POPULARITY
Categories
Episode Description:In this powerful exposition of John 1:6-13, Pastor Ben Smith unpacks the profound truth that salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ—a faith that is itself a gift from God. Continuing through the prologue of John's Gospel, this sermon reveals how God has graciously provided both the testimony to and the way of salvation.In this message, you'll discover:God Provides for Salvation Through a Preceding Witness (vv. 6-8) Pastor Ben examines the God-ordained ministry of John the Baptist, the final Old Testament prophet sent to bear witness to the coming light of Christ. This section traces the faithful line of witnesses God provided throughout redemptive history—from the promise given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, through Abraham, David, and the prophets—all testifying to the coming Messiah. The sermon emphasizes that these witnesses were both a gift of God and a ministry to mankind, graciously preparing hearts to believe in Jesus.God Provides for Salvation Through the Revelation of Truth (vv. 9-11) This section reveals Jesus as the true light—not merely a reflection or testimony, but the full revelation of God Himself. Pastor Ben addresses the sobering reality that the world did not recognize or receive the light when He came. Drawing on 2 Corinthians 4:4 and Luke 4:17-18, the message explains spiritual blindness and why proximity to the light does not equal saving faith. Only in Jesus, the true light, is salvation and eternal life found.God Provides for Salvation Through the Work of Jesus (vv. 12-13) The sermon reaches its climax with the glorious truth that God gives the right to become children of God to all who receive and believe in Jesus. Pastor Ben carefully unpacks verse 13's three negative statements—denying salvation by blood, by the will of the flesh, or by the will of man—followed by the definitive declaration: salvation is "of God" alone. This section powerfully demonstrates that regeneration and saving faith come by God's sovereign authority and power, not human effort or religious achievement.Key Theological Themes:- Salvation by grace alone through faith alone- The role of John the Baptist as witness- Jesus as the true light and full revelation of God- Spiritual blindness and the need for divine intervention- God's sovereignty in salvation and election- The new birth as a work of God's power- The danger of substituting human effort for genuine faithMemorable Illustration: Pastor Ben concludes with a compelling historical illustration from Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia, where the French army's tin buttons—a cheap substitute for authentic materials—disintegrated in the brutal cold, leaving soldiers exposed to deadly temperatures. This vivid analogy powerfully demonstrates how substitutes for genuine, God-given faith may appear sufficient temporarily but will ultimately fail under the weight of eternity.Who Should Listen: This sermon is essential for anyone seeking to understand the biblical doctrine of salvation, the nature of saving faith, and God's sovereign grace. It's particularly valuable for those struggling with assurance of salvation, anyone tempted to rely on religious performance or heritage, and believers who need to be reminded that salvation is God's work from beginning to end. Perfect for personal devotion, small group discussion, or theological study.Scripture References Include: John 1:6-13, Genesis 3:15, Genesis 12, 2 Samuel 7, Luke 16:16, Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:17-18, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Isaiah 9:2, Ephesians 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9, John 6:37, Romans 3:23Whether you're a new Christian or a seasoned believer, this message will deepen your understanding of God's gracious provision for salvation and strengthen your confidence that salvation rests entirely on God's faithful work, not your own efforts.
Support the ministry and help us reach people worldwide: https://bit.ly/MarinersGiveGet your copy of the 2026 Annual Read: Tozer on the Son of God by A.W. TozerFirst Time?Start Here: https://bit.ly/MarinersconnectcardCan we pray for you? https://bit.ly/MarinersPrayerOnlineYou can find information for all our Mariners congregations, watch more videos, and learn more about us and our ministries on our website https://bit.ly/MarinersChurchSite. FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marinerschurch• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marinerschurch• Twitter: https://twitter.com/marinerschurch• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marinerschurch
S.370 Faith Receives What God Provides by Pastor Poju Oyemade by Apostle Grace Lubega
S.370 Faith Receives What God Provides by Pastor Poju Oyemade by Apostle Grace Lubega
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike focuses on how God provides for us as a clear reminder that He is real. Through personal stories of God's provision in his own life and in the life of the church over the years, we are reminded again and again that our God is sovereign, faithful, and deeply personal. Each story points to the truth that our loving Heavenly Father knows our needs, cares for His children, and delights in giving good gifts to those who trust Him.
