Podcasts about gentiles

Fr. Mike walks us through the Church's first council in Acts 15 and highlights the importance of the Church's authority in the question of circumcision for Gentile converts. He also draws our attention to Paul's treatment of God the Father and God the Son as equal but not the same. This sheds light on Paul's conversation about head coverings for women in our reading from 1 Corinthians and reassures female believers about their roles in marriage and the Church. Today's readings are Acts 15, 1 Corinthians 11-12, Proverbs 28:10-12. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

In this Bible Story, we reach the end of Paul’s recorded journey as he finally makes his way to Rome. He meets the believers in Rome, and is embraced by the Jews. This story is inspired by Acts 28. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 28:30-31 from the King James Version.Episode 241: As the Soldiers, Sailors, and Prisoners lay exhausted on the beach where they just landed, some of the natives came and welcomed them. As they all sat by the fire, Paul threw some more sticks in and was bitten by a viper. What should have killed him did not, and when the natives noticed this they asked him to pray over their sick chief. After this, Paul and the men with him finally made it to Rome. There they were welcomed by the believers and preached the Word to Jews and Gentiles alike.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the pivotal Jerusalem Council and its resolution of the Question of the Law in the early church. This episode delves into the debate over whether Gentile converts should follow Law of Moses, particularly regarding circumcision and dietary restrictions. Learn about the roles of key figures like Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James in this crucial decision-making process. Discover how the early church navigated cultural differences and theological disputes to affirm salvation by grace through faith.Support 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...

One hundred years ago, many of the prophecies in this book were still obscure. Today as we are approaching the end, they become more understandable just as the angel told the prophet at the end of Daniel, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:2) Daniel's prophecies provide us with a comprehensive and chronological prophetical view of the broad movement of history, from the Times of the Gentiles to the Messianic Rule of Messiah. It is also thoroughly practical as well. In the harsh environment of the captivity, the faith, prayer life, and the love for God Daniel had still stands today as a great example for us to follow.Welcome to Shalom Ariel and the continuing study in the Book of Daniel with Messianic leader, Jacques Isaac Gabizon. Be blessed as you listen, shalom. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29?v=20251111

As we continue to follow the missions of Paul and Barnabas, Fr. Mike highlights the fickle nature of humanity and the futility of striving for the praise of men. He also encourages us to remain courageous in the tribulations we face, finding strength in other believers, and running toward the eternal and imperishable goal of salvation. Today's readings are Acts 14, 1 Corinthians 9-10, and Proverbs 28:7-9. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Notes Matthew 3:1-12 Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-13 Summary In this episode of the Pulpit Fiction Podcast, hosts Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler discuss the readings for the second Sunday of Advent, focusing on John the Baptist's message of repentance and the concept of the Kingdom of Heaven. They explore the significance of bearing good fruit in faith, the role of religious leaders, and the historical context of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embodying faith through actions and the continual nature of repentance. In this conversation, Robb McCoy and Eric Fistler explore the themes of continuity between Jesus and John the Baptist, the significance of Isaiah's prophecy, and the transformative imagery of the stump. They discuss the hope embedded in these biblical narratives and the role of Gentiles in the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of radical welcome and compassion within communities. The conversation highlights the intrinsic value of individuals and the potential for renewal and growth, even in seemingly hopeless situations. Takeaways This episode discusses the readings for the second Sunday of Advent. John the Baptist's message emphasizes repentance and preparation for the kingdom of heaven. The concept of the Kingdom of Heaven is often misunderstood as merely a place after death. John's call to produce good fruit is a central theme in his message. The relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus is one of continuity, not separation. The Pharisees and Sadducees are called out for their hypocrisy, emphasizing that all need to bear fruit. The idea of repentance is not a one-time act but a continual process. The imagery of the axe and the winnowing fork highlights the urgency of John's message. The conversation touches on the historical context of the religious leaders of the time. The discussion reflects on the importance of embodying faith through actions. Jesus' message is a continuation of John the Baptist's teachings. Isaiah's prophecy speaks to transformation and hope. The stump symbolizes decay but also potential for new life. God's grace nurtures us even when we feel like a stump. The roots of faith are essential for growth and renewal. Wisdom and understanding lead to peace and transformation. The message of inclusion extends to Gentiles in the faith. Radical welcome is central to the Christian community. Compassion is necessary for healing broken relationships. Communities can thrive by embracing openness and generosity.

Episode Synopsis:Paul continues his defense of his apostolic ministry and office.  In chapter 6, verses 3-10, he lays out an incredible catalog of those hardships which he has endured so as to preach the gospel, along with evidence of how God has sustained both Paul and his Gentile mission throughout each of these difficult trials.  He has been slandered and praised and has experienced just about every possible human emotion along the way.  He is not bragging as his opponents are doing, but pointing out the ways in which God has enabled him to conduct a ministry faithful to the gospel as centered in the cross of Christ and the message of the reconciliation of the holy God to sinners.  None of the false teachers and braggarts in Corinth have such a track record of faithfulness.Paul lets the Corinthians know that he has no secret agenda, nor is he withholding anything from them as their father in the faith.  But he does regard them as children in need of instruction and warning.  He challenges them to consider what it means to be numbered among the people of God.  The Corinthians are to be careful not to ally themselves with those so-called Christians who claim to be believers, but whose conduct shows them to be otherwise.  Paul also reminds the Corinthians not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers since Christians compose the temple of the Lord as indwelt by his Spirit.  The Corinthians are to break all ties to paganism and separate themselves from it.As the living temple of the Lord, Christians are to strive to demonstrate godliness and holiness of life which reflects their status before God.  As is his practice, Paul distinguishes between the imperative mood (what believers are in Christ) and the imperative (how their conduct should reflect the fact that they are the temple of the living God), and as such are to avoid the defilement of the body typical of Greco-Roman paganism–such as sexual immorality and idolatry.  Christians are to strive to bring holiness to completion–part of which is to embrace Paul as an apostle of Jesus Christ, just as he accepts them as those for whom he cares deeply.For show notes and other recommended materials located at the Riddleblog as mentioned during the Blessed Hope Podcast, click here: https://www.kimriddlebarger.com/

With the countdown to Christmas and New Year's begun, we set our sights on the true meaning of the season: Immanuel—God With Us. Have you ever considered how a holy, righteous, omnipotent, omniscient God could have simply said to us, “You're going to need to figure out a way to get to Me,” … or “You'll need to meet all these strict requirements to reach me.” But the very fact that we can call Him “God With Us” is a miracle. He came to us, to seek and save that which was lost. This Christmas, each time you hear the word Immanuel, think about what this actually means for you … God came after you… We don't “find God,” He finds us. We all have suffered great loss in life. Something at one point you could not imagine being broken was broken. We know what it means for our hearts to be broken and our lives to be wracked with grief, to live in a state of sorrow. For that very reason, the message, the reminder, that Immanuel—God with Us—has come for us is so important for us to focus on this season. Right now, you may be in the very beginning stages of grief, of sorrow. You may be right in the middle heartache and pain is with you every day. Or you could be coming out of a storm and have begun your journey of healing. No matter where you are, today, right now, God is with you, whether you care right now or not, whether you feel Him or not, He is with You. I want to encourage you to never confuse God allowing something to happen as God not caring for you. He never promised to take us out of this broken and fallen world, but He did promise to be with us when life breaks us and things fall apart. Listen to Isaiah's prophecy given to him by God 700 hundred years before Christ was born. (Isaiah 9:1-2, 6-7 NLT) Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever… there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. … For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven's Armies will make this happen! We have the privilege of living on the other side of this prophecy. Listen to these ancient words and realize what has actually happened. The Wonderful Counselor that Isaiah promised has come. The Mighty God has made Himself known. The Everlasting Father is present right now. The Prince of Peace is ready to remove the chaos, heal the hurt, and replace your sorrow with joy. What is most real about God to you right now? Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father Prince of Peace He is Immanuel—God with … you. Pray with me: “Immanuel, when I struggle in my hurt, when I doubt and question Your goodness, when I think no one cares, please allow me to feel Your presence in my soul, my heart, in the air I breathe, and the very life You give. Immanuel - God with us.” 

Oggi parliamo di leadership gentile: un modo di guidare un'azienda che valorizzi davvero le persone, attraverso empatia, ascolto e rispetto. In un mondo del lavoro spesso dominato da modelli autoritari basati su comando e controllo, la leadership gentile crea invece un ambiente collaborativo, dove motivazione, benessere e crescita — personale e professionale — diventano parte del percorso quotidiano.  A parlarci di leadership gentile e della sua storia è Giampaolo Grossi, amministratore delegato di Giacomo Milano, il manager che ha portato Starbucks in Italia e che ha una lunga esperienza nel settore dell'hospitality.  ... Per iscriverti al canale Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7X7C4DjiOmdBGtOL3z Per iscriverti al canale Telegram: https://t.me/notizieacolazione Qui per provare MF GPT ... Gli altri podcast di Class Editori: https://milanofinanza.it/podcast Musica https://www.bensound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Idea: You share the promises of Abraham through faith in his Son.Galatians 3:14-16The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could receive the promised Spirit through faith. Brothers and sisters, I'm using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to a validated human will. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say “and to seeds,” as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ.I. The blessings of Abraham are yours through faith.Galatians 3:14II. The family treasure is yours through adoption. Galatians 3:15III. Covenant promises are yours through Christ. Galatians 3:16Next Steps: Believe: Today, I offer my soul to Jesus.Become: I will put my relationship with Jesus first this holiday season.Be Sent: I will share God's love in Christ this Christmas.Discussion Questions: If you were the child of the world's richest man, what would you ask for this Christmas? How would Christmas feel if you were an orphan?How can you keep your family close even if you live far apart during Christmas?How does being part of the family of Abraham strengthen your faith?What's one practical step you can take to deepen your faith this Christmas?How can you show God's love to someone far from Jesus this season?Thank God for His gifts to you today. 

Podcast Description – Mason Tucker | Ephesians 2 | RiverSide ChurchIn this powerful, verse-by-verse message from Ephesians 2, Mason Tucker walks us through one of the clearest pictures in all of Scripture of what it means to be saved by grace and built on a firm foundation in Jesus Christ. Preached at RiverSide Church, this sermon reminds us that we were once dead in our trespasses and sins, following the course of this world—but God, being rich in mercy, made us alive together with Christ.You'll be encouraged as we see that salvation is by grace alone, through faith, not by works, so that no one may boast. We are reminded that we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand. The message also unpacks how Christ has broken down the wall of hostility, making Jew and Gentile one new people, and how believers are now members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone.This is a rich, gospel-centered teaching that calls the listener to rest in Christ's finished work and to stand firm on the only sure foundation—Jesus Christ alone. Perfect for anyone seeking to grow deeper in their understanding of grace, salvation, unity in Christ, and the unshakable foundation of the gospel.

One hundred years ago, many of the prophecies in this book were still obscure. Today as we are approaching the end, they become more understandable just as the angel told the prophet at the end of Daniel, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:2) Daniel's prophecies provide us with a comprehensive and chronological prophetical view of the broad movement of history, from the Times of the Gentiles to the Messianic Rule of Messiah. It is also thoroughly practical as well. In the harsh environment of the captivity, the faith, prayer life, and the love for God Daniel had still stands today as a great example for us to follow.Welcome to Shalom Ariel and the continuing study in the Book of Daniel with Messianic leader, Jacques Isaac Gabizon. Be blessed as you listen, shalom. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29?v=20251111

Today, Brother, we're stepping into something foundational — something every believer knows about, talks about, but often struggles to live out consistently. We're talking about holiness… not the churchy version, not the performance version, not the “look at how spiritual I am” version — but the real, gritty, lived-out holiness that shows up in your decisions, your reactions, your character, and the way you carry yourself when no one else is around.Holiness isn't about being flawless. It's about being steady. It's about choosing to live in such a way that your conduct matches your calling. And to be honest, this episode is personal for me, because I had to learn what “above reproach” really meant the hard way.

Fr. Mike highlights the importance of prayer and fasting, instructing us how to fast and empty ourselves to feel our spiritual need for Christ. He also discusses faithfulness in vocations and living out the life God has called you to. Today's readings are from Acts 13, 1 Corinthians 7-8, and Proverbs 28:4-6. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Read OnlineWhen Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:10–11Jesus looks into the heart, not just at one's exterior. Today's Gospel presents us with the profound faith of a Roman centurion—a pagan and Gentile. Though not of the Jewish faith, this centurion recognized Jesus' spiritual authority to heal. Perhaps he had seen Jesus do so before or had heard of the many stories of miracles. Or maybe he was moved by the Holy Spirit to trust in Jesus. The Roman soldier begged Jesus to heal one of his severely ill servants. But that's not all he did. Once Jesus offered to go to the servant, the Roman centurion manifested humility and faith by saying, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” Catholics now pray similar words just before Holy Communion.When Jesus heard this statement of faith, He was “amazed,” because among the descendants of Abraham, He had found no such faith. The centurion's faith broke through cultural and religious barriers. As a Gentile and a Roman soldier, he was an unlikely candidate for such profound faith. Yet, his humility and trust in Jesus surpassed that of many of the chosen people.Let's consider two points from this story. First, when you pray the centurion's words at Mass, just before Holy Communion, does your depth of faith and conviction also lead Jesus to be “amazed”? Do you know and profess your unworthiness, yet beg our Lord to enter your soul nonetheless? The centurion's humility is a powerful lesson for us. Despite his authority and status, he recognized his unworthiness before Jesus. This humility is vital to approaching the Eucharist, acknowledging our need for God's grace and mercy before receiving Him into our souls. Consider whether you mean those words every time you pray them or if they have become a habit that you say distractedly.Second, Jesus' promise to heal this Gentile's servant illustrates the universality of Jesus' gift of salvation. Our Catholic faith is not only for those born and raised Catholic; it's for everyone, and we must do our part to extend that invitation to everyone through prayer and witness. We must turn to our Lord and beg for grace and healing upon others. God has the power to do all things. Like the centurion, we must pray for others, trusting that God hears our petitions and will act in His perfect timing. We must believe that, and then present the needs of those around us to Him, begging Him to draw them to Himself. We must pray, “Lord, only say the word! Say Your word of healing, cleansing, conversion, transformation, and every word that brings forth Your will!”Reflect today on this Roman centurion's faith and prayerful words and try to internalize them more fully. Meditate on those words outside of the Holy Mass so that next time you attend Mass, that prayer just before Holy Communion will more fully prepare your soul for the gift of Christ Jesus Himself.My amazed Lord, the Roman centurion's faith touched Your human soul. Please give me the grace I need to have this same depth of faith and to express that faith more fully every time I prepare to receive You in Holy Communion. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Find out how one verse can change your understanding of the whole Bible.

