Podcasts about despite god

In this session, we conclude the story of Esther and explore the hidden workings of God in her story. As the Jews face annihilation due to a Persian edict, Queen Esther courageously risks her life to protect her people. The narrative takes a dramatic turn, featuring a reversal of fortunes for the Jews and their enemy, Haman. Despite God's apparent hiddenness, we see His fingerprints in every event – from Esther's rise to power, Mordecai's honor, to the ultimate salvation of the Jews. We learn that even in God's hiddenness, He is always at work.Bible ReadingsEsther 6:1-14Esther 7:1-10Esther 9:18-28Acts 1:26Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

Where are you headed, friend?Psalm 25:4 says, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.”Whether you've lived in the same place your entire life, or you've been blessed to travel the world, each and every life is a journey. An opportunity to learn, grow, and impact others as we follow the path God has planned for us. Moses and the Israelites must have been expert travelers by the time they finally reached the Promised Land, and their journey was no pleasure trip. God sent 10 devastating plagues to the land of Egypt, causing Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. And God's people were promised a land where milk and honey flowed—the Promised Land—also known as Canaan. So, Moses and the Israelites traveled to the borders of Canaan. For 40 days, a group of 12 chosen men secretly scouted out the land. Ten of the men reported that the people were well-armed, and just way too strong to overcome.  Despite God's promise of victory, the Israelites were afraid, and were certain they could not overcome the people of Canaan. They doubted God's promises. And in turn, he caused them to wander the desert for 40 years: one year for each of the 40 days they had explored the land. Because of this, no one over the age of 20 would step foot into the Promised Land, including Moses, and an entire adult generation lost out on the blessings God had planned for them—all because they allowed their fear to be greater than their faith in God's plan. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, how many times have you delivered us? Not because we're deserving, but because you love us. Help us to keep the faith and stay on your path for us, every step of the journey. Your goodness is beyond question, and we're grateful for your presence in our lives, and your boundless saving grace. In Jesus' name, amen.  Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Pastor Jim reflects on King Solomon's journey, highlighting the struggle between flesh and spirit. Despite God's blessings, Solomon's pursuit of wealth and power leads to a divided heart and eventual downfall. Jim warns against prioritizing material gain over faithfulness to God, emphasizing the dangers of idolatry. He encourages listeners to rely on God's presence, resist worldly temptations, and find true fulfillment in Jesus, the ultimate source of life.

This is message 11 in the Isaiah series. Isaiah 9:8-10:4 Isaiah's Oracle against the Northern Kingdom of Israel highlights the consequences of pride, rebellion, and unrepentant sin. Despite God's repeated chastisements, Israel refused correction, leading to comprehensive judgment upon its leaders, people, and society. Their wickedness spread like fire, consuming them with internal strife and destruction. Through the refrain, "For all this His anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still," God's persistent judgment serves as a warning to Judah and a reminder that no one can escape divine accountability. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc

Today is day 360 and we are studying the section on Justification and Sanctification: Living in Forgiveness and Healing. 362. Are you still affected by your sin, despite God's forgiveness? Yes. My sinful actions can harm my relationship with God, do lasting damage to others, and leave me conflicted within myself. I live in constant need of Christ's healing grace. (2 Samuel 12:1–23; Psalm 32:1–5; Matthew 15:18–20; Romans 7:15–25; 1 Corinthians 10:1–13; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8) We will conclude today by praying Prayer 95. In Times of Suffering or Weakness found on page 674 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to ⁠anglicanchurch.net/catechism⁠. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

We would love to hear from you!In our last instalment, Josh looks at Genesis 11 and the Tower of Babel story. Humans continue to resist faithful covenant with God and instead seek to build monuments to their own greatness. Despite God's offering of giving them a name, protection, and legacy, humanity decides they want to do it all on their own. 

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. PART 7. 22 REASONS WHY WE PRAY AS FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. Ephesians 6:10-11 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes. In this critical season, God is emphasizing the vital importance of putting on the Armor of God. This prophetic weaponry system empowers believers to become invincible against darkness and equips us to advance in fulfilling God's divine intentions. Understanding the Armor of God is a crucial advantage for 21st-century believers. To effectively wear this Armor, we must comprehend its significance and strategic application. The Armor is a heavenly arsenal that enables us to navigate the complex spiritual warfare characteristic of our times. As Scripture reminds us, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against subtle and deceptive forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). To overcome these forces, we must be well-equipped and informed on how to live a victorious life. Failure to do so will leave us vulnerable to the enemy's tactics of hindrance, frustration, and paralysis. We are on a prophetic journey towards fulfilling God's desires and counsel. However, the forces of darkness are relentlessly attempting to thwart our progress. The children of Israel's experience serves as a cautionary tale. Despite God's deliverance from Egypt, an entire generation perished in the wilderness due to unaddressed ideologies, belief systems, and patterns of thinking. Let us learn from their mistakes. We must identify and confront our own limitations, false mindsets, and strongholds that the enemy may exploit. By putting on the Armor of God, we can: 1. Resist the enemy's subtle attacks 2. Advance in our prophetic purposes 3. Fulfill God's divine intentions 4. Overcome the forces of darkness As we engage in this spiritual warfare, let us remember that our victory is secured through Christ. May we diligently put on the Armor of God, standing firm against the enemy's schemes and pressing forward into our ordained destinies."

Dr. Craig Hartman, a former attorney, is the founder and director of Brooklyn-based Shalom Ministries Inc. Born of Jewish parents and reared in the Bronx and Queens, Dr. Hartman has developed an outreach to the Jewish people that is being effectively implemented in the New York area and overseas. A frequent conference speaker and lecturer, Dr. Hartman has published a book, Through Jewish Eyes, in which he explores the Jewish roots of Christianity. Dr. Hartman holds degrees from New York University School of Law and The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.As recorded in Genesis 12:2-3, God made a covenant with Abram saying, "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Throughout the Scriptures, God declared this to be an everlasting covenant.Despite God's everlasting promise to Israel, many threats continue from those who want to see Israel's annihilation. We continue to remember the horrific attack on October 7th and the continued multifront war that Israel has had to fight. Anti-Semitism is rearing its ugly head around the world. A number of significant developments have occurred over the past 30 days.

Dr. Craig Hartman, a former attorney, is the founder and director of Brooklyn-based Shalom Ministries Inc. Born of Jewish parents and reared in the Bronx and Queens, Dr. Hartman has developed an outreach to the Jewish people that is being effectively implemented in the New York area and overseas. A frequent conference speaker and lecturer, Dr. Hartman has published a book, Through Jewish Eyes, in which he explores the Jewish roots of Christianity. Dr. Hartman holds degrees from New York University School of Law and The Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City.As recorded in Genesis 12:2-3, God made a covenant with Abram saying, "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Throughout the Scriptures, God declared this to be an everlasting covenant.Despite God's everlasting promise to Israel, many threats continue from those who want to see Israel's annihilation. We continue to remember the horrific attack on October 7th and the continued multifront war that Israel has had to fight. Anti-Semitism is rearing its ugly head around the world. A number of significant developments have occurred over the past 30 days.

In this episode, we conclude the story of Esther and explore the hidden workings of God in her story. As the Jews face annihilation due to a Persian edict, Queen Esther courageously risks her life to protect her people. The narrative takes a dramatic turn, featuring a reversal of fortunes for the Jews and their enemy, Haman. Despite God's apparent hiddenness, we see His fingerprints in every event – from Esther's rise to power, Mordecai's honor, to the ultimate salvation of the Jews. We learn that even in God's hiddenness, He is always at work.Readings: Esther 6:1-14, Esther 7:1-10, Esther 9:18-28, Acts 1:26Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App!Support the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgThis episode primarily uses the ESV Bible translation, but may also use CSB, NASB, and NKJV.Search Tags: bible, beginner, bible verse, god, verse of the day, prayer, jesus, bible study, scripture, learn, bible introduction, introduction, intro to the bible, introduction to the bible, beginner bible, bible overview, how to read the bible, what is the bible about, bible story, bible stories, what is the bible, ...

Lesson 10 Nov. 3, 2024 Fall Qt. 2024 Unit lll: "Psalms of Thanksgivingand praise" Dev. Reading: John 10:1-10 BG: Ps. 23; John 10:11-14 Print: Ps.23 Key Verse (Ps 23:6,: 5, KJV) SUBJECT "When The Road Is Long" God willing! Join us For Sunday School Nov. 3. 2024 6AM God willing. Howcee Productions Gospel "Bringing Families Communities and Churches Together" God is so Good!!!  #HOWCEE Key Verse Psalms 23:6  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. “Surely goodness and love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6) David ends this incredible Psalm by painting a picture of how God's goodness and love (Hebrew word: hesed) will go with him for the rest of his life. God's relationship with his people is like that of a shepherd to his sheep. He provides what is best for them, refreshes them continually, and guides them in the way that he knows is right. In so doing he proves himself faithful to his own nature as the covenant God of his chosen people (1-3). Despite God's provision and guidance, there will be dangers along the way. But as a shepherd uses his club (rod) to beat off wild animals, and his crook (staff) to rescue the troubled sheep, so will God care for his people (4). Wild animals may surround them, but they can feed in safety under the protection of the heavenly shepherd. In view of God's provision of the best food for those in his care, the picture changes from the divine shepherd to the divine host. God gives special attention to his guests, just as a host in ancient times gave special honour to a guest by anointing his head with oil. The guests in God's house, however, never have to leave. They are with him for ever (5-6).

In 1 Samuel, Israel wrestles with the age-old question of desire and destiny. As Samuel ages, his sons fall short of the godly legacy he leaves, leading Israel to request a king to be like other nations. Despite God's warnings through Samuel about the harsh realities of kingship—sacrifices, taxes, and burdens—the people insist, rejecting God's unique plan for them. It's a reminder of the risks that come with relentlessly pursuing our wants, especially when they conflict with divine guidance. The desire to "be like everyone else" is tempting, but it can cloud our judgment. God's plan is often different from the world's, and pursuing what others have might mean trading His best for what's merely “good enough.” This passage challenges us to guard our desires, to wait patiently, and to trust that God's plan is individually crafted. By aligning with His purpose, we find true fulfillment—far beyond anything we might covet from others. Subscribe to Our Channel! New to LifeRock? Click here: liferockchurch.org/get-connected To support this ministry and help us reach people in our community. Click here: liferockchurch.org/give Do you need someone to pray for you? We will pray for you. Click here: liferockchurch.org/online-prayer Looking for weekly inspiration and guidance? Check out our devotionals. Click Here: liferockchurch.org/devotions Follow: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeRockColumbia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LifeRockChurch Twitter: https://twitter.com/LifeRockChurch

YOUR THOUGHT AND THE ARMOR OF GOD. PART 11. IN THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER WITH CHRIST. SESSION 93. Ephesians 6:10-11 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes. In this critical season, God is emphasizing the vital importance of putting on the Armor of God. This prophetic weaponry system empowers believers to become invincible against darkness and equips us to advance in fulfilling God's divine intentions. Understanding the Armor of God is a crucial advantage for 21st-century believers. To effectively wear this Armor, we must comprehend its significance and strategic application. The Armor is a heavenly arsenal that enables us to navigate the complex spiritual warfare characteristic of our times. As Scripture reminds us, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against subtle and deceptive forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). To overcome these forces, we must be well-equipped and informed on how to live a victorious life. Failure to do so will leave us vulnerable to the enemy's tactics of hindrance, frustration, and paralysis. We are on a prophetic journey towards fulfilling God's desires and counsel. However, the forces of darkness are relentlessly attempting to thwart our progress. The children of Israel's experience serves as a cautionary tale. Despite God's deliverance from Egypt, an entire generation perished in the wilderness due to unaddressed ideologies, belief systems, and patterns of thinking. Let us learn from their mistakes. We must identify and confront our own limitations, false mindsets, and strongholds that the enemy may exploit. By putting on the Armor of God, we can: 1. Resist the enemy's subtle attacks 2. Advance in our prophetic purposes 3. Fulfill God's divine intentions 4. Overcome the forces of darkness As we engage in this spiritual warfare, let us remember that our victory is secured through Christ. May we diligently put on the Armor of God, standing firm against the enemy's schemes and pressing forward into our ordained destinies."

