Podcasts about Habakkuk

This is the sixth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey's Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Why is there such a stark contrast between the worldview of the believer and that of the unbeliever? This lesson addresses the theological concept of the antithesis—the fundamental spiritual divide between those in Christ and those outside of him. You will learn how this distinction, rooted in covenant representation and union with Christ, shapes every aspect of life and apologetic engagement. By understanding the nature of regeneration, resurrection life, and our new identity in Christ, we are better prepared to witness to the truth with clarity and conviction, while holding fast to the hope of God's redemptive purpose for his people. 01:13 The Fundamental Distinction between Believers and Unbelievers 04:31 Covenantal Representation 09:25 The Resurrection 20:18 The New Identity in Christ 29:23 Living Out Our Union with Christ 32:10 Summary and Conclusion  Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental resources, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to more than two dozen more video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/def...   Camden Bucey (MDiv, PhD) is Executive Director of Reformed Forum and a minister of Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grayslake, Illinois. He is the author of Karl Rahner (Great Thinkers) and Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: A 12-Week Study.   Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: https://reformedforum.org/donate/    #apologetics #evangelism #presupp

Almost every Christian denomination accepts that God is sovereign--which is interpreted to mean that He always does precisely what He pleases, and everything that happens on earth has either His explicit or implicit stamp of approval. So when we find ourselves in a crisis--we or someone we love gets a terminal diagnosis, or we don't have enough money to make the mortgage and may lose the house, or we're in the direct path of a natural disaster, etc--we pray for a miracle, because we all know that God can do anything He wants. And who knows? Maybe He'll say yes. But if He says no, the common theology goes, it's because He sees the bigger picture. He knows more than we do, and we have to just trust that He knows best. That sounds so spiritual, doesn't it? Some believers manage to weather these trials of faith, pointing to Job as their example, when he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21) and "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15). (One side note. When you hear of a great saint who loses everything and yet clings to their trust in God anyway, certain that He has a greater purpose for their loss, does that inspire you to praise God--or to praise that great saint? Who actually receives the glory for that?) This theology has its roots in Calvinism, which espouses an extreme form of predestination (meaning that God chooses whether each of us will ultimately be saved, or damned, before we're ever born. He has to do this, they argue, because it is God who gives us the faith even to be saved, Eph 2:8-9, and if He withholds that faith, salvation for that individual is impossible.) So God, in this theological persuasion, decides a priori who will be saved and who will not, and then punishes those to whom He has not given the faith to be saved for their sins. They do have scriptures to back up their argument--if you take them out of context. One of the big ones is Romans 9:18-21, which says: "Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?' But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?'" In this passage, Paul was comparing Israel's hardness of heart in rejecting the Messiah to Pharaoh from the time of the Exodus (Romans 9:15-17). The reason it took ten plagues and the decimation of Egypt for Pharaoh to finally release the Israelites was because Pharaoh's heart was hardened, far beyond reason. Paul's point in this passage was that God did this so that He could display His power to the Israelites, delivering them with great signs and wonders (Romans 9:17). If Pharaoh hadn't resisted, it would not have taken great miracles to do it. (In the same way, Paul argues, the fact that Israel had rejected Jesus gave the Lord the opportunity to bring the Gentiles in to the New Covenant, too.) But if God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, is Pharaoh still responsible for his own actions? If we go back to the original source text, we can see that this isn't quite the whole story. God did tell Moses in advance that He would harden Pharaoh's heart before the plagues ever began (Ex 4:21, 7:3). But for the first five plagues, Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Ex 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7). It was only by the sixth plague that the scripture says God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Ex 9:12). Pharaoh still made his own choice first; God just enforced it and used it for His own purposes. I love the analogy Charles Capps uses to explain this. If one sets clay and wax out in the hot sun, the sun will harden the clay, but melt the wax. The sun adds the same heat to both, but the substance (wax or clay) determines its effect. A potter chooses whether to make “noble or ignoble” vessels from clay not arbitrarily, but on the basis of the quality of the clay. If the clay is supple and pliable, it can be made into something beautiful; if it is brittle, it might not be fit to shape into something worthy of display. God works with what we give him. In the same way, in Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23), the sower sows the Word indiscriminately, but it is the condition of the soil that determines the harvest. Luke later writes that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), and Peter writes that He is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9, more on this later). Likewise, any reasonable person would have been terrified into obedience by the plagues, long before they progressed to the death of the firstborn. And some of the Egyptians did believe and take refuge in Goshen, and the final exodus included “a mixed multitude” (Exodus 12:38), meaning some of the Egyptians were convinced, converted, and left with them. God gave the Egyptians the opportunity to escape the plagues that might otherwise have caused death, telling them to pull their livestock and their servants inside before the hail (Exodus 9:19), and to paint their doorposts with the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:22-23), which was symbolic of and foreshadowing the blood of Christ. Again, the Lord is “not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He didn't want to harm the Egyptians, but neither did he want them to keep His people in bondage. So, did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? Yes, but perhaps only in the sense that God performed the miracles, and Pharaoh’s heart was such that those miracles caused him to dig in his heels. We’ve all met stubborn people like this, with whom any direct attempt at persuasion will cause them to double down on their original position. God does not override our free will, so in this case, He worked with it, using it to His advantage. Our choices do matter. But He's so amazing that He takes those choices and still manages to work “all things together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). As a result of Pharaoh’s stubbornness, God’s people had a legacy of spectacular stories to remind their children and their children’s children of His might on their behalf. My point in saying all that is just that the argument that God sovereignly controls everything that happens is inconsistent with the overall teachings of scripture; even the individual verses that seem to suggest that don't stand up to scrutiny. But a larger problem is that, taken to its logical conclusion, the theological position that God's will is absolute, and will come to pass no matter what we do, leads to a sense of futility. Why pray--why even evangelize--if God is going to do what He's going to do, regardless? To their credit (though against logic), most Calvinist denominations recognize that the scriptures are very clear that we should still both evangelize and pray, and they therefore preach that we should do both, just because God said we should. (Sort of the equivalent of a parent saying, "Because I said so, that's why!") But historically, many Protestant denominations stemmed from or were heavily influenced by Calvinist doctrine. As a result, until about the late 18th and early 19th century, almost all missionary activity around the world came from the Catholic church, which I suspect was precisely because it held no doctrine of predestination, so they thought their efforts could make an eternal difference. Motivation matters. (Protestant missions largely date back to William Carey's work in India in 1793. The London Missionary Society was founded two years later, in 1795, and in 1810, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was founded.) Even if we're not ultimately each predestined for heaven or hell, God is still sovereign, though, right? He knows way more than we do. So doesn't that mean sometimes He'll say no to our prayer requests, and when we all get to heaven, we'll understand why? Yes, God is sovereign in the sense that He is all-powerful, all-loving, and all-knowing, but He is not all-controlling (and I covered this extensively in this podcast https://www.drlaurendeville.com/podcasts/why-bad-things-happen-from-a-biblical-perspective on why bad things happen, from a biblical perspective). God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; they did anyway. Was that God's will? Certainly not! He did everything He could to keep them from doing it, short of making them automatons, when He told them, don't do it. Likewise, any sovereign can set laws that his citizens may not necessarily obey. The US is a sovereign nation and in 1974 the administration set the "National Maximum Speed Law" of 55mph. But many drivers exceeded that speed limit daily. The New English Translation has the word “sovereign” appear more than any other biblical translation (368 times). Not one of the original Hebrew or Greek words connotes the idea that He controls everything that happens. Most of the time, "sovereign" is just the way they render God’s names. The word sovereign is often translated from Shaddai (meaning Almighty) when it’s part of God’s name (48 times in the OT). Other times it’s translated from ‘elohiym: supreme God, as a superlative, or ‘elyown, meaning High or Most High. Sometimes it's thrown in as part of the transition of ‘Adonay: an emphatic form of the Lord. Sometimes it's translated from tsaba’, also translated the Lord of Hosts, meaning one who commands an army. In some cases the word sovereign is used to describe God's characteristics, but in context, it doesn't mean what we typically mean by the word (that His will always happens). The NET version of 1 Chronicles 29:11 says, "O LORD, you are great, mighty, majestic, magnificent, glorious, and sovereign over all the sky and earth! You have dominion and exalt yourself as the ruler of all." Only this translation uses the word sovereign; the others , translate it Head. This word connotes the idea of a supreme ruler, but not of one who always gets His way. Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield (magen: shield, buckler, protector).” The same verse is translated in NET: "For the LORD God is our sovereign protector." Clearly the word magen does not indicate that He always gets His way, either. Sovereign power is also translated as holiness from qadash: "to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate." This word is used in Ezekiel 28:25: "'This is what the sovereign LORD says: When I regather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are dispersed, I will reveal my sovereign power (or holiness) over them in the sight of the nations, and they will live in their land that I gave to my servant Jacob." It doesn't mean supreme dictator there either. Micah 5:4 says, "He will assume his post and shepherd the people by the LORD's strength, by the sovereign authority of the LORD his God. They will live securely, for at that time he will be honored even in the distant regions of the earth.” Sovereign authority here is the words ga'own (exaltation, majesty, pride) shem (name, reputation, fame, glory): thus, it's better translated “in the majesty of the name” of the Lord. Not a supreme dictator there either. Habakkuk 2:14 says, "For recognition of the LORD's sovereign majesty will fill the earth just as the waters fill up the sea." Sovereign majesty here is yada (to know, to perceive, to make known) kabowd (glory, honour, glorious, abundance), also translated “for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.” Still not indicating ultimate control over everything that happens. Of course God's will does not always come to pass. As I mentioned earlier, the classic example of this is 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance,” and 1 Timothy 2:4: “[He] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Matthew 18:14 also says, “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world, not just those who are saved. 