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In this week's Parasha, Lech Lecha, we begin once again to learn lessons from the lives of Avraham and Sarah. They were both great nivi'im and understood the ways of Heaven. When Sarah saw that she was not meriting to have children, she began to think of what she could do as a special zechut to change her mazal. Chazal tell us that Sarah was not physically capable of bearing children, as she did not even have a womb. She realized that for such a salvation, she would need an enormous zechut. So what did she do? The pasuk tells us: Sarah gave her maidservant Hagar to Avraham as a wife, saying, "Perhaps I will be built through her." What was so great about giving Hagar to Avraham? Sarah knew that Avraham had a mitzvah to have children, but perhaps she was the one preventing him from fulfilling that mitzvah. With tremendous selflessness, she gave another woman to her own husband, solely so that he could fulfill Hashem's will. Moreover, Sarah could have suggested that Hagar be taken as a pilegesh instead of a full wife. But she was concerned for the kavod of Avraham. He was like a prince, and it was not fitting for him to have less than a true wife. We know that the natural longing of a woman is for the attention of her husband. In fact, the Gemara calls a co-wife a tzarah — a rival — because it becomes a rivalry for their husband's attention. For Sarah to voluntarily offer her husband a different wife so he could fulfill the mitzvah was an act of extraordinary mesirut nefesh. Sarah understood that self-sacrifice brings great berachah and yeshuah. And indeed, later in the Parashah, Hashem changed her name from Sarai to Sarah, and announced that she would be blessed with a child — the child who would become the future of Klal Yisrael. The Kli Yakar explains that Hashem removed the Yud from "Sarai" because the letter Yud is masculine, symbolizing that she had been created like a male in that she was unable to bear children. He replaced it with the letter Hei , which is feminine, signifying that she would now be able to bear children in the normal way of a female. But numerically, there was a loss — Yud equals ten, Hei equals five. To restore balance, Hashem created another Hei (five) and attached it to the name of Avram, turning him into Avraham. The mekubalim explain that the letter Hei is associated with reproduction. The Kli Yakar writes that it was Sarah's zechut — the selflessness with which she gave her maidservant to Avraham — that enabled not only herself, but also Avram, who until then was unable to father children, to now have children. The Hei that was added to Avraham's name came from Sarah, because it was in her merit that he gained this ability. From here we see the enormous power of a mitzvah done with mesirut nefesh. Sarah's selflessness was the catalyst that enabled both her and Avraham to have children — and through it, Yitzchak Avinu came into the world. Every extra zechut that a person gains is of immeasurable value. Our Rabbis tell us that when a mitzvah is performed, it creates an et ratzon — a time of Divine favor. The greater the mitzvah, the greater the et ratzon . And tefillot offered at such a time rise even higher. May we all merit, be'ezrat Hashem , to gain the right zichuyot that will bring about yeshuot for all who need them. Shabbat Shalom
I endured months of chemotherapy and a Stem Cell transplant to rid my body of Multiple Myeloma that had spread up my spine and in my hips and ribs. I was too sick, too tired and too vulnerable to germs to go outside, other than to the hospital for frequent appointments, or as an inpatient. It felt like I was living in a cave. I couldn't read books due to 'brain fog', so I listened to audiobooks. I practised the art of mindfulness as I crossed the treacherous mountains and dark emotional valleys, lonely deserts and roaring rivers of life.I was reminded of the Bible stories of Elijah, 1 Kings 19:11-18, and Hagar, Genesis 16 and 21. God whispered to Elijah and gently spoke to Hagar, promising them inner strength and relief.Although cancer-free now, I grapple with the lasting physical damage to my bones, accepting a slower pace of life while seeking inner peace and patience amidst my ongoing journey of recovery. My life has changed in many ways. This new normal of living at a slower pace is challenging. Beverley Joy.Desert MindI sit here quiet with my desert mindWondering why this barren time.My pace is slow, I thirst to knowHow disease became my troubled foe.I endure through life's desert stormI hide in a cave, wondering when, if, tears will rain.I stand in peace, now that I seeAnswers whisper mid mountain tremorElijah, Hagar, promised relief, and strength received.I walk the walk, in contemplative thoughtMountains high, through valleys lowAcross desert sands and rivers deepOasis relief, meditative breeze.I stand in peace, now that I seeAnswers whisper mid mountain tremorElijah, Hagar, promised relief, and strength received.Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry © 2025 All Rights ReservedYou can BUY my poems and verses at beverleyjoy.redbubble.comYou can read or listen to my poems on Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest and LinkedIn and simplystorypoetry.com.Thank you for listening.
When you have been used, overlooked, or wronged, it is easy to feel invisible. In this message, Pastor Bobby Williamson shares the story of Hagar, a woman who was seen by God when everyone else ignored her. Discover how the God who sees is also the God who saves, and how His grace can turn pain into freedom.
En judisk-kristen interreligiös gudstjänst från Domkyrkan i Göteborg med författaren Karin Brygger och prästen Maria Bergius. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radio Play. Om kvinnorna vi bär med oss, förmödrarna i Bibelns texter. I gudstjänsten berättas om fyra par kvinnor och vad de kan lära oss än idag. Om att även förmödrar kan ha fel, om kärlek vid första ögonkastet, om styrka, om sorg och livskraft.Om Sara och Hagar, Rakel och Lea, Rut och Noomi och Maria och Maria.Berättelserna finns även som PODD med enbart text på appen Sveriges Radio!I sången Kol Berama sjungs texten från Jeremia 31:15-17Så säger Herren:Ett skri hörs i Rama,klagan och bitter gråt.Det är Rakel som gråteröver sina barn,hon vägrar låta sig tröstas,för hennes barn finns inte mer.Men så säger Herren:Stilla din högljudda gråtoch tårarna från dina ögon,för ditt verk ska få sin lön,säger Herren.De ska komma tillbakafrån sina fienders land.Det finns hopp för din framtid,säger Herren.Dina barn ska komma tillbakatill sitt land.TextRut 1:16-17Luk 1:46-55MusikSh´ma Jisrael (trad) Even when He is silent (Kim André Arnesen)Song of Ruth (David N. Childs/Rut 1: 16-17)ur Magnificat (Javier Busto /Luk 1: 46-55)Jephte (Giacomo Carissimi/Domarboken 11:34)Sabbats Prayer från Spelman på taket (Jerry Bock)Kol berama, /Rachel begråter sina barn (Yoshi Green/Jeremias bok)MedverkandeMaria Bergius, präst och liturg Karin Brygger, författareDomkyrkans ElfridakörSalomon Helperin, sångsolistUlrika Melin Lasson, pianistMikael Fridén, körledare och pianistShirat Mirjam, judiska församlingens körErika Melo, pianistErika Nordström, körledareProducent Neta NorrmoTekniker Thobias Sandinför Sveriges Radioliv@sverigesradio.se
Hagar, with a child running away from her mistress, in an awful circumstance, not of her doing, heard the Angel of the Lord in Genesis 16, and believed Him. Alone, pregnant in a circumstance not of her choosing, Hagar believed the Lord and went back to the source of her troubles. Her attitude is revealed in her worship as she submitted to God, for she now knew:"Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, 'Thou art a God who sees'; for she said, 'Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?" Genesis 16:13Our So What?We are seen by El Roi, the God who sees. Even as Hagar called Him, the God who sees me!What a glory! How will knowing that we serve El Roi enhance our faith and our conversation with our Savior?Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen1 Timothy 1:17Brethren, let's pray for one another. "What a man is on his knees before God, that he is and nothing more." Robert Murray M'Cheynee Donation link:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=G9JGGR5W97D64Alternatively, visit www.freerangepreacheronprayer.com and use the Donations tab.Assistant Editor: Seven Jefferson Gossard.www.freerangepreacheronprayer.comfreerangeprayer@gmail.comFacebook - Free Range Preacher MinistriesInstagram: freerangeministriesAll our Scripture quotes are drawn from the NASB 1977 edition.For access to the voice-over services of Richard Durrington, please visit RichardDurrington.com or email him at Durringtonr@gmail.comOur podcast art was designed by @sammmmmmmmm23 on InstagramSeason 007Episode 151
MUSICSammy Hagar has commented on the arrest last Saturday of 58-year old Ronnie Putnam, an overweight Illinois man who claimed to be Hagar at several Mount Vernon, Illinois-area businesses, including two banks and a vape shop where he attempted to open accounts under the name Sammy Hagar Enterprises, LLC. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQKoZ39CJPy/The Doors‘ 2009 documentary, When You're Strange, will be shown again in theaters on December 4th and 6th in celebration of the band's 60th anniversary. Narrated by Johnny Depp, the film has been remastered in 4K, with a new introduction from surviving Doors members John Densmore and Robby Krieger. Premiering at the showings will be the new performance of “Riders on the Storm,” which was done in partnership with Playing for Change, and features 20 musicians, including Lukas and Micah Nelson, and Rami Jaffee from the Foo Fighters. Tickets are on sale at WhenYoureStrangeMovie.com.Iron Maiden have announced North American dates for their Run for Your Lives tour. With Megadeth opening and Anthrax on select dates, it will run from August 29th in Toronto through October 2nd in Mexico City with 10 U.S. dates in between. Tickets go on sale on October 31st at IronMaiden.com. Britney Spears has reportedly been "spiraling" since Kevin Federline released his tell-all memoir. She was seen behaving erratically at a restaurant Wednesday night, and on her drive home. https://pagesix.com/2025/10/23/celebrity-news/video-shows-britney-spears-driving-erratically-after-night-out-as-she-spirals-over-ex-kevin-federlines-bombshell-memoir/The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced its slate of nominees for its Class of 2026. In the Performing Songwriters category you have:Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell - AmericaDavid Byrne - Talking HeadsRichard Carpenter - The CarpentersHarry Wayne Casey - KC of KC and the Sunshine BandRandy Bachman and Burton Cummings - The Guess WhoGene Simmons and Paul Stanley - KISSKenny LogginsSarah McLachlanPink - real name Alecia B. MooreBoz ScaggsLL Cool J - real name James Todd SmithTaylor SwiftCharlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane M. Wiedlin - The Go-Go'sIn order to be nominated, a songwriter with a catalog of notable songs qualifies for induction 20 years after their first commercial release of a song. Eligible voting members will have until midnight ET on December 4th to turn in their ballots, with their choices of up to three nominees in each of the songwriter and performing songwriter categories. The inductees are usually announced in January followed by the induction ceremony in June in New York City. RIP: Dave Ball from Soft Cell died Wednesday. He was 66. The producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist passed away in his sleep on Wednesday. https://consequence.net/2025/10/dave-ball-soft-cell-dead/NEW RELEASES TODAY IN RECORD STORES AND STREAMING:Bon Jovi's Forever (Legndary Edition) features guest vocals from Bruce Springsteen, Jelly Roll, Joe Elliott and more.Five Finger Death Punch's Best Of Volume 2 sees them re-record more songs from their catalog, including "The End" with Babymetal.The third album from Wolfgang Van Halen's project Mammoth's is callled The End.Can't Get Enough: A Tribute to Bad Company includes covers done by Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators, Def Leppard's Joe Elliott and Phil Collen, Halestorm, Blackberry Smoke, and The Struts, with Bad Co.'s Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke lending a hand on three songs.Serj Tankian dips into his archives for Covers, Collaborations & Collages. TVSUNDAY PRIMETIME:It: Welcome To Derry (HBO - series premiere)New to stream:Mayor of Kingstown (Paramount+ - season 4 premiere) The final episode of Netflix's Stranger Things will air on the streaming platform and in movie theaters. https://gizmodo.com/report-stranger-things-may-put-its-final-episode-in-theaters-after-all-2000675020 HBO Max has introduced a new feedback system allowing users to mark titles as "Love," "Like," or "Not for Me" for personalized recommendations. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-max-introduces-first-feedback-system-1236407339/ MOVING ON INTO MOVIE NEWS:IN THEATERS:Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong)Regretting You (Mckenna Grace, Allison Williams, Dave Franco) Jeremy Allen White is finally a high school graduate! https://people.com/jeremy-allen-white-34-just-received-high-school-diploma-11835490 Johnny Depp will star as Ebenezer Scrooge in an upcoming new, darker take on Charles Dickens‘ A Christmas Carol, directed by horror filmmaker Ti West and produced by Paramount Pictures. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/johnny-depp-returning-to-big-studio-movies-christmas-carol-1236408638/ AND FINALLYFoo Fighters are heading back on the road next summer for a stadium tour.AND THAT IS YOUR CRAP ON CELEBRITIESFollow The Rizzuto Show @rizzshow on all your favorite social media, including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and more. 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Jessica Coody is joined by Husker Volleyball assistant coach Brennan Hagar for this week's episode of “The Dig.” Brennan recaps the weekend sweeps over Michigan State and Michigan, talks visiting Harper Murray's home in Ann Arbor for a team dinner, Andi Jackson's performances that led to B1G Defensive Player of the Week, out-of-system blocking, the growth of freshman Kenna Cogill, game planning with the middles, service scout, he previews the weekend and much more!
22.10.25 God hears Ismael and Hagar when they are cast out and dying of thirst, and he provides a well. God hears us when we a thirsty and desperate for him, and he provides a well of life, Jesus. The Lord bless you and keep you!
Presented by Lauren Stibgen With one-third of our life spent working, it is no wonder we seek friendship and connection from our colleagues. A recent Forbes article from March 2024 titled How Loneliness Can Impact Your Job (And Life) by Tracy Brower says 69% of employees report they are unsatisfied with their social connections at work, and 43% don't feel a sense of connection with their colleagues.[1] Loneliness is universal, and it doesn't hold a title or age. CEOs and assistants are equally impacted by these feelings of disconnection. Since it is subjective, we need never negate our own personal feelings of loneliness or those feelings of a colleague. As followers of Jesus, what does this mean for us? First, what if we are the employee feeling dissatisfied with our social connection at work? Turning to the Word of God can remind us it is our God who sees us in our daily work even when we feel alone. Consider when the woman at the well went to draw water. She went in the middle of the day, the hottest time. Although we are not told about her feelings, we know she went alone because she likely was not accepted by the other Samaritan women. She was alone, and perhaps lonely when she encountered Jesus. He knew the intimate details of her not so perfect life and offered her living water—salvation in him! You can read this story in John 4:4-30. And, what about Hagar? She was sent away, pregnant and alone when she was met by God and felt seen. Read more about Hagar in Genesis 16. The woman at the well and Hagar are reminders that even when we are walking alone, God sees us. Maybe you aren't lonely at work. You have a wonderful social community! As a follower of Jesus, we are called to see others. Just as Jesus saw the woman at the well and God saw Hagar, who do you see in your workplace who could use some social connection? There is a Christian song by Brandon Heath, Give Me Your Eyes with perfect lyrics: “Give me your eyes for just one second, give me your eyes so I can see…”[2] Take a listen. It can encourage you to see those in your workplace that could use you extending your care and connection in that moment! -- [1] Brower, T. (2024, March 21). How Workplace Loneliness Can Impact Your Job (And Life). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2024/03/21/how-workplace-loneliness-can-impact-your-job/ [2] Heath, B., & Ingram, J. (2008). Give Me Your Eyes [Song]. In What If We [Album]. Reunion Records.