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. PART 8. 22 REASONS WHY WE PRAY AS FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. Ephesians 6:10-11 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes. In this critical season, God is emphasizing the vital importance of putting on the Armor of God. This prophetic weaponry system empowers believers to become invincible against darkness and equips us to advance in fulfilling God's divine intentions. Understanding the Armor of God is a crucial advantage for 21st-century believers. To effectively wear this Armor, we must comprehend its significance and strategic application. The Armor is a heavenly arsenal that enables us to navigate the complex spiritual warfare characteristic of our times. As Scripture reminds us, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against subtle and deceptive forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). To overcome these forces, we must be well-equipped and informed on how to live a victorious life. Failure to do so will leave us vulnerable to the enemy's tactics of hindrance, frustration, and paralysis. We are on a prophetic journey towards fulfilling God's desires and counsel. However, the forces of darkness are relentlessly attempting to thwart our progress. The children of Israel's experience serves as a cautionary tale. Despite God's deliverance from Egypt, an entire generation perished in the wilderness due to unaddressed ideologies, belief systems, and patterns of thinking. Let us learn from their mistakes. We must identify and confront our own limitations, false mindsets, and strongholds that the enemy may exploit. By putting on the Armor of God, we can: 1. Resist the enemy's subtle attacks 2. Advance in our prophetic purposes 3. Fulfill God's divine intentions 4. Overcome the forces of darkness As we engage in this spiritual warfare, let us remember that our victory is secured through Christ. May we diligently put on the Armor of God, standing firm against the enemy's schemes and pressing forward into our ordained destinies."

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. PART 7. 22 REASONS WHY WE PRAY AS FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. Ephesians 6:10-11 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes. In this critical season, God is emphasizing the vital importance of putting on the Armor of God. This prophetic weaponry system empowers believers to become invincible against darkness and equips us to advance in fulfilling God's divine intentions. Understanding the Armor of God is a crucial advantage for 21st-century believers. To effectively wear this Armor, we must comprehend its significance and strategic application. The Armor is a heavenly arsenal that enables us to navigate the complex spiritual warfare characteristic of our times. As Scripture reminds us, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against subtle and deceptive forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). To overcome these forces, we must be well-equipped and informed on how to live a victorious life. Failure to do so will leave us vulnerable to the enemy's tactics of hindrance, frustration, and paralysis. We are on a prophetic journey towards fulfilling God's desires and counsel. However, the forces of darkness are relentlessly attempting to thwart our progress. The children of Israel's experience serves as a cautionary tale. Despite God's deliverance from Egypt, an entire generation perished in the wilderness due to unaddressed ideologies, belief systems, and patterns of thinking. Let us learn from their mistakes. We must identify and confront our own limitations, false mindsets, and strongholds that the enemy may exploit. By putting on the Armor of God, we can: 1. Resist the enemy's subtle attacks 2. Advance in our prophetic purposes 3. Fulfill God's divine intentions 4. Overcome the forces of darkness As we engage in this spiritual warfare, let us remember that our victory is secured through Christ. May we diligently put on the Armor of God, standing firm against the enemy's schemes and pressing forward into our ordained destinies."

PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. PART 7. 22 REASONS WHY WE PRAY AS FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. Ephesians 6:10-11 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil's schemes. In this critical season, God is emphasizing the vital importance of putting on the Armor of God. This prophetic weaponry system empowers believers to become invincible against darkness and equips us to advance in fulfilling God's divine intentions. Understanding the Armor of God is a crucial advantage for 21st-century believers. To effectively wear this Armor, we must comprehend its significance and strategic application. The Armor is a heavenly arsenal that enables us to navigate the complex spiritual warfare characteristic of our times. As Scripture reminds us, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against subtle and deceptive forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). To overcome these forces, we must be well-equipped and informed on how to live a victorious life. Failure to do so will leave us vulnerable to the enemy's tactics of hindrance, frustration, and paralysis. We are on a prophetic journey towards fulfilling God's desires and counsel. However, the forces of darkness are relentlessly attempting to thwart our progress. The children of Israel's experience serves as a cautionary tale. Despite God's deliverance from Egypt, an entire generation perished in the wilderness due to unaddressed ideologies, belief systems, and patterns of thinking. Let us learn from their mistakes. We must identify and confront our own limitations, false mindsets, and strongholds that the enemy may exploit. By putting on the Armor of God, we can: 1. Resist the enemy's subtle attacks 2. Advance in our prophetic purposes 3. Fulfill God's divine intentions 4. Overcome the forces of darkness As we engage in this spiritual warfare, let us remember that our victory is secured through Christ. May we diligently put on the Armor of God, standing firm against the enemy's schemes and pressing forward into our ordained destinies."

In Jeremiah 32:27-35, God reaffirms His sovereignty and power by stating, “I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?” (v. 27). He explains to the prophet Jeremiah that the people of Judah and Jerusalem have consistently disobeyed Him, committing idolatry and provoking His anger by worshiping false gods. This disobedience spans from their leaders down to the common people. Despite God's repeated warnings, they continued to build altars to Baal and even practiced child sacrifice to the god Molech. Because of these sins, God declares that His judgment will come upon them, as their rebellion and idolatry have deeply grieved Him.IF YOU MARK IN YOUR BIBLE PODCASTWebsite: www.iymiyb.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/iymiybInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/iymiyb/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iymiyb?sub_confirmation=1Email: josh@biblemarkings.comTHE SCATTERED ABROAD NETWORKVisit our linktree: https://linktr.ee/scatteredabroadnetwork Visit our website, www.scatteredabroad.org, and subscribe to our email list. "Like" and "share" our Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/sapodcastnetwork Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ the_scattered_abroad_network/ Subscribe to our Substack: https://scatteredabroad.substack.com/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: The Scattered Abroad Network Contact us through email at san@msop.org. If you would like to consider supporting us in any way, don't hesitate to contact us through this email.

Despite God being able to do amazing things through us, we so easily think that we are responsible and take things into our own hands. In our last message in our INSECURE series, we learn from Gideon to not forget whose we are. Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49309940 We would love to get to know you: https://arisedenver.com/new Support Arise Church and its mission: https://arisedenver.com/give

Despite God being able to do amazing things through us, we so easily think that we are responsible and take things into our own hands. In our last message in our INSECURE series, we learn from Gideon to not forget whose we are. Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49309940 We would love to get to know you: https://arisedenver.com/new Support Arise Church and its mission: https://arisedenver.com/give

Despite God being able to do amazing things through us, we so easily think that we are responsible and take things into our own hands. In our last message in our INSECURE series, we learn from Gideon to not forget whose we are. Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49309940 We would love to get to know you: https://arisedenver.com/new Support Arise Church and its mission: https://arisedenver.com/give

Despite God being able to do amazing things through us, we so easily think that we are responsible and take things into our own hands. In our last message in our INSECURE series, we learn from Gideon to not forget whose we are. Sermon Notes: http://bible.com/events/49309940 We would love to get to know you: https://arisedenver.com/new Support Arise Church and its mission: https://arisedenver.com/give

Series: Genesis Sermon: Stick to the Plan (Genesis 16) In this message from Genesis 16, Sarai, struggling with her inability to bear children, devises a plan to have Abram father a child with her servant Hagar. Despite God's promise of a son, Sarai's impatience leads her to take matters into her own hands, resulting in a complicated and painful situation. Hagar conceives, and tension arises as she looks down on Sarai, leading to conflict and Hagar fleeing. However, God intervenes, blessing her and instructing her to return. Hagar acknowledges God as the One who sees and hears her. In this sermon, Matthew highlights the consequences of abandoning faith in God's plan and attempting to achieve His will through human means.

