Podcasts about in isaiah

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260720fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 44:6-11 “This is what the LORD says—Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Isaiah 44:6,8-9 God Isn't Monopoly Money! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Every Monopoly game comes with $20,580. That's a lot of money! But imagine walking into a toy store with a handful of Monopoly money and trying to buy your favorite LEGO set or stuffed animal. It won't work. It's fake money. Sometimes people make a similar mistake with something much more important. They put their hopes for happiness and even heaven in created things instead of the Creator. In Isaiah’s time—and, in some places still today—those created things were statues—idols—made of wood or stone. But idols don’t have to be made of wood or stone. An idol can be anything or anyone that we fear, love, or trust more than the true God. Today idols may look like sports, video games, being the best at something, friends, money, or being popular. Wood and stone are real. Toys, money, friends, and popularity are real too. But none of these are God. They are false gods that cannot bring us real joy, peace, forgiveness, or eternal life. Isaiah says, “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless” (Isaiah 44:9). What are the idols that tempt you? Money? Are you more in love with the stuff of this world than with the One who created it? Popularity? Is your life focused on being the most popular person in the room with the most “likes” and “followers”? This is what makes believers in Jesus different. Christians may or may not be famous or wealthy, and they may or may not have lots of nice things, but they have Christ. They believe God’s words, “Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one” (Isaiah 44:8). By grace, the one and only God found them and called them into his family of faith. They also know that Jesus has forgiven all their sins, even the sin of so often wanting their own selfish desires above what God wants. Living as God's people in this world is not always easy. Advertisements whisper that happiness is found in what we own. Social media suggests our value depends on how many people notice us. Yet none of those can save us. Christians are different because they listen to the voice of their Savior, who alone forgives sinners. To have the true God is to have everything. God forgives sins, promises the resurrection from death, and reserves for us a room in his heavenly mansion. Those are gifts that never wear out, never break, and can never be taken away. When we have him, we possess treasures that never fade and a future that never ends. Prayer: Dear Jesus, forgive us when we love other things more than you. Help us trust you above all else and find our joy in your forgiveness and promises. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Why wouldn’t Monopoly money work at a real store? How many true Gods are there? Questions for Elementary Age Children Name three idols that people today might be tempted to love more than God. What are some things that the true God gives that idols cannot give? Questions for Middle School and Above Luther says that a “god” is whatever we trust most or run to first for help. When kids are scared, sad, or worried, what are some things they might be tempted to trust instead of God? How can a Christian enjoy God’s gifts—such as family, success, possessions, or popularity—without turning them into idols? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

People who know me know that I'm a very focused person when I'm working on something. Except when it comes to the most distracting people I know - my grandchildren. I remember when my granddaughter was pretty little. She was just one-plus-year-old, there was just no way to resist her when she came my way. She'd pull herself up by my pant leg, she'd stretch her arms my direction, and then she'd make these cute little noises and irresistible faces - virtually begging me to pick her up. I'm not the only one who's gotten nothing done when she was around. No, she was that way with other family members too; reaching out to be held. And I'll tell you this: our arms were always open. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Hungry To Be Held.” Sadly, my granddaughter's quest for someone to hold her is a picture of someone who's listening today, except open arms have been hard to find. And when you do, it seems like sooner or later you lose even those who do give you some of the love and attention that you need. Sometimes, you pay a price that's too high to get someone to be there for you; making you vulnerable to being used and being hurt - a mistake that might be all too familiar to you. I can't forget these children we met at a hospital in Haiti. They were hospitalized early in life because they had tuberculosis or AIDS. We played with them, we sang with them, and we read to them, knowing that they probably didn't understand a word of our English. But as we got ready to leave, the children surrounded us and called out, over and over again, two words they did know in English - words I've never forgotten, “Hold me. Hold me.” We gave one last hug, but we couldn't hold them. We had to move on. The cry of those precious Haitian children is a fundamental cry of every human heart, “Hold me!” But there aren't many hugs that last. Even for those of us who have had someone who really has loved us and made us feel secure, there is still this strange love deficit inside. There's never enough love. We need someone who will always hold us, who will never let us go, who will never go away. We were made for that kind of love, but we've reached the wrong direction to find the one hug that will always be there. We've been reaching around us to other people. But to find the one we were made to be held by, we need to look up. Listen to God's words, describing the kind of relationship He wants to have with you. “The Lord your God is with you…He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). That's intimate love. That's infinite love. That's expensive love. God paid the price for that love. In Isaiah 49:15-16, our word for today from the Word of God, He says: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” For Jesus, that engraving is the nail prints in His hands from the day He died to pay for your sins so you could be forgiven; so you could belong to the one whose love you were made for. Because He walked out of His grave, He's alive. He's offering the greatest love in the universe. But one-way love doesn't make a relationship. He's waiting to hold you, but you have to reach for Him. God says that means putting your total trust in Jesus to be your personal rescuer from the death penalty for your sins. The wall that's between you and God comes down when you tell Him, “Jesus, I'm Yours.” Ultimately, your hunger to be held all this time it's been a hunger for Him. He's reaching your direction. It's time to reach back. He'll hold you and never let you go. Do you want to experience that love for yourself? Would you check out our website? There's a lot of information there about how to belong to Him and how to begin with Him. It's ANewStory.com. You are very, very close to experiencing the love that you have been looking for so very long.

