Podcasts about god leads

2465 - https://www.thetruthpulpit.comClick the icon below to listen.         Related PodcastsHope for the Discouraged #2Hope for the Discouraged #1066: A Most Generous God (Through the Psalms) Psalm 65 

God Leads and Fights for his Glory

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; As we continue through our book study of Great Hymns for Growing Hearts, we come to the hymn God Leads Us Along. This is a beautiful hymn that reminds us of truths we learn about our great Shepherd in Psalm 23. Whether we go through the waters, floods, or fire, God promises to lead us. We can find peace and rest in Him through all the seasons life brings.   Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 23 Daniel 3:17-18 Acts 5:29 Romans 8:28 II Corinthians 2:9   Resources Referenced: Great Hymns for Growing Hearts by Brettnay Brazzell Great Hymns for Growing Hearts Book and CD Bundle New Mercies Music Peaceful Hymns CD Mother's Day Special: Use code MAMA to save 20% at www.nohighercalling.org/shop    Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org Subscribe to the NHC email at www.nohighercalling.org 

Sunday AM

Understanding, Knowledge and Wisdom Notes: 1. Worldly wisdom Vs. The Wisdom of God. 2. Source. 3. Worldly Wisdom: Comes from human reasoning, cultural norms, and life experience. It's shaped by the values of the world — success, power, self-interest. 4. Wisdom of God: Comes from God Himself, revealed through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the person of Jesus Christ. It's often countercultural and grounded in eternal truth. 5. Focus. 6. Worldly Wisdom: Focuses on the here and now — wealth, comfort, status, and achievement. It often avoids suffering and seeks self-preservation. 7. Wisdom of God: Focuses on the kingdom of God — love, humility, righteousness, and eternal perspective. It often embraces suffering for a higher purpose. 8. Attitude. 9. Worldly Wisdom: Proud, self-reliant, often cynical. It trusts in one's own understanding and capabilities. 10. Wisdom of God: Humble, dependent on God, reverent. It starts with the fear of the Lord. And trusts in God's ways. even when they don't make sense. 11. Results. 12. Worldly Wisdom: Can bring temporary success but can lead to brokenness, division, and spiritual emptiness. 13. Wisdom of God: Leads to peace, blessed life, power and fruitfulness in the Holy Spirit. It builds up others and glorifies God with the intentions of them accepting Jesus as their Lord. o 2 Timothy 3:7 (NKJV) o 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 (NLT) 14. Wisdom - 4678. σοφία sophía; wise, wisdom, skill, tact; The wisdom of God means the divine wisdom, including the ideas of infinite skill, insight, knowledge, purity - Of the divine wisdom as revealed and manifested in Christ and His gospel. 15. Wisdom is the God-given ability to activate the knowledge and understanding you get. 16. Wisdom goes beyond your feelings. 17. Wisdom discerns for now and later on, not just what feels good now. 18. When you abandon wisdom, you're left with education. o Romans 1:21-22 (NKJV) o James 3:13-16 (NLT) 19. How do we get this kind of Wisdom from God? o James 1:5-7 (NKJV) 20. Godly Wisdom never acts outside of Jesus' character, attributes and love. o Matthew 7:24 (NKJV) o Romans 16:27 (TPT) Need Prayer? Send your prayer requests to: journeychurcheva.com/prayer To give to Journey: journeychurcheva.com/give

“If all of us can grasp just a little bit more about the love of Jesus, it changes our life. That's all you need to know!” – Heidi Bogue On this week's episode of the Grace Unscripted Podcast, we get to hear the story of Heidi Bogue. Heidi's story is an incredible one! From being […]

Ep 334 show notes are here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/334 What if your dream isn't a straight line but a winding path that God is faithfully unfolding? That's the story we're exploring today with my returning guest Eryn Lynum. I interviewed Eryn in 2017, (eight years ago!) about her first book, 936 Pennies; it was her very first podcast guest appearance ever! What neither of us could have predicted then was how that tiny step of obedience would lead to something much bigger. Now Eryn is a Bible teacher, certified master naturalist, and host of the wildly successful Nat Theo Podcast, where she helps families and children discover God's truth through His creation. In this episode, we trace her journey—from saying yes to an unfamiliar opportunity, to watching God bring her dream to life in the most unexpected way. In this episode, you'll learn:

Key Timestamps:01:23 – Hello and meet today's guest: Nizenande Machi02:04 – The beginning of leadership and confidence for Nizenande04:33 – The power of words: Is it a gift or a weapon?07:19 – How you can create your own safety and grow from a place of love11:13 – Pivotal moments that have shaped who Nizenande is today16:45 – Unpacking “Occupy until Jesus comes”19:04 – The God of order and dominion21:44 – What faithfulness, as a fruit of the Spirit, looks like daily24:30 – Does unconditional love exist? How unforgiveness blocks intimacy27:48 – Breaking down the governance of self33:35 – The process of creative self-governance38:56 – The formula for PURPOSE47:40 – How to mobilize your God-given power49:47 – Let's talk relationships53:38 – Is God in your marriage?57:53 – The meaning of divorce-proofing1:00:25 – Grief: How it breaks down relationships and families1:07:12 – Believing in God but not believing God1:11:42 – How much relationships affect our life, work, and purpose1:16:05 – Do our whole lives need strategy?1:20:40 – Wall of Wisdom“Acknowledge how you feel, but act on what you know about God.”Thank You for Tuning In!Visit our website for updates: Wisdom & Wellness - A Vibrant CommunityJoin our mailing list for exclusive news: Sign Up HereFollow us on Instagram: @wisdomwellness_

We believe our most powerful influence in bringing hope to the Homefront is sharing the stories of how Jesus is changes real lives right now. So, we're taking you behind the scenes of our biggest project yet and inviting you into the stories of military wives, just like you seeing God move mightily in their lives. No fluff. No perfection. Just real stories of military wives making it through the trenches by the hope of Jesus Christ alone. We can't wait for you to listen! Be the first the know when the Thrive Video Series launches at www.homefrontheroes.org/forchurchesExplore our team of speakers for your next military women's event here! Connect with the Homefront team for prayer, access free devotions for the military wife on our social media or the Bible app!

Mark 14: 12-16: the details of how the Passover was prepared is interesting - we will see how God goes ahead and prepares for us and Himself ... opportunities. How does God lead? How can you know for sure? - Pastor Joseph Thomas - Sunday, April 6, 2025

Pastor Tamar talks about the wall and our struggles as we work through it with ours eyes fixed on Jesus.

—Sermon text:Joshua 8:1–35 Download the discussion guide for this sermon here

Missions Conference 2025

Pastor Tim Gibb Lead Pastor Stand Alone Message March 9, 2025 AM

“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” (John 10:3).

Are you willing to say "Yes" to whatever Jesus asks you to do, say whatever He asks you to say and go wherever He asks you to go? If you are, it means choosing the narrow road but that is the road that leads to a life of joy and victory. By Dave Bartlett

“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” (John 10:3).

How is that working out for you? It's a simple question that prompts reflection on the results of your choices. In this sermon on Romans 6:15-23 we see that there are two choices before us that lead to very different outcomes. We can present ourselves as slaves of sin or slaves of righteousness. One leads to death and the other leads to eternal life; which one will you choose?

Sunday Morning at Hope Church Craigavon with Craig Cooney

Exodus - Consecration of the Firstborn, God Leads the People, Pharaoh in Pursuit, The Sea Is Divided.Matthew - Judging Others, Prayer and the Golden Rule, The Narrow and Wide Gates, A Tree and Its Fruit, The Two Foundations.

—Sermon text:Joshua 3:1–17 Download the discussion guide for this sermon here

Featuring God's leading through shady valleys and fire from Psalm 23 and 66:10-12. You can listen to the hymn here: https://youtu.be/IqoQe5Xg7-0?si=PATMM8nWLvW37ftS Don't forget to check out our website! https://treasurehuntpodcast.wixsite.com/realtreasure

Samuel. Moses. Elijah. Abraham. Each experienced moments in their lives when they heard the voice of God.And while their experiences were specific to them, the truth is for us, even now.As His children, the Spirit of God dwells in us, and He desires for us to listen for, to listen to, and then to obey Him. Not as a one-time thing, but living in the ever-continuing, ever-deepening process of trusting Him and surrendering our way to His.

Samuel. Moses. Elijah. Abraham. Each experienced moments in their lives when they heard the voice of God.And while their experiences were specific to them, the truth is for us, even now.As His children, the Spirit of God dwells in us, and He desires for us to listen for, to listen to, and then to obey Him. Not as a one-time thing, but living in the ever-continuing, ever-deepening process of trusting Him and surrendering our way to His.

Have you ever wondered where God is present in the scarcity of your life? What is God doing when times are tough and hope is in short supply? Have ever wondered how and where God is leading you?