Growing up, there was a fairly limited list of shows I was allowed to watch. One of those shows was called “Superbook: Bible Stories.” If you were to watch a few episodes of it, you'd notice that each one had essentially the same story arc: It opened in the normal life of a boy named Christopher, who at some point (along with his friends) would open a magic Bible and be suddenly transported into whatever Bible story they had opened to. Then, for most of that episode, they would be immersed in the world of that Bible story as they walked through the terrain, and interacted with the events and characters of that story. Then, unexpectedly they would be transported back to their normal world.Now that's a pretty common story arc: think the Narnia books, or another classic like the Magic Tree House series. It's just a great story arc! In part because of the adventure of discovering and exploring a world previously unknown. But also, because these journeys into another world would always have a lasting impact on the kind of boy Christopher was becoming back in his “normal life.”Similarly, this morning, we get to enter into the world of Psalm 81 which gives a vivid snapshot into times and places distant and foreign to us, and yet God in his wisdom intends for this Psalm to shape who we are becoming here and now. And so let's ask for His help before we enter Psalm 81. Father, we come here as your children. Rescued and adopted — and on a journey of ever-increasing satisfaction in you. And you will complete what you began in us. Would you meet us this morning, wherever we're coming from? Whatever we're bringing in with us — work in our hearts, by Your Spirit and through Your Word, we pray, in Jesus name, amen.If you're looking for a way to orient to Psalm 81, there are three main scenes that we'll focus on:A joyful songA tragic storyA hope-filled invitationScene 1: A Joyful SongIf we were transported into the context of Psalm 81, we would likely be greeted with the sights and smells of feasting and festivals. In fact, it might be helpful to imagine something like an ancient version of the state fair. The time of the year would be around early October, and it was a month filled with essentially back to back feasts and festivals. According to God's instruction in the book of Deuteronomy: At the beginning of that month (known by them as the new moon) they were to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets. This lasted 10 days leading into The Day of Atonement, which was the day at the center of the book of Leviticus — On the day of atonement, Israel would remember God's mercy in atoning for or covering the sins of his people.Then, about a week later, they would begin the Feast of Tabernacles — also known as the feast of booths or what we might call tents. This took place in the middle of the month (or their “full moon”) and that feast lasted about a week. Its focus was on remembering God's faithfulness and provision to the Exodus generation in the wilderness (hence the tents).And Psalm 81 was a song, especially for this season. We see that in verse 3 with the mention of the trumpet, the new moon, the full moon, and the feast day.So imagine this: we're making our way through this ancient festival … We're seeing crowds of people mingling, the smells of good food, the sounds of children playing and laughing … Until it's all drowned out by the blast of a trumpet — think of the same kinds of trumpets as Joshua used in Jericho, but in this case, the trumpets called God's people to gather to worship. And as they gather, the instruments play, and God's people begin gladly singing together. And the song itself begins with a call to worship. The psalmist is singing, and instructing them how to sing at the same time. It's kind of like the old song, “Come now is the time to worship.” God instructs his people in what their worship should look like. And central to that instruction is joy. “Sing aloud to God our strength, shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song: sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp” (Ps. 81:1-2).This corporate singing was meant to be a time of shared gladness and expressions of joy. Joy in God and in their common identity as God's people. This was an essential rhythm of their covenant renewal, a regular reminder of the happy reality of their identity as God's people and of their commitment to Him as their God.We know that joy isn't the only tone we see in the psalms. The Lord, in his wisdom, has given his people a wide range of psalms. There are songs of grief and lament, songs of repentance, of reverence and awe — all of which help us faithfully navigate the full range of our human experience, but the common thread, and most dominant tone of God's singing people is joy. And we see that tone here.God is the author of joy. He has created our capacity for it. And He created music and singing both for expressing that joy, and for deepening and cultivating it. God spread His joy throughout the world through a joyfully-singing people.In light of that, it is right and helpful to ask ourselves: Does my singing reflect the reality that God is my greatest joy? Is my heart impacted by the astonishing truths that my mouth is singing? And to whatever extent that isn't the case, it's important to ask, what is holding me back from God's call to joy-filled worship?Whether it's a lack of joy … or distractions, or fears and insecurities … whatever the hindrance, singing is an opportunity to search our hearts, surrender our affections to God, and to trust Him to shape our joy.Spurgeon commenting on these verses says,“It is to be regretted that the niceties of modern singing frighten our congregations from joining lustily in the hymns. For our part we delight in full bursts of praise, and had rather discover the ruggedness of a want of musical training than miss the heartiness of universal congregational song.”In other words, our singing doesn't need to be polished, but it should be full of joy.God commands not just our actions here, but also our affections. We are not helpless bystanders in our pursuit of joy. God's gift of singing is not only for the downstream expression of our joy, but also upstream as a habit that grows and deepens our joy in Him. Our singing cultivates our joy in God.One example that's helped me see this in a new light was my grandmother. My grandma passed away the week before my daughter, Elsie, was born. She had a deep love for Jesus, and she loved to sing. In her final years, she had a long decline both physically and cognitively. Eventually, her dementia had progressed beyond recognizing her children and grandchildren, and she spent most of her time bedridden. And yet, long after her mind could explain to you the deep joy that she had found in Jesus, she would often sit in her bed, holding a hymnal she could no longer read, and with a peaceful gladness, she would sing the hymns that had been engrained in her over a lifetime of praise with God's people. Even then, her song continued to testify to her all-satisfying God, and I am convinced, that it continued to deepen her joy in Jesus.That image has helped shape what “finishing well” looks like to me, and it especially comes to mind when I sing “Jesus Loves Me” with Elsie at bedtime. It also gives a glimpse of the deep significance of our singing together week after week.And so God calls his people to sing for joy. And as they do, God speaks to them in the song as it transitions to an oracle, or a word from the Lord. And as God speaks he begins to recount the tragedy of Israel's disobedience. And this leads us into our second scene.Scene 2: A Tragic StorySo imagine: now we're transported from the festival into the wilderness to join the Exodus generation.Verses 6-7a,“I relieved your shoulder of the burden;your hands were freed from the basket.In distress you called, and I delivered you…”God first recalls his past redemptive work in rescuing Israel from slavery. Notice how vivid these descriptions are. Commentator Derek Kidner says,“Instead of abstractions such as oppression and redemption, we read of shoulder and hands, burden and basket.”For 400 years Israel's day-to-day reality was back-breaking, soul-crushing slavery in Egypt. They had bruised shoulders, blistered hands, and heavy baskets. But then God stepped in to that reality. The Exodus was one of the most epic “But God” moments of the Old Testament: God heard the cries of his people, and he came to their rescue. God showed both his great strength and his commitment to Israel. God rescued his people.Then God continues to show not only what he rescued them from, but what he continued to do for them afterward — God did not drop them off in the wilderness and say “figure it out.” He did not leave them to fend for themselves. He took them under his wing, his care, his provision, and, his instruction.God's instruction is especially highlighted here: God himself instructed his people and his commands were a means of grace to them. This took place, most notably, at Mt. Sinai (which God refers to in verse 7 as “the secret place of thunder”). Mt. Sinai was where God gave his law to his people. And verses 9-10 also allude to that event. Verse 9,“There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.”This echoes the 1st and 2nd commandments in Exodus 20:3-5. Psalms 81:10, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”This echoes God's preface to the 10 commandments in Exodus 20:2.God makes himself clear to Israel through his commands. In them, Israel is meant to see who God is and what he expects from them. He is their God and so His word is their Law. He holds out his commands and says “Listen to me!”God's command to listen is the most repeated exhortation in this psalm. God is not just looking for mouths that sing to him, but also for ears that hear Him and obey. Verse 8,“Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me!Verse 11,“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.”Verse 13,“Oh, that my people would listen to me,that Israel would walk in my ways!”God calls Israel to listen and obey. But instead his people respond with stubborn and obstinate hearts. And we see that clearly displayed with God's mention of Meribah in verse 7.The name “Meribah” means “quarreling” or “strife” — and it was a place in the wilderness that Israel passed through in Exodus 17, near the beginning of their journey through the wilderness, and then again in Deuteronomy 20, near the end of their journey. And both instances were complete disasters.Imagine, God had just miraculously delivered them out of Egypt, with great displays of power in his plagues on Egypt, and in parting the sea, and then swallowing their enemies in that sea. God then leads them through the wilderness in a pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night. He has already made bitter water sweet for them to drink, and given them manna from the sky for them to eat. And their response, in Exodus 17, when they get to Meribah and can't find water is to say: “is the Lord among us or not?” And then to turn to Moses (ready to stone him) and ask “did you bring us out of Egypt to kill us with thirst?” But God, in his patience and mercy, still gives them water from the rock. That was the first encounter with Meribah. Then we fast forward to Numbers 20, near the end of their time in the wilderness. At this point, not only had they received God's law at Sinai — his teaching, his instruction — but also decades of God patiently leading and training his people. Think 40 years of God's discipleship for his people, and they come up on Meribah again as if God saying “here's your chance, show me that you've been listening.” And instead, they turn again to Moses and through gritted teeth say: “why have you brought us into this wilderness to die?”And this time, even Moses fails to listen, ignoring God's clear instruction to speak to the rock. Instead, he hits the rock twice and as a result he too doesn't make it to the promised land. The whole scenario at Meribah is like the bookends of a 40 year train-wreck of God speaking, and Israel ignoring every word.Despite God having proven himself over and over they refused to listen to him and walk in his ways. They did not see God's instruction as the blessing that it was — and threw it off as an unwelcome constraint. They wanted God's benefits, but they did not want his rule. They wanted the water from the rock, but rejected the source. And it brings us to God's judgement in verse 12,“So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.”There is a scary, Romans 1, kind of giving them over here. God gives them over to the stubbornness and depravity of their own hearts as if God finally says, “okay, have it your way.” Not just freedom from Egypt, but “freedom” from God's rule … Unhindered in pursuing their own desires, and following their hearts, but it did not result in any satisfaction, but rather, a downward spiral into ruin.And that should sound familiar to us because it's the lie that Satan tries to sell us all the time. Follow your heart, and your desires. Don't let God's commands hinder your pursuit of satisfaction. In other words, God has no authority over you: You be God. It is self-idolatry, advertised as progress and human flourishing.It is the very opposite and perversion of “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other Gods before me.” God makes it clear that a life of disobedience will result in judgement and it's reiterated in verse 15,“Those who hate the Lord would cringe toward him, and their fate would last forever.”But even in the middle of His judgement … Don't miss God's lament for Israel here. There is a sad tone of missed opportunity. Verse 13,“Oh, that my people would listen to me,that Israel would walk in my ways!”God's heart is to bless his people. And he longs for his wandering people to return to Him.Now, you might be wondering: wasn't this supposed to be a joyful song? Why does it have such a tragic ending? It feels like the beginning and the end don't belong in the same song. “Sing Aloud,” “Shout for joy,” and “Sound the tambourine” doesn't seem to fit with “I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own counsels.” At least, until we zoom out and recognize that this was a song sung by a future generation. And once we are transported back to that festival context the tone of this Psalm shifts from a tragic story to our final scene…Scene 3: A Hope-filled InvitationAs they sang this Psalm together, they heard not only God's cautionary tale but also his invitation. The tragic story of their fathers did not have to be their story. Instead of following in their fathers' steps of stubborn hearts and disobedience, God was inviting them to trust in Him to satisfy them. Verse 10, “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”It's a beautiful image of our hunger met by His provision, of our longings and His satisfaction. Just like the infant is satisfied by his mothers milk, we were made to be satisfied by God. It's not ultimately the water from the rock that we long for, but the rock Himself. It's not just the blessings that we want to be satisfied, but the source. And so behind the mouth that sings and the ear that listens is a heart that loves God above all else, turning to him to be satisfied. And God is both ready and eager to satisfy those who come to Him. And we've already seen in this psalm, two means by which he satisfies his people: Through his word as we listen to it and obey, and through our joy-filled singing. But I would like to briefly mention one more. And that is just to ask Him. Make it a regular part of your day to ask God to give you more of himself. That by His Spirit and through his word, you would grow in an ever deepening satisfaction in Him. That he would guard your heart from competing loves and disordered desires. And likewise, pray bold and specific prayers that take God at his word, and that deepen our heart's dependence on Him for satisfaction. God delights in answering those prayers.Verse 16,“But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”The psalm closes with more imagery of feasting as God invites his people to come and be satisfied by Him. And that brings us to this table.The TableThe Old Covenant feasts were a shadow pointing forward to a greater reality. God's Old Covenant rescue of Israel from Egypt was a shadow pointing forward to a greater rescue: God becoming a man to rescue his people from sin and judgment. Jesus, dwelt among us, took on our sins, and died in our place to rescue us from the judgment we deserved. And now the risen Jesus invites us to come to Him and be satisfied. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”Let's pray.And so Father, as your children, rescued and redeemed, we come eager for more of you this morning. Help us be a joyfully singing people. Help us be a submissive people that listen to and obey your word. Work in our hearts, by your Spirit and through your word, to grow us in ever-deepening satisfaction in you. We pray these things in Jesus name, Amen.

