Listen to Hebrews 12:24, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Abels shed blood screams for vengeance, while the innocent shed blood of Jesus screams forgiveness and complete atonement. Abels blood screams: Judgment! Jesus blood screams: Salvation! When Abels blood was shed, it stained the ground, because of Jesus blood being shed, our sin can be washed away so that we can be made righteous. When it comes to sin and temptation, the Bible says: But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it has run its course, brings forth death (Jas. 1:14-15). How does one master sin? The story of Cain provides us with three principles that will help us fight against our own sin in a way that Cain failed to do: Recognize that victory over sin begins in your mind. The battle against sin is first foughtand wonwithin your mind. Fill your thoughts with Gods Word to build a strong line of defense (2 Cor. 10:4-6). Remember, you are never trapped by your sin where there is no escape from it; God always provides a way out. Just as He offered Cain an escape, God offers you one toodont cling to the temptation by lingering before it. (1 Cor. 10:13). Run to Jesus, your Deliverer. When temptation strikes, turn immediately to Jesus. Fill your mind with His words, seek His redemption instead of dwelling in the shame of your failure (Heb. 12:1-2) Rely on the Holy Spirits strengthnot your ownto overcome sin. Because Jesus defeated sin and death, you can experience genuine freedom. He has given you the Holy Spirit to equip and empower you to live a victorious life in Him (Eph. 6:10-11). Before you this day are two trees. One is a tree that provides life, and it is the Cross of Christ. The other tree is one of death and cursing; it is the tree Cain chose. People who see you may not know what is going on in your heart and mind, but God sees it all! My appeal to you is to choose life by running to Jesus.
Send us a textPrayer for Healing Body, Mind, and SoulPsalm 91:3 Daily Prayer for Healing – Freedom from Sickness, Fear, and BrokennessMorning and Night Prayer for Healing and Restoration in Jesus' Name Recorded Live in London, England with Reverend Ben CooperScripture (NIV): “Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.” (Psalm 91:3, NIV)Show Notes (Prayer Form): Lord, we lift Psalm 91:3 as our morning prayer, our night prayer, and our daily devotion for today. You promise deliverance from pestilence, sickness, and every trap of the enemy. This global prayer, recorded live in London, England with Reverend Ben Cooper, is a declaration of healing for body, mind, and spirit. Across the world, millions search “Christian prayer for healing,” “Bible verse for sickness,” “night prayer for health,” and “daily devotion for strength.” Today we stand on Your Word for global healing.We pray for those fighting illness, those broken in spirit, and those weighed down in pain. Father, stretch out Your hand of healing. May every listener worldwide know You as their Deliverer. May healing flow like rivers.10 Prayer Points (Search Queries):Psalm 91 morning prayer for healing.Night prayer for health and strength.Daily devotion today for restoration.Christian prayer for sickness recovery.Bible verse prayer for healing body and soul.Psalm 91 prayer recorded live in London, England.Global prayer for deliverance from pestilence.Christian prayer for emotional healing.Worldwide daily prayer for strength in sickness.Psalm 91:3 prayer for freedom from fear.Life Application: Declare: “God delivers me from sickness and fear. Healing flows in my body, mind, and soul.”Call to Action: Subscribe, share, and support at RBChristianRadio.net. Psalm 91:3 daily prayer healing, Christian morning prayer for health, Reverend Ben Cooper London healing prayer, Psalm 91 recorded live in London England, Christian night prayer for restoration, Daily devotion for healing, Global prayer for sickness recovery, Spotify Christian healing prayer, Apple Podcasts Psalm 91 prayer for health, Buzzsprout daily prayer devotional healing, Google Psalm 91 healing prayer, Worldwide Christian prayer for restoration.Support the showThank you for listening! For more inspiring content, visit our main site at RBChristianRadio.net. Explore our ministry services and celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net. If you'd like to support our work, you can now Buy Me a Coffee and help us keep spreading the word. Every bit makes a difference! God bless and see you in the next episode.
