Podcasts about in isaiah

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! . . .” — Isaiah 43:18-19 Change has a way of making us feel uneasy. It often comes with the uncertainty of the unknown and the discomfort of moving away from what we've always known. I remember a time when I faced a significant change— leaving a job I had held for years. It was a step into uncharted territory—and, if I'm honest, fear gripped my heart. The comfort of familiarity had a strong pull on me. But I've learned something valuable over the years: God doesn't just call us to new things; he prepares us for them. In Isaiah 43:18-19, God calls us to let go of the past and recognize that he is always doing something new. God promises to make a way for us in the wilderness and to provide streams in the wasteland. Though the path may seem unclear, God is already at work before we even realize it, and he has our best interests in mind. Embracing change isn't always easy, but it is always good when we trust that God is leading us. We don't have to have all the answers, because God holds the future. When we lean into his promises, we can take that next step in faith, knowing that God is with us in every change. God, help me to trust you in all the things you are doing in my life. Give me the strength to let go of what is familiar and to embrace the new things you have for me to do. In Jesus, Amen.

In Isaiah 43, God reminded the Israelites of the mighty things He had done—victories, deliverance, and preservation. Then He said, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18–19). Notice the present continuous tense: I am doing a new thing. God is actively and continuously at work. He is already doing something new in your life today, for as long as you live, new opportunities and great exploits are possible.#fomeprays #newthing #spirituality

Contrary to what many may believe, God isn't some elusive spirit waiting for the clever few to find Him. In Isaiah's prophetic song, we discover what God reveals about His identity, power, and purpose. Study along with Alistair Begg on Truth For Life. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘Here is My Servant' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Share the Gospel this holiday season by giving gifts that lead others to Jesus! At truthforlife.org/gifts you'll find ESV Study Bibles for both men and women for only $15, children's hardcover storybooks—three books for just $10, and a brand-new evangelism booklet by Alistair Begg, only $1 each! Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

Contrary to what many may believe, God isn't some elusive spirit waiting for the clever few to find Him. In Isaiah's prophetic song, we discover what God reveals about His identity, power, and purpose. Study along with Alistair Begg on Truth For Life. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/163/29?v=20251111

Contrary to what many may believe, God isn't some elusive spirit waiting for the clever few to find Him. In Isaiah's prophetic song, we discover what God reveals about His identity, power, and purpose. Study along with Alistair Begg on Truth For Life. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/163/29?v=20251111

"Home" is an idea that has captivated the popular imagination. We all long for home, even if we find it hard to describe. In Isaiah 35, we see a restored vision of God, our home, and our very lives through the long-awaited King.

This morning, we continue our Advent sermon series, Insisting on Hope, by reflecting on the theme of love as God's steady presence in times of fear and uncertainty. In Isaiah 41, God speaks words of deep reassurance—“Do not fear, for I am with you”—reminding us that divine love holds us fast even when the world feels unsteady. In Matthew's telling of Jesus' birth, we encounter a quiet, courageous love that chooses faithfulness and trust in the midst of confusion and risk. Together, these scriptures invite us to consider how Advent love is not sentimental, but strong—love that stays, sustains, and acts. As we gather for worship, we will listen for the promise of Emmanuel, “God with us,” made real in our lives and our community. Sermon on Isaiah 41:5-10 and Matthew 1:18-25, delivered by the Reverend David J. Powers on December 21st, 2025.

A Christmas Message – What God Has Done For Us MESSAGE SUMMARY: The people in and around Jesus' birth were just ordinary people like us. In our celebration of Jesus' birth on this Christmas, we celebrate the event that transformed world history and many of our lives. The birth of Jesus was a supernatural birth and was God's intervention into the Universe's natural order. This birth was foretold hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, and these prophesies were written and recorded, for us, in the Bible. Jesus' birth was the birth, of a child, that did for the human race what the human race could not do for itself. Jesus was born for all people. This baby, Jesus, was born to be a Savior for all humankind. The birth of Jesus was the birth of God as both human and divine – the Incarnation, as the Angels told the Shepherds on the first Christmas Eve in Luke 2:9-11: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'". In Isaiah 53:4-6, Jesus, birth, death, and Resurrection, as our means for our Salvation, were foretold more than five-hundred years before Jesus birth: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.". God, through His Grace, gave of Himself what we could not do for ourselves, thereby, providing, through the birth of Jesus, us with the means for our Salvation from our sins and for our Eternal Life. This Gift of and by God is what Christmas and Christianity are all about. Is Jesus your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 2:9-11; Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 53:4-6; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1-3; John 1:4; John10:30; John 14:8-11; John 3:16-17. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “J As a Jesus Follower, the Greatest Witness for the Gospel that You Can Give Is for Others to See Jesus IN You”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Jesus our Deliverer (Matthew Chapter 1) - Sunday, 21st December 2025.Matthew 1:21-23 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.1. God delivered Israel from Pharaoh. Exodus 3:7-8  And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 2. God delivered Israel from their enemiesJudges 3:9  And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.Judges 3:15  But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left-handed: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.  3. In Isaiah, God is upset with Israel because they do not look to Him for deliverance.Isaiah 50:2  Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.4. In the New Testament, Jesus delivered from storms, death, demons, sickness blindness, deafness, bitterness and on and on!Matthew 8:26  And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.5.  How can I be delivered?Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Isaiah 61 | Lessons and Carols | Dean Miller | December 21, 2025 In Isaiah 61 we see how God is still working through His Spirit to heal the brokenhearted and fulfill His Kingdom on earth. The message highlights that believers are not merely observers of this divine narrative but are active participants recruited to […]

Christmas didn't begin in a quiet manger. It began in a moment of fear, uncertainty, and political chaos. In Isaiah 7:1–16, God speaks to a frightened king and a trembling nation, offering a promise in the middle of their anxiety. The sign of Immanuel—God with us—is given not when everything is calm, but when everything feels unstable. This series walks through the original setting of Isaiah's prophecy and shows how God meets His people in their fear with assurance, not condemnation. Long before Bethlehem, God was already declaring that He would draw near, step into human weakness, and be present with His people. This is a Christmas message for those who feel overwhelmed, unsure, or worn down. It reminds us that the hope of Christmas is not that life is easy, but that God is with us in the middle of it.

In Isaiah, we find God’s promise of comfort, that we will see His glory, and we will have eternal assurance. All of this is made manifest for us in Christ Jesus.

In Isaiah, we find God’s promise of comfort, that we will see His glory, and we will have eternal assurance. All of this is made manifest for us in Christ Jesus.

In Isaiah, we find God’s promise of comfort, that we will see His glory, and we will have eternal assurance. All of this is made manifest for us in Christ Jesus.

In Isaiah, we find God’s promise of comfort, that we will see His glory, and we will have eternal assurance. All of this is made manifest for us in Christ Jesus.

In Isaiah, we find God’s promise of comfort, that we will see His glory, and we will have eternal assurance. All of this is made manifest for us in Christ Jesus.

In Isaiah, we find God’s promise of comfort, that we will see His glory, and we will have eternal assurance. All of this is made manifest for us in Christ Jesus.

A Christmas Message – What God Has Done For Us MESSAGE SUMMARY: The people in and around Jesus' birth were just ordinary people like us. In our celebration of Jesus' birth on this Christmas, we celebrate the event that transformed world history and many of our lives. The birth of Jesus was a supernatural birth and was God's intervention into the Universe's natural order. This birth was foretold hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, and these prophesies were written and recorded, for us, in the Bible. Jesus' birth was the birth, of a child, that did for the human race what the human race could not do for itself. Jesus was born for all people. This baby, Jesus, was born to be a Savior for all humankind. The birth of Jesus was the birth of God as both human and divine – the Incarnation, as the Angels told the Shepherds on the first Christmas Eve in Luke 2:9-11: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'". In Isaiah 53:4-6, Jesus, birth, death, and Resurrection, as our means for our Salvation, were foretold more than five-hundred years before Jesus birth: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.". God, through His Grace, gave of Himself what we could not do for ourselves, thereby, providing, through the birth of Jesus, us with the means for our Salvation from our sins and for our Eternal Life. This Gift of and by God is what Christmas and Christianity are all about. Is Jesus your Savior? God has given you the greatest Christmas gift that you will ever receive. Have you accepted His Gift and opened His gift into your life? If not, then why not? With your hands open, you can accept God's Christmas gift by saying: “I am sorry; thank you; and please”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 2:9-11; Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 53:4-6; Colossians 1:15-19; Hebrews 1-3; John 1:4; John10:30; John 14:8-11; John 3:16-17. (Click the blue below to read the full Bible text for these scripture references in BOLD.). A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org WEBSITE LINK TO DR. BEACH'S DAILY DEVOTIONAL – “J As a Jesus Follower, the Greatest Witness for the Gospel that You Can Give Is for Others to See Jesus IN You”: https://awordfromthelord.org/devotional/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Welcome to Day 2756 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – 10 Times Jesus Declared His Divinity in the Gospels. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2756 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2756 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled 10 Times Jesus Declared His Divinity in the Gospels. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly stated and demonstrated that He was God. His declarations and actions are not isolated from the broader context of Scripture but are deeply rooted in the Old Testament, which serves as the foundation for understanding His divine identity. In this article, we will examine the key moments in the Gospels where Jesus claimed divinity, using the OT to provide context and clarity. Let's look at the ten times Jesus declared his divinity. 1. Jesus as the “I AM” One of the clearest statements of Jesus' divinity comes in John eight verse fifty-eight when He declares, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” This is an unmistakable reference to Exodus three verse fourteen, where God revealed Himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM.” By using this title, Jesus identifies Himself with the God of Israel, YHWH (Yahweh), who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. The Jewish audience understood the weight of this statement, as they immediately sought to stone Him for blasphemy (John eight verse fifty-nine). 2. Jesus Forgives Sins In Mark two, verses five through seven, Jesus forgives the sins of a paralytic man, which prompts the scribes to question, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Here, Jesus performs an act that, according to Jewish belief, only God could do. His authority to forgive sins demonstrates that He is not merely a prophet or teacher but possesses divine authority. In Isaiah forty-three verse twenty-five, God states, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake.” Jesus' actions directly connect Him with this divine function. 3. Jesus Receives Worship In multiple instances, Jesus accepts worship, which in Jewish monotheism is reserved exclusively for God. For example, after walking on water and calming the storm, His disciples worship Him, saying, “Truly, You are the Son of God” (Matthew fourteen, verse thirty-three). In Deuteronomy six, verse thirty-three, it is commanded, “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.” Yet, Jesus receives worship without rebuke, implying His divine status. In contrast, angels and apostles in the Bible refuse worship, redirecting it to God (Revelation twenty-two, verses eight and nine, Acts fourteen, verse fifteen. 4. Jesus' Claim to be the Son of Man Jesus frequently refers to Himself as the “Son of Man,” a title from Daniel seven, verses thirteen and fourteen, where the Son of Man comes “with the clouds of heaven” and is given “dominion, glory, and a kingdom” that will never pass away. This figure is distinct from ordinary human beings, as He is...

In Isaiah, Jesus is given four different names, but why and what do each of these names mean? Jeremy talks about it in today's Morning Motivator.

In Isaiah 60:1-7, we find an Israel living through a dystopia, looking to the hope of a utopia with Jesus. Bp. Neil Lebhar | December 14th, 2025 __________________________________ We're Incarnation Tallahassee! Visit our website! www.incarnationtlh.org/
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In Isaiah 7:14, the prophet Isaiah declares, “…Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This prophecy had an initial fulfillment during Isaiah's day, but ultimately refers to the birth of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. One of our Elders, Joe, looks to unpack 3 promises of Christmas from the Book of Isaiah that are fulfilled in Christ and can be experienced today. The post God With Us: 3 Christmas Promises appeared first on Caz Church.

In Isaiah 11, God says that the tree of David will be cut down to a stump but a shoot will grow from it. What does it mean that Jesus is the Root of David? How will God keep his promise in the midst of evil and wickedness?

SERMON TITLE: Joy of SalvationADVENT THEME: JoySCRIPTURE: Isaiah 12:1-6THE BOTTOM LINE: True joy is found in knowing that you have been saved.PROMO DESCRIPTION:If you ever find yourself overwhelmed in all the emotions of Christmas but you realize that joy is nowhere to be found, perhaps it is because you aren't looking in the right place, or you are looking for the wrong joy. In Isaiah 12 we look at the kind of joy promised to God's people, and it is very specific. It is the Joy of Salvation. This not something the stores can sell you. It is not something that secular music artists sing about. It is not something that "Commercial Christmas" has on offer at all. True lasting joy is found in knowledge of and relationship with God. We are given this gift through Jesus Christ and it doesn't fade by Boxing Day but grows throughout this life and stretches into eternity.Join us this week as we look beyond the world's version of joy to the Joy of Salvation. #JoyOfSalvation #Advent #AdventJoy #ChristmasSermon #ChristianJoy #Salvation #GospelMessage Support the show

20251214 6PMp DT Messiah The Everlasting Father Readings: Isaiah 9:6. John 14:1-14.  In Isaiah, one of the titles given to the Messiah is “The Everlasting Father”. Jesus, on the night before he died, told his disciples that he was going away to prepare a place in the Father's house and would come again. And because his disciples knew and had seen him, they also knew and had seen the Father in him.  Speaker: David Tyndall.

December 7, 2025Pastor Chris WrightLight in the DarknessIsaiah 9:1-7God's people were experiencing darkness and gloom. In Isaiah 9 God promises light in the midst of their darkness – a future light, a future hope, and a future promise. Jesus has the power to bring us from darkness to light, from death to life, and from despair to hope.God's greatest victories often come in the darkest parts of our livesThe promise of who we get in Jesus: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of PeaceThank you for listening!For more info on Redemption City Church check out our website. If you'd like to connect with us further, please fill out a Connection Card and one of our staff will get in touch with you.Follow us on on social media: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Life often makes us feel powerless and overwhelmed, like standing before forces far beyond our control. In Isaiah 9, Jesus is called Mighty God, revealing two profound truths: He is fully God and possesses invincible power. The paradox of Christmas shows that God's mighty power was revealed through ultimate vulnerability when Jesus was born as a helpless baby. When we feel most powerless, that's exactly where Christ wants to unleash His mighty power. Coming to Jesus means acknowledging our need, asking for rescue and forgiveness, and surrendering our lives completely to Him.

Sunday is Advent week two, a focus on Peace.  In Isaiah 52, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a coming Savior, who will bring salvation, and this salvation will go out to the ends of the earth.  What does this mean?

Pastor Nate brings the message, "Christmas Peace" from Ephesians 2:11-17. In our second Christmas sermon, we will cover the theme of Biblical peace that comes down from heaven. In Isaiah 9:6 we are told that the Son is the Prince of Peace to His people, and since that is the case, shouldn't there be a unique peace that accompanies our lives? This Sunday we will see how Christ's coming gives us an abiding peace with God and man.

Do You Want to Be Healed? Letting God Rewrite the Story Ephesians 8:5-19 Today, Fr. Anthony reflects on how the deepest obstacles to healing are often the stories we tell ourselves to justify, protect, and control our lives. Drawing on the Prophet Isaiah, the Gospel parables of the banquet, and the power of silence before God, he explores how true healing begins when we let go of our fallen narratives and allow Christ to reconstruct our story through humility, prayer, and repentance. The path of peace is not found in domination or self-justification, but in stillness at the feet of the Lord where grace remakes the soul. As St. Seraphim teaches, when we acquire peace, myriads around us are healed as well. One of the great problems we encounter in life is this: we desire healing, but we do not always know how to arrive at it. One helpful way to understand this struggle is through the language of story. Very often, the problem is that we do not have our story right. Scripture tells us to redeem the time, because the days are evil. One of the ways that evil operates is by corrupting our story—our personal story, the way we understand ourselves, the way we frame our relationships, and even the way we understand the great arc of history, what Christians call the economy of salvation. When we live in evil times, that evil does not remain outside us. It enters in, and our story becomes crooked. If all we do as Christians is add religious language to that crooked story—new words, even new scriptures—we have not truly been healed. We have only changed the decoration. The path itself remains bent. One day that story will be brought into the light. This is what the Apostle means when he says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you." As St. Jerome once observed, St. Paul seems to be paraphrasing Isaiah here—especially that great prophecy where the crooked ways are made straight. This theme runs deeply through Advent and the Nativity Fast. One small personal ritual during this season is listening to Handel's Messiah. Through that music, the words of Isaiah become alive: the great darkness that covers the earth, and the light that rises to overcome it. But darkness is not overcome by changing words alone. If all we do is rename our brokenness with religious language, the world's darkness will only pollute us more deeply. So the first discipline of the Christian life is this: we must let go of our story. Our fallen story becomes a way to protect the ego, to justify ourselves, to excuse the very things Saint Paul warns us against. Salvation begins with humility, with letting go of our justifications, with abandoning the need to construct a story that protects us from the world or grants us domination over it. We are called to let go and stand before the Lord in silence. Not to explain ourselves, not to defend ourselves—but simply to be our story before Him in quiet awe. If we do that work faithfully—and for many of us this must be done daily—then the reconstruction of the story can begin anew. This is where the disciplines of the Church come in: the prayer rule, the psalms, the prayers given to us by the Holy Spirit through the Church. These do not shame us; they heal us. They allow us to see our shortcomings not as excuses to hide, but as wounds that need restoration. This is how our crookedness is straightened so that we can be healed. The Lord also gives us Scripture to interpret our story. In Isaiah 60 we hear of darkness and of a light that rises. Israel is called a light to the nations—but whenever Christians hear that language, our minds are drawn immediately to the Prologue of the Gospel of St. John. And there, light is not mere illumination. It is transformation. It is grace. It is the energy of God entering the world. And when Scripture moves back and forth between Christ and Israel, it is not a mistake—it reveals our participation in this great movement of salvation. Just as we are healed by grace, so the world is transfigured by that same grace flowing from the Body of Christ into all creation. The Lord also teaches us through parables. Many parables may not resonate with many of us because of their agricultural contexts, but we can understand a banquet. We understand meals. We understand invitation. And in this parable, we are the ones who were called—and we came. We may not have been the first invited. We came blind, wounded, ashamed, hiding behind excuses. But the invitation came, and we showed up. Yet getting through the door is not the end of the story. The Lord teaches us what it means to live inside the banquet. When you enter the house, do tell the master how he should run it? Do you take the highest seat as if it belongs to you? No—He says take the lowest place, and let the master raise you up if he wills. This is the posture of true humility. If we were the authors of our story, it would end in darkness. But instead, we are invited into a feast that never ends. And none of our fallen tools—control, manipulation, ego-protection—belong in the Father's house. This is why the psalmist says he would rather be a servant in the house of the Lord than sit among kings. That is our true inheritance. There is no such thing as a low seat at that table. Every place at that feast is glory beyond imagination. The only way it becomes distorted is if we try to overlay God's story with our fallen one. So yes—do we want to be healed? Of course, we do. That is why we are here. Do we want to grow into our inheritance? That is why we came. But it is not enough merely to arrive. We must live your part in the story. There is a false humility that sometimes creeps into us—especially if we have been wounded or manipulated. We become afraid to acknowledge anything good about ourselves or even our relationship with God, as if gratitude were pride. But that is not humility. We need to be ashamed of what truly needs repentance and bring it into the light. But we should never be ashamed of our relationship with the Lord. Do not pretend the banquet is a shack just because we know we do not deserve it. Hold both truths together: the infinite distance between God's glory and our brokenness, and the infinite mercy by which He draws us into His glory.  Following St. Silouon the Athonite, we should keep our mind in hell – and despair not. The lowest seat at that table is greater than any throne the world can offer. It is the seat prepared for us in the council of God. There is no low place there—only mistaken stories that make us think otherwise. So during this season, let's spend time with the Lord in silence. Let's let go of the instinct to create stories that justify, control, and fix everything. These wandering thoughts only deepen confusion. We need to seek peace and pursue it quietly at the feet of God. Then we can come out from that silence and allow His Word to reconstruct us. Our Lord is not manipulative. He does not heal through domination. If there is one relationship in which we can finally release our need for control, it is our relationship with Him. If we skip silence, we will guard ourselves even against God, and the crooked ways will remain crooked—only renamed with religious language. Go in silence before the Lord. Come out and allow His Word to heal you. Then, in that peace, allow your relationships with others to be healed as well. This is how the world is remade: not by power, not by manipulation, but by peace. St. Seraphim of Sarov put it simply: "Acquire the Spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be saved." When peace grows in the heart, the handles of manipulation fall away. The saint no longer needs to prove anything. There is no hunger for worldly approval. The only desires left are to love, to serve, and to receive love. These are not tools of control—they are mechanisms of grace. We still have time to prepare for the Lord's coming. Let this be the beginning. And as part of this renewal of our story, we still have time to come to confession. The Church teaches us to come during every Lenten season, and yes, that can be frightening. Authority in this world has often been abusive or manipulative. But confession is not that. It is not tyranny—it is liberation. The Lord does not want us carrying this weight. He wants us free. This is the Church's gift to us. We must not leave it unused. Let the Lord heal you. Let Him tell you your true story. And then, at last, relax into its glory.

In this Advent sermon, we look back to a moment of national crisis for Judah—and forward to the miraculous hope of Immanuel. In Isaiah 7, God speaks to a terrified King Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah, not with strategies or alliances, but with a call to faith and a sign: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”This ancient promise, later fulfilled in the birth of Jesus, reminds us that God does not ask us to take a blind “leap of faith.” He gives us reasons to believe: past promises kept, present signs of His presence, and the future hope of redemption through Christ.

Anointed: I Am He! Speaker: Jeff Patton Location: Isaiah 61:1-2a & Luke 4:16-21 Outline Points: 1. The Truth: Anointed in Prophecy! (Isaiah 61:1-2a) - In Isaiah, we meet the PROMISED Messiah… 2. The Truth: Announced in Person! (Luke 4:16-21) - In Luke, we meet the PRRESENT Messiah… 3. The Truth: Adored in Glory! (Revelation 5:1-10) - In Revelation, we meet the PREEMINENT Messiah…

Isaiah 9:2-7 - For Advent we'll be considering four passages from the Old Testament prophets that anticipated the coming of God's Spirit-anointed Messiah-King, who we know as Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 9, we get a picture of God's light entering the dark, breaking the chains of His people's oppression, and sending a Son to rule in perfect wisdom, strength, and peace. We learn that God doesn't fear the dark, but enters it with us to dispel it. A sermon by Cameron Heger. [Part 1 of our series “Advent in the Prophets”] Questions for reflection: 1) What is the difference between Advent and “the Holiday Season?” 2) How does Advent carry both a realistic and optimistic message? 3) What is God's relationship to darkness? 4) How is God's promised ruler different from the various ones that come and go in our world? 5) How does the cross illustrate the totally unique nature of Jesus's rule and reign?

What is your soundtrack to Christmas? In a season that promises it's “the most wonderful time of the year,” it often becomes filled with hurried noise. Yet beneath it all a deeper music is playing, ancient songs that cut through distraction and speak to the ache of the human heart. In Isaiah and in the birth narratives of Luke, we hear songs of hope, joy, peace, love and salvation, songs announcing that our Savior has come. Join us this Advent as we rediscover these songs and awaken our hearts to the wonder and hope Christ brings.

“God Is Fully With Us In These Strange Days”   By Mary Lindow   Just over 2,000 years ago, Emmanuel, also called the Christ, changed the world.  In that moment when God became flesh, humanity watched prophecies unfold as hope was born. Jesus, our Emmanuel, provided hope that sin and death wouldn't always win and mankind wouldn't always feel so painfully alone.    What Does Emmanuel Mean in the Bible? It's a word written on countless Christmas cards and sung in some of our most-loved carols.  In Scripture, it first appears in the Old Testament in Isaiah 7:14, which says,    “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign;  The virgin will conceive, and give birth to a Son, and will call Him Emmanuel”.   The Lord Himself will do this, Scripture says.  In other words, this act, which occurred in the birth of Christ, was God-ordained and God-accomplished.    This points to grace, which doesn't come through human effort but rather through relying on God to do what we humans cannot. This was the reason Christ came.    God GAVE us this child, named Emmanuel, which literally means,  “with us is God,” or “God WITH us.”    He may seem distant.  It may even seem impossible this year for you to feel hopeful.  You might have lost your job.  Or maybe you're feeling isolated from those you love.  You may have even grieved the loss of a family member or friend.   Though he may have felt far away to them,  God was so much closer than his people knew — gently planning Jesus' entrance into the world in the most unexpected way.   Looking around, all you might be able to see right now is darkness.  If you try to adjust your eyes, blinking into the night, there seems to be no light.  The weight of sickness, death, injustice and pain perhaps, seem too heavy.   That's why I love this idea of advent which is practiced only among Christians.  And yes, it comes from probably a more liturgical view, but has been so embraced and now practice in homes and church gatherings across the world, as families gather to contemplate and to pray and to spend quiet time discussing when Jesus came as a child as the Messiah!  Emmanuel!!! God WITH Us!     Advent means "coming" or "arrival" and refers to the Christian season that begins four Sundays before Christmas, where focusing on preparation for the celebration of Jesus's birth and his anticipated return is a beautiful thing! It's definitely better than the commercial glut of constant “buy, buy, buy,” and, the overkill of sappy fantasy Christmas shows, as well as the pressurized giving of gifts to every boss, coworker, friend and pet!  It's a time of expectation, reverence and hope for many Christians!   I was reading through a Wycliffe advent devotional last evening, and these words so struck me that I'm going to share them with you trusting that they too, will move your heart to remember that Emmanuel, God …. IS with us!  No matter what may come   This excerpt of the devotional said, “As we enter the Advent season, do you feel weary? You're not alone. Or maybe you're just tired. Numb. Ready to pull the covers over your head and try this whole "Christmas cheer" thing again next year.    Don't feel guilty.  Instead, acknowledge the very real darkness of this world and you'll have eyes to see Advent through the same lens as the people waiting for a Messiah thousands of years ago. You could even say that being weary and worn out is an acceptable place from which to approach this Advent season. Because Advent exists to remind us that, while darkness surrounds us and troubles exist, the hope of Christmas isn't far away.   The people of Israel hadn't heard anything from God about their redeemer.  God's chosen people must have cried out to him, asking how long it would be before their hope, their salvation, would arrive!  It was too dark, and God seemed to be silent.    Has he felt that way to you this year? Silent? Though he may have felt far away to them, God was so much closer than his people knew —gently planning Jesus' entrance into the world in the most unexpected way.   But at the appointed time, Jesus came — God with us in flesh and blood. Born in Bethlehem, carried to Egypt, raised in Nazareth. Son of Man and Son of God. A humble child and a holy King. Worshiped by some, rejected by many. Fully human, yet eternally divine.”     What beautiful and raw honesty in those words in that excerpt from the devotional!   Friends! Any way you look at it, Emmanuel was a living Divine Grace.  The infinite King, wrapped in the cloth of an infant.  The holy One, living among the fallen.  In Him, the impossible became real, not only in prophecy, but in His very presence.    When God stepped into our world,  “impossible” lost all meaning.     In Isaiah 42:16 it says, “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;  I will lead them in paths that they have not known:  I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.  These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”      Dear believer!  The darkness of this world has always tried encroach upon the joy and the hope of God being with his people.  It hates that we cling to the light, and even though we cannot see or understand, everything fully about the ONE who came and paid the price for us, yet we abandoned our own hearts to him, trusting that he will guide and light our path. It is in this practice that all of hell must bow its knee and tremble for the very fact that Christ is in us and he is the hope of glory.  Someday we will return to the ONE who created us, but for now, he has come to walk with us, to be with us, and his Holy Spirit is here to correct, to guide, to convict and to advocate for us.    Let us cry out, “Oh Come! Oh Come Emmanuel! Oh come God! Be with us, in us, and move through us to help others who are trapped in the darkness!”   Let's take time to pray together about all of this right now. Lord God, only you can see into our hearts and know that under all the busy-ness of our lives , there is a deep longing to make this season one that welcomes you more deeply into our own lives.   Our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds search for your Light in the midst of the darkness. Help us to be peacemakers this season and to give special love to those who disagree with us. Please, Give us the strength and courage to forgive those who have hurt us or who treat us dismissively. Help us to free our hearts from the prison of anger and hurt. Only you Lord can bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us rest in this weary world. We thank you for being a God that IS  with us! Amen.   Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed As long as the complete message, website and podcast  information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You! Copyright © 2025   " THE MESSENGER "  - "The Advocate of Hope"  Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com PODCAST   If you would be so kind and assist Mary helping her to meet other administrative needs such as website and podcast costs,  or  desire to bless her service in ministry with Spirit-led Love gifts or regular support: Please JOYFULLY send your gift in the form of:  ► Personal Checks ► Business Checks ► Money Orders ► Cashiers Checks To:  His Beloved Ministries Inc.  PO Box 1253 Denver, Colorado 80614  USA    Or feel free to use our send a tax-deductible gift with Pay Pal   paypal.me/mlindow  Under the name of - Mary Lindow His Beloved Ministries Inc.    ALL gifts are tax-deductible under His Beloved Ministries 5013c non-profit status.   We are financially accountable and have been in full compliance since 1985.  THANK YOU!      

It's Tuesday, November 18th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Nigerian Muslims abduct 7 people in Borno State, Nigeria Persecution.org reports that seven people have been abducted in Chibok in Borno State, Nigeria, Africa. Boko Haram, the Muslim terrorist group, is suspected of involvement in this kidnapping of mothers and their children, including two daughters of a local pastor and an infant.   One resident described the atmosphere in the area as shock and fear.  She said, “I'm shocked and saddened by the attack. … My heart goes out to the families of the abducted. It's heartbreaking that this is happening weekly in Chibok. The silence is deafening — we must demand action from our leaders and support our troops to bring an end to this senseless violence.” 25 girls kidnapped in Kebbi State, Nigeria And this just in. The Associated Press reports that 25 girls were kidnapped yesterday morning from a high school in Kebbi State, Nigeria. Nigerian military opened fire on police in Benue State, Nigeria Meanwhile, the Nigerian military opened fire on a police patrol in Benue State last week. The patrol was offering protection to villagers from Fulani Muslim terrorists. Just another incident marking the unravelling of the social and political state of the Nigerian nation.  Congress might impose sanctions on Nigeria The United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa has scheduled an open hearing this Thursday on the President's recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. If ratified by the Senate, the designation would allow the U.S. to impose sanctions on Nigerian government officials found complicit in religious persecution. German authorities targeting homeschooling and Christian schooling Homeschooling and Christian schooling are under attack in Germany, again. The Dietrich Bonhoeffer International School in Germany is a part-homeschool and part-Christian school hybrid. After three court hearings over the last six years, education authorities are not forcing school closure. Two partner schools have been denied accreditation by German authorities.   Alliance Defending Freedom International is appealing the case to the European Court of Human Rights.  In 1920, Germany introduced public school compulsory attendance, By 1939,  almost all denominational  or confessional schools in the Reich were converted into “community schools” under state control or they were closed. Keep in mind, God is in control. In Isaiah 43:15-17, God says, “I am the Lord, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.” Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters, who brings forth the chariot and horse, The army and the power, they shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick.” Marco Rubio to designate Venezuelan cartel as terrorist group Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Sunday that the State Department would designate Cartel de los Soles or Cartel of the Suns as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. It will take place within a week. The cartel is believed to be headed by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his cronies.   The State Department press release promised that the United States would use “all available tools to protect our national security interests and deny funding and resources to narco-terrorists.” Since September, the U.S. military has completed 21 attacks on boats thought to be carrying drugs in the Caribbean seas.  As of Saturday, 83 people aboard ships have been killed, and 22 ships sunk.  State Department called Maduro “one of largest narco-traffickers” Not only has the State Department referred to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as "one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world,” but also the U.S. government has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest.  Venezuela's Gross Domestic Product has sunk from $371 billion in 2013, when Madura was elected, to an estimated $107 billion this year.   HIs government is known for having killed thousands of political enemies. In his early years, Maduro was trained as a communist in Cuba, and leads the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. Venezuela, once rich oil-based country, no relies on illegal drugs Venezuela was one of the most prosperous states in South America back in the 1980s and 1990s, that is, until a left-wing politician named Hugo Chávez was elected as President in 1998. Since then, the country has shifted from an oil-based economy to a drug-based economy. Venezuelan oil production has dropped off by 75% since the late 90s. Proverbs 28:16 speaks to this: “Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over poor people. A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.” African, Muslim & Eastern countries vs West on trust in governments The Edelman International Survey finds that the people of African, Muslim, and Eastern countries are far more optimistic about the future of their nations than the people in Western countries. Those who live in Kenya, Indonesia, India, China, and Saudi Arabia are very optimistic — over 50% believe the next generation will be better off. By contrast, the population of France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Australia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Canada are extremely pessimistic — barely 9-20% could say the same thing. In terms of distrust of governments, the people of Japan, Germany, Spain, Colombia, and South Africa were highly distrustful. But those who live in Saudi Arabia, China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia registered high trust in governments. Hollywood's economic slump And, finally, Hollywood has gone into an economic tailspin — now sporting the worst summer season in 44 years. At $3.67 billion, Tinseltown's summer box office season registered a 43% decrease from the peak year of 2013, adjusted for inflation.  Pagan worldview of How to Train Your Dragon 2025 In case you missed it, How to Train Your Dragon 2025 featured a pagan worldview with ample references to the ancient demonic gods of Odin and Thor, not to mention the witch consulting bones and magic. Jurassic Park Rebirth advocated the evolution of man, environmentalism, and the woke of feminism.   And Superman 2025 got a little political and wokey around the edges, once more setting the worldview of existentialism against the polytheism of the superheroes. Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, November 18th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

A Sermon for the Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 6:10-20 by William Klock If you haven't noticed, we have a mouse problem.  Usually the mice stay to the attic or the crawlspace, but for some reason, this year, they've decided to go everywhere.  For the last six weeks I've been plugging holes and setting traps and experimenting with bait: everything from peanut butter to dog treats to Veronica and Meredith's maple fudge.  All to no avail.  They don't touch the traps, but they poop right next to them as if to say, “Do you really think we're that stupid?”  And Friday, Friday was the last straw.  The last while has seemed like a steady stream of setbacks and disappointments.  This week I was working on my book on preaching while sending feedback to a couple of guys I've been advising on preaching.  I've been really struggling with that book and this week, chatting with these two guys, I finally kind of identified the obstacle I've been running up against and I don't really know how to get around it, and that's left me frustrated and discouraged.  And the City of Courtenay.  They won't clear the leaves in their little “conservation” area anymore, so I cleared the sidewalks, but then Thursday's storm blew the leaves back even deeper, so Friday morning I was using a snow shovel to move them out as far away as I could from the church so the wind wouldn't blow them back and in the process I strained something in my leg.  And then the news coming out daily this week from ACNA and about bishops not doing what bishops are supposed to do and bishops allegedly doing things that bishops aren't supposed to do.  I was really, really discouraged on Friday.  I'm rarely tempted to give up, but Friday I was close.  And then I heard a noise, and I turned and saw a mouse dart across the room and into the storage cubicle in the Sunday School.  So I got up to see where the mouse went.  I didn't find it, but I did find the nest.  In the seasonal banners.  It was gross.  The mice had peed and pooped and chewed holes in them.  And that was it.  Stick a fork in me.  I'm done.  I packed up my things and went home.  I tried the Elijah therapy.  I had a snack and a nap.  It didn't really work. I came back yesterday morning to clean up the mouse mess.  I checked the traps first.  I wanted revenge.  But alas—nothing—as usual.  So I started sweeping and mopping and vacuuming and while I was doing that I was praying—mostly for the death of the mice.  But somewhere between the mopping and the vacuuming it hit me.  Of all the things wrong with the world and wrong with the church, it wasn't the mice.  People sin, bishops sin, I sin—but not the mice.  The mice, as annoying as they are, the mice are doing exactly what God created them to do.  They're upstairs peeing and pooping and chewing on the banners, because that's what God made them to do and in doing it they give him glory.  And while I was discouraged and tempted to just give up, they were happily doing their thing, not caring at all that I'm out to get them—laughing their little mouse laughs at me as they poop right next to my traps.  Looking for a new place to build a nest after I kicked them out of the last one.  And as I vacuumed up their poop St. Paul's words from our Epistle kept running around my head like a mouse on a wheel: Stand firm! I—we—need to be like the mice.  We need to be what Jesus has made us to be and in that we will give God glory.  And, of course, in doing that, we'll catch the attention of the enemy, who will do his best to oppose us, to discourage us, to persuade us to throw in the towel.  Our Epistle today is from Ephesians 6—just about at the end of the letter.  The first part of the letter is about who we are—or, better, who Jesus has made us through his death and resurrection.  In Chapter 2 Paul writes that if we belong to the Messiah—if we have put our faith, our trust, our allegiance in him—then we are already “seated with him in the heavenly places”.  If by faith we are in the Messiah, then that's who we are: we're part of God's new creation, seated with our king in glory.  But of course, this is one of those “already, but not yet” things.  It's begun, but it's not yet finished.  Think about it.  When he rose from death, Jesus won the decisive battle over sin and death.  But that doesn't mean the war is over.  Sin and death, the principalities and powers of the old evil age still, nevertheless, continue to fight on even though they've already lost.  It won't be over until the gospel and the Spirit have gone out to bring God's new creation to the ends of the earth—until the knowledge of his glory covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.  And here's the point that Paul is trying to make here at the end of Ephesians: Because we've been united with Jesus the Messiah, because what's true of him is true of us, because we are seated with him in the heavenlies, that means that we've been recruited to take part in this great messianic battle to carry the gospel and God's glory to the ends of the earth—to proclaim the victory Jesus won on the cross to the people who haven't yet heard that good news, who haven't yet heard that he's the world's true lord. And if we do this, we will face opposition.  That's why, when you make it clear for example, that your church isn't in the business of playing musical chairs with other churches, but about going out to proclaim and live the gospel to bring people to Jesus, the devils will fight you.  That's why, when you make it clear that you're not going to compromise with the philosophies, with the politics, with the systems of the world, the devils will fight you.  That's why, when you make it clear that you're going to live out new creation and make the glory of God known here and now, the devils will fight you.  They will fight you.  They will throw hurdles in your path.  They will go for the weakest link and they will cause your leaders to stumble and fall.  They will do whatever they can to discourage you and tempt you to throw in the towel. And so Paul writes to the Ephesian Christians and he says, “The one thing left to say is this: Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.”  Don't be strong in yourself.  That won't cut it.  Be strong in the Lord, because he's the one who has won the victory.  “Put on God's complete armour,” he says.  “Then you'll be able to stand firm against the devil's schemes.”  And, to be clear, it's the devil's schemes.  “The warfare we're engaged in, you see, isn't against flesh and blood.  It's against the principalities, against the powers, against the cosmic powers that rule the world in this dark age, against the wicked spiritual elements in the heavenly places.” I expect this took some time to sink in with Paul's original audience—especially his fellow Judeans.  It's not that they didn't believe there are unseen forces in the world.  That's a problem unique to people today with all of our post-enlightenment materialistic thinking.  If we can't see it, it doesn't exist.  People in the First Century knew better than us.  They knew there are spiritual powers we can't see.  The issue is that when we think of enemies, we almost always think of people.  It's the guy on the city council who wants to take away the tax exempt status of churches.  It's the people in the wrong political party.  It's the people in that foreign country that hate us.  It's the Communists or it's the Muslims or the alphabet people or the pronouns people.  Paul's people thought the same way.  Judeans thought it was the pagans.  Their enemies were the Greeks who tried to stamp out their way of life back in the Second Century B.C.  It was the Romans who presently ruled them and whose grip was getting tighter and tighter.  Paul knew that as persecution came to the churches at the hands of unbelieving Jews and pagan Greeks and Romans Christians would be tempted to start thinking the same way about them. And Paul's wanting them to understand here that none of those people is the real enemy.  Maybe they once were, but when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he redefined the battle.  Jesus didn't go to the cross to defeat the Greeks or the Romans or the Communists or the Muslims.  He went to the cross to defeat sin and death and the powers of evil—those powers that, since the serpent tempted Eve, have infiltrated God's good creation and corrupted it, that have caused us to worship idols instead of God, that have caused us to forsake our vocation as the stewards of his creation and priests of his temple, that have caused us to turn on each other instead of loving each other as God loves us.  Jesus came like a new Adam to defeat not us, but the powers of evil, and in the process to forgive us for our rebellion and treason and to restore us to our old vocation, to do the job he created us for in the first place.  That's what it means to bear his image. And Paul knew that this meant Jesus has called us to fight at his side.  Not to fight the Greeks or the Romans or the Communists or the Muslims, but to fight the powers of evil, the principalities and powers and spiritual forces that have infiltrated creation and brought darkness where there should be light.  Again, at the cross he won the decisive victory, now he calls us into his gospel army to proclaim that good news.  To announce to the world that Jesus is Lord, that there is forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God through him if we will only come in faith and give him our allegiance.  The Greeks and the Romans, the Communists and the Muslims aren't the enemy.  It's the dark powers behind them.  And never forget that those dark powers were once working in us, too.  And they're often much closer to home—even doing their work of corruption in our own house—if you've followed the ACNA news the past couple of weeks.  But the good news is that Jesus can deliver those people, just as he delivered us. This, by the way, is why Jesus hasn't just done the war all at once.  Because God is patient, loving, and gracious he's chosen to fight this war over the long term, giving the whole world the opportunity to hear and respond to the good news about Jesus.  Giving time for the gospel and the Spirit to infiltrate the systems and powers and people of this old evil age to undo what sin and death have done. So, Paul writes, stand firm and be prepared to fight—the real enemy.  And for that he says we need to take up the whole armour of God.  That's verse 13.  And this is really telling.  If you were paying attention when we read the Old Testament lesson this morning—the one from Isaiah 59—what Paul says here should sound familiar.  Through Isaiah the Lord promised that he would send a redeemer to set the world to rights.  Our Old Testament lesson is a promise of the coming Messiah, of Jesus.  Here's what we read: “‘The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment…And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,' declares the Lord.” Jesus was the first one to put on this armour and now, because we're united with him, because he's made us part of his new creation, and because he's called us to enter the battle and to stand firm against the darkness, he shares his armour with us—otherwise we wouldn't be able to stand at all.  And here's the armour as Paul describes it in Ephesians, starting again at 6:13: “For this reason you must take up the whole armour of God.  Then, when wickedness grabs the moment, you'll be able to withstand, to do what needs to be done, and still be on your feet when it's over.  So stand firm!  Put the belt of truth around your waist; put on justice/righteousness as your breastplate; for shoes on your feet, ready for battle, take the good news of peace.  With it all take the shield of faith; if you've got that, you'll be able to quench the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word.” It starts with truth.  A Roman soldier's belt or girdle was sort of the thing that everything else attached to or hung from.  Put on truth as your belt.  Everything else depends on that.  In Isaiah's vision the Messiah was to come to set this broken world to rights and that begins with the truth.  The reason the world is in the mess it's in is because we believed the serpent's lie—that we could be like God.  Brother and Sisters, the truth is that that's idolatry.  Every other sin cascades from that.  The great lie that permeates the world is that we can do and be whatever we want.  That we can make our own reality and define goodness for ourselves.  But Jesus has come to remind us of the truth—the truth of the original creation and the truth of God's new creation.  And so before we go to battle evil, we've got to tie that truth around us.  The gospel isn't about our feelings; it's not what we make it; it's not about what we think might offend or not offend people; it's about the truth, the reality of God's goodness and his good creation and his purpose to set it and us to rights revealed in the good news about Jesus.  Tie that on and the rest follows naturally. Second, as a breastplate, put on God's justice or righteousness—remember in Greek they're the same word.  It's a reminder that at the heart of the gospel is God's plan to set this broken world to rights—to undo everything that's wrong, to undo all the sad things, to wipe away all the tears—ultimately and eventually to wipe every last bit of evil and sin and darkness from creation and even death itself.  And it's a reminder that when God raised Jesus from death, he overturned the world's false verdict against him and declared him to be in the right—and that if we are united with him, then we share in that verdict, in his vindication. And then for our shoes: peace.  “How beautiful are the feet of the one who announces peace…who says to Zion, Your God reigns.”  This is the place where Paul changes that Old Testament image from Isaiah.  Instead of vengeance, he calls us to put on peace.  The Jews wanted vengeance on their enemies, but Paul's reminding us that the Messiah, through his death, has reconciled us to God.  He's given us peace.  And that peace isn't just for us; it's for everyone.  And it's on our feet.  We stand on it.  The enemy will try to knock us down by making us think we're in this for vengeance—that we need to go after the Greeks or the Romans or the Communists or the Muslims, but if we stand on peace, on reconciliation with God, we will stand firm and remember that our fight is not with flesh and blood, but with the devil. The fourth bit of armour is the shield of faith.  In the ancient world an enemy might shoot flaming arrows at you, so you soaked your wooden shield in water.  We soak our shield in faith.  That means in the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah and in our own responding faith—remembering that he's won the victory and trusting that he will empower us to stand firm in this gospel battle and win in the end.  And that goes with the helmet of salvation—like a gospel thinking cap, it reminds us Jesus has rescued the captives.  You and I no longer belong to sin and death, but to the Messiah.  It reminds us, too, why we're waging this battle: to free the men and women still captive, still slaves to sin and death. So far this armour is all for defence.  The Christian has only one offensive weapon and that should remind us about the nature of this battle.  It's not against flesh and blood, but against the unseen forces of evil that infiltrate the systems and institutions of the world.  Our sword, the weapon by which we advance the kingdom of God is the word.  In Isaiah 11:4 the Messiah smites the earth with the rod of his mouth and slays the wicked with the breath of his lips.  It's a wonderful illustration of the power of God's word and God's Spirit—not violence, but his creative and life-giving word—to free and to transform and to set the broken world right as it confronts the great lie with God's truth. But our Epistle doesn't quite end there.  Truth and justice, peace and faith, salvation and the word are all essential if we are going to stand firm.  To take up these things is to be the people that Jesus has made us through our union with him.  But union is about more than putting these things on, it's about real, literal union—or communion—with him.  We need to talk with our commander.  And so, in verses 18-20 Paul writes: “Pray on every occasion in the Spirit, with every type of prayer and intercession.  You'll need to keep awake and alert for this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.  And also for me.  Pray that God will give me his words to speak when I open my mouth, so that I can make known, loud and clear, the secret truth of the gospel.  That after all, is why I'm a chained-up ambassador.  Pray that I may announce it boldly; that's what I'm duty-bound to do.” Paul was in prison because of his preaching, because he'd put on the armour of God and because he'd proclaimed God's truth.  But he knew that prison could not stop the march of the gospel and so he asked his brothers and sisters to pray for him—and not only for him, but live prayer, because that's what it means to be united to Jesus and to be baptised in God's Spirit—to be in constant communion with God.  It's not just about formal prayer—like when you sit down with your Prayer Book and your Bible and you prayer the prayers and pray the Psalms.  It's a life saturated with the presence of God and with communion with him. I don't know how it works.  I don't think anyone does.  I've read books and books on prayer and it remains a mystery, but the best ones all conclude: I don't know how it works, but I know it works.  Prayer doesn't change God—as if somehow hearing from me causes him to realise that my ideas and my plans are better than his.  But prayer changes things and it changes me and it changes us and things—kingdom things, grace things, glory things—happen when we pray and live in that communion with God. Brothers and Sisters, to pray is to act on and to live out the reality of Jesus' cross and of the new creation he's made us.  It's to know that, through Jesus and the Spirit, we can now walk with God the way Adam and Eve once did.  That we live in his presence and in his grace and in his love.  It's to know that he is our strength.  And so to pray, is to be what he has made us, it's to consciously reject our rebellion and sin, and to be his new creation.  The mice—they know nothing of sin, nothing of rebellion.  Mice have always been what God made them in the beginning.  And, like I said, because of that, mice give him glory even when they're just doing the ordinary things mice do.  We, on the other hand, rejected that life.  Jesus has given it back, but it's a struggle.  That's why Paul urges us to put on God's truth and justice, his righteousness and peace.  And it's why he urges us to pray without ceasing.  Because reliance on God is the only way we'll put to rest our old nature and be able to live into the new one he's given.  To pray is to look back to the cross in gratitude and to look forward in hope to God's new world, and find our life and our strength and everything else that matters in him—so that we can stand firm and so that we can glorify him. So, Brothers and Sisters, stand firm.  Stand firm and be the new creation that Jesus has made us.  Remember that we stand with our king in the battle, but that this battle is not against flesh and blood.  It's against the dark powers that corrupt flesh and blood, that make us hate and that make us enemies of one another.  Stand firm in God's truth and justice, stand firm in his peace and his salvation.  And confront the world with the good news of Jesus, crucified and risen.  And pray, pray, pray, remembering that he is with us and that he is our strength and our hope. Let's pray: Merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

In Isaiah 10, there's an axe of judgment wielded against a "godless nation." That axe is Assyria; the godless nation is Judah. Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss.

"The Kingdom" is our sermon series through Isaiah. In Isaiah 30 and 31, the Lord deals with a specific temptation that was a reality for Israelites at the time of Isaiah—the temptation to return to Egypt, where their fathers had escaped slavery. Israel was tempted to return to seek refuge in this dark place, because of the impending conquest of Assyria. But the Lord points out that nothing good comes when we return to the darkness of our pasts. If you made the decision to trust Jesus, or God challenged you in a specific way during this sermon, please let us know by contacting us at hello@newheightswv.com, so that we can celebrate and pray with you!

In Isaiah 52, there is a vivid image of a messenger running over the mountains to bring good news—peace, salvation, and the proclamation that “Your God reigns!” The apostle Paul echoes this in Romans 10, reminding us that everyone who has been saved is also sent to share the Gospel. Like that ancient runner, we carry the hope of Jesus to a world still waiting for good news. Wherever your feet take you, carry that hope and share Jesus to a world that needs Him.

"The Kingdom" is our sermon series through Isaiah. In Isaiah 28 and 29, the Lord pronounces woes on Ephraim and Judah. These two kingdoms of Israel were both positioned in a dangerous place of rebellion against a holy God. The Lord promises to punish evil and establish an eternal cornerstone of righteousness. If you made the decision to trust Jesus, or God challenged you in a specific way during this sermon, please let us know by contacting us at hello@newheightswv.com, so that we can celebrate and pray with you!

“Have you ever built your confidence on something that turned out to have no power at all? In Isaiah 44, God reminds His people that idols—whether made of wood, gold, or our own ambitions—can never save or sustain us. He declares, ‘I am the Lord who made all things.' This chapter calls us to remember who truly formed us, redeemed us, and calls us by name.As always be blessed and enjoy.Please follow, like, and share our podcast with a friend or family member!

It's Wednesday, October 29th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Indian authorities arrest 3 Christians for outreach to Hindus Last week, authorities in northern India arrested three Christians, including a pastor, for conducting an evangelistic outreach to Hindus. The arrests were made in the state of Uttar Pradesh under its anti-conversion law. This comes just days after India's top court criticized the state's use of the law to target Christians.  Such anti-conversions laws are used throughout India to persecute Christians. Believers face the harshest treatment in Uttar Pradesh.  India is ranked 11th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most difficult countries to be a Christian.  Trump oversaw Cambodia-Thailand Peace Deal U.S. President Donald Trump is visiting countries in Asia this week. On Sunday, he oversaw the signing of a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand. He also signed trade deals with both countries as well as Malaysia.  Listen to comments from President Trump on that Cambodia-Thailand peace deal.  TRUMP: “Today's signing represents just one of eight conflicts that we've ended in eight months of the Trump presidency. I'm very honored to have done it. We saved millions of lives. “I'm here in a mission of friendship and goodwill and to deepen our ties and commerce, to strengthen our common security, and to really promote strongly, stability, prosperity and peace for all of the countries in this room and long beyond this room.” Yesterday, President Trump visited Japan, signing a trade deal with their newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The president also plans on meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea today.  Samaritan's Purse airlifted 100,000 pounds of food/supplies to Gaza Samaritan's Purse airlifted over 100,000 pounds of food and relief supplies for families in Gaza on Saturday.  This marks the 13th flight to the Middle East by the international Christian relief organization. The latest airlift includes 290,000 food packets, 12,000 blankets, and 12,000 solar lights.  Listen to comments from Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse.  GRAHAM: “This has been a terrible war that's taken place, but Samaritan's Purse is going and we're going to go in Jesus' name. We've been helping the people in Israel. We've been helping the people in Gaza, and we're going to continue to help.” Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Yelp spanked for vilifying pro-life pregnancy centers In the United States, a federal appeals court ruled against Yelp, Inc. in a pro-life case. Yelp operates a platform that connects people with local businesses. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the company for placing misleading information on listings for pro-life pregnancy centers.  In a press release, Paxton said, “Yelp tried to play politics and steer users away from pro-life resources, but being based in the criminal-loving state of California will not shield them from accountability. I will continue to defend pro-life organizations that serve Texans and make sure that women and families are receiving accurate information about our state's resources.” Pew Research: 59% of Americans like influence of religion on society Pew Research reports a sharp rise in the share of U.S. adults who say religion is gaining influence in American life over the last year. The study also shows that more Americans express a positive view of religion's role in society.  The survey found 59% of U.S. adults say religion has a good influence on American life, up from 49% in 2022. Twenty percent have a negative view of religion's influence, down from 26% in 2022. And 21% have a neutral or unclear view of religion's influence, down from 25% in 2022. Fifty-eight percent of Americans also believe their religious views are at odds with mainstream culture, up from 42% in 2020. YouVersion Bible app celebrates one billion downloads And finally, the Bible app, YouVersion, is celebrating one billion downloads.  The Bible app began in 2008 as one of the first 200 mobile phone apps. It saw over 80,000 downloads in the first week. Now, YouVersion is available in thousands of languages and has been downloaded hundreds of millions of times around the world.  YouVersion is celebrating the power of the Bible next month with a 30-day Bible reading challenge. Bobby Gruenewald, the founder and CEO of YouVersion, stated, “We're seeing incredible global momentum around Bible engagement . . . Every day we hear stories of lives being changed—someone overcoming addiction, marriages being restored, and people encountering Scripture in their own language for the first time. This milestone is really a celebration of the Bible itself.” In Isaiah 45:22-23, God said, “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the Earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By Myself, I have sworn; from My mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.'” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, October 29th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In Isaiah's day, the people had started to treat the worship of God in a very casual way. But God does not want rote “worship,” rather, He wants our whole heart.

We invite you this week to focus on understanding our identity in Christ as we engage in spiritual battle, highlighting the practical meaning and Old Testament roots of the armor God equips us with. Based on Ephesians 6:13-17, let's consider our identity and readiness in spiritual battle! We invite you to consider purchasing the accompanying workbook here: https://www.gospelspice.com/identity  Context: Identity in the Midst of Battle The Christian life necessarily involves a spiritual battle. The Apostle Paul calls believers to “stand”—not in our own strength, but grounded in our new identity in Christ. Paul's instruction to put on the “full armor of God” isn't new; its roots run deep in the Old Testament, with key imagery borrowed from books like Isaiah and Deuteronomy. In Isaiah 11:5 and 59:17, righteousness, faithfulness, and salvation appear as God's own armor. This armor is now given to us, His adopted children, not as a child's imitation set but as the genuine armor of our commander. Why the Armor Fits—Old and New Testament Connections Paul isn't inventing something new for the church in Ephesians. The same armor God Himself wears in Isaiah—righteousness as a breastplate, salvation as a helmet—is now available to every believer, thanks to our adoption in Christ. In God's army, the commander and soldiers wear the same “colors”—we share in God's strength and righteousness. The armor is also prophetic: Isaiah 59 speaks of the coming of the Messiah like a rushing stream (an echo of Pentecost) and describes how God's Spirit will seal and empower His people. This sealing (see Ephesians 1:13) corresponds with being clothed in God's armor. Seven Elements of the Armor While many list six pieces, Ephesians points to seven, symbolizing fullness and perfection: Belt of Truth: Truth is both light and freedom. It's the foundation that supports all other pieces, anchoring our identity in what God has said and done, not our own perception or the world's lies. Breastplate of Righteousness: This isn't self-righteousness but Christ's righteousness. It's described as a “heart protector,” guarding us against accusations—whether from the enemy or our own self-doubt. Standing in Christ's righteousness, not our own, keeps us from the traps of pride or despair. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: These boots provide both stability (standing firm) and mobility (readiness to move). They symbolize preparation and the peace rooted in the gospel, enabling us to stand and advance as one body with other believers. Shield of Faith Helmet of Salvation Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) Prayer—the element that undergirds and animates all the others, keeping us connected to God and alert in the battle. Application: Standing Ready God calls us to “put on” and “take up” these elements daily—not hastily when the enemy attacks, but as preparation for victorious living. The Christian walk is not passive; it's a team endeavor, fought best in community, by truthfully embracing our identity and actively trusting God's provision. The full armor of God is a gift of grace, perfectly suited for each believer, grounding us in truth, righteousness, and peace, and continually energized by prayer. This is how we stand firm and advance in the spiritual battle, secure in our identity as children of God. ----- IDENTITY IN THE BATTLE WORKBOOK ------ You have the option to go beyond listening to this series, and to participate actively. This exclusive Gospel Spice Ministries resource is available at gospelspice.com/identity . You will receive a downloadable, printable workbook containing listening guide for each of the 6 episodes in this series, space for note taking, and discussion questions if you want to do this study with a friend! What better way to enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend this season, than to discuss your identity in the battle together? So, grab a friend or family member, or someone to mentor or be mentored by, and signup together.  Every week, Stephanie shares truth from Scripture and invites you to dig deeper in your faith to delight in the glory of God. PLAY IT FORWARD by SHARING the link with friends and family PAY IT FORWARD by supporting us financially PRAY IT FORWARD by praying for us and those you share it with! Find out more at gospelspice.com We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/372022/link/ Malachi: Messenger to Messiah https://www.podcastics.com/episode/356130/link/ Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs https://www.podcastics.com/episode/324347/link/ Come to the Table | The Feasts Jesus celebrated https://www.podcastics.com/episode/309956/link/ Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

In Isaiah 61, we have one of the great prophecies about the Messiah. It tells us the Messiah is going to deal with the problems of life—and that shows us something about sin.  Sin is not just breaking God's scale and breaking God's heart; it's also breaking God's design for us. God's law is also the design print of your heart, the way you were built to work. So when you break God's law, you're trampling on yourself. In Isaiah 61, we can see 1) what the problem is, 2) what God is going to do about it, and 3) how we should respond. This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on February 21, 1999. Series: What's Really Wrong with the World. Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-11. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

By David Rains - How will God go about healing the families of this world after the great tribulation? In Isaiah 35, the prophet looks forward to the Millennium (which we picture here this week) and lays out God's plan of restoration. A restoration of both the physical and spiritual. What will this restoration look

In Isaiah 6, the prophet sees the Lord and learns his mission. It's a difficult one: "Preach to a bunch of people who won't listen to you. In fact, your preaching will harden them further."Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss Isaiah 6.

Grief and loss can feel like ashes, but God promises to bring beauty, strength, and hope out of our pain. In Become Like an Oak Tree, Whitney Hopler reflects on Isaiah 61:2-3, reminding us that God grows us into “oaks of righteousness”—deeply rooted in His love, resilient through life’s storms, and a living display of His splendor. Highlights God transforms mourning into joy and despair into praise (Isaiah 61:2-3). Oak trees symbolize strength, endurance, and deep-rooted faith. Trials and grief become the soil where God plants new hope. Spiritual roots—through prayer, worship, and trust—anchor us in storms. Our testimony of faith gives others shade, comfort, and encouragement. Join the Conversation Where have you seen God bring beauty out of your ashes? Share your story and encourage others to stay rooted in faith. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #OaksOfRighteousness #BeautyFromAshes #FaithThatEndures to join the conversation.

In Isaiah 58, does God condemn his people for having too much delight in his ways? Pastor John distinguishes hypocritical pleasure from true, generous joy in God.