Podcasts about god week

Pastor Samson's sermon “Lord of My House” from Nehemiah 13 highlighted how compromise in the home leads to compromise in God's house. He showed how the Israelites neglected worship, tithes, Sabbath, and spiritual disciplines, which opened the door for the enemy and eroded their faith. Pastor Samson challenged us to put our own houses in order, fighting cultural influences with God's Word, practicing covenant signs like worship and discipleship, and ensuring Jesus remains Lord of our homes so His gospel is central in our lives. Listen and be challenged. Support the show

Who Is God? Week 1

8-31-2025 - The Kingdom of God-Week 63 by Pastor Chris Shimmel

August 31, 2025

Through the lens of the prodigal son story, Pastor Kenneth reveals how both the wayward and the dutiful brothers missed the same truth: God's love isn't earned by behavior, but freely given because we're His children. Drawing from personal stories and Scripture, his message invites us to experience the transformative difference between having the status of sonship and living in the spirit of it.

Pastor Rodney's message focused on the truth that Jesus is Lord over our time, talents, and treasure, and that everything we have ultimately belongs to God. Money serves as a test of our allegiance, a tool for God's purposes, and a testimony of our trust in Him—revealing where our priorities and faith truly lie. As stewards of what God has entrusted to us, we're called to tithe, live with contentment, invest wisely in His kingdom, and surrender our finances to reflect His ownership over our lives. Listen and be challenged. Support the show

Scripture:  2 Samuel 6, Psalm 30:4-5, Hebrews 9:5, Romans 3:25. Today's story of David is one that is an oft time ignored account from David's life, but we will see ways it dramatically impacts and applies to our lives. We open with 2 Samuel 6:2 “David and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark.”  Pastor shares the history of the Ark from the Book of Exodus during the time of Moses, its description, and rules and regulations from God to the Israelites about the Ark. Pastor also goes into the annual Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, and what the practice was with the Ark.  But by the time of David the Ark was mostly forgotten.  The Ark has a fascinating history and Pastor shares a chronology based on what we know from the Bible: ARK OF THE COVENANT     ⁃    Mount Sinai - 1445 BC     ⁃    Promised Land 1406 BC     ⁃    Shiloh - ca. 1399-1075 BC     ⁃    Kiribati Jearim - ca. 1074-1003 BC     ⁃    Jerusalem - ca. 1003-586 BC  And then the Ark disappears.  While we do not know where or what happened to the Ark, we do know that during the time of David, he sought to restore bring the Ark back and to bring worship of God in Israel. 2 Samuel 6:3-5 “They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets,[d] harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.”  However, we see that they are not doing this as the Torah instructed. It was to be moved only by priests, and by holding onto the Ark's handles with the ark completely covered from view. Ahia and Uzzah were priests but were not moving the Ark as God had instructed. On the walk, Uzzah reaches out and touches the Ark because the oxen stumbled and God's anger burned against Uzzah for his irreverent act and God struck him down and he died beside the Ark of God. God desires to be taken seriously.  Their intentions were good but the directions in the scripture were clear and straightforward and they had ignored them. Next we read that David ask the Lord, “how can the Ark of the Lord ever come to me?” God is capricious. God is holy and He's not to be trifled with. We are not to ignore what He says.   Today, many live in fear of God. But what He desires to communicate to us today is that He is holy. But He's more than that, we will find He is merciful AND He is Salvation! David wouldn't take the Ark into his city, after Uzzah died, instead he left it with Obed-Edom to see what would happen to him. And over the next three months Obed-Edom and his entire household were blessed, so David then moves the Ark the City of David with great rejoicing. They understood that God is merciful, that He is a generous and forgiving God. This time they follow what God has prescribed. The priests carry it, it's covered and no cart is used. David wrote Psalm 30 during this time and it expresses what he learned: Psalm 30:4-5 “Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” It was an incredible celebration, a joyous time, because David and the rest understood that God is good, that God is merciful and that God can be trusted. They placed the Ark in the Tent that David had prepared and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. David organized the ongoing care of the Ark which we can read in 1 Chronicles 23 - 26 setting it up so that the priests would do what they were supposed to do. It also helped the children of Israel worship God the way they were supposed to. David wanted to ensure things were done God's way, just as God had directed in the Book of Exodus to Moses. Pastor closes today with, “God is Salvation.” God desires all to be saved. He is calling His children back to Himself. Pastor shares great insight to the “Mercy Seat” using Romans 3:25 “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” Sacrifice of atonement or sometimes stated as “propitiation” are English translations of the Greek word for “mercy seat.”  What this verse literally means is that God presented Christ as a mercy seat through the shedding of his blood to be received by faith. David and people of the Old Testament era had their sins removed once a year on the Day of Atonement, which finds its ultimate fulfillment once and for all, not once a year, but once forever in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He is the mercy seat of God. It's His blood that covers our sin. And so what we have seen in 2 Samuel 6 gets its fulfillment in the One who is the Son of God.  God is holy.  God is merciful.  GOD IS SALVATION. 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/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

