Podcasts about first kings

Pastor Jim explores the significance of God's presence in Solomon's temple as described in First Kings. He highlights Solomon's awe as God's glory fills the temple and his recognition that God cannot be contained by human structures. Pastor Jim connects this to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice and priest, who brings God's presence to humanity. Through Jesus, religious duties are fulfilled, and believers are invited into a deeper relationship with God through His eternal sacrifice.

“Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” (James 5:17 NLT) The showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 is one of the most triumphant scenes in the Old Testament. One man of God versus 450 false prophets in a winner-take-all contest to determine whose God was the true God of Israel. The rules were simple. Elijah built one altar and placed his sacrifice of a bull on it. The false prophets built another altar and placed their sacrifice of a bull on it. The god who sent fire to burn his sacrifice would be declared the true God. The false prophets went first. They prayed for hours, begging their god to respond. They worked themselves into a frenzy. They cut themselves, hoping their blood would get Baal’s attention. But nothing happened. When Elijah’s turn came, he instructed people to pour water on his altar until it and the ground around it were flooded. He wanted to make it impossible, in human terms, for his altar to ignite. And then he prayed. And God sent fire from Heaven that consumed Elijah’s sacrifice and altar, as well as the ground around it. The Lord left no doubt as to who the true God of Israel was. Yet Jezebel, the queen of Israel, stubbornly refused to acknowledge Him. When she heard what had happened, she sent word to Elijah that he would be killed the next day. Like that would scare a prophet of the one true God. A man who’d just played a role in God’s miraculous display of power. A guy who literally had just come down from a mountaintop experience. A man brimming with confidence and courage, knowing that he enjoyed the protection and blessing of God. First Kings 19:3–4 describes Elijah’s memorable response this way: “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. . . . He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die” (NLT). Wait . . . what? Why? The simple answer can be found in the passage from James 5 above: “Elijah was as human as we are.” People tend to put spiritual leaders—teachers, preachers, evangelists, podcasters, influencers—on pedestals. Oh, they’re so spiritual. They never get down. They never struggle with depression or anxiety like I do. Every day is great for them. Not true. Every spiritual leader you admire is just as human as you are and struggles with vulnerabilities and weak moments, just as you do. The devil knows that the most vulnerable time for many Christians—leaders and laypeople alike—is right after a spiritual victory. Maybe you’ve experienced that. Maybe you took a bold step of faith to do something for God’s glory, and it went well. But immediately afterward you faced a spiritual attack. Maybe your marriage foundered. Or your kids turned from Christ instead of to Him. I’ve experienced these attacks. Waves of depression have hit me after great spiritual victories, such as any crusade we’ve ever done. Don’t focus on your emotions. Focus on God. Remember, you’re not as good or as bad as people think you are. You’re God’s servant. Just do your job. Give Him the glory and keep moving, whether you’re a leader or a layperson. If you’re married, you and your spouse can work together to keep one another on an even spiritual keel. You can lift up one another or gently keep one another grounded, as necessary. Understanding that leaders are as human as you are helps you resist the urge to put them on pedestals. It helps you be more realistic about your expectations for them. It helps you empathize with their responsibilities. Perhaps most importantly, though, it encourages you to pray for them. The best thing you can do for the spiritual leaders in your life is to ask God to give them the strength, compassion, wisdom, discernment, and patience they need to accomplish God’s work. Reflection question: What prayer requests will you take to God on behalf of the spiritual leaders in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Text: Prov 18:22 ESV 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. -Prov 18:22 ESV A FAVOR FROM THE LORD The wife of a man is a ‘good thing', a favor from the Lord. While the terminology here literally speaks to a man finding a "wife," the same principle applies to a woman who finds a "husband." A God-honoring spouse is a true blessing (Prov 12:4: 19:14). If a man loves the Lord and chooses a wife who loves the Lord, he will enjoy a blessed marriage and God's approval. An extended section at the end of the book of Proverbs specifically praises the value of a godly wife (Prov 31:10–31). That passage portrays an excellent wife as valuable and trustworthy. This verse does reject the belief that God considers a celibate life "holier" than one including marriage, does it not? The "favor" mentioned here does not mean that a married man is more loved by God. Rather, the Hebrew term implies that God is "pleased" by such a choice according to hios will. Neither marriage is required for any person nor is being single (1 Cor 7:6–11). Whether married or single, we are called to glorify God in all we do (Col 3:17). Paul has counseled, "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him" (1 Cor 7:17). Finding "a wife" is a good thing. Yet, Scripture notes that even good things can become problems when they are out of balance. Paul says, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” (1 Cor 6:12). It is possible to either idolize a spouse or neglect her. Take for example the case of Solomon. He indulged with good things and consequently, he did not live up to his teachings of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:1; 10:1; 25:1. It is unthinkable that he took hundreds of wives and concubines (1 Kings 11:3). First Kings 11:4 adds the sad account that "when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father."[1 Kings 11:4] ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Pastor Jim reflects on Solomon's flourishing kingdom in First Kings 3 and 4, highlighting his wisdom, justice, and governance. While Solomon's reign brought peace and prosperity, it also sowed doubt through flawed human systems. Jim contrasts this with Jesus, the righteous and eternal King who brings true Shalom—a right relationship with God and others. He emphasizes Jesus' resurrection as the beginning of a new creation, calling listeners to obedience and faith in the King who offers lasting peace.

Pastor Jim introduces a new series on First Kings, exploring Israel's rejection of God as their king and the consequences of flawed leadership. Through the stories of Adonijah and Solomon, he highlights themes of brokenness, God's faithfulness, and the importance of trusting His promises. Pastor Jim challenges listeners to reflect on their choice of king—following the world's taskmasters or the true King, Jesus, who offers life and salvation.

First Kings concludes with the death of a wicked king and the scattering of a nation that's beginning to look a lot like . . . Egypt.Listen in as Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss 1 Kings 21–22.