1 John 2:2 says, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world”, and 1 Tim 4:10 says, "That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” This doesn't sound like a God who created anyone for the expressed purpose of eternal damnation to me. On the contrary, He did everything He could possibly do to save us all, short of making us automatons. But not everybody will be saved, because He doesn't force us to choose Him--nor does He make any of our other decisions for us, either. Jesus said in Matthew 7:13: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." God wills it; He paid an enormous price for it; but He won't get all of us, because we get a choice. There are other verses that imply the concept of sovereignty as we typically define it (in the sense that when God decides to do something, He does it, and no one can stop Him). Here are a few of those verses: Job 42:2: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Isaiah 46:10: “I declare the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” Romans 8:28: “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” (i.e. He can use bad and work it for good.) But these verses refers to God’s right and His power -- they say nothing about voluntary restrictions that God has placed upon His own power. Those limitations are defined by the covenants God had in place with mankind at various points in history. Once He gives His word that He will do this and not that, He cannot violate it--He exalts His word even above His name (Psalm 138:2). It's the integrity of His word that literally holds the universe together (Hebrews 1:3). Again, more on this in this podcast: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/podcasts/why-bad-things-happen-from-a-biblical-perspective and extensively more in "Blood Covenant Origins" and "Blood Covenant Fulfilled" from this book series: https://www.drlaurendeville.com/books/biblical-retellings). A quick overview, though: since God gave the earth to man in the garden, and man decided to obey Satan, God had to find a legal entry to get back in. That was the purpose of the covenants—first the Adamic, then the Noahic, then the Abrahamic, then the Mosaic, and now finally, the New Covenant. In the middle three there were stipulations of what we had to do, and therefore what God would do for us, if we kept up our end. But there were provisions for blessings even in those. For instance, a common Old Testament example I've heard preached to back up the idea that we never know what God's going to do, but we should have faith in Him anyway, is Daniel 3:18. Here's how that verse is preached: "If you throw us into the fiery furnace, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not save us, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up." Except that's not what that verse actually says. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego, the Hebrew kids in Babylonian exile in that story, were under the Mosaic covenant, and they were on the right side of it--so they had a right to the blessings (Deut 28:7), and they knew it. They knew God’s promises. That’s why they were able to stand up to the king—just like David could call Goliath that “uncircumcised Philistine,” absolutely convinced of the outcome, because he had a covenant, and Goliath didn’t. In the story in Daniel, what the verse actually says is, “If you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.” The Jewish captives respond saying, “If that is the case” (implying, if you will throw us in to the furnace, the subject of the previous verse). Then they say, “But if not”—and the Hebrew never qualifies if not what. People tend to assume they are saying “but if God doesn’t deliver us” (the end of the previous thought). But it could just as easily have meant, “If it is not the case that you will throw us into the fiery furnace,” just like it did in previous verse. This would change the entire meaning of the verse, and would be far more consistent with the rest of scripture. I can think of no instances anywhere in scripture where someone put faith in God’s covenant promises, and God did not come through. He can’t not come through—because again, He exalts His word above His very name (Ps 138:2)! In the New Covenant, Jesus paid to make sure we are always on the blessing side, having fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf, and become the curse for us (Gal 3:13). Because of that, every single promise is now Yes and Amen in Him (2 Cor 1:20). When Christ saved us, the word in Greek is sozo—that word appears 110 times in the New Testament. It includes spiritual salvation, but it also means physical healing, to rescue from physical danger, and to deliver from the penalties of judgment. All of these things are accessed by faith. Scripture doesn’t say that sometimes God says no to physical healing; on the contrary, every time someone came to Jesus for healing, they got it—and He was the exact image of the Father (Col 1:15), doing nothing but what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19). He turned no one away, saying, “Nope, this one is God’s will for you, to bring glory to Himself.” What brings God glory is healing, not sickness (John 9:1-4), and the “fruit” of answered prayers (John 15:7-8). It’s the blessings of God on our lives that are supposed to get the attention of the world around us. So back to the issue of praying for miracles. The theological position of most Christian denominations is that God can do anything, but there’s no guarantees that He will. Because of course, we can look around and see so many good Christians (some of the best!) who pray, and don’t seem to receive. What are we to do with that? Shouldn’t we adjust our theology to account for all of these practical examples… no matter what the Bible actually says? My dad died of cancer when he was 48 years old. We had lots of people praying. I had several well-meaning believers after the fact try to console me with the idea that God “allowed” this to happen for some inscrutable reason of His own… maybe someone might come to the Lord as a result of our loss, someone suggested. (What actually happened was that I became a religious Pharisee for about 10 years, going through the motions, but I didn’t trust God at all. I figured, based on that theology, that God was like an army general who made sacrifices for the greater good, and sometimes—sorry!—it’s you. The effect on the rest of my family's faith and outlook on the world was similar to mine, or worse.) All of that is predictable in hindsight, because cancer and death are the fingerprints of the Enemy, not of God. The Enemy comes to “steal, kill, and destroy”—Jesus came that we might “have life, and have it more abundantly.” It’s very clear who does what. But the vast majority of the body of Christ today preaches this confused theology, attributing horrific things to God under the strange explanation that because God’s ways are higher than our ways, somehow from His perspective, bad is good, and wrong is right, and once we all get to heaven, we’ll understand. (No wonder I didn’t trust God anymore when I believed this. How could I trust a God like that?) I get why the Church at large preaches this—they’re trying to make the Bible fit our experience. God's supreme sovereignty is a nice, spiritual-sounding explanation which borrows from the long Calvinistic tradition, even if we don't take it quite to that extreme (though some denominations still do even that). But what finally set me free was when I realized that God’s definition of good and mine are actually the same. That my dad’s death at such a young age was never His will. That how God dealt with mankind at various times in history was dependent upon the covenants in place at the time--and today, we're under the best covenant of all, the one where all the curses for disobedience are paid for in full, and all that's left is the blessing, which we can receive by faith. Here's what that doesn't mean: it doesn't mean that faith is a new form of works, that God now watches to see if we reach the critical threshold of faith before He doles out our miracle... and if we don't quite get there, ah, too bad, try harder next time. No! He's not responding in real time to our faith at all, deciding which requests to grant and which to refuse. God already provided every blessing in spiritual form in Christ’s atonement, 2000 years ago (Gal 1:3, Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24). We receive all of those blessings now the same way we receive salvation: by faith. It's "in your account" already, as it were, just waiting for you to make a withdrawal--just like salvation is freely available, waiting for you to accept it. But God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). He doesn’t sovereignly say yes to one person and no to another for things that we know are in His will—if we know that we’re asking for something already in His explicit will, He hears us, and if we know that He hears us, we know we already have the requests made of Him (1 John 5:14-15). (That is the key, though--we can only have faith that we'll receive things that were already paid for in the atonement of Jesus. We can ask God for other things outside of that, but in those cases, God might say yes, or He might say no, for our own good--James 4:3. So it's quite useful to know scripture, so you can know for sure what you can stand on!) Back to my dad, and so many others besides. At that time, my family didn’t know any of this. We thought, we should pray, we should ask, and maybe God will say yes and maybe He will say no. But that’s not faith—that’s hope. And God didn’t say no—He said yes, 2000 years ago! Jesus paid an incredibly high price for God to say yes. Jesus also gave us the formula of how to receive in Mark 11:23-24: believe, and don’t doubt. If you do that, it’s as good as done. Unopposed faith (without doubt, James 1:6-8) is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). It’s cruel to tell people that they didn’t receive their miracle because they didn’t believe hard enough, or pray long enough, though. But the solution to that isn’t to blame God’s “sovereignty” instead! (That’s how people lose their faith—who wants to serve a God whom they believe “allowed” the Holocaust, or 9-11, or child trafficking, or etc to happen?) Rather, the solution is to understand that we’re in a war, and that Satan is seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). While he’s a defeated foe ever since the cross (Col 2:15), and we now have authority over him through Jesus (Matt 28:18, Eph 1:17-19), most of us don’t know it. We don’t know that, with the authority we now have, Satan’s only weapon against believers now is deception and fear (2 Cor 10:3-5)—and of course anything he can indirectly control against us that is part of the fallen world. But Jesus has already overcome the world on our behalf (John 16:33). And understanding God’s perfect love for us casts out fear (James 4:18). Because if He loves us enough to send Jesus, how will He not also freely give us all things (Romans 8:32)? But most of us are so focused on what we see, on the things this world says, that a cancer diagnosis, for example (or any other terminal doctor’s report, or insurmountable financial problem, etc), strikes fear into our hearts. Whatever we focus on, we magnify—and if we’re in a church that tells us maybe God will come through and maybe He won’t (for things that He’s explicitly promised in His word), then we’re standing on shifting sand. It’s hard enough to deal with our own doubt and unbelief, without being surrounded by the doubt and unbelief of others. But absolute trust God’s word—even if it means isolating ourselves from well-meaning believers who might cause us to doubt—is the only way. Jesus on numerous occasions got away from the crowds or put everyone out of the house except for his few top disciples before he performed a miracle. Abraham received because he did not consider anything except God’s promises (Romans 4:19). He didn’t have a contingency plan (or at least he didn’t anymore after the whole Ishmael thing was out of the way). Because he didn’t consider any of the natural circumstances, he didn’t waver in his faith. In the same way, today, our lack of fear of Satan’s schemes is proof to him that we’re going to win (Phil 1:28)—and if we stand firm (Eph 6:13-14) and resist the devil, sooner or later, he has to flee (James 4:7). We’ll win, if we don’t quit. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 05 Episode: 2 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 3:1-2 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz teaches from Habakkuk 3:1-2 in a message titled "A Song of Hope." As Habakkuk cries out for revival in the midst of fear and uncertainty, we're reminded that a life of faith begins with awe for who God is and trust in what He's done. Pastor Michael unpacks how this short but powerful prayer can inspire believers to live with renewed purpose, confidence, and hope—even when the world feels dark. These teachings will help you see the true purpose of the Christian life and equip you with God's truth to live it out boldly in today's world. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 05 Episode: 1 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 3:1-2 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz teaches from Habakkuk 3:1-2 in a message titled "A Song of Hope." As Habakkuk cries out for revival in the midst of fear and uncertainty, we're reminded that a life of faith begins with awe for who God is and trust in what He's done. Pastor Michael unpacks how this short but powerful prayer can inspire believers to live with renewed purpose, confidence, and hope—even when the world feels dark. These teachings will help you see the true purpose of the Christian life and equip you with God's truth to live it out boldly in today's world. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

