Podcasts about him philippians

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬And His plan includes you. Yes, you! He has prepared good things for you to step into —meaningful relationships and impactful work. He is continually putting people and opportunities in your path, as well as working inside of you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). Happy new week!

At Times, Are You Unrepentant in Your Spiritual Life and, Therefore, “storing up wrath for yourself on the {Judgement} day of wrath”? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Penitence is not a once in a lifetime occurrence. Penitence is a daily and moment by moment occurrence. None of us is perfect, and not one of us always does the will of God. Paul, in Romans 2:4-5, is unequivocal in establishing the need for your continuing penitence and the consequences of your not repenting of your sins on a real-time basis: “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.". Therefore, we all need to repent and return to the Lord. You can become cocky and arrogant in your spiritual life – “I am a Christian; God has done this for me.”. As the Psalmist tells us in Psalms 32:5 of his confession and his penitence: “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.". You can rest on our perceived laurels; but these perceptions, of personal goodness and righteousness, can lead you quickly to a need for your penitence.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Most merciful God I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.  TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mathew 3:8-11; Romans 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Psalms 140:1-13. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Beginnings In Prayer - Part 4: Listening to God Because He Desires to Speak to Us”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

24_12_21 -Ep.343 - Run With Horses Podcast - Spiritual Disciplines – Biblical Meditation   Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast   Susan's New book – Parenting Manual https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo   Norman's New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It's a practical, quick read! https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04   ---   **(28:00)** Today we consider the spiritual discipline of biblical meditation!   **(27:00 – 23:00)**   Small Groups: Small groups are an essential part of the life of a healthy Baptist church. These gatherings provide a place to live out the “one another” commands of the New Testament. Through small groups, we build relationships that help us grow spiritually, serve together, and use our gifts to strengthen the church one relationship at a time. **(23:00 – 0:00)* * PART 1   What Are Spiritual Disciplines? Define spiritual disciplines as practices rooted in Scripture that help believers grow in their relationship with God. Key verse: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)   Meditation as a Spiritual Discipline Section 1: Biblical Meditation A. Introduction to Biblical Meditation Define meditation from a Biblical perspective: Focused, intentional contemplation of God's Word and works. A spiritual exercise focused on Scripture, involving contemplation and prayer Rooted in Scripture, with the goal of knowing God and aligning one's heart with His will. Differentiate Biblical meditation from Eastern meditation: C. Differences Between Eastern Meditation and Biblical Meditation (10 minutes) Focus: Eastern meditation often centers on self-awareness and inner peace, while biblical meditation focuses on God and His Word(Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation | Abide, n.d.). Eastern meditation emphasizes emptying the mind and achieving detachment. Biblical meditation emphasizes filling the mind with God's truth and cultivating intimacy with Him (Philippians 4:8). Posture: Eastern practices may emphasize physical posture (e.g., sitting cross-legged), whereas biblical meditation prioritizes the posture of the heart(Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation | Abide, n.d.). Worldview: Eastern meditation may promote the idea of achieving spiritual freedom or "nirvana," while biblical meditation acknowledges dependence on God and His grace(Biblical Meditation vs. Eastern Meditation | Abide, n.d.).   B. Key Bible References (NKJV) Joshua 1:8   Psalm 1:1–2   Psalm 119:15–16   C. Biblical Examples of Meditation David Psalms filled with meditations on God's law, character, and works (e.g., Psalm 19:14). Isaac Genesis 24:63: Jesus Frequent times of solitude and prayer, often grounded in God's Word (Luke 5:16). D. The Purpose and Fruit of Biblical Meditation Deepening understanding of God's Word. Transforming the heart and mind (Romans 12:2). Encouraging obedience and spiritual growth.   **(00:00) END PART 1**   **(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**   Section 2: Practical Help for Practicing Biblical Meditation A. Establishing a Biblical Framework for Meditation Set aside focused time daily (morning or evening). Create a quiet space free from distractions. Begin with prayer for understanding and insight (Psalm 119:18). B. Techniques for Practicing Meditation Select a Passage or Verse Choose a specific Scripture to meditate on, e.g., Psalms, Proverbs, or teachings of Jesus. Select verses or passages that resonate personally. What is God doing in your life now? Read and Reflect Read slowly and repeatedly, emphasizing different words or phrases. Ask Questions of the Text What does this reveal about God? What does this mean for my life today? Memorize and Internalize Commit verses to memory for ongoing meditation throughout the day. Techniques for Effective Meditation (10 minutes) Lectio Divina: Explain this ancient practice of slow, contemplative reading of Scripture. It is traditionally associated with monastic communities. The practice emphasizes a slow, meditative reading of the Bible, aiming not just to study Scripture but to experience it personally and prayerfully. The Four Steps of Lectio Divina: A. Lectio (Reading):   B. Meditatio (Meditation):   C. Oratio (Prayer):   D.Contemplatio (Contemplation):     Journaling: Encourage keeping a meditation journal to record thoughts and insights Incorporating Prayer: Discuss how to integrate prayer into meditation, asking God for understanding and application of His Word     C. Overcoming Distractions Find a quiet, distraction-free location. Write down stray thoughts to address later. D. Using Tools to Enhance Meditation Journaling: Record insights and applications. Music: Listen to hymns or Scripture-based songs.   E. Incorporating Meditation into Daily Life Meditate while walking, driving, or doing simple tasks. Reflect on sermons, Bible studies, or daily readings. **(5:00 – 1:00)**   Doctrine of the Month - Salvation *The Need for Salvation * The Provision of Salvation *The Response to Salvation   **(1:00)**   - “Thank you for listening today!   -If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.   **(00:00)**         Meditation - Psalm 1:2: 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 63:6: When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Philippians 4:8: 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.   Prayer - Mark 1:35: Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Luke 6:12: Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Matthew 6:5-13: Model Prayer   Fasting- Matthew 4:1-2: 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Matthew 6:16-18: 16“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.   Study - Luke 4:4, 8, 12: 3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' ” 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' ” 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,To keep you,'11 and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up,Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' ”12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' ” Luke 24:27: 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.     Simplicity - It helps us set money, possessions, worldly accomplishments, and other material things in their proper perspective so that God is restored to the throne of our lives. Simplicity requires us to let go of practices, time commitments, thoughts, and relationships that contaminate body and spirit so that we can better reflect the image of Christ. The foundation of Christian simplicity is to seek first the Kingdom of God and trust that everything else will fall in its proper place. Matt 6:33: – 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.   Solitude - The point of solitude is to refrain from talking so we are placed in a posture to listen. The more we do this, the better we become at discerning God's voice from our own. It requires us to trust that God will show up—but, we must not give up! Luke 5:16: "So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Lamentations 3:25-26: 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly. For the salvation of the Lord. Set at least a few minutes alone with God daily.   Submission - Submission calls us to give up our plan for the good of others and the fulfillment of God's will. It is through self-sacrifice that we find joy and through carrying out God's will that our lives have meaning and purpose. James 4:7: 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Hebrews 13:17: - 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.   Service - Service requires us to relinquish our rights for what we think we deserve to demonstrate God's sacrificial love. Our willingness to set our own desires aside to meet the needs of others stems from a deep relationship with God. Mark 10:45: 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” John 13:12-17: 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.                  

At Times, Are You Unrepentant in Your Spiritual Life and, Therefore, “storing up wrath for yourself on the {Judgement} day of wrath”? MESSAGE SUMMARY: Penitence is not a once in a lifetime occurrence. Penitence is a daily and moment by moment occurrence. None of us is perfect, and not one of us always does the will of God. Paul, in Romans 2:4-5, is unequivocal in establishing the need for your continuing penitence and the consequences of your not repenting of your sins on a real-time basis: “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.". Therefore, we all need to repent and return to the Lord. You can become cocky and arrogant in your spiritual life – “I am a Christian; God has done this for me.”. As the Psalmist tells us in Psalms 32:5 of his confession and his penitence: “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.". You can rest on our perceived laurels; but these perceptions, of personal goodness and righteousness, can lead you quickly to a need for your penitence.     TODAY'S PRAYER: Most merciful God I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent. For the sake of your son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I might delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Amen.  TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mathew 3:8-11; Romans 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Psalms 140:1-13. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Turkeys and Eagles, Part 1: Called as an “Eagle” But Saved as a “Turkey””, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Psalm 66 Worksheet After 15 Psalms in a row attributed to David (Psalm 51-65), no author is given for Psalm 66. This is the first of __________ anonymous Psalms in Book 2 (Psalms 42-72) so far. Psalms 42-50 were either by the Sons of Korah or Asaph (Psalm 43 is also anonymous, but is an extension of Psalm 42). Like Psalm 65 we looked at last time, Psalm 66 is a ____________________ Psalm, inviting us to glorify God our Creator and Redeemer. As we read the Psalm, look for a shift from the second and third person (you, we, us, our) to the first person (I, me, my). All the __________________________ is called to worship God V. 1-4 Notice we are not to sing out honoring ourselves, but honor and worship of God. Don't ever forget the root of worship is declaring the _______________________ of our wonderful God! Despite the power of Israel's enemies, the Psalmist affirms that God is more ____________________ than all His enemies, and one day all His enemies will bow before Him (Philippians 2:9-11). I love that the Psalmist anticipates not only the eventual submission of all God's enemies, but the eventual worship of God from everyone around the world that turns to God (Rev. 5:9-10; 7:9-10). _______________________ is called to worship God V. 5-7 What two events in Israel's history are referred to in verse 6? The ________________________ from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 14:21) The _________________________ into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:16) The meaning of verse 7 is clear: God will eventually deal with all the enemies of Israel, as He did Pharaoh and powerful Egypt in the past. God has _______________________ us through times of trouble before V. 8-15 The next verses are going to recall how God has used past times of adversity, largely brought on by Israel's own unfaithfulness to the Lord. But Israel is called to bless God for not giving up on His people, even when He has had to ___________________________ His people! But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. -Job 23:10 Adverse circumstances are like the heat of the Refiner's fire – God is like the metal smith who holds on to us in the fire, and pulls us out better than when we went in. When Israel was bound and determined to sin, God's judgment began passively. He let them do what they were bound and determined to do. But that meant they would face the built in ___________________ of their sin. They turned to the gods of other nations and engaged in their sinful practices. As judgment God removed His hand of protection and let those other nations defeat them. They got to see firsthand how evil those gods were. But just as in days of old God was ready to deliver them as they turned back to Him. They has passed through the Refiner's fire and water, and the Psalmist was _____________________ that God giving them over to their sins for a season (Romans 1) didn't mean that God had given up on them! The ______________________ to testify with lips and focused lives V. 16-20 The Psalmist _________________________ that all those who revere God like he now does will “Love to hear the story” of what God has done for him! Psalm 66:18 needs to be ________________________ whenever we teach on prayer. For our prayers to be effective, we must love God and hate sin. The person who confesses his sin will be forgiven by God, and must seek to forsake it. If we still love sin in our heart, we will be double-minded and our prayers will be ineffective. The Psalmist is not claiming to be sinless – he is saying that his confession of sin was caught up, his desire was to love God and hate sin, and he felt power in his prayer closet he had not known during days of sinful ________________________.

Holiness is more than a lofty ideal—it's a call to action for every believer. In this powerful message, we explore the transformative journey that begins with a renewed mind and leads to a life that truly reflects God's holiness. Drawing from 1 Peter 1:15-16, we'll uncover how aligning our thoughts with God's truth can cleanse and reshape our hearts, setting the foundation for a life that honors Him in every way. This message isn't just about understanding holiness; it's about living it out in a way that impacts every area of our lives. If you're ready to dive deeper into what it means to live a life set apart for God, this sermon will equip and inspire you to take that next step.As you listen, be encouraged that this journey toward holiness is one that God walks with us every step of the way. He is working within you, giving you the desire and the power to live a life that pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). No matter where you are right now, know that God's grace is sufficient to renew your mind, transform your heart, and lead you into the fullness of a holy life. Let this message be a reminder that God is for you, and with Him, living a life that reflects His holiness is not just possible—it's your calling.

John Wells - August 11th 2024 - Move in Step with God Move in Step with God The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his STEPS Proverbs 16:9 4 Principals for a Successful Life 1. Mediate on the Word of God • Read it / Hear it / Obey it - pray over it and let it take root in your heart • No substitute for God's word - it brings: conviction, conversion, conformity, cleaning • Why meditate on the scripture ? it produces growth, wisdom, fellowship, fruit bearing • Make your decisions based on biblical principles/ store the WORD in your heart 2. Mortify Sin - cut it out / do not let sin reign in your mortal body • It's in your nature (the FLESH) / it's at the core of your being / The heart is deceitful • Sin separates us from God / breaks communion / destroys spiritual desires • Sin is the greatest life long battle you will have - it's taken many good men down (David) • Promise / Preparation / Prayer / Pain / Process 3. Move in Step with God • Abide in Him / hears his words / walk in fellowship with Jesus Christ • Walk in truth / Walk in the Spirit • Do not grieve the Spirit - by failing to act on His prompting / or by acting on evil desires • Walk by faith not by sight / not paralyzed by fear / stepping out on the promises of God 4. Serve God and Him only • Make life altering decisions • No Idols in your life Scripture reading 1. Proverbs 16: V 3 & V 9 2. Psalms 37: V23-24 3. Joshua 1: V2-3 4. Joshua 3:3 when you see the ark of the covenant move – follow it 5. Joshua 4:17 6. Isaiah 59: V 1, Isaiah 40:29 , Isaiah 30:15 7. John 15:7, Psalm 139:23, Exodus 33:18, Philippians 3:10, I John 5:21 Move in Step with God • Reconciliation, Relationship, Repentance and Restoration • Once you cross Jordan, there's no going back – “ Burn the Ships” • Abide in Him John 15:7 • Let God search your heart Psalm 139:23 • Show me your glory Ex 33:18 • That I may know Him – Philippians 3:10 • Keep yourselves from Idols I John 5:21

In this episode, Sue discusses the freedom we have because of Christ. But with this beautiful freedom, the apostle Paul reminds us not to use it to satisfy our sinful nature. To our last breath, we will battle a sin nature that wants what it wants—but we don't fight alone. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him” (Philippians 2:13). By walking in the Spirit, we are free to love and obey Christ and serve one another in love.  To join a Harvest women's small group, go to virtue.harvest.org/studies  Learn more about Virtue women's ministry at Harvest Christian Fellowship by going to virtue.harvest.org/about/.       Support the show: https://harvest.org/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sue discusses the freedom we have because of Christ. But with this beautiful freedom, the apostle Paul reminds us not to use it to satisfy our sinful nature. To our last breath, we will battle a sin nature that wants what it wants—but we don't fight alone. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him” (Philippians 2:13). By walking in the Spirit, we are free to love and obey Christ and serve one another in love.  To join a Harvest women's small group, go to virtue.harvest.org/studies  Learn more about Virtue women's ministry at Harvest Christian Fellowship by going to virtue.harvest.org/about/.       Support the show: https://harvest.org/donate/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We find our joy in the Lord (Philippians 3:1) and as life goes on we need to recount our decision and remain steadfast in Him (Philippians 4:1).

1234 DiscipleshipThe 1 represents reading one chapter a day from the Bible beginning with Matthew in the New Testament in a version you can understand. I use the New International Version. Write down in 1 sentence something you can apply to your life from what you've read (you may write more if you want!). A study Bible helps. I use the Life Application Bible. This will over time help you understand God's truth more clearly in a world where lies abound (2 Timothy 2:15).The 2 represents using your energy, time, talents, of money to bless at least two people every day. It may take the form of a phone call, meeting a need, writing an encouragement note, sending a card, working in a food bank, providing a meal, and sharing spiritual insight. The possibilities are endless. Demonstrate God's love in at least two practical ways every day (1 Peter 3:9).The 3 represents three minutes of reflection on the one chapter you read. It might include reading the notes on the chapter in a study Bible. Think about how the chapter touches you before you write down your one application sentence.The 4 represents spending at least four minutes in prayer daily praising God for whom He is (Psalm 150), confessing any sin and claiming His forgiveness (1 John 1:9), thanking Him for specific blessings in your life (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and making requests to Him (Philippians 4:6-7). That's the 1-2-3-4 Discipleship Challenge.The next step is up to you!

God Exhorts Us: “1) Do not fear; 2) Continue to tithe; 3) Get out of debt; 4) Help our brothers and sisters in need; and 5) Pray” MESSAGE SUMMARY: In the Bible, you can find five exhortations, from the God, that are right on point for our tough times in America: 1) Do not fear; 2) Continue to tithe; 3) Get out of debt; 4) Help our brothers and sisters in need; and 5) Pray. The people in Malachi's day were withholding what was God's, and they were paying a price. But even in those conditions of sin, God said to the nation, in Malachi 3:7, “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?'.”. God does not change – God today is the same faithful Creator of the Universe as He was in the time of Malachi. Return to God, both as an individual and as a nation; and see how God will bless us!   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to be still and to wait patiently for you in silence. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 125). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Malachi 2:1-17; Malachi 3:7; Malachi 3:16-18; Psalms 41:1-13. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Beginnings In Prayer - Part 4: Listening to God Because He Desires to Speak to Us”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

“For they {Earthly Parents} disciplined us for a short time . . . but he {God} disciplines us for our good, that we may share his {God's} holiness" (Hebrews 12:10) MESSAGE SUMMARY: The Lord disciplines his children; therefore, so should we. Our discipline can take many forms, for example: 1) teach children a lesson, even hard lessons; and 2) it is OK to take away children's privileges. The Lord's discipline is out of love; and our discipline, for our children, should, also, be out of our love. Nobody likes discipline -- we do not like it; our kids do not like it. However, discipline works to bring righteousness and peace, and discipline brings fruit to us and our children down the road. In Hebrews 12:7-10, the author of Hebrews succinctly describes the Biblical perspective regarding discipline: It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as {His} sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they {Earthly Parents} disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he {God} disciplines us for our good, that we may share his {God's} holiness.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to be still and to wait patiently for you in silence. In Jesus' name, amen.      Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 125). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will rejoice in Him (Philippians 4:4). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 2 Samuel. 7.13-15; 1 Corinthians. 11:32; Ephesians. 6.1-4; Psalms 42:1-11. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Turkeys and Eagles, Part 1: Called as an “Eagle” But Saved as a “Turkey””, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

  TDAgiantslayer@gmail.com    Brought to you by wellbuiltbody.com    97X     PODBEAN   Apple Podcast    Do you know who I am… Im sorry sir hold just a minute.  Picks up the phone and says hello can you connect me with the psychology department… we have a man down here who does not know who he is     At a ver prestigious university it was the final day of exams… the class was a huge class of about 500 plus students… the professor handed out the tests and pencils and said you must finish in exactly 2 hours…  When the time was up everyone brought their tests up… except one young man who continued to write down answers… the professor began to get irritated, threatening and finally said you can take your time, but I am going to fail you regardless… the kid kept writing and finally brought his test up to the professors desk. The professor who was a very arrogant and snide man began to chew out this young man… Do you know who I am? I have received the highest honors this university bestows. DO you know who I am, I have studied abroad at Cambridge university… you apparently truly have no idea who I am, I have 3 doctorates from Yale, Harvard and Princeton… to which the student shrugged and said, “do you know who I am?”. The professor winced and with a confusing grin said NO I DONT KNOW WHO YOU ARE… And with that the student picked up the huge pile of tests from the center  quickly put his test in the middle and put the hundreds of tests on top of it… and said “good luck”. and walked out.    We often ask do you know who you are in Christ… but actually its not if you know who you are in Christ, its if you know who's  you are in Christ.  What do i mean? Well i can quote all the scriptures of who I am in Christ… and I will quote a few in a second, but unless I know Christ, and know Who's I am, who I am has very little affect on me. It would be like finding out you are related to the great prince of Zinaqua… who is the richest man in the world… you can brag about that, but it means nothing until you go and see and experience his life style, his riches, the esteem and awe he is treated with, the power he has… all that and more.. now when you realize you are related to him and yes you are related to him as in he is your father… now you know who's who you are.    I am complete in Him Who is the head over all rule and authority—of every angelic and earthly power (Colossians 2:10). I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). I am far from oppression, and will not live in fear (Isaiah 54:14). I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18). I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16). I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5). I have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). The Spirit of God, who is greater than the enemy in the world, lives in me (1 John 4:4). I have received abundant grace and the gift of righteousness and reign in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17). I have received the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my heart enlightened, so that I know the hope of having life in Christ (Ephesians 1:17-18). I have received the power of the Holy Spirit and He can do miraculous things through me.I have authority and power over the enemy in this world (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17-19). I am renewed in the knowledge of God and no longer want to live in my old ways or nature before I accepted Christ (Colossians 3:9-10). I am merciful, I do not judge others, and I forgive quickly. As I do this by God's grace, He blesses my life (Luke 6:36-38). God supplies all of my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). In all circumstances I live by faith in God and extinguish all the flaming darts (attacks) of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16). I can do whatever I need to do in life through Christ Jesus who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). I am chosen by God who called me out of the darkness of sin and into the light and life of Christ so I can proclaim the excellence and greatness of who He is (1 Peter 2:9). I am born again—spiritually transformed, renewed and set apart for God's purpose—through the living and everlasting word of God (1 Peter 1:23). I am God's workmanship, created in Christ to do good works that He has prepared for me to do (Ephesians 2:10). I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Christ, I am dead to sin—my relationship to it is broken—and alive to God—living in unbroken fellowship with Him (Romans 6:11). The light of God's truth has shone in my heart and given me knowledge of salvation through Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). As I hear God's Word, I do what it says and I am blessed in my actions (James 1:22, 25). I am a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me (Romans 8:37). I overcome the enemy of my soul by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony (Revelation 12:11). I have everything I need to live a godly life and am equipped to live in His divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-4). I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people (1 Peter 2:9). I am the righteousness of God—I have right standing with Him—in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit; I belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19). I am the head and not the tail, and I only go up and not down in life as I trust and obey God (Deuteronomy 28:13). I am the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). I am chosen by God, forgiven and justified through Christ. I have a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness and patience (Romans 8:33; Colossians 3:12). I am redeemed—forgiven of all my sins and made clean—through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7). I have been rescued from the domain and the power of darkness and brought into God's kingdom (Colossians 1:13). I am redeemed from the curse of sin, sickness, and poverty (Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13). My life is rooted in my faith in Christ and I overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done for me (Colossians 2:7). I am called to live a holy life by the grace of God and to declare His praise in the world (Psalm 66:8; 2 Timothy 1:9). I am healed and whole in Jesus (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). I am saved by God's grace, raised up with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:5-6; Colossians 2:12). I am greatly loved by God (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4). I am strengthened with all power according to His glorious might (Colossians 1:11). I humbly submit myself to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus (James 4:7). I press on each day to fulfill God's plan for my life because I live to please Him (Philippians 3:14). I am not ruled by fear because the Holy Spirit lives in me and gives me His power, love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Christ lives in me, and I live by faith in Him and His love for me (Galatians 2:20).

Why God Speaks to UsI Corinthians 2:91.    Comprehend the TruthI Corinthians 2:9- 14·      Truth about Him Philippians 3:8-11·      Truth about Ourselves Romans 8:16-17 II Peter 1:3-4 ·      Truth about Others John 3:162.    Conformed to the Truth Romans 8:29 James 1:23-243.     Communicate the TruthII Timothy 2:2II Corinthians 5:20   Support the show

Christ Liveth In MeBy Tammy Lacock “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 KJV) In this week's podcast, Warren Litzman begins with the Apostle Paul's declaration in Galatians 2:20 of who we are now in Christ. But first, Warren emphasizes Paul's focus on the mind throughout his epistles. Yes, by God's grace, all we must do to be saved is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31). Yet Paul tells us, our mind-change doesn't stop there in our understanding of who we are now. In Hebrews 4:12, Paul makes it clear that the Word of God divides soul and spirit. For us to have any understanding of what took place when we believed, we must first understand this division. When we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, we were literally translated into the Kingdom of God. By just believing, our Satan-natures were replaced by Christ's nature in our spirits. Christ is joined to us in one spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). We are one with Him in spirit. Christ joined to us is our salvation. Because of this, we are brand new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our old selves, our sin-natures, are “crucified with Christ” and our new nature is Christ. However, our souls — where our minds reside — have yet to catch up with what God did in our spirits. This is where Paul tells us throughout his epistles, that we must have an ongoing mind change as we grow up in our new life in Christ. We must “suffer the loss” of who we think we are and come to an entirely new understanding with Christ as our new life. (Philippians 3:8). We must continue to believe and ultimately come to a knowing of who we are now in Christ if we are to live out who God created us to be. In Galatians 2:20, Paul tells us who we are now. Our old selves died with Christ. Yet we live by Christ's life now because He lives in us, joined to us in one spirit. From now on, He is the one we go to when we need to make choices and decisions. He is the one we give our mind to now. It's in our minds where we begin our love affair with Him. Love is a choice we must continually make if we are to grow up in Christ. All of our choices now stem from this love. Christian life is about a loving relationship with Christ, who now lives in us. It's personal. Warren shares, “Life is nothing but a series of choices being lived out.” In Galatians 2:20, Paul is making a choice to fix his mind on his new life in Christ. Christ is his life now. His old self is cancelled out and his mind is now fixed on Christ and His faithfulness, not his own. The Apostle Paul centers his gospel on the mind. If we are to now live our new life in Christ, our minds must be continually renewed. We now have new choices to make. Let's give our minds over to Christ so that we “may know Him” (Philippians 3:10) and now make choices centered on our love affair with Him. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5 KJV) “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV) “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” (Ephesians 4:23 KJV)

Under the night sky in the spring of 2020, surfers rode bioluminescent waves along the coast of San Diego. These lightshows were caused by microscopic organisms called phytoplankton, a name derived from a Greek word meaning “wanderer” or “drifter.” During the day, the living organisms create red tides and capture sunlight that converts into chemical energy. When disturbed in the darkness, they produce an electric blue light. Believers in Jesus are citizens of heaven who, much like the red-tide algae, live like wanderers or drifters on earth. When difficult circumstances disturb our well-laid plans, the Holy Spirit empowers us to respond like Jesus—the Light of the world—so we can reflect His radiant character in the darkness. According to Paul, nothing is more valuable than our intimacy with Christ and the righteousness that comes through our faith in Him (Philippians 3:8–9). His life proved that knowing Jesus and the power of His resurrection changes us, impacting the way we live and the way we respond when trials disrupt our lives (vv. 10–16). When we spend time with God’s Son daily, the Holy Spirit equips us with the truth we need—enabling us to face every challenge on this earth in ways that reflect Christ’s character (vv. 17–21). We can be beacons of God’s love and hope, cutting through the darkness until the day He calls us home or comes again.

Today, it's my honor to invite you to join us for an incredibly unique and fascinating conversation with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine. Dr. Levine is an academic, an educator, and an author who is invested in Christians finding the Jewish context of their own story and helping them see where anti-Jewish messages exist in the world. Then, with her fellow Jews she desires to help them see that the New Testament is a Jewish story and that it fills in some of the gaps of Jewish history. Ultimately, her hope in all of this work is for Jews and Christians to stop bearing false witness against one another and treat each other as fellow children of God.  From a very young age, Dr. Levine began asking questions about how two groups of people that share so many similar beliefs about God, customs, etc, can villainize the other. We talk about those questions in our culture, within the Biblical and historical context, as well as why some believe there is a need to extract Jesus from His Jewishness, and how that truly takes away from the Biblical narrative and the gift of Christ on so many levels.  AJ calls Christians to own their faith in an incredibly powerful way. Her latest work Witnesses at the Cross examines the four Gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Christ and she offers many powerful statements about what we can learn from all of the various witnesses there. She not only weaves her vast wisdom of sacred texts and historical context into the accounts, but she also provides beautiful insights from her own experience. For example, while teaching a Divinity School class at Vanderbilt, she taught that class “on the inside” with inmates on death row. Their observations of Calvary implored her to consider the thieves on the cross from a lens she offers to us. She also challenges the readers to consider how we can find ourselves in the bystanders and scoffers as well as reminding us that even though many parts of this moment in time display many people at their worst, those people are made in the image of God. If Jesus is who He says He is, He was crucified for them too.  I hope that you find this conversation fascinating and thought provoking, friends. As we are about to walk into the days of Holy Week, with Palm Sunday here in just a couple of days, I hope you this conversation breathes fresh life into your Lenten journey. I hope it brings some questions to consider as we make our way to the Cross. As my friend Katie says “we are a Saturday people.” We long to see how the story ends. God is faithful to the end, for all of us. Jesus' offering of His life is a gift that can never be taken, and is available to all who seek it. The Spirit dwells among us, and constantly reminds us of who God has always been and who He will always be. I pray we seek Him with fresh praise and gratitude and with open hands and hearts. You matter. Your story matters. He will complete the work He began in you.  Today's episode sponsor: Tony Crabtree Homes with Exit Realty Home buyer guide: http://bit.ly/buyersguidecrabtreehomes Seller guide: http://bit.ly/sellerguidecrabtreehomes Facebook Instagram Website YouTube   Connecting with Dr. AJ Levine: Class that she mentioned!  Facebook  Hartford International University Webpage Vanderbilt Webpage    References: -Prophecies of Jesus in the Old Testament  -Anti-semitic art -The Torah -Book of Genesis -Book of Isaiah -Book of Deuteronomy -Book of Leviticus -circumcision becoming unnecessary  -Dr. AJ's children's books -Sandy Eisenberg Sasso-Co-author of the children's books -The seven last words of Jesus  -Where is Cyrene? modern day Libya  -Paul and Jesus' followers continue to observe Jewish traditions by attending synagogue and observing festivals etc, -Riverbend Maximum Security Institution -Vanderbilt Divinity School  -Men of Valor-”Shawshank Redemption” -Short Stories by Jesus- by Dr. AJ Levine -Historical context of Jesus' day between the Jewish leaders and Rome -The revolt doesn't come until 30 years post resurrection  -”client ruler”- Herod Antiapas (kills JTB) -Herod the Great (kills the babies bc of his fear of losing the throne) -Archelaus (Herod's son who gets part of his inheritance, in Judea) -Pontious Pilate  -Tyberius is on the throne in Jesus' time -Claudius -Caligula -Nero  -The Pharisees  -The back story of Jews and Samaritans, modern day issues  -Herod the Great had a Maccabean Princess  Scripture References: John 3:16-He is the only begotten son of God and He died for our sins -Exodus 3:7-10, The book of Esther, Jeremiah 29:11- His faithfulness to His covenant with the children of Abraham (to name a few) Romans 7:12- the Law is holy, just and good Galatians 3- don't follow the Law, it can't save you, you can't do it  Acts 9:15,Acts 26:17-20, Galatians 1:15-16, Ephesians 3:7-8, -Paul is the apostle to Gentiles  Acts 13-Paul says in Acts to worship in the synagogue Matthew 27:32,Mark 15:21,Luke 14:27,Luke 23:26-Simon of Cyrene Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-26-Joseph of Arimathea Mark 15:41-the women who followed Jesus and ministered to Him Luke 8:1-3-Joanna and Susanna Luke 8:2, John 20:11-18-Mary Magdalene Luke 23:32-55-the two thieves on the cross  Luke 23:39-43-The “good” thief is the only one who seems to realize Jesus has a Kingdom Matthew 13:45-46-the parable of the pearl of great price Deuteronomy 6:5-9, Joshua 1:8, -the call to remember in the Old Testament, write it on your door posts, and seal it in  2 Kings 22-Josiah found the scrolls of the Law and their revival  -Luke 1:1-25, 1:57-80 - Zechariah John the Baptist's father, his response is him remembering the Lord and his faith to see what would happen next  Matthew 27:42-The bystanders who demanded him to do a miracle to bring Himself off the cross  Mark 1-8- allllll the miracles Mark 7:36, 10:45-Jesus doesn't want to be known as the miracle worker, but the One who died as a ransom for many John 2:19, Matthew 27:40-You said you were going to destroy this Temple  Mark 6:14-29-”client ruler”- Herod Antiapas (kills JTB) Matthew 2:16-18-Herod the Great (kills the babies bc of his fear of losing the throne) Luke 10:1-23-Jesus told them to go out without a sword or staff Matthew 5:20-Sermon on the Mount, talks about the righteousness of the scribes and pharisees John 3:1-21, Acts 9:1-19 -Some Pharisees begin to follow Jesus: Saul of Tarsus (Paul), Nicodemus Acts 15 -mentions other Pharisees who follow Jesus' teaching as well Exodus 20:8-11-How do you follow the Sabbath and keep it holy  Mark 12:28-34- Jesus is teaching in the Temple, scribe approaches and asks about the greatest commandment  Matthew 22:34-40- retells that story with a different tone  John 8:42-44 Luke 10:25-37- The “good” samaritan story John 4- The woman at the well  Matthew 1- Jesus' lineage with women  Luke 10:38-42- Mary and Martha Mark 15:40-41- women who traveled from afar that followed Jesus Matthew 14:13-21- Feeding of the 5,000 Mark 14- He's already been anointed Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24: 6-7 (this is the actual quotation) don't you remember what He told you (the angel says to the women) Mark 14:12-26- the last supper when Jesus spoke to them about going back to Galilee Luke 1:39-56-Elizabeth proclaims over Mary that she is carrying Christ  John 19:25-women were at the cross Luke 23:55, Luke 24:1-12-women were at the tomb Acts 2-women were at Pentecost and receive the tongues of fire  Book of Ruth Book of Esther Judges 4-Deborah  Exodus 2:1-10, Exodus 15:2-21, Micah 6:4-Miriam, a prophetess, worship leader  Matthew 18:20-Where are two or three are gathered  James 2:14-26- faith without works is dead Genesis 1:27 - everybody is in the image and likeness of God  Esther 4:14- For such a time as this Ecclesiastes 1:9-There is nothing new under the sun  Matthew 16:24-Pick up the cross and follow Him  Romans 3:10-12,Psalm 14:1-3,Psalm 53:1-3-There is no one righteous, not one Revelation 5:9; Revelation 5:12; Revelation 13:8; Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29; John 1:36; 1 Peter 1:19 Jesus is the Lamb of God Hebrews 8:1-4-Jesus is the High Priest Jeremiah 29:13- Seek Him and you will find Him Philippians 1:6- He will complete the work He began  Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast:Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life)FacebookTwitterBlog  *Intro and Outro music is from audionautix.com

We are all on a journey in life. Some days its a struggle, but it doesn't mean it has to be difficult. We are instructed throughout the Scripture how we can approach life and find peace in the midst of the struggles. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 Jesus told us He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) and there is peace available through Him (Philippians 4:7). Let go of what is holding you back and take hold of His yoke (Matthew 11:28-30).

There was a time when there was no rain in Israel for three years. God did this because King Ahab and Israel had acted wickedly. So God sent the prophet Elijah to say there would be no rain or even dew for a long time. Because of the drought, food was scarce. Life was hard. But God had a plan to heal the land, and He guided Elijah in what to do. Elijah prayed for rain to come. God listened, and He sent rain just as He had promised (1 Kings 18:1, 41-46). Like the Israelites, we may encounter difficulties because of our sin or simply because we live in a fallen world. Yet the same God Elijah prayed to is the God we can pray to today! Like Elijah, we can listen to God, pray to Him, and make our requests known to Him (Philippians 4:6-7). You can tell God your needs and desires. He will listen to you. Speak to God about your longings and dreams. Tell Him your goals and plans. Thank Him for the good things happening to you and the blessings He gives you. Talk to Him about your concerns, worries, and fears. He always listens to you because you are His child. He is not just your God, He is also your Father. If you've put your trust in Jesus, you have been adopted into God's family! Because Jesus's death and resurrection made it possible for us to be in relationship with God, we can come to Him confidently and receive what we need (Hebrews 4:14-16). When you can't find the right words to say, don't shy away from talking to God, because He listens to what your heart is saying as well (Romans 8:26-27). Each day, all day long, He is always eager to listen to you. Be assured He will respond according to His love for you and in His perfect timing. • Golda Dilema • Do you sometimes have difficulty talking to God? Do you find it hard to express to him what is in your heart and mind? How might Romans 8:26-27 give you comfort? • If it's true God is always eager for us to talk to Him, how could this affect the way we pray? This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)

< Back to Joshua IndexTALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANSThe Division of the Land on the East Side of the Jordan Printed Version BACKGROUND NOTESDOCTRINAL POINT(S)Believers must possess their inheritance.Believers must dispossess their inheritance.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONLet's live more like the Levites.QUESTIONSLet's live more like the Levites.Why did they want their portion on the East Side?Why was Levi given no inheritance?How is the Book of Joshua divided?Why did the Lord say to Joshua that he was old and advanced in years?Did the tribes complete the job of possession of the land?How will the enemy be disposed from our inheritance?ANSWERSReuben, Gad and one-half of Manasseh.They had asked to live there. See Numbers 32.Because the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance. They were to serve the Lord full time.The first half concerned the conquering of the land; in the second half, beginning with Joshua 13 the division and settling of the land is recorded.Joshua was at least in his 90s. He had done a great job and the seven years of conquest was over, but a lot of territory still needed to be possessed.No. They failed to conquer the Philistines (see Joshua 13:2).By looking to the Lord and following the principles that God has laid down in His word.DISCUSS/CONSIDERThe land of Canaan was given to the Israelites by God Himself. But they had to possess their inheritance. The same is true for believers today. God has given us an inheritance in the land of spiritual blessings, but it is up to us to possess it. Have you possessed your inheritance? Or are you full of fears -of dying, of the future? Do you have the joy and peace of the Lord?Before Israel could fully possess their inheritance, they must fully disposses the land of the enemy forces. God promises victory to us just as He promised it to them. Little by little as we follow the Lord and mature in the faith, we will see victory over sin and temptation, and we will be strengthened as we move out and claim territory that is still in enemy hands. This applies not only to our priorities and world views, where Satan loves to have control, but it applies to our Christian service as well. How are you doing?CHALLENGEThe Levites had no inheritance except the Lord God. He was sufficient for every need. They were not concerned with material things like houses, property, herds, etc. They were more streamlined in their lifestyle. They were occupied with serving the Lord. As a result, they were closer to the Lord. Are there things that keep you more occupied than serving the Lord? What are your priorities concerning possessions? Can you say with David, "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance" (Psalm 16:5-6)? Can you identify your goal with Paul's, "That I may know Him" (Philippians 3:10)?KEY VERSES"Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years. And the Lord said to him, 'You are very old and there remains much land yet to be possessed." (Joshua 13:1)"To the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance...the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance." (Joshua 13:33)

Today I’m chatting with the wonderful Susie Finkbeiner. Susie is an incredible Christian Fiction Author, and a woman who just radiates joy, love and hope. I actually got to talk to Susie when we were all in the thick of quarantine, and it feels so timely as many cities go back to that sort of a model, but everyone I know is processing the immediate future. Whether that is school decisions, community decisions, election oriented decisions, there is a lot of tension, a struggle with holding on to hope, and how to be present for one another with feelings and fears running rampant. Friends, this episode is for you. Susie shares really beautiful insight about trusting the Lord, especially when everything feels like it's falling apart. God’s trustworthiness and His goodness is bigger than the certainty of encountering the brokenness of the world, and that is something, as we wrestle with what’s around us, that we can put our hope in. It's the only thing that won’t change.  During our chat you also get to hear more about the heart and the history of her newest book, The Stories That Bind Us. Susie shares how personal and even painful this story was for her to write, but when God asked her to write something very confronting for her, no matter how hard it felt, He met her in the Refiner’s fire. We also discuss the beauty and the mess of what it's like to be in the trenches with someone with a calling from the Lord, as well as when someone who is walking through a deep valley through hard seasons or struggling with mental health.  The Lord will provide encouragement, and support. When we are going through the deep valleys of life He delights in us, and draws us closer to the body of Christ, but we also have to be willing to receive it. Even though there is wrestling, the hope we have in Jesus is kept in a place no broken person or thing can ever touch. Sharing our stories, engaging one another’s lives, praying for and bearing with one another, these are some of the life-giving ways the Lord is close to the broken-hearted and rescues those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) I hope that you’ll pick up a copy of The Stories That Bind Us and check out Susie online and engage her other work too! In a space that can feel like a sea of chaos, she’s such a fun light. Hang in there, friends. Just like Susie says: “our heritage is shared through our stories.” Yours matters, friends. You matter. Resources: The Stories that Bind Us  Detroit theme park being restored, aquarium around from the early 1900’s:: Belle Isle Aquarium (in this article, you can actually see the jade ceiling Susie mentions in our conversation)  Jocelyn Green Laura Frantz // Laura’s posts // (and our conversation!) My conversation with Jennifer Greenberg, and the allorgorical conversation about suicide Mental Health resources Sarah Sundin (and our conversation!) Annie F. Downs Betsie Ten Boom Corrie Ten Boom Human Trafficking Christian Fiction Readers’ Summit Baker Book House Beth White (hear her episode, and here’s the book I was reading! That series in my top 5 fave 2020 reads)  Susie’s upcoming book, features the end of the Vietnam War, 3,000 orphans were airlifted from Saigon to the U.S., Australia, Canada for adoption. -- Called Operation Babylift All Manner of Things by Susie Vietnam War lasted from 1955-1975 The Vietnam War draft  Battle of Okinawa Scripture References: Zephaniah 3:17 Genesis 3 - The rip from the garden Romans 8:22- We long for things to be made right Matthew 9:36- Jesus looks at them like sheep without a shepherd So many He healed were overwhelmed by voices that were not their own Luke 13:10-17- The woman who was bent over and the Lord made her straight (link to the sermon from our church- if you want to get straight to the sermon, cut to around 41 minutes in.) Psalm 46:10- Be still and know that I am God Ephesians 5:18-21- Building one another up, singing to one another  1 Corinthians 9:24 / Philippians 3:12-17 / 2 Timothy 4:7-8-  Paul says it's a race Psalm 107 / Matthew 5:16-  He uses our lives to draw people to Him Philippians 4:6- Present your requests before God 1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxieties on Him  Isaiah 41:13 / Psalm 121:1-2  / Romans 8:28- It is possible to come back from the struggle Romans 8:37- In Christ we are more than overcomers Genesis 1:27 / John 1:12-  It's His power to give us strength to believe that we are His image bearers  Matthew 10:20 / Acts 2:1-42 / 1 Corinthians 12 -The Holy Spirit can give a unique experience to each person Psalm 91  John 16:33- In this world you will have trouble, but take heart 2 Corinthians 4:18- This is not all there is Luke 5:17-39- Be a stretcher bearer  Connecting with Susie: Facebook Instagram Website Her books Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog  *Intro and outro music by music by audionautix.com

Easter 2020 - God is Love   Day 16. Jesus’ Final Teaching Part 2 18 ‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: “A servant is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfil what is written in their Law: “They hated me without reason.” 26 ‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father – the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father – he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:18-27 Disciples will suffer for the kingdom John 15:18: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” Having spoken of love and bearing fruit, Jesus now declares a warning and the context into which He is sending them. We learn from this passage that opposition to Jesus’ message is unavoidable. The first opposition is that of the old nature attacking the new nature. Christian Disciples, Jesus said, were called out from the world (John 15:19). Christian Disciples upon conversion belong to a different place and are heading for a different place. Secondly, opposition is to be expected simply because of who Jesus is (John 15:21). Christian Disciples share in the life of Jesus and the way the world treats Jesus is the way the world treats all His disciples (John 15:20-21). Thirdly, opposition comes through revealing evil. Jesus, as the Light of the World, exposed evil and sin through His words (John 15:22) and works (John 15:24). At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus commanded all those who follow Him, to also be “lights of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16). This is done by consistently ensuring that our works and words match our lifestyle and that no hypocrisy will be found. Opposition brings persecution, and regularly throughout history, Christian believers have been persecuted for their faith in Jesus. In our own time, perhaps the most persecuted century of all. Being a Christian is not an easy decision, but it is worth it. It is also endurable because of three things: God still remains Lord God despite all; we share in Jesus’ own sufferings and therefore have fellowship with Him (Philippians 3:10) and by being persecuted, it shows we belong to Him (John 15:19). The main reason all opposition can be endured is because the Christian Disciple is not alone. God the Holy Spirit witnesses with the Christian Disciple (John 15:26). Not as a supplementary person filling a perfunctory role, but rather as the pioneer going out to testify about Jesus ahead (John 15:26) of the Christian Disciple (John 15:27). Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file Click or tap on the appropriate link below to subscribe, share or download our iPhone App!

As Christians, we have been so inculcated with the doctrine that our salvation is by God's grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, that we've almost become numbed by it. Yes, it's true and is a foundational doctrine of our faith, but if we're not careful, we can become complacent and lazy regarding our faith. The apostle Paul makes it quite clear that salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it (Ephesians 2:9). But the same man wrote, "Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear" (Philippians 2:12). And then Paul provides the undeniable tension that lies between our role and that of God. "For God is working in you, giving you the desire the power to do what pleases Him" (Philippians 2:13). While it's true we can't save our sanctify ourselves,  we do have to participate and cooperate. And the Israelites were going to discover that their occupation of the land promised to them by God, was going to require some blood, sweat, and tears. 

Those who have been saved are those who “are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18; Philippians 2:12,13). Those who have learned of Christ are those who are also “learning” of Him (John 6:45; Matthew 11:29). Those who truly know the LORD are those who “desire to know Him” (Philippians 3:7-10). Those who have seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ are those who continue to cry unto the LORD, “I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory” (Exodus 33:18). These are the people who say, from the heart, “As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy righteousness” (Psalm 17:15)

Those who have been saved are those who “are being saved” (1 Corinthians 1:18; Philippians 2:12,13). Those who have learned of Christ are those who are also “learning” of Him (John 6:45; Matthew 11:29). Those who truly know the LORD are those who “desire to know Him” (Philippians 3:7-10). Those who have seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ are those who continue to cry unto the LORD, “I beseech Thee, show me Thy glory” (Exodus 33:18). These are the people who say, from the heart, “As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy righteousness” (Psalm 17:15)

…that I may know Him… PHILIPPIANS 3:10

Investigating Jesus Part 29 Jesus’ Last Teaching: Disciples will suffer for the kingdom John 15:18: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” We learn from this passage that opposition to Jesus’ message is unavoidable. The first opposition is that of the old nature attacking the new nature. Christian Disciples, Jesus said, were called out from the world (John 15:19). Christian Disciples upon conversion belong to a different place and are heading for a different place. Secondly, opposition is to be expected simply because of who Jesus is (John 15:21). Christian Disciples share in the life of Jesus and the way the world treats Jesus is the way the world treats all his disciples (John 15:20-21). Thirdly, opposition comes through revealing evil. Jesus, as the Light of the World, exposed evil and sin through his words (John 15:22) and works (John 15:24). At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus commanded all those who follow Him, to also be “lights of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16). This is done by consistently ensuring that our works and words match our lifestyle and that no hypocrisy will be found. Opposition brings persecution, and regularly throughout history, Christian believers have been persecuted for their faith in Jesus. In our own time, perhaps the most persecuted century of all.  Being a Christian is not an easy decision, but it is worth it. It is also endurable because of three reasons: God remains Lord God despite all; we share in Jesus’ own sufferings and therefore have fellowship with Him (Philippians 3:10) and by being persecuted, it shows we belong to Him (John 15:19). The main reason all opposition can be endured is because the Christian Disciple is not alone. God the Holy Spirit witnesses with the Christian Disciple (John 15:26). Not as a supplementary person filling a perfunctory role, but rather as the pioneer going out to testify about Jesus ahead (John 15:26) of the Christian Disciple (John 15:27).   Click or Tap here to listen to or save this as an audio mp3 file ~ You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site! Click or tap on the appropriate link below to subscribe, share or download our iPhone App!

Identity in Christ vs Personal Criticism When people criticize us, for whatever reason, it often feels like a personal attack. How do we take the truths of identity in Christ and combat that feeling so that we can take any truth from what they're saying and apply it to our lives, while not taking it personally? Show Notes: So far in this series, we’ve been talking through the basics of identity in Christ. Like we ought to do when trying to understand any theological concept, we started out big and general and are making our way down to the practical. There are a lot of ways that finding our identity in Christ impacts our lives for the better. One of those is personal criticism and attacks. Part of being human is both experiencing and dishing out hurtful words. I’m sure it doesn’t take much effort for you to remember a time when someone said something hurtful to you. As we looked at last week, the way to get something to stick in your mind is to connect with it both logically and emotionally. In most instances when we have verbally rocks thrown at us, the situation is emotionally charged and what the other person says has at least a grain of truth in it. That is why unkind words can be so difficult to dislodge from our minds and can play on repeat. When someone criticizes us, there are a lot of possibilities at play. First of all, they could be telling us something that we need to hear for our own good. We’ll call that feedback. Or they could be criticizing us with the intent to hurt us. A second set of possibilities is that either: what they’re saying is completely true, it’s somewhat true but blown out of proportion, or it’s false. Finally, this could be a planned critique or attack, or it could be in the heat of the moment. All of these possibilities are important to evaluate when we receive personal criticism, so that we can make an appropriate response. However, for most of us, when we are criticized in any way—with any of these options—our response is emotional and defensive. Why is this? In short, it’s because we think our value and worth as a person is under attack. If we’ve built our identity on the foundation that we are good at our jobs, skilled with people, or the best looking, it’s bound to fall over. All it takes is our boss telling us last week’s project was sub-par, being walked out on while on a first date, or someone pointing out that we’re going gray or have a pimple coming. Suddenly the world is falling apart around us, we feel like trash, and we can’t figure out why such a small thing is bothering us so much. We might tell ourselves to just get over it already, but we can’t seem to. So what do we do? First we have to find the lie we’re believing. It starts with, “My worth is defined by…,” but most of us can’t pin-point it quite that easily. We have to work backwards from the hurt to find the lie. Let’s say your date says, “I just can’t handle you. You know you’re not as funny as you think you are,” and walks away, and that strikes you to your core. The first question you have to ask is, “What is it about this that hurts?” Is it because she walked away, and pride yourself on always at least getting second dates? Is it because she insulted your jokes, and you like to think you can always entertain a room, regardless of who’s in it? This has probably put you right on top of the lie or very close to it. If you’re not quite there, ask yourself, “Are there any other situations that have made me feel like this?” What do they have in common? It could be something as simple as, “My worth is defined by how much people enjoy spending time with me.” I think we all believe this one at some point, whether we’re generally good with people or not. Those who have high social intelligence grow up with inflated egos about it, until they meet someone who doesn’t fall for their charm, and suddenly that’s the only thing they can think about. Those without good social skills grow up thinking they will never be worth anything until they can have real friends who are willing to stick with them. Whatever the lie is you’re believing, the next step is to counteract it with truth. It can be helpful to frame the truth in the same way the lie is framed. So if you’re believing that your worth is defined by how willing people are to spend time with you, the truth is that a) your value is defined by God, and b) God always wants to spend time with you (Matthew 28:20). Whenever you are feeling lonely, He is present, willing to listen, and will speak peace to your heart if you will let Him (Philippians 4:7, Isaiah 26:3). Other truths that can be helpful when it comes to personal criticism are: Everything God puts us through is designed to grow and shape us to be more like Him. We can trust the process, even when it hurts. (1 Peter 1:6-7, Romans 8:28) God’s love for us is not dependent on what we do but on what Christ did on the cross for us. He will never strike out at us for something we mess up. (John 3:36, 1 Thessalonians 5:9) God is not a fickle friend who comes and goes depending on whether we’re fun or not. He is with us regardless of our mood. (1 John 4:8, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7) God physically created us the way that we are for a reason, sees us as beautiful, and doesn’t make mistakes (Psalm 139:14, 1 Corinthians 3:16). When people criticize us, we have to be able to take the truth from what they said use it to make ourselves more like Christ. In order to do that, though, we have to be able to really hear what the other person is saying and not throw up defenses for ourselves. We can only do that if our value is fixed in Christ. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for more topics, feel free to let me know! You can contact me via my website or on Facebook, if we’re friends. Next week we’re going to talk through how having your identity in Christ helps with interpersonal conflict. I hope you’ll join me then.

The Psalmist says in Psalms 42:1-2 NLT, "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?Do you yearn to build your relationship with your Heavenly Father? Paul wanted to know Him (Philippians 3:10). It was his passion. It should be our passion too.Live preaching. 1st Sunday of 2019. Happy New Year!

Today, we are looking at Jesus’ divine authority over the weather. Mark 4:35-41 I love that this all started with Jesus saying, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” “Let’s” … or “Let Us”… cross to the other side of the lake.” There was a promise given... Jesus told the disciples that they were going to cross to the other side of the lake. Jesus was going with them! Jesus got into the boat with them! How often do we “get in the boat” with Jesus when times are good only to freak out when the storms of life come at us? I want to remind you today that Jesus is still in the boat, right? How often do we try to manage things in our lives when we should just trust that Jesus is in the boat, so it’s going to be ok? How often do we default to old ways of solving things, instead of trusting that Jesus is in the boat, so it’s going to be ok? How often do we get our lives to where it looks like we are about to sink, and then we turn to Jesus for help? How often do we allow fear to drive us? 2 Timothy 1:7 We need to walk in faith and not panic! We need to go to Jesus before our storm becomes an issue… not wait until there is nothing more WE can do. And in all of those, it is usually after we get the boat to just about sinking that we go to Jesus to bail us out. Instead of trusting Jesus in the beginning and handing those areas of our lives over to Him and believing that since Jesus is in the boat with us… it’s going to be ok. Jesus says to us, “I am still in the boat with you… so you are going to make it! Where is your faith?” 41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” This is the question that needs to be answered: Is He just a man? Or is there more to Him? Philippians 2:9-11 See, when we believe that Jesus is God. When we believe that He can control the storms in our lives, we can live with the peace that surpasses all understanding! We can praise God in the storm because He is the one who comforts us through the storm. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Revelation 12:11 Christ will provide comfort to those who trust in Him and call out to Him. I believe that when we grab ahold of that understanding… We will be able to weather the storms of life! When we realize that Jesus is still in the boat, right… There is hope! There is peace! There is a strengthening of our faith! There is the confidence that if God is for us… nothing can stand against us! Will you trust God? Will you trust in Jesus… even if He is napping in the back of the boat?

Does Jesus Even Know You? Matthew 7:21-23 All I can say, is how horrific! How sad that only at the end of one’s life they will have to accept the truth that “good deeds” alone will not get you into heaven! Knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Your Savior does! Does Jesus even know you? 1 Corinthians 8:3; John 10:14; 27 Has He touched you in such a way that like the Apostle Paul, everything you had or owned is worthless compared to knowing Him and walking with Him? Philippians 3:7-10 Has Jesus captured your heart? 2 Timothy 1:7 You are called to great works when you are known by Jesus! John 14:12-14; Romans 8:9-11 When you are known by Jesus, and Christ loves through you, you love others differently than ever before. 1 John 4:18-19; Ephesians 3:18-19 When you are known by Jesus, you are self-disciplined. 1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 Do you possess the power? Do you possess the love? Do you possess the self-discipline that comes from knowing Christ and being known by Him? Jesus wants to know you! He is knocking at the door of your heart daily! Revelation 3:20 Will you open the door for Jesus, today? Will you live out 1 John 5:20 Are we going through this life putting together a resume when we can have the ultimate referral? How does one go from walking in stride with Jesus to going back to the old ways? Philippians 4:9 Why would you leave this place the same way you came in? Can I encourage you today? To open the door that Jesus is knocking on! Respond to His voice! Will you partake of the fellowship that can only be had by repenting of your sins and confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Will you walk out of here today professing that you know Jesus and Jesus knows you?

2006-06-25-0830 Sunday morning 8:30 service. Dr. Paul Conn, president of Lee University is the speaker for this morning.Scripture Ref: Philippians 2:12-13, 5-11; Ephesians 2:10Topic: Work of the LordNotes:- A favorite childhood scripture -“work out your own salvation,? misunderstood scripture to allow him to live his own way for God- This should challenge us to take responsibility and remind that God who gives us the desire, will also give us the power to live for Him- Philippians abandons the pretense of victorious living, but still written with joy and optimism- Take the responsibility to work out the salvation given to you - God gives more than salvation, a unique individual place in kingdom- God is at work in you and will achieve results, don’t give yourself too much credit or blame.- Accounting major at Lee called to missions (Dee Lavender), onset diabetic coma, died in Panama. Called to mission during sermon.- Brother (neuro-physiologist) told by lady in church to call Paul about Rom. 14:12. Confirmation to Dr. Conn on sermon he was to deliver.- God will give the desire and the power to do as He has called- People these days move on, from marriages, jobs, churches, but God will reestablish desire in long term commitments.

2006-06-25-1030 Sunday morning 10:30 service. Dr. Paul Conn, president of Lee University is the speaker for this morning.Scripture Ref: Philippians 2:12-13, 5-11; Ephesians 2:10Topic: Work of the LordNotes:- A favorite childhood scripture -“work out your own salvation,? misunderstood scripture to allow him to live his own way for God- This should challenge us to take responsibility and remind that God who gives us the desire, will also give us the power to live for Him- Philippians abandons the pretense of victorious living, but still written with joy and optimism- Take the responsibility to work out the salvation given to you - God gives more than salvation, a unique individual place in kingdom- God is at work in you and will achieve results, don’t give yourself too much credit or blame.- Accounting major at Lee called to missions (Dee Lavender), onset diabetic coma, died in Panama. Called to mission during sermon.- Brother (neuro-physiologist) told by lady in church to call Paul about Rom. 14:12. Confirmation to Dr. Conn on sermon he was to deliver.- God will give the desire and the power to do as He has called- People these days move on, from marriages, jobs, churches, but God will reestablish desire in long term commitments.