     The New Testament references the gift of teaching in several passages (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:28). This gift involves the ability to clearly communicate biblical truths so that others can understand and apply them. A teacher, in the biblical sense, is responsible for expositional teaching and instructing others in the doctrines of the faith, helping believers grow in their knowledge of God and in their walk with Him. This gift requires a high level of dedication to study and a deep understanding of Scripture, as the teacher's role is to communicate biblical truths with accuracy and authority. The ideal form of teaching is expository teaching—explaining Scripture verse by verse. It is from exegetical study and expositional teaching that Christian doctrines are formulated. This gift is vital for the building up of the church, as it equips believers to live out their faith more fully (Eph 4:12-13). And each teacher will be held accountable for what he teaches, as James wrote, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” (Jam 3:1).       Christians have the individual responsibility of studying God's Word directly as well as through gifted teachers. This will help advance their spiritual life so they can grow to maturity (2 Tim 2:15; 3:16-17; Heb 5:12-14; 6:1; 1 Pet 2:2; 2 Pet 3:18). They are personally accountable to God for what they learn and how they live. If Christians can find a good Bible teacher and learn from him, they are blessed. However, no Bible teacher is perfect in his teaching, so Christians must be like the Bereans, “examining the Scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11) to verify the teaching is biblical. Furthermore, spiritual growth is a gradual process that requires discipline, perseverance, and a commitment to moving beyond the basics of the faith. The goal is to reach spiritual maturity, reflecting the fullness of Christ, which prepares believers for effective service and eternal rewards. The Word of God Leads to Sanctification      A psalmist wrote, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word…Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You” (Psa 119:9, 11). God's Word is absolutely central to our experiential sanctification, which is the process of being set apart for God's purpose, growing to spiritual maturity, and living a life that glorifies Him. Our experiential sanctification is directly linked to our consistent intake and application of Bible teaching. Jesus prayed to the Father, saying, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). This verse encapsulates the idea that it is through the truth of God's Word that we are progressively sanctified. Paul wrote of Christ cleansing the church “by the washing of water with the Word” (Eph 5:26), which illustrates how the Word of God purifies and sets us apart in our daily lives.      Without the daily intake of Bible teaching, the believer will remain spiritually stagnant, unable to grow in holiness or effectively live out the Christian life. Thieme states, “Experiential sanctification is commanded but not guaranteed. While God in grace provides the resources, opportunities, instructions, and encouragement, the believer himself chooses whether to execute the spiritual life.”[1] If we fail to advance to spiritual maturity, this does not nullify God's faithfulness to keep us saved eternally, for “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 2:13; cf., Rom 8:1, 33-39). The objective of our experiential sanctification is to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col 1:10). In this way, the advancing Christian will “be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim 2:21). Bible Knowledge Should Produce Stable Thinking      God wants us to have stable thinking and not be doubleminded. Emotions, like circumstances, rise and fall, they come and go. But God and His Word are stable and eternal. They never change. God Himself tells us, “I, the LORD, do not change” (Mal 3:6), which means He remains constant in character and conduct. Isaiah tells us, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa 40:8). And Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" (Matt 24:35).      As humans, it's natural to look at our circumstances and pay close attention to our experiences and feelings from moment to moment. We're happy when our circumstances are to our liking, as our experiences and feelings enjoy this. However, because we live in a fallen world with fallen people (including ourselves), circumstances inevitably produce unhappy experiences and feelings. If we don't have something greater than our experiences and feelings to stabilize our souls, then we'll always fall victim to circumstances. As we advance in our walk with the Lord, faith in God and His Word dominates our souls more and more. Biblical thinking replaces human viewpoint. We are governed by biblical wisdom rather than experiences or feelings. The daily insertion of Scripture into our thinking, and our willful meditation on it, causes a paradigm shift in how we perceive the world, ourselves, and our experiences. Dr. Steven R. Cook   [1] Robert B. Thieme, Jr. “Sanctification”, Thieme's Bible Doctrine Dictionary, 233.

Can I let you in on a little secret?Sometimes, God leads us to a place that is scary -- even dangerous. Certainly, that's what happened when God led Moses and the sons of Israel out of Egypt right toward the Red Sea. All seemed fine until Pharoah and his army pursued their former slaves. The Red Sea in front of them, Pharoah behind them; Moses and his people were trapped. Ever felt this way yourself?Join me for today's Daily Word & Prayer to learn more.Scripture Used in Today's MessageHebrews 11:29Exodus 13:17-21 and Exodus 14If you've not read my book, Takin' it to Their Turf. request a copy on my website, www.CampusAmerica.com.You'll be inspired, encouraged, and learn plenty about evangelism and spiritual warfare through the 70+ stories I share of my campus evangelism expereinces.We send a copy to anyone who donates to our ministry, but if you can't do so, simply request a copy by sending us an email. Who do you know that needs to hear today's message? Go ahead and forward this to them, along with a prayer that God will use it in their life.To find Tom on Instagram, Facebook, TiKTok, and elsewhere, go to linktr.ee/tomthepreacher To support Tom Short Campus Ministries, click herehttps://www.tomthepreacher.com/support************ Do you want to have all your sins forgiven and know God personally? *********Check out my video "The Bridge Diagram" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Kjwrlind8&t=1sCheck out my website, www.TomthePreacher.com, to learn more about my ministry and sign up for my daily email. And make sure to request a copy of my book, Takin' it to Their Turf, when you visit my website.Check out my videos on this channel to learn how to answer tough questions challenging our faith.

On this special edition of “Truth to Ponder” Bob looks again at these past 4 years, pondering our nation's future. Will it be better? Will it be more of the same? Will the world “improve” Bob takes one last look back before we begin a new path forward. Now, do you believe in this ministry? If you do, you can keep us on the air as a radio program and podcast by visiting our website, https://truth2ponder.com/support. You can also mail a check payable to Ancient Word Radio, P.O. Box 510, Chilhowie, VA 24319. Thank you in advance for your faithfulness to this ministry.

CONNECT WITH USWeb: https://churchwithoutwallsinternational.orgPodcast: https://cwowi.buzzsprout.comVimeo: https://vimeo.com/cwowiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwowiFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CWOWInternationalBooks: https://churchwithoutwallsinternational.org/product-category/books-and-audio-books/Translations: http://www.cwowi.eu

This video explores how Jesus is a central figure in our lives. The speaker emphasizes the importance of repentance as a key requirement for salvation. The video breaks down how God's goodness leads us to repentance and uses various Bible passages to explain this concept. It highlights how life's challenges, like trials and sorrows, are tools that bring people to repentance. We also hear about the urgency of repentance, stressing that now is the time to turn to God. Finally, the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting people of their sins is touched upon, promising more insights in future videos. 00:00 Introduction: Jesus is All the World to Me 00:26 The Importance of Repentance 01:13 The Goodness of God Leads to Repentance 03:21 The Role of Life's Sorrows in Repentance 06:25 The Urgency of Repentance 09:43 The Convicting Work of the Holy Spirit

juniorziegler.com Scripture Reference: Genesis 12: 1-9

Desire biblical marriage (monogamy/polygyny)? Please complete this form to apply for coaching: https://tinyurl.com/mus9mf25 Connect with me My website https://www.robkowalski.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/robbkowalski Instagram https://www.instagram/com/unpluggedchristian Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@robbkowalski Twitter https://www.twitter.com/robbkow Telegram @RobBKowalski and Subscribe to my YouTube channel here https://bit.ly/2W3BToc' Support the channel by donating https://cash.app/$robbkowalski Merch: https://bit.ly/KowalskiMerch Subscribe to the Kowalski Analysis Podcast: iTunes https://apple.co/3aOeqNJ Spotify https://spoti.fi/2CPn6a2 Google Play http://bit.ly/GoogleKowalskiAnalysis Follow the following pages as we expose the FALSE monogamy-only doctrine: https://www.instagram.com/bibpolyhttps://www.youtube.com/@petergrambohttps://www.youtube.com/@biblemarriageshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/biblicalfamilieshttps://www.instagram.com/biblicalpolygynyhttps://www.instagram.com/biblicalpolyamory Pick up a copy of my book, 'Why Waiting Works' (5 star rating on Amazon) https://bit.ly/WWWAmazon A special thanks to my Patrons. You make it possible for me to do what I do: Kevin Sun Tyler Blount Hansjörg Schrade Steve Ryan

What does fear of God mean and how can it lead to hope in God? Let's find out the ironic answer from Psalm 33:16-18. -Do you want to be an active member of 21c Moses? Then, consider becoming a 21c Moses Patreon! Click the link for more info: https://patreon.com/user?u=45306220&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link -If you want to donate to 21c Moses Ministry, please click the link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=P4LC3BE2S3JGA -Please check our website: https://21cmoses.com ©2025 21c Moses

Exodus 13:17-22 | Pastor Mike Awtry

Subscribe to the Better Part podcast today! Gospel reflection for 9-12 year olds for the Feast of the Epiphany.

1. What does it mean to have your peace remain on that house and what does it mean to have it return to you?2. How will we know who the man of peace is?3. Why were they told not to move around and stay in one place and eat what they give you? What was happening during that culture that prompted Jesus to tell them do this?4. What does it mean to dust off the dirt when leaving a city who would not recieve them?5. How does the coming of the kingdom bring peace and warn of judgment?

What happens when you trust God enough to sell everything and move across the world? In this episode of RED-C Roundup, host Claire Standridge chats with Allie Moroney about her radical journey of faith, identity, and trust. From a profound encounter with Jesus at 15 to her call to sell all of her possessions and move to Spain, Allie shares how trusting God transformed her life, deepened her prayer, and led her to her vocation as a wife. This inspiring conversation dives into discernment, overcoming fear, and finding God's voice in the everyday. How has God called you to trust Him more deeply?   Visit redcradio.org or download our RED-C Radio App to access our live radio, listen to all of our podcasts, and find additional information and resources related to our Catholic faith. And if you want to support The RED-C Apostolate and all that we do, please consider making a recurring or one-time donation (https://redcradio.org/donate). You can also subscribe to our email list at https://redcradio.org/subscribe. May God bless you and all your loved ones!   https://linktr.ee/redcapostolate https://instagram.com/redcradio https://www.facebook.com/redcradio/

2355 - https://www.truthcommunitychurch.orgClick the icon below to listen.         Related PodcastsWith Thanks and Trust #2With Thanks and Trust #1044: God Leads to God (Through the Psalms) Psalm 43 