Thursday with Tabitha 6. Nahum by Tabitha Smith   Nahum prophesied about the destruction of the city of Nineveh, the capital of the nation of Assyria. If Nineveh sounds a bit familiar, it might be because you've listened to the first instalment in this series about the book of Jonah! In some ways, Nahum is like a sequel to Jonah. The date of writing of Nahum can be narrowed down to somewhere between 660 BC and 630 BC. We can deduce this because of the historical events that Nahum refers to during his prophecy (unless of course you don't believe in predictive prophesy!). Like Micah last week, we don't know anything about Nahum apart from the fact that his home town was called Elkosh. It's not certain where this was, but it was probably in Judah because at the time of his prophesy, the kingdom of Israel had ceased to exist. The ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel had fallen to the Assyrians in about 722 BC. The Southern Kingdom of Judah had not suffered the same fate, despite an attempted siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib of Assyria shortly after the fall of Samaria. Instead, the Kingdom of Judah had become a sort of vassal state to Assyria. The Assyrian kingdom had been established by acts of terrible violence, torture and cruelty and forced deportations of thousands of people, under the leadership of Tiglath-pileser III. His campaigns were ruthless and highly successful, conquering most of the known world at the time. Nineveh was a great city, the capital of Assyria. Jonah had been sent by God with a message of warning to Nineveh, telling of God's imminent judgement on them for their evil behaviour. At that time, much to Jonah's surprise and disgust, the people of Nineveh did repent and God spared them. However, a century later, we see that the repentance did not last, and Nineveh has fallen back into evil, idolatry, violence and depravity. Nahum's key message is that God is going to judge and overthrow Nineveh. Nahum means ‘comfort' and his message would have brought comfort to the people of Judah who were living under Assyrian oppression. Nahum is written in the style of ancient war poetry. The first verse of the book tells us that Nahum received the prophecy in the form of a vision. The way he writes his book is like the eye-witness account of a war correspondent. God is pictured as a divine warrior, coming to judge the Assyrians for their evil deeds. God had used Assyria as a tool of judgement on his own people, but the Assyrians were held accountable for the wicked nature of their conquests and the ways they had lived their lives in alienation from God. In chapter one, the book opens with a poetic description of God on the war-path. God is described as jealous (for his honour and his people), wrathful, righteously angry and all powerful. Even the rock-solid mountains melt before him and the seas dry up completely. Nothing and no-one can stand against him. At the same time, God is also described as slow to anger, good, knowing those who seek him, compassionate and seeking his people's freedom from their oppressors. The message that Nahum proclaims is simultaneously terrible and wonderful, and it all depends on the reader's perspective and relationship to God. At the end of Nahum 1, Judah is urged to keep the feasts, i.e. the celebrations of their history that remind them of God's salvation purposes and commemorate his saving works for them in the past. Judah will be restored once more.  We should not miss the significance of this - the Messiah would one day come from the remnant of Judah. Nahum 2 launches into a prophetic account of the overthrow of Nineveh. The imagery is vivid and it's almost as if Nahum is present in the city, watching the events unfold. The invading army arrives in the outskirts of Nineveh and the call goes out to ‘man the walls' and take up arms. The invasion comes with speed and devastation, chariots thundering and swords and spears flashing and glinting in the sun. The invading soldiers are clothed in red with red shields, possibly indicating the original colour of the shields or their staining with blood. Siege towers are built and the river gates are opened to flood the city and destroy the royal palace. It's helpful here to consider what we know from historical accounts of the overthrow of Nineveh. Nineveh was attacked by a coalition of armies, principally of the Medes and Babylonians, in 612 BC. The city was sieged for a period of time which may have been as short as a few months. The invading armies closed the gates of the river Khoser, which flowed through the city, allowing the water to build up. The gates were then opened, unleashing a flood on the city which destroyed much of the important architecture and allowed the invaders to penetrate the city walls and finish the overthrow of the city. Nahum 2 contains more vivid images of the invasion with graphic descriptions of the piles of dead bodies in the streets of the city. God asks Nineveh whether she has considered herself better than Thebes. Thebes was a great city in Egypt which was invaded by the Assyrians in about 664 BC. Thebes had appeared to be immune to attack with a natural sea defence and many allies. However, the Assyrians had conquered the city. They were now going to get a taste of their own medicine. The book ends with Nahum surveying the aftermath of the siege and invasion. The final words are a taunting song declaring the finality of the destruction. The ruins of Nineveh can be found today near the modern Iraqi city of Mosul. They were not discovered until the 19th century - prior to this all reference to Nineveh disappeared from the pages of history. When the ruins of the city were uncovered, many unburied skeletons were found. The city was razed to the ground. Nahum's prophesies were fulfilled. The book of Nahum reminds us that God is all powerful, omnipotent. He is not a tame god who is passive and powerless but he acts on behalf of his people. He is a God of justice who cannot pass over sin and evil but he must act justly to uphold his own honour and the welfare of his chosen people Israel. Moreover, God had promised to spare a remnant of his people, specifically from the tribe of Judah, in order that the Messiah, the deliverer, would come from his people. The future of the people of Israel often seemed under threat but God always faithfully preserved and restored a remnant to preserve the line of Abraham. God is able to work even the most impossible of circumstances and most wicked of people into his sovereign plan. The seemingly ordinary list of names in the genealogy of Jesus described in Matthew chapter 1 encompasses accounts of infertility, prostitution, bereavement, displacement, adultery, murder and exile. God truly is able to make all things work for the good of those who love him, according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). God can even use wicked and pagan people in order to judge his own people and work for their ultimate good. In a few weeks' time we will look at this issue in more detail as we look at the way Habakkuk wrestled with this. Whatever opponents or battles you face in your lifetime, none of them are too big for God to handle. The military might of the Assyrians was legendary and they built one of the greatest empires the world has ever seen. Yet even they were relegated to the pages of history, the ruins of their prized capital city lying undiscovered for centuries. Our perspective is so limited. We struggle to comprehend the span of human history, and yet humans are such a brief vapour, like the dew that evaporates from the morning grass. Peter says in the first chapter of his first letter: “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 All earthly things will pass and only God will endure. Yet, incredibly, he cares about each one of us and knows every detail about us. The whole of history is centred around the life of Jesus, God in the flesh, who came to rescue us. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He stands in authority above all human institutions and authorities, both the good and the evil ones. His kingdom is incomparably greater than the most mighty of human kingdoms and yet it is established in an upside-down order where the first are last and the last are first. We pray “your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven” because Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. One day his kingdom will be unified and complete. Then, as Paul says ‘at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father' (Philippians 2:10-11).   Right Mouse click or tap here to download this episode as an audio mp3 file

Why do bad things happen to good people? In this powerful father-son conversation, Kirk and James Cameron dive deep into the age-old question of suffering, tragedy, and God's purpose in our pain. With biblical stories from Job, Habakkuk, and the crucifixion of Jesus, they explore how trials build faith, character, and hope—and why God is still good, even in the hardest seasons. If you've ever felt like God was distant in your pain, this episode is for you. To learn more about the sponsor of today's show and what our family currently uses for our healthcare check out Christian Healthcare Ministries by visiting https://hubs.ly/Q02vWQGy0 Editing and production services provided by thepodcastupload.com #TheKirkCameronShow #KirkCameron #WhyDoesGodAllowSuffering #TheProblemofEvil #ChristianPodcast #DangerousConversations #JoeRogan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 04 Episode: 3 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 2:5-20 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz teaches from Habakkuk 2:5-20 in a message titled "Pride Goes Before Destruction." These sobering verses remind us that arrogance, greed, and injustice may flourish for a time, but God will ultimately bring every wrong to justice. Pastor Michael unpacks the five "woes" declared against a prideful and corrupt people, offering powerful insight into how God's justice still speaks into our world today. This message will encourage you to reject the false security of worldly success and instead pursue a life of humility, faith, and obedience. You'll walk away better equipped with God's truth—knowing your true purpose as a follower of Christ and how to live it out in a world that desperately needs light. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 04 Episode: 2 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 2:5-20 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz teaches from Habakkuk 2:5-20 in a message titled "Pride Goes Before Destruction." These sobering verses remind us that arrogance, greed, and injustice may flourish for a time, but God will ultimately bring every wrong to justice. Pastor Michael unpacks the five "woes" declared against a prideful and corrupt people, offering powerful insight into how God's justice still speaks into our world today. This message will encourage you to reject the false security of worldly success and instead pursue a life of humility, faith, and obedience. You'll walk away better equipped with God's truth—knowing your true purpose as a follower of Christ and how to live it out in a world that desperately needs light. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

This is the fifth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey's Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. What does it mean to be human? This lesson explores the doctrine of man, centered on the profound reality of being created in God's image. We discover how this divine image manifests in official, formal, and ethical dimensions, shaping our knowledge, dignity, and purpose. Through the lens of covenant theology and Reformed thought, we investigate humanity's original condition, the impact of sin, and the enduring significance of bearing God's image. This foundational understanding strengthens apologetics by illuminating the connection between believers and nonbelievers, affirming that all people exist coram Deo—in the presence of God.  02:24 The Point of Contact: The Image of God 08:47 The Image of God and Sin 19:11 Narrow and Broad Senses of the Image of God 27:20 The Image of God and Human Knowledge 35:51 Summary and Conclusion  Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental resources, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to more than two dozen more video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/def...   Camden Bucey (MDiv, PhD) is Executive Director of Reformed Forum and a minister of Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grayslake, Illinois. He is the author of Karl Rahner (Great Thinkers) and Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: A 12-Week Study.   Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: https://reformedforum.org/donate/   #apologetics #evangelism #presupp

It's Monday of Ordinary Time, Proper 10 in the Church Calendar, July 14, 2025.Our general order and lectionary come from the Book of Common Prayer Daily Office.Psalm 25Mark 1:29-45Today's song: God I Look to You (Ian MacIntosh, Jenn Johnson)Playlist of songs from Morning Prayer.If you have a prayer request please ⁠submit it here⁠. Sign up ⁠here⁠ for the email list.Morning Prayer and Worship is a production of Steady Stream Ministries, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. Thank you for your support. ⁠You can go here to find out more⁠.Get an ad-free feed of the podcast with a monthly contribution of any amount!⁠Join our Facebook group here!⁠Photo by Harry Dona.Opening SentenceThe Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.Habakkuk 2:20Collect of the DayProper 10, Rite TwoO Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 04 Episode: 1 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 2:5-20 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz teaches from Habakkuk 2:5-20 in a message titled "Pride Goes Before Destruction." These sobering verses remind us that arrogance, greed, and injustice may flourish for a time, but God will ultimately bring every wrong to justice. Pastor Michael unpacks the five "woes" declared against a prideful and corrupt people, offering powerful insight into how God's justice still speaks into our world today. This message will encourage you to reject the false security of worldly success and instead pursue a life of humility, faith, and obedience. You'll walk away better equipped with God's truth—knowing your true purpose as a follower of Christ and how to live it out in a world that desperately needs light. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

Unlike other prophetic books that directly address an audience, the message of Habakkuk presents itself to listeners by pondering a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God. By paying attention to repetition related to “seeing” in Habakkuk 1-2, we can pick up on God's invitation to allow God's perception of reality to enrich and challenge our own. Dr. Andrew Abernethy, a frequent contributor to this podcast, is Professor of Old Testament, Assistant Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies in the Litfin Divinity School, and Program Director of the M.A. in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton Graduate School. He is currently President of the Institute of Biblical Literature. His publications include Savoring Scripture: A Six-Step Guide to Studying the Bible and (with Gregory Goswell) God's Messiah in the Old Testament: Expectations of a Coming King.  Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/3GdsmVS  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3IxWKux 

Pastor William McDowell explores the biblical concept of living faithfully in challenging times, drawing primarily from the book of Habakkuk. He addresses the tension between the world's increasing darkness and the Christian's hope in God's promises. The sermon emphasizes that while believers may face trials and tribulations, they are called to live faithfully, trusting in God's character and timing rather than seeking comfort or exemption from hardship. McDowell challenges the congregation to understand their role as light in a dark world and to persevere in faith, knowing that God is faithful and that ultimate redemption is coming.

Pastor William McDowell explores the biblical concept of living faithfully in challenging times, drawing primarily from the book of Habakkuk. He addresses the tension between the world's increasing darkness and the Christian's hope in God's promises. The sermon emphasizes that while believers may face trials and tribulations, they are called to live faithfully, trusting in God's character and timing rather than seeking comfort or exemption from hardship. McDowell challenges the congregation to understand their role as light in a dark world and to persevere in faith, knowing that God is faithful and that ultimate redemption is coming.

After tragedies like the one at Camp Mystic, we have some hard questions to face. Why would God do that? How will he heal this? Can he still be trusted? Ultimately we know we can trust him because he gave his son for us.

Habakkuk 1:1-6 Habakkuk 2:4 Habakkuk 2:20 Habakkuk 3:17-19 Application: Psalm 126:5-6 1. Keep Sowing Galatians 6:9 2. Keep Serving 3. Keep Singing

Preacher: Jeremiah Fyffe Deuteronomy 32:7-14_ Deuteronomy 32:7-14 | Remember the Days of Old from CrossPointe Coast on Vimeo. REMEMBER THE DAYS OF OLD THE SOVEREIGN PROVIDER THE LORD FINDS, FORMS AND FILLS HIS PEOPLE Genesis 10:1 (ESV) These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood. Isaiah 2:2 (ESV) It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, Hebrews 13:14 (ESV) For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Deuteronomy 6:4–5 (ESV) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Habakkuk 3:19 (ESV) God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. 1 Corinthians 10:4 (ESV) and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

Habakkuk 1: 12-17 2:4 Rev Dr. Alec Flynt 

You've dreamed. Now it's time to build. In this stirring follow-up to last week's message in our Unstuck series, Pastor Dwayne L. Wright challenges us to move from vision to action—from spiritual longing to strategic growth. Rooted in scriptures like Habakkuk 2:2 and Hebrews 12:1–2, the message unpacks the common dream killers—fear, distraction, comfort—and invites us to confront what's holding us back. With personal stories, bold truths, and a call to stewardship, Pastor Wright lays the foundation for intentional development: creating systems, protecting your time, and investing in the gifts God has placed within you. This isn't just a sermon—it's a paradigm shift. If you're ready to move from idea to impact, this episode will help you write it, pray it, plan it, and declare it.

Pastor Matt launched a new sub-series on Habakkuk today, exploring how God is still in control amid our uncertainty and how we can continue to rely on Him even through life's toughest challenges.

A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Trinity Romans 8:17-23 by William Klock Sometimes you have to stand back and look at the big picture when you want to find your way.  Think of going to a strange town and getting lost going from street to street and intersection to intersection.  When I first started working in Bellingham I kept getting lost when I was out making service calls.  I have a good sense of direction.  I don't usually need a map—which is what had back then before Siri.  But what's now Bellingham was originally five separate towns, each with its own street grid that didn't match up.  Then, to make matters worse, when they ran Interstate 5 through the city, they cut it in half and left only a handful of thorougfares connecting everything.  Our service manager handed me a nifty spiral-bound “Guide of Whatcom County” and said: “New guy takes the map.”  A map lets you get above everything.  It gives you a bird's eye view,  so that you can see the lay of the land.  The big picture helps you get your bearings. We need something like that for the Bible.  As kids we read books full of disconnected “Bible stories”.  We know Adam and Abraham and Moses and Jesus, but we struggle to know how their stories are related and part of the bigger story.  As adults the most common approach to reading the Bible—when we read it!—is the cover-to-cover, Genesis-to-Revelation approach.  Don't misunderstand; any type of Bible reading is good Bible reading, but the order the books of the Bible are arranged in isn't chronological and doesn't do much to help us see the “big picture”.  Even Bible scholars and theologians aren't immune from missing the big picture.  They're often so focused on the individual trees that it becomes easy to inadvertently forget the shape of the forest. I say this because our Epistle from Romans 8 this morning is one those wonderful, short passages that bring us back to the big picture of the Good News, of God's redemption and renewal of humanity and of his entire Creation.  But even here we might miss it.  Many Christians reading through Romans miss the big picture here because they are not expecting Paul's language of God subjecting his Creation to futility and bondage and of that Creation waiting in with eager longing.  And yet our Epistle this morning is St. Paul leading us right to the climax of his letter to the Romans.  Paul walks us up a mountain so we can see the lay of the land, where we've come from, where we're going, and how it all fits together. We don't have time this morning to get into the details of Paul's line of reasoning in the first half of Romans, but what he does in those chapters is to work his way through the story of Israel and all her ups and downs—and for Israel things were mostly “down”.  And now in Chapter 8 he begins talking about the life in the flesh versus life in the Spirit and the law of sin and death versus the law of the Spirit.  This is where, in verse 11, he famously writes that if the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, the One who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies—if we are in Jesus the Messiah we live in hope of the same resurrection he has experienced.  But even more than that, Paul goes on to write, through our union with Jesus we are children and heirs of God, fellow heirs with Christ—that means sharing in Jesus' inheritance.  But what is that?  Paul writes in verse 17 that it means to suffer with him so that we can be glorified with him.  The Christian life—life with Jesus—for Paul means two things: suffering and glory.  Suffering is a given as we long for glory. And so we should what Paul mean by “glory”?  And what about suffering?  Most Christians living through the last two thousand years have understood that suffering is part of our calling as we follow Jesus.  Jesus promised it.  The New Testament writers talk about it often—and most of them faced it themselves and were martyred for proclaiming the lordship of Jesus.  Many of our brothers and sisters today are persecuted for their faith in various parts of the world.  And yet in the West—probably in part because we haven't faced persecution for such a long time—many Christians have no place for suffering in their theology.  Many even go so far as to say that if you're experiencing suffering—sickness, poverty, rejection or anything else negative—it's due to a lack of faith.  But that's just the opposite of what Jesus taught and it's just the opposite of what Paul teaches here.  The inheritance we share with Jesus is one of suffering that leads to glory.  What this means is at the centre of our Epistle and Paul goes on in verse 18: This is how I work it out.  The sufferings we go through in the present time are not worth putting in the scale alongside the glory that is going to be unveiled for us.   This is how I work it out.  Knowing the Scriptures, knowing Jesus, working under the Spirit's inspiration, this is the only conclusion Paul can reach.  He's been building this argument for eight chapters in Romans and here he reaches the inevitable conclusion: those who will be glorified will first face suffering, but he's also worked out that this suffering can't begin to compare with the glory to be unveiled in us. Think about what a powerful statement that was when Paul wrote this.  When he writes that word “suffering” most of us probably read into that whatever our own trials and tribulations are.  That's fine.  But what did Paul have in mind?  Later in the chapter, in verses 35-36 he writes that nothing will separate us from the love of Christ—nothing—and then he goes on to detail the sorts of suffering that he and other Christians were facing—things people might think mean that God doesn't love them, things they might think show a lack of faith, things that might separate them from Jesus.  Here's his list: hardship or distress, persecution or famine, nakedness or peril or sword.  And he quotes from Psalm 44: “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted sheep to be slaughtered.”  These things are far worse than the sorts of suffering any of us are likely to face.  And as horrible as this suffering was, none of it could compare with the glory to be unveiled in us—no amount of suffering could make the glory not worth it. But what is the glory Paul's writing about?  Paul says this glory will be revealed in us.  It's a sense of this glory being bestowed on us as a gift—and this makes perfect sense when we remember what Paul said before: that if we are in Christ, then we will share in and we will participate in his inheritance. And then what's the inheritance?  Well, consider: Who is Jesus?  He is Lord.  His glory is revealed or it's unveiled in his glorious and sovereign rule of Creation and Paul is saying here that the glory we wait for with eager longing, the glory that is the basis for our hope as Christians is not glory in the sense many people often think.  We often think of “glory” as a place or a state of being.  When a Christian dies we often hear people say that he or she has gone on or been promoted to “glory”.  Brothers and Sisters, “glory” isn't going to heaven when you die.  As Jesus' glory is his sovereign rule over Creation, so the glory to be revealed in us is our participation, our sharing in the sovereign and saving rule of Jesus.  And this is why he says what he does in verse 19: Yes, creation itself is waiting with eager longing for the moment when God's sons [and daughters] will be revealed.   If our hope, if our glory—as it is so often wrongly portrayed—was for the destruction of this world and an eternity of disembodied existence in heaven with God, then the Creation would have no reason to eagerly long for that glory to be revealed.  What Paul describes here is the opposite: God's Creation is waiting for the great day when its true rulers are revealed, the sons and daughters of God, and when it will be delivered from corruption.  Look at verses 20-22: Creation, you see, was subjected to pointless futility, not of its own volition, but because of the once who placed it in this subjection, in the hope that creation itself would be freed from its slavery to decay, to enjoy the freedom that comes when God's children are glorified.  Let me explain.  We know that the entire creation is groaning together, and going through labour pains together, up until the present time.   This is where we need to stand back and look at the big picture.  Everything Paul's saying here is dependent on that.  It's the big picture the Bible gives of us of God's Creation, from beginning to end.  We read in Genesis that God created and that everything was good.  We even read there that when he created human beings he looked at his handiwork and declared us not just “good”, but “very good”.  But we look around us now and have to wonder what happened.  War is always ranging somewhere, there's violence everywhere, there's greed and corruption everywhere.  Justice is in short supply and so are the basic things that people need to survive—maybe not in our part of the world, but for billions of others.  And yet even if we don't pay attention to the big evils that play out on the international scene—or even on the local scene, for that matter—we only have to look at the struggles that we have ourselves and that we share with our family and friends to keep away from sin and to do good.  Hate is easy; love is hard.  Paul knew it.  The Roman Christians knew it.  We know it. So Paul tells the story of Creation in the book of Romans, but he tells it as Israel's story.  We don't have time to run through the whole book this morning obviously, but Paul's point is that the whole Creation is enslaved in the same sort of way that Israel was in Egypt.  And right there we get a glimmer of hope.  Remember, when Israel went down to Egypt—we read about that in the story of Jacob and Joseph—it was all according to the Lord's plan.  The Lord arranged for Joseph to become a slave in Egypt so that through him he could rescue his people.  Egypt started out good for Israel.  When things turned around under a new king who enslaved Israel, it wasn't because the Lord had ceased to be good and it wasn't because the Lord was no longer in control.  No.  We learn later that the Lord allowed the Israelites to become slaves in Egypt so that he could then manifest his glorious sovereignty to everyone—to Israel in rescuing her and to the Egyptians by showing his power over her false gods and over her mighty horses and chariots.  In the Exodus, the Lord marked Israel forever as the people he had freed from slavery, people to whom he had given a new life.  That became their national identity, celebrated every year in the Passover. In all of that Paul is working up to his point here.  As the Lord allowed Israel to fall into bondage to Egypt, so he has allowed his good Creation to be subjected to death and decay.  We may look around and wonder if things are hopeless.  Every time one war ends and we see peace break out another war begins somewhere else.  We work hard to lift this group out of poverty, but then that group over there falls into it.  We cure one disease only to have two new ones crop up.  Isaiah wrote about a day when the lion would lie down with the lamb and we look around us and wonder if that's ever going to happen. And Paul assures us: Yes, it's for real.  This is God's promise.  No matter how bad things are, this is still his good Creation and he has promised to put everything to rights.  Even as he cast Adam and Eve from the garden he was promising them that he would one day overcome sin and restore everything to the way it should be.  Genesis shows things going from bad to worse.  It shows us humanity losing even the very knowledge of God and sinking into paganism and idolatry.  But then it tells us how God came to Abraham and established a covenant with him.  The Lord promised that through Abraham and his family he would restore not only humanity, but all of Creation and here Paul reminds us what that means, what it looks like and why the Creation itself would long for it to happen. Again, we need the big picture—we need to remember where things started.  In Genesis we read that the Lord created human beings to be his image bearers.  The Lord built a temple for himself.  When the pagans built their temples, they placed images of their gods in them made of wood or stone, but in his own temple God placed human beings to represent his sovereignty and to rule his creation with wisdom and justice—to have dominion and to subdue Creation in the Lord's name.  That's what it meant for humanity to bear God's image: to be his stewards, the priests of his temple.  But then we chose to rebel.  As Paul writes in Romans 1, we chose to worship the Creation instead of the Creator.  We subjected the Lord's good creation to corruption. Now, in light of that, it should make sense that Creation is longing for the day when our inheritance is revealed.  That's the day when Creation will be set free from the corruption we brought on it.  That's the day when we, Creation's stewards will be restored and renewed and put back in charge, reigning with Jesus.  Again, think back to Israel.  God chose and called her, he rescued her, he made her his people, he sent her to the nations to bring healing and restoration.  But she rebelled and she rejected her mission.  And yet the Lord didn't give up and he didn't change his plan to redeem his Creation through Israel.  He simply sent a faithful Israelite—he sent Jesus.  And Jesus not only redeemed Israel by dying in her place, he established a new Israel in his own person, a new people to be a light to the nations—this time equipped by the Holy Spirit. This is what Paul is getting at in verse 23.  It's not just the Creation that groans in eager longing: And not only the creation, but we too, we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit's life within us, are groaning within ourselves as we eagerly await our adoption as sons [and daugthers], the redemption of our bodies. The Lord hasn't given up on his Creation any more than he gave up on Israel.  Creation is eagerly waiting for its rightful stewards to be set right.  On that great day the Lord will make all things new and restore his redeemed people to their rightful place as good, wise, and just rulers of Creation—as the faithful priests of his temple.  This is what it means for our glory to be revealed.  The big picture, the story of redemption, reminds us that this was how it was supposed to be from the beginning.  And so we groan and we wait eagerly too.  We live in the mess we've made here in the world.  We live with sin and with sickness and with death, and yet we live in hope, knowing that what God has begun in Jesus he will one day complete. And we can hope because our God has given us the firstfruits of his new creation.  He's given a down payment on what he has promised.  The present age and its rulers have been decisively defeated by Jesus at the cross and the empty tomb and God's new age has been inaugurated.  Jesus is Lord.  He truly is God's King.  He's given us his Spirit—Paul describes the Spirit here as the firstfruits—and that's because we live in the overlap between these two ages, these two kingdoms.  The Jews brought the firstfruits of the harvest—usually sheaves of grain harvested at the very beginning of the season—as offerings to God.  They offered them in good years and even in bad years in faith that God would provide the rest of the harvest.  And so the Spirit is the sign of hope for us.  The life he gives to us here and now is a reminder that encourages our faith and hope in the resurrection and the new creation to come.  We groan and we sigh, we wait longingly in eager expectation, but our hope is certain because God is faithful and keeps his promises.  The prophet Habakkuk wrote that one day the glory of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.  Brothers and Sisters, when that seems impossible, we only need remember the cross of Jesus, his empty tomb, and his gift of the Holy Spirit. But our faith is not a complacent faith.  We haven't been redeemed by Jesus and given the gift of the Spirit so that we can retreat into a sort of personal holiness or private piety while we wait for Jesus to return.  Not at all.  Jesus has inaugurated this new age in his resurrection and somehow someday the making new that began in his resurrection will encompass all of Creation and you and I are called, in the power of the Spirit, to embody that renewing work here and now.  How is Habakkuk's prophecy going to be fulfilled?  How does the knowledge of the glory of the Lord spread to cover the earth?  Brothers and Sisters, that's our mission.  We're called to proclaim to the world the Good News that Jesus is Lord and that his kingdom is here and now.  Our mission is to call the world to repentance and faith.  But don't forget: We are also called to live out repentance and faith in our lives in such a way that we lift the veil on the kingdom and that we give a glimpse to the world of what heaven on earth looks like.  So far as we are able to do so today, we are called to exercise the good dominion that was given to Adam—we are called to be stewards of God's temple, of his Creation.  Jesus has led the way for us here as the second Adam.  In his earthly ministry he made his Father's new creation known in practical ways to the people around him and so should we.  In a word full of sin we should be visible in seeking after holiness.  In a world full of war and injustice, we should visible and at the forefront working for peace and justice.  In a world full of hurting and sickness, we should be seeking to make the healing ministry of Jesus known.  In a world full of anger and hate, we should be working for forgiveness and reconciliation. If you're like me you might get discouraged thinking about that mission.  When I think of these things I think of things that we as Christians can do to bring Jesus and his glory to the world in “big” ways.  I think of Christians—and there are so often so few of us—working on the big international scene or I think of missionaries going to far off countries.  And then I get discouraged.  That's far away.  It's bigger than me.  But Friends, never forget that for every St. Paul or St. Peter, there were thousands of ordinary saints manifesting Jesus in their ordinary lives, proclaiming the Good News, and building the kingdom right where they were.  We fulfil Jesus' calling to us as we raise covenant children to walk with him in faith and to live the values of his kingdom.  We fulfil Jesus' calling when we work for peace and reconciliation with our neighbours, in our workplaces, and in our schools.  We fulfil Jesus' calling when we forgive as we have been forgiven.  We fulfil Jesus' calling when we love the hard-to-love people around us, knowing that we ourselves are hard-to-love too, but that Jesus loved us enough to die for us.  We fulfil Jesus' calling when we sacrifice ourselves, our rights, our prerogatives, our time, and our treasure in order to make Jesus and his love known.  In everything we do, we should be seeking to give the world signs and foretastes of God's new creation. Let us pray: Heavenly Father, as we asked earlier in the collect we ask again for grace to pass through the trials of this life without losing the things of eternal importance.  Remind us that the suffering we experience cannot begin to compare with the glory to be revealed in us.  Remind us always of the suffering that Jesus endured for our sake, that in love and gratitude we might suffer too for the sake of making him known.  And as we think of Jesus' death and resurrection and as we live the life given by your Spirit, fill us with hope and faith, knowing that the glory inaugurated in us today will one day be fully accomplished in our own resurrection and the restoration of all your Creation.  Amen.

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God has a plan for your life. Pastor Tim Rigdon shares his heart through many thought provoking Bible accounts as well as his own life applications.

Habakkuk 2:4-20

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 03 Episode: 3 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz teaches from Habakkuk 1:12–2:4 in a message titled "Working Through Our Troubles." When life feels unfair or overwhelming, it's easy to question God's plan—but these powerful verses remind us that God is still on the throne and calls His people to live by faith, even in the waiting. Pastor Michael unpacks how Habakkuk wrestled with doubt, asked honest questions, and ultimately chose to trust in God's justice and timing. This teaching will help you see that the true purpose of the Christian life isn't about comfort, but about faithfulness and trust in God's character. Be encouraged and equipped to apply God's truth to your life as you walk through your own trials with confidence and hope. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

Habakkuk 3:1-19A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.[a]2 Lord, I have heard of your fame;    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.Repeat them in our day,    in our time make them known;    in wrath remember mercy.3 God came from Teman,    the Holy One from Mount Paran.[b]His glory covered the heavens    and his praise filled the earth.4 His splendor was like the sunrise;    rays flashed from his hand,    where his power was hidden.5 Plague went before him;    pestilence followed his steps.6 He stood, and shook the earth;    he looked, and made the nations tremble.The ancient mountains crumbled    and the age-old hills collapsed—    but he marches on forever.7 I saw the tents of Cushan in distress,    the dwellings of Midian in anguish.8 Were you angry with the rivers, Lord?    Was your wrath against the streams?Did you rage against the sea    when you rode your horses    and your chariots to victory?9 You uncovered your bow,    you called for many arrows.You split the earth with rivers;10     the mountains saw you and writhed.Torrents of water swept by;    the deep roared    and lifted its waves on high.11 Sun and moon stood still in the heavens    at the glint of your flying arrows,    at the lightning of your flashing spear.12 In wrath you strode through the earth    and in anger you threshed the nations.13 You came out to deliver your people,    to save your anointed one.You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness,    you stripped him from head to foot.14 With his own spear you pierced his head    when his warriors stormed out to scatter us,gloating as though about to devour    the wretched who were in hiding.15 You trampled the sea with your horses,    churning the great waters.16 I heard and my heart pounded,    my lips quivered at the sound;decay crept into my bones,    and my legs trembled.Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity    to come on the nation invading us.17 Though the fig tree does not bud    and there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop fails    and the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the pen    and no cattle in the stalls,18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,    I will be joyful in God my Savior.19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,    he enables me to tread on the heights.For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

Psalm 51 Habakkuk 3:2-4,13a,15-19 Psalm 147:12-20 Ephesians 2:13-16 Prayer Requests to psp@sqpn.com

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 03 Episode: 2 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz teaches from Habakkuk 1:12–2:4 in a message titled "Working Through Our Troubles." When life feels unfair or overwhelming, it's easy to question God's plan—but these powerful verses remind us that God is still on the throne and calls His people to live by faith, even in the waiting. Pastor Michael unpacks how Habakkuk wrestled with doubt, asked honest questions, and ultimately chose to trust in God's justice and timing. This teaching will help you see that the true purpose of the Christian life isn't about comfort, but about faithfulness and trust in God's character. Be encouraged and equipped to apply God's truth to your life as you walk through your own trials with confidence and hope. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 03 Episode: 1 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 1:12-2:4 In this episode of Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz teaches from Habakkuk 1:12–2:4 in a message titled "Working Through Our Troubles." When life feels unfair or overwhelming, it's easy to question God's plan—but these powerful verses remind us that God is still on the throne and calls His people to live by faith, even in the waiting. Pastor Michael unpacks how Habakkuk wrestled with doubt, asked honest questions, and ultimately chose to trust in God's justice and timing. This teaching will help you see that the true purpose of the Christian life isn't about comfort, but about faithfulness and trust in God's character. Be encouraged and equipped to apply God's truth to your life as you walk through your own trials with confidence and hope. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

It's Tuesday, July 8th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Indian legislator offers money to assassinate evangelists and pastors A member of a district legislative council in India has announced a bounty on Christian evangelists.   In a public speech, BJP Legislative Assembly Member Gopichand Padalkar allegedly issued a rate card for the assassination of various Christians, the highest amount offered for the killing of pastors. Members of the Christian community in the area are asking that police open a case against the legislator for inciting violence and spreading hatred. Under such treacherous conditions, would you pray for the safety of Christians in India? Iranian Christians losing hope about regime change World News Group reports that Christians in Iran are losing hope now for any possible regime change. During the week following the U.S. strikes, 1,000 people were arrested and falsely accused of spying for Israel, many of whom were Christians.  Some were executed.  The report quotes a 40-year-old Christian woman. She said, “Nobody welcomes wars, but at this point, war seems to be the most viable solution [for a regime change]. The oppressed people of Iran have used every opportunity to free themselves of this terrorist group in control. Every peaceful protest is cracked down upon in the most brutal way. We hoped these conflicts would give us a chance to fight for freedom by having military forces eradicated by Israel, just like the Israeli prime minister promised us.” An opinion survey conducted in 2022 by a Netherlands institute, found that, on a sample size of 158,000 people, over 80% of Iranians rejected the Islamic Republic and would prefer a democratically-elected government. Texas Governor called for a Day of Prayer for flood victims The latest count of the deceased in the Texas flooding tragedy has now reached 100, 27 of whom include children and counselors from a Christian girls camp known as Camp Mystic, reports ABC News. Davin Williams, the camp nurse, was heartbroken. WILLIAMS: “We had no idea people were missing. We had no idea that they had to wade through water, barely able to stand to get to the pavilion. I didn't even realize the gravity of the situation until we saw helicopters flying over us.” Over the weekend, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott called for a day of prayer. The governor said, “This is a time when we, as a state, need God more than ever.”   ABBOTT: “All we know is that prayer does work. Your prayers have made a difference. We ask for continued prayers as we continue our efforts to locate everybody who has been affected by this. “Pray so much for the families who have lost a loved one, who are going through challenging times that they never imagined on the third of July that something like this would happen. Prayer matters!” In less than one hour, the Guadalupe River had surged 26 feet up the banks, causing the majority of the wreckage.  This looks like the worst disaster since the 1953 Waco tornado which killed 114 people and injured another 597.  Habakkuk 3:2 is a cry for mercy:  “O LORD, I have heard the report of You, and Your work, O LORD, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.” King Charles III and royal family support homosexual pride King Charles III and the royal family in London showed support for the annual homosexual pride march via  social media over the weekend. The Royal Family X account featured the Royal Band playing the iconic homosexual/transgender anthem entitled, Pink Pony Club, which was originally released by Chappell Roan. The royals drew attention to the sinful celebrations by adding in the caption: "#Pride2025," alongside emojis of a rainbow, disco ball, and sparkles. In reaction, one person wrote, “What a terrible post. No wonder at the coronation the King chose not to say 'defender of the Faith.' The monarchy ended with our beloved late Queen Elizabeth II.” And another asked, “Isn't the King the head of the church of England? He shouldn't be promoting sins.” 35,000 Brits participated in the march, supported also by the King's Royal Guard, reports Parade.  Spanish bill would imprison pastors who help “gays” or transgenders Spain is considering a bill that would imprison pastors who employ any “methods, programs, techniques or procedures of aversion or conversion, whether psychological, physical, pharmacological or of any other nature, intended to modify, repress, eliminate or deny their sexual orientation, sexual identity or gender expression,” reports The Christian Post. The lower house approved the bill by an overwhelming vote of 311 to 33.   Interestingly, Spain's Gross Domestic Product has been in a slump for 16 years. 25% tariff on Japan and South Korea; 30% on South Africa Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff to be imposed on Japan and South Korea, and a 30% tariff on South African imports, effective August 1st, reports NBC News. The tariffs will be subject to negotiation, as the announcement suggested “perhaps” a reconsideration, “depending on our relationship with your Country,” in Trump's words. South Africa has seen no measurable growth in its GDP this year. The nation's economy is stagnating. Also, both the South Korean and Japanese economies contracted slightly in the first quarter of this year. India now fourth largest economy worldwide India is replacing Japan this year as the fourth largest economy in the world, according to initial estimates. Japan was the second largest economy in the world between 1988 and 2010, but its Gross Domestic Product has not improved since 1995 -- 30 years ago. The International Monetary Fund projects that the BRICS eastern nations of China and India will take the #2 and #3 positions as the strongest economies in the world by 2030. Thanks to Javier Milei, Argentina's economy is rebounding Argentina's economy is doing better. Since President Javier Milei's election in 2023, the country's annual inflation rate has reduced from 211.4 percent in 2023 to 43.5 percent by mid-2025. Remarkably, Milei cut 27% of the state budget and laid off thousands of government employees in his first year in office (last year), after which the economy took a small hit.   But recovery appears to be on its way for Argentina. The nation's GDP got a 5.8% boost in the first quarter of 2025. Congressional Budget Office predicts $1.9 trillion deficit this year The U.S. President's budget proposed for 2026, includes the identical base discretionary spending projection as Biden's previous budget - $1.6 trillion. The proposed budget includes an increase in spending of $155 billion for Homeland Security and Defense, and significant decreases in Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and international welfare programs. The Congressional Budget Office is projecting a $1.9 trillion deficit this year, the third-highest deficit in American history. Keep in mind the biblical principle from Deuteronomy 15:5-6. It says, “…Carefully obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today. For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, July 8th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 02 Episode: 3 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 1:5-11 In this new series on Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz takes us through Habakkuk 1:5-11 with a message called “You Wouldn't Believe It!” The prophet Habakkuk wrestled with hard questions about justice, suffering, and God's timing—questions many of us still ask today. But God's response reminds us that His plans often unfold in ways we wouldn't expect… or even believe! Through this series, you'll be encouraged to trust God's greater purpose, even when life feels uncertain. These teachings will help you see the true calling of the Christian life and equip you with biblical truth to live it out with confidence and hope. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

I Will Be Joyful In God My SaviorHabakkuk 3:17-19 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”The theme for mentoring this month is Finding Joy in the Struggle. I was looking through some scripture verses that had to do with finding joy in the struggle this morning, and this verse came up. This verse is a favorite of mine because there is a lot going wrong for the people in this verse, and yet they chose to find joy in the Lord anyway.  The things mentioned here are not small things.  It might not seem like a big deal to us, as how many of us eat figs anyway?  However, it was a big deal at the time.  The people who wrote this depended on those crops not just for food, but also for their livelihood.  If they did not have figs, grapes, or olives, what would they sell at the market to get the other things they needed?  The verse says the fields produced no food.  What could they eat if they had no fruits or vegetables?  Normally, I would say at least they have animals to eat.  However, the verse also says, no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls.  I can't even imagine what I would do if I were in their circumstances.  This verse is basically saying that they had nothing.  They had no food, they had no animals, and if they didn't have any of that, then they didn't have anything to trade with to get the other things that they needed.  I know that we often think our situation can't really get any worse; however, for these guys, I would say that it really couldn't get much worse.  How did they react to these dire circumstances?  Did they yell and scream at God?  Did they question Him and ask Him how dare He take it all away?  Did they turn away from God? No, they didn't do any of those things.  In that very same sentence, they said, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”Wow, that is incredible.  Don't you wish you had their strength?  Don't you wish you felt the same way on your worst days?  I will rejoice in the Lord.  Not, I will trust the Lord, not I will be ok with the Lord, I will rejoice in the Lord.  What did they have to rejoice about?  Then it goes on to say I will be joyful in God my Savior.  I was about to ask you what they had to be joyful about, and then the words “in God my Savior” rattled around in my head.  They weren't joyful because of their circumstances; they were joyful because of God, their Savior.  They knew God was going to save them.  They didn't know when and they didn't know how, but they relied on the fact that God was their savior and if He saved them before, He would do it again.  Why is it so hard for us to remember this?  What came to mind was, maybe we haven't seen Him save us before.  What if we have never needed saving before, and so we don't know that He will save us this time.  If this is what you are thinking, rest assured that whatever God has done to those who have come before us, He will do to us.  If He has saved His people in the Bible, then He will save us.  Those are our people.  Remember Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”  Because Jesus saved His people in the Bible over and over again, we know He will save us.  We also know that because of His promise in Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  God will use all things for our good.  The problem is, we don't want to wait for it.  We want things to happen when we are ready, or when we think we are ready.  When are we going to come around to the fact that God's timing is perfect?  If things are going wrong for us, God's got a plan.  He might not have planned for you to get yourself into this trouble, but as soon as He saw you headed there, He came up with a plan to fix it. That is what He does.  We mess up, and He fixes it.  I truly hope He doesn't get tired of doing that.  We would be lost without Him.  Let's say that we are able to come to grips with our situation.  We acknowledge that God is doing His thing, and although we don't know how it will work out, we know it will work out. Then what do we do?  We still need to figure out a way to lessen our pain so we can live to make it through to the other side.  The people in this verse decided that, although these terrible things were happening, they were going to rejoice in the Lord.  Do you think you could persevere in this difficult time?  Do you think you could not only keep hope in the Lord, but also rejoice in the Lord?I am currently reading a new book titled Built Through Courage by Dave Hollis. In this book, Dave talked about something that I thought was a really cool idea to help us get through some really difficult times.  I know some of you are either really struggling, or you have loved ones who are.  Dave was talking about how he and Rachel, his wife at the time, had a couple that mentored them at the beginning of their relationship. This couple had a very strong faith.  The wife in this couple had a massive stroke after just having a baby. She survived it but was now confined to a wheelchair.  Dave asked her how they could still have so much faith after something so tragic had happened.  They said they relied on a scripture verse.  That scripture verse is the same as today's verse, Habakkuk 3:17-19.  This woman, who was now struggling with so much, took this verse and made it her own.  Here is what her version of the verse said:“Though I cannot walk, and I am confined to a wheelchair.  Though my face is paralyzed, I cannot smile.  Though I am extremely impaired and cannot take care of my own baby boy, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.  I will be joyful in God my savior.”The author of the book I am reading, Dave Hollis, had not heard this scripture before.  When he heard this story, he was in the middle of a divorce he did not ask for and was transitioning out of a company he ran with his ex-wife.  Everything he knew to be true about his identity was changing, and he didn't know what to do about it.  Dave decided to also adopt this verse and make it his own.  Here is Dave's verse:“Though my marriage has come to an end, and my future looks different than I thought it would.  Though this blank paper I have been handed to imagine what's next fills me with equal parts fear and excitement.  Though my identity both at home and at work is shifting under my feet, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.  I will be joyful in God my savior.”What is it that you are going through?  Whatever it is, would it help you to write your own version of this verse?  Would it help you to read that verse daily to remind yourself that God is your Savior?  Let's not forget that important part of the verse.  I will be joyful in God, my savior.  Reading this every day can give you a reminder that you are not alone and that you are not in charge of fixing everything yourself.  God is your savior.  Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless all those listening to your episode today.  Lord, we thank you that we have food and the things we need to get through the day.  Lord, we thank you for these beautiful verses, and I hope we all get to rewrite them to fit our own lives.  You are our Savior, Lord God, please help us to remember!  Lord, help us to rejoice in you during the hard times.  Help us lean into you and not turn away from you.  We love you, Lord, 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 look forward to spending time with you 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 January 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, “I had a prophetic image of us being in a great flood of his divine mercy, being carried forward into this new year, and just surrounded by this great rising tide of his glory and his grace going forward.” 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

This is the fourth lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey's Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. How can we know the God we seek to defend? In this lesson, we explore the doctrine of revelation—God's gracious self-disclosure to humanity. You will learn the crucial distinction between general revelation, seen in creation and providence, and special revelation, given through Scripture and ultimately in Jesus Christ. This lesson lays a foundation for understanding why divine revelation is necessary for knowledge, faith, and apologetics. By examining how revelation reveals God's character, will, and redemptive purposes, you will be equipped to uphold the authority of Scripture and the sufficiency of Christ in the face of skepticism and competing truth claims. 01:52 General Revelation 08:50 Special Revelation 21:51 Attributes of Revelation 29:16 The Relationship between General and Special Revelation 31:14 Jesus Christ 33:26 Summary and Conclusion Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental resources, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to more than two dozen more video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/def...   Camden Bucey (MDiv, PhD) is Executive Director of Reformed Forum and a minister of Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grayslake, Illinois. He is the author of Karl Rahner (Great Thinkers) and Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: A 12-Week Study.   Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: https://reformedforum.org/donate/   #apologetics #evangelism #presupp

Sweet Dreams Part #1 of Series: Dreamsicle – Thawing God's Dream For Your Life July 6th - July 7th, 2025 - Josh Shook IT ALWAYS STARTS WITH A DREAM FROM GOD IT ALWAYS REQUIRES A DECISION IT ALWAYS INVOLVES DELAYS, DIFFICULTIES, AND DETOURS IT ALWAYS BRINGS YOU TO A PLACE OF TOTAL SURRENDER Scriptures: Ephesians 1:18, Genesis 15:1, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 15:6, Genesis 12:1, 4a, Habakkuk 2:3a, Hebrews 11:17-19, Genesis 22:13-14 Topics: Destiny, Dream, Faith

Habakkuk Series - The Just Shall Live by Faith Message: 02 Episode: 2 of 3 Key Verses: Habakkuk 1:5-11 In this new series on Walk in Truth, Pastor Michael Lantz takes us through Habakkuk 1:5-11 with a message called “You Wouldn't Believe It!” The prophet Habakkuk wrestled with hard questions about justice, suffering, and God's timing—questions many of us still ask today. But God's response reminds us that His plans often unfold in ways we wouldn't expect… or even believe! Through this series, you'll be encouraged to trust God's greater purpose, even when life feels uncertain. These teachings will help you see the true calling of the Christian life and equip you with biblical truth to live it out with confidence and hope. Welcome to Walk in Truth! These are the Bible teachings of Pastor Michael Lantz. Equipping you to reach out with God's truth to all people. And how to apply that truth to today's issues, trends, and culture.  Leave your question or comment contact@walkintruth.com

In this episode, Habakkuk prays for God to be merciful, and we are reminded that we are called to be merciful as well!

In this episode, we see in the prayer from Habakkuk, that he chooses to rejoice despite his circumstances being difficult!

Pastor William McDowell dives deep into the book of Habakkuk, revealing God's redemptive plan during uncertain times. Exploring the parallels between ancient Judah and our current cultural landscape, this sermon challenges believers to maintain faith when circumstances seem chaotic. Pastor William also unpacks how God's initial actions might not make sense, but His ultimate purpose is always redemptive. Learn how to live with expectation, pray through confusion, and trust that even when you don't understand, 'God knows what He's doing.' A timely word of hope and encouragement for anyone navigating personal or societal challenges.

Pastor William McDowell dives deep into the book of Habakkuk, revealing God's redemptive plan during uncertain times. Exploring the parallels between ancient Judah and our current cultural landscape, this sermon challenges believers to maintain faith when circumstances seem chaotic. Pastor William also unpacks how God's initial actions might not make sense, but His ultimate purpose is always redemptive. Learn how to live with expectation, pray through confusion, and trust that even when you don't understand, 'God knows what He's doing.' A timely word of hope and encouragement for anyone navigating personal or societal challenges.

Marinus and Martha were wealthy Persians; but they sold all their goods and traveled to Rome with their sons Audifax, Habakkuk, Valentine, and Cyrinus, in order to venerate the holy relics of the apostles and martyrs. When the Emperor Claudius asked them why they had come so far, at such cost, to seek the dead in Rome, they answered 'We are servants of Christ, and are come to venerate the holy apostles whose immortal souls are alive with God, that they may be our intercessors with Christ our God.' All of them were sentenced to interrogation and to death if they would not deny Christ. Valentine, who was a priest, was handed over to a General named Asterius. When Valentine healed Asterius' daughter, who had been blind for two years, Asterius and his entire household accepted Christ and were baptised by Valentine. All of them, along with Marinus and Martha and their family, underwent torture and death for the sake of Christ.

We are wrapping up our series on the topic of worship with some honest talk, because here's the thing: worshipping God from the heart isn't always easy. There are times when worship comes easily—when life is good, prayers are answered, and joy overflows. But what about when it's not? What about when your heart is heavy, when questions remain unanswered, and when hope feels distant? That is the place where worship sacrifices. Some would say it's hypocritical to praise when you don't feel like it. God says, it's not hypocrisy, it's obedience.  Hebrews 13:15 says: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name.”Praise and worship are never to be slaves to our circumstances but masters over them.  Sacrifice has been part of worship since the beginning. And while Jesus' death and resurrection mean blood sacrifice is no longer needed, there is still a place for sacrifice in our praise. There is still a time when our worship of God costs us something. Will we worship even then? Is He still worthy of our praise—even when it's hard? Here are three conditions when worship may require sacrifice for you in the days ahead. 1.     When someone has hurt or wronged you. (Acts 16)Like Paul and Silas, you, too, to varying degrees, are going to be hurt by people. You're going to be wronged and mistreated. And you're going to face the challenge of how you're going to respond.  Will you commit to offering a sacrifice of praise anyway?  Is God still worthy of your praise?Christ is often most clearly shown when in our mistreatment, when things are totally unfair, and we worship anyway. It's then that people wonder, “What is it that you have?  What do you know? Whatever it is, I want it.” 2.     When you are deeply disappointed. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)What happens to your worship when things don't turn out the way you'd hoped? For the prophet Habakkuk, his worship rose like a defiant “nevertheless.” Even in the face of all these hard things, even when things don't go my way…I will rejoice in the Lord. 3.     When you're worried or afraid. (Psalm 27)David is faced with threats of all kinds, yet even in the middle of all these fears, the one thing he knows he needs is worship. He knew that in the sanctuary, in God's presence, he would find perspective and the recovery of hope. Note what happened in each of these stories. Worship came first, and then came the transformation. The sacrifice of praise was offered before circumstances changed. Now it's our turn. Will you allow the circumstances to silence your praise, or will you determine to offer God a sacrifice of praise? Give God the worship that perhaps touches His heart the most, and in the process, you may find Him to be everything you need. Text: Heb. 13:15; Acts 16; Hab. 3:17-18; Ps. 27Originally recorded on February 7, 1999, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

Habakkuk 3:1-19 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth. 2 O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. 3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. 4 His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. 5 Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels. 6 He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways. 7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. 8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O Lord? Was your anger against the rivers, or your indignation against the sea, when you rode on your horses, on your chariot of salvation? 9 You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. You split the earth with rivers. 10 The mountains saw you and writhed; the raging waters swept on; the deep gave forth its voice; it lifted its hands on high. 11 The sun and moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear. 12 You marched through the earth in fury; you threshed the nations in anger. 13 You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. 14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret. 15 You trampled the sea with your horses, the surging of mighty waters. 16 I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me. Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble to come upon people who invade us. 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

Habakkuk 1: 1-11 Rev. Dr. Alec Flynt 

Reverend Chris Harper - Scripture: Habakkuk

n the final installment of the "Ghosted" series, Pastor Jordan dives deeply into the poignant book of Habakkuk, exploring the tension between God's power and our pain. He illuminates the heartfelt struggles of Habakkuk, a prophet grappling with despair in the face of impending doom, and challenges us to confront our own expectations of faith during difficult times. By sharing personal stories and relatable scenarios—such as a job loss or a heartbreaking diagnosis—Pastor Jordan connects Habakkuk's story to our daily lives, encouraging us not to turn away from God when life gets tough. He emphasizes that although we may not always see immediate answers, God's presence and character remain steadfast. As Pastor Jordan reflects on a powerful testimony, he reminds us that true faith is displayed not in the absence of hardship but in our choice to trust and rejoice in God, even when our circumstances seem bleak. 

The Republican National Convention began on a high note last year, with Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement beginning to sense that victory, once seemingly impossible, was now almost a certainty. The political landslide that happened in November bears witness to that. Indeed, election fever ran so high that many failed to notice the curious graphics chosen by the GOP to kickoff their convention. An Egyptian pyramid, the all-seeing Eye of Horus, and the Latin inscription ‘Novus Ordo Seclorum', or New World Order. That's what you voted for, and that's what you have right now whether you believe it or not, whether you can see it or not. It's here, and that's the memo.“Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.” Habakkuk 1:5 (KJB)On this episode of the Prophecy News Podcast, the Republicans are riding high today as we celebrate our 4th of July, recognizing the 249th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. President Trump has chosen this day to sign the passage of his One Big Beautiful Bill, taking a well-earned victory lap. But I am here to remind you that today is also Day 1,936 of 15 Days To Flatten The Curve, and not only have end times events not stopped, not slowed down, they are rapidly accelerating. As you read this, at least a dozen other states now have plans to open up their own ‘Alligator Alcatraz' to detain immigrants and illegals. These camps will be funded by our friends at FEMA. In addition to that, Donald Trump has tasked Peter Thiel over at Palantir with building a database to go with the FEMA Camps, and to build a database that'll include every single America citizen as well. The America that Obama threatened us with is the America that Trump is now building, can anything stop what's coming next? Today we show you from the Bible what's actually happening in the world around us.

Habakkuk's questions don't have a simple resolution. His prophecy ends with a view of God's awesome wrath, with the crops barren, a day of calamity coming, and a song of praise on his lips. What does that mean for you and me when we're stuck in traffic and when we get the diagnosis?Episode Transcript

This is the third lesson in Dr. Camden Bucey's Reformed Academy course, Defending Our Hope: An Introduction to Christian Apologetics. Before we can defend the Christian faith, we must know the God we are defending. This lesson explores the heart of Christian apologetics: the doctrine of God. We explore the nature and attributes of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as revealed in Scripture and expressed in the Reformed tradition. From God's simplicity and independence to his communicable and incommunicable attributes, we see how every aspect of his character undergirds our hope. Learn how the Trinity shapes our understanding of reality, strengthens our confidence in the gospel, and compels us to a bold yet humble defense of the faith in a world longing for ultimate truth. 03:10 Theology Proper: A Study of the Triune God 15:15 The Attributes of God 21:46 God's Communicable and Incommunicable Attributes 24:14 Relative Attributes 27:31 Divine Transcendence 31:46 Summary and Conclusion  Register for this free on-demand course on our website to track your progress, download supplemental resources, and assess your understanding through quizzes for each lesson. You will also receive free access to more than two dozen more video courses in covenant theology, apologetics, biblical studies, church history, and more: https://reformedforum.org/courses/def... Camden Bucey (MDiv, PhD) is Executive Director of Reformed Forum and a minister of Hope Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Grayslake, Illinois. He is the author of Karl Rahner (Great Thinkers) and Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: A 12-Week Study.   Your donations help us to provide free Reformed resources for students like you worldwide: https://reformedforum.org/donate/   #apologetics #evangelism #presupp