In this weeks message, we explored the story of Jonah's struggle with God's mercy. Moving beyond the familiar tale of the great fish, we examined Jonah's surprising anger at God's compassion toward Nineveh. The message revealed how Jonah's preference for personal comfort over concern for others mirrors our own tendencies today. Through God's patient interaction with His prophet, we discovered important lessons about extending grace to others while remembering our own need for mercy. This episode challenges listeners to examine their hearts and embrace God's boundless compassion for all people.

Here is week 62 of our sermon series Kingdom of God

August 24, 2025

This weeks message explored Jonah chapter 3, revealing God's consistent character of pursuing humanity with salvation. Through historical context and Biblical narrative, it shows how God used a reluctant prophet to bring transformation to Nineveh, while highlighting the ironic contrasts between God's people (Israel) and the pagan city's response to His word. The message demonstrated that God's nature of pursuing and saving people has remained constant from the Old Testament through today.

Pastor Rodney's message emphasized that following Jesus isn't about being a “fan” who enjoys His miracles and teachings but a true disciple who counts the cost and fully surrenders. From Luke 14, he highlighted that Jesus must be Lord over every part of our lives—faith, family, possessions, priorities, and desires—and that discipleship means carrying our cross daily, not living comfortably. The call is clear: if He's not Lord of all, He's not Lord at all, and real surrender opens the door to experiencing more of God than we've ever known. Listen and be challenged. Support the show

Scripture:  2 Samuel 5, Ephesians 2:14, 16, Luke 21:24, Revelation 21:1-2. Why is Jerusalem important not only to the Jewish people, but to Christian people? Let's see what we will discover in today's study of 2 Samuel 5. King Saul has died and civil war has broken out in Israel. David is the reigning King of Judea but the Israelites in the northern kingdom are at war amongst each other and realize David is their only hope for unity and for bringing the kingdom back together. A delegation comes to David saying that it is clear the Lord has anointed him as His king and that it is now time for all Israel to come together and acknowledge his kingship. And that is precisely what happened. But what follows is incredibly significant, not just for David's lifetime, but your ours as well. After being anointed and accepted as king of all Israel, David proceeds to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites who lived there. But the question is why Jerusalem for his city and not a different city? Herschel Shanks puts it this way, “In non-Israelite hands, Jerusalem separated Israel's territory in two.” David taking Jerusalem would mean unity of the country because of Jerusalem's location. It's also an easily defended city as it is on top of a hill with valleys on all sides except the north which was highly fortified. The Jebusites claimed that there was no way for David to defeat them and take the city.  David realized there was a way in. It was through the water shaft. Pastor shares the history and archeology of this water shaft and the location of Jerusalem bringing fascinating evidence and clarity to this story of David conquering the Jebusites. Pastor shares the discovery by Charles Warren in the late 1800's and also more on the archeological work that has been done recently  in which we have learned there is an ancient shaft and a spring in the southern end of the City of David, when Jerusalem was located more on the eastern side of Old Jerusalem. The Gihon Spring lies in the Kidron Valley and the spring has a tunnel area and it is this tunnel area that ends inside the walls of Jerusalem that the Jebusite never dreamed would be what was used to enter the city and defeat them. David then takes up residence and calls it the City of David and in verse 9 we read that David became more and more powerful because the Lord God Almighty was with him. And that is when Jerusalem became part of the heart of the ancient Jewish people, but also where it becomes an incredibly important part of the entire Bible story about God's deliverance of not only Israel but of all nations through “David's greater son”, the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor digs deep into what we see about Jerusalem and why it has such significance not only in David's day but in our day: Jerusalem     •    Peace - called a City of Peace but has much blood shed over it, the greatest blood being that which was shed by the Messiah, Jesus, for all people, the Prince of Peace.     •    Proof - the ancient City of David is one of the largest archeological sites in the world. Solomon's Wall and David's palace have been recent discoveries along with others like the Pool of Siloam and the road to Temple Mount that show the stones are crying out that these things really happened!     •    Prophecy - Luke 21:24 of Jesus predicting how Jerusalem would be destroyed and trampled on by the Gentiles until the time of the Gentiles are fulfilled. This was reality in the 70 AD when Romans leveled Jerusalem and then in 1967 for the first time in almost 2000 Jerusalem was no longer trodden down by Gentiles. It was occupied by the Israelis.  This is prophetic fulfillment.     •    Perfection - the Book of Revelations ends by talking about the Holy City, a New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. A city where God will reign and live with His people. Jerusalem is an historic city, but it is also at the heart of the message of the Gospel of Jesus, and it is at the very heart of the character of God where we will all be gathered together in the the New Jerusalem, the City of Our God! 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/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Week 3: Require  Micah 6:8- "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."  The Book of Micah delivers a message of both judgment and hope. Micah confronts Israel and Judah for their injustice, idolatry, and exploitation of the vulnerable. He warns that their actions will lead to destruction, yet he also proclaims that God will not abandon His people forever. In the midst of this, Micah reveals what God truly requires: not empty rituals, but a life of justice, mercy, and humility. Ultimately, the book points to a future where God will restore His people and reign in peace from Zion.  The thing to know: God doesn't hand out prescriptions, but if we choose to live a life of returning to God, there are some requirements that make the return more rich.  The thing to do: Commit not to what you will get in return, but commit to God all that you will put in to the relationship 