In this stirring and deeply encouraging Advent message, Pastor Karl continues the series The King Has Come with a raw and life-giving exploration of the second great gift Jesus brings: peace.Turning to the familiar yet profound scene in Luke 2:8–20, Pastor Karl invites us into the midnight terror of ordinary shepherds—suddenly confronted by the blinding glory of God—and shows how the very first words from heaven that night were not “Merry Christmas,” but “Fear not.” That first Christmas did not begin with sentimental calm; it began with paralyzing, mega-fear. And right there, in the middle of stacked-on-stacked fear, the angel announced good news of great joy: a Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord, the Prince of Peace.With pastoral tenderness and unflinching honesty, Pastor Karl unmasks fear as the mortal enemy of peace—how it magnifies threats, shrinks our view of God, and paints our future in colors darker than God ever intended. Yet the gospel is stronger: peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of a Person. Peace is not something Jesus gives; peace is who Jesus is—and He gives Himself.Through the shepherds' journey from terror to testimony, we're given clear, scriptural paths out of fear and into the unshakable peace of Christ: speaking God's truth over fear's lies, refusing to agree with the spirit of fear, drawing near to Jesus through spiritual disciplines, and taking bold steps of obedience that move us against comfort and toward surrender.This is a word for everyone whose heart has been ruled by anxiety, worst-case scenarios, or the quiet fears that steal joy—especially in this season. A tender yet urgent call to stop trusting the unknown future to our own control and start trusting it to the known God who entered our fear as a baby in a manger.Because the King has come, fear does not get the final word. Peace does. And when the Prince of Peace takes over a life, what spills out is no longer fear—but praise, testimony, and unshakable confidence in the goodness of God.Essential listening for anyone who longs to trade fear for the peace that passes all understanding this Christmas.Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm
Advent is the season in our church calendar in which we celebrate the birth of Christ and anticipate His return. The Christmas season reminds us that God came to dwell among us and His plan of salvation goes through Jesus of Nazareth. Join us for this year's advent series as we explore Jesus' presence throughout the Old Testament and how God's plan was always Jesus "From the Beginning."PRAYERText (904) 770-3037 if you would like a member of our prayer team to pray with or for you.NEXT STEPSAre you ready to learn more about what it means to walk with Christ, get baptized, or get connected within the church body? Click here to complete our digital connect card: https://fathom.churchcenter.com/people/forms/31883GOT QUESTIONS?Learn more about Fathom Church at http://fathom.church/WE'RE HERE FOR YOU!If you are looking for more encouragement and biblical teaching throughout the week, we hope you'll follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or download the Churchcenter app: https://churchcenter.com/setupMORE WAYS TO LISTEN:Fathom Beyond Sunday Podcast - Conversations with a biblical worldview and real life application - listen in on an engaging chat between leaders at Fathom discussing faith, life, and how we can carry the truth of the word taught on Sunday into our week Monday through Saturday.Fathom Family Podcast - Real talk on how to build a Godly marriage that is in it for the long haul while leading your kids toward their God-given potential and purpose in Christ.See all the ways to listen here: http://fathom.church/category/listen/
The classic 23rd Psalm makes a statement in verse 1 and then explains the "thesis" in the subsequent 5 verses. God meets our needs through Jesus Christ so that we will have all the essentials that we need. He meets our spiritual, diectional, emotional, physical and eternal needs.
Preacher: Pastor Richard JowScripture: Psalm 23:1
Praise Series—God Provides In Mysterious WaysPsalm 145:14-18 “The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”There are so many good things in this passage. “The Lord lifts up all who are bowed down.” How often do we need the Lord to lift us? It is so great to know that the Lord lifts us when we pray to Him and ask Him to. When we are bowed down to the Lord, we are praying and worshipping Him. When we spend this time with Him, He can lift us. This verse helps us to see the power of praise. When we praise and worship the Lord, He lifts us to higher heights. I heard a saying once that I absolutely love and placed on the door in front of my treadmill. It says, If you complain, you remain. If you praise, you will be raised.I have seen this time and time again. I have seen the difference between people who sit and complain about their circumstances and those who can be grateful. Those who spend all their time thinking about what they don't have and those who focus on the little that they do have. We have a choice in every situation. Are we going to turn to the Lord? Are we going to ask Him and rely on Him for all that we need? Are we going to be grateful for what is going right or focus on all that is going wrong? I promise you, if you start to focus on the good. If you start to praise the Lord for what you do have, you will get more of it.Next, the verse says, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” This one is a hard one for many of us. We do not want to wait for the proper time. We want things to happen on our timeline, or maybe we think our timeline is the proper time. Then we struggle when God disagrees. My dad told me a story once that shows how God will give food to those who look to him at the proper time. My mom & dad have 11 children. They also had a friend who had several children, I think at least 7. This friend called up and asked my parents if they could watch their kids, as something important had come up. My parents said yes because they were always there for those in need. However, my parents had just been talking about how they had no idea how they were even going to feed their own children dinner that night, and now they had seven more mouths to feed. So, they did what they always did in these situations: they turned their eyes to God and asked Him to provide.Shortly after their prayer, they received a knock at the door. It was a neighbor holding bags of groceries. It turns out the neighbor's father had to move in unexpectedly, and they needed to combine his father's household with his. They had just gone grocery shopping, and so they did not have room in their cabinets for all the food from his Dad's place. So, they asked my folks if they could use any of the food. My parents graciously accepted. When looking through the bags they notice that there was plenty of pasta. My parents prayed, “Lord, if we only had some meat, then we could serve spaghetti to all these kids.”Guess what? There was another knock at the door. It was a different neighbor. He had a cooler full of meat. He said that he and his friend had been hunting and they had too much meat. He explained that he and his friend had already stuffed their fridge and freezer, and still they had no room for this leftover meat. Again, my parents graciously accepted. Then, when they looked in the cooler, there was ground meat for spaghetti. They were so thankful. This was not a one-time thing for my parents. My parents were faithful in their prayers, not just when they were in need, but even when things were going well. God was faithful in answering them. My parents did not have a lot, and yet I didn't hear them complain a lot. My parents knew that God was their provider. They knew that all they had came from Him, so they praised Him and thanked Him for all He gave them.Next, it says, “You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” This is another great verse. I believe that God puts our desires in our hearts. I am talking about our deep desires, not the desire to eat ice cream at midnight. The desires I am talking about are the desires to have a specific job, the desire to be married and have children, the desire to sing, or act, or whatever it is you feel you are called to do. As this verse states, God wants to satisfy the desires of every living thing. I know this can be hard to believe if you have a desire that you have been waiting for God to satisfy. Maybe you have been waiting for the right man/woman to come along so that you can be married and have children. I know it is hard when we want something, and we have to wait a very long time. Isaiah 55:9 says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God has a plan for our lives, and it is better than our own. I know this can be frustrating because God does not always let us in on His plan for our lives. Sometimes we can be left wondering what His plan is and when we will understand it. If you have been thinking these things, I want you to know that you are not alone. Many of us do not understand God's plan or why the things we have been praying for have not happened yet.It's easy to lose hope when our prayers aren't answered immediately. It can be frustrating when we pray for something and don't seem to get any answers. I found this definition of hope online, and I really like it. In the Bible, hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised, and its strength is in His faithfulness. We know God is faithful to His children. We know He keeps His promises. Therefore, we can confidently expect that He will answer our prayers. It says in Hebrews 13:8, ”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever." Jesus has kept all of his promises in the bible. If He did it then, He will do it now. If you are getting frustrated waiting for your desires to be fulfilled, I ask that you turn to the scriptures and either use the ones in this episode or find other ones that show you how faithful your Heavenly Father is. He will come through. Please don't give up asking for what you want. Saying that makes me think of the story in Luke 18:1-8 of the persistent widow. “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said, “In a certain town, there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.' “For some time, he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don't fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!'”And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”Jesus told this parable to show his disciples that they should pray and not give up. If He was worried his disciples would stop praying and give up, and they lived with Him day and night for 3 years, then I think He will cut us some slack for wanting to give up. I am sure He gets how frustrating it is to wait for the Lord's timing. If you are tempted to give up and stop praying for something that you genuinely desire, I ask you to pause and remember this woman in the parable. What if she had stopped bothering the judge? What if she had not kept going back? Would she have her justice? We never know when the answer is right around the corner. What if you pray for 3 years, then stop, and God wants to give it to you the next day? Don't stop praying for your deepest desires. He gave you those desires, and he will bring them into being if you let Him. We need to thank the Lord for fulfilling our desires even before we have proof that He is fulfilling them. Praising Him for things unseen shows the Lord that we trust Him to keep His promises to us just as He did to His people in the Bible. God did extraordinary things in Scripture, and He is still doing extraordinary things today. Are we going to be able to see those extraordinary things? Are we going to praise Him for those extraordinary things even before we see them? Are we going to trust that God keeps His promises and that if He has done it before, He will do it again? You get to choose how you respond.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless all of those listening to this podcast today. Lord, we ask that you help us to praise you, even as we wait for answers. We ask that you fill us with hope for those desires that we've been praying for. Lord, we pray that you give us perseverance to keep praying even when there's no end in sight. Lord Jesus, we ask that you give us strength to keep praying when we don't have any answers. Give us strength when we're weak, and we don't think we can go on. Lord, we know that you are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We know that you've kept your promises in the past and you will continue to do so. Lord, we ask that you fortify our hope and faith in you. We ask that you increase our faith. Lord, if there is a desire that we have given up on that you want to give to us, we ask that you renew that desire in our hearts, Lord Jesus. We ask that you keep whispering it louder and louder until we can no longer ignore it. Lord, we thank you for fulfilling these desires, as we know you keep your promises, and so these desires will be fulfilled. We thank you for helping us stay persistent and for giving us the strength to keep asking. Lord, we thank you for listening to all of our prayers every time we ask. Lord, we love you so very much, and we ask all of this in accordance with Your Will and in Jesus ' Holy Name. Amen. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I want to invite you all to sign up for my newsletter. It is just a once-a-week newsletter that has a brief teaching on the mentoring topic for the month, and then any news on my life and what is upcoming for the podcast or mentoring. I do have some very exciting news about the podcast that I will be sharing shortly. If you would like to sign up, you can CLICK HERE or head over to my website, findingtruenorthcoaching.com. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in July 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “My children, I come to you as a gentle rain. I come to you as a torrential waterfall. I come to you at every moment of your life in the way you need me at that moment.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace
Sermon preached by Pastor Adam Copenhaver on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
Sunday Morning Service11/23/2025Verses:Romans 12:2-3 NIVGenesis 22:1-18 NIVMalachi 3:6-18 NIVMatthew 6:8,19-34 NIVPhilippians 4:19-20 TPT
This message explores how God reveals Himself as both powerful and faithful through His provision for Israel in the wilderness and in the Promised Land. Drawing from Joshua 5:11–12, it highlights that God provides, invites our participation, and often supplies our needs in different ways. It also addresses the challenging question of why God's provision sometimes seems absent by offering eight biblical considerations. Ultimately, the message points us to Jesus, the true bread of life who sustains us eternally.
God Provides for and Protects His own, even when they are fearful and faithless. For more information, please visit us at mercyhouse365.org
Rebuilding Our Broken World: God Provides Nehemiah 8:13-18 Dr. Stuart Bond November 9, 2025
We all long for freedom, but where do we find it? Join us for our new sermon series through the book of Exodus, where we'll discover that true freedom isn't found in the false promises of this world, but in the faithful character of our God. Each week we'll explore how God displays His power, love, faithfulness, and glory as He delivers His people from bondage and leads them into the freedom He designed for them. Experience the life-changing truth that while we get to enjoy freedom, God does all the work—and He's ready to do the same for you today.
Kanklefritz & Friends chat about times where God has not only Blessed, but exceeded expectations of prayed-for Blessings. Also, the importance of intentionality in our relationship with Jesus.
Abraham #6 - As cruel as God's test for Abraham seems on the surface, this sermon shows how it is actually a gift of grace from God. God spares Isaac's life, but he does not spare his own Son. Jesus dies on the cross to save us. God didn't spare His Son, His only Son, from you. Learn more about The Bridge Church:Website: https://thebridgechurch.hk/ Music from Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/limitlessLicense code: VEJOOM08MBXEP6TK
“What God gives, he expects us to gather.”~ Dr. Chris Cody
On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, shares his enduring lesson that “God provides”— recounting personal stories and biblical examples from his fifty years of ministry of trusting God. He encourages leaders of all ages to rely on God's provision, no matter the size or scope of their calling.
“Living your life in the land of just-enough is living your life outside the will of God.”—Dr. Chris Cody
Even Jeremiah—one of the mightiest prophets in biblical history—struggled with self-doubt when facing the difficulties of ministry. Let's learn the same lesson about God's faithfulness that Jeremiah learned. Check out Shepherd Leadership and When Sheep Bite. Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens ►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎
Have you ever doubted God's goodness because you couldn't see how things would work out? Today, we continue our year-long Bible study in the book of Exodus, The Gospel: One Rescue at a Time. In this episode, Paul teaches from Exodus 4:27–31 to remind us that when God calls, He also guides and provides—unleashing His power and grace for those who follow Him by faith.
Have you ever doubted God's goodness because you couldn't see how things would work out? Today, we continue our year-long Bible study in the book of Exodus, The Gospel: One Rescue at a Time. In this episode, Paul teaches from Exodus 4:27–31 to remind us that when God calls, He also guides and provides—unleashing His power and grace for those who follow Him by faith.
Faith Over Hustle: How God Provides Beyond Our Efforts will encourage you to trust God as your provider more than ever. God takes care of His children. It's our job to trust Him and live in the abundance of being a child of God. From that place we can take action and operate in excellence in what God has called us to do. Never going into self reliance but being in complete reliance on God with a surrendered heart each day.
Prayer Call God Provides 2 One Fish 10_07_2025.mp3 by Sherman L. Young, Sr.
Prayer Call God Provides 1 Money Inside A Fish 10_06_2025.mp3 by Sherman L. Young, Sr.
This is message 8 in The Names of God Series Exodus 15:22-27 Jehovah-Rapha is the Lord who heals, not only restoring what is broken but preventing what would bring harm. He reveals Himself through the trials that expose our hearts, teaching us to trust Him rather than complain when circumstances grow bitter. The same God who turned bitter waters sweet is able to turn every hardship into a place of healing for those who look to Him in faith. His power to provide, protect, and sustain never fails for He is the God who heals His people completely. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc
This week, we'll see how God meets our needs that are easy to notice and the needs we can't see. Understanding how much we're cared for inspires us to respond in praise, so we worship because God provides.
• Pastor Karyn's message for: Sun, Oct 5 2025• Exodus 16:1-18 (God Provides Manna)• Narrative Lectionary: Year 4• From First Lutheran Church in Onalaska, WI• Support this ministry at 1stlu.org/give• Join us! 1stlu.org/worship
This is message 3 in The Names of God Series Genesis 15:1-8 Adonai is the name that declares God as Lord and Master, the One who holds full authority over His people while taking complete responsibility for their care. To call Him Adonai is to surrender in obedience, trusting Him as the faithful Master who provides and protects, and as the Loving Husband who binds Himself to His people in covenant love. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc
Preached by Pastor Andrew Ross on 9/28/25. Judges 13. More information: www.nshorechurch.org
It's a difficult story that many have wrestled with. God asks Abraham to give up his son on Mount Moriah. As this confusing story unfolds, we see God intervene and provide a substitute, sparing Isaac's life. We'll unpack this story together and see how it points toward the sacrifice of Jesus that was made for each of us. Speaker: Greg Holder
Surrender. It's part of the faith journey that can be difficult to explain, but such a relief to experience. In week 2 of Peak Experiences, we unpack a challenging story of surrender. Isaac, the long anticipated son of Abraham, was God's promise to make a great nation for Abraham. Yet, mysteriously, God tells Abraham to sacrifice him. Abraham's willingness serves as a powerful testament to radical trust and the truth that "The Lord will provide". On Mount Moriah, Isaac's life is spared and God provides a replacement sacrifice, foreshadowing the life and sacrificial death of Jesus that will be for all. Speaker: Greg Holder
For 24 September 2025, Wednesday of week 25 in Ordinary Time, based on Luke 9:1-6
Join hosts Rolf Jacobson, Kathryn Schifferdecker, and Karoline Lewis on this episode of "I Love to Tell the Story," a podcast on the narrative lectionary for October 5th, 2025, as they explore the powerful story of manna in Exodus 16. After the Israelites' dramatic exodus from Egypt, they find themselves hungry and complaining in the wilderness, longing for the "flesh pots of Egypt." But God responds to their grumbling with miraculous provision - sending quail for meat and manna, the mysterious "bread from heaven" that would sustain them for 40 years. Our hosts dive deep into this foundational story, exploring themes of freedom versus security, God's faithful provision, and what it means to trust God day by day. Catherine connects this ancient story to Jesus' "Bread of Life" discourse in John 6, while Ralph shares insights about the "manna economy" - where everyone has enough and no one lacks. Discover how this wilderness story reveals both human nature and God's character as the ultimate provider, and learn why the manna stopped only when Israel was ready to enter the promised land.
Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Support our mission to teach every verse of the Bible. Read more here: Project23 Our text today is Judges 4:4-5: Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. — Judges 4:4-5 What happens when men shrink back from the leadership God has called them to? In the middle of Israel's chaos, God raises an unexpected leader: Deborah. She wasn't a warrior swinging a sword or a king sitting on a throne. She was a prophetess who listened to God and spoke his truth. Her “office” was a palm tree in the hill country. People came to her not for military strategy but for judgment rooted in God's Word. Under that tree, she became a steady voice of wisdom in a time of compromise and fear. Here's what makes her story remarkable: Deborah is one of the only female civil leaders in the history of Israel. Why? Because no man stepped up. This wasn't God's usual design—it was a vacuum of male leadership. While Israel's men hesitated, God used Deborah's courage to call them forward. Deborah's leadership reminds us that spiritual authority isn't about position—it's about submission to God. But her story is also a warning: when men fail to lead, God will still accomplish his purposes—sometimes through those we least expect. This should wake us up. God doesn't call you to sit under the shade of someone else's palm tree forever. He calls you to plant your own, to lead your home, your workplace, your friendships with courage rooted in his Word. Don't wait for someone else to carry the spiritual weight God designed for you. The world doesn't need more men who abdicate leadership; it needs men who step up. Don't miss your moment. ASK THIS: Where in my life am I waiting for someone else to lead when God has called me to step up? Do I listen to God's voice enough that others would trust me for spiritual guidance? How has passivity hurt the people around me? What step of leadership can I take this week under the “palm tree” of God's Word? DO THIS: Choose one area where you've been passive—at home, at work, or in your friendships—and take the lead today by bringing God's Word into that space. PRAY THIS: Father, forgive me for the times I've shrunken back from leadership. Give me Deborah's courage and conviction to step up and lead under your Word. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Lead Me."
Join Micah, Ell, Char from Barefoot to Emmaus, and our new friend Maki Ashe from the Center for Prophetic Imagination as we discuss God providing in the wilderness in Exodus 15:22-17:7. What is the biblically proper way to complain? How are the complainants here living into their calling as the people of God? And how does God's abundant love poured out on these people inform our fight against capitalism? Find out on this episode of The Word in Black and Red!Ell said if you're not already part of the IWW, that's on you at this point. Just kidding! There's always time to join!Char shares a wonderful theological podcast with a friend from seminary called Barefoot to Emmaus. Maki Ashe leads the Center for Prophetic Imagination, where spiritual direction meets social action. Go check out what she's up to there!https://linktr.ee/twibar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We all face temptation—but we're not alone, and we're not without hope. In this message, Tempted, we explore what God's Word says about overcoming the pull of sin: Anchor Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13 1. Temptation is Universal – Everyone experiences it (James 1:14, Matthew 4:1). 2. Temptation is Not Sin – It's the crossroads where we choose our response (James 1:15). 3. God Provides a Way of Escape – He equips us to flee and stand firm (Matthew 26:41, Genesis 39:12). 4. Victory Comes Through Christ's Strength – Jesus understands our struggles and offers grace and power (Hebrews 4:15–16). If you're feeling the weight of temptation, be encouraged: God is faithful, and through Christ you can stand strong.
Subscribe today for access to our full catalog of bonus episodes, including 2+ new episodes every month! www.patreon.com/boysbiblestudy Another entry in the noble genre of “Christian one-man show,” ST. JOHN IN EXILE stars career stage and screen actor Dean Jones as the exiled saint on the island of Patmos. We were excited to review this filmed stage production, since we're huge fans of other one-man pieces of Bible fanfiction and inspirational slop—like Curt Cloninger's WITNESSES (a true VHS classic) and Mike Adkins's A MAN CALLED NORMAN, a beloved sermon distributed by Focus on the Family. Both of those productions feature their leads absolutely killing it and drawing heavy laughter and applause from captive audiences. ST. JOHN IN EXILE is no exception. The late Dean Jones was clearly a trained actor, with a film career dating back to the late 1950s, including many classic family films such as THAT DARN CAT and THE COMPUTER WORE TENNIS SHOES. He kept acting well into his golden years, with his final performance in the 2009 Christian movie GOD PROVIDES. For the math-challenged, that's over 50 years of regular acting work, much of it devoted to uplifting the Word of God or making wholesome entertainment for families. These decades of experience pay off in a captivating performance as St. John. Jones is a huge asset to the material, which would be extremely boring without his investment in the role. Unfortunately, the script in ST. JOHN IN EXILE is a little too straight-laced to match the wild, wonderful turns of WITNESSES, which we love for its constantly shifting perspective and Curt Cloninger's 10+ voices and personalities. Still, the film raises some interesting questions about biblical history—insisting that the same St. John authored both the Gospel of John and Revelation, a belief once common but now challenged by contemporary scholarship. We only wish ST. JOHN IN EXILE had leaned into some insane end-times visionary type shit. Regardless, Dean Jones's performance and the film's enduring place in the Christian media video world make it a must-have for collectors and completists of the faith-based film genre. View our full episode list and subscribe to any of our public feeds: http://boysbiblestudy.com Unlock 2+ bonus episodes per month: http://patreon.com/boysbiblestudy Subscribe to our Twitch for livestreams: http://twitch.tv/boysbiblestudy Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/boysbiblestudy Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/boysbiblestudy
Sunday September 14th 2025 Main idea: God will provide everything that we need to fulfill His will as stated in His Word. Intro: We've come a long way from the first time the city was stirred up by news of the birth of the king of the Jews in Mat 2:1-3. As then, also in Mat 21 - Jerusalem is very... for full notes: https://www.cgtruth.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=3198
Messy Family Podcast : Catholic conversations on marriage and family
Summary Every family inherits a legacy, both the blessings and the struggles, yet God calls us to build something new with Him. In this episode, Mike and Alicia reflect on the importance of having a dream for your family that goes beyond survival mode and day-to-day busyness. Drawing inspiration from the film Field of Dreams, they explore how couples can discern God's vision for their home, create a legacy of love, and take bold, countercultural steps together. Whether you're just starting out or sending kids off to college, this conversation will encourage you to pray, dream, and act with faith that “if you build it, HE will come.” Key Takeaways Legacy Matters: We inherit patterns from our families of origin, but we can choose what to keep, redeem, or leave behind. Dream Beyond Today: God calls us to think not just about survival, but about a vision that shapes generations. Unity in Marriage: A shared dream unites spouses, strengthens families, and becomes a witness to others. God Provides the Tools: He uses the gifts, circumstances, and desires already present in your life to shape His vision for your family. Practical Step: Pray together, journal your inspirations, and start with simple habits that align with your family's God-given dream. Couple Discussion Questions What legacies from your families of origin do you want to keep—and which ones do you want to leave behind? If you looked five or ten years into the future, what would you want your children (or future children) to say about your family? Where do you see God already giving you the “building blocks” for His dream for your family? What small, concrete step can we take this week to begin living into that dream together? For more information on this and other topics visit: https://www.messyfamilyproject.org/
A team of landscape architects studied the effects of providing a fence around a preschool playground. On playgrounds without fences, children tended to gather close to the school building and their teacher and didn’t stray away. But on fenced-in playgrounds, they enjoyed the entire area. The researchers concluded that boundaries can create a greater sense of freedom. This seems counterintuitive to so many of us who think boundaries restrict enjoyment. Yet fences can provide freedom! God underlines the freedom His boundaries provide for us. In offering the Ten Commandments to Israel, He promised that a “prosperous” life would result from living life within His divine boundaries. “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess” (Deuteronomy 5:33). Here the concept of prosperity includes a life lived with good results—a life of quality. Jesus, who fulfilled the law with His death on the cross, proclaimed, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Indeed, God’s boundaries are for our good. “Fences” can free us to enjoy the life God created us to experience with Him.
My dear friend Sally wanted to give a birthday party for one of her friends. She knew her friend had been experiencing a tough time, and Sally desired to help lift her spirits. However, Sally was unemployed and didn’t have extra money to purchase food for a nice party. So, she looked in her refrigerator and cabinets to see what was available. She then created a nice spread consisting of many items she’d previously purchased and had in her home. When Sally shared with me the creative menu she came up with, I thought about the story of Elijah and the widow (1 Kings 17:7-16). The widow didn’t have much. In fact, she told the prophet Elijah that she was preparing her final scraps of food for herself and her son “and [then] die” of starvation (v. 12). And she only had a small amount of flour and olive oil, just enough for their final meal. But Elijah ensured the woman that her “jar of flour . . . the jug of oil [would] not run dry” until God sent rain again (v. 14). By trusting in what God revealed through Elijah—even though she didn’t think she had enough—the woman found that God provided what she needed even though her kitchen was barren. Just like my friend, the widow found what she needed. Following their examples, let’s live generously and rest in God’s provision for us.