Have you maintained a faithful, straight walk in Torah? Or have you gotten “off the path” a little or a lot? Do you sense a call to return to the path, to Yahweh? As Rabbi Steve Berkson concludes this teaching series, he begins with Joel 2:12, where we see Elohim giving His people instruction on how to return to Him. As Rabbi Berkson points out, Yahweh expects those returning to Him to be serious about repairing the breach in the relationship. • What is tearing your garments? Why does Elohim want a tearing of the heart instead? • What does Elohim do to get your attention so that you return to the path? In Jeremiah 32:37-42, Yahweh says that as much as He brought evil to His people for their turning away from Him, He will bring just as much good to those who return. • When Elohim says, “I shall give them one heart…”, is He just going to hand out new hearts to everybody? • Ephesians chapter 2 talks to us about the opportunity given to us to become what? Moving to Isaiah 1:16-20, Rabbi Berkson points out that with a holistic understanding of Scripture, it's not possible to get the message that Elohim just gives us everything. He also points out that the Scriptures can be used by many to draw erroneous conclusions. • What is a ‘holistic' approach to the Scriptures? • How could someone prove from Scripture that their chicken was the Messiah? • What is evil? How does Yahweh define evil? • When Elohim says, “Come let us reason together…” (Isaiah 1:18), does that mean Yahweh wants your input? In Isaiah chapter 58, Rabbi Steve clarifies that to truly be in covenant with our Creator, two things must work together. • Is this chapter only referring to Yom Kippur? • Doesn't Elohim always respond to fasting and afflicting ourselves? • What are the two things it takes to please Elohim? • How does Rabbi Berkson interpret ‘speaking your own words'? Verse-by-verse and step-by-step, Rabbi Steve Berkson takes us on a journey of discovery as we learn how to covenant with our Creator and Father, which, from time to time, requires us to turn around and return (Shuva) to His Word so that we can have a sure entrance into His Kingdom. mtoi.org The MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-app youtube.com/@mtoi facebook.com/mtoiworldwide instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide admin@mtoi.org (423) 250-3020 Join us LIVE (all times Eastern): • Torah Study, Fridays 7:30 pm • Shabbat Service, Saturdays 1:15 pm Streaming available on YouTube, Rumble, MTOI App, and mtoi.org

In Isaiah 55:1013, Isaiah compares God's Word to rain that quietly transforms dry ground. Though its work is often hidden, God's Word never fails to accomplish its purpose. Fulfilled in Jesus Christ, God's living Word brings forgiveness, hope and new life, sending us into the world to sow seeds of grace with patient trust. [Pentecost 7]