Here is week 61 of our sermon series Kingdom of God

“We're not chasing something new for the sake of novelty — we're reclaiming what has always been ours: a living, mystical and transformative relationship with the God who speaks, acts, and makes Himself known.” - @pehhan82 Ps. Peh Han brought a word titled Hearing God in a Disenchanted World, as part of our Hearing the Voice of God sermon series. In our pursuit of what's practical, efficient, and logical, we often leave little room for the supernatural voice of God. We build our lives on culture and media, rather than on the Word. He reminded us to remember our spiritual heritage — we are a people shaped by God's story, not the world's. He called us to root our lives in Scripture, to rediscover the art of deep listening, and to lean into communion with God — not just as a discipline, but as a relationship marked by intimacy, trust, and revelation. There is an invitation to lean in and listen again, because God is deeply relational and still speaks. And to those who listen, He longs to reveal Himself, to guide, and to teach His ways.

August 17, 2025

In week one of our new series, "All of God", Pastor Rodney challenged us to let Jesus be Lord over every area of our lives and over the church, not just certain parts. He warned against the temptation of pride and superiority (believing God only works through “our” group) and urged unity in the Body of Christ while recognizing that the Kingdom of God is bigger than any one church. Ultimately, our task is to follow Jesus as Teacher, obey His voice, and fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples, baptizing, and teaching, living as the Church on mission rather than just attending it. Listen and be challenged.Support the show