2354 - https://www.thetruthpulpit.comClick the icon below to listen.         Related PodcastsWith Thanks and Trust #1044: God Leads to God (Through the Psalms) Psalm 43Toward True Thanksgiving #2 

Are you caught in a relentless tug-of-war with injustice that's stealing your peace and joy? When we're trapped in codependency, we often unknowingly surrender our power to others, making it difficult to confront injustice and leaving us emotionally and spiritually drained. We feel powerless, we lose our joy, and sometimes, we even fight against God instead of allowing Him to step in. But here's the good news: we have a powerful choice in God-dependency. Through Christ's faithfulness, we can let go of the struggle and trust God to bring true justice and healing. In today's episode of Conquering Codependency God's Way, learn how to release the rope, let God work, and experience the joy of watching Him set things right. Discover how flourishing in His love is the ultimate justice. Ready to find peace and strength in God's hands? Join me in today's episode! Subscribe for more encouragement and tools to break free from codependency, and let's grow together in faith. For more information/resources check out the links below: ⇨ Visit the Treasured Ministries Website: https://treasuredministries.com/ ⇨ Join the Treasured Tribe https://treasuredtribe.com/ ⇨ Sign up for our FREE newsletter and get inspiration for your faith journey https://treasuredministries.activehosted.com/f/21 ⇨ Donate: https://treasuredministries.com/donate/ To get Michelle's latest book, Sacred Scars, sign up for her newsletter, or listen to her podcast Hope Prevails visit her website. You'll be glad you did. https://drmichellebengtson.com _____________________ Treasured Ministries provides discipleship, biblical resources and community for women so they can exchange codependency for God dependency and thrive. For more information visit https://treasuredministries.com 00:00 Journey from codependency to God dependency. 01:34 Tug-of-war Example 03:20 Facing Injustice Can Lead to Mental Turmoil 06:54 Letting Go Allows God to Bring Justice 12:20 Codependency Leads to False Beliefs 19:25 Christians Should Respect Authority 24:21 Our identity in Christ Frees us From Past Codependency. 30:07 Asking God for Guidance Leads to Clarity in Handling Injustices. 37:12 Letting go of Revenge Allows God to Deliver True Justice. 45:00 Faithfulness to God Leads to Flourishing Beyond Codependency. ______________________ Aliene Thompson is the president of Treasured Ministries International, the creator of the Nourish Bible Study Method, and the founder of the Treasured Tribe, an online Christian community for women. Her popular series on YouTube, “Conquering Codependency God's Way”, helps women worldwide move from codependency to God dependency so they can live in freedom as God intended. #GodsJustice #BreakingCodependency #FaithOverStruggle #ConqueringCodependency

https://throughthepsalms.comClick the icon below to listen.         Related PodcastsToward True Thanksgiving #2Toward True Thanksgiving #1Meaningful Thanksgiving #2 

https://throughthepsalms.com

One of my favorite parts of being a father is bedtime. It also can be one of the hardest. But often it's one of the sweetest. We read. Sometimes we sing. At the end, we pray, or a give a blessing.The most frequent blessing I repeat is that famous priestly blessing we saw last week at the end of Numbers 6:“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”But as good as that is, the best part may actually be the afterward. Don't miss that final verse, 27, which says,“So shall they [the priests] put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”God is binding himself, he says, binding his own glory to the blessing, the good, the joy of this people. He is making them his special people. As God, he made all; he is over all; he can have whomever he wants. But he has chosen Israel as his covenant people; he will be their covenant God, and they will be his covenant people. He smiles on them. He delights in them. And so their life as a nation will reflect on him. His name is on them. His glory is bound to them. How it goes with them will show him to the world.God Wants You to Use NumbersWe have almost four chapters to cover this morning, from 7:1 to 10:10. That's a sizable section. In fact, the sermon this morning is shorter than our passage. So, how might we go about approaching four chapters in one sermon?Let me start with three verses in the New Testament that might help our approach to Numbers. Paul said to his disciple in 2 Timothy 3:15–17,“…from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings [that's the Old Testament Scriptures, including Numbers], which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture [including Numbers] is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”I see three truths here about the Old Testament in general and, for us, Numbers in particular:First, Numbers is breathed out by God. This book is from God. It is his word to us. His word, from inside him, so to speak, breathed out in his voice, through his prophet. How amazing to have the word of God, as we do in Numbers. Second, Numbers is able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus. This book is eternally valuable and priceless, that is, able to help us receive God's rescue from our sins, and from the hell we deserve — and that rescue is not apart from Jesus but “through faith in Christ Jesus.”And, third, Numbers is profitable (Greek ōphelimos) — that is, helpful, valuable, beneficial, useful for the Christian life. It is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in right living. God means for us to use Scripture — did you know that? Not use as in abuse, but use as in do something with it. Take it off the shelf, read it, meditate on it, know it, cherish it, imbibe it, feed on it, have it change you from the inside, and extend out into your outer and external life, in obedience and holiness. Use it. Do you?So, brothers and sisters, this is God's word, breathed out from him for us; it saves eternally through Jesus; and its useful even now in our lives. Now, let's lay these three truths onto our approach to Numbers 7-10 this morning. We'll ask three questions:(1) What did God breathe out here for us to know? What do these chapters tell us? Here I'll summarize the chapters. (2) What might be useful here for us in our Christian lives? How might these chapters teach us, reprove us, correct us, train us in how to live?Then (3) most importantly, how do these chapters make us wise for salvation through Jesus? Where do we see Jesus here, and what might we freshly appreciate and love about Jesus in these chapters?So, (1) what to know, (2) how to live, and (3) who to love…1. What Do We Need to Know? I'll start with a disclaimer about knowing. Knowing with the mind or head knowledge is increasingly devalued in our day. We live in the Information Age. Mere knowledge can be so easy to come by. That's true. And, mark this, when we come to the Bible, to God's breathed-out Book, to what he wants us to hear and know, we need to make some careful distinctions.For one, while we may live in the Information Age, we also live in times of great biblical illiteracy. Christians don't read and know the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, like we once did. Many of us don't know Numbers! And this is a problem for us. How will God's breathed-out words work on us to draw us to Jesus, and how will we put his word to work in our lives, if we don't know his word? We have to start somewhere. We start with knowing. And we confess: Bible knowledge is not the goal of the Christian life. But it is vital and precious, for starters, that we know God's breathed-out words.Jesus thought so. Again and again in the Gospels, he says, Have you not read? And Paul thought so. Again and again in his letters, Paul says, Do you not know? Yes, Christianity is far more than just knowing God's breathed-out words, but it is not less.So, let's ask, What do we need to know here in Numbers 7-10? Let's take a quick flyover of these four chapters, before we land to linger in a couple places.These first ten chapters of Numbers are where the promise of God dwelling among his people actually begins to happen. God had said in Exodus 25:8, “let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” And Exodus 29:45, “I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God.” The book of Exodus ended with his glory coming to the tabernacle, but at that point his Dwelling is outside the camp of the people. Promise not fulfilled yet.Then Leviticus focuses on the priests. And now, in Numbers, God situates his people around him, tribe by tribe. He dwells in their midst, at the center. This is the joy and wonder and glory of these opening chapters of Numbers: God, in all his holiness, is dwelling among his people, despite all their sin. God's sinful, rebellious people cannot approach his holiness on their own merit or on their own terms. If there will be any nearness, any dwelling together, God must take the initiative. Which he does. In fact, he delights to do so. He smiles —his face shines — on his people. Nobody's twisting God's arm here. He delights to dwell with his people.In these opening chapters, then, he sets up the camp that will journey through the wilderness from Sinai to the Promised Land. And what must you do before heading out? You need to stock the house.Chapter 7Chapter 7 gets the nation ready to hit the road. All twelve tribes provide the Levites with six wagons to transport the Dwelling. And all together the tribes stock the tabernacle with the animals and furnishings the priests will need for the sacrifices — and the main point is that all the tribes are all in. This is the fellowship of Israel. I can't help but think of the meeting in Rivendale. Twelve companions. Each tribe is all in. Now, the tribes are not all the same. They each have unique identities and histories. And there is an order; Judah goes first, not by accident. Still, each tribe contributes equally to the stock needed for sacrifices.The tension builds as you read chapter 7. First, Judah contributes on day one: one silver plate, one silver basin, both full of fine flour mixed with oil; one golden dish, full of incense; one bull from the herd, one ram, one male lamb a year old; one male goat; two oxen, five rams, five more male goats, and five more male lambs a year old.Then comes Issachar on day two. You read on. Same gifts. Day three: Zebulun. Confirmed, exact same gifts. Day four: Reuben. Ditto. With each day, each tribe, we find out if the next will be the same as previous. Will some tribe drop the ball, or try to show out? Finally, day twelve, Naphtali, and it's confirmed: all twelve are all in, an equal fellowship of the tribes. All have an equal share as the covenant people of God.And yet, within the covenant, there is still order among the twelve. The camp is divided into four sections, each with one tribe in the lead. But the striking impression given in chapter 7 is not the tribal chiefs or the section leaders but the fellowship. All twelve tribes share in God. They are equal partners in the covenant with Yahweh. He is their God; they are his people. The distinctions among them, and their various orderings within the camp, do not make any of the tribes any more, or less, the covenant people of God.Chapter 8Then comes chapter 8: lamps and Levites. Verses 1-4 bring back the lampstand already mentioned in Exodus 25 and 37, but it's worth mentioning here, at the end of chapter 7, because of what it means: God shines his light on the twelve tribes (like the shining of Aaron's blessing). The lampstand is arranged across from the bread of the presence, 12 flat loaves representing the 12 tribes. The light is the smile of God shining on his people.Which then raises the question about the one tribe that was set apart: Levi. By serving in their role they make it possible for the people to approach God, on his terms, rather than incurring his wrath. So, the rest of the chapter 8, verses 5-26, brings us to the appointment and installation of the Levites. Remember the Levites are different than the priests. The Levites are a whole tribe. The priests are just Moses's brother, Aaron, and his offspring. The priests perform the sacrifices; the Levites guard and move the mobile Dwelling. And the Levites are not appointed because they are best fit to curate a museum, but best fit to take a fight. They are warriors, the warlike tribe. They will guard the holiness of God's Dwelling in the center. Later in Israel's history, when the Dwelling becomes fixed and doesn't need to move (the temple), the Levites will lead in singing, clean the Dwelling, and kill the sacrificial animals for the priests to then offer up. But for now, they're the guards, assigned to protect the premises of the Dwelling, and move the tent from place to place.Chapter 9In chapter 9, now, the camp is about ready to head out, at last. The people celebrate the first Passover since being freed from Egypt. One year has passed since they went out from Egypt. Verses 1-14 review the Passover details and make provision for those who miss it, because of uncleanness or travel, to celebrate it one month later.The rest of the passage tells us how God will lead the people on the journey. The visible cloud and fire, confirming God's invisible presence in the Dwelling, will tell the camp when to remain and when to set out (9:15-23). And we'll say more about this in a minute.Chapter 10Finally, two silver trumpets in chapter 10, verses 1-10, will signal for the people to gather together or to break camp. If the priests blow both, the congregation gathers. Blow only one, and just the chiefs gather. Sound an alarm (with short blows) and the tribes on the east side, led by Judah, break camp. Another alarm and the south tribes set out, then west, then north. Next weekend we'll turn to 10:11 (through chapter 12) where we'll see the cloud first lift and the people head out.2. How Might We Use This Text?Now I want to come back to 9:17-23, which we read before the sermon. Its repetitions give it a kind of poetic quality that sets it off from the rest of the sections. These are the directions for the journey and how God will lead the camp. He will decide when they stay put, and for how long, and when they go, and how far they go. When the cloud moves, follow the cloud. When the cloud stops, set up camp.God himself, through his cloud and fire — his Spirit — will set the rhythms and cadences of the journey. And he doesn't tell them the plan ahead of time. Following him will require daily observation and readiness. The camp will move through the wilderness at God's pace and in God's timing, going God's direction. His people's journey will not be according to their own preferences and choices but his.Can you imagine your life being like this? Daily, hourly watching and wondering when the cloud will move. Or while on the journey, getting tired, and waiting for the cloud to stop? How much might this unnerve some of us? And how much might this be a balm to others? I'm sure this would frustrate some of us deeply, and thrill others of us.Which raises the question for us of what it's like for us today, in the new covenant? God still leads and guides his people's daily movement or abiding, their going or staying, and God still does so in his own unpredictable, often inconvenient timing. Back then he prompted them with a visible external spirit/fire (the cloud) but now he prompts us through his invisible indwelling spirit/fire, the Holy Spirit. God gives us his word. He shapes our souls with his speech. And the risen Christ has poured out his Spirit that we might receive him, and he might dwell in us, in a way he did not for the people of the Old Testament. It is awesome to have the Spirit of God in us! And to have God's word in Scripture, and have fellows in the faith to counsel us.Consider two dangers, among others, for us today: (1) the first is quintessentially American: we ignore the indwelling Spirit and don't pray for and seek to be sensitive to his promptings. We just go about our lives and make our own decisions, like the secular world, in practical atheism. Or (2) the super-spiritual alternative: we seek to be led by God, through his Spirit, but don't exercise caution (about own indwelling sin), but are overly simple or self-serving, about his possible promptings. We presume God's speaking with a clarity that he is not. His promptings in us are not the same as God's speaking to Moses. So, instead of saying, “God told me . . .” we say, “God may be prompting me ...” We first seek to become a kind of person who can discern God's will (Romans 12:2). And we pray for the Spirit's prompting, and seek to be sensitive to his leading, and humbly seek confirmation from his people, our fellows. And then we speak and live without presumption — without presuming to be our own master, and without presuming, “Thus sayeth the Lord . . . .”3. Who Do We Love? Or we might say, where do we see our Lord in this text? Where do we see Jesus, through whom all Scripture, including Numbers, makes us wise for salvation?We could talk about the altar, where the priests were to make daily sacrifices, and for which the tribes provided all the stock of chapter 7. In Christ, our altar, once and for all, is Calvary, the cross of Christ, where the precious Son of God, our great high priest and the final sacrifice gave himself once and for all that we might draw near to God.And we could talk about the trumpets. As Jesus himself said, one day he will return “with power and great glory” and “will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds” (Matt 24:31). Or as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, “the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise.” (see also 1 Cor 15:51-52)Or we could talk about the great substitution of chapter 8, verses 16-19. The Levites are substitutes for all the firstborn of the tribes of Israel. Instead of taking them for service of the tabernacle, God substitutes the martial tribe of Levi (Moses' and Aaron's own tribe) and gives them to the priests to guard and transport the Dwelling (8:16-19).But let me finish with just two: first, this marvel of Moses speaking with God “face to face.” These chapters turn on God speaking to Moses: 6:22: the Lord spoke to Moses, saying…8:1, 5, 23: the Lord spoke to Moses, saying…9:1: And the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness…9:9; 10:1: the Lord spoke to Moses, saying… And 9:23 connects God's speaking to Moses to the 12 mentions of God's commands in these chapters.These chapters turn on God speaking. And how?The key verse is 7:89. Listen for the emphasis on Moses hearing and God speaking:“…when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him.”At the center of the people is the Dwelling. And at the center of the Dwelling is God. And what does he do? He speaks, and speaks, and speaks.Now, a question that comes to mind is, Did Moses see God? We're going to hear next week, in chapter 12, verse 8, God say, “With [Moses] I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord.” And you might remember from Exodus 33 that “the Lord would speak . . . to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (verses 9-11). Face to face?What does that mean? How did Moses speak with the Lord? It means something. It's an expression of how clearly Moses heard from God and how closely he could speak with him.However, it's qualified, and “face to face” is explained with “as a man speaks to his friend.” “Face to face” is an idiom, an expression. The point is closeness and clarity. Literal beholding is unthinkable — until Jesus.In Christ, a day is coming when we ourselves will see God face to face in the face of Jesus Christ. We will see him as even Moses could not see God. And till then, God's audible word remains at the center, as so precious to us, for knowing who God is, and who his Son is, and his Spirit. At the center of the camp was God's word through Moses. And at the center of the church is God's Word in and through Jesus. And one day we will see him face to face. Our Lamb, God's SmileFinally, the Passover lamb, which brings us to the Table. I'm sure there was so little that wilderness generation understood. They did not know the fullness of what God was up to. They didn't know that God himself would come as the Lion of Judah and as the final Passover Lamb. They didn't know that there would be a once-and-for-all altar at Calvary, and that one day God's trumpet would sound for Christ's second coming. They didn't know the fullness of substitution, and that Moses speaking so closely with God would one day be surpassed by all God's new-covenant people seeing Jesus face to face.But you know what they did know, or should have? Oh they should have known grace. As they made arrangements to celebrate that first ritual Passover at Sinai, one year after the original Passover in Egypt, consider all that had transpired in that last year. They had grumbled and grumbled. They had doubted God could save them at the Red Sea. They had grown impatient waiting for Moses and forged a golden calf to worship. Oh what it must have been like to celebrate that first Passover — not as spotless, self-confidence people but as humbled, self-consciously sinful, desperately needy, undeserving people, recipients of grace, not achievers of merit. And yet God smiled.Which is how we come to the Table, this fulfillment of the Passover. “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). And the word of God, including Numbers, is able to make us wise for salvation through him. To secure for us the grace of God's smile on us and delight to welcome us to his Table.

In this sermon, Pastor David Mathis expounds upon Numbers 7:1-10:10 by focusing on what we need to know, how we should live, and how we see Jesus in this text. God still leads and guides his people's daily movement but how does this look for us under the new covenant?

God's people are finally free! Moses and the people burst into song, singing about who God is, His saving work, and where He will lead them. When God rescues, we respond with praise. We sing of His power, love, and how He saves us to bring us closer to Him.

How God Leads Us Through Life is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast. Can family drama derail God's perfect plan for your life? In last week's episode, “Navigating Family Drama,” we uncovered the tension between Jacob's wives, Leah and Rachel, and how God remained faithful through it […] The post How God Leads Us Through Life | RIOT Podcast appeared first on Riotpodcast.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is a way to death.” That's Proverbs fourteen, twelve, and this is Something Good with Dr. Ron Jones. If the way you thought was right turns out to be wrong, how can you make things right again? You do it by obeying the Holy Spirit. Ron shows you how next, as he continues his series, “Psalm 23 and Me: Living the Good Life with The Good Shepherd.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/something-good-radio/support

Have you ever been stuck in a rut? Are you stuck in one now? Dr. Ron Jones wants to help you get out. You know, sheep will often keep going back to the same grazing location until there's nothing left for them to eat. And even then, they'll keep going back. Sounds a bit like what we've all done from time to time, repeating the same mistakes over and over, even after the thrill was gone. But Ron has good news for anyone who has ever wandered away from God and gotten stuck in this kind of rut. And he shares it next, in his continuing series, “Psalm 23 and Me: Living the Good Life with The Good Shepherd.”  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/something-good-radio/support