The invitation God gives us is often the opposite of what our instincts tell us. When problems arise, we want to fix, plan, and act. But God invites us to pause and remember that He is already present and working. Time spent with Him is never wasted; it is where our hearts are renewed and our souls are restored. God is not asking us to accomplish more to earn His love. He is inviting us into relationship with Him. Whether it is thirty minutes or just a few quiet moments throughout the day, sitting in God’s presence, reading His Word, and praying allows us to step away from the rush and experience His peace. Jesus Himself was never hurried or driven by the need to prove His worth through productivity. Through Him, we are reminded that we do not have to carry burdens God never intended for us to hold. When we return to Him, we find the rest and strength we need for each day. Highlights: God does not measure our faithfulness by how busy we are, but by how closely we walk with Him. Isaiah reminds us that true strength comes through returning to God, resting, and trusting Him. Productivity can become a burden when we believe our worth depends on what we accomplish. Spending quiet time with God restores our hearts and helps us recognize His presence. Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him and receive rest. Slowing down creates space to hear God’s voice and trust His direction. Join the Conversation Where do you feel the most rushed in your life right now? What would it look like to intentionally slow down and invite God into that space? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: God Is Not Rushing YouBy Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” - Isaiah 30:15, 18 My daughter does not like to be rushed. In so many ways I am the same way. When planning things I always give myself extra time. American culture is one that is governed by time. Events start on time and we complain if we are made to wait. It is easy to fall into the mindset of rushing when being dictated by the clock. Rarely do people have time to rest, be quiet, and wait. Me included. My days are often packed with endless activities and to-do lists. For so long if I didn’t do anything on a particular day - that day felt unproductive. My to-do list can be like a taskmaster, running my day-to-day life. Somewhere along the way, I started to believe that a full schedule meant a faithful life—and that slowing down meant I was falling behind. In Isaiah 31 we read the words: “in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” God’s people, the Israelites, had been running away from God, not toward him. They were about to be attacked by their enemies, but instead of going to God, they turned to other allies. They tried to fix things on their own. Isaiah, the prophet, spoke from God to tell the people that rescue would come a different way. It would come through returning to God, resting. This is counter intuitive, isn’t it? We often think the opposite: the way out of trouble is to run, move, and act! God, though, wasn’t asking for more effort but for them to return to Him. While they were rushing to solve their problems, God was inviting them to be still. You and I are the same. We rush to fix problems, stay productive, and make sure we don’t let anything “fall through the cracks.” How often do we believe that faithfulness is the same as being busy? For so long, I have believed that my purpose in life - why God loved me and what God wanted from me - was to be productive. Faithfulness isn’t about that at all. Friend, God invites us to return to him. How do we do this? Begin by sitting with God. That’s right. Stop at some point in your day (each day) to just sit and be with God. Don’t scroll. Don’t move. Just be still. Time in God’s presence is not wasted time—it is where our souls are restored. While you are sitting there, learn the value of not talking, thinking, or worrying. During that time, use a few minutes to be in His Word. Don’t rush through a reading of the Bible, but linger with it. Listen to God’s voice as you read the words (or listen to the audio). As you do, let your heart naturally speak to God in prayer. Start a conversation with God. Maybe it will be about what you read, but mostly it can be about what is on your heart. Embrace the quietness, if possible. God is not asking you to do more—He is inviting you to be with Him. Those moments, whether they are thirty minutes or 3 minutes, can make such a difference in our day. Many of us are tired not because we’re doing too little, but because we’re carrying what God never asked us to carry. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” God is not hurrying us along. He is gently inviting us to return, to rest, and to trust Him right where we are. As we learn to slow our hearts today, may we learn how to step out of the rush and into His presence. God can teach us to trust Him in the quiet places. This stopping, even for a moment, means we don’t have to strive; God is already near. Intersecting Faith & Life: Jesus was never hurried, rushed, or needed to prove His worth by His productivity. You don’t either. As you start your day, remember to slow down and spend a few moments in prayer. Ask God to help you have strength for your day. In the dark at night, lift your heart to God again, asking Him for peace as you sleep. Where in your life do you feel the most rushed right now—and what would it look like to intentionally slow down and invite God into that space? Further ReadingPsalm 46Luke 10:39-42Mark 6:31Matthew 11:28-30 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Matt is 16, and he hates his birthday. At least, that's what some of his friends said. He said his birthday is always the worst day of the year for him ever since his sixth birthday. He remembers that like it was yesterday. See, his mom went out and bought a special cake, she invited all his friends to come over for Matt's birthday party, and nobody came. And since there was nobody there for the party, his mom took the cake back to the store. There was no one there to celebrate him. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “No One There To Celebrate You.” Most people haven't had a party in their honor that no one showed up for. But a lot of people feel like their life has been a party that no one showed up for. In fact, you may feel right now like there's no one celebrating you. So many times, you have felt overlooked, neglected, maybe you've felt abandoned, and betrayed. You're questioning your own value. You may be successful, you could be surrounded by people, spiritually involved, but maybe the feelings of unworthiness have never gone away. Someone very important thinks you're very important. Actually, He was there for your first birthday - the day you were born. He created you. And this One who rules the galaxies values you more than you can imagine. God's commitment to you is spelled out very clearly in our word for today from the Word of God. You need to hear this. In Isaiah 49:15-16, your Creator says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you.” Did you get what God's saying here? “I will not forget you.” If everyone else does, He will not. He never has. He never will. How can you be sure that you're always on God's mind? Listen to the next verse, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” Do you know how Jesus' friends knew it was Him after He came back from the dead? By the nail prints in His hands. Those prints, hammered there when He was nailed to the cross, are there forever. And when Jesus looks at His hands, He sees the nail prints and He thinks of you, because He died on that cross for you. You can walk up to that cross in your mind and say these words right from the Bible, “He loved me and gave Himself for me.” It was the only way you could ever spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. All your religion, your good deeds, could never pay the death penalty that goes with your sin. And because Jesus doesn't want to lose you, He took that death penalty for you. That's how much you mean to Him. That's how much He loves you. And once you belong to Him, He will never turn His back on someone He loved enough to die for. But sadly, you may not belong to Jesus because you've never opened your heart to Him; you've never given Him you. You've never felt like you're worth much because you've never known the One who gave you your worth - who thought you were worth His life. But beginning today, you can finally belong to the One who loves you most. But you have to tell Him that you want to begin a relationship with Him. The Bible says about Him, “You were created by Him and for Him.” And He waits now for you to reach out in total trust to tell Him He is your only hope. So, find a quiet place as soon as you can and just talk to Him something like this: “Jesus, thank You for dying for me. I was never supposed to run my life. I have, but I thank You that You made me and you loved me enough to die for me. And I want the love and the worth of my life from the only One who can give it to me. I want the relationship I was made for. I want You.” Our website is designed specifically for a moment like this, for a person like you. I urge you to go there today - ANewStory.com. You will find the information right from God's Word that will help you be sure you belong to Him. See, the Son of God made you. He gave His life for you, and you are on the edge right now of more love than you have ever dreamed you could have.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes(00:00) Israel is scattered because they rejected God's statutes and covenants.(09:05) Israel caused their sons and daughters to pass through the fire and the Lord was very angry with them for this. These chapters are a warning to us today. We are to take care of the weakest among us. When we do, we show the Lord we desire his presence.(11:48) In 721 BC the Assyrian empire carried away the ten tribes of Israel. The text offers clues as to when this record was written.(13:21) King Hezekiah sends an invitation to all of Israel to return to the temple in order to avoid destruction. Individual families who are obedient are saved.(19:01) The Israelites have divided loyalties to many gods. Being committed to our faith significantly impacts our posterity.(21:33) In Isaiah's day, the kingdom of Judah is ruled by King Hezekiah. He takes a bold stand against the Assyrian army and Rabshakeh's rhetoric. This story is also found in Isaiah 36-37.(26:23) Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord promises to stop the Assyrian army, defend Jerusalem, and preserve a remnant of Judah. The incredible fulfillment of this prophecy is a pivot point in world history.(36:37) Hezekiah allows Babylon to see all the precious things of his house and he is reprimanded by Isaiah for doing so. Isaiah prophesies that Babylon will carry Judah into exile.(39:09) Hezekiah secures the city of Jerusalem by building a tunnel to divert water from the Spring of Gihon into the pool of Siloam inside Jerusalem's walls. He also covers up the water source so that his enemies cannot access it. God honors our best efforts with blessings.(43:43) Manasseh is an evil king of Judah who shed innocent blood, including sacrificing his own son. According to tradition, he even killed the prophet Isaiah.(46:12) Josiah is 8 years old when he began to reign as king. Hilkiah, the high priest in Josiah's day, discovered “The Book of the Law,” which many believe to be the core text of Deuteronomy. The prophetess Huldah proclaims that God's wrath will come upon the people of Judah.(50:29) Josiah's religious reforms are outlined in 2 Kings 23. Josiah burns the Asherah, takes down the high places, slays many priests, stops child sacrifice, and holds Passover.(55:37) The Book of Mormon and doctrines of the Restoration help bring balance to the reforms of Josiah.(1:04:42) Josiah is killed in battle and is replaced by a series of unrighteous kings. King Zedekiah is the last of the kings of Judah. Many of the people of Judah are carried captive into Babylon during this time. This is where the story of Lehi in the Book of Mormon picks up. He prophesies of the coming destruction and takes his family into the wilderness for safety.(1:09:33) After King Zedekiah is captured, Jerusalem and the temple are destroyed by the Babylonians. Gedaliah, a Judean, is appointed to govern the remnant. King Jehoiachin, after over 30 years of captivity in Babylon, is released and allowed to live, sparking hope for the return of the Davidic dynasty.(1:12:05) One son of Zedekiah, Mulek, flees to the Americas and his posterity are the people of Zarahemla, or the “Mulekites” in the Book of Mormon.(1:15:01) Christ is The King. If we put someone or something else on that throne, we will end up lost, captive, and scattered. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 380 | 2 Kings 16-25, Come Follow Me 2026 (July 13-19) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