Scripture: 1 Samuel 27:1-7, 1 Samuel 30 1-6, Psalm 23. This teaching dives into Psalm 23, a Psalm written by David, and the evidence we see in his life of the heart of God. We will see insights into David's faith that will provide incredible encouragement to our faith lives as well. Have you ever been in a situation where everything seemed hopeless? Or have you ever come to a point where you feel that you're all alone? No one to turn to, no one to help you? There is much to learn from David's life that reveals where genuine strength comes from. David again is in need of escaping Saul and returns to the Philistine territory. The king of Gath, Achish, gives David the town of Ziklag, along the southern portion of the Philistine Empire along the coast of the Mediterranean. About a year and four months into living in Ziklag, David returns from a meeting with Achish, to find his town of Ziklag destroyed by fire and his and his men's wives, sons and daughters taken captive. They were devastated and their grief was so great they wept until they had no strength left to weep. David faces a Life-Threatening Situation:     ⁃    His men blame him for their loss and talk of stoning him; but David finds strength in the Lord his God.     ⁃    David is abandoned, his men have turned on him, everything appears to be collapsing around him. He found strength in the Lord.     ⁃    How did David find strength when there was no one else to turn to? David found strength because he knew the One we can always turn to. We move into studying Psalm 23, written by David. Pastor shares a personal testimony of finding strength in this psalm during a difficult time in his life. PSALM 23 - David knew the Messiah was coming, the One in whom we find strength! Verse 1 - God is the ultimate shepherd, the Good Shepherd, the One who can always be relied upon and  in this psalm, David realizes he is not alone. And the Shepherd provides us with anything and everything we need (John 10:11). Verse 2 - David understood that sheep need a shepherd to guide and lead them (John 7:37). Verse 3 - Our Shepherd gives us hope, a future, assurance and righteousness (received by God's grace). We receive strength to face difficulty, to leave the past behind, walk in a way that gives glory to God (John 14:27). Verse 4 - Even in the darkest day, we do not need to be afraid. We are to rely on our Shepherd who guides and protects us (John 14:6). Verse 5 - David knew that even in the face of the most persistent and evil enemies, God provides and God strengthens and restores us and gives us all that is needed (John 6:35). Verse 6 - David understood that life is short, and he knew that eternity is forever. He knew that what God promises His own, is that we will be raised on the last day and will live forever with Him. Our troubles are momentary and God IS faithful, He will deliver His own, and He will restore His people and that day is coming when evil will be defeated and righteousness will reign forever (John 11:25). We can rely on our Good shepherd with absolute confidence. David understood that, David found his strength in the Lord, his God, in the One who will fulfill everything He has promised in our lives. 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/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Amos 9:11- "In that day I will restore David's fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and will rebuild it as it used to be."  Amos, a shepherd turned prophet, warns Israel of impending judgment due to their social injustice, idolatry, and neglect of the poor. He proclaims that God will not overlook their corruption and exploitation, and that destruction will come upon both Israel and its neighbors. However, the book ends with a hopeful promise: God will restore the fallen house of David, rebuild the ruined cities, and bring prosperity and peace to His people. This restoration points to a future where justice and righteousness prevail, and God's covenant with His people is renewed. 

In this week's episode of Jonah: Rebel Prophet, Relentless God, we dive into Jonah chapter 2, which explores the lessons from Jonah's time in the belly of the fish. We discover how God meets us in our darkest moments, listens to our prayers, and offers a path to redemption and renewed purpose!

Here is week 60 of our sermon series Kingdom of God. Reminder to pledge towards Serenity's shingle fund to support her mission trip!

472. The Life of a Disciple: Hearing the Voice of God (Week 1) // Janice Chern by The City, Singapore

August 10, 2025

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25. Pastor's teaching is on “Anger” today and a particular incident in David's life before he became king. David and his men were in a desert area and nearby a man named Nabal from Maon is at his property in Carmel for shearing his 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. David, having at one time protected Nabal's shepherds and flocks, sends 10 of his men to Nabal to greet Nabal speaking good health to him, his household and to all that was Nabal's. They recounted when David and his men protected Nabal's shepherds and flocks and then ask for Nabal's favor in sharing with them whatever Nabal thought was fair or appropriate. David's words were gracious, but Nabal a surly, mean man responds saying, “Who's this David? Why should I take my bread and water and meat and give any to his men who come from who knows where?” David's men report this rejection back to David who responds in anger with, “Strap on your swords.” He and 400 of his men head back Nabal. David has revenge in mind but then Abigail, Nabal's wife, hears how Nabal responded to David and she comes up with a plan to stop David's intended revenge. Abigail's chooses to act and her response is not only dramatic it is instructional.  Abigail's Response     ⁃    Clear thinking     ⁃    Decisive action     ⁃    Calculated risk Abigail packs bread, wine, meat, grain, raisin cakes, figs and loads it on donkeys and goes where David and his men were without telling her husband Nabal. She comes to an angry David and his men on their way to find Nabal. Abigail falls at David's feet. David has 400 men with him, his temper is on edge, and now this lady comes to him. Abigail asks David not to pay any attention to what Nabal had said. And she says, “let this gift your servant has brought to my Lord, be given to the men who follow you.” Then she asks for forgiveness and goes on to talk about all the Lord must have in store for David, that he is a man who has not sought revenge, but rather did things God's way. She proceeds with a curse for all who pursue David and a blessing of security in the Living Lord God for David. She ends with a request for David to remember her when the Lord fulfills His promises to him. She says he would not want to have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed and then she closes with a request for him to remember her. Abigail's response was issued with grace and spirit-guided wisdom with an emphasis on the things of God and it changes David's heart in an instant. He responds, “Praise be to God who has sent you to meet me. May you be blessed for keeping me from bloodshed and from avenging myself.”  David is convicted. David is a man who has God's heart, and even when he has gone astray, he is willing to take correction.  Dealing with Anger     ⁃    Recognize the danger     ⁃    Practice self-control     ⁃    Deal with the cause     ⁃    Respond graciously Only the Lord God can give us the strength and resources to truly control our anger. 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/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Here is week 59 of our sermon series Kingdom of God