Mass Readings for 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - November 10, 2024 Reading 1, First Kings 17:10-16 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 Reading 2, Hebrews 9:24-28 Gospel, Mark 12:38-44

Well this week we're kicking on with our second message in a series called Wisdom that Works - looking at some of God's mighty wisdom through the Book of Proverbs. And we're going to be chatting this time around, about trust, truth … and temptation.   Trust and Honour God Welcome to the programme again this week and yes, we are continuing in a series that I have called, "Wisdom that Works". Now wisdom is an amazing thing – a seductive concept. I mean, who doesn't want to have more wisdom; who doesn't want to be wise? That's ridiculous isn't it? Of course we all want wisdom; of course we all want to be wise, but wisdom ... well, it's a double edged sword. Sure, it's about having the knowledge that comes from experience but theory is aren't enough. Someone who knows that treating other people well and loving them and sacrificing for them; someone who knows that but spends most of their lives not doing it, well, we wouldn't call them wise would we? In order for someone to be wise, they need to know it and do it. That's wisdom! And the sort of wisdom that God shares with us is the sort of wisdom that actually works. So we are spending some time again this week ransacking the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament, written by King Solomon – one of the wisest men that ever walked the earth. And my encouragement to you is that we take this wisdom from God and actually apply it to our lives. Why? Because it works! Bottom line is that if we will take God's wisdom to heart; if we will take God's Word to heart it will make a real difference in our lives. God will make that difference in our lives through His Spirit and through His Word. And if we don't take it to heart, He won't! Can I say that again? If we don't, He won't! So let's get back into this great Book of wisdom; the Book of Proverbs and see what wisdom Solomon has for us about trusting and honouring God. Proverbs chapter 3, beginning at verse 1. He says: My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favour and good repute in the sight of God and of people. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body. Honour the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. My child, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves the one whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. So we're chugging along through live, stuff happens and we get impatient and we want to head off our own way and here's Solomon with the wisdom of age telling his sons, "Guys, this is just going to happen. You'll want to drift away from God – you just will – but don't do that. Don't forget what I told you: be loyal, be faithful. I know it won't always make sense to you but listen to me, write these words on your hearts." So, stuff is happening and life is not going the way we planned it and it's not making sense and so we have a wisdom decision point here in that place. We can flap around, we can carry on, we can head off our own way – most people do – or we can say, "Hang on a minute; hang on! Remember what God told me through Solomon?" That was wisdom that works: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. You see how we have a decision to make? Either we can believe this stuff and take God at His Word or we treat it like some useless theory lesson. Here's the promise: trust in God – don't try and figure it all out because you can't – just acknowledge God in how we live our lives. And listen, here's the promise; here's the dividend; here's the return on investment: if you do that God will straighten it all out. Listen to me, if we just honour God through the difficult times in what we say and what we think and what we do, God will straighten it all out. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don't rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Now, let me ask you: which bit of that don't we get? Why do we have to make everything so complicated? Are we going to be like those people I was telling you about the other week? Are we going to spend hours and hours and hours studying the Bible for studying's sake, as though it was some intellectual exercise, without ever really believing that it is meant to be true in our lives or are we going to take God at His Word? Are we going to take God's wisdom to heart? See, he goes on to tell us what it means to honour God: Trust the Lord with all your heart, don't rely on your own understanding, acknowledge him in all your ways and he will make straight all your paths. Don't be wise in your own eyes – instead fear God and turn away from evil. It will be a healing to your flesh and refreshment to your body. How often do people pierce themselves with many pains by turning away from God– by going and doing it their own way; by being proud; by being greedy; by being selfish? Honour the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce. In other words, put in first with all that you are and all that you have: ... and then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine. My child, don't despise God's discipline and get weary of his reproof? He loves you! He reproves the one whom He loves as the father does the son in whom he delights. See, this is such simple wisdom ... it is so simple. We want to go off and do it on our own and flap around and carry on and wander away from God and then we wonder why it is all falling apart. This is about trusting God and honouring Him – and the two go hand in hand. I absolutely love how practical God's truth actually is! And when we just simply put this into practice in the everyday things that happen in life – in the tense relationships, in just forgiving people, in moving on, in honouring God, in blessing other people when they curse us, in the simple things of life – they might be simple but often they are difficult – if we will just put this into action in our lives; when we choose to stop mucking around, flapping around, complaining, doing the "woe is me" bit and just sit down and decide, "God, come hell or high water, I am going to trust in You. I am just going to do the best I know how, I am going to honour You the best I can with what I have and who I am", do you know what happens? God honour that; God springs into action; He starts sorting out the mess. My friend, this is not – let me say this in capital letters – N-O-T ... this is NOT a theory lesson. God's wisdom is imparted into our lives when we take His truth into our hearts and live it out. Don't forget His teaching, let your heart keep His commandments because there is a blessing at the end of that – for length of days and years of live and abundant welfare they will give you. Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you. Bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart so you will find favour and good repute in the sight of God. As you sow so shall you reap. Do it God's way and you reap the blessing – do it your own way and you reap the pain. This is not complex; this is not rocket science.   True Wealth Now the next thing that Solomon talks about in the Book of Proverbs is money and wealth. Now a man that I have come to have a lot of respect for is a guy by the name of David Bussau. For a good many years we have attended the same church as David and his wife Carol. He is the founder of a ministry called Opportunity International; an organisation that now creates a new job in the developing world, something like every twenty second, or something outrageous like that. I heard David one day talking about the "economics of enough". Now he lives in a comfortable home and they constantly have people staying who are visiting for ministry reasons. He drives an ordinary car, dresses in ordinary everyday clothes. And he said he came to the conclusion many years ago that he had more than enough "stuff" – he just didn't need any more. It was the "economics of enough". Remember we are talking this week and the next few weeks about God's wisdom; wisdom that works. And we are doing that by taking a step through some of the powerful wisdom that we discover in the Old Testament Book of Proverbs which was written by King Solomon to capture the wisdom that he was handing down to his sons. And not surprisingly, fairly early on in the piece he talks about money – not so much money but wealth. Have a listen to what he says – Proverbs chapter 3, beginning at verse 13. He says: Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. Now, there was a time in my life, in fact, for much of my life where I would have scoffed at this suggestion. "Aw, give me a break please. How can wisdom possibly be better than silver or gold and precious jewels? How can wisdom be better than anything that my little heart desires? No, I'll just have the cash thanks – show me the money." And for all that to make sense there are two things we need to know about Solomon. Not only was he blessed with great wisdom – he was one of the wisest men that ever lived – but he was also one of the richest men in all of history. And it all comes to Solomon when he prays to God – have a listen – as a young man. It comes from First Kings chapter 3, verse 5 right through to verse 13, so grab your Bible. First Kings chapter 3, beginning at verse 5: At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted.  Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked for, both riches and honour all the days of your life; no other king shall compare with you. Right from the beginning, as a young man, Solomon had preferred wisdom over riches so he asked God for wisdom. What a brilliant thing to ask for! I wonder what you and I would have asked for if God had said to us, “Ask what I should give you?” So, all of his adult life, Solomon had both great wisdom and great riches. And having lived his life with both, out of his experience he was able to say to his sons: wisdom is so much better than anything else that you can imagine. Why? Why did he say that? Because the dividend; the return that this wisdom gave him was huge. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. You know, that's a dividend statement that Solomon makes after a life of wisdom. As much as we try and kid ourselves, we know – we know through experience, we know deep in our hearts – that riches can never deliver that sort of dividend. We chase after money alone and it's a lonely, unhappy life. Believe you me, I've been there, done that, got the T-shirt and I can tell you ABSOLUTELY that wealth simply doesn't deliver that sort of dividend – a dividend of riches and peace and pleasantness and joy and happiness. Wisdom ... wisdom means that we learn God's truth and we put it into action in our lives. Even though sometimes; in fact, most times it involves sacrifice up front, like any other investment. We live out God's truth in our lives – that's what wisdom is – and we reap the rewards – peace, life, joy. Why? Because we know how to avoid the dumb things we used to do that caused us so much pain; because we know how to make good choices that bear good fruit. True wealth is living a life of abundance in Christ. True wealth is having the wisdom to build strong relationships and enjoy serving others and getting over our pride and our stupid tantrums. Wisdom is about ultimately enjoying life – whatever life throws our way. Friend, this is such great advice! But it only becomes true wisdom in our lives when we put it into action and the thing to put into action here is to seek after wisdom above and before riches, because nothing ... NOTHING compares to the dividends paid by wisdom; God's wisdom. The sort of wisdom that works!   Impurity and Infidelity I remember back in college one of our lecturers in a subject about, I guess, the foundational issues of Christian living – said to each one of us who were training for some form of ministry or another - he said: there are three things that can bring you unstuck: girls, gold and glory (or in the case of women, guys, gold and glory.) In other words, people whom God calls to serve Him, often stumble in infidelity or because they start loving wealth too much. We spoke about that last week. Or because they seek the glory and they fall to pride. It's not a bad executive summary, is it? Girls or guys, as the case may be, gold and glory. Well as we roll on to the next piece of wisdom from Solomon in the Book of Proverbs, we are going to chat a bit about the girls, guys thing, or impurity and infidelity, because it's huge. Statistically, almost half of all marriages fall apart – and in fact, of those that remain, only fraction are what you would call happy marriages – the sorts of marriages where people really thrive. The facts about marital infidelity – sexual unfaithfulness to a spouse are astounding. Polls in the U.S. show that, although ninety percent of married people disapprove of extramarital affairs, fifteen percent of wives and twenty five percent of husbands have experienced extramarital sex. Now those numbers increase a further twenty percent when emotional affairs and sexual relationships without intercourse are included - so thirty five percent of women and forty five percent of men have been unfaithful to their spouse. That's frightening, isn't it? Marriage is supposed to be the most wonderful relationship - fulfilling, lifelong soul mates and yet, almost half of all men and over a third of all women have some sort of extramarital affair. That blows me away! But it's nothing new! Almost three thousand years ago Solomon, when instructing his young sons with the wisdom of his years, spends a whole chapter, in fact, a couple of chapters – the 5th chapter and another chapter in the Book of Proverbs, on this very subject. It's one of the first subjects he deals with comprehensively – maybe the stats were pretty much the same back then as they are today. Let's have a listen to what he had to say to his sons about infidelity. Proverbs chapter 5, beginning at verse 1: My child, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, so that you may hold on to prudence, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a loose woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her steps follow the path to Sheol. She does not keep straight to the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it. In other words, the grass may well appear greener on the other side, guys, but this seduction that promises so much is going to kill you. Even though the thought of an affair may be oh so seductive, oh so tempting, it leads only to bitterness, pain and destruction. I remember a man I used to work with back in my days in the I.T. industry and he had two affairs outside his marriage – two that I know of anyway. I knew the husband and the wife quite well. He was lured into this trap; he followed his desires and his emotions and it almost destroyed both of them. By God's grace his wife was a godly woman and strong and with great faith and their marriage weathered the storm. But the pain and of course, as much as all may be forgiven, the memory never, ever, ever, goes away. And the crazy thing was, they had everything. And here's the advice that Solomon has for his sons – here's the wisdom that really works – Proverbs 5, beginning at verse 7: And now, my child, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your ways far from her, and do not go near the door of her house; or you will give your honour to others, and your years to the merciless, and strangers will take their fill of your wealth, and your labours will go to the house of another; and at the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are consumed, and you say, “Oh, how I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. Now I am at the point of utter ruin in the public assembly. The advice - the wisdom that works? Keep away from relationships that can lead to infidelity. “My child, listen to me, keep away from her door.” Don't go there! Don't put yourself in a position of temptation. Don't spend time alone with members of the opposite sex. Don't form close bonds and relationships that could head in the wrong direction. Keep yourself to yourself – just don't go there or it will ruin you and you will spend the rest of your life regretting it. And the alternative? Well, it's pretty obvious – Proverbs chapter 5, verse 15: Drink water from your own cistern; flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be for yourself alone, and not for sharing with strangers. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. May her breasts satisfy you at all times; may you be intoxicated always by her love. Why should you be intoxicated, my son, by another woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? For human ways are under the eyes of the Lord, and he examines all their paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare them, and they are caught in the toils of their sin. They die for lack of discipline, and because of their great folly they are lost. My friend, if you have a wife, enjoy her – if you are a woman with a husband, enjoy him. Do not be enticed into an extramarital affair, like almost half of all men and over a third of all women who are married are. Enjoy each other – God has given the wife to the husband and the husband to the wife so that they may truly enjoy each other, emotionally and physically and spiritually and be the best of friends and live their lives together for one another. Find fulfilment husbands, in arms of your wives; wives find fulfilment in the arms of your husbands. Sure, they are not perfect! Let's get a revelation here today – they never will be, ever – but they are the lifelong soul mate that God has given you and that ... that is the right place, the only place in God's eyes, to discover and to experience and to enjoy and to revel in the beauty of intimacy. Remember, forty five percent of men and thirty five percent of women – now you may think this is an odd subject for us to be discussing today but judging from the statistics, Solomon was right to make this one a high priority. My prayer is that you will never; never know the pain and the bitter regret of adultery. Please listen to God's Word today; please heed His warning! This is God's wisdom - it is wisdom that works.