BIBLE STUDY| MIRACLES OF JESUS SERIES.|THE FIFTH MIRACLE OF JESUS pt.4| JESUS WALKING ON WATER| CHIMDI OHAHUNA In this stirring episode of the GRACELIFECOMI Podcast, we continue our journey through the miracles of Jesus with the fifth recorded sign: JESUS WALKING ON WATER—a moment of divine orchestration found in John 6:15–21, Matthew 14:22–23, and Mark 6:44–52. But this study goes far beyond the waves. It centers on a powerful phrase: “Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship.” What does it mean to be constrained by Christ—and why does He sometimes send us into storms? Key Highlights from the Study: - Faith as Substance, Not Just Hope Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is not wishful thinking—it is living in the reality of fulfilled expectation. Christ is not just the object of our faith; He is its very essence. When we see Him, we see every promise fulfilled. - Walking Before God Like Abram Drawing from Genesis 17:1, we reflect on what it means to walk before God. Just as Abram was called to walk before the Lord, we too are invited into a posture where God sees our backs—our blind spots, our hidden flaws—and lovingly corrects them. - The Voice Behind You Referencing Isaiah 30:21, the study explores the often-overlooked guidance that comes from “a voice behind you.” This voice may come through mentors, peers, or even those we underestimate. It's not always easy to receive correction from someone who seems behind or beneath us, but ignoring that voice can delay or derail our growth. - Leadership: Front vs. Behind Leadership from the front often celebrates our strengths in public. But leadership from behind? That's where God addresses our imperfections—in private, in the quiet, in the ship. True maturity is revealed not in how we shine, but in how we submit to correction. - The Danger of Assumption Abram's misstep in Genesis 16—assuming Hagar was the vessel of promise—led to a 13-year delay. Assumption without verification is a costly flaw. This episode challenges us to verify, not presume, especially when stewarding vision. - Don't Just Glow in Front—Glow at the Back If we want to lead the flock of Christ, we must be whole. Not just polished in public, but purified in private. The back must match the front. The unseen must be as radiant as the seen. Other Scripture References: John 6:15–21 | Matthew 14:22–23 | Mark 6:44–52 | Isaiah 1:18 | Deuteronomy 13:19 | 1 John 5:3 | Galatians 3 | Genesis 17:1 | Hebrews 11 | Matthew 4:19 | Mark 11:23 Whether you're leading, learning, or listening for the voice behind you, this episode will stir your spirit and sharpen your walk. Tune in and be strengthened to walk before God with clarity, humility, and boldness. Now streaming on all platforms. Share with someone who needs to hear the voice behind them. Ready to listen? Let's journey together. Stay updated on future episodes of this enriching series!. Any questions arising from this study can be submitted to chimdiohahunaministry@gmail.com. Check our bio to know how to give your love offerings to the ministry. Grace to you! Jesus is Lord
A man named Jack accidentally fell off the edge of a steep cliff. On the way down he was able to grab ahold of a branch, which temporarily stopped his fall. He looked down and to his horror discovered that there were hundreds of feet between him and the bottom of the canyon. He couldnt hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff. So Jack began yelling for help, hoping that someone passing by would hear him. HELP! HELP! Is anyone up there? HELP! He yelled for a long time, but no one heard him. He was about to give up when he heard a voice. Jack, Jack. Can you hear me? Yes, yes! I can hear you. Im down here! I can see you, Jack. Are you all right? Yes, but who are you, and where are you? I am the Lord, Jack. Im everywhere. The Lord? You mean, GOD? Thats Me. God, please help me! I promise if, youll get me down from here, Ill stop sinning. Ill be a really good person. Ill serve You for the rest of my life. Easy on the promises, Jack. Lets get you off from there, then we can talk. Now, heres what I want you to do. Listen carefully. Ill do anything, Lord. Just tell me what to do. Okay. Let go of the branch. What? I said, let go of the branch. Just trust Me. Let go. There was a long silence. Finally Jack yelled, HELP! HELP! IS ANYONE ELSE UP THERE? What is faith? Here is the way the Bible defines it: Faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see (Heb. 11:1; BSB). Abraham became known for that kind of faith, but it took a lifetime for him to get to the place of utter dependance upon God. I am not sure what Abrahams hopes and dreams were before he met God, but his home was in the City of Ur where Nanna, the Mesopotamian Moon god, was worshiped and his wife and family lived. Although childless, Abraham was prosperous, settled, and old. What he may or may not have known was that he was a descendant of Noah ten generations removed. When Abraham first heard God's calling, he was seventy-five years old, and his wife Sarah was sixty-five (see Gen. 12:4; 17:17). Despite their advanced age and the fact that they had no children, God gave Abraham a remarkable promise: I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). This was a profound and hopeful message, especially considering that Abrahams birth name was Abram, meaning Exalted Fathera title that must have felt ironic for a man with no children at seventy-five, and a wife (Sarai) ten years his junior. The name Abram brings to mind other individuals who have been given ironic or unfortunate names, such as the character mentioned in the following well-known song lyric: Well, my daddy left home when I was threeDidn't leave very much to my mom and meExcept this old guitar and an empty bottle of boozeNow I don't blame him 'cause he run and hidBut the meanest thing that my daddy ever didWas before he left, he went and named me Sue[1] God made three foundational promises to Abraham: first, He pledged to give him a land of his own; second, He vowed that Abraham would become the father of a vast multitude of descendants; and third, He assured that all nations would be blessed through him, signifying Gods plan of redemption. Trusting in these promises, Abraham left his home in Ur and journeyed to the land that God would reveal to him. The Promise (Gen. 17:1-9) Before we get to Genesis 17, I need to help you appreciate what Abraham (still Abram) was feeling and experiencing. When we come to Genesis 15, Abraham and Sarah are still childless about 10 years after they were promised a child! Abraham followed God out of obedience and brought his wife with him on the basis of a promise made by God that included many descendants, land, and a legacy that would bless multitudes in the future! At 85ish years old, God reassured Abraham (Abram), but what Gods reassurance was is up for debate based on the different ways Genesis 15:1 can be translated. Consider the ways NASB and the NKJV translated this verse: Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great. (NASB2020) Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward. (NKJV) So what is it? Based on Gods promise in Genesis 13:1-3 and how He will reiterate the promise later in Genesis 15, I think it is both. Here is one way you could paraphrase this verse: Because I am your reward, your reward will be great. Abraham was about ready to give up on believing the promise include a biological son, but then God swore on behalf of His own name that He would honor the promise He made to Abram and Sarah. God then entered into what is called a unilateral covenant of which He was obligated to honor that was not conditioned on anything that Abram did or did not do. God swore to Abraham (Abram), One who will come from your own body will be your heir (15:4b). What was Abrahams response? We are told in Genesis 15: Then he believed in the Lord; and He credited it to him as righteousness. Then about a year later, Sarah (still Sarai) developed a plan for her husband to get her maid, Hagar, pregnant; to have the heir God promised through her. After all, God said the promised heir would come from Abraham a year ago but did not seem to mention Sarai! So again, the forces of darkness were at work to prevent the Descendent promised to Adam and Eve, who would crush the head of the serpent from ever being born.[2] Hagar did get pregnant with Abrahams child, but all that did was bring more dysfunction into Abrahams home, among other problems. Abraham (still Abram) was 86 and Sarah (still Sarai) 76, with no child to show for the promise God made long ago. Now we come to the promise made yet again in Genesis 17, but this time it is 24 years since the couple left Ur and 13 years since the whole mess they create with Hagar and the birth of Ishmael. Before I go any further, let that settle in your heart and mind for a moment. For 24 years Abraham and Sarah waited, longed, hoped for the son that Almighty God promised them. Then 13 years later while Ishmael had reached the age of maturity and Abram resigned that there would be no heir by Ishmael, God appeared to Abraham (still Abram) and spoke yet again: I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. I will make My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly (17:1-2). It is in this moment that God gave Abram the name Abraham which means father of a multitude. The blessing would not come through Ishmael, but through another son. So that there would be no room for confusion, God said to Abraham: As for your wife Sarai, you shall not call her by the name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her (17:1516). Abrahams response is understandable: Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, Will a child be born to a man a hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth to a child? (v. 17). Nearly one year later, when Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old, she gave birth to Isaac, the son of promise (Gen. 21:1-8). The promise made to Adam and Eve, to Noah, and to Abraham would now come through Isaac. A promise that included land, descendants (a great multitude), and the blessing of the nations. Abraham received the promise when he was 75 and his wife past menopause which means to have a child together would have been a miracle at their respective ages, but for 90-year-old Sarah to carry the child of her 100-year-old husband was impossible! And that is the point, isnt it? There was nothing that Abraham or Sarah could do to make Gods promise possible, they could not make it happen sooner, they could not adjust Gods timing, all that they could do is trust and wait for God to do only what He could in His own timing. Their part in Gods promise was to trust, obey, and wait. The Promise of a Better Son (Gen. 22) We are not told how many years it was after Isaacs birth, but when we come to Genesis 22 we are told that God spoke to Abraham and said some of the most horrific words Abraham would ever hear: Then He said, Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you (Gen. 22:2). Things were different this time; Abraham was different this time, for he had known God for many years since he was first called out of his homeland. The Bible tells us that that Abraham, ...got up early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and set out and went to the place of which God had told him (v. 3). There were no arguments, no debate, no protest Abraham simply obeyed because He believed if he followed through with the sacrifice of his own son; God was big enough to raise him up from death to life. This is why when Abraham took Isaac up the mountain, he told the young men he brought with him: Then Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you (v. 5). Although the exact number of years between Isaacs birth and Gods command for Abraham to sacrifice his son is not specified in the text, we can make a reasonable estimate based on several clues about Isaacs age. First, Isaac was old enough to walk alongside his father for the entire three-day journey while Abraham, advanced in years, rode a donkey. Second, Isaac had the strength to carry the wood for the burnt offering up the rugged slope of Mount Moriah after days of travel. Third, Isaac was old enough to make a critical observation: Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. And he said, Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering? (v. 7). These details suggest that Isaac was not a small child; my guess is that he was at least 13 years old. There is something else you should be aware of about Abraham and Isaacs journey and what was said to the young men just before Abraham and Isaac made their way up Mt. Moriah: The journey would take 3 days to get to the place of Isaacs sacrifice. Most scholars believe that Mt. Moriah was the site where Jerusalem would eventually be built. On the third day, Abraham said to the young men, Stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go over there; and we will worship and return to you (v. 5). In other words, Abraham believed that there would be a resurrection after he slaughtered his son... ON THE THIRD DAY! So what happened? Did Abraham follow through with what God commanded? Abraham had seen too much to doubt Gods ability and character to do what He had promised. God promised a child through whom would come a great multitude and the nations would be blessed. Here is what happened: Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. And Abraham reached out with his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. He said, Do not reach out your hand against the boy, and do not do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me. Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by its horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering in the place of his son. Abraham would have followed through with killing his one and only son had God not stopped him because no longer did he put God in a box He was too big for any boxes because now He knew His God. What was Gods response? He simply reiterated His covenant promise: By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand, which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice (Gen. 22:16-18). Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice his son, and why did He refer to the child as, your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac (v. 2)? The significance lies in the foreshadowing of a greater Son who would come from Isaacs lineageJesus Christ, Gods own Son. In other words, Isaacs story points forward to a future sacrifice on another mount known as Golgotha, God the Father would do what He prevented Abraham from doing: He would slaughter His only unique Son, whom He loved, for the sins of the multitudes to redeem a people for himself by the blood of the greater and more perfect Isaac! While the "lesser Isaac" was confused and unsure of the purpose for the wood he carried, the "greater Isaac," Jesus Christ, carried a wooden cross fully aware of why He was doing it and with unwavering commitment to die in our place as the Lamb of God. Where God provided a ram to spare Isaac, Jesus willingly became our substitute, submitting to the Father's will and taking on the penalty for our sins. Isaac had to be bound before being placed on the altar, but Jesus embraced the cross freely, allowing sinful men to bound Him to the cross on our behalf. Oh dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is the true and better Isaac of whom the Scriptures testify: God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). [1] Johnny Cash,A Boy Named Sue,performed by Johnny Cash, written by Shel Silverstein, recorded at San Quentin State Prison, 24 Feb. 1969, released onAt San Quentin,Columbia Records, 1969. [2] Now Sarai, Abrams wife, had not borne him a child, but she had an Egyptian slave woman whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, See now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please have relations with my slave woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. (Gen. 16:12)
Today we’re going to consider a triplet of three heroes of faith: Hagar, Abigail, and Jehoshabeath. Originally this sermon was called “Women of Integrity,” but I think it fits our current series on heroes of faith nicely. I find their examples inspiring because they went through serious hardships and yet they chose to do the right thing. Anyone can pursue righteousness when the sky is blue, the birds are singing, and all is right with the world. However, when the wheels fall off, that’s when you find out what you’re made of. Hagar, Abigail, and Jehoshabeath show us that even in the hardest of times you can still serve God with integrity. Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts —— Links —— Check out the other episodes in the Heroes of Faith series Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group, follow on X @RestitutioSF or Instagram @Sean.P.Finnegan Leave a 90 second voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play it out on the air Who is Sean Finnegan? Read his bio here Get Finnegan’s book, Kingdom Journey to learn about God’s kingdom coming on earth as well as the story of how Christianity lost this pearl of great price. Get the transcript of this episode Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library.
Today we're diving into how our personal stories shape our sexuality and our experiences with sex. Joining Bonny and J for this important conversation is Kate Aldrich, a marriage coach and mentor with an emphasis on Story Work. Sponsor Want to advertise with us? We're specifically looking for women-owned businesses who'd like to get the word out to our many listeners. You can find out more HERE. From the Bible For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13–14 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Psalm 119:15 [Hagar] gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 Resources Aldrich Ministries Coaching Network Still Becoming One - Kate & Brad's podcast Episode 74: Getting Comfortable with Your Body Episode 181: Your Sexual Story, with Dr. Carol Tanksley Thanks for joining us at the virtual kitchen table for another great chat! We'd love for you to join our inner circle by supporting us on Patreon. You can contribute to our wonderful ministry while getting some fun perks for yourself! Check it out here: https://patreon.com/ForChristianWives If you could, leave a rating and/or review so that others can find the show. Please also check out our website and webinars at forchristianwives.com. And visit our individual ministry pages for more resources as well: Strong Wives - Bonny Burns Honeycomb & Spice - Chris Taylor Hot, Holy & Humorous - J. Parker
Southwest Michigan's Morning News podcast is prepared and delivered by the WSJM Newsroom. For these stories and more, visit https://www.wsjm.com and follow us for updates on Facebook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tuesday, 14 October 2025 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. Matthew 13:38 “And the field, it is the world. And the good seed, these, they are the sons of the kingdom. And the weeds, they are the sons of the evil” (CG). In the previous verse, Jesus began His explanation of the parable of the darnel, explaining that the One sowing good seed is the Son of Man. He continues with, “And the field, it is the world.” The word kosmos is used. It signifies an orderly arrangement. By implication, it thus speaks of the world. However, that can be the world as the globe, the inhabitants of the world, the state of the world (as in “they are not of the world”), etc. Jesus' parable goes far beyond a single field or the several fields of a landowner. As such, it would explain why the parable would not be understood without really thinking things through, and maybe not at all. When evaluating such things, the human mind will make images of what is happening, such as in the sowing of a field. To expand out to the entire world takes a real leap in thought. Jesus continues, saying, “And the good seed, these, they are the sons of the kingdom.” Having already heard the explanation of the parable of the sower, the imagery here is understandable. The seed reflects people. Obviously, if the sower wants a good harvest, he will sow good seed. The same would be true with Jesus. He will only bring forth that which is good. However, “And the weeds, they are the sons of the evil.” Pretty much every translation adds in the word “one,” saying, “sons of the evil one,” “wicked one,” etc. This is a correct thought, but it is not a true rendering. It only uses the adjective as a descriptor. Hence, italicizing it is appropriate. Jesus will continue the explanation in the next verse. Life application: There is a standard method of interpreting Scripture that has been set forth for eons: “Let Scripture interpret Scripture.” In other words, when something is recorded in the Bible, the way to interpret it, first and foremost, is to let the explanation of it be what the Bible says about it. For example, the story of Sarah and Hagar is recorded in Genesis. For almost 1500 years, it was “just a story” with a meaning that was not understood. Scholars would give their ideas about why it was included in Scripture, normally ensuring that it was understood that the line leading to the Jewish people was highlighted as the true line, chosen of God. This is not incorrect, but it is incomplete. There are exacting details in the narrative that could have just been left out, and that premise would still be understood. But every word of Scripture has a particular reason for being there. Only in the coming of Christ and the introduction of the New Covenant is the reason for the story understood. Paul gives a brief explanation of it in Galatians 4, stating “which things are symbolic” in verse 4:24. As Paul has given the explanation under the inspiration of God, we do not need to look for any other explanation for the story. We are thus letting Scripture interpret Scripture. This is true with incense. In both testaments, incense is explicitly stated as being a metaphor for prayer (see Psalm 141:2 and Revelation 5:8). Therefore, we don't need to speculate about its set typology when looking at the times when incense is mentioned in the Bible. In Exodus, great detail is given concerning incense. Understanding that it signifies prayer, the meaning of all of those details becomes evident and can be properly analyzed. This is true with something found in the parable of the darnel. In this verse, Jesus said, “And the field, it is the world.” Therefore, because Jesus has explained what the field signifies (in Hebrew, sadeh means field), we don't need to go anywhere else to understand what is being seen in the typology of a given passage. All we need to do is consistently stick to what Jesus has said. Unfortunately, translations may fail to translate sadeh as field at times, or they will translate something else as field from another word that actually has a different meaning. Therefore, we can make errors in our figuring out typology by trusting in a given translation that has failed to be consistent. An example would be Genesis 32:3 – “And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom” (KJV). The KJV failed to translate sadeh as field, instead rendering it “country.” The NKJV followed that translation, but they thankfully footnoted it as “field.” If one were to read only the KJV, he would never know that it was a faulty rendering of the word. If he were attempting to typologically explain the passage, his explanation would be faulty because of the already faulty translation. Therefore, when doing an analysis of a passage, attempting to understand what it means, 1) first and foremost, let Scripture interpret Scripture, 2) be consistent in your typological meanings, (if you are to divert from a particular typology, you must have a valid reason for doing so), 3) don't trust a single, faulty translation (like the KJV), and expect proper results. Check with the original. It is not difficult to do, and it will keep you on a sounder, surer path of properly explaining the passage. Lord God, may we be careful with Your word, never making stuff up in order to provide an explanation that we want. Rather, may we go where You are leading as we carefully evaluate the set purpose and intent that You have for each passage. Amen.
Southwest Michigan's Morning News podcast is prepared and delivered by the WSJM Newsroom. For these stories and more, visit https://www.wsjm.com and follow us for updates on Facebook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, we'll be studying Genesis 16:1-16 under the theme "God Sees You." In their long wait for a child, Abram and Sarai, acting as if God needed their help, took matters into their own hands—a decision that led to scheming, blame, and the mistreatment of their servant, Hagar. But in her desperate flight, Hagar was found by the Angel of the LORD. In an act of profound insight, she gave a name to the God who met her in the wilderness: El Roi, "the God who sees me." Her story assures us that, even when we feel completely invisible, we are seen, known, and sought by a God who meets us in our pain.Series Summary: Our fall worship series will lead us through the Book of Genesis, arguably the most profound, insightful text in human history. Over this series, we'll uncover how the narratives of Genesis reveal God's design for creation, humanity, relationships, and purpose. We'll explore truths that continue to shape our lives today, from the Garden of Eden to the promise of redemption.Add St. Marcus as your church on the Church Center App!Fill out our online connection cardHow can we pray for you? If you'd like to leave an offering or monetary donation to our ministry please click here.
In this sermon, we explore Paul’s powerful illustration of two covenants, one born of slavery and one of freedom. Through the story of Hagar and Sarah, Paul reveals the difference between trying to earn God’s favor through human effort and receiving His promise by faith. This passage reminds us that we are not children of bondage, but heirs of the promise through Christ.
Colin Adams seems to have hit the sweet spot with Friday crosswords chock-full of cracklingly good clues. Besides those mentioned in today's podcast, we also have such notables as 14D, Locales for some residents, in brief, ERS (ah, those types of residents); 32D, Sch. that's home to Mike the Tiger (and his 15,000-square-foot habitat), LSU (we're suckers for clues that reference a cohost
I talk about the importance of letting go of what no longer serves us and truly trusting God's plan for renewal. I've learned that surrendering control isn't easy — especially when what we're letting go of feels familiar or comfortable. But sometimes, the things we miss most are the very things God is trying to free us from.I share some of my favorite biblical examples, like the Israelites wanting to go back to Egypt and Sarah trying to rush God's promise through Hagar. These stories remind me that God doesn't need my shortcuts; He needs my surrender. When we stop trying to replace what He's trying to renew, that's when we actually step into His promises.This episode is for anyone who feels stuck between where they were and where God's taking them — still holding onto Egypt while praying for the Promised Land.✨ Stay Connected with Me! ✨
Genesis 16 | Pastor Greg This chapter shows Abram (mid-80s) and Sarai (mid-70s) growing weary of waiting for God's promised child; Sarai urges Abram to sleep with Hagar, and Hagar conceives Ishmael—igniting jealousy, mistreatment, and years of fallout. Yet God meets Hagar in the wilderness, names her son, and reveals Himself as “the God who sees” (El Roi), showing tender care for the wounded even amid human failure. The message lands simply: believe God's love, wait on His timing, don't “help” His promise through the flesh, and remember He sees, hears, and keeps His word—even when we make a mess. Packinghouse's Wednesday night worship service from October 8, 2025. - Greg Opean - Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Genesis 16 | Pastor Greg This chapter shows Abram (mid-80s) and Sarai (mid-70s) growing weary of waiting for God's promised child; Sarai urges Abram to sleep with Hagar, and Hagar conceives Ishmael—igniting jealousy, mistreatment, and years of fallout. Yet God meets Hagar in the wilderness, names her son, and reveals Himself as “the God who sees” (El Roi), showing tender care for the wounded even amid human failure. The message lands simply: believe God's love, wait on His timing, don't “help” His promise through the flesh, and remember He sees, hears, and keeps His word—even when we make a mess. Packinghouse's Wednesday night worship service from October 8, 2025. - Greg Opean - Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Sermon audio from week 1 of our series "Life in the Cave." Sunday October 5, 2025.
Troen på Jesus er noe helt annet enn verdens religioner, som Paulus her putter i samme gruppe som Moseloven. Det gir ingen mening å gå tilbake til gamle systemer og regler. Han sammenligner også judaistene med Hagar og Ismael i 1. Mosebok for å poengtere at alle som tror på Jesus er barn av Sara […]
In this episode of 'Speak the Truth,' Michael is with guest, Betty-Anne Van Rees. Betty-Anne, a key member of the Canadian Biblical Counseling Coalition, shares insights on using God's attributes, particularly God's all-seeing nature (El Roi), to guide counseling sessions. The conversation explores the significance of knowing God personally, using the story of Hagar from Genesis 16:1-14, and provides practical applications for counselors. The episode highlights the importance of helping counselees see God's care and encourages the use of the 'Counseling Through' resource for both personal growth and enhancing counseling methodologies.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:34 Betty-Anne's Background and Ministry01:17 Counseling Through God's Attributes Miniseries02:29 Focus on God's Attribute: El Roi, The All-Seeing03:55 Application of Hagar's Story in Counseling12:36 Reflection Questions and Practical Assignments21:57 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsEpisode ResourcesCounseling Through God's Attributes - ABC Res
In this special tribute episode, we honor the legacy of the greatest guitarist of all time — Edward Van Halen.
Introduction – When People Don't Approve of You Rainey began her message with a story from her college years — a painful and funny one about rejection. She told how she dated a grad student named Noah who was brilliant, popular, and part of an elite, intellectual friend group. When she went to dinner to meet his friends, she knew she was being evaluated — an “audition dinner.” When asked about Kant's Critique of Judgment, all she could say was, “I think Kant is really good. Art also, very good. So to sum up, I am pro.” It didn't go well. Shortly after, Noah broke up with her, saying she “wasn't smart enough” and that she'd be more comfortable with someone “her speed.” It was humiliating. She had been evaluated and found lacking. Rainey then drew the connection: this kind of rejection happens to all of us. We don't always fit in. Sometimes we're not chosen, we're overlooked, or we're compared unfavorably to others — the sibling the parents brag about, the colleague the students prefer, the church that people leave for. She said, “There's no use pretending everyone will love you. That's not true. The Gospel has to be good news even when people don't like us.” If our sense of worth depends on impressing others, we become weak, reactive, and easily crushed. To show how dangerous this is, Rainey turned to Scripture. ⸻ 1. The Danger of Insecurity (Matthew 14:1–11) She read the story of Herod and John the Baptist: “Herod was greatly distressed, but because of his oath and his dinner guests, he ordered that John be beheaded…” (Matthew 14:9) Rainey highlighted that Herod didn't kill John out of hatred. He killed him out of insecurity. He wanted to look strong in front of his guests. He cared more about their approval than what was right. She said, “If Herod hadn't been so desperate for them to think he was strong, he'd have been free to ask, ‘What is right?' Instead, he asked, ‘What do they want to see?'” That's what insecurity does. When we tie our worth to others' opinions, we become unable to do what's right. We can only do what others want to see. It's a position of terrible weakness. Then she brought it home: “If I link my worth to your approval, I can't be a person who obeys God. I can only be a person who performs for you.” That's why we need good news for the insecure heart. ⸻ 2. Imago Dei – You Are Made in the Image of God Rainey's first idea for finding freedom from insecurity is the biblical truth of the Imago Dei — that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). She described how all beauty and goodness in creation point to God: “The heavens declare the glory of God; day after day they pour forth speech.” – Psalm 19:1–2 Mountains, oceans, sunsets — they all reflect something of His glory. But humans are unique because we don't just reflect His glory — we resemble Him. She said, “God used His own fingers to carve the lines of your face. He held your cheeks and said, ‘Yes, that's just right.'” We are designed to show the world something of what God is like — each of us in a slightly different way. To despise yourself or wish to be someone else is to insult the Artist who made you. “The one who carved your bones is not wishing you were more like your sister.” It's beneath your dignity, Rainey said, to let your worth swing back and forth with every opinion. Your worth is not determined by the crowd — it's anchored in the Creator. Then she turned to the Third Commandment, often translated “Do not take the Lord's name in vain.” She explained that the Hebrew verb nasa means “to carry.” So the command really says: “Do not carry the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7) In other words: “You carry My name. Represent Me well.” If we treat people as though they don't matter, we misrepresent the God who made them. When we devalue others, we carry His name badly — we show the world a false picture of Him. So, what are we called to show the world? Rainey told the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 — an abused, pregnant, runaway slave who meets God in the desert. God sees her, comforts her, and promises a future. In response, she names Him: “You are El Roi — the God Who Sees Me.” And Rainey said, “That's who He still is. To people no one else sees, He is the God who sees.” That's our calling as image bearers: not to impress others, but to see others as He does. The highest calling is not to be admired — it's to notice the forgotten, to look into someone's eyes and say with our presence, ‘God has not forgotten you.' When we do that — whether as a doctor, teacher, parent, or neighbor — we reveal the God who sees. That's the stable foundation of our worth: not impressing people, but bearing His image. ⸻ 3. The Gospel According to You Rainey's second major idea was that God isn't wishing you were more like anyone else — because He designed you to tell the story of His goodness in a unique way. She illustrated this through the four Gospels: • Matthew, the tax collector, wrote to show that Jesus fulfilled every prophecy — the precise, orderly Gospel for those who care about facts and fulfillment. • Mark, reflecting Peter's voice, wrote fast and action-packed — the soldier's Gospel for people who value power and results. • Luke, the doctor, wrote a polished, reasoned account — the intellectual's Gospel, highlighting compassion, reason, and human dignity. • John, the emotional “son of thunder,” wrote the love letter Gospel — passionate, personal, and poetic. Each one tells the same story of Jesus, but from a different angle. None could replace the others. Together, they give us a fuller picture of who Jesus is. Then Rainey made her point: “To celebrate Him fully, we need all four voices. And to celebrate Him even more fully, we need yours too.” She said, “The Gospel according to Coleton is that God can save anyone, even the people no one expects. The Gospel according to Rainey is that He's the reason nature is beautiful and ethics matter. And yours will sound different still — and that's exactly the point.” Each of us is meant to tell the world how Jesus has been good news to us. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” – Psalm 107:2 God doesn't need more copies of the same person. He needs each of us to reveal a facet of His beauty that no one else can. ⸻ 4. Loaves and Fishes – You Are Enough for God to Use Finally, Rainey turned to her last idea: You are not enough — but you are enough when given to Jesus. She said, “Please don't hear me saying, ‘Believe in yourself because you are enough.' You aren't. I'm not either.” We cannot heal trauma, fix the world, or even make our loved ones wise or successful. We feel inadequate because we are inadequate. But, she said, “You are enough the way loaves and fishes were enough.” When a boy handed Jesus his meager lunch, Jesus made it feed thousands. The bread and fish weren't enough — until they were surrendered. In the same way, when we offer our homes, our talents, our dinners, our time — however small — Jesus multiplies it into something eternal. Rainey shared that she often prays before people come to her home for dinner: “Lord, take this lasagna and somehow receive glory from it.” That's how our lives work. Not because we're impressive, but because when we hand what we have to Him, He uses it to show His goodness. ⸻ 5. Closing Blessing and Prayer Rainey ended with this charge and blessing: “In an ocean of opinions, you do not have to audition for your worth. And don't make anyone else audition for theirs.” Walk in the dignity of an image bearer. Tell the Gospel according to you. And when you feel your not-enoughness, hand it to Jesus like loaves and fish — He will make it enough. She closed by praying that the Spirit would free us from comparison and insecurity, and send us out to be people who see others as God sees them. “Lord Jesus, thank You that You were unmoved by the crowd's opinion. Set our faces toward You. Free us from the tyranny of competition, and send us to the lonely, the overlooked, and the left-out — not to compete but to bless.” ⸻ Discussion Questions 1. Where are you most tempted to “audition” for approval? What does it look like to find your worth in how others see you? 2. How does the truth of being made in the Imago Dei change how you see yourself — and how you treat others? 3. Which “Gospel voice” do you most relate to — Matthew's precision, Mark's action, Luke's compassion, or John's love? What might “the gospel according to you” sound like? 4. What “loaves and fishes” could you offer to Jesus this week? (Something small you can surrender for His glory.) 5. Who around you might need to be “seen”? How could you bear God's image to them by communicating, “God sees you”?
This is message 4 in The Names of God Series Genesis 16:1-16 El Roi is the God who sees every detail of our lives, from the pain of our past to the struggles of the present and the uncertainty of the future. He is never distant or unaware but is actively present with compassion and care. Hagar discovered in her darkest moment that that the God who rules heaven and earth also saw her personally, knew her by name, and had a plan for her life. The same God who met her in the wilderness is the God who sees and cares for His people today. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc
God sees it all and God is with us through it all. This Sunday we are kicking off our next series in our Year of God With Us - The God Who Sees. Join us this morning as Zach W. Lambert walks us through Hagar's story and how we can see that God sees us in our joy and sorrow, our pain and our triumphs, our everyday and our extraordinary.We are here live-streaming every Sunday at 9:30am CT. If you'd like to connect with Restore, go to www.restoreaustin.org/connect.Resources Referenced:Inspired by Rachel Held EvansThe Five Books of Moses by Robert AlterThe NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) break down the headlines and hidden stories from the United Nations General Assembly and the Trump administration's surprise Gaza peace proposal. In Politicology+ they discuss the future of Hagar's show My World, and what it's like to navigate media and geopolitics in today's fractured landscape. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at (703) 239-3068 Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https:/x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Galatians 3 Paul says that his readers must have been bewitched to turn from the evidence, seen in himself, of Christ placard before them as a crucified one. He asks the Galatians if had they received the spirit gifts through works of law, or by the hearing of faith. Verses 6-9 cite the Scripture from Genesis 15:6 - Abraham could DO nothing but believe and trust God. What Abraham did was to believe to God. And our Heavenly Father counted that belief to Abraham as righteousness. The gospel, says Paul, was taught to Abraham in Genesis 12 verse 3, when he was told "In you shall nations of the earth be blessed" - see Romans 4 verse 13. Paul actually quotes a hybrid of Genesis 12:3 and Genesis 22 verse 18 - as Peter likewise does in Acts 3 verse25. All the Law of Moses could do was curse those who were subject to it and prove to them the utter sinfulness of human nature. The other thing that the Law did was to curse a sinless man who was hung on a tree in crucifixion - that was our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Law had to be annulled. Any law that brought condemnation on a righteous man, must be revoked. Verse 16 says that the promise was about one specific seed alone, the Christ. To be saved the one requirement is faith and the acknowledging of one's belief by becoming one with Christ through baptism. Whoever is baptised becomes clothed with Christ and receives by imputation Christ's righteousness. Verses 26-29 establish that in Christ there are no gender distinctions, no social strata differences and no racial discrimination. All equally receive the salvation offered in Christ Jesus and are each one an heir of what the Almighty promised in His Son. Chapter 4 tells us that to attain to sonship we must as children first go through training, whose appointments are of the father until the time determined. Christ came in the fulness of time for the purpose of redemption in general; and particularly for those under the Law to liberate them from the curse. From verses 8-20 Paul expresses his concern for the Galatians servile adherence to days and rituals, which have only a negative effect on spirituality. The chapter concludes with an allegory regarding the sons of Sarah and Hagar, about the freedom in Christ in contrast to the slavish servitude to law.
Have you ever wondered if God really sees you — your struggles, your desires, even the parts of your story you'd rather hide? In this episode, Bible teacher, writer, and speaker Oghosa Iyamu joins Meredith and Kaley to unpack the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 — a woman who felt unseen, overlooked, and on the run. Together, they share biblical truths and practical encouragement for how to face the battles in our minds with faith. If you've ever been tempted to return to old patterns, question your worth, or carry the weight of rejection, this conversation will remind you: God not only sees you — He knows you by name, and His love reaches you right where you are.You'll learn:Ways to recognize God's blessings in your life.Practical steps to replace lies with Scripture-based Truth.How to combat what's stealing your joy and gratitude.What it really looks like to take every thought captive as you build a stronger faith.Partner With Us: Life can be hard, and sometimes it feels like the pain will never end — but you don't have to face it alone. That's why we created "Beautiful Truths To Remember: 20 Scriptures To Hold On to While You're Still Hurting." This free resource is designed to remind you of God's goodness and Truth, even in the middle of your hardest seasons. We want to invite you to grab a copy for yourself and share it with a friend who needs encouragement too.Give today to help another woman know the Truth and live the Truth because it changes everything.Leave us a rating and written review on Apple Podcasts.Click here to download a transcript of this episodeResources From This Episode:Looking for more resources to grow in your faith? Find comfort and belonging in Oghosa's Bible study, Forever Welcomed.Get encouragement and practical ways to grow when you visit Oghosa's website.
Come As You Are Series - Hagar Genesis 16:7-8 “Now the angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. He said, “Hagar, Sarai's slave woman, from where have you come, and where are you going?” And she said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.”God promised Abraham that he would be the Father of nations. His descendants would be more numerous than the stars in the sky. Yet Abraham was 86 years old at this point in his life, and he still had no children. His wife was getting impatient. She was 75 years old and still had no children. One day, she told Abraham that she wanted him to sleep with her handmaid. She thought maybe that was the way she was going to get the children that God promised her.We might think this is crazy, as we don't really live in a culture where this is normal. Unfortunately, it was more normal back then. Even though we might not be able to identify with Sarai giving her handmaid, Hagar, to her husband so that she could have some children, we can definitely relate to being impatient waiting for God to fulfill His promises. We want everything in our time, and when it doesn't happen, we try to make it happen.Have you ever done this? Have you ever gotten tired of waiting for the Lord to do what He said he would do, so you took matters into your own hands? I know I have. I am sure we all have at one point or another. We are human. God's ways are higher than our ways, which means we don't understand them. We don't know why God told Abraham he would be the father of nations 25 years before his only son would be born. We don't know why God said He would be the father of nations and His descendants would outnumber the stars, yet He only had one child. We don't always know what God is doing.What we do know is that when we try to take over for God and do it our own way or in our own timing, then we create a mess. Sarai thought she could give her handmaid to her husband, and all would be fine. The handmaid would have children, but Saria and Abraham would raise them as their own. However, once the handmaid Hagar got pregnant and realized she was pregnant, she looked at her mistress with contempt. Sarai became upset and started mistreating her. Isn't this just like us? We do something we think will fix the situation, and surprise, surprise, our idea wasn't actually better than the Lord's idea, and it all just backfires. Now Sarai is mad at her Hagar because she is acting like she is better than Sarai. After all, she could get pregnant, and Sarai couldn't. However, it was Sarai's idea in the first place. This is exactly how this world operates. We take things into our own hands and then get upset when it doesn't work out.Hagar got tired of being mistreated and ran away. However, an angel appeared to her. Let's stop right there. Hagar is a maidservant who married her mistress's husband so that they could have a baby. Does that sound like someone an angel would visit? Do you see how God doesn't choose the people we would choose? Hagar was put in a bad position and yet did what she was told to do. Everything worked out exactly like her mistress wanted, and then her mistress began to treat her badly.God didn't forget her or forsake her, though. He could have let her run away. The baby she was carrying was not the baby that God had promised them. However, he sent an angel to have her go back and have the baby with her husband. The angel told Hagar that she would have a boy and that he would be called Ishmael. The angel said to her that God had heard her affliction. Imagine what it would be like to have an angel appear to you and tell you that God has heard you? How many of your prayers right now do you wish you knew if God heard or not? Wouldn't it be great if an angel came down and told us that God has listened to our affliction?Sometimes it feels like we are talking to ourselves because we are waiting and waiting for an answer, and it doesn't seem to come. God hears all our prayers. It says this in many places in the Bible. We know this, and yet it would still be nice if God sent an angel to reassure us. The angels would be pretty busy if they needed to come and reassure us every time we doubted that God heard our prayers. God did send an angel to visit Hagar another time, too. After Isaac was born and weaned, Sarah told Abraham to send Hagar away. Abraham was sad as Ismael was his son. However, God told him to do as Sarah wanted.Here is another instance where we might not understand why God would want Abraham to send Hagar and his son away. We trust that God's plan is better than our plan. Hagar sleeping with Abraham was never part of God's plan. He told Abraham and Sarah that they would have a baby and that God would make Abraham the father of nations. Yet, when it didn't happen soon enough for them, they took matters into their own hands. God wanted to fulfill his promise to Abraham through Isaac, not Ismael.Hagar left, but she was not abandoned by God. She was in the wilderness with her son, and an angel spoke to her from heaven. Most people go their whole life never seeing an angel, and Hagar gets visited twice. God sent an angel to let her know that she was not alone. He wanted her to know that God had heard the cries of her son and that He would be taking care of both of them. God told her that He would make a great nation of him. God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness, and he became an expert with a bow.God did not forget or forsake Hagar and Ismael even though they were not really part of His original plan. God won't forget you either. God knows that we will try to take things into our own hands. He knows we might get impatient and do something we wish we hadn't done. It's ok. He still allowed Abraham and Sarah to have their child. He still blessed Hagar and Ismael. He won't take away your dream either, just because you got tired of waiting and tried to do it on your own. God is looking out for you just as He was looking out for this maid servant who was doing what she was told to do, and then was sent awayGod sees the injustice in your life, too. He sees the ways you have been treated by this world, and He has not abandoned you. He is with you in the wilderness the same way he was with Hagar and Ismael. He is protecting you and blessing you. God never leaves your side. He is making all things for your good. Not just for those special few, but for all of us.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening. Lord, we love you, and we ask you to help us be patient and wait for your timing. Help us not to take matters into our own hands. Lord, have mercy on us when we do wrong and help us navigate the mess we often get ourselves into when we try to take matters into our own hands. We love you, Lord, and we know your plan is best. It can be challenging for us to be patient and wait at times. Please be patient with us as we do our best. We ask all of this in accordance with Your Will and in Jesus's Holy Name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus—just a few more days to register for the retreat. CLICK HERE FOR RETREAT INFO! I will give my numbers to the retreat house on Friday. I can't believe the retreat is next weekend already! Additionally, I have exciting news: my devotional book is almost ready to be published as well. I am so excited, and I ask for your prayers that all goes well and it gets printed in time to have it at the retreat. Additionally, if you could all join in prayer for the retreat and those attending, that would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in May 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, “Give me your hand so I can lead you. You will not fall astray if you hold on to my hand. You are not meant to walk alone. I am with you. There is no need to fear. I guide each step of your way.” 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
What happens when love meets fear head-on in the midst of an unexpected pregnancy? Today, Amy Ford, from the ministry "Embrace Grace" is here to share her own personal testimony and how God is moving through local churches to love on women. Amy's own story of an unexpected pregnancy that ends in total redemption is amazing. From that she started Embrace Grace, an organization that provides baby showers, support before and after birth, and a community that goes beyond. Here is some of what we cover: What “Love Boxes” are and why 30,000+ were given out last year The powerful symbolism of Hagar, the first single mom in the Bible, who encountered the God who sees A support group for fathers called Embrace Legacy and the vital role they play The vision of being in 23,400 churches by 2050 How your church can become a place of welcome and grace for single moms and dads Connect with Amy Ford: Website: Unplanned Pregnancy Support Groups | Embrace Grace Facebook: Embrace Grace | Hurst TX Instagram: Embrace Grace (@embracegraceinc) Links Mentioned: Write a Brave Girl Letter | Encourage a Single and Pregnant Mom Love in a Box – Embrace Grace Shop Help Her Be Brave Podcast Hannah Kirkman's IG story of healing from her abortion journey Forgiven and Set Free by Linda Cochrane Forgiven and Set Free Bible Study by Linda Cochrane Surrendering the Secret Bible Study by Pat Layton Related Episodes: I Am Restored :: Stacy Reaves {Ep 93} How to Stop Shame Spirals :: Dr. Curt Thompson [Summer of Mentorship Wk 6] Set Free From Shame :: Jeannie Cunnion [Ep 190] Featured Sponsors: Voetberg Music Academy: If you are ready to get started with either Piano, Guitar, Fiddle, or Ukulele lessons at Voetberg Music Academy then use my code DONTMOMALONE at checkout and get 20% off each month you're enrolled. Weekly lessons, LIVE coaching calls, monthly performance opportunities, 24/7 messaging with your instructor, access to the VMA community, badges mailed to your home and so much more is included with your membership that is less than one in person lesson. Thrive Causemetics: Complete your fall look. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/DMA for an exclusive 20% off your first order. Branch Basics: Head to BranchBasics.com to shop their Ultimate Starter Kit and save 15% off with code [DMA] at BranchBasics.com. That's 15% off your new Branch Basics Ultimate Starter Kit at BranchBasics.com with promo code [DMA]. Make the change today—because a healthier home starts with what you clean it with. Find links to this week's sponsors and unique promo codes at dontmomalone.com/sponsors.
How is it possible to be surrounded by people and still feel completely unseen? In this Asking for a Friend message, Pastor Tim opens Job 19, Genesis 16, 2 Timothy 4, and the Gospels to show how Scripture meets us in our loneliness. From Job's cry to Hagar's encounter, and from Paul's cell to Jesus' cross, we discover that while people may walk out, the God who sees, the Lord who stands, and the Redeemer who lives will never abandon us.
The Faith Explained with Cale Clarke - Learning the Catholic Faith
Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away, but God still provides for them. Do Ishmael and his descendants have anything to do with Islam? What is the significance of the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech? Abraham plants a tamarisk tree and puts down roots, but he is about to face his biggest test yet. Cale looks at Genesis 21, 22.
Sammy Hagar opens up about the tensions during the recording of Van Halen's Balance album, which would become his final record with the band. He shares insights into the creative process, the band's deteriorating relationships, and producer Bruce Fairburn's crucial role in completing the project. Hagar also reveals his extensive charitable work through his restaurant businesses, his thoughts on David Lee Roth's recent comments, and his emotional experience performing at Ozzy Osbourne's tribute concert. With characteristic honesty, he discusses his vocal techniques, his plans for another Las Vegas residency, and reflects on the legacy of Van Halen while sharing stories about his current musical projects. Following that, rock legend Bryan Adams opens up about his new album 'Roll With the Punches' and the challenges of going independent with his own label. He reveals the inspiration behind the album title, his songwriting process, and collaborations with long-time partners. Adams also discusses his upcoming tours in Canada and the US, his unique approach to setlists (you won't believe what he does with fan requests!), and his continued passion for photography. Plus, he shares a surprising story about a hit song originally written for another artist. Catch Eddie Trunk every M-F from 3:00-5:00pm ET on Trunk Nation on SiriusXM Faction Talk Channel 103.And don't forget to follow Eddie on X and Instagram!Follow the link to get your free 3-month trial of SiriusXM: http://siriusxm.com/eddietrunk Find all episodes of Trunk Nation: https://siriusxm.com/trunknation Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Chapter 4 of Paul's epistle to the Galatian church is a declaration of the freedom believers have as sons of God, not slaves. The author reveals his heart's affection for his readers and his desire for them to live in the freedom that Christ brings. To illustrate the contrast between the Law that enslaves and the gospel of grace which liberates, Paul uses the analogy of two women in Genesis: Sarah and Hagar. Each had a son, but they were incompatible, so Hagar and her son had to be cast out. So too, the Law and grace are incompatible when it comes to how we are saved and sanctified. Believers are of the free woman, not the slave. #Galatians #SimplybyGrace #GraceLifeMinistries #longstoryshort #winterbibleschoolnewzealand
Series: GenesisService: Wed Bible StudyType: SermonSpeaker: Anthony CaudillSummary Genesis Isaac L06
Jessica Coody is joined by assistant coach Brennan Hagar on this week's episode of "The Dig," Brennan talks finishing the non conference schedule unbeaten, and areas of improvement the team is focusing on going into the B1G opener against Michigan, some of the things they've learned when teams try to game plan around the Nebraska middle blockers, he talks the mentorship of Jaylen Reyes, the growth of Manaia Ogbechie, John Cook's statue, previews Michigan and much more!
When life gets overwhelming, it's easy to feel invisible—like no one sees your pain. But the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 reminds us that God is not distant or blind to our struggles. She gave Him a new name: “The God Who Sees Me.” In this message from our series Hope Makes a Comeback, we explore how God meets us in our darkest moments, reminds us we are never alone, and calls us to stop running and trust Him.
By Justin Massie - This is the second sermon in a series reviewing the life of Abraham. This sermon reviews Abram's interaction with Melchizedek, God's covenants with Abraham, and having Ismael through Hagar.
Sarai sees that she is infertile.She suggests that Avraham be intimate with Hagar, an Egyptian slave-woman, and that she will have a surrogate child.But once she is pregnant Hagar shows no intention to hand over the child. She asumes parity with Sarah. The pan has backfired.Now Sarah "oppresses" Hagar and Hagar runs away, only to be met by an angel at the well.Was Sarai's actions ethical?Why is the Tanakh so sympathetic to Hagar?
The Wilderness E3 — In the Bible, the wilderness is a hostile, dangerous place where humans can't survive. Because of this, the wilderness also reminds us that we all live on the precipice of life and death, and our survival depends on the one who is greater than us. The Bible's earliest wilderness stories depict humans finding themselves in this setting due to their own foolish choices or the foolish choices of others. In this episode, Jon and Tim look at the wilderness stories of Adam and Eve, Hagar, and Moses, highlighting how God responds with surprising compassion.CHAPTERSRecap and Setup for Today's Stories (0:00-11:36)Adam and Eve Exiled Into the Wilderness (11:36-20:31)Hagar Flees From Abraham and Sarah Into the Wilderness (20:31-45:13)Moses Flees From Pharaoh Into the Wilderness (45:13-1:08:15)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCESTim references an episode from The Exodus Way series about Abraham and Hagar. You can find that episode here: How Did Israel End Up in Egypt?For more on the seven women in Exodus, check out our Scholarship Team's article, “7 Powerful Women in the Bible Who Help Rescue God's People.”You can view annotations for this episode—plus our entire library of videos, podcasts, articles, and classes—in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“Beach Chilling” by Lofi Sunday, Just Derrick“Blissful Thoughts ft. TBabz” by Lofi Sunday“Grey ft. PAINT WITH SOUND.” by Lofi SundayBibleProject theme song by TENTSSHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.
Abraham's story shows how God builds a nation through faith, not shortcuts. Al, Zach, John Luke, and Christian continue their study of Genesis, tracing the tension between Sarah's quick fix with Hagar and God's covenant promise, revealing how Abraham's failures paved the way for his legendary faith. The guys connect Babel's downfall, Sarah's ambiguous laughter, and Abraham's silence to the birth of Israel, highlighting why trust in God always outlasts our schemes. In this episode: Genesis 1; Genesis 3; Genesis 4; Genesis 6; Genesis 9; Exodus 6, verse 3; Romans 1, verse 16 Today's conversation is about lesson 3 of The Genesis Story: Reading Biblical Narratives taught by Hillsdale Professor Justin Jackson. Take the course with us at no cost to you! Sign up at http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ Chapters: 00:00–07:32 A Return to Duck Dynasty Days 07:33–18:32 The Scattering of Nations 18:32–26:47 Sarah's Shortcut & Hagar's Tears 26:48–31:27 Phil & Miss Kay's Early Chaos 31:27–38:56 Abraham Makes a Rookie Mistake 38:57–49:43 The Birth of God's People More about The Genesis Story: Genesis is a book of fundamental importance for the Jewish and Christian faiths and has exerted a profound influence on Western Civilization. In addition to being a great religious text, it is also a literary masterpiece. This free online course explores some of the work's major narrative themes, including the complex relationship between God and man, the consequences of a rupture in that relationship, and the path towards reconciliation. Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://open.spotify.com/show/3LY8eJ4ZBZHmsImGoDNK2l Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