August 3, 2025

Loving God means we love people. Period. Join us as Pastor Steve concludes our series, "Learning to Love God."

Our mission here at Connection is to connect, equip and send God's people. If you would like to stay up to date with all that is going on, or get plugged in, please visit https://connection.church/signup for more information.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24, Matthew 7:20, Numbers 15:37-39, Romans 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35, Leviticus 19:18, Mark 11:25, Luke 6:28, Romans 12:20, Proverbs 25:21-22, Romans 12:21. Today's class is entitled, “Revenge” and Pastor will compare worldly wisdom with biblical wisdom on the topic of revenge.  As we read chapter 24 of 1 Samuel, we read that David is now in en Gedi and Saul has found out and is headed along with 3000 men to en Gedi to find David. En Gedi is a wilderness area but it has several springs and many caves for hiding. As the story continues, Saul went into one of these caves to relieve himself. Unbeknownst to Saul, David and his men were further back into the cave hiding. David's men prompted David that this was his chance, his opportunity to put an end to the hiding by killing Saul. But instead David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. This is action is prophetic. The Hebrew word that is used for “corner” is kanaf. It refers the corners of a Hebrew robe or prayer shawl. The scriptures were particular about what was to be on the corners of those robes. Numbers 15:37-39 “…make tassels on the corners of your garments….you will have these tassels to look at… to remember all the commands of the Lord that you may obey them …”  And David cuts off a corner tassel. The tassel, was to remind Saul to walk in God's path rather than his own path, to walk in God's will and not his own will. The tassel was to say pursue peace, be honorable, be faithful, walk by faith. Saul had abandoned those things and when David cut it off it was a prophetic act showing Saul's wandering from God's will. Next we read that David's conscience convicted him for cutting off the corner of Saul's robe. He tells his men that he shouldn't have done that to the Lord's anointed king, Saul. David's men encourage revenge but David stands strong saying that it would be contrary to God's plan and will. David rebukes the men and doesn't allow them to attack Saul. Instead David exits the cave calling to Saul and bowing down he says, “Why do you listen when they say David is bent on harming you. This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you. I will not lay my hand on my Lord because you are the Lord's anointed. See this tassel of your robe in my hand, yet I did not kill you, but you hunt me down to take my life.” David holds Saul accountable even as he shows the heart and grace of God to Saul. We see that the activities of a person are a window into his heart and if we seek revenge we are going contrary to the heart of God. We can deal with unjust treatment and  still refuse revenge while still holding the individual accountable. Saul wept at David's words saying, “You are more righteous than I. You have treated me well but I have treated you badly.” What does God say about revenge?         -         Romans 12:19 - revenge is the Lord's - God is the righteous judge and he will judge in the end Resisting Revenge         -         Love your enemy Leviticus 19:18         -         Forgive your enemy Mark 11:25 (this doesn't mean we approve of what they have done, it does mean we let go of the bitterness, anger and desire for revenge.)         -         Pray for your enemy Luke 6:28         -         Feed your enemy Romans 12:20 as this can draw them into repentance before God. Pastor ends with Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This is how we are called to act. That's what we see in David and that is what we see in the heart of God. 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/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Here is week 58 of our sermon series Kingdom of God

In this episode, Pastor Brian dives into chapters 7 and 8 of Esther, highlighting Esther's bold courage to speak up at just the right moment. Her bravery reminds us that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things - and that when we walk in faith, He moves in power.