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!In 1 Kings 13 and 1 Kings 14, when the kingdom divided, many priests and Levites who had originally served in the northern kingdom moved to Judah. These men were well versed in the Torah or law and the Covenant between God and the people. They knew that the promised king had to come from David's line. They knew of the laws surrounding worship. And they knew that Jeroboam was disobeying the Torah and breaking the Covenant.Many priests left the Northern Kingdom, but in this story it appears some did not…Thank you for being a part of the club for Season 11.Show NotesBlogThe Kings of IsraelJerusalem in the Time of David and SolomonThe TabernacleThe Temple 2012 discovery of a reservoir Contact Bible Book ClubLike, comment, or message us through Bible Book Club's InstagramLike or comment on Susan's Facebook or InstagramLeave us an Apple reviewContact us through our website formThanks for listening and happy podcasting!

Pastor Marshall Ochs | September 15, 2024In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 21-22. These chapters bring the book of First Kings to a close with the ruin of Ahab. God has declared destruction for Ahab because of his wicked leadership and rebellion against God's Word. His character is contrasted with men like Elijah and Micaiah who are wholly devoted to the Lord. The theme that emerges from these chapters is weak men who ignore God's Word, and faithful men who are bound to God's Word. This contrast invites the reader to reflect on their personal character.

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We throw the word idol around pretty freely in our culture. “So-and-so is a teen idol” . . . “did you watch American Idol?” . . . “Humphrey Bogart was a matinee idol.” But biblically speaking, an idol is a representation or symbol of an object of worship. It's a clear transgression of the First Commandment. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie warns about idol worship based on an epic confrontation in First Kings 18. Elijah goes toe to toe with the prophets of Baal. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We throw the word idol around pretty freely in our culture. “So-and-so is a teen idol” . . . “did you watch American Idol?” . . . “Humphrey Bogart was a matinee idol.” But biblically speaking, an idol is a representation or symbol of an object of worship. It's a clear transgression of the First Commandment. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie warns about idol worship based on an epic confrontation in First Kings 18. Elijah goes toe to toe with the prophets of Baal. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The only part where your car touches the ground is where the wheels contact the pavement, right? You may have hundreds of horsepower under the hood, but if that power doesn't reach the ground, nobody's going anywhere. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out the power of God is ready to do great things, but He wants our help to bring it to ground level. We'll follow the example of Elijah in First Kings 17, and see how we can be part of God's plan. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The only part where your car touches the ground is where the wheels contact the pavement, right? You may have hundreds of horsepower under the hood, but if that power doesn't reach the ground, nobody's going anywhere. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out the power of God is ready to do great things, but He wants our help to bring it to ground level. We'll follow the example of Elijah in First Kings 17, and see how we can be part of God's plan. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mass Readings for 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 11, 2024 Reading 1, First Kings 19:4-8 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Reading 2, Ephesians 4:30-5:2 Gospel, John 6:41-51

The scriptures are such great reminders for us of how life's struggles can be so familiar, but also giving us understanding of how overwhelming those struggles can be at times too. In this episode, Rodney Holmstrom, Global Field Director of Celebrate Recovery, will look through the lens of Elijah in First Kings 19, to remind us that God is big enough to speak truthfully and honestly when we feel like we've had enough, and to ultimately help us find the right remedy to grow our faith and keep going strong in life.

You've done everything right. You heard God's command and followed it, but things haven't turned out the way you expected them to.  What's going on? Join host Julie Harwick for an incredible biblical teaching on Dealing With Disappointment. *** Welcome to Women World Leaders podcast. I'm your host, Julie Harwick. Thank you for joining me today as we celebrate God's grace in our lives, in this ministry and around the world.  Karen was about to make the biggest mistake of her life.  We'd gotten close in our high school youth group and she was a somewhat new, but very passionate believer.  We'd talked a lot within our group about seeking God and honoring Him in our romantic relationships.  But now that we were in college, Karen was in love and none of the principles we had committed ourselves to seemed to matter anymore. We were all home on Christmas break and Karen had invited us to her wedding which was to take place the following weekend.  She had met a Palestinian guy who was at the university on a student visa.  He didn't want to go to school anymore, but he wanted to stay in the U.S. so his best solution was to get married. At the ripe old age of 20, she was certain that God had brought this man into her life to be the husband that she had always dreamed of and that their only hope to be together was for her to marry him immediately.  One friend, who was especially close to her, had tried to convince her that marrying him now was a bad idea, but Karen simply refuted every argument. A larger group of us got together to discuss the situation and seek God's direction. Karen's fiance' was not a believer, and she was currently living with him, so those were two issues that we could confront with scripture. Matthew 18:15 also told us 5 “Now if your brother sins[k], go and [l]show him his fault [m]in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that on the [n]testimony of two or three witnesses every [o]matter may be confirmed, “ We all felt strongly that if we truly cared about Karen, God would have us talk to her about the poor decisions she had already made and the even larger one she was about to make. We looked up and discussed all the relevant scriptures so we'd have a biblical basis for our arguments, and we spent time praying that God would prepare her to really hear us and recognize that what we were saying was coming from love for her and not judgement.  We prayed that our own hearts would be right as we did it and that something  good might even come of it.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  Her fiancé was there, which made it particularly awkward, and both of their defenses were up.  We suggested that they at least wait to get married since they had known each other for such a short time, hadn't met each other's families and had so many cultural differences.  We asked how they would support themselves since neither had a decent paying job and weren't even close to earning a degree.  They had answers, though not very good ones, for everything. We reminded her of what the bible said about living with someone you're not married to and marrying an unbeliever.  The whole conversation was civil, but tense.  When we had covered every issue and it was clear that she was not receptive to anything we had to say, she thanked us for our concern, and we wished them the best and made our exit. We all shared a very deep sense of discouragement as we left. The last thing I heard about Karen was that she had moved to Gaza with him.  I often wonder what her life has been like and what it might have been. So why did it have to turn out that way?  Were we not faithful to do everything God would have us do?  Going into it, we were confident that if we handled the situation according to scripture, God would work a miracle. Couldn't we look at it sort of like a formula?  God's power + our obedience= a good outcome. But in God's economy, there are no formulas.  Only faith. The prophet Elijah is a perfect example.  First Kings 17 and 18 contain an epic story of how God proved His superiority over any other god in an unmistakable way.  If you're familiar with any of the kings of Israel, one probably stands out because he's part of the worst power couple the nation ever knew.  Ahab and Jezebel were narcissistic, egotistical and just plain evil.  Not only did they lead the people to worship other gods, but they saw the prophet Elijah as the bane of their existence.  Ahab referred to him as, “the troubler of Israel” and Jezebel set out to kill all the true prophets in the country and nearly succeeded. First Kings 16:33 tells us that Ahab did more to provoke the Lord to anger than all the kings of Israel who came before him.  Elijah had the unenviable task of warning Ahab that the entire country would be punished with 3 ½ years of drought because of his sin. As the end of the drought approached God told Elijah to inform the king that he needed to assemble all of Israel on the top of Mt. Carmel, along with all 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Ashera.  Ahab complied and Elijah set the stage for the greatest showdown in Israel's history.   Verse 21 says, “Elijah challenged the people: How long are you going to sit on the fence?  If God is the real God, follow Him.  If it's Baal, follow him.  Make up your minds!”  He then instructed the prophets of Baal to set up an altar and prepare an ox for a sacrifice.  He would do the same, but neither he nor they could light a fire.  They would each pray to their god and the one who ignited and consumed the sacrifice would prove to be the true god.  The prophets of Baal prayed all morning long, but nothing happened.  By noon, Elijah began to mock them, suggesting that Baal didn't answer because he was sleeping or too busy, possibly on vacation or maybe even occupied using the toilet.  As more time passed, they became more desperate, finally resorting to cutting themselves as a sacrifice until they were covered with blood.  But still, there was absolutely no response from Baal. At this point, Elijah declared that their time was up, and he would prepare his sacrifice. The crowd was mystified when he dug a large trench all around the altar and commanded that four buckets of water be poured over the sacrifice and the wood until both were drenched and the trench was filled with water.  Rather than performing mystical rituals or cutting himself, Elijah simply prayed, “Oh God, God of Abraham, Issac and Israel, make it known right now that You are God in Israel, that I am Your servant and I'm doing what I'm doing under Your orders.  Answer me God and reveal to this people that You are God, the true God and that You are giving these people another chance at repentance.”  Verse 38 tells us that immediately the fire of God fell and completely consumed the offering – even licking up every drop of water in the trench!  The people fell on their faces in worship and declared, “God is the true God!”  He instructed the people to capture the prophets of Baal and execute them.  He suggested that King Ahab eat and drink in celebration because the Lord was about to send rain.  Everyone did exactly as they were instructed.  Elijah climbed to the peak of the mountain and began to pray for rain.  Seven times he sent his servant to look toward the sea for signs of rain. On the seventh try, the servant reported a very small cloud, no bigger than a human hand.  Elijah sent him to warn Ahab that he'd better head home quickly before the coming rain stopped him.  Immediately the sky grew dark, the winds picked up and 3 ½ years' worth of rain began to fall.  God supernaturally empowered Elijah to run like no one has ever run before or since.  The chapter closes with Elijah overtaking and running ahead of Ahab's chariot all the way to the palace. What a day for Elijah, right?  His prophecies all came true.  He was completely vindicated.  God showed up in a way no one could deny.  The people all acknowledged that He was the one true God and destroyed every false prophet with zeal. Desperately needed rain fell in abundance and Elijah outran a team of horses for miles and miles!  God's power + Elijah's obedience had completely turned things around!  Or had it? Ahab lost no time in bringing Jezebel up to speed on all that had transpired.  But her focus was not at all on the  miraculous events that had just occurred, but on her beloved 450 prophets of Baal who had just been eliminated. She immediately sent a messenger to Elijah informing him that by the next day, he'd be as dead as any of those prophets. Elijah had been on a spiritual high that we can only begin to imagine.  After years of misery, he had finally come out on top and more importantly, God had used him to bring Israel to repentance!  It was as if the day's events had steadily inflated a giant balloon of hope for Elijah, but this message from Jezebel was a pin that unexpectedly popped and completely deflated that balloon.  He and his servant immediately fled to neighboring Judah.  He left his servant and went a day's journey into the desert.  Taking shelter under a bush, he collapsed and begged God to let him die.  Physically and emotionally spent, he fell asleep.  As Elijah slept, God sent an angel to provide food and water for him at regular intervals. The only instructions given to him were to eat, drink and sleep because he had a long journey ahead of him.  When he had regained his strength, he traveled 40 days and nights to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God, where he took up residence in a cave.  Hmmm. Mt. Horeb? Does that name ring a bell?  Or maybe its alternate name of Mt. Sinai?  If it doesn't, I'll give you a clue.  It's called the mountain of God because it's where God met with Moses and gave him the ten commandments. And when I think of Moses, I begin to see some parallels with Elijah's experience.  Moses was also used by God to do extraordinary things for the nation of Israel.  He also prophesied to a king, pharaoh actually, who hated him.  He called the people to follow God and worship Him only. After miracle upon miracle and seeing the burning mountain of God and experiencing His awe-inspiring presence from the foot of the mountain those people declared, “ All that the Lord has commanded, we will do.”  But when Moses spent too much time on the mountain with God, they feared he wasn't coming back and decided to forget the covenant they had made and create a golden calf to worship.  Both Moses and Elijah thought that the miracles they had taken part in had truly changed the people, but their behavior quickly revealed that it had not.  Neither man had asked God for the positions in which they found themselves.  They were reluctant, yet obedient servants.  I wonder if it seemed to them that God was simply toying with them for His own amusement. But that wasn't it at all. He was preparing them for an encounter with Himself that was unlike anything any other human ever experienced.  When God asked Elijah what he was doing on the mountain, he replied, “I have worked very hard for the Lord God of the heavens, but the people of Israel have broken their covenant with You and torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets and only I am left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”  God responded by telling Elijah to stand before Him on the mountain.  “And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain; it was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he covered his face.”  After this incredible encounter with the Almighty, God gave him further prophecies and the reassurance that there were actually more than 7000 people in Israel who served the true God.  Elijah left the mountain renewed, encouraged and with a completely new understanding of Who God was.  Moses had a similar experience after he had dealt with the people's sin of making a golden calf to worship.  Angry and discouraged by their behavior and overwhelmed at the prospect of leading such people, Moses asked God for a sign that He would actually be present with them for every step of the journey ahead. God warned him not to look at His face.  Moses was to step inside a cleft in the rock on the mountain facing away from God.  God would pass by and Moses could gaze on His glory from behind.  Not only did this experience give Moses the courage and determination to keep leading the people, but it transformed him physically.  When he came down from the mountain, his face was radiant with God's glory, so much so, that the people were afraid to look at him.  It wore off eventually, but there could be no doubt that he had been in the presence of God. I had been familiar with both of these stories for years, but somehow, I had missed the connection.  And it goes even further.  Do you remember who Peter, James and John saw talking with Jesus when He was transfigured?  It was Moses and Elijah. Perhaps Jesus wanted his disciples to think about the special place those two men held in God's heart.  The disciples had equally hard times awaiting them.  Was Jesus preparing them by reminding them of how His Father cared for and rewarded the faithful?  The Apostle Paul undoubtedly heard the story from Peter and it wasn't lost on him.  It may have inspired him to write Romans 5: 1-5 and those words are the perfect way to close. “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in the hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character; hope, and hope does not disappoint.” Thanks for listening to Women World Leaders podcast!  Join us each week as we explore together God's extravagant love and your courageous purpose.  Visit our website at www.womenworldleaders.com to submit a prayer request, register for an upcoming event, and support the ministry.  From His heart to yours, we are Women World Leaders .  All content is copyrighted by Women World Leaders and cannot be used without written consent.