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

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

Preacher: Jeremiah Fyffe Amos 9:11-15 THE LORD WILL RAISE UP DAVID'S HOUSE THE LORD WILL RESTORE THE FORTUNES OF ISRAEL 5 IMPLICATIONS Judgement is swift and sure. Redemption is the Work of God Alone Redemption Passes Through Judgment Redemption is Abundant Grace The Lord is Still Gathering the Nations Deuteronomy 30:1–3 (ESV) And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. Amos 1:11-12 (ESV) Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever. So I will send a fire upon Teman, and it shall devour the strongholds of Bozrah.” Acts 15:21 (ESV) For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues. Amos 3:11 (ESV) _An adversary shall surround the land and bring down your defenses from you _ Amos 5:3 (ESV) The city that went out a thousand shall have a hundred left, and that which went out a hundred shall have ten left to the house of Israel. Amos 7:11 (ESV) Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his land. Amos 4:9 (ESV) I struck you with blight and mildew; your many gardens and your vineyards, your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured; Hebrews 12:28–13:1 (ESV) Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Psalm 16:11 (ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Genesis 12:3 (ESV) I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Ephesians 2:11–13 (ESV) Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh … remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:15–16 (ESV) … that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Ephesians 3:6 (ESV) This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Ephesians 1:13–14 (ESV) In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:21 (ESV) … far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 1 Timothy 6:17–19 (ESV) As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Romans 1:1-6 NIV1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophetsin the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentilesto the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Let's dig deeper into today's question by exploring five additional questions about Christ's upcoming return.     1.    Will Christ actually return in the flesh? Yes, Jesus will actually return in the flesh. Here's some words from the angels. Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."  Coming back the same way He left. At the Mt of Olives, visibly, physically to reign.     2.    How will every eye see Him? We live in a unique age where we can witness things around the world in real time. Revelation 1:7 "Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth "will mourn because of him." So shall it be! Amen." (See also - Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10) What seems impossible will be a reality, we all will see Him.     3.    Why so many different interpretations of Christ's return will be like? There are basically 4 views of Christians of the Book of Revelation:     ⁃    PRETERIST - everything in the book of Revelation was fulfilled for those 1st century believers.      ⁃    HISTORICIST - What the book of Revelation does is it tracks Christian history until the very end of time when Christ returns.     ⁃    FUTURIST - say what the book of Revelation portrays is the events that are yet to come and will happen in the last days of our planet's history.     ⁃    IDEALIST - maintain that what the book of Revelation does is it gives us timeless truths and principles that have always been true and will be until Jesus returns.     4.    Why all the different views. Who is right? Pastor posses a "what if": What if they are all right? What if God intentionally gave this so that people of every age would see what needs to be seen to stay close to Him.     ⁃    PRETERIST -  what if the book of Revelation really did have remarkable application to the 1st century believers     ⁃    HISTORIST - What if the book of Revelation does track the Christian history til Christ returns     ⁃    FUTURIST - What if the book of Revelation will be fulfilled in some future ways.     ⁃    IDEALIST - What if the book of Revelation applies in every age because what it says is timeless and true. God is brilliant - He can and does brilliant things! Differing interpretations doesn't make the Bible unclear - it means that God is amazing!  Common Beliefs of each differing view:     ⁃    Missionary Age - great commission     ⁃    Great tribulation      ⁃    Rapture     ⁃    Millennium     ⁃    Physical return of Christ     ⁃    Resurrection of the dead     ⁃    New heavens and New Earth Early believers put together basic statements of the fundamentals of the Bible. Examples Nicene Creed says, "I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come." and the Apostle's Creed says, "I believe in… the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting." They chose short summations of basic agreed on biblical beliefs and leaving out the details, acknowledging the wide diversity of interpretation around what Jesus' return will look like and because we will find out the details when He returns. The first advent Jesus came as a humble servant and laid down His life for us all. For His second advent Jesus comes in glory!     5.    What are the sign of the times that indicate the eminent Second Coming of Jesus?  Signs of the times:     ⁃    Gospel to the entire world Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."       ⁃    Persecution, apostasy & deception Matthew 24:9-11 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many."     ⁃    Warfare, earthquakes & famine - Mark 13:8 "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." What we have observed since Jesus' first advent, these signs are closer together.     ⁃    Israel's return  Luke 21:24 "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." About 40 years after Jesus spoke these words in 70AD they happened and now in 1967, after nearly 1900 years, the Jewish people have returned.  In Matthew 24:42 we are told by Jesus, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." How do we stay awake?  We keep our eyes on Jesus! The Savior of the world. God is for us! He's coming back and the day is fast approaching! May we trust the Lord Jesus with all our hearts and rejoice in the salvation He won for us at the cross as a gift by faith. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

[Isaiah 9:1] Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.Darkness doesn't always mean __________________.God does some of His best work in the ________________.[Isaiah 9:2 NIV] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.Faith isn't denying the __________________, it's declaring the __________________.[Isaiah 9:6 NIV] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.God's Light rarely arrives the way we __________________, but always in the way we __________________.[Daniel 8:13-14] Then I heard two holy ones talking to each other. One of them asked, "How long will the events of this vision last? How long will the rebellion that causes desecration stop the daily sacrifices? How long will the Temple and heaven's army be trampled on?" [14] The other replied, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the Temple will be made right again."[John 8:12] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."The Light that came into the world still _________________, still breaks through, and still __________________.[John 1:4-5 NIV] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.Darkness doesn't _________________ a ________________ against the light![2 Corinthians 4:6-7] For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Join us today as we establish the conviction that God's promises and blessings concerning Israel as a nation, and David as a Messianic lineage, are irrevocable and eternal. Mankind's tendency is to acknowledge God's promises and blessings to the sons of Abraham when it is a benefit to them, but abandon their station at David's side when it appears that all is lost. This is a fickle nature that, as Gentiles, causes us to do many theological gymnastics to receive the benefits of a Jewish Messiah while eradicating the significance of the original covenants that began our story. To overcome this fickle nature, one must be deeply rooted in conviction according to the Word of God concerning His blessings and promises!

ISAIAH 9:1-7 1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan - 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. NIV 84 LESSON NOTES 1. God speaks His “Nevertheless” into our darkest places. Isaiah 9 erupts into hope directly after a chapter filled with distress, darkness, and despair. God does not wait for people to climb out of their misery—He speaks hope into it. The gospel light shines first where suffering has been greatest (Zebulun and Naphtali). 2. Jesus launches His kingdom from places of deepest suffering. Just as God promised honor to Galilee—the region most ravaged by invasion—Jesus made Capernaum His homebase of ministry. God's pattern is consistent: He brings salvation right into the places of our deepest wounds. 3. The salvation of Jesus is light breaking into the darkness. The Gideon story forms a biblical picture of salvation: sudden, overwhelming light shattering darkness. Jesus, the Light of the World, fulfills this picture—not symbolically, but literally—breaking the power of spiritual darkness. 4. Jesus destroys the works of the devil without the world's weapons. Like Gideon defeating Midian without a sword, Jesus conquers evil not with violence, but through His own self-giving life. He destroys oppression, sin, and death—not by force, but by the power of sacrificial love. 5. The King who comes is both fully human and fully God, establishing an ever-increasing kingdom. The child is born (His humanity) and the Son is given (His deity). His shoulders alone can bear the weight of a government that is eternal, peaceful, and ever-increasing. The four names are royal titles that describe the child-king.  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Where have you most recently experienced “distress, darkness, or despair”? How does the word “Nevertheless” in Isaiah 9:1 invite you to reframe your situation in anticipation of God's coming kingdom? 2. God chose to begin His saving work in the most devastated region of Israel. What might this reveal about where God wants to work in your life—or in your community—right now? 3. Which of the four royal titles in Isaiah 9:6 (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace) do you need to hear the most in this Advent season— and why? 4. Jesus destroys the works of the devil not by power or force, but by laying down His life. How might His method reshape the way you approach conflict, suffering, or opposition? 5. Isaiah promises a kingdom that will increase forever. How does the idea of “never-ending increase” in God's goodness shape your hope for eternity—and your endurance in the present?

Through two visions, two visits, and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, Peter learned that Christ's work removed the barriers between Jews and Gentiles so they can be members of one church.

What if God is already at the table you've been avoiding? Acts 10 turns the insider–outsider story on its head as we follow a devout Roman centurion named Cornelius and a sincere, reluctant apostle named Peter. We walk through the rooftop vision that rattles Peter's categories, the front-door threshold that tests his obedience, and the living room moment where the Holy Spirit rushes in before the sermon even lands. No waiting period. No second-class members. Just the unmistakable sign that God is forming one family.We unpack why Cornelius disrupts expectations and why Peter's “No, Lord” is a heartfelt reflex, not rebellion. From there, we trace how God patiently expands a faithfulness that had become too small for the mission ahead. The real pivot happens when Peter says, “Now I realize,” steps into a Gentile home, and watches heaven validate what earth had fenced off. Then the ripple reaches Jerusalem: leaders question, Peter recounts, and surrender wins out over certainty with the line, “Who was I to stand in God's way?”Together we name our modern walls—politics, tradition, wounds, fear—and ask what thresholds love is asking us to cross. You'll hear practical prompts to examine hidden borders, honor real pain, and join what the Spirit is already doing among people we've kept at a distance. If God has entered houses we once avoided, our next faithful move is simple and costly: follow. Listen, share with a friend who needs hope, and if this spoke to you, subscribe and leave a review so others can find the conversation.Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to Madison Church on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback means the world to us, so please take a moment to leave a review and share the podcast with your friends and family.For inquiries, suggestions, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to us at help@madisonchurch.com. For the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram YouTube New episodes are released every Monday, so mark your calendars and join us weekly! If you'd like to support the show, you can make a donation here. Your generosity helps us continue to bring you meaningful content. This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The views expressed by the hosts or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Madison Church. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. For detailed information regarding our terms of use and privacy policy, please visit our website.Thank you for being part of the Madison Church community! We appreciate your support.

21 Then let those who are in Judea, flee to the mountains; and those who are in the midst thereof, depart out: and those who are in the countries, not enter into it.tunc qui in Judaea sunt, fugiant ad montes, et qui in medio ejus, discedant : et qui in regionibus, non intrent in eam, 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things may be fulfilled, that are written.quia dies ultionis hi sunt, ut impleantur omnia quae scripta sunt. 23 But woe to them that are with child, and give suck in those days; for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.Vae autem praegnantibus et nutrientibus in illis diebus! erit enim pressura magna super terram, et ira populo huic. 24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword; and shall be led away captives into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles; till the times of the nations be fulfilled.Et cadent in ore gladii, et captivi ducentur in omnes gentes, et Jerusalem calcabitur a gentibus, donec impleantur tempora nationum. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves;Et erunt signa in sole, et luna, et stellis, et in terris pressura gentium prae confusione sonitus maris, et fluctuum : 26 Men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved;arescentibus hominibus prae timore, et exspectatione, quae supervenient universo orbi : nam virtutes caelorum movebuntur : 27 And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with great power and majesty.et tunc videbunt Filium hominis venientem in nube cum potestate magna et majestate. 28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand.His autem fieri incipientibus, respicite, et levate capita vestra : quoniam appropinquat redemptio vestra. 29 And he spoke to them in a similitude. See the fig tree, and all the trees:Et dixit illis similitudinem : Videte ficulneam, et omnes arbores : 30 When they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh;cum producunt jam ex se fructum, scitis quoniam prope est aestas. 31 So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.Ita et vos cum videritis haec fieri, scitote quoniam prope est regnum Dei. 32 Amen, I say to you, this generation shall not pass away, till all things be fulfilled.Amen dico vobis, quia non praeteribit generatio haec, donec omnia fiant. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.Caelum et terra transibunt : verba autem mea non transibunt.