In this episode, Pastor Samuel explores Esther 6, and reveals how God works behind the scenes to overturn circumstances. Discover the power of faithfulness, humility, and trusting God' perfect timing - even when things seem uncertain.

Join us as Pastor Steve unpacks our third week in the series, "Learning to Love God."

Our mission here at Connection is to connect, equip and send God's people. If you would like to stay up to date with all that is going on, or get plugged in, please visit https://connection.church/signup for more information.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 21-22 and Psalm 34. Today's class is entitled ,“Crippling Fear.” Crippling Fear describes the kind of fear that can easily cripple us. But Crippling Fear also describes how God can cripple our fear.      1.    Fear can easily cripple us     2.    God can cripple our fear As our story opens we see Saul trying in every way possible to get rid of David, to kill him through any method he can find. Then Saul shares with Jonathan (his son and David's best friend) that he is determined to kill David and that he won't relent. And so David has to flee from Saul and he heads to Gath - Philistine territory. David left behind his position as one of the leaders of the Israelite army, his wife, his best friend, his home, his friends, and more.  David gets to Gath and is recognized. He had thought he could live there in anonymity, but being recognized, he became fearful.  Not just a little fearful but a lot fearful and so he decides to pretend to be insane in order to protect himself. This man who had been so courageous, is now paralyzed by overwhelming fear. So then David leaves Gath and goes back into Israelite territory to the caves of Abdullah.  David's father's family and his brorhers' families and others come to the cave with David.  It's at this time that David writes Psalm 34. There are four timeless truths in Psalm 34 that tell us how God can conquer our fear, something David knew but needed to be reminded of. And like David, that God conquers our fears is something we need to be reminded of too. Psalm 34 Truths     1.     PRAISE GOD (even in the darkest of times)  David didn't start out this poem with, “Woe, is me.” He started out with, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Praising God is to be our natural response of faith and transforms us from within because when we praise God we are looking to him not to our condition.  It's looking heavenward versus looking inward.     2.    GOD DELIVERS - strength is found in God's inner presence and not in our own strength. It is God alone who delivers us.  As David turns to God in praise he finds God ministering to his very soul, delivering him from fear. David is no longer crippled by fear but sees that God cripples fear!  As we praise God and He delivers us, the Lord Jesus encamps around us. Hi is the One who says, “I'll never leave you, don't be afraid, I am with you.”     3.    FEAR GOD - not in the sense of being afraid of Him - but in holy awe through repentance and in faith and in obedience.  Fear God alone and no one else.     4.    GOD SAVES - “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18  David reminds us that the Lord is close to us. He saves and restores us. He rescues us. How de we deal with the fear that cripples? The answer is we turn to God who cripples fear.  We turn to God, praising Him even in the fearful, hard, difficult, dark times. We praise Him because we know He is where we find deliverance from our fear. He conquers our fear. We come to Him in holy awe, in faith, in repentance and in obedience because we know He saves us. He rescues us   IT'S ALL ABOUT GOD! What will it be in our lives? Are we going to allow fear to cripple us or will we turn to the One who cripples fear for us?  It's a simple but profound and important choice. 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/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Here is week 57 of our series Kingdom of God

Join us as Pastor Steve continues our series, "Learning to Love God."

Check out part 5 of our Esther series as Pastor Whit shares from Esther, chapter 5. This week we learned how Esther's bold faith and humble obedience positioned her for God's favor, while Haman's pride set the stage for his fall.

Stillness & Silence July 13, 2025 Looking for community? Try our Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/midwayonline Need more info? Check out our website: https://www.midwaychurch.com/ Did you make a decision to follow Christ, get baptized, or join Midway Church? Click here:  https://midway.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/578/responses/new