After a week in First Kings, we are back to the Lord's Prayer. And in verse 12, we are taught to pray for our forgiveness. In fact, verse 12 is such a key part to Jesus' teaching in this section that he adds commentary in verses 14-15. How we approach forgiveness is a chief indicator of the condition of our hearts.

1 Kings: As David's life is draining from him, the nation of Israel is set to enter its most terribly trying times. His son Solomon becomes king with a reign so horrific that he fills Judah with altars to pagan gods and his harem of 1,000 women scoffs at God's command that no monarch should multiply wives. Why are the chapters of sacred history filled with such wickedness? Many theologians have claimed that God actually decreed that His own servants would violate His own commands. This Bible study of First Kings, however, allows the Scriptures themselves to expound on the reason for their disobedience. Lessons for the Christian fill this book, from how to gain wisdom, to learning why wisdom alone is insufficient, to the building of the Temple, to the political and moral lessons from Ahab and his wife Jezebel, and ultimately, to the mighty ministry of the Hebrew prophet Elijah, from the fire on Mt. Carmel to hearing the still small voice of the Lord! Available on MP3-CD or download.

1 Kings: As David's life is draining from him, the nation of Israel is set to enter its most terribly trying times. His son Solomon becomes king with a reign so horrific that he fills Judah with altars to pagan gods and his harem of 1,000 women scoffs at God's command that no monarch should multiply wives. Why are the chapters of sacred history filled with such wickedness? Many theologians have claimed that God actually decreed that His own servants would violate His own commands. This Bible study of First Kings, however, allows the Scriptures themselves to expound on the reason for their disobedience. Lessons for the Christian fill this book, from how to gain wisdom, to learning why wisdom alone is insufficient, to the building of the Temple, to the political and moral lessons from Ahab and his wife Jezebel, and ultimately, to the mighty ministry of the Hebrew prophet Elijah, from the fire on Mt. Carmel to hearing the still small voice of the Lord! Available on MP3-CD or download.

1 Kings: As David's life is draining from him, the nation of Israel is set to enter its most terribly trying times. His son Solomon becomes king with a reign so horrific that he fills Judah with altars to pagan gods and his harem of 1,000 women scoffs at God's command that no monarch should multiply wives. Why are the chapters of sacred history filled with such wickedness? Many theologians have claimed that God actually decreed that His own servants would violate His own commands. This Bible study of First Kings, however, allows the Scriptures themselves to expound on the reason for their disobedience. Lessons for the Christian fill this book, from how to gain wisdom, to learning why wisdom alone is insufficient, to the building of the Temple, to the political and moral lessons from Ahab and his wife Jezebel, and ultimately, to the mighty ministry of the Hebrew prophet Elijah, from the fire on Mt. Carmel to hearing the still small voice of the Lord! Available on MP3-CD or download.

1 Kings: As David's life is draining from him, the nation of Israel is set to enter its most terribly trying times. His son Solomon becomes king with a reign so horrific that he fills Judah with altars to pagan gods and his harem of 1,000 women scoffs at God's command that no monarch should multiply wives. Why are the chapters of sacred history filled with such wickedness? Many theologians have claimed that God actually decreed that His own servants would violate His own commands. This Bible study of First Kings, however, allows the Scriptures themselves to expound on the reason for their disobedience. Lessons for the Christian fill this book, from how to gain wisdom, to learning why wisdom alone is insufficient, to the building of the Temple, to the political and moral lessons from Ahab and his wife Jezebel, and ultimately, to the mighty ministry of the Hebrew prophet Elijah, from the fire on Mt. Carmel to hearing the still small voice of the Lord! Available on MP3-CD or download.

1 Kings: As David's life is draining from him, the nation of Israel is set to enter its most terribly trying times. His son Solomon becomes king with a reign so horrific that he fills Judah with altars to pagan gods and his harem of 1,000 women scoffs at God's command that no monarch should multiply wives. Why are the chapters of sacred history filled with such wickedness? Many theologians have claimed that God actually decreed that His own servants would violate His own commands. This Bible study of First Kings, however, allows the Scriptures themselves to expound on the reason for their disobedience. Lessons for the Christian fill this book, from how to gain wisdom, to learning why wisdom alone is insufficient, to the building of the Temple, to the political and moral lessons from Ahab and his wife Jezebel, and ultimately, to the mighty ministry of the Hebrew prophet Elijah, from the fire on Mt. Carmel to hearing the still small voice of the Lord! Available on MP3-CD or download.

1 Kings: As David's life is draining from him, the nation of Israel is set to enter its most terribly trying times. His son Solomon becomes king with a reign so horrific that he fills Judah with altars to pagan gods and his harem of 1,000 women scoffs at God's command that no monarch should multiply wives. Why are the chapters of sacred history filled with such wickedness? Many theologians have claimed that God actually decreed that His own servants would violate His own commands. This Bible study of First Kings, however, allows the Scriptures themselves to expound on the reason for their disobedience. Lessons for the Christian fill this book, from how to gain wisdom, to learning why wisdom alone is insufficient, to the building of the Temple, to the political and moral lessons from Ahab and his wife Jezebel, and ultimately, to the mighty ministry of the Hebrew prophet Elijah, from the fire on Mt. Carmel to hearing the still small voice of the Lord! Available on MP3-CD or download.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:1 Kings 20-21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Dear Daily Radio Bible Community,

Rhomas Men's Team podcast here. As always, if you resonate with our content, please follow, like, share, comment, and support our channel: https://www.rhomas.com/ In today's session, we're focusing on the essential theme of "Self-Care First, Kings." It's a powerful reminder that prioritizing your own well-being is not only essential but also a sign of strength and wisdom. We'll explore the importance of self-care practices such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and setting healthy boundaries. By nurturing your physical, emotional, and mental health, you can better show up for yourself and others, fulfilling your responsibilities and pursuing your goals with vitality and purpose. Join us as we delve into the transformative journey of self-care, empowering you to reign as kings in your own lives by prioritizing your health and happiness. #SelfCare #WellBeing #Mindfulness #SelfCompassion #Rhomas

Most of us would say we want to be used by God. But Pastor J.D. is challenging us to consider whether or not we're really willing to take up our cross and follow wherever God leads. As we wrap up First Kings, we're shifting our focus from the prophet Elijah to his protégé, Elisha.

Most of us would say we want to be used by God. But Pastor J.D. is challenging us to consider whether or not we're really willing to take up our cross and follow wherever God leads. As we wrap up First Kings, we're shifting our focus from the prophet Elijah to his protégé, Elisha. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1518/29

Welcome back to your "Winning Word Of The Day" on "The Starting Line Podcast with Cole Taylor." In today's episode titled "When Chaos Is All Around," Cole shares insights from First Kings 19, focusing on the story of Elijah. After an intense showdown with false prophets, Elijah finds himself overwhelmed with fear and exhaustion when threatened by Jezebel. Despite his remarkable feat, Elijah's immediate response to stress is to flee and plead for death. However, God intervenes by providing him with rest and nourishment, demonstrating the importance of physical well-being in times of chaos.Cole emphasizes the significance of taking a step back to rest and refuel amidst chaos. Drawing parallels between Elijah's experience and everyday struggles, Cole encourages listeners to prioritize self-care and acknowledge the spiritual significance of rest. By illustrating how God refueled Elijah through simple acts of rest and nourishment, Cole highlights the transformative power of taking a break in the midst of chaos. So, next time chaos surrounds you, remember that sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is simply take a nap and allow yourself to recharge.Listen In!Our resources:TSL Training Camp Application: Click HereFREE DOWNLOAD: Optimize your health & performance with a fully customized protocol:Optimized Entrepreneur Protocol Join our free community, The Optimized Entrepreneur, for free resources and trainings to optimize your health & performance:www.facebook.com/groups/optimizedentrepreneurLearn more about working 1on1 with Cole & The Starting Line team to optimize your health & performance:www.thestartingline.fitConnect with Cole:www.cole360.com

Today we pick up where we left off in our through the Bible series, In the Volume of the Book. Pastor James Kaddis is highlighting Bible prophecy in this journey through the Scriptures. And there are many in First Kings alone, as you'll soon see. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1459/29

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This week we continue our examination of First Kings chapters 4-9. We are continuing to consider the warning from last Sunday that accomplishment threatens wisdom. This week we're looking specifically at the prayer that King Solomon offers at the dedication of the temple in First Kings chapter 8. Read First Kings chapter 8 and consider the main subjects of his prayer and why those were important things to pray about in light of such a great accomplishment.

This week we continue our examination of First Kings chapters 4-9. We are continuing to consider the warning from last Sunday that accomplishment threatens wisdom. This week we're looking specifically at the prayer that King Solomon offers at the dedication of the temple in First Kings chapter 8. Read First Kings chapter 8 and consider the main subjects of his prayer and why those were important things to pray about in light of such a great accomplishment.

We throw the word idol around pretty freely in our culture. “So-and-so is a teen idol” . . . “did you watch American Idol?” . . . “Humphrey Bogart was a matinee idol.” But biblically speaking, an idol is a representation or symbol of an object of worship. It's a clear transgression of the First Commandment. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie warns about idol worship based on an epic confrontation in First Kings 18. Elijah goes toe to toe with the prophets of Baal. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We throw the word idol around pretty freely in our culture. “So-and-so is a teen idol” . . . “did you watch American Idol?” . . . “Humphrey Bogart was a matinee idol.” But biblically speaking, an idol is a representation or symbol of an object of worship. It's a clear transgression of the First Commandment. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie warns about idol worship based on an epic confrontation in First Kings 18. Elijah goes toe to toe with the prophets of Baal. Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The question as we transition from the life of David to the life of Solomon is, "Will he, like his father, be a man after God's own heart?" Join us as we dive into First Kings and discover the secret to a life lived out of wisdom.

Today we pick up where we left off in our through the Bible series, In the Volume of the Book. Pastor James Kaddis is highlighting Bible prophecy in this journey through the Scriptures. And there are many in First Kings alone, as you'll soon see. We'll start off with a Sunday school classic from chapter three, but perhaps you haven't really made the connection to prophecy as you've read and studied this story! To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1459/29

“The volumes of Chronicles describe Israel's history in a way that's distinct from that of some of the other history books. Just as the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each give a unique viewpoint on the life of Jesus, the history books of the Old Testament bring unique viewpoints in.” – Pastor Jeff CranstonIn today's episode Pastor Jeff and Tiffany dive into 1 Chronicles, its authorship, setting, theological lessons, and how it offers a distinctive perspective on Israel's history. Pastor Jeff and Tiffany discuss why this book, with its extensive genealogies and unique insights, is essential to the Old Testament and how it holds profound relevance for us today, encouraging steadfastness, gratitude, and trust in God's providential care. [00:01 - 10:17] An Introduction to 1 ChroniclesWho Authored 1 Chronicles? This author, who is commonly referred to as the Chronicler, remains unidentified. We can speculate it is Ezra, but that is not confirmed.1 Chronicles parallels parts of 2 Samuel and First Kings, focusing on David's reign. This book was probably written between 450 and 425 BC, during the time of Ezra or Nehemiah.Written while Jews were dispersed throughout Persia Some fragments of Chronicles were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, indicating its ancient origins.[11:19 - 18:45] Why is 1 Chronicles Important? The genealogies in 1 Chronicles are crucial for affirming Israel's lineage, maintaining the integrity of the priesthood, and ensuring the continuation of God's people.1 Chronicles offers a unique priestly perspective on Israel's history, focusing on worship, law adherence, and events significant to the priesthood.1 Chronicles aims to prepare the returning Jews for Christ the Messiah.[19:07 - 21:57] Theological Themes in 1 ChroniclesRecognize and celebrate God's sovereignty and majesty!David's Prayer in 1 Chronicles 29 expresses gratitude for the promises God made to him and his descendants, and David's desire for future generations to remain steadfast in their devotion to God.Quotes:“The goal of narrating Israel's history from a priestly and kingly perspective was ultimately to get the people ready and in the mindset for a coming Messiah.” – Pastor Jeff CranstonResources MentionedMy Christmas Book by F.W. BorehamEugene H. Merrill, "1 Chronicles," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1985), 589Larry Richards, The Bible Reader's Companion (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1991), electronic ed., accessed through Libronix Digital Library System Join the ConversationWe love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org.Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranstonRemember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Sometimes we call on God, asking Him to act, asking Him to reveal Himself or to remedy a dire situation. And sometimes He responds with dramatic intervention. Today we jump forward in biblical history to the time of Israel's kings. First Kings 1–11 chronicles the rise and fall of Solomon whose love for foreign women ultimately caused his spiritual demise. Upon Solomon's death, the kingdom divided. Jeroboam reigned over the ten tribes of Israel in the north, and Rehoboam ruled over Judah and Benjamin in the south. Jeroboam did evil in the sight of the Lord, as did all other eighteen kings in Israel. Ahab was the seventh (1 Kings 16:28), and he was even more evil than any other king before him (16:30). Ahab and his wife Jezebel worshiped Baal who they believed controlled the rain and all fertility. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah the prophet visited Ahab, predicting a drought—God's punishment for their idolatry. The drought caused widespread famine. In the third year, God instructed Elijah to approach Ahab again. He would bring rain, but not without a showdown. On Elijah's instruction, Ahab assembled 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah at Mount Carmel. Elijah addressed the starving crowd first: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (v. 21). Elijah instructed the Baal prophets to prepare a sacrifice. All day, they called (qara) on Baal to bring fire. They danced and cut themselves. Yet, “there was no response” (v. 29). Then it was Elijah's turn. After soaking his altar three times, Elijah called (qara) on the Lord, asking Him to show Himself as God. And the fire of the Lord fell, consuming everything: offering, wood, stone, water, dust. When the people saw it, they fell on their faces, saying, “The LORD he is God!” (v. 39). >> Elijah's story should inspire great confidence in you today. We call upon a God who hears and answers! Our God alone is sovereign. Call on Him today and be confident in His power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God wants us to live a successful Christian life. And He hasn't hidden the secrets to success in some obscure passage in the Bible. It isn't encoded into the dimensions of the temple in First Kings. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out one of the most important ingredients for a healthy walk with the Lord. But it's an ingredient that's often missing in many believers' lives. Today's insight is from the brand new series, “Timeless: Unchanging Truth in a Changing Culture” Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

God wants us to live a successful Christian life. And He hasn't hidden the secrets to success in some obscure passage in the Bible. It isn't encoded into the dimensions of the temple in First Kings. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie points out one of the most important ingredients for a healthy walk with the Lord. But it's an ingredient that's often missing in many believers' lives. Today's insight is from the brand new series, “Timeless: Unchanging Truth in a Changing Culture” Listen on harvest.org --- Learn more and subscribe to Harvest updates at harvest.org . A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mass Readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 13, 2023 Reading 1, First Kings 19:9, 11-13 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 Reading 2, Romans 9:1-5 Gospel, Matthew 14:22-33

So many people jump right into the middle of a study of the prophets, without an adequate understanding of history and find themselves totally at sea in some cases, not understanding what at all the prophet was talking about and jumping to the wrong conclusions in other cases. One of the more interesting cases in point can be found over in the book of Hosea if you would like to turn over there with me momentarily before we go back to First Kings.In Hosea, an interesting statement is made very early in his prophecy. God is speaking through Hosea to Israel and He says in Hosea 2:11 "I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts."Now the implication of this, some people look at this and I have actually seen this Scripture quoted as a proof text to show that the Holy Days would one day be done away with and superficially reading across the top of it, you might very well arrive at that conclusion. The problem is that the people who would make that decision and you yourself as a matter of fact, reading through this area without necessarily having the understanding of the history behind this might arrive at a conclusion like that. You might try to say "When will it be". The context doesn't allow a post-millennial cessation of these festivals. This seems to be a time of Israel's trouble at the very end time.Well, if you had understood that Hosea was not a prophet writing to Judah, but was a prophet writing to Israel, very late in their history, actually at the time of King Jeroboam the second, not Jeroboam the first that we have been reading about. If you understood that Jeroboam had changed the Holy Days of God and that the ten northern tribes never observed the Holy Days that you and I are acquainted with from Leviticus 23, you would never arrive at such a conclusion.For indeed, the instant they divided the kingdom, as soon as Jeroboam had settled himself in the North, he established a different feast on the 15th day of the eighth month, changed the Feast of Tabernacles and implication is, he changed far more than that.

In today's episode of Coffee and Prayer, our devotions come from Revelation chapter 9-13, First Kings chapter 21-22 and Second Kings chapter 1-3. We talk about how it is never too late and you're not too far gone for the love of God. We discuss where we should turn in the face of death, tragedy, rebellion, and life. We also talk about God's love, protection, and preparation.

In this episode of COFFEE AND PRAYER, our devotions are found in Revelation chapter 4-8 and First Kings chapter 16-20. We talk about wicked gains always ending in ruin. We break down the book of Revelation and how it should be interpreted. We talk about God‘s provision, his timing and how he answers prayer. We also talk about the power of preparation. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/coffeeandprayer/support

In this episode of Coffee and Prayer our devotions are found in First Kings chapter 13-15 and Revelation chapter 1-3. We talk about not being able to listen to the advice of everyone and how not everybody wants you to succeed. We also talk about getting back to basics and being patient. Lastly, we talk about breaking generational curses and how not to be a lukewarm Christian.

In this episode of Coffee and Prayer our devotions are found in second Peter chapter 1-3 and First Kings chapter 2-4. We talk about the keys to living a prosperous life, the need for a daily reminder and the fact that you have everything you need in Jesus. We also talk about our worldly choices leading to our spiritual downfall, and looking out for false teachers. Lastly, we talk about operating in dysfunction, God's timing, and how we should be living our lives in anticipation of Jesus returning.

In this episode of Coffee and Prayer our devotions are found in First Peter chapter 1-5, Second Samuel chapter 21-24 and First Kings chapter 1. We talk about having a posture of success, how to grow spiritually and not allowing pride to trip you up. We also talk about how to handle suffering and how humility is key to preventing ourselves from falling.

Liv speaks with the Partian Historians, Dr Rad and Dr G, who share the stories of the seven kings of Rome! Learn more about the Partial Historians here. Follow them on Twitter here. And order their book here! Help keep LTAMB going by subscribing to Liv's Patreon for bonus content! CW/TW: far too many Greek myths involve assault. Given it's fiction, and typically involves gods and/or monsters, I'm not as deferential as I would be were I referencing the real thing. Attributions and licensing information for music used in the podcast can be found here: mythsbaby.com/sources-attributions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.