CLICK TO PRINT READING CLICK TO GO TO COMMENTS 7993 Verses 43-49. And Jehovah said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the statute of the passover; no son of an alien shall eat of it. And every man’s servant that is bought with silver, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat of it. A lodger and a hireling shall not eat of it. In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not bring out of the flesh abroad from the house; and ye shall not break a bone thereof. All the assemblage of Israel shall perform it. And when a sojourner shall sojourn with thee, and performeth the passover to Jehovah, every male of his shall be circumcised, and then let him come near to perform it; and he shall be as a native of the land; and no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. One law shall there be for the native, and for the sojourner that sojourneth in the midst of you. “And Jehovah said unto Moses and Aaron,” signifies information by means of truth Divine; “This is the statute of the passover,” signifies the laws of order for those who are liberated from damnation and infestations; “no son of an alien shall eat of it,” signifies that those who are not in truth and good are to be separated from them; “and every man’s servant,” signifies a man who is still natural; “that is bought with silver,” signifies who has any spiritual truth; “when thou hast circumcised him,” signifies purification from unclean loves; “then he shall eat of it,” signifies that he shall be with them; “a lodger and a hireling shall not eat of it,” signifies that they who do what is good from mere natural disposition, and those who do it for the sake of their own advantage, are not to be with them; “in one house shall it be eaten,” signifies consociations of accordant goods, that they may together make one good; “thou shalt not bring out of the flesh abroad from the house,” signifies that this good shall not be mixed together with the good of another; “and ye shall not break a bone in it,” signifies the truth of memory-knowledge, that this also must be sound; “all the assemblage of Israel shall perform it,” signifies that this law of order is for all who are in the good of truth and in the truth of good; “and when a sojourner shall sojourn with thee,” signifies those who have been instructed in the truth and good of the church, and have received them; “and performeth the passover to Jehovah,” signifies if he desires to be together with them; “every male of his shall be circumcised,” signifies that his truth must be cleansed from impure loves; “and then let him come near to perform it,” signifies that then he shall be with them; “and he shall be as a native of the land,” signifies that he shall be received as he who is in that truth and good, and has been purified from unclean loves; “and no uncircumcised person shall eat of it,” signifies that he who is in the loves of self and of the world cannot be together with them; “one law shall there be for the native, and for the sojourner that sojourneth in the midst of you,” signifies that he who on being instructed receives the truth and good of the church, and lives according to them, shall be as he who, being already instructed, is within the church, and lives a life in agreement with the precepts of faith and of charity. 7994 And Jehovah said unto Moses and Aaron. That this signifies information by means of truth Divine, is evident from the signification of “Jehovah said,” when the statutes of the church are treated of, as being information or instruction (see n. 7186, 7267, 7304, 7380, 7517, 7769, 7793, 7825); and from the representation of Moses and Aaron, as being truth Divine; Moses internal, and Aaron external (n. 7009, 7010, 7089, 7382). 7995 This is the statute of the passover. That this signifies the laws of order for those who are liberated from damnation and infestations, is evident from the signification of a “statute,” as being that which is from order (of which below); and from the signification of “the passover,” as being the presence of the Lord and liberation from damnation (see n. 7093e, 7867). As regards that which is of order, which is signified by “statute,” be it known that all the statutes commanded to the sons of Israel were laws of order in the external form, but those things which they represented and signified were laws of order in the internal form. Laws of order are truths which are from good; the complex of all the laws of order is the Divine truth proceeding from the Divine good of the Lord. From this it is evident that the Divine Itself of the Lord in heaven is order, the Divine good the essential of order, and the Divine truth its formal. 7996 No son of an alien shall eat of it. That this signifies that those who are not in truth and good are to be separated from them, is evident from the signification of “an alien,” as being those out of the church who do not acknowledge anything of the truth and good of faith, as was the case with the nations in the land of Canaan (see n. 2049, 2115), thus who are not in truth and good; and from the signification of “not eating of it,” as being to communicate and be conjoined with them, thus to be separated from them. In what now follows those are treated of who should eat the passover together, and those who should not. The supper of the passover represented the consociations of the good in heaven; and in the statutes which follow, it is declared who could be consociated and who could not. In general, feasts, both dinners and suppers, in ancient times were made within the church in order that they might be consociated and conjoined as to love, and that they might instruct one another in those things which are of love and faith, thus in the things of heaven (see n. 3596, 3832, 5161). Such at that time were the delights attending their banquets, and such was the end for the sake of which were their dinners and suppers. Thus the mind and the body also were nourished unanimously and correspondently; and from this they had health and long life, and from it they had intelligence and wisdom; and also from this they had communication with heaven, and some had open communication with angels. But as in course of time all internal things vanish away and pass into external ones, so also did the purposes of the feasts and banquets, which at this day are not for the sake of any spiritual conjunction, but for the sake of worldly conjunctions, namely, for the sake of gain, for the sake of the pursuit of honors, and for the sake of pleasures, from which there is nourishment of the body, but none of the mind. 7997 That the paschal supper represented the consociations of angels in the heavens in respect to goods and truths, see above (n. 7836, 7996); and because it represented these, it was ordained that not only every house by itself should then be together and eat, but also that no others should be consociated except those who represent the conjunction of love such as is that of the heavenly societies, and thus that the rest were to be separated. They who are to be separated were the aliens, for by them were signified those who are not in the good and truth of the church; also the lodgers and hirelings, because by these were represented those who from mere natural disposition, and those who for the sake of gain, did good and truth, and made a boast of them. Neither the latter nor the former can be consociated with the angels in the heavens; but when they are allowed to wander about, as is the case when they first come into the other life, before they undergo vastations of good and truth, then when they come toward any angelic society and feel the sphere of sanctity from the truth of the good of innocence which is signified by the blood of the paschal lamb (n. 7846, 7877), they cannot approach, but forthwith flee away because of fear and aversion. 7998 And every man’s servant. That this signifies a man who is still natural, is evident from the signification of “servant,” as being what is natural (see n. 3019, 3020, 3191, 3192, 3204, 3206, 3209, 5305), thus the natural man. The natural man is called a “servant” because it was made to minister to the spiritual man, and also to obey it, as a servant his lord. 7999 That is bought with silver. That this signifies who has any spiritual truth, is evident from the signification of “buying,” as being acquisition and appropriation (see n. 4397, 4487, 5374, 5397, 5406, 5410, 5426); and from the signification of “silver,” as being truth (n. 1551, 2954, 5658), here spiritual truth, because the servant that is bought is in the internal sense the natural man, and therefore the lord who buys is the spiritual man. How this is cannot be known unless it is known how the spiritual buys for itself-that is, acquires and appropriates-the natural. When man is being regenerated, his internal and external, that is, the spiritual and the natural, at first are at variance, for the spiritual wills what is of heaven, but the natural what is of the world. But the spiritual then continually inflows into the natural and brings it into agreement; this is effected by means of truth; and what the spiritual brings to itself in the natural is called “bought with silver,” that is, acquired and appropriated by means of truth. 8000 When thou hast circumcised him. That this signifies purification from unclean loves, is evident from the signification of “to be circumcised,” as being purification from the loves of self and of the world, thus from unclean loves (see n. 2039, 2056, 2632, 3412, 3413, 3462, 7045). 8001 Then shall he eat of it. That this signifies that he shall be with them, is evident from the signification of “eating,” that is, the paschal lamb, together with the rest, as being to communicate and be conjoined (see n. 2187, 5643). For as before said (n. 7836, 7850, 7996, 7997), the paschal supper represented the angelic consociations in respect to goods and truths; and by the statutes concerning aliens, servants, lodgers, hirelings, and sojourners, who are here treated of, is declared in the internal sense who could be consociated, and who could not. Hence it is that by “eating” is signified to be with them, or to be consociated; and by “not eating,” not to be with them, or to be separated. 8002 A lodger and a hired servant shall not eat of it. That this signifies that they who do what is good from mere natural disposition, and those who do it for the sake of their own advantage, are not to be with them, is evident from the signification of “a lodger,” as being those who do what is good from mere natural disposition (of which below); from the signification of “a hireling,” as being those who do what is good for the sake of their own advantage (of which also below); and from the signification of “not to eat of it,” as being not to be with them (of which just above, n. 8001). That a “lodger” denotes what is good from mere natural disposition, is because lodgers were those who came from other peoples, and were inhabitants, and dwelt with the Israelites and the Jews in one house; and “to dwell together” signifies to be together in good. But because, as before said, they were from peoples out of the church, the good which is signified is not the good of the church, but is a good not of the church. This good is called “natural good,” because it is hereditary from birth. Moreover, some have such good in consequence of ill health and feebleness. This good is meant by the good which they do who are signified by “lodgers.”[2] This good is utterly different from the good of the church, for by means of the good of the church conscience is formed in man, which is the plane into which the angels flow, and through which there is fellowship with them; whereas by natural good no plane for the angels can be formed. They who are in this good do good in the dark from blind instinct; not in the light of truth by virtue of influx from heaven; and therefore in the other life they are carried away, like chaff by the wind, by everyone, as much by an evil man as by a good one, and more by an evil one who knows how to join to reasonings something of affection and persuasion; nor can they then be withdrawn by the angels, for the angels operate through the truths and goods of faith, and flow into the plane which has been formed within the man from the truths and goods of faith. From all this it is evident that those who do what is good from mere natural disposition cannot be consociated with the angels (concerning them and their lot in the other life, see n. 3470, 3471, 3518, 4988, 4992, 5032, 6208, 7197).[3] That “lodgers” are those who do not stay in their own land or in their own house, but in a foreign land, is evident in the following passages:The land shall not be sold in perpetuity; for the land is Mine; but ye are sojourners and lodgers with Me (Lev. 25:23).Hear my prayer, O Jehovah, be not silent at my tear; for I am a sojourner with Thee, a lodger, as all my fathers were (Ps. 39:12).Abraham said unto the sons of Heth, I am a sojourner and a lodger with you; give me a possession of a sepulcher (Gen. 23:3-4).By a “sojourner” equally as by a “lodger,” is signified a comer and inhabitant from another land, but by a “sojourner” are signified those who were being instructed in the truths of the church and who received them; and by “lodgers” were signified those not instructed in the truths of the church, because they were not willing to receive them.[4] As regards “hirelings,” they were such as labored for hire, being servants, but not bought; that these were called “hirelings” see Lev. 19:13; 25:4-6; Deut. 24:14, 15. As “hirelings” were those who labored for hire, by them in the internal sense are meant those who do what is good for the sake of their own advantage in the world; and in a sense still more interior, those who do what is good for the sake of reward in the other life; thus who desire to merit by works.[5] They who do what is good merely for the sake of their own advantage in the world, cannot possibly be consociated with angels, because the end regarded by them is the world, that is, wealth and eminence; and not heaven, that is, the blessedness and happiness of souls. The end is what determines the actions, and gives them their quality. Concerning those who do what is good merely for the sake of their own advantage, the Lord thus speaks:I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd layeth down His life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and deserteth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf seizeth them, and scattereth the sheep. But the hireling fleeth because he is a hireling (John 10:11-13).Egypt is a very beautiful heifer; destruction out of the north is come. Her hirelings are like calves of the fatting stall; for they also have turned back, they have fled away together, they did not stand, because the day of their destruction is come upon them (Jer. 46:20-21).[6] That lodgers and hirelings were not to be consociated in respect to holy things with those who were of the church, is evident from this:There shall no alien eat of the holy thing: a lodger of the priest, and a hireling, shall not eat of the holy thing (Lev. 22:10).And that from the sons of lodgers were to be bought servants who should serve forever, in the same:Of the nations that are round about you ye shall buy manservant and maidservant; and also of the sons of the lodgers that do sojourn with you, of these shall ye buy, and of their family that is with you, although they have brought forth in your land; and that they may be your possession, and that ye may hand them over for an inheritance to your sons after you, to inherit for a possession; ye shall rule over them forever (Lev. 25:44-46).By the “sons of the lodgers” are signified memory-knowledges which are from mere natural light; that spiritual truths shall rule over these is signified by “servants being bought of the sons of the lodgers for a perpetual possession.”[7] But they who do what is good for the sake of reward in the other life, who also are signified by “hirelings,” differ from those just now spoken of, in that they have as the end life and happiness in heaven. But as this end determines and converts their Divine worship from the Lord to themselves, and they consequently desire well to themselves alone, and to others only so far as these desire well to them, and accordingly the love of self is in every detail, and not the love of the neighbor, therefore they have no genuine charity. Neither can these be consociated with the angels, for the angels are utterly averse to both the name and the idea of reward or recompense. That benefits must be imparted without the end of reward, the Lord teaches in Luke:Love your enemies, and impart benefits, and lend, hoping for nothing again; then shall your reward be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High (Luke 6:32-35; 14:12-14).(Concerning meritorious goods and their quality, see n. 1110, 1111, 1774, 1835, 1877, 2027, 2273, 2340, 2373, 2400, 3816, 4007, 4174, 4943, 6388-6390, 6392, 6393, 6478.)[8] That it is so often said by the Lord that they who do what is good shall “have their reward in heaven” (as in Matt. 5:11, 12; 6:1, 2, 16; 10:41, 42; 20:1-16; Mark 9:41; Luke 6:23, 35; 14:14; John 4:36) is because before he is regenerated a man cannot but think of reward; but it is otherwise when he has been regenerated; he is then indignant if anyone thinks that he benefits his neighbor for the sake of reward, for he feels delight and blessedness in imparting benefits, and not in recompense. (That in the internal sense “reward” denotes the delight of the affection of charity, see n. 3816, 3956, 6388, 6478.) 8003 In one house shall it be eaten. That this signifies the consociations of accordant goods that they may together make one good, is evident from the fact that the paschal supper represented the angelic consociations in heaven, and that each house of the sons of Israel represented a society in particular (see n. 7836, 7891, 7996, 7997). The angelic societies are all distinct from one another according to goods, and this generically, specifically, and particularly (see n. 3241, 4625). They are consociated who are in similar good. That these make one good, is because everyone arises not from one, but from many; for from many things that are various, but still accordant, there is produced a form which makes a one by harmony; in heaven by spiritual harmony, which is that of the goods of love (see n. 3241, 3267, 3744-3746, 3986, 4005, 4149, 5598, 7236, 7833, 7836). From all this it is evident that by “in one house shall it be eaten” are signified the consociations of accordant goods that they may together make one good. (That “to eat,” namely, the passover, denotes to be consociated, or to be with them, see above, n. 8001.) 8004 Thou shalt not bring out of the flesh abroad from the house. That this signifies that this good shall not be mixed together with the good of another, is evident from the signification of “to bring out abroad from the house” as being to give to another to eat, thus to mix with another good than that which belongs to the society; and from the signification of “flesh,” as being good (see n. 6968, 7850). For the societies in heaven are distinct according to the functions of all the members, viscera, and organs in the body (as has been shown at the close of many chapters). By means of correspondence, the function of each member, viscus, and organ bears relation to a peculiar good distinct from any other. From this it is evident that goods are manifold, and that in order that from them distinct forms may arise, which taken together may constitute the most perfect form of heaven, they are by no means to be mixed together; for if they were mixed together the distinction would be lost. This is signified by the command that they should not bring out of the flesh abroad from the house. 8005 And ye shall not break a bone in it. That this signifies the truth of memory-knowledge, that this must be sound, is evident from the signification of “bone,” as being the ultimate in which interior things terminate as in their base, that they may be supported and not spread asunder. Such an ultimate in spiritual things is memory-knowledge; for all spiritual truths and goods flow down according to order to lower things, and finally terminate in memory-knowledges, where they present themselves visibly to man. That “ye shall not break” denotes that it must be sound, is clear. Memory-knowledge is said to be sound when it admits into itself nothing but truths which agree with its good; for the memory-knowledge is the general receptacle. Moreover, memory-knowledges are like the bones in man; if these are not sound, or in their order, as when disjointed or distorted, the form of the body is thereby changed, and the actions in accordance therewith. The truths of memory-knowledge are doctrinal things. 8006 All the assemblage of Israel shall perform it. That this signifies that this law of order is for all who are in the good of truth and in the truth of good, is evident from the signification of “the assemblage of Israel,” as being all truths and goods in one complex (see n. 7830); thus those who are in the truth through which is good, and those who are in the good through which is truth (n. 7957), consequently those who are of the spiritual church. That all these were to perform the passover, was to represent the liberation of those of the spiritual church who had been detained in the lower earth until the Lord’s coming (n. 6854, 6914, 7091, 7849, 7932); their eating together in one house was to represent the angelic consociations in heaven (n. 7836, 7996, 7997); thus by the whole assemblage of Israel performing it was represented the whole heaven. At that time there was nowhere a church, but only the representative of a church, for which were taken the descendants of Abraham from Jacob. Communication with heaven, and through heaven with the Lord, was given by means of the representatives of the church. For this reason it was enjoined upon that nation to strictly observe all the statutes and all the laws, especially the statutes concerning the passover, insomuch that he who was clean and did not perform the passover was to be cut off (Num. 9:13). 8007 And when a sojourner shall sojourn with thee. That this signifies those who have been instructed in the truth and good of the church and have received them, is evident from the signification of a “sojourner,” as being those who were being instructed and were receiving the statutes and laws of the church (see n. 2025, 4444, 7908). It is said “when he shall sojourn with thee,” because by “sojourning” is signified to be instructed and to live (n. 1463, 3672). Thus by “sojourners sojourning with them” are signified not only those who were being instructed in the truth and good of the church and were receiving them, but also those who were living according to them. 8008 And performeth the passover to Jehovah. That this signifies if he desires to be together with them, is evident from the signification of “performing the passover to Jehovah,” that is, eating it, as being to be together with them (see n. 8001). 8009 Every male of his shall be circumcised. That this signifies that his truth must be cleansed from impure loves, is evident from the signification of “to be circumcised,” as being to be purified or cleansed from impure loves (see n. 2039, 2056, 2632, 3412, 3413, 4462, 7045); and from the signification of “male,” as being the truth of faith (n. 749, 2046, 4005, 7838). 8010 And then let him come near to perform it, signifies that then he shall be with them (as above, n. 8008). 8011 And he shall be as a native of the land. That this signifies that he shall be accepted just as is he who is in this truth and good, and has been purified from unclean loves, is evident from the signification of “a native of the land,” as being one who has been born within the church and is in its truth and good, consequently who has been purified from unclean loves. It is said “a native of the land,” because by “land” is signified the church (that “land” in the Word denotes the church, see n. 566, 662, 1066, 1067, 1262, 1413, 1607, 1733, 1850, 2117, 2118, 2571, 2928, 3355, 4447, 4535, 5577). That “land” denotes the church is because by “land” in the Word is meant the land of Canaan, and by “the land of Canaan” is signified the Lord’s kingdom and church (n. 1413, 1437, 1585, 1607, 1866, 3038, 3481, 3686, 3705, 4116, 4240, 4447, 4454, 4516, 4517, 5136, 5757, 6516). By every land named in the Word the angels do not understand the land, but the nation that was there, and along with the nation there is understood the quality of the nation in respect to its spirituality, that is, in respect to that which is of the church. That the idea of the quality of the nation occurs when its land is named, is known, for this is the case even with men, and more so with the angels, who think spiritually about every natural thing. 8012 And no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. That this signifies that he who is in the loves of self and of the world cannot be together with them, is evident from the signification of an “uncircumcised person,” as being one who is in the loves of self and of the world (see n. 2056, 3412, 3413, 7045); and from the signification of “eating of it,” namely, the passover, as being to be with them (of which above, n. 8001). 8013 One law shall there be for the native, and for the sojourner that sojourneth in the midst of you. That this signifies that he who on being instructed has received the truth and good of the church, and lives according to them, shall be as he who being already instructed is within the church, and lives a life in agreement with the precepts of faith and of charity, is evident from the signification of “one law shall there be,” as being a similar right, thus that the one shall be as the other; and from the signification of “the native,” as being one who has been born within the church, and is in its truth and good as to doctrine and as to life (as just above, n. 8011); and from the signification of “the sojourner that sojourneth in the midst of you,” as being one who is being instructed in the truth and good of the church and receives them and lives according to them (of which also above, n. 8007).[2] It is said “in agreement with the precepts of faith and of charity,” on account of the difference; for the life before regeneration is according to the precepts of faith, but after regeneration it is according to the precepts of charity. Before regeneration no one knows from affection what charity is, but only from doctrine; and the man then lives according to the precepts of doctrine, which are called precepts of faith; but after regeneration he knows from affection what charity is, for he then loves his neighbor, and from the heart wills good to him, and he then lives according to a law that is written on him, for he acts from the affection of charity. This state is utterly different from the former state. They who are in the first state are in obscurity in respect to the truths and goods of faith, but they who are in the latter state are relatively in clearness. These see truths and confirm them from enlightenment, while the former do not see truths and confirm them from enlightenment; but from persuasion that the teachings of the church are truths. And because they do not see them from enlightenment, they can confirm falsities equally with truths, and after these have been confirmed, they see them precisely as truths. From all this it can be seen what is meant by living according to the precepts of faith, and what by living according to the precepts of charity.[3] As regards sojourners, it is several times commanded in the Word that no distinction should be made between a native of the land and a sojourner sojourning with them, for the reason that the Gentiles, from whom the sojourners came, are received into heaven equally as well as they who are within the church, when after being instructed they have received the truths of faith. (Of the Gentiles in the other life, see n. 932, 1032, 1059, 2049, 2284, 2589-2604, 2861, 2863, 3263, 4190, 4197.) Hence it was commanded that “as with the native, so with the sojourner;” as in the following passages:And if a sojourner shall sojourn with you, who shall make a fire-offering of an odor of rest to Jehovah; as ye do, so shall he do. As regards the assembly, there is one statute for you, and for the sojourner that sojourneth, a statute of eternity for your generations; as ye are, so is the sojourner before Jehovah. One law and one judgment shall be for you, and for the sojourner that sojourneth with you (Num. 15:14-16).As is the native of you, shall be to you the sojourner that sojourneth with you (Lev. 19:34).One judgment shall be for you; as for the sojourner, so shall it be for the native (Lev. 24:22).When a sojourner shall sojourn with you he shall perform the passover to Jehovah; according to the statute of the passover, and according to the statutes thereof, so shall he do; one statute shall be for you; as for the sojourner, so for the native (Num. 9:14). 8014 Verses 50, 51. And all the sons of Israel did as Jehovah commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. And it was in this same day that Jehovah led forth the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies. “And all the sons of Israel did as Jehovah commanded Moses and Aaron,” signifies the performing of obedience according to truth Divine; “so did they,” signifies performance from the will; “and it was in this same day,” signifies a state of the presence of the Lord; “that Jehovah led forth the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt,” signifies that the Lord liberated from damnation those who were in the good of truth and the truth of good; “by their armies,” signifies these distinct according to the quality of good from truth. 8015 And all the sons of Israel did as Jehovah commanded Moses and Aaron. That this signifies the performing of obedience according to truth Divine, is evident from what was said above (n. 7944), where similar words occur. 8016 So did they. That this signifies performance from the will, is evident from the signification of “doing,” when the word is repeated, as being performance from the will (as above, n. 7945). 8017 And it was in this same day. That this signifies a state of the presence of the Lord, is evident from the signification of “day,” as being time and state (see n. 23, 487, 488, 493, 893, 2788, 3462, 3785, 4850, 7680). That it is a state of the presence of the Lord, is because it was the day of the passover, and by the “passover” is signified the presence of the Lord, and the liberation of those who are of the spiritual church from spiritual captivity and from damnation (n. 7867). That there was liberation then, is signified by what follows in this verse, namely, that “on that day Jehovah led forth the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.” That this was on the morrow after the passover, is evident from Moses:They journeyed from Egypt on the fifteenth day of the first month, on the morrow after the passover in the eyes of all the Egyptians, while the Egyptians were burying their firstborn that were slain (Num. 33:1-4).(That the presence of the Lord liberates from damnation those who are in good, and brings those who are in evil into damnation, see n. 7926, 7989.) 8018 That Jehovah led forth the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt. That this signifies that the Lord liberated from damnation those who were in the good of truth and in the truth of good, is evident from the signification of “to lead forth,” as being to liberate; and from the representation of the sons of Israel, as being those who are of the spiritual church, or what is the same, who are in the good of truth and the truth of good (of which above, see n. 7957, 8006); and from the signification of “the land of Egypt,” as being damnation. That “the land of Egypt” here denotes damnation, is because by the state of the Egyptians is now signified damnation (n. 7766, 7778). (That the Lord liberated from damnation those who were of the spiritual church, that is, who were in the good of truth and the truth of good, see n. 6854, 6914, 7091, 7828, 7932.)[2] Their liberation by the Lord when He rose again is signified by the descent of the Lord to the lower regions, and was clearly shown by the awakening of the dead out of the tombs, of which in Matthew:And the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that were sleeping were raised; and going forth out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared to many (Matt. 27:52-53);their going forth out of the tombs, and entering into the holy city, and also their appearing, were for a testification that they, who had hitherto been detained in spiritual captivity, had been liberated by the Lord, and would be introduced into heaven. In the internal sense heaven is signified by “the holy city;” and therefore it is called “the holy city,” when yet it was not holy but profane, seeing that its people had so cruelly treated the Lord Himself, who was represented in all the rituals of their church, and described in the Word that was among them; and thus who had been the God of their church.[3] The like is signified by this passage in Daniel:At that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book. And then many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, these to eternal life, but the rest to shame and everlasting disgrace (Dan. 12:1-2).And also by this in Ezekiel:Prophesy and say, Thus said the Lord Jehovih, Behold I will open your sepulchers, and cause you to come up out of your sepulchers, O My people; and I will bring you upon the land of Israel, that ye may know that I am Jehovah, when I shall open your sepulchers, and shall cause you to come up out of your sepulchers, O My people, and I shall put My spirit in you, that ye may live, and I shall place you upon your land, that ye may know that I Jehovah have spoken it, and performed it, said Jehovah (Ezek. 37:12-14);where by “the land of Israel” or of Canaan is meant heaven (n. 8011). By these words in the prophet is described the new creation or generation of man, and also the vivification by the Lord of those who are of the spiritual church. 8019 By their armies. That this signifies these distinct according to the quality of good from truth, is evident from the signification of “armies,” as being goods and truths (of which above, n. 7988); “by their armies” signifies that they who are represented by the sons of Israel were made distinct according to the quality of good from truth. (That all in the other life are distinct and conjoined according to goods, see n. 7833, 7836, 8003.) It is said “according to the quality of good from truth,” because all good has its quality from truth, and is thereby varied (n. 3804, 4149, 5345, 5355, 6916). 8020 From the statutes and laws concerning the eating of the paschal lamb, which are treated of in this chapter, it is clearly evident that there are heavenly secrets contained and hidden in every detail, and that without knowledge from the internal sense nothing is known but a mere ritual in an external form, and nothing heavenly, still less Divine. As for instance, why the paschal animal was to be a lamb or a kid; why the animal was to be a male, and a son of a year; why it was to be killed on the fourteenth day of the month; why its blood was to be sprinkled upon the posts and the lintel; why it was to be eaten roasted with fire, with unleavened bread upon bitter herbs, and not raw or boiled in water; why it was to be roasted with its head upon its legs and upon its midst; why they were not to leave anything of it until the morning, and why that which was left was to be burned with fire; why they were to eat unleavened bread seven days, and why whosoever ate leavened bread was to be cut off; why an alien, a lodger, and a hireling were not to eat of it, but a man’s servant that is bought with silver, and a sojourner, if they were circumcised; why it was to be eaten in one house, and none of the flesh taken out of doors; why a bone was not to be broken in it. What these and very many other particulars involve, and why they were commanded, would be utterly unknown, unless the laws of order in the spiritual world to which they correspond, were known, and unless it were known from the internal sense what each detail signifies in that world, that is, in heaven; and especially unless it were believed that in all things there is something spiritual. If there were not something spiritual in the whole and in each detail, the angels who are with man when he reads the Word would comprehend but little, indeed scarcely anything, from the Word; for the angels comprehend spiritually all things that have been described in the Word in a natural manner. 8021ON THE SPIRITS AND INHABITANTS OF THE PLANET JUPITER, CONTINUED.One of those spirits of Jupiter who strike terror by their coming, as already described, applied himself to my left side beneath the elbow, and spoke from there; but his speech was harsh, nor were the words quite discrete and separate from one another, insomuch that I was obliged to wait long before I could gather the sense; and while he was speaking he also interjected something of terror. He said that so it is done on their earth, and that they are sent in advance to a man, before their angels come to him, and in this manner they prepare him. He admonished me also to receive them well when they came. But it was given me to answer that this is not my affair; but that with me all are received just as they themselves are. 8022 Afterward the angels of that earth came, and it was given me to perceive from their speech with me that they are utterly different from the angels of our earth; for their speech was not effected by means of words, but by means of ideas which diffused themselves through my interiors on all sides, and from there had also an influx into the face, so that the face concurred to every particular; beginning from the lips, and proceeding toward the circumference on all sides. The ideas which were in the stead of words were discrete, but in a slight degree. They said that so do they speak with their own people on their earth; and that there also the speech is of the face, beginning from the lips. 8023 Afterward they spoke with me by means of ideas still less discrete, insomuch that scarcely any interval was perceivable; it was in my perception like the meaning of words with those who attend only to the meaning abstractedly from the words. This speech was more intelligible to me than the former, and was also more full. It flowed into the face in like manner as the former, but the influx was more continuous, in accordance with the nature of the speech. It did not, however, begin from the lips, like the former, but from the eyes. They said that so also do they speak with their own people on their earth; but with those there who enjoy a more interior sense and discernment than the rest. 8024 Afterward they spoke in a manner still more continuous and full; and then the face could not concur by a suitable movement; but there was felt an influx into the brain, and this was then acted upon in a similar manner. 8025 Lastly they spoke in such a way that their discourse fell only into the interior understanding; its fluency was like that of a thin aura. I perceived the influx itself, but not distinctly the particulars. They said that there are men of their earth also with whom they speak in this manner, and that they are those who after death are immediately carried up into heaven. 8026 These kinds of speech are circumstanced like fluids; the first kind is like fluent water; the second is like water more attenuated; the third is relatively like the atmosphere; and the fourth is like a thin aura. 8027 The spirit above mentioned, who was on the left side, sometimes interrupted the conversation, admonishing me especially to deal discreetly with his angels; for there were spirits from our earth who occasioned such things as excited displeasure. He also said that he did not understand what the angels spoke; but that he did afterward when he removed to my left ear. His speech then was not harsh as before, but like that of other spirits. 8028 From this it could be seen how the case is with the order in heaven, and from this in the world; namely that when angels are about to come, a spirit is sent before to prepare the way, and that he excites fear, and gives admonition to receive the angels courteously; and that he interrupts; also that at first he does not understand what the angels speak, but afterward when he has been reduced to a better state he understands; in a word, that he is continually at hand, and prepares the lower mind, and endeavors to avert things unworthy. In regard to this there occurred to me a thought about John the Baptist, that it was according to the order of heaven for him to be sent before and announce the coming of the Lord, and that he should prepare the way that He might be worthily received, according to what is written in Matt. 3:3; Luke 1:17; 3:4; John 1:23. 8029 From what has already been occasionally related about the state of man after death, it is evident that there are few who at once enter heaven when they come into the other life; but that they stay for some time beneath heaven, in order that the things belonging to earthly and bodily loves, which they have brought with them from the world, may be removed, and they may thus be prepared to be capable of being in society with the angels. The case is similar with the men of all the earths, namely, that after their decease they are at first beneath heaven among spirits; and afterward, when they are prepared, they become angels. When the spirits of that earth were becoming angels it was given me to see that there appeared bright horses as of fire, by which they were carried up, like Elijah. Bright horses as of fire signify an enlightened understanding (that “horses” in the Word signify what is of the understanding, see n. 2760-2762, 3217, 5321, 6125, 6534); and the “horses of fire and chariots of fire” which carried away Elijah, signify the understanding of the Word as to its interiors (n. 2762). 8030 This angelic heaven to which they are carried away is the first heaven, or the last of the three. This heaven appears to the right from their earth, and is quite separate from the first or lowest heaven of the angels who are from our earth. They who are in this heaven appear clothed in azure dotted with little golden stars; for they believe this color to be the veriest heavenly color. When they are in the world, and contemplate the starry heaven, they call it the abode of the angels; and for this reason the azure color is loved by them. 8031 The spirits of that earth are utterly unwilling to be in fellowship with the spirits of our earth, because they differ in disposition and manners; for they say that the spirits of our earth are cunning, and are ingenious in plotting evils, and that they know and think little about what is good; also that they do not, as they do, acknowledge the one only Lord. Moreover, the spirits of the earth Jupiter are much wiser than the spirits of our earth, of whom they also say that they speak much and think little, and thus that they cannot interiorly perceive many things, and not even what good is. From this they conclude that the men of our earth are external men. 8032 The subject of the spirits and inhabitants of the planet Jupiter will be continued at the end of the following chapter.

Isaiah 9:1-7 The Need for Hope (v. 1) Gloom Distress Oppression The Nature of Hope (vv. 2-6) Light Joy Peace The Name of Hope (v. 7) His character Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father Prince of Peace His Crown A peaceful government A just government A forever government More to Consider Although Mt 4:16 applies the passage as a whole (vv. 27) to Jesus Christ by implication, the NT does not specifically apply to Him the names, or titles, listed in this verse. Some commentators believe Isaiah was describing a Judean ruler to come during his own time; thus, these names were applied to the reigns of Hezekiah, Josiah, and even Ahaz. But even if the names do not recur, as such, in the NT, they fit the ministry and messianic role of Jesus. As a Wonderful Counselor, He is a doer of miracles, wonders, and signs (Acts 2:22) who sends the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to continue His work (Jn 14:26). Hailed as My Lord and my God (Jn 20:28) in His resurrection, Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Mt 28:18). As one with the Father (Jn 10:30), He is eternalalive forever and ever (Rv 1:18). As a member of Davids royal line (Rm 1:3) He is the Prince who brings peace between Jew and non-Jew (Eph 2:14), whose rule over all kingdoms (Rv 1:5) brings an end to wars. Ted Cabal et al., The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007), 1006. A time will come when gloom and darkness (8:22) will be a thing of the past. The gloom on the northern section of Israel came because of discipline. God humbled Zebulun and Naphtali for a while. Though Isaiah was probably using these two tribal names to represent the Northern Kingdom, it is striking that Jesus upbringing and early ministry was mostly in that very area near the Sea of Galilee. His presence certainly honored that area. In 732 b.c. this northern portion of Israel became an Assyrian province under Tiglath-Pileser III, thus humbling the people there and putting them in gloom. Under Gentile domination, that area was called Galilee of the Gentiles. John A. Martin, Isaiah, in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1052. The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come. Dietrich Bonhoeffer God of hope, I look to you with an open heart and yearning spirit. During this Advent season, I will keep alert and awake, listening for your word and keeping to your precepts. My hope is in you. Matthew Kelly

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptIf you will, grab a Bible and go to Acts chapter 17. It's our first week of our Give series. Recently, Starbucks released a barista cup and it's precious. That's it. That's the barista cup. There was an article about it in Forbes titled Starbucks Barista cup frenzy leaves big lessons for brands. So I just want to read the beginning of this article for you. It says the Starbucks barista cup caused a frenzy online and in stores. I don't exactly know what an online frenzy looks like, but that cup calls one. When Starbucks announced the release of limited edition holiday merchandise, including the bear shaped $29.95 glass cold cup, which you thought that the temperature of your cup was up to, you Incorrect. This is a cold cup. Actually, I think what it means is if you put hot coffee in it, you're going to burn your hand. So it's a cold cup. It says as part of their holiday menu, few people expected overnight queues in store brawls and a booming resale market. People camped out and fist fought each other. Then it says, beyond the surreal headlines, there are some valuable marketing lessons from the Starbucks bear cup drama. Starbucks barista cup has tapped into an undeniable human truth. I was on the edge of my seat reading this article. The barista cub has tapped into an undeniable human truth. And I had a lot of guesses, none of which prepared me for the answer. So here's the answer. People are obsessed with cuteness. Starbucks released 12 holiday items, but only one captured the public imagination. Cuteness is the primary explanation for the barista cup frenzy. Overnight cues, fist fights, cuteness, which makes a little bit of sense because you know you've seen like a baby so cute before that you punched its mother.I would argue that Forbes analysis is incomplete. Cuteness may have contributed, but I think there are other undeniable human truths at work here. You know, as a pastor, I'm going to float sin out there. I also think that one of the things that this indicates to us is the absolute human ability to, to get our priorities out of line, to misplace value in things. That if you're punching someone for a cup because of the cuteness, your value system is off. And it's a real danger that we're all in. I think when I read these, sometimes I think like I'll read and go, oh my goodness, laugh at it and think, that would never, I would never do that. But really what I'm saying is I would never do that for a bear shaped Starbucks cup. I just have other things I'm willing to punch you for. I have other things that I've misplaced value in. Like, it just should give us the undeniable human truth that we are able to get our priorities out of, out of line. We're able to misplace value. We're able to suddenly think that something is more important than it is and to spend our time and our energy and our money on it. And that that is one of the primary reasons that we have our Give season, our Give series every Christmas season is that we're going to be pushed and pulled in a million different directions and told repeatedly that certain things have value that do not. And we want to always take this time to consider what actually is valuable and are we sending our effort and our money in the right direction.So let's pray then we're going to start in on trying to figure this out together this morning. Lord, we ask for wisdom. We ask for discernment. We ask for the work of the Spirit to help us make correct valuations so that we do not waste our time and specifically for what we're talking about today, that we do not waste our money on things that have no real value. In Jesus name, Amen. Because of our ability to get this wrong, it's always very helpful for us when the Bible just tells us this has value, when it just steps in and explains to us this thing is valuable, it helps us know, okay, then that's something to pursue. That's something worth giving energy towards. I don't want to give away all of what we're doing in our Give series, but we're about to talk about Paul's missions efforts in the Book of Acts. So we're going to walk through. What we're going to do is walk through some of Paul's missionary journey, discuss it, see what's going on here, and then we're going to see something that's behind it, something that's at work in it that the passage doesn't talk about, but that we find out later as we read Paul's letter. So we're going to be in Acts chapter 17. We're going to watch Paul as he goes, who have just been in Philippi, in Acts 16, saw a few people converted to Christianity, got arrested and was beaten and then released. So he leaves. We're going to follow him as he goes to Thessalonica, Berea, and then on a boat down to Athens and then from Athens over to Corinth. And we're going to move pretty fast because It's a couple chapters of text, and we're just trying to follow along and see some of what's going on here.So. Acts, chapter 17, verse 1.> it says now, when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom. And on three Sabbath days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise from the dead, saying, this Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.So part of Paul's missionary strategy was when he went to a city, if there was a synagogue, he went to the synagogue because they were going to be studying the Scriptures. And so he would go and start showing them in the Scriptures that Jesus had fulfilled the promises of the Messiah. It's one of the things that we do around Christmas time. We read some of these passages like we read earlier, and we see that Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises made to the Jewish people that he is their Messiah. And that's what he's doing. He's saying, the Christ has come. Jesus has fulfilled this. And he does this for three weeks every Sabbath day. And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous. And that's where it goes into. After that verse, it's going to talk to us about. As people start to believe, some of the people in the area begin to fight against Paul. They actually attack them. And Paul and Silas sneak out at night. And so they were only there for a couple of weeks. They're seeing people believe and they're run out of town. So let's pick back up in verse 10 as the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.> As the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.So the brothers being the people who have just believed, it's just the beginnings of a church. And they're like, hey, we live here, but y' all, don't they want to hurt you, not us. Y' all get out of here. And we're going to keep following, figuring this out. And when they arrived, this is in Berea, they went into the Jewish synagogue. So Paul was like, I know my strategy. We're going back. Didn't work well last time, but we're going to do it this time. And it did work in some ways, because people believed. He's like, this is working. Even though some people hated me and wanted to Kill me. So he keeps going.> Now, these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica. They received the word with all eagerness.I just love that that note was in there. Just like these people were better than the ones in Thessalonica. And that's in Scripture, and it's there forever, you guys. All right? Many of them therefore believed with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there, too, agitating and stirring up the crowd.So we don't exactly know how long he was in Berea, but. But he was there long enough for people to believe and for that to become such a thing that's happening there that they find out in Thessalonica. So they're like, oh, well, he's just going to keep at it. So they head over there to run him off out of Berea. Then it says, the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea. But Silas and Timothy remained there. And those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens. And after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.So Silas and Timothy stay. They sneak Paul out to a boat and ride him down to Athens. And then he says, when y' all get back, tell Silas and Timothy to come to me. And then he's hanging out in Athens by himself. While he's in Athens, he finds out that there's a place in Athens. There doesn't seem to. He does go to a Jewish synagogue. Then he also finds out that there's a place in Athens where they just gather and share news and anything new and debate new topics and new ideas. So he goes there and starts proclaiming the Gospel. And we're going to pick up in that.> The times of ignorance God overlooked. But now he commands all people everywhere to repent because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed. And of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.To Paul, as he's concluding, he says God overlooked ignorance, but not anymore. Now there's a man who's going to judge the whole world in righteousness. And he says, and God's proven this by raising him from the dead. So he's proclaiming the gospel that everyone everywhere needs to repent, which Just so you know, that's essential to the gospel, that everyone, everywhere needs to repent. Sometimes we'll pick specific isolated sins and someone will say, well, you think this is bad? And it's like, I don't know how to tell you this. We think everyone everywhere needs to repent, that you can't. If you just pick an isolated one, we're like, probably, yes, that's a sin. And that's a sin. And that's a sin. We believe that everyone has fallen short of the glory of God and needs Christ, that we aren't going to moral ourselves into this. We're not going to work our way into this. And this is what he's proclaiming to them. And he says that it's proven by. By the resurrection of Christ from the dead.> Now, when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, but others said, we will hear you again about this.So Paul went out from their midst, but some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. So several people believe he proclaims the Gospel. He goes to a new place, begins proclaiming the Gospel, and more people believe.Chapter 18. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.> After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.So he jumped across out of. He was on Athens and then he jumped across Corinth, had to take a boat, and he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to them. And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.> When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.So now, instead of making tents, his occupation, what he's at work in now is proclaiming the Gospel. He's had enough room now to share it. And he's spending his time trying to articulate to them this. And he's studying with them and proclaiming it to them.> When the Jewish people opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, your blood be on your own heads. I am innocent. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles.And he left there, and he went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. I just appreciate that a whole lot. He's like, fine, I'm gonna go to the Gentiles. He walks out. He turns the corner. He walks in that house and is like, boom, Setting up shop. Here we go. So he's right next to the synagogue. He didn't go far away. He's like, I'm telling people about Jesus. I don't know. Right here next to y'. All. That's what he starts doing. Then it says, crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord. So he was next door. He was overseeing that. He just is like, I'm going to. And he heads over to the other house together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision.> Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.And he stayed a year and six months teaching the word of God among them. So he's been chased all along. He's in Corinth. Jesus shows up and says, stay here. Keep preaching. Because there are many people in this city who are mine, but not yet. So Paul is in a spot where Jesus says, there are people here who belong to me, but they don't know it yet. I know it. They don't know it. And you've got to stay and you've got to tell them. You've got to proclaim the gospel. You've got to explain what's happened, and then they will belong to me. To me, because they already belong to me. That's what he's saying. And that's one of the things that undergirds missions. One of the reasons we go, one of the reasons we plant churches, one of the reasons we send, one of the reasons we go to places where people have never heard. One of the reasons we go to places that are difficult is because all over the place, there are people who belong to Jesus. And we've got to go tell them. We've got to go tell him who he is. And the Spirit goes to work in their heart, and Jesus claims them it's not something that happens without their knowledge. They are going to come to genuine faith in Jesus that will be tangible and real in their life. But what Jesus is saying is that he sins at times and he puts somebody in a place at times because there are people there who belong to him. They just haven't heard about him yet. That ought to give us courage. We ought to begin to beg the Lord. Lord, are there people at work? There are people at my job. Are there people in this class? Are there people on the street who belong to you that I'm supposed to stay and proclaim the gospel to? And we ought to start praying over maps, and we ought to start going to places and saying, lord, there's gotta be people here who belong to you. Put me in the right spot, Send me to the right place. Help me to be there to proclaim the gospel.Now, there's something else that's happening in this text that I think we need to consider. Alfred Hitchcock was a director. He did movies like Psycho and the Birds, and he had a concept that he called the refrigerator test. He just said he wanted all of his movies that he made to pass the refrigerator test. The point was, you'd go see a movie, you're in it, soaking it up. It's great. You leave, you go home, you open your refrigerator to grab a snack before you go to bed, and suddenly you're like, wait a second. How did they get on the train in the first place? And you realize that the movie just skipped a thing. It didn't explain something to you, or there's a logical problem. You're like, why didn't the bad guys just shoot him? They shot his wife. Why'd they shoot her and then leave him alive? Were they running out of bullets? You open your refrigerator and you think, why don't they ever shoot at Captain America's legs? You know, I've played paintball before. I picked up a pallet one time. I got shot in the legs, like 45 times. Seems easy enough. And as we're reading this passage, there's a little hint at it in one place, but I think there's a thing that we should go. Hold on a second. How does Paul survive not just not get killed, but we've watched him travel around for years at this point. There was one moment where they said he went and made tents. And unless he sold the most extravagant, amazing tents, that he just did that for a couple of weeks, and then he was set for several years. It feels like there's something else going on here now, you could say, well, it's fair to assume that the people that are believing are starting to tend to him, they're going to feed him, they're going to help him have a place to stay. And it's like that. That's reasonable. But there's places where he shows up and there's nobody. That hasn't happened yet. And so this is one of those things where you go, well, how does. How is he doing this? Is he independently wealthy, like Bruce Wayne or something? What's going on? And then it doesn't talk about it in this text, but it does show up in Paul's letters. And so I want us to go to. It's mentioned in Corinthians, but it's talked about directly in Philippians. And I want y' all to see this. This is the end of Philippians chapter four. He's writing to the church in Philippi. So that was the first dot on our map. And he says, and you, Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel. So this is right when I first started, was proclaiming this.> When I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again.So he's writing to this church, and he's saying, y' all partnered with me from the very beginning you entered into partnership with me. Meaning that the work that Paul did, they had a hand in it. They had a share in it. Even though he's the one traveling around the church in Philippi is helping make sure that's possible. And y'. All. He says something crazy. Look at this. That's Philippi. The whole big section here is Macedonia. When he gets out of Macedonia, he's in Corinth. So he says, nobody helped me when I left Macedonia except for y'. All. So he's like, y' all helped provide for me while I was in Corinth. And that's why he mentions it to the Corinthians, because I didn't take anything from y'. All. He says, I worked. He mentioned that. And then he says, and the churches in Macedonia helped me. But he also says, when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help. That was right after he left Philippi. He went through two towns, and the next town that it says he was in for three weeks was Thessalonica, which means that the Philippians, as soon as they believed, started helping Paul be a missionary. As soon as it happened, what they said Was, oh, we want everybody to know this. And if you're gonna go and tell people, we want in on that. We want to be a part of making sure that everybody knows what we now know. And it started immediately with them.> Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.You know how that works, right? With your money, there are certain things where it's like your wallet magically appears in your hand that you're just willing to pay for. Usually people who get married to each other, those things are wildly different. So your spouse seems to have infinite money for this stupid category. When you know that you should never spend money on that. You should spend money on this brilliant category that you love. And that seems to be what happens. And what happens with the Philippians is as soon as they know about Christ and they find out that Paul's gonna go check, share it with other people, their wallet's just in their hands. They're just like, oh, yeah, we want this to happen. Make sure he has what he needs. And they do it the whole time. They find out he's in Corinth, and they're like, make sure he has what he needs so that he can tell more people about this. And Paul says that they've partnered with him. And then he says this. Not that I seek the gift, because they've just given him a gift. And he's telling him, thank you. That's what he was doing earlier. He says, not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. He says. So he was telling him, thank you. He said, I appreciate it. He said, but that's not what it's all about. What it's about is that you are doing something that's valuable and that you receive credit for doing this good thing. He's basically saying to the Philippians, this is something you ought to do. It's a good thing to do. And I'm glad that you're doing it. Which if you've ever talked to missionaries, they do have that weird. They're really thankful, but they're also trying, like, they don't trying to be about money. So they'll say like, thank you so much. We also are just trusting the Lord, but thank you. But also, it's good for you to give. But also it's not all about, like, they have these weird. If you read this section in Philippians, you can see Paul being like, you should do this. But I'm not super worried about it. Cause Jesus is gonna take care of me. But not being worried about it doesn't mean I'm not thankful. I'm very thankful. And he just is trying to articulate all these things at once. And he says, I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.> A fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God, and my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus,so that they're getting to be stewards of God's provision for them by providing for Paul. And Paul says, God sees it, God knows it. It's a sacrifice pleasing to him. Now, I would argue that there are things we put money towards that do not fit the category of a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. Not to say that everything we spend our money on is bad. And I think that there are things that are, you're perfectly fine to exist and pay your bills and do things. But I think that when we see that there are things that the Lord delights for us to participate in, that we get to join in partnership with missionaries, that we get to enjoy partaking in the endeavor that they're after, and that we get to do something that the Lord looks at and is pleased with than we ought to. When he sets our valuation of something, take him up on it. When he says this is good and valuable, take him up on it. And when Jesus is talking about this, at one point he says it's not about the amount. He just says not even a cup of cold water will be forgotten. That if you give anything to try to participate in this, if you give anything to care and to love and because you're a disciple and because they're a disciple and because they're going, he says, not a thing's forgotten. So every penny is remembered and every penny is worth it. But then he says this in Philippians 4:20, then this is why we do this to our God and Father. Be glory forever and ever. Amen.> To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.That's the point. That's the reason the Philippians want a partner. It's because they want everyone everywhere to give glory to God. To know who Christ is, to know what he's done, to know how good he is, to know how wonderful he is, to know how much he loves, to. To know the grace that he offers. When you ever consider how merciful and kind he's been to you, if you consider the weight of your sin, the weight of your failings, the weight of your shortcomings, the depth of the destruction that we deserve and how loving and good and wonderful he is, and that he's designed so that we would belong to him and so that he can lavish his riches and kindness on us for all eternity. And that that's offered to all who will call on him, then we want all to call on Him. That's why John Piper says that missions exist because worship doesn't. He says worship is the goal and fuel of missions. That's why we go, because we have tasted of the joy of worshiping Jesus and we want all the families of the earth in included.So while everything around you is going to push and pull you in a different direction and tell you, you need this, you need this, you should have one of these in order to be happy, you'll need this. My sons asked me, they said Halloween hadn't happened. Why are all the commercials, Christmas commercial? I said, oh, boy, they want money. Our whole economy runs off of you buying things you don't need. And we're trying to take a moment to just go, look, we want to celebrate well, we also want to pause and go, is my money going in the right direction? Do I have my priorities right? Is my value system correct? Do I look like a person who knows the delight and the goodness of Christ? Does that show up in how my money and my budget works? And that's what we want to pause and do every year in our gift series.So this year what we do. Not this year. I started the wrong sentence. I'll start that sentence in a second. What we do every year is we pick a project or two one time, three, I think, and we just say we want to give money to this. It's just an opportunity for our church to rally together and be generous. So we've done different things. Sometimes we do local things, sometimes we do further away things. This year we're going to partner, hopefully Lord willing, with two different organizations to do some foreign missions work. So I'm introducing the first project today. So this year we're going to do two. I'm introducing the first project today, we'll introduce the next one next week. And then over the next few weeks we'll try to raise money to support these agencies in the efforts that they're doing in foreign mission work. So the first one we're going to partner with is elam. It is a missions organization in Mexico. When we started praying about this and looking, we were like, we want to do something with foreign missions. We want to give some effort in this direction. Scott and Kit's Hill's son Scotty, also Isaac Hill, is one of our pastors. It's his uncle also Isaac Hill's wife Lydia, it's her uncle in law, works with Elam in Mexico. So we just called him up and started trying to talk to him about what would it look like if we partnered with you? What kind of work are you doing? What's the labor looking like right now in where you are? So this is a picture. One of the things, as we said, just start dreaming a little bit if we partner with you now. It's an EFCA organization. So the money's going towards an organization that is very transparent in how they handle their finances. ELAM is they pick that name because it's the name of Oasis mentioned in the book of Exodus and what they do. I'll read some of this specifically. I can find my notes here. Yeah. ELAM is a mission development and mobilization organization in Mexico that focuses on equipping and mobilizing local churches. They do this through trainings and through short term missions trips to indigenous communities. So one of the things they do is they'll partner with a local church in a harder area and they show up and help do missions trips to try to help that church serve the community and have an opportunity for evangelism, have an opportunity to build goodwill with the community as that church is trying to develop. So what they've been doing recently is, is medical mission, short term missions programs. And so they'll go to a community and do medical missions for a couple weeks to try to help a local in partnership with a local church in a community. So the core activities are they do general medical exams and treatment, dental care and hygiene education, vision screenings and the distribution of eyeglasses. And then throughout that they're doing church support and evangelism as a part of it.So they currently have a donated auto refractor which is a machine you put on your face and it tells you what your prescription is. And then someone donated to them 6,000 pairs of glasses. So they show up to places, stick an autorefactor on people's faces, find out what the prescription is, find it and give them a pair of glasses. And so they're able to go to these rural places and under resourced places and help people see. They also have two mobile dental machines and chairs. And then they're using all this on supplies on borrowed trucks and on the open bed trailer covered with tarps. They've been going to Sierra Mezateca where there's about 300,000 Mezatecos and only a few local churches. They've been in Partnership with a church called Amigos de Fe. And they've planted churches and trying to plant churches in eight communities. They've done five medical trips in that area with about 80 to 120 medical patients, 40 to 50 dental patients, and then they were given out 20 to 30 glasses. And then in the areas near Veracruz and hidalgo, there's about 490,000 people. They have two medical trips they've done this past year. They've got a third one scheduled. On their first two, they had about 100 to 150 medical patients, 60 to 100 dental patients, and they gave out 50 to 100 pairs of glasses, which I don't know if you've ever tried to live without glasses and then got glasses, but it's magical. Just ask third grade Chet. So for them to show up to places where people have not been able to see and just outfit them, they walk in and walk out with glasses is a wonderful thing.And so we just said, what would you need if we were going to give you money? What would you use it for? What would this look like? And so the biggest, they said the current biggest limitation is the logistics problem for them. They have an open bed trailer that they've just been throwing a tarp on. And so they said we'd love. Yeah, that. They said they have lost equipment due to rain. And some of the places that they go to, they end up having to park and hike up mountains. I mean, they're going to hard to reach places and difficult to resource places. And so they said they'd love to have an enclosed trailer. And so they sent us this sort of thing now just to help you all out. That 98,500 is pesos. So if you're like, nah, we're gonna have to smuggle in one of our trailers. We ain't paying that. That's in pesos. So don't stress out over that.So here's what we said. We just said, start telling us what you would need. And they gave us a list. We said, dream. We've learned as a church that we want to. We want to get some options. We want to get some things in front of us and we'll see what the Lord does and what we're able to do together. Like we said, our hope is to knock this out, to be able to do what they've asked and do another one. But we'll see. We're happy to get to partner together however we're able to. But this is what. This is how the money would work for this Group the trailer is about $6,000. So the first $6,000 we raise, they're going to go get a trailer. After that, they would use 1250 for insurance, taxes, maintenance of the trailer. So they said if we're able to give them about $7,000, 7,500, they'll get a trailer and they'll be taken care of for a year, and then they'll, you know, just continue to operate with it. But they would be blessed by that because they'd be able to load it up, they'd be able to lock it up, they'd be able to show up to the place, unload what they needed to unload, keep. Like they just said this would bless their souls and their ability to get in and out of places and. And not lose equipment. So we said that sounded smart to us. So we thought, yes, let's try to get them a trailer if we're able to keep giving. Here are other things. They were like, well, look, y' all give us money, we're going to spend it. So they would love another auto refractor, which helps them to do multiple trips or to be able to just handle more people when they're coming in, getting them glasses. A lensometer is actually what you use to shine through glasses to make sure it is the right prescription. So auto refractor goes on the face, lensometer goes on the glasses. A diagnostic kit and a retinoscope is just the ability to try to actually check eyes, see what's going on. If they could have a mobile dental X ray with a computer, that would be amazing so that they could actually do X rays right there, see what's going on inside. And then they said dental chairs and lights, 600 general dental tools and supplies, 1500 general medical equipment, 500, for a total of $22,250. We'd love to be able to raise that for them. We'd love to get to join in partnership in a way that we get to be a part of people in areas of Mexico we'll never step foot in being cared for, loved, and getting a tangible picture of the gospel. As a group of people is trying to plant churches to articulate the gospel.Just so y' all know, we don't do a whole lot as a church in partnership with any kind of foreign missions organization that isn't trying to plant churches and articulate the gospel. We think it is incomplete if we're just doing physical things, but we love to partner where they're doing some physical work, some. Some tangible help in connection with local church planting and church organization and these sort of things going forward. So as a church, every year we do every year at Christmas we partner with the Lottie Moon Christmas offering, which is, you see it on the tables and it's in your bulletin, which is a part of missions efforts for the Southern Baptist. We do that every year and then we pick a give project and then sometimes we pick as a give project a missions opportunity. And we've got two in front of us this year. This is the first one we're going to be able to get after we're excited to be able to partner in this specific way in Mexico for the sake of what they're doing and would love for you to begin praying about what does it look like for you to partner in helping see other people come to know Jesus and tangibly see what he does among a group people, let's pray.Father, we're thankful. We're thankful that you have met us in our need. We're thankful that you have redeemed us and called us into something eternal. We ask that your spirit would be at work so that our church might be a blessing to those who are out and doing international efforts. We pray, Lord, that you would stir in the hearts of our church family so that we might be able to send people and we pray that you would stir in our hearts that we might be able to send money to the people who are already there. But may we be a part of what you are doing around the world in the places where people belong to you. There just hasn't been someone who's told them about you yet. In Jesus name Amen. Band's gonna come up. We're gonna sing. If you desire to give, there are there is a drop down menu online that you can give directly to it already. You can also give via an envelope or just put on the check that it's for our gift project. But we ask you to begin to pray and hopefully, Lord willing will be able to begin to move on this and then get into some of the other stuff, see what the Lord does.

Last week, we saw the Jews had a choice. But they chose to reject Jesus and they chose to disregard the gospel. The truth is that we all have to make this same choice. However, all the Jews have not rejected Him. Just like in the days of Elijah, there is a faithful remnant among God's people. And the truth is, even today, God's plan still includes the Jews.

WATCH NOW: “Developing Community” – Marc  Vidito (11/14/2025)Erev Shabbat Service, November 14, 2025More videos available on the Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue of Tampa Youtube channelhttps://youtu.be/VlTB5AwNsmY Copyright Licensing InformationCCLI Profile #: 3931821Shoresh David is a congregation where Jews and Gentiles worship together. Whether you are an interfaith couple, Jewish person or a Christian, Shoresh David is a place where you can belong.  We look forward to seeing you at Services. Shalom!Website: http://www.shoreshdavid.orgFacebook: http://facebook.com/shoreshdavid - You can watch services live, Friday night 7:00pm ET / Saturday morning 11:00am ET via the Shoresh David Facebook Page.Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue of Tampa4320 W Bay to Bay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629Phone: (813) 831-5673#messianicjudaism #yeshua #tampaSupport the show

Introduction The doctrine of unconditional election, as presented in the Canons of Dort, is often misunderstood as unfair. However, the Canons argue that it is a loving doctrine because it guarantees the fulfillment of God's redemptive decree, ensuring that His people will enter His rest despite our rebellion.Election by Grace The Canons of Dort affirm that God's election is a gracious choice made before the foundation of the world, not based on human merit. This doctrine emphasizes God's sovereignty and mercy, highlighting that humanity's fall into sin was a result of humanities' own rebellion. The Canons also underscore the significance of God's means, such as His Word and Spirit, in drawing individuals to Himself.RC Sproul pointed out that there are four possible options for God's plan of salvation: no salvation, sending Christ without guaranteeing faith, ensuring salvation for some, or ensuring salvation for all. The most gracious options are ensuring salvation for some or all. In Romans 9 Paul addresses the issue of Israel's election and the inclusion of Gentiles in the church. God's election is based on His mercy alone, his good will, and not on human merit or actions.Election without our worksThe doctrine of reprobation, as explained in the canons, asserts that God's election is not based on foreseen faith or human merit. Instead, it is a sovereign act of God's grace, where He chooses some for salvation while passing over others. This is exemplified in the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, where God's choice of Jacob is not based on Esau's perceived unworthiness, but on His own sovereign will.Romans 9 explores the complex relationship between Jacob and Esau, highlighting their differing attitudes towards God's promises. Esau, representing the reprobate, is indifferent to spiritual matters, while Jacob, though zealous for God's promises, relies on his own schemes rather than God's timing. Jacob learns through his limp that God establishes his purposes. It is not based on the man who works. It is based on God's mercy. Our works flow from our election and the Spirit's work. We need to remember that God's election is not cruel, as He allows reprobates to pursue their desires, while the elect, maybe sometimes concerned about their standing, need to realize that the reson we cear is the Spirit's work in us. So believe and live! ConclusionGod is not cruel in His doctrine of election. We need to remember that He allows reprobates to continue on their chosen path, while showing mercy to the elect. The elect, unlike the reprobate, care about Christ and their salvation, which is guaranteed by God's elective purpose and mercy. There is a great comfort in this in our seasons of doubt. If we wonder if we are the reprobate we ought to realize that Esau never cared about that status. He only cared about the earthly standing. Let us proceed in the confidence of Christ. Let us proceed in his mercy. Let us live unto him and die to self as our life and strength are only found in him.

Fr. Mike begins by explaining the confusion experienced by the early Christians as they struggled to integrate the Gentiles into the Church. We also hear more about Barnabas, missionary companion of St. Paul, who was named by God as the "Son of Encouragement." Lastly, Fr. Mike delves into the history surrounding paganism and hedonism in pre-Christian Corinth and the need to encourage the Greeks to leave their old ways of worship. Today's readings are Acts 11, 1 Corinthians 3-4, Proverbs 27:23-27. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Discover the transformative power of the gospel as it spreads beyond cultural boundaries. Journey through the early church's pivotal moments, including Saul's dramatic conversion, Peter's vision of unclean animals, and the groundbreaking encounter with Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Witness how God breaks down barriers between Jews and Gentiles, paving the way for a unified body of believers in Christ. This episode explores themes of divine guidance, spiritual transformation, and the universal nature of God's love. Key figures like Peter, Saul (later Paul), and Cornelius demonstrate the far-reaching impact of Jesus' message. From Damascus to Jerusalem, Joppa to Caesarea, follow the apostles as they navigate cultural challenges and spread the good news. Gain insights into early Christian missionary work and the Holy Spirit's role in expanding the church beyond its Jewish roots.Support 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...

One hundred years ago, many of the prophecies in this book were still obscure. Today as we are approaching the end, they become more understandable just as the angel told the prophet at the end of Daniel, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:2) Daniel's prophecies provide us with a comprehensive and chronological prophetical view of the broad movement of history, from the Times of the Gentiles to the Messianic Rule of Messiah. It is also thoroughly practical as well. In the harsh environment of the captivity, the faith, prayer life, and the love for God Daniel had still stands today as a great example for us to follow.Welcome to Shalom Ariel and the continuing study in the Book of Daniel with Messianic leader, Jacques Isaac Gabizon. Be blessed as you listen, shalom. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29?v=20251111

Send us a textThe corpse of Zionism has been weighed and found wanting. Left dead on the scales of Biblical truth and will remain this way. Despite the absolute facts having already been proven in many and various ways through this ministry, we will not stop throwing the dirt upon its burial plot.  We seek to decimate this satanic deception and throw away its lies in the trash bin of time, setting its concepts and precepts 6 feet in the dirt for all to see. We are not attacking people, just the declaration of Zionism as presented to the masses. We desire all people to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ- Jew and Gentile alike. This cannot happen when they are being lied to and seduced into the forcible rape of the true Biblical gospel. Zionism attempts to make Jesus into a hapless prostitute, a lifeless slave of the desire of Zionist overlords. Turning the precious blood of the Messiah into means of selfish rebellious gain and pillaging the faith of Christians for their own profit. This will not stand! We Are A Peaceful ministry that confronts ideology with facts. We do not condone endorse, or encourage harm, disparaging, or hurtful conduct or actions towards any people group.  End Hate Stop Racism!Watch The Videohttps://youtu.be/KA04bhQfV_YWebsitehttps://brotherlance.com/zionist-lies-debunked/2/New IntroSupport the showBecome A SupporterJOIN US!> Main Website: https://brotherlance.com/> Free Book: http://weshallbelikehim.com/> Free Music: https://brotherlance.com/brother-lance-music/> Social - Gab: https://gab.com/BrotherLance

In today's reading from Acts, the Holy Spirit guides Peter to initiate ministry to the Gentiles, beginning with the family of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Upon hearing Peter preach, Cornelius' entire household receive the Holy Spirit and are baptized. Commenting on today's second reading from 1 Corinthians, Fr. Mike reminds us to pursue Christian unity and avoid the dissension and infighting we see in the Church of Corinth. Today's readings are Acts 10, 1 Corinthians 1-2, Proverbs 27:21-22. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

One hundred years ago, many of the prophecies in this book were still obscure. Today as we are approaching the end, they become more understandable just as the angel told the prophet at the end of Daniel, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:2) Daniel's prophecies provide us with a comprehensive and chronological prophetical view of the broad movement of history, from the Times of the Gentiles to the Messianic Rule of Messiah. It is also thoroughly practical as well. In the harsh environment of the captivity, the faith, prayer life, and the love for God Daniel had still stands today as a great example for us to follow.Welcome to Shalom Ariel and the continuing study in the Book of Daniel with Messianic leader, Jacques Isaac Gabizon. Be blessed as you listen, shalom. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29?v=20251111

Peter has a vision where he is told to eat unclean animals. He then goes with messengers to the house of Cornelius. And the gospel is proclaimed to the Gentiles. Have a listen. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Coming Home for Christmas: 1517 Advent Devotional Face to Face: A Novel of the Reformation by Amy Mantravadi Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug More from the hosts: Daniel Emery Price Erick Sorenson

Holiness by Fear of the Lord (1) (audio) David Eells – 11/26/25 There is NO Ego in the Body of Christ Eve Brast - 10/22/2016 (David's notes in red) While everyone was sharing last night, Father brought a scripture to mind: 1Pe.4:18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. I thought that this was a very weighty and impactful statement, and it makes me tremble with Godly fear at its implications. And then I thought about the next verse, 19, that when we are bitter and unforgiving, critical or judgmental, we are actually being unwilling to “suffer according to the will of God”. Later, I thought about what Jesus said in Joh.13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him. Jesus suffered injustice and wrongful treatment at the hands of evil people His whole public life: “A man of many sorrows and acquainted with grief”. Should we expect, as His disciples, not to endure the same? I pray for myself and us all that Father will fill us with the same grace to endure the suffering according to His will and recognize that ultimately it comes from Him. If we fight against it, we only delay our progress. While driving to that Friday night meeting, I asked Father to give me confirmation during our meeting if I was to share the word He gave me on Thursday, 10/20/16. So while David was speaking to us about pride and humbling ourselves, he used the term “ego,” which seemed to be the main theme of the Word Father had given me. I knew then that it was the confirmation that I had asked for, and I knew He wanted me to share it with the brethren. So here is that word: “You were created for My purposes and Mine alone. You were created to serve Me, My Kingdom, and your fellow servants. Your sole purpose is to glorify the Name in all you think or do. The body is one. There is no ego in the body (which is His body), no separateness, no fleshly individualism, which is factious and divisive, no independence. There is one Spirit and all who abide in Me and My Son will have the same Spirit. They will have My desire for the life I've given them and for others. There is only one personality, one character in the Body. Ego and individualism are rebellion and Jezebel. (Unforgiveness, offense, anger, self-justification, faction, criticism, slander, backbiting, railing, are all part of this witchcraft spirit.) The life I gave you is not your own. I ransomed you. You belong to Me. Your allegiance is to Me, not to man and the flesh. Serve Me with unwavering loyalty. Understand that this is your sole purpose. There is no other life or reason to exist. Those who live for themselves don't consider My will and they are choosing death. They are choosing separateness, individualism, and separation from Me”. (And, I would say, separation from His character [and his true body].) I posted a word from Father: “Let My Spirit have free course in you”. In which He said, “Get rid of the “I's” and let there be only Me”. Here it is: (I've been hearing this phrase for about two weeks now: “Let My Spirit have free course in you”. So on Wednesday, I asked Father what He wanted to share about this. I really felt the heart of His Spirit pouring out to me while He spoke. I hope it will bless y'all, too. :0) He said, “Come away with Me, My love! Come away with Me, My Bride. I desire to be your only love. I desire to be the only one reflected back to Me in the eyes of My dove. Let My Spirit have free course in you. Surrender to Me. Yield your control to Me. Be still and hear the voice of My Spirit. Let My Holy Spirit lead and guide you into all obedience. I long to be in sweet communion with you, undistracted and unhindered”. “Do you trust Me, My love? Do you truly trust Me? Allow Me to have free course in you. Trust Me to live and move through you as a vessel of honor for My people and My Kingdom. For this purpose, I created you. Get rid of the “I's” and let there be only Me! There is no other fulfillment; no other satisfaction; no other completion outside of sweet communion with Me”. I looked up the word Ego and this was one of the things that was mentioned: Ego is the Latin word for “I”. So if a person seems to begin every sentence with “I”, it's sometimes a sign of a big ego. Thank you, Father, for giving us Your grace and Your humility. Help us to rid ourselves of pride and ego, self-centeredness, or self-importance. By faith, we believe that You are perfecting Christ's character in us. Help us to have the desire and strength to commit ourselves to You and to well-doing, in Jesus' name. Amen. Love to you all, Eve.   Pride, Independence and Egotism is not of the Body David Eells (Notes in red) Proud and independent people do not control their tongue so they destroy the unity of the body and are not part of the body. Jas.3:5 So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. Those whose tongues do not conform to the confines of scripture destroy the body of Christ and are guilty of its blood. 7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind. 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. Which comes from the evil heart: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”. 9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: 10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water yield sweet. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. Faction always lies because it is a demon spirit and speaks in order to deceive and take captive even the innocent. Faction is causing division for selfish ambition to make disciples, so there is lying and jealousy involved. Faction is separation and independence from the body and its leadership. 15 This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. Every vile deed describes well the independence from the body that the faction has and creates in others. Unforgiveness, offense, anger, self-justification, faction, criticism, slander, backbiting, railing, lying, theft, deception, witchcraft, graft, extortion, lust, fornication, perversion, are all brought in by the faction spirit. On the other side of this Beast, the election has revealed this same nature in our government. Ever wonder why they can justify killing Christians all over the world and are ready to do it here? So don't feed on that, or you can receive that spirit. Those Christians who receive this spirit also murder the brethren through slander, introducing them to faction unawares. I have seen faction demons take over brethren who had a lust to rule over the body. I have seen them side with and even become homosexuals under this spirit several times. I have seen brethren taken over by lust after receiving this spirit. I have seen them try to bring convicted unrepentant pedophiles and womanizers into the church and get angry and leave when I forbade it. I have seen them go into grand theft many times. One man stole 300 silver coins that were to be given to the poor brethren, and then a sound system from the church. Another stole a commercial lawnmower. Another stole tractor equipment. I have seen them steal money from the brethren many times when this spirit comes upon them. One man who was hiding his sin among us had spent many years in federal prison for theft, and when he came to us, he was sued because he forged a check sent to his ex-wife for around $22,000, and the judge threw him in jail until he would give the money back to his ex-wife. His new wife told me he still had the money, so I convinced him to give up his stolen money to get out of jail. When faction totally consumed him, he told everyone that I stole the money from him. This is the kind of perversion these spirits do. And these cannot be convicted of any sin. They are no longer moved or constrained by scriptures. I have seen them join religions that were not Christian or go under the law as a Jew to try to be justified because they never have faith for grace anymore when that spirit enters them. As David Wilkerson witnessed, their main target is the true leadership of the church, just like Satan. None of these people would have considered these “vile deeds” before receiving the faction spirit. They were turned over to this because they were hiding a sin or had one of the forms of unforgiveness. So, fear God and avoid like the plague anyone who wants to whisper in your ear against others. These people have lost many years that they could have been bearing fruit, and some are lost eternally. As one man told us when he partially repented and came to us, “The Lord told me that this is my last chance”, and even knowing this, he didn't take it. I pray for all of these people that, like Nebuchadnezzar, they would be granted grace to snap out of this demon possession. Continuing with our James 3 text: 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace. Jas.4:1 Whence come wars and whence come fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your pleasures that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures. 4 Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God. 5 Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying? Envy and jealousy come from ego. The Bible codes say, “Ego IS the antichrist”.) 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. 7 Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you. 11 Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother (Slander and blaspheme mean to speak against another.), or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 One only is the lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor? The independent are proud, unforgiving, and judgmental. They are their own God. Mat.6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye. Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. The unforgiving person is under the curse of Deuteronomy 28 because they are not forgiven. The independent person does not have to “obey them that have the rule over you”, for they make themselves elders, prophets, pastors, apostles, etc. They judge others unworthy of grace and therefore have no grace from God to avoid judgment. Mat.18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. 35 So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. The tormenting demons then take this person to show them what it is to have God's unforgiveness with no grace and if they still do not repent, they are reprobated.) Jas.2:7 Do not they blaspheme the honorable name by which ye are called? 8 Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: 9 but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment. We will be judged by grace if we give grace; we will be judged by the law if we judge others according to law. Mat.7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. If you are being judged, you are likely judging others. This judging is manifested in separation, unforgiveness, anger, wrath, etc. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. As much as you judge, is how much you will be judged. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Rom.2:1 Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things. (When a person has demons, they are the grossest hypocrites, for they accuse others of doing exactly what they do and get judged for it.) 2 And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things. 3 And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Rom.14:4 Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord hath power to make him stand.... (This is where our faith must be: that God will save them through their afflictions.) 10 But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother's way, or an occasion of falling. Rom.12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. Mat.12:36 And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (So, if you are an impulsive person saying things that are not right it will come back to bite you with out repentance and confession.)   Holiness Protects from the Curse B. A. - 12/24/2013 (David's notes in red) I dreamed that I was having a dream, and in this dream, I woke up and I was surrounded by tiny black particles (representing the curse). Deu.11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if ye shall hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, which I command you this day; 28 and the curse, if ye shall not hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (Only the true people of God with “spiritual eyes” [renewed by the Word of God] can see the curse around them.) I got up out of bed and went outside, and these black particles were everywhere. I began to fan my right hand up in the air, and I watched as these black particles just moved about. Then I turned my hand palm-side up, and I watched as these black particles hovered just a few inches from my hand. It was amazing. These particles could not touch me in any way. I began to walk around, and I watched as these black particles just moved out of my way. (If we are abiding in Jesus Christ, we have a blood covering and we are protected from the black curse.) (Scientists have proven in Quantum Physics the smallest particles are everywhere and called the quanta. They take on no physical attributes until you believe something. Then they become that, whether good or bad, as in white or BLACK. A black particle is something to avoid with you renewed mind. Jesus affirmed this in Mark 11:24 … All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received (Greek) them, and ye shall have them. Also, Pro 23:7 For as he thinketh within himself, so is he…. (It is not the word of religious leaders that causes us to abide in Jesus, but the Word we received in the beginning. If we abide in this Word, we abide in Jesus. Joh.1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. White particles were all around Jesus. 1Jn.2:24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. Jesus, the Word, which was given in the beginning, is the secret place that we hide from the black curse. When we believe the white word of promise we get it. Psa.91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I asked the Father this question: “Father, what are these black particles?” He replied, “You know what they are”. I said, “I do?” And the Father said, “Yes, you do; just think about it”. So I did. I stood there looking at these black particles, when I got the revelation that these black particles are the curse. I said to the Father, “I know what these tiny black particles are! They are the curse, and they are all around us. But if we are abiding in Jesus Christ, they can't even touch us! Wow, Father! This is awesome!” 2Co.5:21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Gal.3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Joh.15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. 1Jn.2:24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. Just then, the Father showed me an hourglass, and He asked me this question: “Daughter, what do you see?” I said, “I see grains of sand at the bottom of an hourglass”. Isa.10:22 For though thy people, Israel, be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them shall return: a destruction is determined, overflowing with righteousness. Isa.44:3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: 4 and they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses. Isa.56:5 Unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.) There appeared to be only about 1/8 of the sand left in the hourglass. (I believe these particular grains of sand represent God's elect, and the Father was showing me that these particular grains of sand (or His elect) are those who are coming into the image of Jesus to be sons and daughters, as we are drawing near to the end of days.) I asked the Father, “Father, does this mean that time is running out?” And He replied, “Yes. I only created so much time in the beginning, and when it's gone, it is finished.” Gen.6:3 And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years. (Time is running out to get into the secret place of Jesus because the curse is coming to devour the whole earth, as Isaiah and Revelation show. Isa.24:5 The earth also is polluted [Radiation in the Pacific, oil in the Gulf and Atlantic, biologicals in the atmosphere, poisons from chemtrails in the air, earth and water, our food sources, solar, volcanic, earthquakes, comets, asteroids, meteors, etc.] under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are found guilty: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. Deuteronomy 28 is a long list of the curses, a sample of all the curses seen around us that Jesus, the Word, delivers us from. The cause of these curses is in: Deu.28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee. What a curse it is to not read the New Testament to know how to avoid this. I say “a sample” because we are also told that if it's not listed here, God will also put that on you for your disobedience. 61 Also every sickness, and every plague [Does not mean disease. Hebrew meaning “a blow; to smite”.], which is not written in the book of this law, them will Jehovah bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. Jesus came to bear the curse for we who believe by “working in us to will and to work for His good pleasure”, [Philippians 2:13] meaning He puts the gift of obedience in us when we believe the good news that He took away our sins and the curse.)   Walk in the Infamous Place of Holiness K. H. - 10/23/2008 (David's notes in red) In a dream, I was with a group of students headed toward a convention center when all of the people we encountered along the way tried to discourage us from going there because they said it was in a bad part of town and was very dirty there. No matter what was said, we still kept on walking toward the convention center. When we got there, we all went through the doors, and as soon as I walked through the glass doors, I saw how nice it looked inside. I didn't see that it was dirty like the people had said it was going to be. (The Convention Center is where the students are going to truly learn of God. Apostates have always believed such a place is unclean. The Pharisees thought that Jesus was a false teacher and His students were deceived.) All the other students filed into the auditorium, but I needed to go to the bathroom, and at this point, I felt the need to take off my shoes. I initially began to recall what the people along the way were saying about how dirty a place it was and started to become concerned about where I was about to walk, but I cast that imagination down and just said to the Lord, “I trust you”. I started to head for the bathroom and began to feel how clean the tile and carpet felt under my feet and once I got to the bathroom, I was even more amazed. When I walked into the bathroom, it was the most pristine and cleanest bathroom I think I have ever seen. I knew now without a doubt there was nothing dirty about this place, and began to feel the peace of the Lord about being barefoot. (This training center is holy and clean.) After I was finished in the bathroom, I left to find my seat with my parents in the auditorium for our meal that we were going to have together. I was so filled with joy and peace that I didn't even notice that I didn't have my shoes on when I went into the auditorium. (The spiritual food served here is holy and clean.) When I woke up, I was reminded that I had taken my shoes off my feet in the dream. It was then brought to my attention that when in the presence of God, Moses had to remove his shoes so that he would not be separated from the holiness of God. (Our feet are not to be separated from holy or clean ground, meaning we are to walk in a place of holiness with God.) From what the Lord showed me, I know that this is why I felt led to take my shoes off as well, because I was entering into the holiness of God. The Lord also revealed to me that the students in this dream represented the students of His Word. As students of His Word, we will have many come against our walk with the Lord, but we have to hold fast the confession of our faith that it waver not and walk in spirit and in truth. No matter what the flesh tries to tell us, we have to lean not on our own understanding but just trust in the Lord. This life that we live is not our own, but it is Christ's to live in us; He is our hope of glory. When I didn't notice that I didn't have my shoes on, I believe that it signified walking in His holiness and in His rest; the flesh had been crucified. Thank you Jesus!   Walk Before Me in Fear and Trembling  Debbie Fenske 11/2/25 I would like to share this word that the Lord began speaking to me at 4:45 this morning. He actually woke me at 2:30, and I was in much prayer, for myself, doing much confessing before the Lord, and praying for all of my family, for our body here, and all our families, for David and Michael, and all of UBM, and for all the Elect of the Lord. Then I heard the Lord say, “I want to speak to you, My Beloved.” So, I quickly got out of bed and went and grabbed my notebook and pen. And the Lord began to continue speaking this. “I speak to you, My Beloved, the Elect of God whom I have drawn unto Myself. Yes, you who are My Elect, who I have drawn to Myself with My everlasting love. I say to you, who My eyes have beheld as My Bride from before the foundation of the world; let not this calling negate the fact that you must walk always before Me in fear and trembling. Though I have drawn you to Myself, and have allowed My grace to abound unto you, fear Me, My Bride. Walk before Me in holy fear, and be holy in all your ways, in all your manner of speech, all your days. It has long been the time that you have basked in Me through the love and truth of My Word that enables you to walk with Me, and in Me with a perfect heart. My Beloved, My Bride, I have poured out upon you the anointing of My Spirit, that you will shine forth My beauty, My glory, in all My truth. I have chosen you to be My glory upon this earth, as also many more whom I am perfecting. But you must remember to walk, to live in holiness before Me, in fear and trembling. Yes, My beloved ones, there is always this one condition, holiness, with total and complete surrender. Seek Me about this holy surrender. It is what My Bride must be; wholly surrendered unto Me in all things, understanding that I am your all in all, your Everything. I am your life, your breath, the Giver of TRUE life, sustaining you in all your ways. All the many ways known only in Me, your provider and your complete sustenance, and your righteousness. I will be opening doors before you, and you will enter. There will no longer be anything of this world holding you back. Only a walk of holy fear and trembling before Me will keep your garments shining brightly, reflecting to all your beauty, your anointing, reflecting the brightness, even the glory of My very presence, life, and character before the world. What will this do? It will draw all men unto Me. All whom I have called and ultimately chosen. Remember, “Fear and trembling.” This is your daily, your hourly, and your minute-by-minute assignment. Will you remember? For I will reveal My will to you in ways you have never considered. And I will certainly lead you down paths you have not yet walked. You will know it is I leading you. You will not doubt. For walking before Me with fear and trembling will cause you to know that, “This is the way. Walk ye in it.” It will require much self-denial, so much more than you have known. This is what a walk with fear and trembling before Me will do. And this is how My perfection will be seen in and through you, and will draw many unto Me, completing your part in bringing many into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rejoice that in all of these things I have chosen you. Rejoice in Me, My Bride, My holy companions, walking step-by-step with Me, in Me. Oh, rejoice, My Beloved! Again, I say rejoice! Let your rejoicing in Me lead you on. Even through all the times when you will not know what lies ahead, I will lead you on. Down every path, and every crooked turn, I will help you to say, “Yes, Lord!” After I finished writing this down, I wanted to see what my word for the day was. I was excited because I felt really compelled to look at it right then. It is always a chapter a day. I thought it was amazing and very timely, that when I opened it up, the chapter to read was Ruth Chapter 1. I took this as confirmation. Thank You, Father. I pray You let this word speak to our hearts and move us on in our walk in You with holy fear and trembling, and with knowledge and understanding of all things You would have us to let go of, thoughts we think, and things we do that will otherwise keep us from having a holy fear of You, Lord, and not allow Your glory to shine forth from us in Your fullness. We need Your help, Father. So help us, Lord. Lead us on! Amen!

One hundred years ago, many of the prophecies in this book were still obscure. Today as we are approaching the end, they become more understandable just as the angel told the prophet at the end of Daniel, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:2) Daniel's prophecies provide us with a comprehensive and chronological prophetical view of the broad movement of history, from the Times of the Gentiles to the Messianic Rule of Messiah. It is also thoroughly practical as well. In the harsh environment of the captivity, the faith, prayer life, and the love for God Daniel had still stands today as a great example for us to follow.Welcome to Shalom Ariel and the continuing study in the Book of Daniel with Messianic leader, Jacques Isaac Gabizon. Be blessed as you listen, shalom. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1254/29?v=20251111

Hello Friends! I love to hear from you! Please send me a text message by clicking on this link! Blessings to You!In this episode, Dr. Jori discusses with her listeners Paul's discussion of the mystery - "that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."Scripture References: Romans 11:25; Romans 1:1-7; Acts 9, 22, 26; 1 Timothy 1:12-14; Romans 1:13; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; Romans 6:1; Romans 7:7; Romans 8:1 Romans 9:1-5; Romans 9:33; Romans 10:17; Romas 11:1-4; Romans 11:11-26; Isaiah 55:8-9 Scripture translation used is the Legacy Standard Bible.  “Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.comFIND DR. JORI ON OTHER PLATFORMS https://linktr.ee/drjorishafferCHECK OUT THE DWELL AUDIO BIBLE APP:Click this link for my unique referral code.  I use this frequently. Such a wonderful audio bible app. https://dwellapp.io/aff?ref=jorishafferBIBLE STUDY TOOLS DR. JORI USES:Note: These contain  Amazon affiliate links, meaning I get a commission, at no extra cost to you,  if you decide to make a purchase through my links.Here is a link to some of my favorite bible study tools on Amazon:https://geni.us/cHtrfEMr. Pen Bible Journaling Kitshttps://lvnta.com/lv_PTrHSCogbRim4yhEDnhttps://lvnta.com/lv_mkaMOuGe6m4oHR88uqhttps://lvnta.com/lv_dgvsxOc99t663A628z  JOIN DR. JORI IN DEVOTIONAL JOURNALING IN 2025Check out this 9 min YouTube Video outlining her journaling strategy! Don't Forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel! https://youtu.be/lqe9TO7RSz4 BOOKS OF BIBLE COLOR CHARTI made this chart as a helpful tool for grouping the collections of books or letters  in the Holy Bible.  The colors in the different sections are the ones that I use in my journals.  Books of Bible Chart (color) (4).pdf - Google Drive    LOOKING TO RETAIN MORE OF WHAT YOUR PASTOR IS TEACHING?              CHECK OUT DR. JORI'S SERMON REFLECTION JOURNALS! Sermon Notes, Reflections and Applications Journal/Notebooks by Dr. Jori. Click the links below to be directed to amazon.com for purchase. Or search “Dr. Jori Shaffer” on Amazon to bring these up.  https://amzn.to/418LfRshttps://amzn.to/41862EyHere is a brief YouTube video that tells about the Journal/Notebooks as well:https://youtu.be/aXpQNYUEzds   Email: awordforthisday@gmail.comPodcast website:  https://awordforthisday.buzzsprout.com  Support the show

If you're going back to the Law, Jesus isn't going with you! Romans 3 through 8 reminds us of the letter to the Hebrews - because Jews and Gentiles alike feel the tug of rules and commandments. Maybe it's pride that tempts us to "add our good deeds" to the finished work of Christ. Maybe we like to sit in judgment of others who don't check the legalistic boxes that we check. Here's Jim at the first verse of Romans 7. Listen to Right Start Radio every Monday through Friday on WCVX 1160AM (Cincinnati, OH) at 9:30am, WHKC 91.5FM (Columbus, OH) at 5:00pm, WRFD 880AM (Columbus, OH) at 9:00am. Right Start can also be heard on One Christian Radio 107.7FM & 87.6FM in New Plymouth, New Zealand. You can purchase a copy of this message, unsegmented for broadcasting and in its entirety, for $7 on a single CD by calling +1 (800) 984-2313, and of course you can always listen online or download the message for free. RS11252025_0.mp3Scripture References: Romans 6-8

How We Seeez It! Episode 312, Ocean's Thirteen (2007) “Well, Terry, it sure as shit ain't sad.” –Danny Ocean. Back again with the crew to discuss the third movie in the Ocean's Universe. We discuss Ocean's Thirteen this week. This time it is not all about the money, it's personal. Al Pacino becomes the villain in this one as Willy Bank. Better then Twelve but not as good as Eleven. Much like this movie we ramble all over the place as we discuss the movie.  We cover our thoughts on it and there is so much to talk about in this one, so join us for the discussion and don't forget about our cocktails for this episode. There should be some good ones.         As always, mix a drink, have a listen, and let us know what you think. Or if there is something you watched that we might enjoy or a can't miss series. Also please rate and review show on all your favorite podcast apps. Drinks for the episode "The Irwin Allen" 1 oz gin 1 oz bourbon ¾ oz absinthe ½ oz Italicus ¼ oz Fontbonne 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters lemon twist “5.6 Exit Plan” 2 oz Gin 2 oz Pineapple whiskey  .5 oz Vanilla simple syrup  .5 oz Blood Orange Bitters .6 oz Absinthe “Oprah's Favorite” (Moscow Mule) 2 oz vodka 4 oz ginger beer 1/2 oz lime juice  Serve over ice in a copper or enameled mug. “El 75” - Classy, Gentile, Tasteful, and Elegant 1.5 oz Blanco Tequila 1/2 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz simple syrup Top to 3” with Champagne Lemon twist   Show links. https://hwsi.podbean.com/e/oceans-thirteen-2007/  HWSI LinkTree HWSI Facebook Link HWSI Instagram Link HWSI Youtube link !!  You can also email the Podcast at the.HWSI.podcast@gmail.com

In today's episode of The Atheist Experience, hosts Justin (Deconstruction Zone) and Richard Gilliver seek evidence for God, diving into philosophical arguments, biblical contradictions, and the flaws in theological defenses. The hosts challenge callers to step up their game, urging them to drop the evasions and present solid justification for their faith.Joe in OR, an atheist, asks how to debate various denominations about unfalsifiable claims without being antagonistic. Richard stresses the importance of gaining experience and being humble enough to say "I don't know" rather than risking incorrect biblical arguments. The hosts agree that avoiding errors maintains trust for future dialogue. Is experience the only way to refine the subtle skills needed for secular discourse?Jim in MO, an agnostic, presents Homer Simpson's classic rebuttal to Pascal's Wager. The argument fails because it ignores all other gods, potentially sending the wagerer to an Islamic or Greek Hell instead of the Christian one. The hosts agree this standard counter-apologetic is effective for exposing theological hypocrisy. Why do theists assume everyone defaults to the Christian god concept?Adam in NC, an agnostic, asks why Stephen was martyred for the same ideas Paul later preached, noting that Paul was at Stephen's execution. Justin explains Paul's ministry focused on Gentiles outside Jewish strongholds, minimizing conflict with elites. Adam also questions Paul's conversion story due to contradictory accounts in Acts. Do internal biblical contradictions undermine Paul as a reliable source?Good Question in WA contends atheists incorrectly concede that all morality is subjective, arguing objective morals are based on objective causes. Justin pushes back, arguing that morals are mind-dependent; if all minds ceased to exist, so would morals. Objective means and measures for adhering to a subjective framework do not make the framework itself objective. Why insist on transcendental objective morality if the system relies on conscious receivers?Patrick in FL claims atheism is nihilism and just another faith, as atheists cannot define what evidence for God would be. Richard challenges Patrick on why he uses a different name every week and dismisses his assertion that he neither believes nor disbelieves as dishonest. The hosts demand Patrick present evidence for his God-belief, which he fails to produce before the call is abruptly ended. Why do some theists conflate atheism with nihilism?The Supreme Leader in CO asks, hypothetically, if God's existence (the first mover) was proven, why atheists wouldn't follow him, citing his tyrannical nature. Justin focuses on failed biblical prophecies, demonstrating how quotes are taken out of context (e.g., Isaiah 7's "virgin birth"). Richard applauds the caller's maturity for listening to the context. Does belief in a God compel moral submission to that God? Thank you for tuning in this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

Questions about why we say someone was saved on a particular date if it was part of an eternal plan, the Roman Catholic view of the gospel vs. the Bible's, and why Paul circumcised Timothy but rebuked the Galatians for saying Gentiles needed to be circumcised.   Since God had a plan from all eternity to redeem a people for himself, why do we say  someone was saved on a particular date or moment in time? Can you suggest some tactical questions to ask a Roman Catholic relative who doesn't see the distinction between the Catholic view of the gospel and the one in the Bible? Why did Paul circumcise Timothy but rebuke the Galatians for saying the Gentiles needed to be circumcised?

Welcome to "Inside the Epicenter" with Joel and Lynn Rosenberg. In this episode of Inside the Epicenter, host Joel Rosenberg sits down with former US ambassador and veteran Middle East advisor Dennis Ross to unpack Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's recent visit to Washington and its far-reaching implications. Together, they explore Saudi Arabia's sweeping social and economic changes, the strengthening U.S.-Saudi relationship, and the critical role of technology, defense, and energy in the kingdom's transformation. Dennis Ross shares firsthand insights on the prospects for Israeli-Saudi normalization, how October 7th shifted regional dynamics, and what's at stake for both the US and Middle East allies going forward. If you want a front-row seat to diplomatic strategy, behind-the-scenes stories, and the future of peace in the region, this conversation is not to be missed. (00:02) "US-Saudi Relations and MBS"(10:07) "U.S.-Saudi Relations and Strategy"(12:28) "Biden Administration Defense Treaty Hurdles"(17:18) Saudi Arabia Opening to Diversity(24:51) Saudi-Israeli Relations: Challenges Persist(29:21) "Israel-Saudi Peace & Challenges."(32:47) Support Joshua Fund Monthly(38:31) "Saudi-Israel Strategic Convergence Explaine.d"(43:34) Saudi-Israeli Relations and Coexistence(48:50) "Path to Palestinian Stateho.od"(58:28) "Support Needed for Growing Miss.ion"(01:00:49) "Support The Joshua Fund Mis.sion" Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.comMake a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua FundStock Media provided by DimmySad / Pond5 Verse of the Day: Romans 15:25-27: But now, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints. Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to contribute to the relief of poverty among the saints in Jerusalem. For they were glad to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things. Pray for a much better and more encouraging 2026Pray that God gives leaders in the US, Saudi Arabia, and Israel the wisdom to deal appropriately with issues that come. Related Episodes:Caring for the Needy in Israel's Darkest Hour #329Hamas Is Now Slaughtering Gazans — How Should Trump and Evangelicals Respond? #324Tal Heinrich - Inside Trump and Netanyahu's Middle East #323Alaska Epicenter Cruise Session 3: Behind the Scenes at the Bible Society in Israel with Victor Kalisher #315 Links For Reference Dennis Ross Interview Part 1 | All Israel News https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A18opwDCe7c&pp=ygUqSm9lbCByb3NlbmJlcmcgZGVubmlzIHJvc3MgYWxsIGlzcmFlbCBuZXdz Statecraft 2.0 https://a.co/d/4A0jXT9 Donate a generous monthly gift to The Joshua Fund to bless Israel and Her Neighbors now and for the long haul. Become an Epicenter Ally today! Dennis Ross https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/experts/dennis-ross Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Acts 21:15-36   15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.            17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality." 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.            27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, "Away with him!"   Key Words: God, Ministry, Glorify, Jew, Gentile, Law, Temple, Mob, Violence, Bound Keystone Verses: And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the mob of the people followed, crying out, "Away with him!" (Acts 21:35-36)   Download Bulletin