Welcome to the sermon. Today we're in Exodus chapter two. We often think of the Exodus as a "movement of the people," but it's not an uprising. The people are stuck. This is a move of God. He is the one who steps in to rescue the oppressed. As we study the life of Moses, remember this: God will do something in you before He does something through you. Moses's life is a mini-exodus that sets the pattern for the entire nation.Scripture ReferencesExodus 2: The birth, rescue, failure, and flight of Moses.Acts 7:21-22: Describes Moses's education and power in Egypt.Hebrews 11:24-26: Explains Moses's faith in choosing to identify with God's people.Song of Songs 8:5: "Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?"Key Points1. God Delivers the DelivererAgainst the dark backdrop of infanticide, God sovereignly rescues Moses. His mother places him in a basket—described by the Hebrew word for "ark"—and he is saved through the very waters meant for judgment. In an incredible twist, the Pharaoh who ordered Moses's death ends up paying for his upbringing. God was preparing a deliverer right under the nose of the enemy. This is a move of God, not of people.2. God Gets Egypt Out of MosesMoses, mighty in the wisdom and power of Egypt, tries to be a deliverer in his own strength. He murders an Egyptian, only to be rejected by his own people. This failure teaches a crucial lesson: our own strength, status, and timing are not enough. God led Moses out of Egypt and into the wilderness to get the pride and self-reliance of Egypt out of him.3. The Wilderness Teaches DependenceThe wilderness is where we learn the prayer, "He must become more, and I must become less." For 40 years, the prince of Egypt became a humble shepherd. The wilderness is where God strips away what we lean on so that we come out leaning only on Him. He uses these mundane, difficult seasons to prepare us for what's next.ConclusionMoses's story points to Jesus, the greater Deliverer. Moses saw his people's suffering; God saw and knew. Moses identified with his people at great cost; Jesus identified with us by leaving heaven. God's goal is not just to get you out of bondage, but to bring you to Himself. He is leading a cosmic exodus to rescue you from sin and bring you into a covenant relationship with Him.Calls to ActionEmbrace God's Sovereignty: Recognize that your salvation and deliverance are a move of God, not your own works.Trust the Process: Allow God to work in you, even in frustrating seasons of preparation, before you expect Him to work through you.Lean on Him: In your wilderness, ask God what props you're leaning on and learn to lean on Him alone. Support the show*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI. Please notify us if you find any errors.
Scripture: David's Psalms. This is the final teaching in the “David…and the Heart of God” series. We will explore David's Psalms today. In 2 Samuel 23:1 we read that David is described as the sweet psalmist of Israel. David's psalms have influence and spoke to the hearts of people for millennia. C.S. Lewis said, “The most valuable thing the psalms do for me is to express that small delight in God which made David dance.” And Billy Graham said, “I used to read five psalms every day - that teaches me how to get along with God. Then I read a chapter of Proverbs every day and that teaches me how to get along with my fellow man.” 75 of the 150 Psalms were written by David. Some themes in David's Psalms with a few examples: Praise - Psalm 95:1-2, Psalm 57:9-11, Psalm 103:1-3. We are encouraged to begin everything with praise, it honors God and brings refreshment to our souls. Praise takes our eyes off ourselves and putts them on God. True meaning for life is found only in God our Savior. David teaches us to praise the Lord from the heart even when we feel like we're at the bottom of the pit, because God heals and His name is to be praised. Penitence - Psalm 32:1-2 & 5, Psalm 139:23-24, Psalm 51:1-2. David's psalms help us recognize we are spiritually poor and needy and we are to be humble before God because we are all sinners. David shows us words of confession for transgression because we can be confident that through faith in Christ, God forgives. Our sins are paid for through Jesus' sacrificial death. The Lord is merciful, He washes away our sin. Presence - Psalm 32:7, Psalm 145:18. God is near, He is present, we cannot flee from Him. His presence gives hope and healing. He is near to all who call Him. He is unfailingly present in our lives. Prayer - Psalm 25:4-5, Psalm 141, 2-4. Psalms are used for prayer, and are a good way to begin our day. They guide us in how to pray honestly before God and we see that through David's prayerful words we can draw near to the Lord. David's Psalms are filled with words asking the Lord for guidance, direction, strength against sin, power for the spiritual battle, and prayers seeking God and His face. Protection - Psalm:1 & 3, Psalm 18:1-2, Psalm 55:18 7 22. The Lord is our Protector and the One who defends us and we are to call upon Him. He is the Stronghold of our lives. God is our Rock, Shield, our Strength, our place of Refuge, our Fortress, our Deliverer. The Lord sustains us and He cares for us. Prophecy - Psalm 110:1, Psalm 22:1 & 16018 & 29-31. David spoke much prophecy about the coming Messiah. David shared prophetic words even about the day that Jesus would be on the cross a thousand years before Jesus' death. David understood prophetically the love of Jesus who would say, “It is finished.” And through prophetic understanding David saw the finished work of Christ. Pastor ends by encouraging us to read through David's Psalms this week: 2-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 95, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145 Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/david-aynd-gods-heart Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.
In his book, The Warrior Savior, Owen Strachan states in the very first three sentences in the first chapter the point of every page in the Bible: It was a tree that damned us. It was a tree that redeemed us. And it will be a tree that heals us in the age to cometime beyond all time.[1] I want to borrow and use Strachans opening statement in his book as the point of this sermon series. It is the big idea of the overall message of the seventeen sermons that will make up this series that I have titled, The Tree. I assume that you already know this, but just in case you dont, here it is: We are in a war! If you are a Christian as I am, then WE are at war. The war we are in is both spiritual and supernatural for we are warned: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). We are told that there is a domain of darkness (Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9) over which a powerful malevolent being rules (John 8:44; Eph. 2:2). Before we look into how it is that the domain of darkness came into existence, let me read something for you, and see if what you hear sounds like a commentary on the kinds of things that seem to be more and more common: But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power... (2 Tim. 3:1-5) So, how did we get here? Where are we going? What hope do we have that it will ever get better? To answer that question, we need to go to the beginning. The Tree of Life and Its Life-Giving Fruit Like all stories, our story also has a beginning. Genesis 1:1 begins in the same way all good stories begin: In the beginning... What happened in the beginning? God created the heavens and the earth (v. 1). This is how we tell stories: Once upon a time A long, long time ago In a galaxy far, far away Like all other stories, our story begins in the mind of God. When, And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters (v. 2), God spoke into the emptiness and created out of nothing that which did not exist previously. Out of the imagination of the mind of God came forth a world brimming with life and worship. On the first day God created the heavens and the earth; day and night. On the second day He divided the heavens from the earth. On the third day God created the land, sea, and vegetation. On the fourth day He created the sun, moon, and stars. On the fifth day, God created creatures great and small. On the sixth day, God created land animals and finally mankind. And, on the seventh day God rested. The crowning moment of creation was when God said, Let us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness.... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (vv. 26, 27). Humanity was bornnot simply another creature, but a unique reflection of the Creator Himself. Among all living things, only human beings bear the image of God, set apart to represent Him in the world He created with design, beauty, and purpose. God blessed the man and his wife and commanded them to, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth (v. 28). Owen Strachan makes the point concerning Adam: Adam, the first man, was a priest and a king onto God. He lived and ruled under the divine regency of his Maker.[2] The woman, later to be called Eve in the story, came from Adams body and God brought her to Adam as his wife and helper to join him in the mission to exercise dominion on the earth and fill it with humans like themselves and so that they too would walk in obedience and love with their Creator. When God created, He didnt use special effects or any tricks; He spoke, and everything in the universe and beyond came into existence. When He had finished with creation, God declared it to be very good (v. 31). In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1) when he took the blank canvas of nothing and then painted the beauty of creation with the brush of His omnipotent Word. Before Eve was brought to Adam as a helper, God gave Adam another command: Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it. The Lord God commanded the man, saying, From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die. (2:15-17). The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and Its Curse-Producing Fruit Before God formed Adam from the dust, He had already created trees on the third day. Among all the trees He made, two were of great significance: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Both of these were placed at the center of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 1:11; 2:9). The fruit from the Tree of Life was available for Adam and Eve to freely enjoy, and by eating it, they could live forever (3:22). In contrast, eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil would lead to death. In this way, God presented humanity with a choice in Eden: each day, Adam and Eve could choose life by lovingly obeying God, or they could choose death by turning away from Him in disobedience and rebellion. Just as J.R.R. Tolkiens The Hobbit begins with the memorable line, In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit, introducing the humble yet unexpectedly heroic Bilbo Baggins, Genesis 3 ushers us into a pivotal moment with the arrival of a seemingly ordinary serpent. However, unlike Bilbo, whose heroism gradually unfolds, the serpent in Genesis 3 is far from harmlesshe is revealed as the true antagonist of humanitys story. Its important to remember Adams unique role in the garden: he was appointed by God to serve both as priest and king, entrusted to live and rule under Gods authority. The significance of Genesis 3:1 cannot be overstated, as it marks the moment when the serpent targets Eve, the wife of Gods chosen representative, with cunning intent. The serpents temptation comes in the form of a subtle question, challenging Gods word: Did God really say...? (v. 1). This question sets the stage for the unfolding drama of deception and a choice that will shape the course of human history. The root of the temptation was to question the goodness of God because He withheld fruit from only one tree in the garden. In other words, Satan was tempting Eve to doubt the goodness of God. Thomas Watson once wrote concerning sin, Sin first tempts and then damns. It is first a fox and then a lion.[3] So Eve, saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate... But she did not stop there, ...and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate (Gen. 3:6). Their innocence was violated by their rebellion, Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves waist coverings (v. 7). Instead of choosing life, Adam and Eve chose death; they believed the lie of the serpent and thought that by eating the forbidden fruit that they would be Gods equal. They were wrong. They doubted the truthfulness of Gods word and His faithfulness to honor all of His promises and what they received was a curse instead of the blessing the serpent promised. The serpent was much more than what Adam and Eve believed him to be. Jesus said of the serpent, that he, was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is not truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Throughout the Bible, we learn that the serpent is also the Accuser (Rev. 12:10), the Adversary (1 Pet. 5:8), the Beast (Rev. 14:9-10), and Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24). He is the dragon (Rev. 12:9), the evil one (John 17:15), the father of lies (John 8:44), and the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4). The serpent is the lawless one (2 Thess. 2:8-10), the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:1-2), the ruler of demons (Luke 11:15), the tempter (Matt. 4:3), the thief (John 10:10), and the wicked one (Eph. 6:16). In every description, he is the embodiment of evil who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). Yet, the serpent was, is, and always will be no more than a created being whose desire to be like God preceded his temptation of Adam and Eve to be like God. The serpents motive in tempting Adam and Eve to sin was rooted in his deep-seated hatred for God and for humanityGods unique creation made in His own image. Yet, it was not the devils decision that caused Adam and Eve to fall; rather, it was their own deliberate choice to disobey God. By choosing to sin, Adam and Eve forfeited the life and relationship with God that He had originally designed for them. It was not the serpent who chose death over life for the couple, but Adam and Eve who chose death instead of life. The Promise of Another Tree In Genesis 3, it was the snake who spoke first out of his own deception that he would have the last word. Yet, it was not the serpent, but God who had the final word. The response of Adam and Eve was that of shame and hiding, yet it was God who came near and found them in their shame! Do not miss what happens next in the story and how God approached the couple. We are told in Genesis 3:8, ...the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then, we come to Genesis 3:9! Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, Where are you? God did not call to both Adam and Eve, but only to Adam. Why? Was it not Eve who gave the forbidden fruit to Adam; was she not also guilty of sinning against God? Though both Adam and Eve sinned, it was Adam who represented mankind as the first priest and king. He was made first and was placed in the created order as head over his wife. He had headship and also served as the representative on behalf of all mankind; this is the point of Romans 5:12, Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned... This is why God called to Adam and not to Eve. The couple could not hide from God; when God called Adam to account for his actions, he pointed his finger at his wife: The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me some of the fruit of the tree, and I ate (v. 12). In other words, according to Adam, it was ultimately everyone elses fault that he chose to sin. The truth is that Adam failed to protect his wife through obedience God. When Eve was asked what it was that she had done, she also shifted the blame but was more truthful than Adam, she admitted that she ate because she was deceived (v. 13). God could have chosen to begin again. He was fully justified in withholding mercy and delivering only justice through His wrath. Yet, instead, He gave Adam and Eve what they did not deserve: which was mercy, love, and grace. God had the final word, and it was good news! Yes, death would spread to all mankind from one generation to the next because of Adam and Eves sin. Eve would experience great pain through giving birth to life, and Adam would experience great toil through bringing life from the earth (3:15-19). Suffering, pain, and thorns would serve as continual reminders of a world under the weight of the curse. Nevertheless, this is not how the story ends! God had the final word, and it came in the form of a promise that would lead to the destruction of the serpent and life for mankind: And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel. (3:15) From Adam and Eve would come a Deliverer who would crush the head of the great serpent-like-dragon under His heal.Although Adam and Eve were not given all the details, God had already determined that the Deliverer would be His own Son who would obediently choose a different tree in another garden, that would then result in His cursing for our redemption (see Gal 3:13). Although the consequence of Adam and Eves sin was expulsion from Eden and the presence of God, there was coming another Day when the Descendant would remove the curse of sin and make all things new. Although they were driven from Eden and forbidden to eat from the tree of life, God would make the forgiveness of sins and eternal life available through a different kind of tree, namely the cross of Christ. Conclusion We are told throughout the Bible that the choice of life over death is before mankind. Just before the Hebrew people were permitted to enter the land promised to them through Abraham, Moses said to the people: I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, so that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. (Deut. 30:19-20). The question we must all answer remains unchanged from the one asked throughout Scripture: Will you choose life or death? Permit me to leave you with six lessons from Genesis 1-3 in closing: Sin is always costly. Consider what Adam and Eves sin cost them; it cost them their intimacy with God, their intimacy with each other, and it robbed them of a joy that far exceeded what their sin could have delivered. Sin never delivers what it promises. Adam and Eve were told that if they sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit that they would be just like God, but what they received is pain and death. Sin destroys peace. Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed peace in the garden. There was harmony and continuity in the garden, but their sin disturbed what they once enjoyed. Sin vandalizes the peace of God. Sin brings unwanted shame. The moment Adam and Eve sinned against God; their innocence was turned into shame. They once enjoyed each others company naked and unashamed, but their sin resulted in their need to cover up their shame by covering up their nakedness. Sin will rob you of genuine joy. Adam and Eve were made to enjoy, experience, and bring forth life, but their sin robbed them of life and delivered only death. No Sin is bigger than Gods mercy, love, and grace. Even though there were consequences to their sin, Adam and Eve experienced the overpowering grace of God over their sin. [1] Owen Strachan, The Warrior Savior (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing; 2024), 1. [2] Ibid. [3] Thomas Watson. The Mischief of Sin (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications; 1994), p. 20.
The book of Jonah draws controversy today over its record of the great fish. Yet even more astonishing is the mercy of God displayed in this book. Today, R.C. Sproul reflects on the Lord's compassion toward undeserving sinners. For your donation of any amount, receive R.C. Sproul's book Joseph: From Dreamer to Deliverer and lifetime digital access to his teaching series Great Men to Live By: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4297/offer Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Joseph ebook and digital access to Great Men to Live By with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global Meet Today's Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
When evil prevails and God seems absent, what should His people do? Today, R.C. Sproul follows the anguish of the prophet Habakkuk to the Lord's assuring reply: The righteous shall live by faith. For your donation of any amount, receive R.C. Sproul's book Joseph: From Dreamer to Deliverer and lifetime digital access to his teaching series Great Men to Live By: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4297/offer Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Joseph ebook and digital access to Great Men to Live By with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global Meet Today's Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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In a time of widespread wickedness, the prophet Micah foretold the coming Messiah who would bring righteousness and peace. Today, R.C. Sproul speaks on the justice, kindness, and humility required of Christ's servants. For your donation of any amount, receive R.C. Sproul's book Joseph: From Dreamer to Deliverer and lifetime digital access to his teaching series Great Men to Live By: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4297/offer Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Joseph ebook and digital access to Great Men to Live By with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global What do Americans really believe about God—both outside the church and within? View the 2025 results from Ligonier Ministries' State of Theology survey: https://thestateoftheology.com/ Meet Today's Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
The more Jeremiah preached, the more unpopular he became. Though his ministry brought him suffering, he knew silence was not an option. Today, R.C. Sproul shows how faithfulness to God comes at great cost—and with greater promises. For your donation of any amount, receive R.C. Sproul's book Joseph: From Dreamer to Deliverer and lifetime digital access to his teaching series Great Men to Live By: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4297/offer Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Joseph ebook and digital access to Great Men to Live By with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global Meet Today's Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
Elijah stood as a solitary voice for truth. He refused to shrink back from confronting corrupt kings and false prophets. Today, R.C. Sproul considers the calling to take up the mantle and speak God's Word with courage. For your donation of any amount, receive R.C. Sproul's book Joseph: From Dreamer to Deliverer and lifetime digital access to his teaching series Great Men to Live By: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/4297/offer Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the Joseph ebook and digital access to Great Men to Live By with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global Today only, request a free copy of R.C. Sproul's classic book, The Holiness of God: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/holiness Meet Today's Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of media for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, and host of the Ask Ligonier podcast. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
The book of Judges reveals a cycle Israel couldn't escape—idolatry, sin, oppression, crying out, and God's deliverance. Judges 4 drops us right into that cycle, where Israel has been crushed for twenty years under the iron might of Sisera's army. But when they cry out, God responds in an unexpected way—raising up Deborah, a prophetess and judge, to lead His people. Alongside her stands Barak, who insists he won't go into battle without God's presence, and Jael, an ordinary woman whose bold act fulfills God's promise. Through them, God proves His victory is not just physical but spiritual. While Sisera trusted in iron chariots and the storm-god Baal, Yahweh turned the battlefield into a floodplain, showing His power over both armies and idols. The sermon reminds us that God doesn't merely rescue us from suffering—He smashes the idols that keep us bound. Just as Israel was freed not only from Sisera but also from the false gods of Canaan, we too are saved by Christ from both our circumstances and the deeper spiritual chains of sin. God still works through unexpected, ordinary people to bring extraordinary freedom, and He offers complete salvation through Jesus, the ultimate Deliverer.
Though trapped by quadriplegia's bars, Joni discovers that God's presence, kindness, and favor can turn any prison into a place of freedom. -------- Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
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The Book of Judges - a raw, honest look at what happens when people turn away from God… and how He never stops pursuing them.It's a story of brokenness, rebellion — and God's relentless faithfulness.Yet through it all, it will also point us to Jesus, our true Deliverer.This week's message EVERYONE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT comes out of JUDGES 17-21.Website: http://www.rittmangrace.orgFacebook: Rittman Grace Brethren Church Instagram: rittmangrace Twitter: RittmanGraceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXPiaa4z3iZMA4DkCihtHg TikTok: rittmangbc
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.comI Thessalonians 1The apostle Paul expresses deep gratitude for the believers in Thessalonica, praising their faith, love, and steadfast hope in Jesus Christ. He reminds them that the gospel came to them not only in words but also in power, the Holy Spirit, and full conviction. The Thessalonians became imitators of Paul and of the Lord, receiving the message with joy even amidst suffering. Their faith quickly became an example to believers throughout Macedonia and Achaia. News of their transformation spread widely as they turned from idols to serve the living and true God and now eagerly wait for Jesus, who rescues them from coming wrath. This chapter celebrates a church whose authentic faith and endurance shine as a powerful testimony to others. We must embrace lives that reflect genuine faith, active love, and unwavering hope. We are reminded that the gospel should not just be something we hear, but something that transforms us through the power of the Holy Spirit. As we follow Christ, even in times of hardship, we can be examples to those around us. Like the Thessalonians, we are called to turn away from anything that competes with God's place in our lives and to serve Him wholeheartedly. Our faith story has the power to encourage others, spreading hope far beyond what we can see. Each day, we live with joyful expectation, knowing that Jesus is coming again to renew us and rescue us from the wrath to come. Almighty Lord, we thank You for the faith, love, and hope You cultivate within us through Jesus Christ. Help us receive Your Word with full conviction and joy, even in difficult times. May we become true imitators of Christ, shining as examples of Your grace to everyone around us. Turn our hearts away from anything that leads us away from You, and teach us to serve You with passion and sincerity. Strengthen us to remain faithful as we wait for Jesus, our Deliverer. Let our lives declare Your goodness, and may Your Spirit work powerfully through us each day. Thought Questions: In what practical, daily ways are you growing in your “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ”? What does it mean to be an imitator of Paul, Silas, Timothy, and the Lord? In what ways are you striving to become more like them? Jesus is raised and returning. How are you preparing for His return? What are some idols you must turn from in order to be ready for Jesus?
Don't forget to grab your free scripture journal at PrayingChristianWomen.com/journal today!Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos and discord swirling around you? Psalm 34 radiates a powerful reminder that God is our steadfast Provider and Deliverer, even in our most vulnerable moments.Join us for this 16 minute heartfelt meditation on Psalm 34, where David, with raw transparency, exalts God for rescuing him from fear and trouble, boasting not in himself but in the Lord who encamps around those who trust Him. This Psalm beckons you to taste and see the Lord’s goodness, to find shelter in His encamping protection, and to trust that He redeems and heals the brokenhearted, offering unshakable hope amidst life’s storms! Discover More: Explore additional episodes of Praying Christian Women, Mindful Christian Prayers, and other Christian podcasts at Lifeaudio.com. Connect with Us: Stay updated and engage with our community: On Substack @PrayingChristianWomen On Facebook @PrayingChristianWomen On Instagram @PrayingChristianWomen On YouTube: @PrayingChristianWomen Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
2025-0914 - Reframed through surrender. - Moses the Deliverer
Coleton preached on Jesus' triumphal entry and how Jesus seeks to make two central claims: 1. Jesus is the Messianic King — the crowd's actions and the fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) show that Jesus openly claims the kingship. He accepts royal honor (“Hosanna,” cloaks, branches) and—when challenged—refuses to silence the praise, even saying that if the people were quiet “the stones would cry out.” N. T. Wright: “You don't spread cloaks on the road –especially in the dusty, stony Middle East!–for a friend, or even a respected senior member of your family. You do it for royalty. And you don't cut branches off trees, or foliage from the fields, to wave in the streets just because you feel somewhat elated; you do it because you are welcoming a king.” Jesus claim to be King forces a decision: is Jesus merely a helpful healer/teacher, or is He your sovereign King who rules your life? C. S. Lewis: “A really foolish thing that people often say about Jesus is: ‘I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man yet said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic (like a man who says he is a poached egg)—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” We have to choose to receive or reject Jesus as King. 2. Jesus is not like other kings — unlike Roman triumphs that display conquest, prisoners, and plunder, Jesus rides a colt (a sign of peace and humility) and is followed by people He's healed and freed. His reign looks like liberation, restoration, and sacrificial service, not domination and bondage. David Guzik & Dr. David L. McKenna “A Roman Triumphal Entry was an honor granted to a Roman general who won a complete and decisive victory and had killed at least 5,000 enemy soldiers. When the general returned to Rome, they had an elaborate parade. As a symbol of bloody conquest, they chose a prancing horse at the head of a processional that included his warriors, a shackled contingent of the conquered people, and an extravagant display of the treasures that the army had taken by force. The procession ended at the arena, where some of the prisoners were thrown to wild animals for the entertainment of the crowd. Now we understand why Jesus is so specific about His entry and the animal He rides. In the symbol of the foal of a donkey, Jesus predicts His role as the King. Jesus makes His triumphal entry on a donkey—a symbol of peace, not war; of humility, not pride. Behind Him comes (not prisoners but), an entourage of disciples and a rabble of common people whom He has healed and set free. They serve as the trophies of His conquest—not won by bloody violence, but by relentless love.” Why it matters: if Jesus is truly your King, He gets to govern all areas of life (money, marriage, speech, media, anger, forgiveness, political loyalties, etc.). That means surrendering personal control and letting his values shape decisions and habits. If you resist that rule you may still experience a Christian language of forgiveness and blessing but not the transforming reality of Jesus' kingdom — a kingdom characterized by love, freedom, reconciliation, generosity, and joy even amid suffering. Coleton closes with a pointed question to wrestle with: Is Jesus your King? and invites people to examine which kingdom's traits actually define their life. ⸻ Practical takeaways • The triumphal entry publicly declares Jesus' kingship — it's not optional or merely symbolic. • Jesus' kingship is servant and liberating, not coercive or violent. • To truly follow him means handing over areas of life where you still rule, and allowing his kingdom fruit (love, peace, patience, generosity, freedom, reconciliation) to grow. • Evaluate life by asking: “Whose kingdom am I experiencing here?” If it's not Jesus', return and make Him King. ⸻ Discussion & Small-group / Personal practice questions Use these to help people put the sermon into practice — mix of reflection, confession, and action. 1- Read Mark 11:1–11. What detail(s) jump out at you this time that you hadn't noticed before? Why might those details matter? 2. Coleton says Jesus forces a choice: King or not. What makes accepting Jesus' kingship hard for you personally? 3. Take one area of your life (money, marriage, parenting, social media, anger). Describe which kingdom (Jesus' kingdom or the world's) best describes how you act there. What would one concrete step toward Jesus' rule in that area look like this week? (Give a measurable, time-bound step.) 4. Jesus' kingship carries moral demands (forgiveness, loving enemies, turning the other cheek). Pick one relationship where forgiveness or reconciliation is needed. What is one small, courageous next step you can take to reflect Jesus' reign there? 5. Reflect on the two portraits of kingship (Roman/violent vs. Jesus/humble). Where in your life are you tempted to imitate a worldly kingdom (control, domination, proving self)? How can you choose the way of Christ instead? 6. The sermon notes the kingdom's fruit (love, joy, peace, patience…). Which of those fruits are present in your life now? Which are absent? 7. Coleton said there are places where Jesus is king and places where you still rule. Name one “pocket” of your life where you still want to be sovereign. What would it look like to hand that pocket over to Jesus today? ⸻ Scripture quoted in the sermon Zechariah 9:9–10 (NKJV excerpt used): “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” Psalm 118:25–26 (referred to as source of “Hosanna” / welcoming the Deliverer). Luke 19:38–40 (quoted in part): “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” … Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” … “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Philippians 2:6–8 (paraphrase/quote of Paul): “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider His equality with God as something to be used to his own advantage; rather, He made himself nothing… He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Psalms 59–61 — David cries for deliverance, laments Yah's displeasure, and finds refuge in the Rock higher than himself.Lesson Summary:Psalm 59: Yah delivers from bloodthirsty enemies—His mercy is our defense.Psalm 60: Yah shakes when we rely on self—repentance restores His banner.Psalm 61: Yah lifts overwhelmed hearts—He alone is the Rock higher than us.This lesson presses the choice: Will you trust Yah as Deliverer, repent when He humbles, and stand on the Rock higher than you?Key Scriptures: Psalms 59–61, Exodus 14:14, Deuteronomy 28:25, Proverbs 18:10.Pure Word teaching from Genesis to Revelation—no religion, just truth.Subscribe for weekly Torah classes and Psalms Wisdom Studies.Do not miss the live Shabbat teaching every week.Giving Info:Support the ministry at:PayPal, Zelle, Venmo → @AhavloveministryZelle QR code available at: ahavloveministry.com#AhavaLoveAssembly #TorahTeaching #Psalms59 #Psalms60 #Psalms61#TorahClass #Psalms59 #Psalms60 #Psalms61 #Deliverance #Humbling #TheRockHigherThanI #AhavaLoveAssembly #PureWordTeaching #NoReligionJustTruth
Evangelical Free Church of Canton
The Book of Judges - a raw, honest look at what happens when people turn away from God… and how He never stops pursuing them.It's a story of brokenness, rebellion — and God's relentless faithfulness.Yet through it all, it will also point us to Jesus, our true Deliverer.This week's message STRENGTH WASTED, GRACE SURPRISING comes out of JUDGES 14-16.Website: http://www.rittmangrace.orgFacebook: Rittman Grace Brethren Church Instagram: rittmangrace Twitter: RittmanGraceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXPiaa4z3iZMA4DkCihtHg TikTok: rittmangbc
https://www.schambachfoundation.org/
We kicked off our new series where we are learning about some amazing people from the Bible who because of God they had incredible comeback stories! This Sunday we learned about how to be like Moses.
Welcome to Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla for September 9, 2025. Today's devotion, “He Made Darkness His Covering” (Psalm 18:11–15, ESV), paints a breathtaking picture of God's power and majesty. David describes the Lord wrapped in darkness, thundering from the heavens, flashing lightning like arrows, and laying bare the very foundations of the earth. This is no distant or passive God—He is the Creator and Deliverer who commands storms, scatters enemies, and rescues His people with unstoppable might. For us, this power is revealed most fully in Christ: at the cross, when darkness covered the land and the earth shook, and at the resurrection, when death was defeated forever. Be encouraged—when you pray, you call upon the Lord who moves heaven and earth for your salvation. Support this ministry at https://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalph (or visit buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalph). Please share this devotion so others may find hope in Christ.Hashtags:#DailyDevotion #Psalm18 #GodsMajesty #ChristOurRefuge #ChristianHope
The Book of Judges - a raw, honest look at what happens when people turn away from God… and how He never stops pursuing them.It's a story of brokenness, rebellion — and God's relentless faithfulness.Yet through it all, it will also point us to Jesus, our true Deliverer.This week's message A LIGHT BEGINS TO FLICKER comes out of JUDGES 13.Website: http://www.rittmangrace.orgFacebook: Rittman Grace Brethren Church Instagram: rittmangrace Twitter: RittmanGraceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXPiaa4z3iZMA4DkCihtHg TikTok: rittmangbc
Matthew 6 When you commit to follow the Lord Jesus, you can expect a vicious counterassault from the spiritual forces of darkness. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he encourages us to constantly rely upon our mighty deliverer Jesus Christ, as we face consistent attacks from our spiritual enemies.
The Book of Judges - a raw, honest look at what happens when people turn away from God… and how He never stops pursuing them.It's a story of brokenness, rebellion — and God's relentless faithfulness.Yet through it all, it will also point us to Jesus, our true Deliverer.This week's message DESPERATE VOWS AND DIVIDED TRIBES comes out of JUDGES 10-12.Website: http://www.rittmangrace.orgFacebook: Rittman Grace Brethren Church Instagram: rittmangrace Twitter: RittmanGraceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXPiaa4z3iZMA4DkCihtHg TikTok: rittmangbc
Woodland Campus | Pastor Nathaniel preaches the Gospel of Jesus, reminding us that He heals, saves, and delivers us to this day.
In this story, we learn that God raises up a leader to deliver his people out of slavery. ✧ Check out more resources in The Biggest Story Curriculum ✧ Follow The Biggest Story on Instagram ✧ Watch The Biggest Story Animated Videos! ✧ Sign up to receive weekly emails about the new story each week!
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. Romans 11:25-27
We all want to see God move—but are we willing to be humbled first? In this week's message from our Ancient History series, we dive into the story of Gideon—an unlikely warrior found hiding in a winepress. Israel was crushed by pride, buried in idolatry, and blind to their own sin. But in their lowest moment, God didn't abandon them—He raised up a deliverer. This sermon explores the sin cycle in Judges, the power of God's presence, and how Jesus is our ultimate Deliverer who ends the cycle for good. If you've ever felt too weak, too broken, or too afraid, this message will remind you: God doesn't call the qualified—He qualifies the called. CONNECT: Text “BRBELONG” to 651-419-4409 DONATE: bethelsrock.org/give LEARN MORE: bethelsrock.org NEW SERMONS | EVERY SUNDAY
“Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God…Then, without warning, a huge...