Our mission here at Connection is to connect, equip and send God's people. If you would like to stay up to date with all that is going on, or get plugged in, please visit https://connection.church/signup for more information.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18. Today we look at the cost of fame, the discouragement of injustice, and we will see what we can learn from David on how to navigate through them. In our text we read of David's progression of fame. He was a natural leader, a brilliant tactician, and widely acclaimed for his accomplishments. While David increased in popularity, Saul became very angry and he began to keep his eyes on David.  Saul saw David as a threat to his throne and begins to want David killed, even throwing his own spear at him several times - but David escapes. David is an honorable man and refuses to retaliate by attacking Saul because he knows that Saul is the currently anointed King. (David has been anointed to be the next king, but he knows God is in charge of that timing so honors God's current choice of king by not retaliating against him.)  Saul sends David away on warrior campaigns hoping David might be killed, yet David continues to be successful. With David's continued success in leading the Israelites so skillfully in battle and his acclaim continuing to grow, Saul becomes afraid of David. What we see is David's fame increases as he navigates the perils of fame. How did God enable David to cope, thrive and survive the fame with people and the injustice from Saul? A look at David's Character:     ⁃    David trusted in the Lord above all else. He trusted in the Lord and not in himself, not in his own abilities or his own insights. David did what Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”     ⁃    David was courageous because his courage came from God. David knew what the scriptures say, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”     ⁃    David was patient and did not act rashly or try to take matters into his own hands. He knew he was the Lord's newly anointed king but he did not usurp that authority. Rather he remained patient in waiting for God's timing. Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”     ⁃    HOWEVER! David WAS a sinner like all of us. Jesus is our Savior. We are not saved because of anything we've done, but rather we are saved because of everything that Jesus has done!! Philippians 5:8 tells us that Jesus, “being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” David is a great hero, but Jesus is our Savior!! We not only have forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus, but we have the strength to live our lives each day with purpose and with profound impact by relying on Him alone! 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/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Whether a name appears frequently in Scripture or only twice (yes, that's true of one of the names of God in this week's reading!), there's so much meaning and mystery wrapped in each of God's names and titles. Join us for Week 3 of our Names of God study as Lydia Brownback returns to the podcast to help us know Him more deeply.Open your Bibles with us this week! This episode corresponds to Week 3 of She Reads Truth's Names of God reading plan. You can read with the She Reads Truth community on our site, in our app, or with our Names of God printed or digital Daily Reading Guide.In this episode:Use code NT15 for 15% off the People in the New Testament collection at ShopSheReadsTruth.com.She Reads Truth on Instagram & FacebookRaechel Myers on InstagramAmanda Bible Williams on InstagramLydia Brownback on Instagram*If you purchase something through our links, She Reads Truth may earn an affiliate commission.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Magellan AI - https://docsend.com/view/5vdvbdx7cr4tikmyPodscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy

“I've walked with Jesus for 35 years, but every time I really investigate the Scripture and come to topics like His name, I see another facet of His glory.” That's a direct quote from our beloved Bible teacher and friend Allison Allen on today's episode of the She Reads Truth Podcast! Listen in as Allison, Raechel, and Amanda talk about the wonder, wisdom, and worship Scripture has to show us through God's names.Open your Bibles with us this week! This episode corresponds to Week 2 of She Reads Truth's Names of God reading plan. You can read with the She Reads Truth community on our site, in our app, or with our Names of God printed or digital Daily Reading Guide.In this episode:Use code NT15 for 15% off the People in the New Testament collection at ShopSheReadsTruth.com.The Bravest Thing by John BlaseShe Reads Truth on Instagram & FacebookRaechel Myers on InstagramAmanda Bible Williams on InstagramAllison Allen on InstagramHidden by Allison AllenSeen, Secure, Free by Allison Allen*If you purchase something through our links, She Reads Truth may earn an affiliate commission.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Magellan AI - https://docsend.com/view/5vdvbdx7cr4tikmyPodscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy

Each name of God reveals something true about His character. We've got Joel Muddamalle joining Raechel and Amanda on the podcast for Week 1 of our study, Names of God. Together we're exploring how the different ways Scripture gives us to address God and helping us know Him more authentically, trust Him more deeply, and love Him more completely. Open your Bibles with us this week! This episode corresponds to Week 1 of She Reads Truth's Names of God reading plan. You can read with the She Reads Truth community on our site, in our app, or with our Names of God printed or digital Daily Reading Guide.In this episode:Joel's Connection between Deuteronomy 4 and 1 Corinthians 8 She Reads Truth on Instagram & FacebookRaechel Myers on InstagramAmanda Bible Williams on InstagramJoel Muddamalle on Instagram*If you purchase something through our links, She Reads Truth may earn an affiliate commission.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Magellan AI - https://docsend.com/view/5vdvbdx7cr4tikmyPodscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy