Podcasts about god himself

Everything we have ultimately belongs to God, and we are called to faithfully manage what He has entrusted to us. Listen in to Pastor Jonathan Laurie's message as he explores this life-changing truth. Notes: Luke 20 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (MSG)Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. Good parents get involved. God created systems of authority, starting with the family. Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” If you learn to submit to authority, things will go well for you. Because we love our children, we discipline them. “If you raise your children, you’ll get to spoil your grandchildren.If you spoil your children, you’ll get to raise your grandchildren.” 1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV)But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Provide: pronoeōto give careful thought to, take thought for, take into consideration, have regard for,to think about beforehand in a solicitous manner, care for, provide for someone Teaching your children to honor your authority will naturally lead them to honor the Highest Authority, God Himself. The Vineyard Isn’t YoursLuke 20 Read Luke 20:1–8 (NKJV) The Scene of the CrimeLuke 20:1–8 “They knew perfectly well, and they knew perfectly well when they had rejected John’s ministry. That was the trouble with them. God never condemns men for ignorance. God’s judgments are upon men who, having the light, disobey it.” —G. Campbell Morgan You were created on purpose, and you were created for a purpose. God loves you. He is the ultimate authority. There will come a day when God asks you,“What did you do with my Son?” Read Luke 20:9–19 (NKJV) Stewards, Not OwnersLuke 20:9–19 The Son they wanted to get rid of was the same Son who would rise again from the dead. Psalm 24:1 (NKJV)The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness,The world and those who dwell therein. Job 1:21 (NKJV)"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there.The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;Blessed be the name of the LORD." Read Luke 20:20–26 (NKJV) Image BearersLuke 20:20–26 Luke 20:25 (NKJV)"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Job 1:21 (NKJV)"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there.The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;Blessed be the name of the LORD." “I didn’t thank God that it happened. In fact, I would have given anything to have Christopher back. I would have gladly taken his place. But I wasn’t given that choice. So, I simply said, ‘Lord, he is Yours. I dedicated him to You when he was a little boy, and I dedicate him back to You.’” —Greg Laurie — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most men carry a deep drive to provide, to accomplish, and to be productive — and that is not a bad thing. But Psalm 112 holds out a vision of what a father's life looks like when it is rooted in something deeper than hard work: a fear of the Lord, a delight in His commandments, and a trust that God is the ultimate provider. The man who seeks the Lord in this way is called blessed — and so are his children after him. This is not a passage about quick wealth. It is a picture of the generational fruit that grows when a father leads his family by orienting his own life around God first. More than teaching children how to work hard or use their gifts, a father who fears the Lord and hungers for His Word gives his children one of the greatest treasures they will ever receive. Praying for the fathers in our lives — for their rest, their walk with God, their wisdom and strength — is one of the most powerful things we can do for our families. Today's Bible Verse "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed."— Psalm 112:1-2, ESV Ponder Today A father who fears the Lord gives his children one of the greatest gifts imaginable. More than work ethic, provision, or even good values, a dad whose life is genuinely oriented around God gives his children a model worth imitating and a legacy worth inheriting. The blessings of Psalm 112 flow from the fear of the Lord, not from hard work alone. A man who delights in God's commandments and trusts in His Word positions his family to receive both spiritual and material blessing — not as a formula, but as a fruit of a life surrendered to God. The drive to provide is good — but balance between work and rest matters. God Himself rested on the seventh day. A father who cannot slow down risks running on empty in the very areas his family needs him most: presence, patience, and spiritual leadership. Apart from God's grace, every father is limited. The wisest thing any man can do is lean on the Lord for wisdom and strength in everything he puts his hand to, rather than relying on his own capacity alone. Praying for the fathers in our lives is one of the most powerful things we can do for our families. Whether a father knows the Lord deeply or is still far from faith, interceding for his walk with God, his rest, and his leadership has eternal significance for generations to come. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, we pray for the men in our lives. If the father of our children does not yet know You, we pray that You would draw him to Yourself and give him a hunger for Your Word. We pray that he will learn the importance of rest so that he can be restored. We ask that he would lean upon Your grace in all that You have called him to do. Thank You for being a faithful Father who always provides for our needs. We pray that the father of our children always looks to You first for wisdom and strength as he learns to walk in Your righteous ways and leads his children in the knowledge and love of You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer stirred intercession in your heart for the father or fathers in your life, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to strengthen your faith and the families God has placed in your care. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Everything we have ultimately belongs to God, and we are called to faithfully manage what He has entrusted to us. Listen in to Pastor Jonathan Laurie's message as he explores this life-changing truth. Notes: Luke 20 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (MSG)Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will most certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. Good parents get involved. God created systems of authority, starting with the family. Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” If you learn to submit to authority, things will go well for you. Because we love our children, we discipline them. “If you raise your children, you’ll get to spoil your grandchildren.If you spoil your children, you’ll get to raise your grandchildren.” 1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV)But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Provide: pronoeōto give careful thought to, take thought for, take into consideration, have regard for,to think about beforehand in a solicitous manner, care for, provide for someone Teaching your children to honor your authority will naturally lead them to honor the Highest Authority, God Himself. The Vineyard Isn’t YoursLuke 20 Read Luke 20:1–8 (NKJV) The Scene of the CrimeLuke 20:1–8 “They knew perfectly well, and they knew perfectly well when they had rejected John’s ministry. That was the trouble with them. God never condemns men for ignorance. God’s judgments are upon men who, having the light, disobey it.” —G. Campbell Morgan You were created on purpose, and you were created for a purpose. God loves you. He is the ultimate authority. There will come a day when God asks you,“What did you do with my Son?” Read Luke 20:9–19 (NKJV) Stewards, Not OwnersLuke 20:9–19 The Son they wanted to get rid of was the same Son who would rise again from the dead. Psalm 24:1 (NKJV)The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness,The world and those who dwell therein. Job 1:21 (NKJV)"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there.The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;Blessed be the name of the LORD." Read Luke 20:20–26 (NKJV) Image BearersLuke 20:20–26 Luke 20:25 (NKJV)"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Job 1:21 (NKJV)"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there.The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;Blessed be the name of the LORD." “I didn’t thank God that it happened. In fact, I would have given anything to have Christopher back. I would have gladly taken his place. But I wasn’t given that choice. So, I simply said, ‘Lord, he is Yours. I dedicated him to You when he was a little boy, and I dedicate him back to You.’” —Greg Laurie — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Real joy and deep peace are not found in circumstances, possessions, or personality. Instead, they flow from trusting in Christ. Paul prayed that "the God of hope" will fill believers "with all joy and peace in believing." As we rest our complete confidence in the finished work of Christ, God Himself will pour joy into troubled hearts and peace into anxious minds. Faith is the channel, not the cause; God is the source, Christ is the ground, and the Holy Spirit the One who makes these blessings real in our experience, enabling us to "abound in hope" even in hard times.

A Course in MiraclesLesson 211I am the holy Son of God Himself.

Read OnlineLiving in the KingdomJesus said to the disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good into buckets. What is bad they throw away.” Matthew 13:47–48Today's Gospel concludes a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven and offers a profound meditation on the final judgment, the call to discipleship, and the harmonious use of the Old and New Testaments in coming to know Divine Truth. After concluding these parables, Jesus turns to His listeners and asks a pivotal question: “Do you understand all these things?” They answer, “Yes.”This same question is posed to each of us: “Do you understand all these things?” Do we truly grasp the meaning of Jesus' parables? Do we comprehend the glorious truths of the Kingdom of Heaven? More importantly, do we allow those truths to shape how we live each day?In the life of grace, understanding is not limited to intellectual comprehension. It signifies an interior light—given by the Holy Spirit—that penetrates the soul and enables it to embrace and live the truths that God reveals. It is not merely a matter of learning something from a book or classroom, but of being changed by what is known.The spiritual Gift of Understanding, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, enables the soul to perceive the deeper meaning of divine truths. It is a grace by which God Himself becomes our Teacher, unveiling mysteries hidden from the wise of this world and revealing them to the humble of heart. This gift is given not for self-elevation, but for sanctification—so that what we understand inwardly may be lived outwardly, transforming our thoughts, actions, and desires in conformity with the will of God.Having drawn out this deeper understanding, Jesus concludes: “Every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old” (cf. Matthew 13:51–52). In other words, those truly formed in the mysteries of the Kingdom—who understand not only with the mind but with a heart conformed to Divine Truth—become stewards of God's Word and citizens of His Kingdom. They are able to draw forth treasures both old and new: the ancient wisdom of the Law and Prophets (the Old Testament), and the new life of grace revealed in Christ (the New Testament). For the Christian disciple, this means interpreting the Old in the light of the New, seeing how the promises of old are fulfilled in Jesus, and applying both to daily life in a way that nourishes others. Such a disciple becomes like the master of a house, entrusted with spiritual riches to share—living proof that true understanding always bears the fruit of faithful action.If this seems complicated, it is—but only if we rely on our own effort. That path leads to frustration. But when we humble ourselves and open our minds and hearts to the Holy Spirit, the mysteries of God not only begin to make sense—they become the source of joy, strength, and purpose. We are inspired to deepen our discovery and participation in God's Kingdom. Reflect today on Jesus' simple yet profound question: “Do you understand all these things?” Does life make sense in the light of faith? Do questions or doubts arise? Do trials and burdens weigh heavily on your soul? Or have you allowed God to speak to you—revealing the meaning of your life, strengthening you for your journey, and drawing you into the glorious mystery of His Kingdom? Know that God will give you all you need to sincerely and humbly say to Him, “Yes, Lord—I understand, I believe, and I choose to live as You call me to live!” Nothing in life is greater than this. King of Heaven and Earth, Your wisdom is far above my own, and Your ways are mysterious yet perfect. Come to me, Lord—speak to my heart, and reveal Your Truth to my soul. Grant that I may not only understand and believe, but also live all that You reveal, that my citizenship in Your Kingdom may be firm and everlasting. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: The parable of the Net, by Clayton & BellSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

In this week's message, Pastor Sean teaches through 1 John 5:6–12, pointing us to the certainty of who Jesus is and the testimony God has given about His Son. The message highlights that eternal life is found in Christ alone, and that God Himself has provided all the evidence we need to trust in Him. Pastor Sean emphasizes that our assurance of salvation is not based on our feelings or performance, but on the truth of God's testimony and the finished work of Jesus. It's a comforting reminder that those who have the Son have life, both now and forever.

Today's class is about how God Himself moves things, moves people, moves history, moves events to accomplish everything He desires, to fulfill His plan of winning the world into the knowledge of Living God and today we will see an amazing part of that plan coming to fruition.   Today's story is truly a story of how God ACTS - how He acts in the heart of Saul, a persecutor of followers of Jesus, working to imprison believers.   As Saul was walking on the way to Damascus suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him and he fell to the ground as he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" His response, "Who are you, Lord?"   This is an important question! The response he hears is, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Note "I am", this is significant because these are the very words God calls Himself - the "I Am."  These words show that  Then and Now: Jesus is alive! And thus there is hope, a future and life transforming power! Theophany - a visible manifestation of a deity  burning bush at Sinai Israel at Mount Sinai - voice of God from heaven and the mount on fire transfiguration of Jesus And now Saul encounters God Jesus is who He said He is! Jesus gives sight to the blind. Saul is left blind following the encounter with The Light (Jesus). The others with him, led him to the city and for three days he was blind and did not eat or drink anything. However, while he was physically blind his heart was opened and could "see" who Jesus is. When we don' know Jesus - we are blind, but He gives sight to the blind when we come to know Him.     As we continue reading: A disciple name Ananias. through a vision from the Lord, was told to go to see Saul because God tells him that He has given Saul a vision of a man named Ananias who will restore his sight. That Saul will be expecting him. However, Ananias knows who Saul is and is hesitant to go. But the Lord says, "Go! This man (Saul) is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."   Knowing Jesus changes everything!  Ananias goes to Saul and says, "Brother Saul, the Lord - Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here - has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit!" This is a personal Pentecost for Saul.  Then scales fell from Saul's eyes and he is able to see and was baptized.  Saul's heart was changed when he met Jesus. Our lives, too, are changed by Jesus. Knowing Jesus changes our hearts, our lives and our eternal destiny. Knowing Jesus brings new purpose to life! Now this man that was sent to Damascus to arrest Jesus followers, is now in the synagogues preaching that Jesus is the Son of God! People were astonished to see the change in Saul. Saul continued preaching growing more and more powerful, baffling the Jews by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. Saul went from being a persecutor of Jesus Followers to sharing the Good News of Jesus and gaining more Jesus Followers for God's Kingdom. Saul was sold out to Christ and nothing but sharing Jesus' story was important to him.   This week's READING ASSIGNMENT:   Acts chapter 9-10 (read and reflect on these two chapters together).     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/god-acts-then-now   Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos   Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

Introduction: Why is Complaining So Serious? (Numbers 21:1-9) Because It INSULTS GOD . (Num 21:1-5) Because It INFECTS OTHERS . (Num 21:4-5) Because It INFLICTS A PENALTY THAT MUST BE PAID . (Num 21:6-9) John 3:14-15 - “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? God, I give you thanks for... ____________________________________________________ Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! For Our Example: Ancient Warnings for the Church Today - Do Not Be Complainers Taylor Brown Download Audio Transcript 00:48Numbers chapter 21.00:53Do you ever suffer from decision paralysis?00:57Trying to figure out what to watch on a Friday night, and you end up spending the whole night scrolling through all your various streaming services because you can't figure out a movie to watch?01:08You and your family have decision paralysis about where you're going to go on vacation next year, the lake, the beach, a road trip across America.01:17You and your spouse have no idea where to go for your next date night. Do you know where I experience the greatest sense of decision paralysis? The Cheesecake Factory. Has anyone else ever been there? Does anyone want to guess how long their menu is? 21 pages. 21 pages.01:47on those 21 pages. Over 250. That's insanity. There are so many good options to choose from. Whenever I'm in that booth, I have decision paralysis. I don't know what to pick. I don't know what to eat. I felt that same exact way that I always feel in the Cheesecake Factory booth as I decided what to preach on this morning.02:16This is the final week of our latest series for our example, Ancient Warnings for the Church. Today, we have been digging into the books of Exodus and Numbers and learning from the negative example of the Israelites and receiving warnings from God Himself. Warnings like, do not be idolaters. Do not be doubters. Do not be fake repenters. This morning, we will receive our fourth and final warning.02:45Do not be complainers. So why did I experience decision paralysis as I was planning out this series and this sermon in particular? Because there are so many stories of the Israelites complaining in Exodus and Numbers. Their complaint menu is long and extensive. There are so many options to choose from.03:15their work harder in Egypt. In Exodus chapter 5 verse 21. They complained at the Red Sea. In Exodus 14. 11 through 12 that they would die. And they finally shut up whenever God rescued them. They complained about food and water in Exodus 15. Exodus 16. Exodus 17. Numbers 11. Numbers 20. The people complained about how hard their lives were in Numbers 11 verses 1 through 3. And as a result, some of them were consumed by fire from heaven. And number 16, a group is not happy with God's choice of leadership and they rebel against Moses and Aaron. They grumble, they complain. And as a response, God opens up a sinkhole and swallows the rebels. A much more serious sinkhole than the one outside Passman Hospital a few weeks ago.04:14People are very upset. They think Moses is the one who killed these rebels. They complain. And then God kills those complainers with a plague from heaven. Do you see why I suffered decision paralysis? There are so many options to choose from on the Israelite complaint menu. What about your complaint menu? Is it short and almost non-existent? Or is it long?04:44and extensive.04:47If I asked you to list all the things you complain about, would that be difficult for you?04:53Would it be difficult to filter out all the options, to list out every single thing you complain about because you complain about most things in your life?05:02Or maybe you even complain about everything in your life.05:07Complaining may seem like small potatoes compared to idolatry, doubting, and fake repentance, but it isn't. Complaining may seem like a small issue, but it isn't. It is a big deal. It is a serious issue that you need to take seriously right now. It is a serious issue that I need to take seriously right now. Thankfully, I eventually overcame my decision paralysis.05:40And I forced myself to make a decision. I settled on the last recorded example of the Israelites complaining in the book of Numbers. Numbers chapter 21 verses 1 through 9. This passage shows us why complaining is so serious and how we can take it seriously moving forward. So let's go to the Lord and ask for his help. Let's ask the Lord that we would take our complaining seriously and we would take his word very seriously as well.06:10Go to the Lord in prayer. Father, there is not a single person in this room or watching online who can say that they did not complain this past week. And the same for me. Lord, we are so sorry that we complain so often. We are so sorry that we often do not recognize Your goodness in our lives.06:40We walk out of this service with a renewed desire to worship you and give you the thanks that you deserve. We ask all these things in Jesus' name. Amen. So why is complaining so serious? Why is complaining so serious? Reason number one, because it insults God. Because it insults God.07:10I know that many of you have been in and out of service over the past month so let me give you an idea of where we are in Israel's history they have been rescued from slavery in Egypt and many of them survived worshipping the golden calf at Mount Sinai two weeks ago we studied a sad story of doubt the Israelites refused to go into the promised land they chose to trust themselves more than God and as a result God gave them a consequence The Grumbling and Complaining Older Israelites will never ever see the Promised Land. They will die during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The younger generation will see the Promised Land. It will take 40 years to see that come true. Last week we focused on the Israelites' response to this bad news. They tried to take the Promised Land by force against God's wishes.08:10for them? Not at all. They were quickly defeated and they were sent away. Now we are fast forwarding in time and we're picking up their story near the end of the wilderness wandering. The older generation is fading away and the new generation is replacing them. Let's see if the new kids on the block do any better than the older generation when it comes to complaining. Look at verses 1 through 3 of chapter 21.08:40When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Otharim, he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. And Israel vowed a vow to the Lord and said, If you will indeed give this people into my hand, then I will devote their cities to destruction. And the Lord heeded the voice of Israel and gave over the Canaanites, and they devoted them and their cities to destruction. So the name of the place was called Hormah.09:10The Canaanites pick a fight with the Israelites, which leads to the defeat of the Canaanites. God is giving His people a preview of what their conquest of the promised land will look like. It looks like a new day is dawning. It looks like the Israelites have turned over a new leaf. It looks like they are closing the book on their disobedience. And they are starting a new chapter of obedience.09:39Maybe not so much. Check out their response to God's victory. The victory that God gave them in verses 4 through 5. From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses. Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in this wilderness? For there is no food and water and we loathe this worthless And we're back.10:14It looks like the apple hasn't fallen very far from the tree.10:17New generation, same old sins.10:21The Israelites are impatient again.10:23They are accusing their leaders again.10:26They are complaining again.10:30At its core, complaining is dissatisfaction with God and His good gifts to you.10:38Complaining is an unspoken thought or a spoken word of dissatisfaction with God and His good gifts to you. And that's what the Israelites are doing here. They are complaining. They are acting like God hasn't done anything for them lately. They are completely ignoring His provision in the past and in the present. The Lord just showed up for them in a huge way in their battle against the Canaanites. God could have chosen to sit this one out, but He didn't.11:08He could have sat on the sidelines and did nothing, but He didn't. He gave them victory. And all along their journey in the wilderness, food and water has miraculously been provided for them. More on that in a minute. These are the facts. But the Israelites have forgotten the facts. They have lost sight of their many blessings. Very often, spiritual defeat comes right on the heels of spiritual Spiritual Victory. One minute the Israelites are riding high after the defeat of the Canaanites, and the next minute they are down in the dumps. They are feeling sorry for themselves. They are moaning and groaning about what they do have and what they do not have. You realize the same trend happens to you and me as well. Spiritual defeat often follows Spiritual Victory. You're on the mountaintop, and then you're down in the dumps. You tend to sabotage yourself after God helps you, after God blesses you greatly. You forget the facts. You lose sight of his many blessings. You moan and you groan about what you do have and what you do not have. You and I complain. Yes, this complaining in the wilderness is an ignoring of God's past and present provision, but it's even worse than that. It is an utter insult to God. It is a slap in his face. It is an attack on his character and reputation. Look again at what they say in verse 5. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, why have you brought us up out of the land of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.13:08This first reminds me a lot of my son, Sam. Whenever he finds out that he's about to be served his least favorite meal, which is my favorite meal that my wife makes. Chicken with ranch potatoes and green beans. I love that meal. Sam does not feel that way at all. When he asks his mom, what are you making for dinner? And she breaks the news to him. He complains before he eats it, as he eats it, and after he eats it.13:43It's the same for the Israelites in this passage. God's best is not good enough for the Israelites. Let's go through their list of grievances to see what is not good enough for them. God brought us up out of the land of Egypt to die in the wilderness. Really? That is your view of what happened. God rescued you from back-breaking labor, slavery in Egypt.14:08He was your personal GPS who led you with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He annihilated the Egyptians whenever they chased after you. He led you through dry ground on the Red Sea. Really? That's your view of what God was doing? He brought them to the edge of the promised land where they blew it. They chose not to go in. They chose to doubt Him. That was their fault, not God's.14:38I'm sure none of us in this room or watching online can relate to complaining about circumstances that we have brought upon ourselves. Next grievance. For there is no food and water. Seriously, over and over again, God has miraculously taken care of them. Water from a rock. A literal quail storm that rains down quail from the sky. Manna. Miraculous manna.15:07every single day. All they have to do is bend over and pick it up. But again, that is not good enough for the Israelites. That's their last grievance. We loathe this worthless food. The Israelites view this miraculous manna as monotonous manna. They walk out and are like, manna again? God, can't you do something better for us? Can't you give us something that tastes better? Can't you at least give us, like, nachos?15:37or Flamin' Hot Manna, can't you do something different for us? Come on, I'm sick of this. The gift that used to look good seems pretty bad right now. The blessings that they used to give thanks for seem like curses to them. God's best is no longer good enough for them. You know, at times, God's best doesn't seem good enough for you and me.16:08The gifts that used to look good seem pretty bad right now. The gifts that you used to give thanks for seem like curses right now. You and I can look like those miserable people in those memes that say something like, me at the job I prayed to God for. Or me parenting the kids I asked God for. We're just so unthankful for what God has given to us. The things that we begged Him for and asked for now we can't stand them maybe god has blessed you with friends and fellow christians who love you and care about you but you make it clear to everyone who will listen that they don't do enough for you they don't reach out to you enough they don't make enough of an effort you say that you're just telling it like it is but you know what you're doing you are complaining and insulting god Maybe God's blessed you with a means of providing for your family, but you constantly think negative thoughts about every single aspect of your job and you constantly say negative things about your boss and your coworkers. You say that you're just venting, but you know what you're doing. You're complaining and insulting the Lord.17:29Maybe you are very quick to point out how your family does not meet your high expectations.17:35You are very quick to critique and to lash out.17:40You say that you're just being honest, but you know what you're doing.17:44You are complaining and insulting the Lord.17:49Here's a big one for me.17:51Maybe the Lord has blessed you with a house that you constantly rattle off things you hate about.17:58You constantly talk about other people's houses and how they're way better than your house. Again, you say you're just venting, but you know what you're doing. You're complaining and insulting the Lord. Here's the thing. You cannot insult a gift without insulting the giver of the gift. You cannot grumble about the blessings of God without grumbling against the God of the blessing.18:29Your complaining is serious because it insults your God. Why is complaining so serious? Second reason, because it infects others. Because it infects others. As I studied this past week, I couldn't stop thinking about the origin of this complaining. How did it start? Who did it start with? We're told this in verses 4-5. The people became impatient along the way, and the people spoke against God and Moses. This is a communal sin that must have started at an individual level. While they are wandering in the wilderness, the germ of complaining, the germ of grumbling, begins in the mind. It begins in the mind of individuals, and then it exits the mouth. It starts in the mind something like this.19:27I can't believe we're doing this again we're wandering in circles again this is so stupid and so senseless it's so hot out my throat is so dry my stomach is eating itself the germ of grumbling starts in the mind and then it quickly exits the mouth individuals begin to vocalize their thoughts as they walk sit around the campfire at night and lay in their tents personal protesting turns into corporate complaining It snowballs very quickly and gets out of control. That's how complaining works. It doesn't just stay with you. During the school year, my kids bring home a variety of viruses and illnesses. When one of my kids is stricken, it's just a matter of time before all of us are stricken. One sore throat turns into four sore throats. A solo cough turns into a family.20:27In my house, viruses are easily caught. Sickness effortlessly spreads. The same goes for complaining in your house, your workplace, and even this church. Grumbling is a sinful virus that is easily caught. Complaining is a sickness that effortlessly spreads. One grievance turns into an unending list.20:57of grievances. One complaint invites another complaint. One person complaining leads to many people complaining. It only takes one complainer to infect your small group and this church. Are you patient zero? Are you a contagious complainer who corrupts your home.21:30Are you a contagious complainer who corrupts this church?21:37You have to understand that more than just your health is at stake.21:41The health of your family is at stake.21:43The health of harvest is at stake.21:48Would you purposefully sneeze in someone's face after service and intentionally spread your sickness to them?21:57Would you do that? You answered that way too slowly. I'm going to stay away from all of you after service. Would you purposefully sneeze on someone and intentionally spread your sickness? Okay, I guess I'll shake your hand after service. Then why would you purposefully grumble and intentionally infect someone else with your spiritual sickness? That should be as unthinkable. That should seem as rude.22:26as literally sneezing in someone's face.22:31It's infinitely more destructive than physically passing on a cold or a fever.22:37Deal with the germ of grumbling when it first pops up in your heart.22:41Do not give it room to breathe.22:45Your complaining is serious because it sickens your soul and infects the people you care about the most.22:54Why is complaining so serious?22:55third and final reason. Because it inflicts a penalty that must be paid. Because it inflicts a penalty that must be paid. The Israelites don't want God's best, which results in a serious penalty in verse 6.23:21Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people so that many people of Israel died. The Lord has responded to Israel's complaining with a lot of creative penalties in the past. A plague, a fireball from heaven, a literal sinkhole, but He reserves His hardest and most challenging penalty for this act of complaining.23:50fiery serpents. And no, this doesn't mean that the snakes are on fire like flamethrowers. It means that they have bites that inflict severe inflammatory pain. These bites don't just hurt you. These bites kill you. These snakes slither into the camp, bite many of the Israelites, and many of them die. The new generation of Israelites quickly change their tune. They go from complaining to crying, Look at verse 7.24:24And the people came to Moses and said, We have sinned and we have spoken against the Lord and against you.24:30Pray to the Lord that he take away the serpents from us.24:35So Moses prayed for the people.24:40Once again, Israel messes up big time.24:43And once again, Moses stands in the gap and intervenes to them.24:46He prays for the Lord's mercy.24:49And once again, the Lord responds to his request. And he gives his mercy to his people who do not deserve it. What is the method of the Lord's mercy? You see it in verses 8 through 9.25:19and live. Does this method of mercy seem odd to you? It's kind of a strange way to be healed, right? You know, the guys in my small group went to an all-we-can-eat wing night this past Wednesday. It was a lot of fun, but I gotta tell you, the last thing I wanted to see after eating 24 wings was another plate of wings in front of me. My stomach wasn't feeling very great. Doug can tell you he was there.25:49But imagine if the waitress came up to me and said, oh, your stomach hurts. I have just the thing for you. Here, eat some more wings. That'll make you feel better. What? No, get those things away from me. I don't want that. That method of healing my stomach wouldn't make sense to me. Again, the last thing I want to see after eating all those wings is more wings. On a human level, the bronze serpent solution seems as crazy as the just eat more wings solution. It doesn't seem to make much sense. The way to be healed of your snake bite is to look at a fake snake on a pole. I'm guessing the last thing the Israelites wanted to see after being bitten by snakes is another snake. Why does God choose this method of mercy and healing? Why does God go this route? Because it requires faith.26:49of human wisdom and acceptance of divine wisdom. It requires a rejection of self and a deep trust in the Lord. To be clear, the bronze serpent is not a magic trick. The fake snake has no healing properties of its own. The healing comes through looking. The healing comes through trusting. Faith is the method of salvation and forgiveness. Faith is the method.27:19of healing.27:21The Israelites have a choice in this moment.27:23They have two options.27:25They can pay the penalty of their complaining on their own.27:29They can refuse to look at the serpent and die.27:32Or they can in faith look to the serpent and live.27:36They can obey God's command even though it doesn't make sense.27:42Those are the only two options available to them.27:47And you may be thinking, this is all super interesting. But what does this random snake story from over 3,000 years ago have to do with me and my complaining today? Well, you and I must understand that every single sin is a complaint against our Creator. Every single sin we commit is an act of discontentment. And this goes back to the very beginning.28:16with Adam and Eve. They were tricked into believing that God's best was not good enough for them. They were tricked into believing that something more satisfying must be on the other side of disobedience. Eating that fruit was an act of discontentment and complaining. Adam and Eve communicated a loud and clear message to God that we've been talking about this entire sermon. God, your best is not good enough for us and we want better.28:46All the sins we have studied over this past month find their root in discontentment. The Israelites are expressing their discontentment to God by committing idolatry, by doubting His promises, by refusing to genuinely repent, by complaining about His provision. They are shouting, Lord, Your best is not good enough for us.29:16same message to God every single time that we sin. Your sins are acts of discontentment and complaining. The penalty for insulting a good and perfect God is eternal death. The penalty must be paid by someone. The penalty must be taken care of by someone.29:45Do you know that this bronze serpent story isn't a random and isolated incident in the Old Testament? Do you know that the bronze serpent pops up in the New Testament as well? Jesus makes it crystal clear that this bronze serpent points forward to himself. It points forward to the most important person, the most important event in human history. The bronze serpent points forward to Christ and his sacrifice upon the cross.30:15Look at what Jesus says in John 3, 14-15.30:19And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.30:32Like the Israelites, you have two options.30:36You can pay the penalty for your complaining on your own, or the penalty for your complaining can be taken care of by looking to Jesus Christ in faith. By believing that His death is enough for your forgiveness and cleansing. By believing that God's best is all that you need. There is no option C. There is no third way. There is only trusting in yourself which leads to eternal death in hell. Or there is trusting in Christ which leads to eternal life.31:13in heaven.31:17Charles Spurgeon was one of the greatest preachers of the 1800s.31:21I'm sure you've heard him quoted and misquoted many times in church.31:24Every single time a pastor shares a quote in church, it's either Spurgeon or C.S. Lewis.31:30But Spurgeon came to Christ as a teenager when he stumbled into a random church during a snowstorm.31:37And the preacher that morning wasn't particularly gifted or eloquent, But the Lord used that sermon to grab ahold of Spurgeon's heart and save him. At one point, the preacher looked directly at him and spoke to him in the sermon. And Spurgeon describes it this way. Just fixing his eyes on me as if he knew all my heart, the preacher said, Young man, you look very miserable. Well, I did, but I had not been accustomed to have remarks made from the pulpit on my personal appearance before. However, it was a good blow.32:11struck right home. He continued, and you will always be miserable. Miserable in life and miserable in death if you don't obey my text. But if you obey now this moment, you will be saved. Then lifting up his hands, he shouted, young man, look to Jesus Christ. Look, look, look. You have nothing to do but to look and live. I saw at once the way of salvation. I know not what else he said. I'd not take much notice of it. I was so possessed with that one thought. Like when the bronze serpent was The people only looked and were healed. So it was with me.32:45I had been waiting to do 50 things.32:47But when I heard that word, look, what a charming word it seemed to me.32:51Oh, I looked until I could have almost looked my eyes away.32:54There and then the cloud was gone.32:56The darkness had rolled away.32:57And that moment I saw the sun.32:59And I could have risen that instant and sung with the most enthusiastic of them of the precious blood of Christ and the simple faith which looks to Him alone.33:09Oh, that somebody had told me this before. Trust Christ and you will be saved. Friends, look to Christ and live. Trust in Christ and be saved. Have you looked yet? Have you trusted yet? If you haven't, there is no time like the present. Next year may be too late. Next month, may be too late. Tomorrow may be too late. Now is not too late. Now is the perfect time. Look to Christ. Trust in Christ. You will be forgiven. Maybe you've already looked to Christ. Maybe you've already trusted in Christ. If you have, continue to look to Him. Continue to trust in Him. There is no other way to grow.34:09There is no other way to fight against the germ of grumbling when it pops up in your heart. Whenever you are tempted to complain, look to Christ who suffered, bled, died, and bore the wrath of God for your discontentment. Look to Jesus and never forget that God gave you His best. He gave you His own Son so that you could be His son or daughter.34:39forever.34:42When you are tempted to complain about anything, remember the words of Romans 8.32, He who did not spare his own son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?34:57You have been given everything in Christ.35:01What more is there to strive for?35:03What more is there to gain?35:05What could this world possibly give you that compares to what God, has given to you? Nothing.35:13What is there to complain about when God has given you everything that He has? Nothing.35:21Your complaining is serious because it inflicts a penalty that must be paid.35:28I hope and pray the penalty for your complaining has been paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.35:37The worship team can now make their way forward. It's so easy to walk away from a sermon series like this and say, you know what? I'm going to buckle down and I'm going to stop committing idolatry. I'm going to stop doubting. I'm going to stop fake repenting. I'm going to stop complaining. Well, that's great to hear. But what will take the place of those unproductive sins? Sin loves evacuations.36:07If you do not replace an unproductive sin with a productive discipline another sin will just rush in and take its place For right now let's focus on complaining What will you replace complaining with?36:24What will you replace grumbling with?36:28Thankfully the Bible gives us the clear answer You are to replace complaining with thanksgiving You are to replace grumbling with gratitude But as Pastor Jeff often says It's not enough just to feel thankful You need to actually give thanks And I'm going to give you the opportunity right now On the bottom of your outline There is a fill in the blank prompt that says God I give you thanks for Fill in the blank I want you to fill in the blank for what you are most thankful for right now. Be very specific because specific praise honors God's specific blessings. Write down what you are thankful for. The Thanksgiving party doesn't end here. Now we are going to give you an opportunity to share what you are thankful for with the rest of the congregation. I'm going to have a microphone. One of our elders, Brian B., he's also going to have a microphone. And we ask you to come down one of the aisles.37:34and to share one sentence with us. Fill in the blank. God, I give you thanks for fill in the blank. I guarantee that you will not regret giving thanks to God and sharing that blessing with the entire congregation. So come forward if you would like to share. Let's stand and continue to thank the Lord together. Small Group DiscussionRead Numbers 21:1-9What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Why is complaining such a big deal?What do you tend to complain about the most and why?What are you thankful for right now?BreakoutPray for one another.

The Old Testament Passover, where Israelites provided their own lambs for temporary deliverance, contrasts sharply with the New Covenant reality, where God Himself provides Jesus Christ as the eternal Paschal Lamb. From Genesis 22 and Isaiah 53, we find that salvation is entirely God's provision, not a human effort, fulfilling the type of substitutionary atonement. Christ's sacrifice was once-for-all, rendering any notion of ongoing propitiation through man-made rituals to be entirely blasphemous. Consequently, the Lord's Supper serves solely as a memorial to celebrate Christ's finished work, rather than a means to repeat it. At the Lord's Table, we worship God for providing the perfect sacrifice that justifies believers forever.

Few battles cut deeper than the double blow of discovering your spouse has committed adultery and then facing the finality of divorce. Each one by itself can flatten the soul. But when they come together in succession, it feels like an earthquake followed by a tsunami. Your compass spins wildly, your sense of safety collapses, and God Himself can seem hard to find or understand. I write this conclusion with you in mind: the one whose heart has been ripped in two and who wonders if life will ever steady again. Maybe you are in the thick of it now, or maybe you are walking with someone who is. Either way, the counsel here is meant to give you perspective, hope, and practical handles for the long journey forward. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/when-marriage-breaks-conclusion-ten-anchors-for-your-soul/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

There are two primary reasons we fail to grow in our understanding of God: pride and deceit. And the almost immediate internal response to reading that — "no, I don't think that's true of me" — is itself the clearest possible proof that both are present. It is the kind of honest, uncomfortable self-recognition that opens the door to genuine growth, and this episode begins right there, in that awkward and necessary moment of seeing ourselves clearly. C.S. Lewis observed that God whispers in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, and shouts in our pains — and it is often through trials, mistakes, and long seasons of waiting that we come to know Him most deeply. Ephesians 3:16-19 captures the staggering scope of what is available to us in that knowing: the width, length, height, and depth of a love that surpasses knowledge, and the fullness of God Himself dwelling in us through faith. No matter how far we feel from Him, we can always draw near. And no matter how long we have known Him, there is always more to know. Today's Bible Verse "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."— Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV Ponder Today Pride and deceit are the two primary barriers to growing in our knowledge of God. The fact that we instinctively resist that diagnosis is itself evidence of their presence. Recognizing them honestly, rather than defending against them, is where growth begins. God responds to our failures with patient, protective love — not condemnation. Like a tender father who listens attentively and then acts on our behalf, God does not leave us alone in our shame. He draws near, hears us out, and moves to protect us. Trials, conflicts, and seasons of waiting are often where we come to know God most deeply. Just as working through a conflict with another person reveals their character in ways ease never does, our hardest seasons reveal God to us in ways that comfort alone cannot. Humility is the posture that opens us to growth. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Choosing to come before Him with a teachable, honest, and open heart is the single most important thing we can do to grow closer to Him. A Prayer for You Today Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us for our pride and our deceit. I pray that You would help us to have humble hearts so that we can get to know You better. As we draw near to You, show us where we have been wrong so we can keep short accounts with You. You say that You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble — Father, we need Your grace. We want to know You better, but we often let too many things come before You. Please help us seek You first so we can grow closer to You, and help us make much of You and not ourselves. We need You. We love You. Help us to grow in our walks with You. Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer stirred a hunger to know God more deeply and honestly, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to root you deeper in the love of Christ every day. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How does the Lord answer Habakkuk's concerns? Habakkuk 1:5–11 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord's Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must remember God Himself, when we consider His providence. This devotional explores the theme of divine providence through Habakkuk's encounter with God regarding the rise of the Chaldeans. Pastor emphasizes that God's ways are beyond human scrutiny, requiring believers to cultivate humility rather than judgment. By examining the wickedness of the Babylonians, the text illustrates how God sovereignly uses even evil nations to accomplish His purposes for discipline and justice. The message encourages trusting in God's character and wisdom despite present hardships, pointing to the cross as the ultimate proof of His goodness. Ultimately, the devotional calls for a posture of faithful submission and confidence in God's control over all circumstances.

After thousands of years of biblical wisdom available to us, humans are still stressing over whether there is any peace to be found in the daily struggle to survive and thrive. We overfill our lives with more than we can handle, stew over unfinished to-do lists, and quietly convince ourselves that choosing to rest is somehow irresponsible — maybe even brazen. And so the exhaustion compounds, and restoration stays just out of reach. But God's ultimate plan is restoration. And you cannot even spell that word without rest. Genesis 2 tells us that after the immeasurable work of creating everything, God Himself chose to rest on the seventh day and made that day holy. He did not have to. He is infinitely capable. But at the very beginning of His love letter to us, He modeled something essential: rest is not a reward for finishing everything. It is a sacred rhythm built into the design of life itself. Psalm 4:8 was written on an index card beside a bed during one of the hardest seasons imaginable — between jobs, in a temporary apartment, caring for a child through painful change — and whispered aloud in the dark as a declaration of trust: in peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. That verse is an invitation to unclench our grip on every fear and worry and let God watch over what we were never designed to carry through the night. Today's Bible Verse "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety."— Psalm 4:8, NIV Ponder Today Rest is not a reward for finishing everything — it is a God-designed necessity. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy precisely because He rested on it. Rest is not laziness or irresponsibility. It is obedience to the rhythm God built into creation. You cannot spell restoration without rest. God's ultimate plan for you is restoration — of body, mind, heart, and soul. Refusing to rest is not faithfulness. It is standing in the way of what God is trying to do in you. Reclaiming rest requires shifting from striving to trusting. First Peter 5:7 invites you to cast your cares on God. Philippians 4:6-7 promises that when you present your requests to Him, He will guard your heart and mind. Rest is an act of faith, not an act of indulgence. Psalm 4:8 is a declaration you can whisper in the dark. When fear and worry make sleep feel impossible, speaking this verse aloud is not a passive act. It is a deliberate choice to place yourself under God's watchful care and release what you were never designed to hold through the night. You are loved not for your works or achievements, but because you are God's beloved child. Rest is the place where that truth settles most deeply. In stillness, without anything to prove or produce, you are simply held by the One who made you. A Prayer for You Today Dear God, help me remember that rest is an intentional gift from You. Remind me that I am not proving myself to You — rather, I am celebrating Your goodness. Show me how to ease the pressure I put on myself and make room for the restoration my heart, mind, soul, and body need. Inspire me with ideas for relaxing that let me enjoy unstructured time, naps, and sleep without guilt. I know You desire what is best for me. Help me not to stand in the way of the sweet refreshment You provide. Show me how to reclaim rest. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer gave you permission to finally put something down and rest, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to restore your soul and renew your faith every day. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

LESSON 202Review of Lesson 182I am not a body. I am free.For I am still as God created me.(182) I will be still an instant and go home.Why would I choose to stay an instant more where I do not belong,when God Himself has given me His Voice to call me home?I am not a body. I am free.For I am still as God created me.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

You were not made to drift through life as if everything revolves around you, but you were also not made to fade into the background. Christianity holds both truths in tension: you carry infinite value in God's sight, and yet you are called to deny yourself and live for something greater. In Ephesians 4, Paul urges believers to live worthy of the calling they have received, a calling that carries the weight of a royal summons from God Himself. That calling is lived out through humility, gentleness, patience, and a genuine commitment to the unity of the body of Christ. Every believer has been individually gifted by God, not to elevate themselves, but because someone else needs what they carry. The ministry does not belong only to pastors and teachers. It belongs to every person in the body. When you hold back your gift, there is a gap in the body of Christ where you were meant to be. You were called to something bigger than yourself, and that calling is worth everything it requires.

Ask, Seek, KnockJuly 19, 2026 • Devon Accardi • Luke 11:1–13This Sunday, Devon teaches from Luke 11:1-13. Jesus invites His disciples not merely to learn how to pray, but to become people whose lives are deeply formed by prayer. The Lord's Prayer gives believers a starting point rooted in intimacy with the Father, dependence on His provision, confession, forgiveness, and a desire for His kingdom. Jesus calls His followers to pray with shameless persistence—continually asking, seeking, and knocking while trusting that their Heavenly Father hears them. Even when God's answers do not look like what we hoped for, we can trust that He is good, is not punishing or withholding from us, and knows what we truly need. Ultimately, the greatest gift of prayer is not simply answered requests but more of God Himself through the Holy Spirit, drawing us into deeper intimacy with Him and shaping our desires to reflect His heart.WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipknox/

God plays by the same rules He sets for us. When He created and ordered the universe, He established not only physical laws; He also established moral laws. And His moral laws are absolute and unchanging because they express His unchanging character. God isn't simply asking us to behave a certain way. He's asking us to become like Him. This means that right and wrong are standards which apply not merely to us, but to God Himself. He is not above His own moral laws, but, of course, He has a vastly different perspective from ours. Some people when reading this passage assume Paul is warning us that we dare not question God on matters of justice. After all, they say, He is God, so He can do anything He wants, and the way in which they say this seems to mean He can't be held to the same moral standards to which He holds everybody else. But if that were true, He would be a tyrant. Tyrants are people who do what they want because they have so much power no one can stop them. Tyrants answer to no standards at all beyond their own desires. But the Bible pictures God very differently. It reveals a deity completely consistent with His own standards because they express His eternal character. So let's listen again to Paul's words and this time hear him call us to trust God, to drop our defenses and rest in His arms even when we don't understand what He is doing. To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's book Understanding Romans, email us at info@lifelessonspublishing.com and ask for your copy at no charge. The book has all the notes from each sermon in this series. Also check out our website at lifelessonspublishing.com for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge. And if you would like to receive a copy of Pastor Steve's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Revelation at no charge, we are still giving this book out as well!

This powerful message invites us to pause at the cross and truly grasp what happened there. We often rush past Calvary to celebrate the resurrection, but we're challenged to sit with the reality that God Himself died for us. Through Luke 23, we encounter three groups of people: the righteous Jews who tried to help Jesus yet couldn't escape judgment, the unrighteous Jews who mocked Him yet received His forgiveness, and the Gentiles who recognized His divinity. The sermon reveals a stunning truth: our righteousness is futile, our remorse cannot save us, and we cannot run from God's judgment. Yet in our complete helplessness, Christ became our sin offering. The criminal on the cross didn't come with good works or religious credentials—he came with nothing but faith, and Jesus promised him paradise that very day. This is the heart of the gospel: salvation isn't about our merit but about God's incredible love. We were God's enemies, yet He chose to die for us anyway. The cross shows us that God doesn't love us because we're worthy; we're worthy because God loves us. This message calls us to remember that our salvation cost everything—the death of God Himself—and to live accordingly, not wallowing in shame but walking in the new life He purchased for us.

Most of us prefer the path to be direct and short. When life requires a longer route — application after application with no offer, a caregiving season that stretches on without relief, a waiting period that feels uncertain and never-ending — it is easy to become disillusioned not only with the situation but with God Himself. Why this way? Why so long? Why not the obvious route that was right there? The Israelites asked the same questions. After the miraculous liberation from Egypt, God led them away from the shortest path and around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. It made no sense — until it did. The longer route was not a delay. It was divine protection. If they had gone the direct way and encountered the Philistines in battle, they would have lost heart and run back to Egypt. And when Pharaoh's army bore down on them at the edge of the sea, what looked like the worst possible outcome became the stage for one of the greatest displays of God's power in all of Scripture. Psalm 27:14 calls us into the posture the Israelites ultimately had to choose: wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart, and wait. The three invitations this episode offers — pray to trust the detour, pray to see God at work, and pray until you praise — trace the same journey the Israelites traveled from fear to song. God is fighting for you. Stand firm long enough to see it. Today's Bible Verse "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."— Psalm 27:14, NIV Ponder Today The longer route is not a mistake — it may be divine protection. God led the Israelites away from the shortest path because He knew what lay on the other side of it. When His timing makes no sense, He may be shielding you from something you cannot yet see. What looks like the worst possible timing is often the setup for God's greatest display of faithfulness. The Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh's army and the Red Sea — and that was exactly where God chose to part the waters. Your impossible situation is not beyond His reach. Standing firm in fear is an opportunity to see God at work. Moses told the terrified Israelites to stand still and watch. That instruction still holds. When circumstances feel overwhelming, resist the urge to retreat to what feels familiar. Stay long enough to witness what God will do. A Prayer for You Today Lord God, when the road ahead feels uncertain, long, and tiring, I am tempted to lose heart. Help me to trust Your direction for my life and Your timing for the situation I face. Remind me that even when Your ways seem longer or less direct than I would like, You are still leading me with wisdom, protection, and care. Give me the courage to stand firm when fear rises and circumstances feel overwhelming. Open my eyes to see You at work in ways I might otherwise miss. Teach me to wait for You and to be strong even when I feel like quitting. I commit to waiting until my heart is once again filled with praise for Your majesty, grace, and faithfulness. Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer helped you trust the detour you are currently walking, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to strengthen your heart while you wait on God's perfect timing. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Taiping Army is riding high. Having finally broken two massive, three-year-long sieges over the course of a single summer, ultimate victory seems within their grasp. Yet, that taste of triumph acts like blood in the water. The lifting of the sieges removes the one thing that had been holding this fractured movement together: sheer external pressure. For three years, the East King has been rehearsing one demand: the same title as the Heavenly King. Absolute recognition, absolute parity - the promotion he believes he's duly owed. Now with the pressure off, he's willing to do anything to get it, even summon the voice of God Himself.Time Period Covered:Dec. 1853–Sep. 1856 CE Major Historical Figures:Taiping Heavenly Kingdom:Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King [1814–1864]Yang Xiuqing, the East King [c. 1821–1856]Wei Changhui, the North King [d. 1856]Qin Rigang, the Yan King [1821–1856]Shi Dakai, the Wing King [1831–1863]Xiao Chaogui, the West King [d. 1852]Feng Yunshan, the South King [d. 1852]Hu Yihuang, the deposed Yu King Qing Dynasty:Zeng Guofan, founder of the Xiang Army [1811–1872]Xiang Rong, Qing commander of the southern siege camp at Nanjing [d. 1856]Tuoming'a, Manchu commander at Yangzhou Major Sources Cited:Michael, Franz, and Chang Chung-li. The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents, Vol. I.Platt, Stephen R. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom.Spence, Jonathan D. God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan.Kuhn, Philip A. "The Taiping Rebellion." The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 10. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Perryman, Connections PastorGrand Parkway Baptist ChurchGrounding Behaviors & Formative Experiences1 Peter 5:6-111. Bring Yourself Low - Be Lifted Up v. 6Romans 12:3Proverbs 25:271.2. Cast all Anxiety on Him - Experience His Care v. 73. Watch Out for the Opponent v. 84. Endure Suffering v. 95. Experience Healing v. 10Four healing things God Himself does...a)Restoreb)Confirmc)Strengthend)Establish6. Release Control v. 11Mental Worship...1. What anxiety do I need to saddle God with today?2. What is my theology of suffering?3. Restore, confirm, strengthen, establish. Which one of these do I need to experience in mycurrent season of life?4. Where am I currently struggling to release control to a God who cares? Put another way, whatpast experience is challenging my belief in God's love or care for me?Be sure to follow us:InstagramFacebookYoutube

Send us Fan MailVideo podcast here:In his recent interview, Jacob Hansen never once quotes from or references the Book of Mormon. It's no wonder—doing so would have forced him to confront the clear differences between what the Book of Mormon actually teaches and what the modern LDS Church teaches today.Instead of relying on the Book of Mormon, he turns to later teachings from Joseph Smith and other church traditions that came after the book was published. This pattern is common among the LDS Church, the RLDS/Community of Christ, and many other Mormon offshoots: they often set aside their original book of scripture in favor of later developments.In this episode, we look at what the Book of Mormon actually says about who Jesus is.We believe the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Its message is centered on Jesus Christ. Far from contradicting the Bible, it beautifully complements and clarifies it. The Book of Mormon powerfully reinforces the core doctrines of mercy, justice, repentance, salvation, and eternal life so they cannot be misunderstood.Above all, it testifies of the atonement of Jesus Christ. It presents Jesus as God Himself who took on flesh, came to earth, and died for our sins. It is a sacred record of the descendants of Joseph—specifically the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh—preserved for our day.The Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek before being translated into English. Because of this, many different English versions exist—each the result of careful work by scholars, linguists, and translators. In contrast, the Book of Mormon was translated only once, by the gift and power of God, using divinely prepared instruments. The Lord Himself guided the process, removing human interpretation and choosing words that precisely convey the meaning He wants us to understand.This is an extraordinary gift that helps us clearly know what we need for our salvation and for building a personal relationship with our Creator.purchase RCE Book of Mormon https://bomf.org/shop/ Restored Gospel  - Scripture Search and Study Resources Contact us:restoredgospelpodcast@gmail.comMusic by Michael Barrett

What does it truly mean to be home? This sermon explores Psalm 84 and the truth that God Himself is the home our souls long for. The message challenges the common assumption that the good life consists of comfort, security, and circumstances going according to plan. Instead, it presents the biblical vision that true blessing is found in dwelling in God's presence, drawing strength from Him through life's difficulties, and treasuring Christ above all earthly comforts. The sermon emphasizes that the Christian life is a pilgrimage in which God transforms us into the likeness of Christ, not a guaranteed path of ease. Success is measured not by comfort but by Christlike character and growing intimacy with God. Ultimately, God is presented as both the destination we're journeying toward and the strength we need for the journey itself.

July 19th | Dream Disciple | Acts 2:42 & Acts 4:23–31What does a true disciple of Jesus look like?Continuing our series on the marks of authentic discipleship, Pastor George Willis explores what it means to become a "Knees Down Disciple"—a follower of Jesus whose life is marked by prayer, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and bold faith.Looking at the early church in Acts 2 and Acts 4, we discover that prayer wasn't an afterthought—it was their first response. Before every major movement of God, they sought His presence together. Their desire wasn't simply for God's blessings, but for God Himself.In this message, you'll learn how Knees Down Disciples:Desire more of God than from GodCultivate a consistent private prayer life in the quiet placeGrow through praying with other believersAllow the Holy Spirit to shape their perspective and responsesWalk in Spirit-empowered boldness, conviction, and confidenceJesus modeled a life of continual communion with the Father, and the early church followed His example. As we develop rhythms of personal and corporate prayer, we become people who trust God's sovereignty, hear His voice, and boldly live out the gospel.If you're longing for a deeper relationship with Christ, a stronger prayer life, and greater dependence on the Holy Spirit, this message will challenge and encourage you to become the kind of disciple who seeks God's presence above everything else.Do you know JESUS? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/do-you-know-jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Need PRAYER? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbgilmer.org/pray⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support through GIVING: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nbbctx.org/giving⁠ 

This week begins the seven prophecies of comfort chosen from Yeshayahu 40-66, which stretch all the way until Rosh Hashanah. This conversation between Dr. Tanya White and Rabbanit Rachelli Sprecher Fraenkel explores the literal and existential concept of comfort when relating to the Jewish people and to God Himself. What does it look like to have hope after tragedy? What comforts the weary? Our hosts study this famous prophecy in search of responses to these questions. This year The Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftarah.

At our Hymnal and Pure Worship service, Pastor Colins Nwosu opened up a simple but life-changing message titled "Giving Is the Way." Drawing from Luke 6:37–38, we were reminded that giving is a Kingdom principle woven into every area of life. Whether giving forgiveness, kindness, generosity, honour, or resources, God's pattern is that what we release in faith returns in greater measure. We learned that God blesses His people not merely for personal gain, but so they can become a blessing to others. True generosity is therefore not measured by the size of the gift, but by a willing heart that reflects God's own nature. Building on this truth through Proverbs 11, 2 Corinthians 9, Deuteronomy 15, and Proverbs 3, Pastor Colins showed that generosity is an act of faith, trust, and worship. God's economy often works differently from the world's: those who give freely discover His abundant provision, while cheerful giving opens the door for God to supply every need and empower every good work. The message challenged us to see giving not as a loss, but as a lifestyle that reflects God's heart. Simply put, giving is the way because God Himself is the greatest Giver. Confession: Lord, thank You for being the greatest Giver and for blessing me so I can be a blessing to others. Give me a generous heart that reflects Your character, help me to give cheerfully and faithfully, and let my life become a channel of Your provision, kindness, and love wherever I go. Amen.

Is Kolob actually the star Sirius? In this video, we'll explore the theory that it is. And we'll go far deeper than anyone has before. This episode is jam-packed with exciting new evidence that suggests that the legendary governing star from the book of Abraham is indeed one and the same as the anciently-venerated Dog Star.But that's not all. Seeing Kolob as Sirius is a key that unlocks additional mysteries about the Egyptian papyri of Joseph Smith and our cosmic neighborhood at large. For the first time ever, we'll extend the Kolob-Sirius theory to present compelling evidence that Oliblish is in Orion's Belt and the throne and residence of God Himself is located in the Beehive Cluster (in the constellation Cancer).You've heard about Kolob, but you've never heard this much about Kolob.Show notes: https://mormontheories.wordpress.com/2026/03/07/016-hey-kolob-why-so-sirius/Watch the YouTube version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/n7JfluYGxfU

ਧਨਾਸਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ਘਰੁ ੧੨    ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ ਬੰਦਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਬੰਦਨਾ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਵਹੁ ਗੋਪਾਲ ਰਾਇ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਵਡੈ ਭਾਗਿ ਭੇਟੇ ਗੁਰਦੇਵਾ ॥ ਕੋਟਿਪਰਾਧ ਮਿਟੇ ਹਰਿ ਸੇਵਾ ॥੧॥ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲ ਜਾ ਕਾ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਪੈ ॥ ਸੋਗ ਅਗਨਿ ਤਿਸੁ ਜਨ ਨ ਬਿਆਪੈ ॥੨॥ ਸਾਗਰੁ ਤਰਿਆ ਸਾਧੂ ਸੰਗੇ ॥ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਨਾਮੁਜਪਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਰੰਗੇ ॥੩॥ ਪਰ ਧਨ ਦੋਖ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਪ ਨ ਫੇੜੇ ॥ ਜਮ ਜੰਦਾਰੁAND ਨ ਆਵੈ ਨੇੜੇ ॥੪॥ ਤ੍ਰਿਸਨਾ ਅਗਨਿ ਪ੍ਰਭਿ ਆਪਿ ਬੁਝਾਈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕਉਧਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਸਰਣਾਈ ॥੫॥੧॥੫੫॥ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਨੂੰ ਸਦਾ ਨਮਸਕਾਰ ਕਰਿਆ ਕਰੋ, ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਪਾਤਿਸ਼ਾਹ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਂਦੇ ਰਹੋ। ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਡੀ ਕਿਸਮਤ ਨਾਲ ਗੁਰੂ ਮਿਲ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ, (ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ) ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ-ਭਗਤੀ ਕਰਨ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਕ੍ਰੋੜਾਂ ਪਾਪ ਮਿਟ ਜਾਂਦੇਹਨ।੧।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜਿਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦਾ ਮਨ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਦੇ ਸੋਹਣੇ ਚਰਨਾਂ (ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ-ਰੰਗ) ਵਿਚ ਰੰਗਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਉਤੇ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਦੀ ਅੱਗ ਜ਼ੋਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਾ ਸਕਦੀ।੨।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਨਾਲ ਨਿਰਭਉ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਜਪਿਆ ਕਰੋ। ਗੁਰੂ ਦੀ ਸੰਗਤਿ ਵਿਚ (ਨਾਮ ਜਪਣ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ) ਸੰਸਾਰ-ਸਮੁੰਦਰ ਤੋਂ ਪਾਰ ਲੰਘ ਜਾਈਦਾਹੈ।੩।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਸਿਮਰਨ ਦਾ ਸਦਕਾ) ਪਰਾਏ ਧਨ (ਆਦਿਕ) ਦੇ ਕੋਈ ਐਬ ਪਾਪ ਮੰਦੇ ਕਰਮ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦੇ, ਭਿਆਨਕ ਜਮ ਭੀ ਨੇੜੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਢੁਕਦਾ (ਮੌਤ ਦਾ ਡਰ ਨਹੀਂਵਿਆਪਦਾ, ਆਤਮਕ ਮੌਤ ਨੇੜੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦੀ) ।੪।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜੇਹੜੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ) ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦੀ ਤ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾ ਦੀ ਅੱਗ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਨੇ ਆਪ ਬੁਝਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਸਰਨ ਪੈ ਕੇ (ਅਨੇਕਾਂ ਜੀਵਤ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨਾ ਦੀ ਅੱਗ ਵਿਚੋਂ) ਬਚ ਨਿਕਲਦੇ ਹਨ।੫।੧।੫੫।DHANAASAREE, FIFTH MEHL, TWELFTH HOUSE:ONE UNIVERSAL CREATOR GOD. BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GURU:I bow in reverence to the Lord, I bow in reverence. I sing the Glorious Praises of the Lord, my King. || Pause || By great good fortune, one meets the Divine Guru. Millions of sins are erased by serving the Lord. || 1 || One whose mind is imbued with the Lord's lotus feet is not afflicted by the fire of sorrow. || 2 || He crosses over the world-ocean in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. He chants the Name of the Fearless Lord, and is imbued with the Lord's Love. || 3 || One who does not steal the wealth of others, who does not commit evil deeds or sinful acts — the Messenger of Death does not even approach him. || 4 || God Himself quenches the fires of desire. O Nanak, in God's Sanctuary, one is saved. || 5 || 1 || 55 ||2. Key Themes (English Summary) Devotion and Praise (Rahau): The central theme emphasizes continuously bowing to the Divine and singing the praises of the Almighty. The Role of the Guru: Meeting the True Guru is a matter of great destiny. Serving the Divine through the Guru's guidance erases countless sins. Freedom from Anxiety: A mind attached to the love of God remains untouched by the burning fires of worldly sorrow and anxiety. The Holy Congregation (Saadh Sangat): Meditating on the Fearless Lord within the company of the saints helps one safely cross the treacherous ocean of worldly existence. Righteous Living: True meditation leads to ethical living—refraining from stealing or committing sins, which ultimately eliminates the fear of spiritual or physical death. Quenching Desires: The burning fire of worldly desires (Trishna) is completely extinguished when one seeks and surrenders to the sanctuary of the Lord.

LESSON 198Only My Condemnation Injures Me.Injury is impossible. And yet illusion makes illusion. If you can condemn, you can be injured. For you have believed that you can injure, and the right you have established for yourself can be now used against you, till you lay it down as valueless, unwanted and unreal. Then does illusion cease to have effects, and those it seemed to have will be undone. Then are you free, for freedom is your gift, and you can now receive the gift you gave.Condemn and you are made a prisoner. Forgive and you are freed. Such is the law that rules perception. It is not a law that knowledge understands, for freedom is a part of knowledge. To condemn is thus impossible in truth. What seems to be its influence and its effects have not occurred at all. Yet must we deal with them a while as if they had. Illusion makes illusion. Except one. Forgiveness is illusion that is answer to the rest.Forgiveness sweeps all other dreams away, and though it is itself a dream, it breeds no others. All illusions save this one must multiply a thousandfold. But this is where illusions end. Forgiveness is the end of dreams, because it is a dream of waking. It is not itself the truth. Yet does it point to where the truth must be, and gives direction with the certainty of God Himself. It is a dream in which the Son of God awakens to his Self and to his Father, knowing They are one.Forgiveness is the only road that leads out of disaster, past all suffering, and finally away from death. How could there be another way, when this one is the plan of God Himself? And why would you oppose it, quarrel with it, seek to find a thousand ways in which it must be wrong; a thousand other possibilities?Is it not wiser to be glad you hold the answer to your problems in your hand? Is it not more intelligent to thank the One Who gives salvation, and accept His gift with gratitude? And is it not a kindness to yourself to hear His Voice and learn the simple lessons He would teach, instead of trying to dismiss His words, and substitute your own in place of His?His words will work. His words will save. His words contain all hope, all blessing and all joy that ever can be found upon this earth. His words are born in God, and come to you with Heaven's love upon them. Those who hear His words have heard the song of Heaven.For these are the words in which all merge as one at last. And as this one will fade away, the Word of God will come to take its place, for it will be remembered then and loved.This world has many seeming separate haunts where mercy has no meaning, and attack appears as justified. Yet all are one; a place where death is offered to God's Son and to his Father. You may think They have accepted. But if you will look again upon the place where you beheld Their blood, you will perceive a miracle instead. How foolish to believe that They could die! How foolish to believe you can attack! How mad to think that you could be condemned, and that the holy Son of God can die!The stillness of your Self remains unmoved, untouched by thoughts like these, and unaware of any condemnation which could need forgiveness. Dreams of any kind are strange and alien to the truth. And what but truth could have a Thought which builds a bridge to it that brings illusions to the other side?Today we practice letting freedom come to make its home with you. The truth bestows these words upon your mind, that you may find the key to light and let the darkness end:Only my condemnation injures me.Only my own forgiveness sets me free.Do not forget today that there can be no form of suffering that fails to hide an unforgiving thought. Nor can there be a form of pain forgiveness cannot heal.Accept the one illusion which proclaims there is no condemnation in God's Son, and Heaven is remembered instantly; the world forgotten, all its weird beliefs forgotten with it, as the face of Christ appears unveiled at last in this one dream. This is the gift the Holy Spirit holds for you from God your Father. Let today be celebrated both on earth and in your holy home as well. Be kind to both, as you forgive the trespasses you thought them guilty of, and see your innocence shining upon you from the face of Christ.Now is there silence all around the world. Now is there stillness where before there was a frantic rush of thoughts that made no sense. Now is there tranquil light across the face of earth, made quiet in a dreamless sleep. And now the Word of God alone remains upon it. Only that can be perceived an instant longer. Then are symbols done, and everything you ever thought you made completely vanished from the mind that God forever knows to be His only Son.There is no condemnation in him. He is perfect in his holiness. He needs no thoughts of mercy. Who could give him gifts when everything is his? And who could dream of offering forgiveness to the Son of Sinlessness Itself, so like to Him Whose Son he is, that to behold the Son is to perceive no more, and only know the Father? In this vision of the Son, so brief that not an instant stands between this single sight and timelessness itself, you see the vision of yourself, and then you disappear forever into God.Today we come still nearer to the end of everything that yet would stand between this vision and our sight. And we are glad that we have come this far, and recognize that He Who brought us here will not forsake us now. For He would give to us the gift that God has given us through Him today. Now is the time for your deliverance. The time has come. The time has come today.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Refusing to love isn't just a personal thing — it's a directpushback against God Himself. In this powerful episode, Minister Jeremy Squiresdives deep into the danger of neglecting Christ's command to love one another,revealing how refusal to love aligns us with anti-God and anti-Christ behavior.If you've ever struggled to forgive, show mercy, or open your heart, thismessage will shake you out of complacency and challenge the very heart of yourfaith.Jeremy unpacks the biblical bedrock of love as the definingmark of a Christian — from John 13 to 1 Corinthians 13 — emphasizing that loveis not optional but essential. He reminds us that Jesus' love was unconditionaland relentless, even in the face of rejection and sin. Refusing to love, Jeremywarns, doesn't just hurt others — it compromises your relationship with God,making your heart hard and your faith vulnerable to falling away. This episodeis a heartfelt call to examine whether your actions align with God's love or ifyou're walking in opposition to it.You'll discover:Why refusing to love is the ultimate anti-Christ act and howit shows up in personal relationships, including marriage and community.The biblical key to loving without limits, inspired byJesus' sacrificial love that never fails.Practical ways to soften your heart, forgive past hurts, andlove even those who may not deserve it.How to identify signs that your love walk is waning and whatto do to reignite it through prayer and the Holy Spirit's power.The stakes: falling into stubbornness and hardness that canlead you away from faith and fullness in Christ.This episode is perfect for believers feeling stuck inunforgiveness or anyone longing to re-align with God's love. Jeremy'scompassionate yet uncompromising message challenges you to confront yourrefusal to love and embrace the grace that empowers you to love like Jesus.Because when we refuse love, we're not just hurting others — we're risking ourvery souls. Choose today to walk in love, because — as Jeremy reminds us — loveis of God, and nothing can separate us from His love, not even refusal.

LESSON 197It Can Be But My Gratitude I Earn.Here is the second step we take to free your mind from the belief in outside force pitted against your own. You make attempts at kindness and forgiveness. Yet you turn them to attack again, unless you find external gratitude and lavish thanks. Your gifts must be received with honor, lest they be withdrawn. And so you think God's gifts are loans at best; at worst, deceptions which would cheat you of defenses, to ensure that when He strikes He will not fail to kill.How easily are God and guilt confused by those who know not what their thoughts can do. Deny your strength, and weakness must become salvation to you. See yourself as bound, and bars become your home. Nor will you leave the prison house, or claim your strength, until guilt and salvation are not seen as one, and freedom and salvation are perceived as joined, with strength beside them, to be sought and claimed, and found and fully recognized.The world must thank you when you offer it release from your illusions. Yet your thanks belong to you as well, for its release can only mirror yours. Your gratitude is all your gifts require, that they be a lasting offering of a thankful heart, released from hell forever. Is it this you would undo by taking back your gifts, because they were not honored? It is you who honor them and give them fitting thanks, for it is you who have received the gifts.It does not matter if another thinks your gifts unworthy. In his mind there is a part that joins with yours in thanking you. It does not matter if your gifts seem lost and ineffectual. They are received where they are given. In your gratitude are they accepted universally, and thankfully acknowledged by the Heart of God Himself. And would you take them back, when He has gratefully accepted them?God blesses every gift you give to Him, and every gift is given Him, because it can be given only to yourself. And what belongs to God must be His Own. Yet you will never realize His gifts are sure, eternal, changeless, limitless, forever giving out, extending love and adding to your never-ending joy while you forgive but to attack again.Withdraw the gifts you give, and you will think that what is given you has been withdrawn. But learn to let forgiveness take away the sins you think you see outside yourself, and you can never think the gifts of God are lent but for a little while, before He snatches them away again in death. For death will have no meaning for you then.And with the end of this belief is fear forever over. Thank your Self for this, for He is grateful only unto God, and He gives thanks for you unto Himself. To everyone who lives will Christ yet come, for everyone must live and move in Him. His Being in His Father is secure, because Their Will is one. Their gratitude to all They have created has no end, for gratitude remains a part of love.Thanks be to you, the holy Son of God. For as you were created, you contain all things within your Self. And you are still as God created you. Nor can you dim the light of your perfection. In your heart the Heart of God is laid. He holds you dear, because you are Himself. All gratitude belongs to you, because of what you are.Give thanks as you receive it. Be you free of all ingratitude to anyone who makes your Self complete. And from this Self is no one left outside. Give thanks for all the countless channels which extend this Self. All that you do is given unto Him. All that you think can only be His Thoughts, sharing with Him the holy Thoughts of God. Earn now the gratitude you have denied yourself when you forgot the function God has given you. But never think that He has ever ceased to offer thanks to you.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Philippians 4:9:"Those things, which ye have both learned, andreceived, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be withyou."   Noticethe little command near the end of the verse: "Do." One simple word.Christianity was never intended to be merely something we know. It is somethingwe live. James reminds us of this in James 1:22, "But be you doers ofthe word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."  Knowledge without obedience only producesdeception. The goal of Bible study is never simply information. It istransformation. Paulreminds the Philippians of four ways they had received God's truth. First, theyhad learned it. That speaks of careful instruction. For several years Paul hadtaught these believers the Word of God. Second, they had received it. Thatmeans they welcomed it and accepted it as God's truth. Hearing truth is onething. Receiving truth is another. Third, they had heard it. Again and againthey listened as Paul preached Christ. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing bythe Word of God. Butthen Paul adds something remarkable. They had seen it in him. Paul wasn'tasking them to imitate a perfect man. He was asking them to follow a faithfulexample. He had already written in chapter 3:17, "Brethren, befollowers together of me." Not because Paul was perfect. In fact, hehad just admitted in chapter 3 that he had not already attained. But he wassincerely following Christ. Someonehas wisely said, "People may doubt what you say, but they usually believewhat you do." Augustine said, “Preach the Gospel, preach the Gospel, andif necessary use words”. Our lives either reinforce our message or contradictit. Paul could boldly say, "You've heard me preach it, and you've watchedme live it."Whata challenge for every Christian. Our children are watching us. Ourgrandchildren are watching us. Our neighbors are watching us. The people wework beside are watching us. Our lives become living sermons every single day. Paulthen gives this simple command: "Do." Put it into practice. Practicewhat you have learned. Practice what you believe. Practice what God has shownyou. Someone once said that the distance between heaven and earth is only abouteighteen inches—the distance from the head to the heart. But I might add thereis another distance—from the heart to the hands and feet. God wants His truthto move from our minds, to our hearts, and finally into our daily lives. TheChristian life is learned one step of obedience at a time. Thennotice the wonderful promise. Paul does not simply say that the peace of Godwill guard you. He now says, "The God of peace shall be with you."Back in verse 7, Paul promised the peace of God. Now he promises thepresence of the God of peace. What could be better than that? When we walk injoyful obedience, we enjoy the fellowship of God's presence in a very real way.The greatest blessing of obedience is not merely answered prayer, or even innerpeace. The greatest blessing is that we experience the nearness of God Himself.Jesus said in John 14:21, "He that has my commandments, and keeps them,he it is that loves me... and I will love him, and will manifest myself tohim." May each of us not merely know God's Word. May we live God'sWord. Asthe old hymn reminds us, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to behappy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."Let'spray.  Heavenly Father, thank You forgiving us Your precious Word. Help us not to be hearers only, but doers of YourWord. May the truths we learn each day shape the way we live, the way we speak,and the way we love others. Help us to be examples of faithful followers ofChrist so that others will see Jesus in us. Thank You for the wonderful promisethat as we walk in obedience, the God of peace will be with us. May we enjoyYour presence every day of our lives. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus.Amen.

How many people do you know have a heart after God? the Bible tells us King David had a heart after God. To those of you who know the story, David did some awful things in his life; many serious sins did he commit. Nonetheless, despite his behavior God still said David had a heart after God (Himself). What did King David do that no other King did before or after him? One thing David did was create a tent in which prayer was offered to God 24/7. Every day, every hour of the day for years prayers were offered up to God from David's tent. Many of you may not know that such a tent exists in Washington DC in our nations capital. David's tent is a large size tent on the Mall in Washington DC founded by a man with a heart after God. His name is Jason Hershey and this podcast is an interview with him. Jason is an old friend, a father of nine children. He came out of YWAM background and God is using him to send a message. The desire to pray to God comes from a priest's heart. Come listen to Jason describe his stories of how God moved in his life to establish a place in our nation's capital. Time will tell how David's Tent has changed the trajectory of our nation.Whatever your religious affiliation or your spiritual condition. A connection to God in prayer is of paramount importance to your life. If you don't think so, don't bother listening to this podcast. However, if you do think so, this podcast is for you.Blessings:Papa Tom

Welcome to Day 2905 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2905 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 143:1-12 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2905 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2905 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: Out of the Dust, Into the Light – The Cry for Divine Direction and Vindication On our last expedition, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Three, we crawled deep into the dark, damp, suffocating isolation of the cave with David in Psalm One Hundred Forty-Two. We listened as he poured out his raw legal complaint before the Lord, feeling entirely abandoned by humanity, with hidden snares waiting for him in the shadows. Today, as we advance our base camp along this ancient trail, we step directly into Psalm One Hundred Forty-Three, verses one through twelve. This is the final of the seven traditional penitential psalms, and it serves as a profound, sequential continuation of David's journey through intense distress. If Psalm One Hundred Forty-Two was the sharp, acute panic of being trapped in a cave, Psalm One Hundred Forty-Three represents the heavy, cumulative exhaustion of a long-drawn-out warfare. David is not just running from a temporary threat anymore; his soul is utterly spent, his energy is depleted, and the darkness is threatening to swallow him whole. Yet, as we will see, instead of throwing in the towel, David uses his remaining strength to lift his hands into the cosmic throne room, appealing to the character of the Sovereign King of heaven. The first segment is: Entering the Supreme Court: Appealing to Covenant Faithfulness Let us open our ears and hearts to the opening lines of this intense prayer, grouping together the logical thoughts found in verse one and verse two. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous. Don't put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you. David begins this trek with an urgent, deeply humble legal appeal, crying out, “Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous. Don't put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you.” To fully appreciate what is happening here, we must view this through the ancient Israelite divine-council worldview. When David enters into prayer, he knows he is stepping directly into the celestial courtroom where Yahweh sits enthroned as the Supreme Judge, surrounded by His assembly of holy ones. Notice that David does not swagger into this heavenly court demanding rights based on his own moral perfection. In fact, he does the exact opposite. He submits a preemptive plea, begging, “Don't put your servant on trial.” Why? Because David possesses the profound cosmic wisdom to realize that in the brilliant, unblemished light of the Creator's holiness, no human being—not even a chosen, anointed king—stands completely innocent on their own merit. Instead of pleading his own righteousness, David brilliantly shifts the entire legal basis of his case to the character of God Himself. He demands an answer based entirely on two things: God's faithfulness and God's righteousness. In the ancient near eastern covenant framework, a king was legally and morally obligated to defend and protect his loyal subjects. David is essentially saying, “Lord, I am your covenant servant. I am imperfect, yes, but I am yours. Therefore, I appeal to your own cosmic reputation, and your sworn oaths of loyalty, to step down“from the judge's bench and act as my divine defense attorney." The second segment is: The Crushing Darkness: Paralyzed in the Shadow of Death The narrative takes a very heavy, somber turn as David describes the terrifying operations of his adversary, combining the logical thoughts found in verse three and verse four. My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to live in darkness like those who died long ago. I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. David exposes his current reality, recounting, “My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground and forces me to live in darkness like those who died long ago. I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear.” The language David utilizes here is intentionally cosmic, and deeply evocative of the underworld. When he says his enemy has knocked him to the ground, forcing him to live in deep darkness like those who died long ago, he is drawing a direct parallel between his current psychological state and Sheol—the dark, silent realm of the dead. In the ancient world, Sheol was seen as a place of absolute containment, ruled over by spiritual forces of chaos and decay. David feels as though his human persecutors, backed by the sinister principalities of darkness, have successfully driven him out of the vibrant land of the living and buried him alive in a spiritual tomb. Because of this prolonged, crushing environment, David experiences a profound internal collapse. He confesses, “I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear.” In the original language, this means his spirit is completely overwhelmed, and his heart within him is numbed, desolated, and frozen. This is an incredibly important stop on our wisdom trek today. It reminds us that even the greatest spiritual giants can reach a point of complete emotional paralysis. The wilderness can get so dark, and the chase can last so long, that our internal resources completely run dry, leaving us numb to the world around us. The third segment is: The Pivot of Remembrance: Thirsting for Cosmic Intervention Right at the absolute nadir of his depression, when his heart is completely frozen, David makes a conscious, deliberate pivot in his mind, linking his thoughts together in verse five and verse six. I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Faced with a paralyzing present, David forces his mind to look backward, declaring, “I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.” When you are paralyzed with fear, and can no longer see a way forward, the wisest thing you can do is look backward at history. David engages three distinct mental faculties here: he remembers, he ponders, and he meditates. He actively recalls the “days of old”—the cosmic history of Israel, the miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the splitting of the Red Sea, and the dramatic overthrow of the rebellious Canaanite kings. By contemplating these great historical works, David reminds his trembling heart that the God he serves is the undisputed Master of storm, sea, and human empires. This mental shift completely re-energizes his physical body. He moves from a posture of frozen paralysis to a posture of active, urgent worship, lifting his empty hands into the air. He describes his soul's condition using a striking agricultural metaphor: “I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.” In the ancient Near East, a drought was not just an inconvenience; it was a terrifying threat of death and famine, often associated with the cosmic withdrawal of divine favor. David recognizes that he cannot fix his own drought. He stands before the Lord like cracked, dry, sun-baked desert soil, completely dependent on the sovereign windows of heaven opening up to pour out life-giving rain upon his parched soul. The fourth segment is: The Urgent S.O.S.: Pleading for the Morning Light The urgency of David's prayer reaches an absolute fever pitch as he strings together a rapid series of imperative petitions, grouping together the thoughts in verse Safen, verse eight, and verse nine. Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don't turn away from me, or I will die and go down to the grave. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. David sends out an urgent spiritual distress signal, crying, “Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don't turn away from me, or I will die and go down to the grave. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide...

What if self-control isn't mainly about saying no, but about keeping Christ at the center of what we desire? Money has a way of revealing what our hearts are chasing. Our spending, saving, giving, and borrowing decisions often tell a deeper story about what we love, what we fear, and what we believe will satisfy us. That's why biblical temperance is about far more than discipline or willpower. In our continuing series on the cardinal virtues and how Christian character shapes the way we handle money, author and theologian Pierce Taylor Hibbs joined the show to help us consider temperance, or self-control.  He is a Senior Writer at Westminster Theological Seminary and the author of The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers. Today, he reminds us that self-control is not merely a human achievement. It is a gift of the Spirit that helps us enjoy God's gifts without letting them take God's place. Self-Control Is a Heart Issue When many people hear the word “self-control,” they think of willpower. They imagine discipline, restraint, or simply saying no to whatever they want in the moment. But Scripture gives us a deeper picture. Self-control is not merely a personality trait some people have and others lack. It is not gained by sheer determination. Instead, self-control is closely connected to the heart. A lack of self-control often reveals disordered desires—places where our hearts are chasing something other than God. The presence of self-control reveals a heart that is increasingly content in God and His promises. That means temperance is not about rejecting every enjoyable thing in the world. It is about rightly ordering our loves. God must be first, and everything else must take its proper place beneath Him. In other words, self-control is about keeping first things first. A Gift of the Spirit That truth should encourage us. If self-control were only a matter of willpower, many of us would have little hope. We have all experienced the frustration of trying harder, setting new goals, making new rules, and still falling back into the same habits. But Galatians 5 tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is something God produces in His people as we walk with Him. That does not mean discipline is unimportant. Habits, boundaries, budgets, and accountability can all be helpful tools. But they are not the source of true self-control. The source is God Himself. So when our desires are out of order, the first step is not merely to try harder. It is to turn to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to form in us what we cannot produce on our own. God has given us a new heart in Christ, and by His Spirit, He teaches us to desire what is good, lasting, and true. Enjoying God's Gifts Without Replacing Him Temperance may involve restriction because our desires can easily become disordered. But restriction is not the goal. The goal is joy rightly ordered under Christ. A simple example is something like coffee or sugar. There is nothing wrong with enjoying either. They can be good gifts from God. But if our world were to fall apart without them, that might reveal something about the state of our hearts. The problem is not that we enjoy good things. The problem comes when we love those things more than we love our relationship with the Lord. A helpful question to ask is: What is my heart chasing right now? That question applies not only to food and drink, but also to money. What are our purchases chasing? Comfort? Control? Status? Escape? Approval? Security? Pleasure? None of those desires is unfamiliar to the human heart. And money often becomes the tool we use to pursue them. Why Money Reveals Our Desires Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” The issue is not money itself but the heart's relationship to it. Jesus also warned that we cannot serve both God and money. Money is powerful because, in many ways, it functions like a key. It can unlock access to many of the things the heart desires—comfort, influence, experiences, possessions, pleasure, recognition, or a sense of control. That is why our financial decisions are so revealing. They show what we are chasing. Of course, money can be used in a good and God-honoring way. It can provide for needs, support a family, bless a neighbor, fund ministry, relieve suffering, and express worship through generosity. But money can also reveal that our hearts are running after something other than God. Our spending decisions tell a story. The question is whether that story points to Christ as our greatest treasure. The Challenge of a Consumer Culture Financial self-control is especially challenging in a culture that constantly tells us to buy now, upgrade now, and satisfy every desire now. Technology has made temptation more immediate than ever. Social media platforms and online ads are designed to place curated products directly in front of us. The very things we are most likely to want often appear in our feeds, inboxes, and search results. That means our commitment to Christ is being tested constantly—not only by obviously sinful things, but also by good gifts that can quietly become ultimate things. A vacation can be a gift. A home can be a gift. A hobby can be a gift. A meal, a phone, a car, a cup of coffee, or a new pair of shoes can all be received with gratitude. But when the gift becomes more captivating than the Giver, our desires have become disordered. Temperance helps us receive God's gifts with open hands, gratitude, and perspective. Jesus Shows Us Perfect Self-Control One beautiful picture of this comes after the resurrection in John 21. The disciples had spent the night fishing and caught nothing. Jesus met them on the shore and neither rebuked them for fishing nor told them that physical things did not matter. Instead, He helped them find fish, prepared a fire, and invited them to breakfast. Fresh fish and warm bread were not treated as distractions from spiritual life. They were gifts to be enjoyed with Jesus at the center. That is a wonderful picture of temperance. Biblical self-control does not require us to reject every earthly blessing. It teaches us to enjoy every blessing in communion with Christ, remembering that He is better than the gifts He gives. We do not need to abandon money or pretend material needs do not matter. But we do need to ask whether Christ remains central in how we earn, spend, save, give, and enjoy. A Question for Every Financial Decision So how can we practice temperance in our financial lives this week? One simple question can help: How is God remaining central in this decision? That question does not produce a mechanical answer, but it does reveal the heart. It invites us to pause, pray, and consider whether our money is serving our love for God or competing with it. Self-control is not the joyless denial of every good thing. It is the Spirit-given ability to enjoy God's gifts without letting them replace God as our ultimate treasure. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I'm 67, and my wife is 68. We have a traditional IRA, and I'm concerned that once RMDs begin at 73, the withdrawals could eventually push us—or my wife, if I pass first—into a higher tax bracket and increase Medicare premiums. What planning steps should we consider? I've been overpaid on Social Security SSDI and am currently repaying it. Do I have to repay the full amount before I can switch to my regular Social Security retirement benefit? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) The Book of Giving: How the God Who Gives Can Make Us Givers by Pierce Taylor Hibbs Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Armored Against Demon Invasion (audio) David Eells – 7/15/26 Bundle of Serpents Attacks  John David Feagin - 10/31/2011 (David's notes in red) In the brief dream I had, there was a bundle, like the old-fashioned bundle of wheat that was being passed down from two others in line to me, only this bundle was a bundle of serpents. I could tell that they were very venomous serpents, like sea snakes, cobras, mambas, or coral snakes. They tried to bite my arm and, naturally, I did not like this. I did remember that we are immune to the bites of serpents if we are covered in the Blood of Jesus, so this is where I put my trust. I was no longer so concerned and set them aside. At the time I awoke, this was puzzling to me, but now, after some thought, I believe I understand it more fully. The snakes involved have neurotoxins, which attack the brain, that is, our thoughts. We are strictly warned to take captive our every thought (that is, against the knowledge of God's Word) and this now means much more to me than it ever has before. I am certainly no expert with such things or spiritual warfare, but I do know that demons associated with pornography, bitterness, criticism, faction, etc., are very powerful and deadly. I also know that demons can be transferred by men, and inadvertently opening doors, even with the best of intentions, can invite personal attack. I personally believe this was a warning to be very careful, but it may also be a general warning to others as well, and may be applied to all sorts of demonic or thought influence. If the enemy can truly read our thoughts and insert them, as has been shown in a previous UBM study, then this is particularly devious. It is difficult to reject such thoughts if you think they are your own.  Then, this morning, as a sort of confirmation, I saw the UBM update about the bug detector and casting such thoughts to hell immediately in the name of Jesus. I also noticed that when I was praying, in the Word, and seeking wisdom in such matters, my thoughts were clear, but when my guard was down, my own thoughts and emotions in the matter, no matter how well-intended, were somewhat intoxicating. So, forewarned is forearmed. God bless always in His service.  Be careful of slander and criticism for the purpose of making disciples. It comes only from demons, and those they can use, and it comes for only one reason -- to impart demons and poison minds against someone the devil hates. Demons impersonating aliens to turn the world to the mark of the beast to destroy Christianity. The Word for “heresies” or “parties” in Galatians 5:20 means “a self-willed opinion leading to division”. The word for factions among these works of the flesh means separating followers through selfish ambition. Demons impersonate righteous indignation but are actually criticism or new revelation. {Jas.3:14} But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. {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.   Bluffing Demons & Spiritual Authority  Sandy Shaw 11/09/2011 (David's notes in red) The way this dream starts is that I'm walking into this room, and I'm watching a group of men (some I know, some I don't know) who are turning around and leaving the room. I ask the ladies there, “Where are the men going?” (These men are the chosen.)  The women who are there tell me not to worry because they need to go -- they have to go. The Lord wants them to go. When this happens, I feel like all the women are in unity that the men needed to go. (The spiritual catching up to the throne anointing of those who will return as the Man-child reformer ministry.) I then grab Tina's hand and ask, “Don't you feel the winds of change?” She answers, “What?” Then I say, “The change. The winds of change. Don't you feel the winds of change?” (From this point on, everything will change both positively for those who love God and are called according to His purpose and negatively for the wicked; a separation of the wheat from the tares. Tina ended up going factious, the opposite of Sandy.)  Then I go from there to an ancient-looking town square or plaza. People are walking all around. There are archways all around the square leading into different hallways, buildings, or rooms. It looks and feels like it's an ancient city. (Archways were made famous by the ancient Romans, who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures. We are seeing a revival of the iron and clay of Daniel's end-time vision of the 10 toes of the world beast kingdom. There is no dispute that the iron is the seed of the Roman Empire.) As I'm walking slowly through this square, I'm praying. I'm praying continuously because I can feel the presence of evil so strongly there. (Great darkness is about to descend as the principality of the old Roman Empire prepares to take charge and make the covenant with many, as spoken of in Daniel 9:26,27.) As I'm looking at some of the people, they look human, but for a brief moment, I can see certain demons that are controlling them. (As we watch this progressive revelation, the people who belong to the body of the beast become less and less human and more and more demon, just as those who belong to the body of Christ become less and less human and more and more sons of God. Those from among the people of God who do not forsake their evil will go with the wicked. {Rev.22:11} He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still. In the days before the coming of the Lord, at the end of the tribulation, Jesus will come in and then with His saints. {2Th.1:7} and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, {8} rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: {9} who shall suffer punishment, [even] eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, {10} when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.) As I'm praying, some man grabs my arm and pulls me into one of the hallways. As he is pulling me into the hallway, I hear someone in the square saying, “We gotta find her. We gotta find her. We have to stop her. Her prayers are reaching the throne of Heaven!” (These voices are the demons speaking through men). (Our prayers do reach the throne when sent by faith, and the demons' plans are thwarted. {Psa.10:17} Jehovah, thou hast heard the desire of the meek: Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. {Rom.10:13} for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. {Jer.33:3} Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.) So the man pulls me into this room, and there are mostly men and a few women there. This room is full of uniforms of all different kinds. The people are trying to figure out which uniform to put on. Some of the uniforms are military. As they are excited about finding the right uniform to wear, they are trying them on. I know in the dream that these people are Christians. (The “Christians” will be worried about how to appear to the world in this dangerous time and what lifestyle to put on besides Christ's. A military uniform indicates a militant lifestyle in dealing with this beast system, which will be disastrous since “they who take the sword will die by the sword”. We must put on the uniform of the new man, who is in the image of Jesus and His actions, according to the knowledge of the Word. {Col.3:9} lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, {10} and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him.)  I tell them that they have it wrong and that the full armor that they need to put on is the full armor of God, not one of these physical uniforms made by man. The people just look at me, not receiving anything I'm saying (as apostate patriotic Christians). A man asks me to sit down and take a look at this uniform. Then this man puts on some kind of uniform with a jacket. The jacket and uniform cover his legs, feet, and everything. There is a hood to the jacket that covers his whole head with a face-covering mask. The material of the jacket is a material I've never felt before. They then pour chemicals over it, resulting in no damage. Then they turn a blowtorch on it, and the torch doesn't burn or damage it. (As a volunteer fireman for Exxon, they gave us shirts that had metal woven into them to reflect heat.  Our government is allying with alien impersonating demons like the galactic federation or alliance in hopes of profiting from their “higher technology.” But these hate Christians and will help to bring about the mark of the beast to be rid of them.) They are really excited about the uniform/jacket and are picking it to be the one they will use. (There is no safety outside of God's will. He sent the curse, and no man can defend from it. {Jer.17:5} Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah. ... {7} Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah, and whose trust Jehovah is. {8} For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.) I tell them again, “No, you have it wrong; it's the full armor of God that you need to put on. There is nothing manmade that will help you. You only need the full armor of God”. I then get up and walk out of there into the long hallway. As I walk down the hallway, it is full of men lining up to put on the uniform they think is going to help them in the battle ahead. {Psa.33:16} There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. {17} A horse is a vain thing for safety; Neither doth he deliver any by his great power. {18} Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his lovingkindness; {19} To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. {20} Our soul hath waited for Jehovah: He is our help and our shield. ... {Psa.34:7} The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them. {8} Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him.) After leaving the “Christians” in their false confidence, I kept walking and went back to the square. The ground in the square has changed: it's all dirt now, and I could see through the dirt. I see under the dirt different piles of bones all over the place. No one knows that those bones are there, and no one sees them either. I'm not quite sure why I'm seeing them. (The hidden bones represent those who are martyred behind the scenes because they are not prepared for the battle by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, as in Romans 13:12-14. Notice that putting on Jesus IS putting on God's armor or protection. Notice that it is always called the “armor of God” because it is God Himself. {Eph.6:11} Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. {13} Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.  {14} Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, {15} and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; {16} withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil [one]. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: {18} with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Notice that putting on all of these attributes: truth, righteousness, the Gospel, and salvation are manifestations of the Word, Who is Jesus. Putting on Jesus is putting on God. It is the armor of GOD Himself.) I'm walking through the square again, and I'm praying because I need to get to the other side of the square. (Contrary to popular opinion, we will all have to pass through this time of the revived Roman beast with America at the head.) As I'm walking and praying, the people that I saw with demons controlling them, I now see as full-blown demons, but to the natural eye, they still looked human. (The worldly people will be totally possessed, though they appear to each other as normal, and we are seeing more of this happening now. The D.S. can only be picked out by their leftist demon doctrines.) There was one demon that would walk really fast. So fast that it seemed as if he was flying. This demon went right in front of my face, standing right in front of me but he could not see me. He was really angry and talking with authority, telling the other demons, “We have to find these people who are praying! NOW! NOW, I say! Find them! (Prayer by those who believe in its power will be both destructive to Satan's kingdom and defensive to those who walk in the Lord's Kingdom. {Jas.5:16} Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working. {17} Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain; and it rained not on the earth for three years and six months. {18} And he prayed again; and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.)  I was standing right in front of him, praying, and the demon had no clue that I was there. (In other words, I was hidden in Christ.) So, I keep walking and when I get to the right-hand corner of the square, I look. I stop, turn around, and I'm looking! I'm watching these people. And the room is not really a room. The way that it feels is completely off, like when you walk into a room, and you can see the light, yet you can see shadows behind things. This was now completely reversed. There was light where shadows would normally be. There were bits and pieces of light. It was completely off, completely out of order. It just didn't feel or look right. (When the light is dark, and the dark is light, it is when good is called evil and evil is called good. This is where demon-possessed society is and has been going. {Isa.5:20} Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! We see this with demon-possessed people now.) After I walked through there, I saw what looked like some kind of old train depot-type thing. I know it's some kind of old transportation system. I'm in this room where there are two big fences with gates -- a cement-type fence. There is a gate, and people are going in and out of the gate. And then there is like a middle part where a lot of people are walking -- a lot of traffic. (To get where they want to go, Christians can't walk where the masses do in their bondage, spiritually speaking. {Mat.7:13} Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. {14} For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it. We must be conformed by the Word within.) On the other end is the same kind of gate that people are entering this place from somewhere else. When I go there, I'm waiting for Tina, Sam, and my mom. I feel like Tina and Sam went to get my mom wherever she was to bring her here. I knew that it hadn't been very long since I had seen Tina and Sam, but that I hadn't seen my mom in a while. Tina and Sam were getting ready to go through the gate that's on the other side to go to the middle. My mom stopped them and said, “No, we can't go that way. We have to go the other way”. (Sandy said that she felt that if they had gone into the middle, they would have died. This warning was not taken seriously by them and they spiritually died. They did not listen. This is where the people of God need to go from the worldly to the spiritual; there cannot be ‘a halfway', ‘a lukewarm'. This would mean spiritual death to them in this time and a spewing out of the body of Christ. {Rev.3:15} I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.) If you walked all the way around to the end, there was another part that was covered by the fence. They did not walk in the middle part. They had to walk all the way around to where I was. (The path of least resistance, or the shortcut, is the wrong way. The worldly church offers many of these. Just listen to them, and they will show you the quick and easy way to get saved and fly away, but the end is death.) They were almost down to that part, and there was another little gate to walk to the middle. My mom stopped and turned around and told Tina, “Grab Sam. He cannot walk in the middle. There is no middle; he can't walk in the middle”. (None of those who are lukewarm, middle-of-the-road walkers will spiritually survive.) As Sam goes toward the middle, Tina grabs him and they walk all the way around to where I was. I greet them and hug them. (This awakening was temporary.) Then I tell them, “Things are not what they seem to be”. My mom then says, “It's okay, it's okay, because everything that is happening is according to God's will. We just need to stay in constant prayer. {Pro.14:12} There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death. We just need to stay in constant prayer”. (In the days of strong delusion and deception, there's much advanced technology now using AI, CGI, and programming through drugs, mind control and manipulation, etc., we cannot walk according to our carnal mind or senses, or we will stumble. Prayer without ceasing is our command.) So, I'm walking ahead of them. Tina is walking on one side, my mom on the other side, both holding Sam's hand. Sam was not as old as he is now. He looked to be eight or nine years old. (We will have to help guide those Christians who are not yet mature in discernment. God will hear their prayers, too. Samuel is Hebrew for “God heard” or “God's name”. Shem is a variant of Sam, meaning “name”. Shem was the father of the people of the name, as Christians are now. Shem was the father of the Israelites.) Sam was trying not to act afraid when there was the presence of evil all around us. Even amongst all the evil, we knew we were under the protection of the Lord. There was no safe place other than the arms of God. I bent down to talk to Sam in his ear, saying, “It's okay to be afraid; you just fear the Lord. Don't fear anyone else or anything else. Nothing can harm you because they have to go through the Father first. Don't be afraid”. (Fear permits faith to be robbed and the enemies to take advantage of us. It is faith in reverse. {Psa.23:4} Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod [of correction] and thy staff [of direction], they comfort me. {5} Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup runneth over. (With this anointing of the Holy Spirit, we should give the good confession.) {6} Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.) Then we started walking back to the square. The dirt has changed again. The dirt now seems like it's a mud-like consistency. But to the natural eye, it looks just like dirt. I still see the piles of bones now with the mud going between the fingers, toes, etc. But now I also see something like a circle; it's a tunnel and I can see it at weird angles and kind of far. The things that I'm seeing in these tunnels are body parts with the flesh. I'm seeing arms cut off, legs, face, head, all different kinds of body parts. They look to be freshly cut off from the body because I can still see the blood. The blood is still wet. I can see the nerves on some of these parts still shaking and moving. (The ‘powers that be' have made many underground tunnels connecting cities, where the military and special forces have found remains of countless people who were murdered by satanists. According to other dreams and prophecies I have seen, it is in these tunnels that the saints will be expected to renounce Jesus or die. It behooves us to walk carefully so we fill out both our days and our ministry.)  I'm getting ready to step, and I stop. I put my hand out to stop my mom, Tina, and Sam as I watch the details of the body parts freshly cut off. It was gross. I then asked them if they saw those parts. Tina and my mom saw it; Sam closed his eyes. He didn't want to see it. I then asked, “But it's not there?” My mom said, “Oh, but it is there under the dirt”. We stopped then and there, and we started praying. We were praying in tongues. While we were praying, I told Tina to take my mom and Sam to the outer part of the square, find a place, and begin praying and interceding. And that's what they did. (As with the Nazi persecutions in the death camps of World War 2, many will deny for the sake of soothing their own conscience that these persecutions are happening, but they will be out of sight and out of mind, “under the dirt”.) I was taking very small steps as the Lord was guiding me and telling me to. (Every step in these days will need to be according to the Father's will because of the dangers. {Eph.5:15} Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; {16} redeeming the time, because the days are evil.) And I was just praying and praying and praying. As I was starting to pray, I saw the people in the square now completely as demons. I no longer saw them as humans. (The righteous will be able to see in the spirit realm those who have been displaced by demons.) As I was walking, I felt as if they were trying to find me, and they were bumping into me, but didn't know they were hitting me. I kept praying more and more. I prayed out loud, and they could hear me but couldn't see me. (Invisibility in the spirit realm makes for peace from the flesh realm.)  That big demon I saw earlier that walked really fast was now there, and there were more demons of his stature and size. They were frantic, upset and mad. One of them said, “Now there are more praying. Do you hear them praying? We have to find them NOW! I'm telling you, their prayers are reaching the throne room of Heaven. Things are going to change. Find them NOW!” There was such an urgency to find us. I walked all the way to the end of the square and I turned around and asked, “Okay, Lord. What is it that You want me to do?” (Truly, “things are going to change.” Walking to the end of the square represents that the saints will go through this beast tribulation and bring the Gospel to the whole world. Watch volume one of Hidden Manna for the End Times.) I don't know where the Lord took the men whom I saw at the beginning of the dream or what had happened, but I just knew that they were coming back. The demons were still looking really hard for the people who were praying. Not just us, but they were looking to stop everyone everywhere from praying. The Lord told me to step a foot back in the square, and I did. When I stepped back in the square, I was speaking the Word out loud. Everything that the Lord was saying to me, I was speaking out loud. The demons could now see me and were in my face, trying to intimidate or scare me. I knew that they could not touch me. They were telling me to shut up, be quiet, that my prayers were dead, and I was doing no good. “Don't you know we can kill you? We can take you out! You are nothing!” Many of them kept saying those things to me over and over. (Demons are full of threats to discourage the prayers and works of God, but most Christians don't recognize them as coming from demons, but feel they are their own thoughts and are defeated. The knowledge of God's Word will enable them to defeat the deceivers. {2Co.10:3} For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh {4} (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), {5} casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.) I said to them, “I am nothing, but through Christ Jesus He is everything. He is my all and all. Everything that I need, God is. God is the source. God is the strength. God is the great I AM! One of the demons was so close to my face that I could smell his stench. So close that he was almost touching me. I told him, “You are nothing! You can't do anything other than what my God allows. You are nothing! (God is sovereign over all, but He will allow many things that we allow because He has delegated authority over all the power of the enemies. {Mat.18:18} Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. {19} Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. ... {Luk.10:19} Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. {20} Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. I heard a noise behind me, and I turned around and saw all the men who had gone out, and there were more with them coming, and with what looked like Christ in the middle. Everyone was dressed in white. When Christ and all those men came on the scene, some of those demons became smaller and smaller. The ones that were already small were trying to run, but they couldn't go anywhere, as you have seen in cartoons, only this was not a cartoon; they were liquefying before me into a puddle on the floor, and then they were gone. I was backing up as the men were going forward. I went with Tina, Sam, and my mom to this place where I saw a lot more people who were praying and interceding. Then I woke up. (Who are these men whom the demons fear? The Lord is in the Man-child ministry to raise up many in the image of the Lord. These are coming to wreak havoc on the spiritual hosts of wickedness. Hallelujah!)  After I woke up from the dream, I heard the Lord say, “Write this down: “You have all power and authority in the name of Jesus Christ. Understand and know the power of His blood. For you are adopted, therefore you are entitled to everything. Hear Me! Understand Me! Know Me! For then the enemy cannot deceive you for what's ahead.”   The Men Whom the Demons Fear Seven spiritual shepherds who are sent by the Man-child to minister to the seven Churches, which is mentioned in Hidden Manna for the End Times. First, Jesus is coming to be manifested in the Man-child ministry. (Mic.5:2) But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. Obviously, this is Jesus. (3) Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she who travaileth hath brought forth (the man-child body): then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. Jesus left because of rebellion and will return in the Man-child who is born of the travailing woman in Revelation 12. As Jesus fed the former rain woman in a body of flesh, so He will feed the latter rain woman in a corporate body of flesh. (Mic.5:4) And He shall stand, and shall feed [His flock] in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God: and they shall abide; for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth. The Jesus of the former rain was revered by the disciples and feared by His enemies, but because of apostasy, this has not been true for many centuries since because they have had “another Jesus.” The Man-child body and those disciples who follow in His/their steps will restore this, and He shall be “great unto the ends of the earth”. The Man-child's teaching will bring peace to the seven churches that are at war with the beast and harlot. (5) And this [man] shall be [our] peace, When the Assyrian shall come into our land, and shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal (Hebrew: “princes among”) men. The corporate body of the Man-child is “this man” who brings peace to the corporate woman with his teachings, which enable her to resist the beast invasion. He brings peace because the “Prince of peace” is in his heart. Spiritually speaking, we are the “land” with the “palaces” that the corporate beast is trying to invade. (1Co.3:9) For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry (Greek: “tilled land”), God's building (“palaces”). As we shall see, the beast is a corporate spirit from the abyss (Rev.17:8) that inhabits the body of the wicked (3) and seeks to inhabit the righteous and mark them. Notice that the “Assyrians” are called “him” which shows that they are seen as the corporate body of the beast. Since the Assyrian beast kingdom passed away over 600 years before Christ, they could not have been connected with Jesus or the Man-child. Therefore, God, as usual, was using the beast of that day to represent a particular aspect of the end time beast. As the Assyrian beast did not conquer Jerusalem, so the end time beast will not conquer those spiritually abiding in the New Jerusalem. (Mic.5:5) ...Then shall we raise against him seven shepherds and eight principal (Hebrew: “princes among”) men. The Man-child Jesus raised up twelve apostolic shepherds primarily to restore those of the “twelve-tribes of Israel” who would listen (Mat.10:5; Act.26:7; Jas.1:1; 1Pet.1:1). In exact parallel, the corporate Man-child will raise up “seven” corporate apostolic “shepherds” primarily to restore the “seven churches”. The Man-child's primary job is to feed the unleavened bread of the Word to disciples in order to manifest Christ in them. These will be the new leadership for the seven churches in the last 3 1/2 years. These “seven shepherds” are not sectarian religious leaders but one man in Christ and are inhabited by one “prince of peace”, Jesus, hence “eight princes among men”. In the next chapter of Micah, we will see that even after the Man-child Jesus' 3 ½-year ministry, He promised to be with the shepherds in spirit “unto the consummation of the age,” (Greek: Mat.28:20) hence “eight princes among men”. These princes are sons of the King and have authority over His realm of the seven churches. The seven churches of Revelation are a type of seven different types of Christians in the Church. (Isa.4:1) And seven women (the Church) shall take hold of one man in that day. The “one man” here is Jesus manifested in the Man-child. Then He will be manifested in the seven shepherds and then in the true Church. One of God's solutions to the apostasy in the Church is new leadership. (Isa.1:26) And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning. The same type of counselors in the former rain will be given in the latter rain. Here is another confirmation of the Man-child giving His revelation to seven shepherds, who passed it on to the seven churches. When the Man-child Jesus sent His shepherds out, He called them “apostles”, meaning “one sent forth”. In other words, the shepherds were the Man-child's messengers to the churches. As a type of the Man-child, John on the Isle of Patmos was “a partaker with you in the tribulation” (Rev.1:9) when he was caught up to the throne of God and given a revelation of the coming tribulation to give to the seven churches. (4:1) After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, [a voice] as of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter. (2) Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne. Like Jesus, he was given a revelation of the apostasy in the Church and told to send it to the seven churches by the hand of seven angels. (1:11) ...What thou seest, write in a book and send [it] to the seven churches.... (Rev.2:1,8,12,18; 3:1,7,14) To the angel of the church in Ephesus (and so with Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) write.... “Angel” in these cases is the Greek word angelos meaning “messengers” and is also used of ministers in the New Testament (Example: Luk.4:24,27; 9:52). The equivalent Hebrew word in the Old Testament is translated “messenger” when speaking of priests (Mal.2:7), John the Baptist, and Jesus (Luk.3:1). Since it doesn't make sense that John sent the revelation by angels, he must have sent it by seven minister messengers to the seven churches. This is exactly what Jesus did as Man-child. He shared His revelation with minister messengers, who shared it with the seven churches.

How Christians Grow in Love for God's Word Many Christians know they should read the Bible, but Scripture can sometimes begin to feel distant, routine, or difficult. Believers may struggle with consistency, distraction, or spiritual dryness and wonder how they can move beyond merely reading the Bible to truly delighting in God's Word. In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains that Scripture is not merely information for the mind but nourishment for the soul. Looking at Psalm 119:97, he considers how love for God's Word flows from love for God Himself and how biblical meditation helps believers slow down, reflect deeply, and allow Scripture to shape their hearts and minds. Dave also discusses the importance of faithful Bible reading during spiritually dry seasons, the renewing power of God's Word, and why the goal of reading Scripture is not simply completing a plan but knowing and loving Jesus Christ more deeply. Listen and Watch What You'll Learn Why love for God and love for His Word belong together What biblical meditation is and why it matters How Scripture renews the mind and shapes Christian thinking Why consistent Bible reading matters during dry seasons How believers can grow in delight for God's truth Why Scripture ultimately points Christians to Jesus Christ Key Scriptures Psalm 119:97 Joshua 1:8 Romans 12:2 2 Timothy 3:16–17 Reflection Question Are you approaching God's Word as a duty to complete or as a treasure through which you come to know God more deeply? Stay Anchored in the Word Continue growing in your knowledge of Scripture and your love for Jesus Christ through more episodes of Anchored in the Word. Explore Anchored in the Word Watch the Anchored in the Word YouTube Playlist

Read OnlineGratitude For Divine Wisdom“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”  Matthew 11:25–27Jesus' praise of the Father, as recorded in today's Gospel, is highly significant. Being both human and divine, His praise originated in His divinity and was expressed through His human nature as a perfect act of divine gratitude. This is significant not only for Jesus, but also for us.As human beings, we are incapable of performing divine acts or attaining the perfection of divine gratitude unless God Himself acts in and through us. Since Jesus' divinity and humanity are perfectly united in the one Person of the Son of God, He not only offered the perfection of praise to the Father, He also elevated human nature itself, enabling us to do the same in Him.When we pray with Jesus as He says, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,” we join in His perfect praise of the Father for His divine wisdom and action in our lives. Our praise, in union with Christ's, is raised beyond mere emotional thanksgiving. It becomes an all-consuming adoration of the Father and a divinely inspired confession of Who He is and what He has accomplished in us. This praise glorifies God and transforms us. No prayer is more perfect or more consequential in our lives than to give praise to the Father in union with the Son.The cause for Jesus' praise is also significant. His thanksgiving is directed at the Father's wisdom in both hiding and revealing “these things.” In the Greek, the verbs for hiding and revealing are strong and deliberate, emphasizing the dramatic contrast between these two actions. From the “wise and learned,” the Father hides these mysteries. The wise and learned, in this context, are not necessarily those who possess education or intelligence, but those who are self-reliant, proud in their intellectual strength, and closed to divine mystery.To the “childlike,” however, the Father reveals these things. The word translated as “childlike” is literally “infants” or “babes” in Greek, referring to those who are humble, open, and trusting—those who recognize their absolute dependence on God. To be childlike is not to be unintelligent; in fact, it implies a higher wisdom. True intelligence is found in the comprehension of divine Wisdom, not merely in worldly knowledge or human learning.This divine wisdom stems from the gift of faith, which opens the soul to deeper understanding. Saint Augustine captures this beautifully when he says, “Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.” Humble, open, and trusting faith comes first. From there, the gifts of Wisdom and Understanding are granted.This, then, is what Jesus refers to as “these things”: the sacred mysteries of Divine Wisdom and Understanding. They are not accessible to the proud or the self-sufficient, but are freely given to those who approach the Father with the simplicity and trust of spiritual childhood. And when they are granted, this is the cause for Jesus to praise the Father and for us to join in that praise.Reflect today on your own disposition before God. Are you tempted to approach Him with self-reliance, pride in your accomplishments, or a desire to understand everything before believing? Or do you come as a child—humble, trusting, and open to receive the mysteries of grace? Seek the Wisdom and Understanding given to the childlike. When they are bestowed, unite your voice to Jesus' in offering perfect praise to the Father. In that united praise, you will not only glorify God but also be transformed by the very Wisdom you adore. Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, make me humble, simple, and open to all that You wish to reveal. With Jesus, Your Son, help me to recognize the bestowal of Your blessings—in my life and in the lives of others. United with the one voice of Your beloved Son, may I forever give You praise and thanksgiving. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Jesus Goes Up Alone onto a Mountain to Pray, by James TissotSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

https://square.link/u/UHRU92rp - Donate HereToday's reading takes us to Genesis 7, where the flood comes and Noah's family is brought safely into the ark. God gives the warning, God provides the ark, God calls Noah in, and God shuts the door. Noah's obedience shows us what faith looks like when the world mocks, the timing feels strange, and the only thing to stand on is the Word of the Lord.Genesis 7 reminds us that judgment is real, but so is mercy. The ark points us to Christ—the only safe place from the wrath of God. So today, read Genesis 7 and remember: salvation is not found near the ark, around the ark, or admiring the ark from a distance; salvation is found in the refuge God Himself has provided.

Can God use your brokenness to become your greatest blessing? In this message from our Bad Blood series, Pastor Craig Smith walks through Genesis 32 and Jacob's unforgettable wrestling match with God. It's a story about fear, faith, surrender, and discovering that God doesn't always remove our struggles—sometimes He uses them to transform us. Jacob spent his life fighting for blessings from other people. But after one night wrestling with God, everything changed. He received a new name, a new identity, and a deeper understanding that the greatest blessing isn't what God gives—it's God Himself. If you're walking through disappointment, uncertainty, or a season that feels broken, this message offers hope that God may be doing more than you can see. In this message, you'll discover: Why fear isn't the opposite of faith How to fight fear with God's promises Why God redirected Jacob's strength instead of removing it What it means to wrestle with God How brokenness can become the pathway to blessing No matter where you are today, God hasn't let go of you.

Do you know what title Jesus used for Himself most often? You might think He called Himself the Son of God, or Messiah, or even Lord. While Jesus refers to Himself in all these ways, the most common self- reference is as the Son of Man. Interesting? At first glance it might seem as if in calling Himself the Son of Man, Jesus might be identifying Himself as one of us, a human being living among us. But a deeper study of this title actually reveals a completely different image—one coming from a crazy vision given to the Prophet Daniel around 560 years earlier. Daniel lived as a Jewish exile, in a time when Israel and Israel’s God seemed small and defeated. In the midst of this, Daniel received a bizarre vision of four crazy beasts arising from the sea; beasts representing the most powerful kingdoms on our planet. The vision ends with the Son of Man coming to God Himself and receiving dominion, glory, and a Kingdom which will never pass away. This prophecy is the promise of a Divine Man coming on the clouds who will rule over all human kingdoms and crushing all enemies. This morning we will see the meaning of the snake-crushing Son of Man as an invitation to lift our eyes to see the glory of Jesus, which gives us great hope.

Leviticus is one of the most overlooked books in the Bible, yet it is filled with some of the most powerful pictures of Jesus Christ found anywhere in Scripture. At its core, the book answers one essential question: how do sinful people draw near to a holy God? Every offering, every feast, and every ritual points forward to Jesus as the unblemished sacrifice who fulfilled the law completely. Because of what He accomplished, we do not simply stand near God's presence. Through the Holy Spirit, we become the dwelling place of God Himself. The offerings in Leviticus teach us to bring our best to God, not our leftovers, just as God gave His very best for us in His Son. Building intentional spiritual rhythms into daily life helps us stay anchored to what truly matters and keeps us connected to God when life grows loud and distracting.

The Lord Our Dwelling PlaceThe soul needs a home just as truly as the body does. In this episode, we learn that God Himself is our dwelling place—not merely a shelter we visit in times of trouble, but the place where our hearts are meant to live, rest, and remain.The Secret of His Comfort book by Jacque Waggoner is available on Amazon.Theme music: “Relaxing Soft Piano Music” by Viacheslav Starostin, used with gratitude.We would like to pray for you. Please click here to share your prayer needs with us.To learn more about Beau's Blessings click here.Please consider becoming a Hunter's Hero and supporting Hunter's Hope and this podcast by clicking here.Shop HH x MH Collection here.Learn more about our Podcast, Episode Guests and Hunter's Hope here.

In "The Gift of a Spiritual Reset," Pastor Chris Bonts shares that everything we need to follow God comes from God Himself. The Scripture was Ezra 5-6.

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation centers on the Father's love as the foundation of true oneness. The speakers emphasize that believers cannot minister love, understand Scripture rightly, walk in Christ's lordship, or love one another sacrificially unless they first have a living experience of the Father's love. This love is not merely a feeling or religious idea, but an active relationship with God that matures, changes the heart, constrains the believer, and enables the Body of Christ to walk in true oneness. Show Notes The Father's Love Must Be Experienced Ron opens by saying that we cannot give what we do not have. To minister the love of God to others, including Israel, we must first personally experience the Lord's love. God's Love Is the Foundation of Oneness Ken explains that the Father's love is the foundation of oneness. It is not something believers can manufacture in themselves. True oneness comes from His love, not human effort. Love Changes How We See Scripture and Life Ron points out that without God's love, we misinterpret Scripture and even life itself. The love of the Father becomes the lens through which His lordship, His Word, and His purpose are rightly understood. The Early Church Walked in Overwhelming Love Ken reflects on the early church and how believers continued to follow Christ even under persecution. Their willingness to lay down their lives came from the overwhelming love of God, not from a mental belief alone. Love Is More Than a Feeling The speakers clarify that God's love is not simply an emotional feeling, though it can overflow with emotion and joy. It is an experience with God that becomes a way of life and continues even through trials, testing, and practical daily walking with Him. The Love of God Constrains Us Mike brings out the word “constrain,” showing that the love of God draws, compels, drives, and presses believers forward. David connects this to the Holy Spirit driving Jesus into the wilderness after He was filled with the Spirit. Love Matures Through Relationship Cindy and Jenifier discuss how our revelation of the Father's love grows as we mature. God's love does not change, but the way He relates to us changes as we grow from spiritual children into maturity. Loving God With All the Heart Dale connects the conversation to the great commandment: loving the Lord with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength. This love grows beyond human interpretation and brings believers into a true spiritual relationship with the Father. Receiving Love Before Giving Love Kilyia closes with the heart of the message: God wants to love us, and He wants to be loved by us. As we allow Him to love us, we are then able to love Him and others with an intensity that meets His heart. Key Quotes “We can't give what we don't have.” — Ron “This message of love from the Father is the foundation of oneness forever. It is His love, not ours.” — Ken “We misinterpret the scriptures without His love. In fact, we misinterpret life without His love.” — Ron “Love is not a feeling… Love is an experience with God.” — Ken “The love of God is a usable component.” — Bill “The love of God constrains us.” — Mike “Revelation is a really key word here. To know His love for me.” — Cindy “Jesus opened the door to the Father's heart.” — Ken “It starts that I let Him love me, and then I can love the people around me.” — Kyla Scriptural References God Is Love These scriptures reveal that love begins in God Himself. We do not create divine love; we receive it from the Father and then minister it to others. 1 John 4 (8) 1 John 4 (16–19) The Love of Christ Constrains Us The conversation refers directly to the love of God controlling, compelling, and constraining believers to walk beyond themselves. 2 Corinthians 5 (14–15) The Great Commandment The speakers connect the Father's love to loving God with the whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Matthew 22 (37–40) Mark 12 (29–31) Deuteronomy 6 (4–5) Laying Down Our Life in Love Ken speaks of loving others with the kind of love that is willing to lay down its life. John 15 (12–13) 1 John 3 (16) The Holy Spirit Leading and Driving Jesus David connects the constraining work of love to the Holy Spirit driving Jesus into the wilderness. Mark 1 (10–13) Luke 4 (1–2) Jesus Reveals the Father The discussion emphasizes that Jesus opened the door to the Father's heart and brought believers into relationship with Him. John 14 (6–10) John 17 (25–26) Hebrews 10 (19–22) Growing Into Maturity Through Relationship The speakers describe how God relates to us differently as we mature, and how relationship with the Father changes us. 2 Corinthians 3 (18) Ephesians 4

Today's Bible Verse: "The Lord was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains because they had chariots fitted with iron." — Judges 1:19 Judges 1:19 reminds us that even when God is with us, we may still encounter obstacles that feel overwhelming. The tribe of Judah experienced victory because the Lord was with them, yet they struggled to overcome the people living in the plains because they had powerful iron chariots. This passage reveals the tension between God’s presence and the challenges we face. Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Looking for a peaceful way to end your day? Listen to "Your Nightly Scripture" to end your day with God's word Meet Today’s Host: Jennifer Slattery Discover more devotions with Jennifer at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Jennifer Slattery is a national speaker and multi-published author, She’s passionate about helping believers live with bold faith, rooted in surrender to Christ’s purpose. Jennifer co-hosts both Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear, encouraging listeners to step into their God-given identity. Her teachings blend Scripture with personal insight to help others embrace God’s power over fear and move forward with confidence.

A Course in MiraclesLesson 191I am the Holy Son of God Himself.

This week, Pastor Raegan continued our FOLLOW series by teaching from Jesus' temptation in the wilderness in Matt. 4:1–11. If apprenticeship to Jesus means learning His way of life, then it also means learning how to resist what pulls us away from Him. Looking at Jesus' three temptations in the wilderness, Pastor Raegan explored the ways the enemy still works today—drawing us toward comfort over dependence on God, cynicism over trust, and God's gifts apart from God Himself. At the heart of the message was the question, What is your ultimate prize? If anything other than intimacy with God becomes our highest pursuit, temptation will always have something to offer us. But when God Himself is the prize, even the wilderness can become a place where our faith is refined and our love for Him grows deeper.

God created the world and everything in it, and on the seventh day He rested. In the law given to Moses, God set aside the seventh day as holy, a day for His people not to provide for themselves, but to worship and delight in God Himself, their provider. It serves as a reminder that life is more ...