Psalm 78 is a lengthy and significant chapter in the Book of Psalms, often classified as a historical psalm. It recounts the history of Israel from the time of Moses through the period of the judges and concludes with the establishment of David as king. This psalm, attributed to Asaph, serves multiple purposes: it is a recounting of God's mighty works, a reminder of Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, and an exhortation for future generations to remain faithful to God. Structure and Themes 1. Introduction (Verses 1-8) The psalm begins with a call to listen and learn from the past. Asaph emphasizes the importance of teaching the coming generations about the deeds of the Lord so they might put their trust in God and obey His commands. This section sets the tone for the didactic nature of the psalm. 2. The Wonders of God in Egypt and the Wilderness (Verses 9-39) Asaph recounts the miracles God performed in Egypt, including the plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea. Despite these wonders, the Israelites repeatedly doubted and disobeyed God. This section highlights God's patience and mercy, as He continued to provide for and guide His people despite their rebellion. 3. Israel's Rebellion and God's Punishment (Verses 40-55) This section describes the continued rebellion of the Israelites in the wilderness. Despite God's provision of manna and water, they tested Him by demanding meat. God's response included both provision and punishment, emphasizing His righteousness and justice. 4. The Period of the Judges and the Establishment of the Monarchy (Verses 56-72) Asaph details the period of the judges, marked by cycles of disobedience, punishment, repentance, and deliverance. The psalm concludes with God's choice of David to shepherd His people, highlighting the establishment of Jerusalem (Zion) as the center of worship and the role of David as a righteous leader. Key Lessons 1. The Importance of Remembering and Teaching God's Works Psalm 78 stresses the importance of passing down the stories of God's mighty works to future generations. This transmission of faith helps prevent forgetfulness and fosters a culture of trust and obedience to God. 2. The Nature of Human Rebellion The repeated disobedience of the Israelites serves as a reminder of human nature's tendency toward rebellion and ingratitude. Despite witnessing miracles, the people frequently turned away from God, demonstrating the need for continual reliance on Him. 3. God's Patience and Mercy Despite the persistent unfaithfulness of His people, God's responses were marked by patience and mercy. He provided for their needs and gave them multiple opportunities to return to Him, showcasing His steadfast love and compassion. 4. Divine Justice and Righteous Leadership The psalm underscores that while God is merciful, He is also just. The consequences faced by the Israelites were a result of their actions, and God's choice of David as king reflects His desire for righteous leadership to guide His people. Application for Today Psalm 78 remains relevant for contemporary believers as it emphasizes the importance of knowing and recounting the history of God's dealings with His people. It encourages believers to reflect on their own faith journeys, acknowledge their tendencies to stray, and return to a posture of trust and obedience to God. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder of the importance of godly leadership and the role of parents and leaders in teaching the next generation about the faithfulness of God. In conclusion, Psalm 78 is a rich tapestry of historical narrative, theological reflection, and moral exhortation. It invites readers to learn from the past, remain faithful in the present, and hope in the steadfast love and justice of God for the future.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

Send us a Text Message.In this verse by verse Bible study episode, we draw a powerful parallel between Jacob's struggles and the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Join us as we continue to trace Jacob's intriguing journey through Genesis, recounting his complex dealings with his uncle Laban and their climactic covenant of non-aggression. Despite God's promise of protection, Jacob's return to the land of promise is fraught with fear and uncertainty. As he encounters angels along the way, we delve into the profound themes of God's assurance and guidance that echo throughout his life. This episode is packed with insights and reflections that not only recount Jacob's story but also challenge us to seek and trust in God's guiding hand amidst our own life's trials.Support the Show.

Despite God's great love and faithfulness, Israel turned away from Him to worthless gods to satisfy their desires and allay their fears but discovered only emptiness and ruin.

When we walk with the Lord, we will see His work in our life, but if that work seems to stop, we should seek to figure out why. Today, as we dive into Jeremiah 2, we see the sins of Israel and how they hard caused a rift in their fellowship with the Lord. Join us as we examine this key chapter on ways we break our fellowship with the Lord. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    Think back to our first study yesterday in Jeremiah 1. What was God's call upon Jeremiah? What kind of message was Jeremiah to bring to the people? What would be the people's reactions? What kind of determination was Jeremiah to have? 2.    In verses 2 & 3, the Lord remembers the early days when Israel was a new nation. How does He describe her devotion to the Lord? In practical terms, what do you think this looked like? 3.    Verses 4 & 5 start to get to the problem. Why does the Lord ask, “What injustice did your fathers find in Me?” What do we know to be the answer? Why, then, did the people turn from God? 4.    How does the Lord describe His care and provision of the people in verses 6 &7?  5.    Despite God's faithfulness, how did the people respond to Him at the end of verse 7? What did the priests fail to do in verse 8? What did they do instead?  6.    What did the podcast suggest that we should do when God seems distant? In these opening verses, what did the people and leadership do instead?  7.    Verses 9-12 ask a question that could be just as relevant today. Think back to the nations of the world, how many can you think of have changed it's “god” or it's religion? If you can think of this ever happening, how central was the Lord to that change (either way)? Why do you think that is? 8.    Verse 13 is a key verse for the entire Book of Jeremiah. What does it say? What does it mean? How were the people going after broken cisterns that could not hold water? Have you ever done this in your life? What was the outcome? 9.    In verses 14 to 19, what is the state of the nation of Israel? Is this referring to just the Northern Kingdom or both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms? What difference does this make in the interpretation of these verses? 10.    What were they doing in verse 18, going down the road to Egypt? According to the podcast, how does the Battle of Carchemish factor into this situation?  11.    In verse 19, what were the people lacking? Why is this so vital to restoring a relationship with the Lord?  12.    In verse 22, how is the people's manmade attempts at righteousness just vain attempts at moral reform? Why is their stain still before the Lord? How does this speak to people's modern-day attempts at personal reform and self-improvement?  13.    In verse 23, what were the people saying about their own sin? Why did they have no shame in verse 26? What did they declare in verse 35? Do this self-evaluations represent people who know God and walk with Him? If not, what do these traits point to in their own spiritual condition?  14.    How do verses 27 & 28 characterize their idolatry? How do people make these same statements today? What are the modern-day “idols” that people say these kinds of things to? 15.    In verse 30, how did the people respond to the Lord's chastening? What does it look like to have a heart that is sensitive to the Lord's rebuke and discipline?  16.    Skim verses 31 to 37. These verses reflect the hard-hearted callousness of people who have turned from God. What are some principles that you can see in these verses? Has any of these principles ever been part of your walk with God? What happened to shake them from you?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Behind every significant event in history has been the “will of the LORD” bringing about things that are “good” or things that are “bad” – more often the latter.      This is even sometimes the case with seemingly insignificant events!  In our reading of 1 Samuel 9, donkeys belonging to a Benjamite become lost and the owner's son, Saul is sent to look for them and in the end he ‘chances' to meet up with Samuel.  “Before Saul came, the LORD had revealed to Samuel” [v.15] that Saul would come “and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people, Israel.” [v.16] Despite God's displeasure with them they never ceased to be “his people” – and so it has been throughout history.  The chapter ends with Samuel taking Saul aside saying, “stop here yourself for awhile, that I may make known to you the word of God.”     Today we have the written word of God – how often do we prayerfully turn aside to absorb its message in its fullness as a “lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns …”[1 Peter 1 v.19] This world is a dark place – and it's getting darker every year! How remarkable is the 53rd chapter in Isaiah, clearly a forecast of the life and death of our Lord so that many in recent generations had become convinced it must have be added during or after the time of Christ!  But when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered they were silenced.  The chapter starts, “Who has believed what they heard …?” And that is still the question!  Who believes what was written and has been preserved and now made available in every language.  Our last reading today – Revelation – is about “seven plagues … the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.” [15 v.1]  An angel is heard to say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgements …It is what they deserve!” [16 v.5,6]  We read of “demonic spirits … who go abroad to the kings (leaders) of the whole world to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.” [v.14] “And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.” [v.16] Christ is returning without warning, “like a thief” [v.15]  The word ‘Armageddon' has fascinated people, especially moviemakers, in recent years – in their inner being many sense disaster is looming.      As in the days of Samuel, God arranged for the people to have what they wanted – and deserved, so our world will get what it deserves, “… and the cities of the nations fell … to make (them) drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath” [v.19] Frightening!  Look back on our recent thoughts – remember to whom it was said – “I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world”  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christadelphians-talk/message

Change Your Thoughts #RTTBROS #Nightlight  Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." -Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) Our thoughts have incredible power to shape our lives. The Bible tells us that as a person thinks in their heart, so they are. In other words, our inner thought life determines the course and quality of our outer lives. The Israelites are a prime example. After being miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, their minds remained imprisoned by negative thinking. Despite God's daily supernatural provision, they grumbled and complained, viewing their circumstances through the lens of lack and limitation. How often do we fall into the same trap? We face each day thinking "I have to go to work" or "I have to deal with this problem" rather than "I get to use my abilities to provide for my family" and "I have an opportunity to grow and overcome challenges." When we change our perspective, we change our reality. Choosing to think hope-filled, positive thoughts aligns us with God's goodness and primes us to receive His blessings. As Jesus said, "According to your faith be it unto you." (Matthew 9:29) Today, refuse to be held captive by negative thought patterns. Win the battle in your mind by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Fix your thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). As you transform your thinking, expect to see your life transformed! Let's pray: "Lord, forgive me for negative thoughts that have held me back. I choose to think as You think - thoughts of hope and blessing. Renew my mind and help me view my life through eyes of faith. In Jesus' name, Amen." https://linktr.ee/rttbros   Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." -Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) Our thoughts have incredible power to shape our lives. The Bible tells us that as a person thinks in their heart, so they are. In other words, our inner thought life determines the course and quality of our outer lives. The Israelites are a prime example. After being miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, their minds remained imprisoned by negative thinking. Despite God's daily supernatural provision, they grumbled and complained, viewing their circumstances through the lens of lack and limitation. How often do we fall into the same trap? We face each day thinking "I have to go to work" or "I have to deal with this problem" rather than "I get to use my abilities to provide for my family" and "I have an opportunity to grow and overcome challenges." When we change our perspective, we change our reality. Choosing to think hope-filled, positive thoughts aligns us with God's goodness and primes us to receive His blessings. As Jesus said, "According to your faith be it unto you." (Matthew 9:29) Today, refuse to be held captive by negative thought patterns. Win the battle in your mind by taking each thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Fix your thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8). As you transform your thinking, expect to see your life transformed! Let's pray: "Lord, forgive me for negative thoughts that have held me back. I choose to think as You think - thoughts of hope and blessing. Renew my mind and help me view my life through eyes of faith. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Psalm 12 is a poignant cry for help in the midst of societal corruption and the seeming triumph of deceit and treachery. Attributed to David, it reflects a time when the faithful feel abandoned, and falsehood seems to reign. This psalm can be divided into several parts: 1. **The Cry for Help (verses 1-2):** David begins by lamenting the lack of faithful and godly individuals. He describes a society where truth and loyalty are scarce, and deceitful words prevail. 2. **God's Promise (verse 3-5):** In response to the rampant dishonesty and oppression of the needy, God promises to rise and protect those who are suffering. This section highlights God's commitment to justice and His readiness to intervene when the humble are oppressed. 3. **The Purity of God's Words (verses 6-7):** Contrasting the deceptive words of people, David extols the purity of God's words. He describes them as flawless and refined, providing a stark contrast to the corrupt communication around him. This trust in God's promises offers reassurance in the midst of chaos. 4. **The Enduring Presence of the Wicked (verse 8):** Despite God's promises, wickedness still pervades society. David notes that the vile continue to be exalted, which underscores the ongoing struggle between good and evil. Throughout Psalm 12, there is a deep expression of reliance on God in times of moral decay and societal breakdown. This psalm resonates with those who feel overwhelmed by injustice and falsehood, encouraging them to find solace and strength in God's perfect and pure promises. It serves as a reminder of the eternal struggle between righteousness and wickedness, and the enduring nature of God's word as a source of truth and protection.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

As the series has unfolded we see the nation of Israel develop from a promise to Abraham that he would become a great nation, to his descendants becoming just that, but held in captivity. Enter Moses, the great prophet that leads the nation out of Egypt, headed for the land they were promised as an inheritance, but it was Joshua, Moses' successor who actually brought them in. Despite God being with them, it was not without trouble time and time again. Today we study the story, but also learn an important lesson: when God promises He will be with us He is NOT promising all trouble will vanish!  Scriptures Today:  Joshua 1:1-6, 5:1, 5:13-15, 23:6-8, 24:14-15 // 1 John 5:3 // Luke 11:28// 1 Samuel 15:22 // Romans 7:19-25 We're so glad you joined us for this powerful message! Any music performed live is performed under all appropriate licenses from CCLI, and all musical rights remain reserved by their respective artists; license details are available upon request. No other rights are reserved; share this message of hope, light, direction, and peace with  anyone and everyone who needs to hear it. If you cannot find a shareable copy, reach out to tech@lotwchurch.org and we will make one available for you. God bless.

Throughout the book of Esther we see God's faithfulness through acts of providence. Despite God's name never being mentioned, His hand is evident throughout the narrative. Esther's rise to power as queen, Mordecai's discovery of a plot against the king, and Esther's courage to intervene on behalf of her people all demonstrate divine guidance. Even seemingly insignificant details, like King Xerxes' insomnia leading him to read the chronicles where Mordecai's loyalty is recorded, play a crucial role. God's faithfulness is seen in how He turns the tables on the enemies of the Jews. What was intended for evil is transformed into good as Haman's scheme to destroy the Jews ultimately results in his downfall and the salvation of God's people. This emphasizes the biblical truth that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Esther's willingness to risk her life demonstrates her trust in God's faithfulness. Through her obedience and courage, God's plan unfolds, and the Jewish people are saved from destruction. The Book of Esther reminds us that even in times of uncertainty, God remains faithful to His promises and His people, for their ultimate good and His glory.

Today is day 360 and we are studying the section on Justification and Sanctification: Living in Forgiveness and Healing. 362. Are you still affected by your sin, despite God's forgiveness? Yes. My sinful actions can harm my relationship with God, do lasting damage to others, and leave me conflicted within myself. I live in constant need of Christ's healing grace. (2 Samuel 12:1–23; Psalm 32:1–5; Matthew 15:18–20; Romans 7:15–25; 1 Corinthians 10:1–13; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8) We will conclude today by praying Prayer 95. In Times of Suffering or Weakness found on page 674 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Repentance always precedes revival. It's God's way. In the book of I Samuel Chapter 8, God had provided Israel with a righteous judge and prophet, Samuel. But the people rebelled, and demanded a king. Despite God's warnings that a king would exact taxes from them, put their men into work camps and hijack their women for his own purposes, they still wanted a king. So God gave them Saul as their king. Saul had every outward appearance of a great king—but inwardly, he lacked righteous character. And this lack led him to make risky, selfish decisions. God repented of putting him on the throne, and together with Samuel, they anointed David as the next king of Israel. David was so important to be the next king because he had a righteous, repentant heart. And, he was also of the bloodline from which Jesus, the Messiah of the world would descend. Jesus was not only David's divine creator and human descendent, but also his eternal Savior.

Title The Saga of Kings and Prophets: Insights from 1 Kings 13-16 The books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible are more than historical accounts; they offer profound insights into leadership, faithfulness, and the consequences of turning away from God. In 1 Kings 13-16, the narrative weaves through the reigns of several kings of Israel and Judah, marked by political upheaval, prophetic warnings, and divine judgments.The Tale of a Prophet's Disobedience: Lessons from 1 Kings 131 Kings 13 presents a compelling and somewhat perplexing story about a man of God from Judah and his fateful journey to Bethel. This narrative is not only a historical account but also a rich source of spiritual lessons about obedience, discernment, and the consequences of straying from God's commands. The Man of God from JudahThe chapter begins with an unnamed prophet from Judah who comes to Bethel during Jeroboam's reign. He arrives as Jeroboam stands by the altar to burn incense, and he delivers a prophecy against the altar, foretelling its desecration.This prophecy also points to a future king named Josiah, who would fulfil this word (which happens much later in 2 Kings 23). The man of God performs a miraculous sign to validate his prophecy, causing the altar to split apart. Jeroboam's Response and the Prophet's ObedienceJeroboam, upon witnessing this, extends his hand from the altar and orders the capture of the prophet, but his hand withers. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Jeroboam asks the prophet to pray for the restoration of his hand, which the prophet does.Jeroboam then invites the prophet to dine with him, but the prophet refuses, citing God's command not to eat bread, drink water, or return in the same way he came. The Deception and the Prophet's DownfallOn his way back, an old prophet from Bethel deceives the man of God, claiming that an angel spoke to him, instructing him to bring the man of God back to his house for food and drink. The man of God, against God's explicit command, accepts the invitation and returns with him. During the meal, the old prophet receives a true word from the Lord, prophesying the man of God's death for his disobedience.The Judgement and the EndThe prophecy quickly comes to pass as the man of God is killed by a lion on his way home, and his body is brought back to Bethel to be buried. Interestingly, Jeroboam does not change his ways despite witnessing these events, continuing in his idolatry. Lessons and Contemporary Reflections 1 Kings 13 serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands. The man of God, initially obedient and bold in his confrontation with Jeroboam, falls into disobedience due to deception and perhaps a desire for fellowship. The story also emphasizes the need for discernment.The man of God is deceived by someone claiming to have heard from God. This highlights the importance for believers to test every prophecy and teaching against the Word of God. Moreover, the chapter illustrates the immediate and severe consequences of disobedience. While God is merciful, this narrative teaches that disobedience, especially for those who know the truth, can lead to dire consequences. 1 Kings 13 is more than a historical account; it's a cautionary tale that resonates with anyone who seeks to walk in obedience to God. It calls for unwavering adherence to God's word, discernment in the face of deception, and a sober realization of the consequences of straying from God's path. For modern believers, it serves as a reminder to hold fast to God's commands, resisting the temptations and deceptions that may come along the way.The Downfall of Jeroboam's House (1 Kings 14)The chapters begin with the story of King Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after its split from Judah. Despite God's initial blessing, Jeroboam's reign is characterized by idolatry and sin. The prophecy against his house, delivered by the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam's wife, is a critical moment. This prophecy foretells the downfall of Jeroboam's dynasty because of his disobedience and the introduction of false worship in Israel.Judah's Kings: Rehoboam and Abijam (1 Kings 14-15)In parallel, 1 Kings 14 also narrates the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon's son, in Judah.His reign is marked by forsaking the law of the Lord and engaging in various sinful practices. This pattern continues with his son Abijam, who also walks in the sins of his father. These narratives reflect a period of religious and moral decline in Judah, although God's promise to David ensures the continuity of his lineage on the throne. Asa of Judah: A Contrast (1 Kings 15)Amid the backdrop of disobedience, King Asa of Judah presents a stark contrast. He is depicted as doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord, removing idols and reforming the kingdom. Asa's reign brought a brief period of religious reform and faithfulness to God's covenant.The Rise and Fall of Baasha (1 Kings 15-16)In the northern kingdom, Baasha rises to power in Israel by overthrowing Jeroboam's son Nadab, fulfilling Ahijah's prophecy. However, Baasha's reign is similarly plagued by sin, leading to a prophecy from Jehu the seer, foretelling the destruction of his house. The Cycle of Sin and Judgment (1 Kings 16)1 Kings 16 continues with the rapid succession of Israel's kings, highlighting the instability and sinfulness of the northern kingdom. Each king, from Elah to Zimri to Omri, falls into the pattern of sin, drawing Israel away from God. The chapter ends with the beginning of Ahab's reign, setting the stage for further narratives of conflict between royal authority and prophetic word. Lessons and Contemporary RelevanceThese chapters in 1 Kings offer several lessons:The importance of faithfulness to God and His commandments.The dangers of idolatry and moral compromise.The role of prophets as God's spokespersons, calling for repentance and obedience.The consequences of leadership that does not adhere to God's standards.For contemporary readers, these chapters serve as a reminder of the need for integrity in leadership, the importance of personal and collective faithfulness to God, and the enduring truth that actions have consequences.Conclusion1 Kings 14-16, with its interplay of kings and prophets, triumphs and failures, invites readers to reflect on their own faith journey. It challenges us to consider our adherence to God's principles and to seek leaders who embody righteousness and justice. These chapters stand as a testament to the complex, often challenging, the relationship between divine authority and human governance.

Where are you headed, friend?   Psalm 25:4 says, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.”   Whether you've lived in the same place your entire life, or you've been blessed to travel the world, each and every life is a journey. An opportunity to learn, grow, and impact others as we follow the path God has planned for us.    Moses and the Israelites must have been expert travelers by the time they finally reached the Promised Land, and their journey was no pleasure trip.    God sent 10 devastating plagues to the land of Egypt, causing Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. And God's people were promised a land where milk and honey flowed—the Promised Land—also known as Canaan. So Moses and the Israelites traveled to the borders of Canaan. For 40 days, a group of 12 chosen men secretly scouted out the land. Ten of the men reported that the people were well-armed, and just way too strong to overcome.    Despite God's promise of victory, the Israelites were afraid, and were certain they could not overcome the people of Canaan. They doubted God's promises. And in turn, he caused them to wander the desert for 40 years: one year for each of the 40 days they had explored the land.    Because of this, no one over the age of 20 would step foot into the Promised Land, including Moses, and an entire adult generation lost out on the blessings God had planned for them—all because they allowed their fear to be greater than their faith in God's plan.    Let's pray.    Heavenly Father, how many times have you delivered us? Not because we're deserving, but because you love us. Help us to keep the faith and stay on your path for us, every step of the journey. Your goodness is beyond question, and we're grateful for your presence in our lives, and your boundless saving grace. In Jesus' name, amen. 

Scripture Reading (for the next three weeks): Genesis 1:1-3:24Last week I attempted to make three simple points:(1) Simply assuming that a text should be read literally is not a “safer” approach than being open to figurative understandings—that is, that assumption runs the “risk” of forcing a wrong interpretation of the text.(2) Texts that are meant to be understood non-literally can convey information—they are not so open to interpretation that they can mean anything at all. Even in cases when the message lacks specificity or clarity, the message still has a limited semantic range. Put simply, non-literal text can have meaning, be interpreted correctly, and be interpreted incorrectly.(3) Finally, the early chapters of Genesis have been interpreted non-literally since the dawn of the church (and before). The accusation that only modern Christians, yielding to the pressure of modern science, have conveniently interpreted the text figuratively is simply false. To interpret the text non-literally is not a departure from established church (or Jewish) tradition.All three points can be summarized as follows: genre is key to reading a text. Reading poetry like historiography or historiography as poetry is dangerous. Neither approach is likely to reach truth.I am well aware that, so far, I have not offered a shred of evidence that the early chapters of Genesis should be read literally or otherwise. That has been intentional. All I have attempted to show is that considering a non-literal interpretation is not offensive in itself and foreclosing that interpretation a priori may force a reader to reach the wrong conclusions.So, with all that in mind, the time has come to read the text. 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.2 Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water. 3 God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light! 4 God saw that the light was good, so God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” There was evening, and there was morning, marking the first day.6 God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters and let it separate water from water.” 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. It was so. 8 God called the expanse “sky.” There was evening, and there was morning, a second day.9 God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place and let dry ground appear.” It was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” God saw that it was good.11 God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: plants yielding seeds and trees on the land bearing fruit with seed in it, according to their kinds.” It was so. 12 The land produced vegetation—plants yielding seeds according to their kinds, and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. God saw that it was good. 13 There was evening, and there was morning, a third day.14 God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs to indicate seasons and days and years, 15 and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” It was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night. He made the stars also. 17 God placed the lights in the expanse of the sky to shine on the earth, 18 to preside over the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good. 19 There was evening, and there was morning, a fourth day.20 God said, “Let the water swarm with swarms of living creatures and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.” 21 God created the great sea creatures and every living and moving thing with which the water swarmed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening, and there was morning, a fifth day.24 God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” It was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the cattle according to their kinds, and all the creatures that creep along the ground according to their kinds. God saw that it was good.26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth.”27 God created humankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them,male and female he created them.28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it! Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground.” 29 Then God said, “I now give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the entire earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the animals of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has living breath in it—I give every green plant for food.” It was so.31 God saw all that he had made—and it was very good! There was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.1 The heavens and the earth were completed with everything that was in them. 2 By the seventh day God finished the work that he had been doing, and he ceased on the seventh day all the work that he had been doing. 3 God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation.4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created—when the Lord God made the earth and heavens.5 Now no shrub of the field had yet grown on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. 6 Springs would well up from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. 7 The Lord God formed the man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.8 The Lord God planted an orchard in the east, in Eden; and there he placed the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow from the soil, every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food. (Now the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil were in the middle of the orchard.)10 Now a river flows from Eden to water the orchard, and from there it divides into four headstreams. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it runs through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 (The gold of that land is pure; pearls and lapis lazuli are also there.) 13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it runs through the entire land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it runs along the east side of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it. 16 Then the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat fruit from every tree of the orchard, 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die.”18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him.” 19 The Lord God formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them, and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air, and the living creatures of the field, but for Adam no companion who corresponded to him was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he was asleep, he took part of the man's side and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the part he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,“This one at last is bone of my bonesand flesh of my flesh;this one will be called ‘woman,'for she was taken out of man.”24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and unites with his wife, and they become one family. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed.1 Now the serpent was shrewder than any of the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Is it really true that God said, ‘You must not eat from any tree of the orchard'?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit from the trees of the orchard; 3 but concerning the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the orchard God said, ‘You must not eat from it, and you must not touch it, or else you will die.'” 4 The serpent said to the woman, “Surely you will not die, 5 for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”6 When the woman saw that the tree produced fruit that was good for food, was attractive to the eye, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the orchard at the breezy time of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the orchard. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 The man replied, “I heard you moving about in the orchard, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” 11 And the Lord God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave me, she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it.” 13 So the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman replied, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”14 The Lord God said to the serpent,“Because you have done this,cursed are you above all the cattleand all the living creatures of the field!On your belly you will crawland dust you will eat all the days of your life.15 And I will put hostility between you and the womanand between your offspring and her offspring;he will strike your head,and you will strike his heel.”16 To the woman he said,“I will greatly increase your labor pains;with pain you will give birth to children.You will want to control your husband,but he will dominate you.”17 But to Adam he said,“Because you obeyed your wifeand ate from the tree about which I commanded you,‘You must not eat from it,'the ground is cursed because of you;in painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you,but you will eat the grain of the field.19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat fooduntil you return to the ground,for out of it you were taken;for you are dust, and to dust you will return.”20 The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. 21 The Lord God made garments from skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. 22 And the Lord God said, “Now that the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not be allowed to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 23 So the Lord God expelled him from the orchard in Eden to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken. 24 When he drove the man out, he placed on the eastern side of the orchard in Eden angelic sentries who used the flame of a whirling sword to guard the way to the tree of life.Does Genesis Belong to the Literary Genre of Myth?We must face the million-dollar question: are there clues in the text of Genesis that would lead the reader to believe that it is not to be taken literally? Notice that the question focuses and begins with the text itself. The endeavor is to read the text the way it “wants” to be read. This interpretive exercise is not starting out with modern beliefs and reading the text the way a modern reader may want to read it.However, before we start this conversation, I want to address why we are having this conversation at all. Spoiler alert—the ending of the story is this: when we focus on the potential concordance between science and Genesis we are asking the wrong questions. Not only will this result in wrong answers, it will keep us from asking the right questions! Ultimately, that is what I want. I want to take Genesis seriously—dead seriously. I believe in Genesis. I believe it is scripture. I believe it is true. My view of everything is shaped by it. So I am eager to discuss the truths that Genesis truly means to convey. An yes, I believe Genesis is historical just not historiography. It conveys real world truths in figurative language.Ok, back to the myth discussion. (Most of the discussion in this week's blog comes from William Lane Craig's In Quest of the Historical Adam: A Biblical and Scientific Exploration. Sometimes the discussion is a summary of his work, sometimes it is a straight copy. I would certainly fail for plagiarism if this blog were a paper.)Before You Stone Me—A Definition of MythThe word myth is nowadays used to refer to a false fact, statement, or story. If I told you that chewing bread while chopping an onion will prevent teary eyes, you might respond, “That's just a myth.” If I were calling Genesis a myth in that sense—well, go ahead and stone me. It would be well deserved.When I use the term myth in this discussion, I mean something else entirely. I am using the term as another element in the set containing poetry, epic, biography, and historiography. I am not using myth as a synonym for lie, fiction, wives' tale, or falsity. Explained differently, I am using myth the way a folklorist would.In the field of folklore, a myth is a sacred narrative explaining how the world and man came to be in their present form. Let's break down this brief definition. First, a myth is a linguistic composition, either oral or literary. Second, it is a narrative; that is to say, it is a story, which involves characters and a plotline. Third, it is a sacred narrative—it has religious significance in the culture in which it is embraced. This implies that it will have something to do with a deity as one of its principal figures. Fourth, (and this is implied) it is a traditional narrative, one that is handed down over the generations, not a recent, free composition.Myths are narratives that, in the society in which they are told, are considered to be truthful accounts of what happened in the remote past. They are to be believed and may be cited as authoritative. They are the embodiment of dogma and are often associated with theology and ritual. Their main characters are not usually human beings but deities, heroes, or animals, whose activities are set in an earlier age, when the earth was different than it is today, or in another realm such as the sky or underworld. Compare this to, for example, legends. Legends are similar to myths, but they take place in the current era, not in the remote past, and are not considered sacred. Compare myths also to folktales. Folktales are narratives that, in the society in which they are told, are regarded as fiction. The events they relate may or may not have happened. They are not to be taken seriously as dogma or history.Finally, myths are often highly metaphorical rather than literal. Let's focus on Ancient Near Eastern myths to provide evidence of this point. The first example we can examine is the Mesopotamian myth Enuma elish. As a scholar put it, “[n]o one but a lunatic . . . could ever arrive at the theory that [the earth and sky] were originally formed by splitting the body of a dragon in half.” We can be confident that no ancient Babylonian looking to the sky expected to see the desiccated flesh and bones of Tiamat overhead, nor did he expect to find the Tigris and Euphrates flowing out of Tiamat's eye sockets. These are figurative images. The same could be said for Egyptians and their myths. In Egyptian mythology, for example, the sky could be depicted as the goddess Nut arched over the earth with hands and feet touching the ground. No Egyptian looking at the sky expected to see the body of a naked woman arched above him. Sadly, when we refer to ancient peoples as believing these things literally, it is us who do not understand and impose an overly literalistic interpretation of their myths. So, are the early chapters of Genesis a myth? To determine what is a myth, one can look for certain elements that are shared by most myths (i.e., “family resemblances”). We can summarize these family resemblances as follows:(1) Myths are narratives, whether oral or literary.(2) Myths are traditional stories handed down from generation to generation.(3) Myths are sacred for the society that embraces them.(4) Myths are objects of belief by members of the society that embraces them.(5) Myths are set in a primaeval age or another realm.(6) Myths are stories in which deities are important characters.(7) Myths seek to anchor present realities such as the world, mankind, natural phenomena, cultural practices, and the prevailing cult in a primordial time.(8) Myths are associated with rituals.(9) Myths express correspondences between the deities and nature.(10) Myths exhibit fantastic elements and are not troubled by logical contradiction or incoherence.By the way, these characteristics of myth come from folklorist, scholars who study myths of many different cultures and religions—not from biblical scholars. In other words, this is not an attempt to draft a definition of myth that will conveniently fit the Genesis account.Application to Genesis 1-11Let us apply the list of elements above to the early chapters of Genesis and see if Genesis might belong to the genre of myth.(1) Myths are narratives, whether oral or literary.Not only the individual units of Genesis 1-11 work as narratives, but the first 11 chapters as a whole constitute a narrative as well. These chapters tell the story of primaeval events in roughly chronological succession. For example, the fall of mankind occurred after the creation of mankind, the flood occurred after the fall, and the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel occurred after the flood.(2) Myths are traditional stories handed down from generation to generation.Genesis 1-11 is universally recognized as comprising traditional stories. That is to say, the author of Genesis (traditionally held to be Moses), wrote down the traditions passed down to him. Most scholars adopt what is termed the “documentary hypothesis,” which explores the potential sources upon which the Genesis author relied.(3) Myths are sacred for the society that embraces them.Again, there is universal agreement that the narratives of Genesis 1-11 are sacred for Israelite society. Not only do these stories tell the acts of the God of creation, but more particularly they tell the acts of Israel's covenantal God, Yahweh. Sabbath observance and animal sacrifice, so central to Israel's cult, are already grounded in the early chapters of Genesis. Moreover, Genesis 1-11 provides the prehistory and foundation for Yahweh's call of Abraham to establish the nation of Israel in order to achieve the blessing of all mankind that was forfeited by Adam and Eve.(4) Myths are objects of belief by members of the society that embraces them.We see this fact clearly when later passages in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) reaffirm statements in the primaeval narrative. For example, in Exodus 20:8-11 we have a recapitulation of the creation week: “Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart as holy. For six days you may labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; on it you shall not do any work, . . . . For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, and he rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”(5) Myths are set in a primaeval age or another realm.The stories of Gen 1-11 are set in a primaeval age. The primaeval age in Genesis runs right back to God's creation of the world “in the beginning” (Gen 1:1). Moreover, the Genesis account narrates the creation of humankind as well as of plant and animal life. The origin of civilization and several of its inventions, such as metallurgy and music, are related. The origin of the world's languages is described. The period described is thus truly the primal age of mankind and the world.(6) Myths are stories in which deities are important characters.This element is controversial, but not for the reason you might think. Many folklorist do not consider the Genesis account to be myth because it does not involve many gods. In their view, monotheism is antithetical to myth. This seems to be a mistake, however. There is no reason that a monotheistic society could not use the genre of myth.(7) Myths seek to anchor present realities such as the world, mankind, natural phenomena, cultural practices, and the prevailing cult in a primordial time.This is the very heart of myth. In grounding present realities in the primordial past, the narrative functions to establish Israel's worldview. Notice, it does not ground the founding of Israel as a nation, at least not merely that. More fundamentally, the Genesis myth is universal in that it explains the origin of the world, the origin of humanity, and natural phenomena. All three of these ideas will be explored later.(8) Myths are associated with rituals.The narratives of Gen 1-11 do not seem to be associated with rituals, despite the motif of animal sacrifice. But inclusion of this eighth family resemblance probably reflects the influence of the so-called myth and ritual school, which is now widely rejected. While some myths have ritual associations, such a connection is missing from many myths.(9) Myths express correspondences between the deities and nature.The primaeval narratives of Genesis likewise do not express correspondences between deities and nature. But the absence of such correspondences from Genesis 1-11 is due to Israel's monotheism, in contrast to the polytheism of its neighbors.(10) Myths exhibit fantastic elements and are not troubled by logical contradiction or incoherence.Does the Genesis narrative exhibit fantastic elements? Is it untroubled by logical contradiction or incoherence? It seems that on both counts the primaeval narrative shares this family resemblance of myths, even if to several orders of magnitude less in comparison to Ancient Near Eastern polytheistic myths.(a) Anthropomorphisms. Despite God's transcendence so dramatically declared in Genesis 1, God is portrayed in the story of man's creation in Genesis 2 as a humanoid deity worthy of polytheistic myths, as he forms man from the dirt and breathes the breath of life into his nostrils. The same is true of the story of the fall in Genesis 3, where God strolls in the cool of the day and searches for the man and woman hiding among the trees. One must wonder whether the author meant these anthropomorphic descriptions of God to be just part of the storyteller's art or serious theology.(b) Narrative Inconsistencies. The author of Genesis seems untroubled by the apparent inconsistencies that occur in his narratives. It would have been easy for him to bring the account of the creation of man in Genesis 2 into accord with Genesis 1, rather than leave the apparent inconsistencies concerning the order of creation of man, the vegetation, and the animals. In Genesis 1, vegetation is created in the third day (Genesis 1:11-13):God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: plants yielding seeds and trees on the land bearing fruit with seed in it, according to their kinds.” It was so. 12 The land produced vegetation—plants yielding seeds according to their kinds, and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. God saw that it was good. There was evening, and there was morning, a third day.Also, in Genesis 1 man is created after vegetation.Man is not made until the sixth day (see Genesis 1:28-30). However, in Genesis 2 we read the following (Genesis 2:5-7):Now no shrub of the field had yet grown on the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground. Springs would well up from the earth and water the whole surface of the ground. The Lord God formed the man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.(c) Fantastic Elements. Before we can determine whether Genesis contains fantastic elements, we must explain that term. Miracles and fantastic elements are not the same. I believe in miracles! Fantastic means events that are so extraordinary or odd that, on their face, seem palpably false to the audience. I am not saying these events seem palpably false to us in light of increased knowledge of the world. Fantastic means palpably false to the original audience. Put another way, these are elements that both the original author and original audience understand to be figurative. Allow me to provide modern examples. If I told you I was diagnosed with cancer but after my church prayed for me I received a healthy diagnosis, I have not narrated a “fantastic element.” I have narrated a miracle which, even if you disbelieve it, you and I both understand that I mean for you to believe it. On the other hand, imagine that before you announce your wife's pregnancy I somehow find out, and when you ask me how I learned of it, I respond, “A little birdy told me.” That is much closer to a fantastic element. Both you and I, the speaker and the audience, understand that the statement is too odd to be taken as anything other than a literary device.So, are there fantastic elements in Genesis? I think so. The best example is the snake. The snake may very well represent Satan, but notice the actual description in the text, “Now the serpent was shrewder than any of the wild animals that the Lord God had made.” In the story, the snake is a snake—just a snake. And no one is surprised by the talking snake! And the implication that the snake is shrewder than other animal is that other animals are like the snake (presumably they can also speak), just a little less clever. In fact, an ancient Jewish interpretation explains the reference to the serpent precisely in this literal manner, attributing the capacity to speak to all the animals in the orchard (Jubilee 3:28).Other great examples of fantastical elements are the trees of life and of knowledge of good and evil. Notice that in regard to the effect of eating the fruits of these trees there is no hint of miraculous action on God's part. The trees seem to be “magical.” God does not bestow eternal life if one eats from the tree of life. The tree does it. Man could event subvert God's punishment if he could simply get his hands on that fruit. “And the Lord God said, ‘Now that the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not be allowed to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever'” (Genesis 3:22).Conclusion and CliffhangerOk, there's my abbreviated argument that the early chapters of Genesis are myth. Now, allow me to return to the definition of myth and the entire reason I am spending time on this topic: Myths are narratives that, in the society in which they are told, are considered to be truthful accounts of what happened in the remote past. They are to be believed and may be cited as authoritative. Sure, the fact that they are truthful does not mean that they are literal—but they are truthful! So, what are these truths that story conveys? We won't have time to explore this until next week, but let me give you a brief taste of what is to come:Themes and Etiology(1) Origin of the World. Genesis 1 is obviously an etiological account of the origin of the world through God's creative activity. As such it is spectacularly different from the cosmic etiologies of Israel's neighbors. In contrast to Babylonian and Egyptian myths, there is neither theogony nor theomachy in Genesis; rather, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1). All of physical reality is brought into being by an unoriginate and transcendent Deity.(2) Origin of Humanity. In Genesis 2 we have an etiological account of the origin of humanity that supplements the brief notice of mankind's creation in 1:26–27. In other myths in the Ancient Near East, humans are often treated as later creations of the gods for the purpose of relieving the minor deities of backbreaking labor. For example, in the Atrahasis Epic the minor deities are said to have labored for thousands of years before finally rebelling against their overseers, necessitating the creation of man to take over their labors.Scholars have often asked why the Pentateuch does not begin with the call of Abraham and the founding of Israel in Genesis 12. Commentators seem widely agreed that the reason the author prefixes the prehistory to the patriarchal narratives is his universalizing interest. He wants to show that God's original plan was to bless all mankind and that this aim still remains ultimately in mind through the election of Israel, which is now God's means of fulfilling his original intent. Moreover, Ancient Near East myths share an etiological interest in telling how mankind in general came to exist. For example, as cited above, in the Atrahasis Epic, in response to protests and rebellion of the lesser gods over their burdensome labors, the mother goddess decides to create man to take over the labor for them. Humans were created basically as slave labor for the gods. Such stories seek to answer the question of human origins in general. When read against this backdrop, Genesis 2 is seen to share a similar etiological interest—but with a very different answer!Finally, etiology comes explicitly to the fore in the closing comment on the story, “Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed” (Gen 2:24–25). The man and the woman are now man and wife. Marriage is thus God's plan for man and woman and is grounded in the primordial creation of man and of woman as his helper. The marriage relationship is taken to be the proper sphere for human sexual activity. This etiological note confirms that the author takes his story to be universal in scope, for marriage is not plausibly taken to be merely God's special provision for this specially created couple but his intention for all humanity.(3) Natural Phenomena. Etiological motifs concerning natural phenomena are also evident in Genesis 1-11. Such motifs are especially obvious in the account in Genesis 3 of the primordial couple's disobedience to God as a result of their seduction by the serpent. In the punishments pronounced by God on the serpent, the man, and the woman, etiological motifs abound. For example, the toil of farming is attributed to the fact that the land is cursed because of the man's disobedience. Thus, natural phenomena with which later Israelites would have been all too familiar are explained in terms of our primordial parents' fall into sin.Next week I want to explain these ideas further. I hope you give me the chance.

When we walk with the Lord, we will see His work in our life, but if that work seems to stop, we should seek to figure out why. Today, as we dive into Jeremiah 2, we see the sins of Israel and how they hard caused a rift in their fellowship with the Lord. Join us as we examine this key chapter on ways we break our fellowship with the Lord. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    Think back to our first study yesterday in Jeremiah 1. What was God's call upon Jeremiah? What kind of message was Jeremiah to bring to the people? What would be the people's reactions? What kind of determination was Jeremiah to have? 2.    In verses 2 & 3, the Lord remembers the early days when Israel was a new nation. How does He describe her devotion to the Lord? In practical terms, what do you think this looked like? 3.    Verses 4 & 5 start to get to the problem. Why does the Lord ask, “What injustice did your fathers find in Me?” What do we know to be the answer? Why, then, did the people turn from God? 4.    How does the Lord describe His care and provision of the people in verses 6 &7?  5.    Despite God's faithfulness, how did the people respond to Him at the end of verse 7? What did the priests fail to do in verse 8? What did they do instead?  6.    What did the podcast suggest that we should do when God seems distant? In these opening verses, what did the people and leadership do instead?  7.    Verses 9-12 ask a question that could be just as relevant today. Think back to the nations of the world, how many can you think of have changed it's “god” or it's religion? If you can think of this ever happening, how central was the Lord to that change (either way)? Why do you think that is? 8.    Verse 13 is a key verse for the entire Book of Jeremiah. What does it say? What does it mean? How were the people going after broken cisterns that could not hold water? Have you ever done this in your life? What was the outcome? 9.    In verses 14 to 19, what is the state of the nation of Israel? Is this referring to just the Northern Kingdom or both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms? What difference does this make in the interpretation of these verses? 10.    What were they doing in verse 18, going down the road to Egypt? According to the podcast, how does the Battle of Carchemish factor into this situation?  11.    In verse 19, what were the people lacking? Why is this so vital to restoring a relationship with the Lord?  12.    In verse 22, how is the people's manmade attempts at righteousness just vain attempts at moral reform? Why is their stain still before the Lord? How does this speak to people's modern-day attempts at personal reform and self-improvement?  13.    In verse 23, what were the people saying about their own sin? Why did they have no shame in verse 26? What did they declare in verse 35? Do this self-evaluations represent people who know God and walk with Him? If not, what do these traits point to in their own spiritual condition?  14.    How do verses 27 & 28 characterize their idolatry? How do people make these same statements today? What are the modern-day “idols” that people say these kinds of things to? 15.    In verse 30, how did the people respond to the Lord's chastening? What does it look like to have a heart that is sensitive to the Lord's rebuke and discipline?  16.    Skim verses 31 to 37. These verses reflect the hard-hearted callousness of people who have turned from God. What are some principles that you can see in these verses? Has any of these principles ever been part of your walk with God? What happened to shake them from you?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Title: Psalm 103: A Song of Praise and Divine BlessingsIntroduction: Psalm 103 is a cherished and uplifting psalm found in the Book of Psalms in the Bible. Written by King David, this psalm resonates with believers throughout the ages, expressing gratitude, praise, and a deep appreciation for God's mercy, compassion, and blessings. It serves as a beautiful reminder of God's love and faithfulness towards His people. Let us delve into the meaning and significance of Psalm 103.Verse-by-Verse Analysis:Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. The psalm opens with an exhortation to the soul to bless the Lord. It calls for an all-encompassing praise, urging every part of one's being to give honor and adoration to God.Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. David encourages himself and others to remember and acknowledge the many blessings and benefits bestowed upon them by God. It emphasizes the importance of gratitude and recognizing God's goodness in our lives.Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases. This verse highlights two significant aspects of God's character: forgiveness and healing. It emphasizes that God is not only willing to forgive our sins but also to heal and restore us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. God is portrayed as the redeemer who rescues His people from destruction and disaster. He is the one who bestows upon them the crown of His lovingkindness and tender mercies, symbolizing His grace and compassion.Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Here, David speaks of God's provision and sustenance. God satisfies His people's needs and renews their strength and vitality, likening it to the soaring and vigorous flight of an eagle.The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. This verse emphasizes God's commitment to justice and His role as the defender of the oppressed. He acts with righteousness, ensuring fairness and protection for those who are mistreated or marginalized.He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. God revealed His ways and deeds to Moses, indicating His willingness to communicate and guide His people. This verse alludes to the historical narrative of the Israelites, emphasizing God's involvement in their lives.The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. This verse portrays God's character and disposition towards humanity. It highlights His mercy, grace, and patience, emphasizing His willingness to forgive and show compassion.He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. Despite God's patience, this verse acknowledges that there are limits to His forbearance. It serves as a reminder of the importance of repentance and turning to God, lest we face the consequences of our actions.He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. David expresses gratitude for God's mercy, recognizing that God's treatment of His people is not based solely on their sins. Rather, He extends forgiveness and grace, withholding the full measure of punishment they deserve.Conclusion: Psalm 103 is a heartfelt expression of praise, gratitude, and awe towards God's mercy, compassion, and blessings. It reminds believers to bless the Lord with their entire being, to remember His benefits, and to acknowledge His forgiveness, healing, and redemption. The psalm underscores God's righteousness, justice, and provision, highlightingSendMe Radio is now an online streaming internet radio station, packed with all the messages on the podcast. Listen to awesome Interviews, thousands of Gospel Music, and discover new businesses and their inspiring stories. Also if you would like a radio commercial for your Church, social or business event contact us via email digitalink@sendmeradio.com Google Assistant Google Action is available on Google Home:
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Here on Easter, we continue in our Elijah & Elisha series with the raising of the Shunammite woman's son. Elisha promises her a gift from God - a son - yet her immediate response is "Don't lie to me!" He's clearly touched on an unrealized hope, and she's saying "Don't get my hopes up!" Nonetheless, God delivers on his promise... until a few years later the boy dies unexpectedly. She runs back to Elisha and says "Didn't I tell you?!" Isn't that just like our jaded hearts? Despite God's past provision, when things go wrong, we begin thinking he's only lifted us up to drop us now. Does this God raise dead dreams only to let them die all over again? How can the reality of the resurrection break through our cynical doubts? Let's talk about why we say “Don't Get My Hopes Up!” (2 Kings 4:8-37).

Who Told You That You're Naked: God's Inquiry & Humanities Shame | NaRon TillmanWelcome to the One Ministries Podcast, featuring Pastor NaRon Tillman from New York City. In this episode, Pastor NaRon dives into Genesis 3 and explores the moment when God asked Adam, "Where are you?" after he had eaten from the forbidden tree. Despite God's omniscience, this rhetorical question reveals the spiritual state of humanity after the fall and the shame that came with it.Through this message, Pastor NaRon Tillman reflects on the concept of shame and how it affects our relationship with God and others. He delves into the significance of Adam's nakedness and the spiritual death that resulted from the fall. With insightful commentary, he helps listeners understand God's inquiry as a way of revealing the truth about themselves and bringing them closer to Him.Join Pastor NaRon Tillman on this powerful episode of the One Ministries Podcast as he explores the question, "Who told you that you're naked?" and unpacks the implications of God's inquiry.

Great group tonight folks and wonderful comments! Synopsis: The gentleness of God, the subtle workings of the Holy Spirit, the influence of the angels in our lives and the importance of gratitude - all of these things come forward in hypothesis 27 to strengthen us in the spiritual battle and to illuminate the path ahead. Life so often weighs us down. We feel the burden of ourselves most keenly and we can become jaded in the way that we view life, the world and God. Despite God making Himself a slave, a servant in order to lift us up out of our sin, despite his giving Himself to us, filling us with his life in love in the Eucharist and by the gift of the Spirit - we can become weary of life and weaken in terms of our capacity to hold on and hope.  In our own lives we must strive to understand that God is always working and active through His spirit of love. Despite the darkness that we struggle with and sometimes our lack of faith God never abandons us for a moment. From our perspective we must also understand that He never abandons others even when we see them falling into great darkness. God can choose individuals as vessels of election and through them He can do wonderful things. Our own incapacity to see clearly often makes us project onto God that same inability.  Finally, we have a responsibility to each other. We must allow ourselves to enter into the sufferings of others, to see the darkness that they struggle with and be willing to take them by the hand and to remain with them even when they find the presence of others agitating and unwanted. For this is the love of Christ. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:10:36 David Fraley: Hello Father. I'm sorry I haven't been around. I got a new job and I work most evenings. I've been following through the podcast.   00:10:51 FrDavid Abernethy: page 229 Hypothesis XXVII   00:11:03 FrDavid Abernethy: Welcome back Dave   00:11:18 FrDavid Abernethy: no worries.   always glad to have you join us   00:19:28 Cindy Moran: Awww...you won't have any mice!   00:20:42 Debra: A kitty would be easier to have than a Great Pyrenees lol   00:23:26 Anthony: This account of Makarios sounds like the Russian Orthodox film "Ostrov" (Island).   00:24:48 carolnypaver: I thought of that also, Anthony. Except that he didn't actually kill his captain in The Island.   00:27:42 Eric Ewanco: "Oh happy fault"   00:41:33 Rachel: Like becoming drunk with consolations. Being suddenly overcome by Love.   00:46:23 Anthony: This love borne of gratitude seems to me a lot better motivation to serve God than another alternative I heard, that the better you serve God, the higher the place in Heaven you get.   00:48:31 Lee Graham: The riches and pleasures of this world distract us from working in the fields of God. The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.   00:51:41 Lee Graham: He chooses to be magnanimous to everyone! 00:52:34 Lee Graham: He loves none of us more or less than the others.   00:57:46 Anthony: St. John of Damascus says something like penance is turning from what is unnatural to what if [created to be] natural.  We focus a lot on numbers, quantity, rules of life - which are good, but I prefer the  "Franciscan" happiness and freedom as a model of repentance.  "The glory of God is man fully alive" says Irenaeus, I think.   00:58:46 Ambrose Little, OP: Fear is very temporary and fleeting and limited. Gratitude and love are much more steady and reliable and have no upper bound.   00:59:05 Debra: ❤️   01:06:31 Anthony: This is a bit like "The Idiot" by Dostoevsky.   01:10:09 Debra: If anyone is interested... https://stpeterorthodoxchurch.com/the-meaning-of-dostoevskys-beauty-will-save-the-world/   01:10:16 Rachel: Wow, thank you Anthony. I had heard about that book yet, the protagonist was described in a different manner. I would really like to read that novel.   01:11:46 Anthony: You are welcome, Rachel.  It's been several years, I hope I described him and the story well.   01:19:58 Ambrose Little, OP: If we live long enough, probably most of us are both slaves at different times.   01:21:13 Debra: I'm the napper, right now, it seems like 01:25:46 Ambrose Little, OP: "mean Jesus"

Despite God trying to smite Bonnie, we still gather the whackiest church news from the summer. Bedazzled boxes, frappucinos, and Ted Haggard's credit card. Please Rate and Review. It means so much! Thank you. We have a P.O. Box! Deconversion Therapy 188 Front St. STE 116-79 Franklin, TN 37064 Find us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and our secret den on Facebook. Support us   We do a monthly Zoom meeting with sponsors! Check out our MERCH! And, finally, send us your true, funny stories for us to read on the podcast.

As Pastor Johnny teaches through the book of Judges today, we see a portion of Israel's history reminiscent of all human history – up to this day. Despite God's goodness and promises, people always turn away from Him and to worthless things. God is a fountain of living water that nourishes and satisfies us, but over and over again we neglect Him and attempt to gather water from empty wells. But in God's grace, He stands ready to forgive us if we'll just turn back to Him, and we can once more experience His blessings.

As Pastor Johnny teaches through the book of Judges today, we see a portion of Israel's history reminiscent of all human history – up to this day. Despite God's goodness and promises, people always turn away from Him and to worthless things. God is a fountain of living water that nourishes and satisfies us, but over and over again we neglect Him and attempt to gather water from empty wells. But in God's grace, He stands ready to forgive us if we'll just turn back to Him, and we can once more experience His blessings.

Despite God's promise to Abram, his wife Sarai remained barren. Ten years they'd resided in Canaan, their promised land, and yet they still had no promised son.Losing confidence in God and desperate to provide Abram children, Sarai devised her own plan of action. All God's Women is a women's Bible study podcast and internationally syndicated radio show where we journey through the Bible one woman at a time. If you enjoy learning about women in the Bible, tune in each weekday for bite-sized Bible stories about Bible women.

Despite God's promise to Abram, his wife Sarai remained barren. Ten years they'd resided in Canaan, their promised land, and yet they still had no promised son. Losing confidence in God and desperate to provide Abram children, Sarai devised her own plan of action. All God's Women is a women's Bible study podcast and internationally syndicated radio show where we journey through the Bible one woman at a time. If you enjoy learning about women in the Bible, tune in each weekday for bite-sized Bible stories about Bible women.

Where are you headed, friend?   Psalm 25:4 says, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.”   Whether you've lived in the same place your entire life, or you've been blessed to travel the world, each and every life is a journey. An opportunity to learn, grow, and impact others as we follow the path God has planned for us.    Moses and the Israelites must have been expert travelers by the time they finally reached the Promised Land, and their journey was no pleasure trip.    God sent 10 devastating plagues to the land of Egypt, causing Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. And God's people were promised a land where milk and honey flowed—the Promised Land—also known as Canaan. So Moses and the Israelites traveled to the borders of Canaan. For 40 days, a group of 12 chosen men secretly scouted out the land. Ten of the men reported that the people were well-armed, and just way too strong to overcome.    Despite God's promise of victory, the Israelites were afraid, and were certain they could not overcome the people of Canaan. They doubted God's promises. And in turn, he caused them to wander the desert for 40 years: one year for each of the 40 days they had explored the land.    Because of this, no one over the age of 20 would step foot into the Promised Land, including Moses, and an entire adult generation lost out on the blessings God had planned for them—all because they allowed their fear to be greater than their faith in God's plan.    Let's pray.    Heavenly Father, how many times have you delivered us? Not because we're deserving, but because you love us. Help us to keep the faith and stay on your path for us, every step of the journey. Your goodness is beyond question, and we're grateful for your presence in our lives, and your boundless saving grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.