It's possible to look spiritual on the outside while our hearts drift far from God. In Isaiah 1:23, God confronts leaders who were motivated by personal gain instead of justice. Jesus later addressed the same problem in the religious leaders of His day. In today's episode, we'll examine the danger of self-centered religion and discover that God isn't interested in empty appearances—He desires transformed hearts. We'll also end with one of the greatest invitations in Scripture: “Come now, and let us reason together…” (Isaiah 1:18).

Presented by Lauren Stibgen How do we lament? I guess we should start with understanding what lamenting truly is. Lament is expressing sorrow, mourning, or regret—crying out in grief. As followers of Jesus, we are called to lament! We are made in the image of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And, throughout the Bible we see examples of the trinity lamenting. Early in the Bible, God lamented the wickedness of man. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth and it grieved him to his heart (Genesis 6:5-6). Immediately following this regret and grief, God sent the flood. He blotted out everyone but Noah and his family. In Isaiah 63:10, the word says, but they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. This verse is referencing Israel's rebellion after being led by Moses out of Egypt. And we see examples of Jesus lamenting. It's an often quoted and the shortest verse in the Bible found in John 11:35, Jesus wept. His dear friend Lazarus had died, and he was overcome with grief. Jesus not only expressed this sorrow, but he gave us a true picture of lament in the Garden of Gethsemane. His lament to the Father was so deep his sweat was as drops of blood falling from his body. Jesus tells his disciples his soul is very sorrowful, even to death (Matthew 26:38). He then fell on his face, and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Taking these examples from the Father, Holy Spirit, and Jesus, how do we lament? We will look at the life of David and how he modeled lament. And we will consider why this is so important within the context of work.

As the Assyrian armies draw near, the people of Judah begin looking for security in all the wrong places. Instead of seeking God, many turn to mediums, spiritists, and necromancers in hopes of finding guidance, protection, and answers from the dead. In Isaiah 8:19–22, Isaiah warns his disciples not to follow the crowd down this path.His argument is both profound and ironic: Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Why seek protection from death by turning to those who have already been overcome by death? The sick cannot heal the sick. The blind cannot lead the blind. And the dead cannot save the living. Isaiah exposes the tragic destination of this false hope—a road that leads only deeper into darkness and death.But Isaiah's warning also prepares us for a greater hope.In this episode, we explore the remarkable connection between Isaiah 8:11–22 and Hebrews 2:10–15. The author of Hebrews presents Jesus as the true answer to humanity's deepest problem. Rather than seeking help from the dead, Jesus enters our condition, shares in our mortality, and enters into death itself, coming out on the other side at his resurrection from the dead. Through His death and resurrection, He breaks the devil's power to enslave humanity through the fear of death.The result is more than a future resurrection. Jesus frees us from the fear that keeps us stuck today. Fear of loss. Fear of failure. Fear of suffering. Fear of death itself. By making a way through death and out the other side, Jesus enables us to move forward in our growth, calling, and discipleship journey.The good news of the gospel is that Jesus gets us unstuck. He gets us unstuck now by setting us free from the fear of death, and He will ultimately get us unstuck forever by raising our bodies from the grave.Key Passages: Isaiah 8:19-22Hebrews 2:14-15Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

God's judgment is never meaningless. In Isaiah 1:24-27, we see that God's discipline has a purpose—to remove what is impure and restore what has been broken. While sin deserves judgment, God desires redemption. His refining fire is not meant to destroy His people but to make them holy once again. In today's episode, we'll discover how God transforms lives through His refining work and why His promise of restoration is still available today through Jesus Christ.

It's Wednesday, July 1st, A.D. 2026. 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 and Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims killed 28 Christians Militant Muslims killed 28 Christians, including a pastor, in central Nigeria last week. A local resident told Morning Star News, “We heard them even mentioning the names of some of our Christian leaders and directing some of them to hunt them down in their homes.”  Clint Lyons with iReach Global spoke to CBN News about the terrible persecution of Christians in Nigeria.  Listen. LYONS: “This isn't just a tragedy, it's a pattern. These attacks are no longer isolated, they are becoming expected. We can almost pinpoint where they're going to happen. Right now, it's looking like the Nigerian government is just simply not responding to the plight of Christians in the area.” Denmark considers banning Islamic call to prayer In Europe, the government of Denmark is considering a ban on the Islamic call to prayer. Morten Bødskov is the country's immigration minister. He recently reopened an investigation into whether such a ban is constitutional.  The Islamic call to prayer, known as the Adhan, calls Muslims five times a day to prayer, often over loudspeakers.  Bødskov told a local news agency, “The call to prayer should not be heard over Danish rooftops. It has no place in Denmark, and you shouldn't be in any doubt whether you've ended up in a suburb of Islamabad when you walk around Denmark.” In Isaiah 45:20, 22, the Lord said, “They have no knowledge, who … pray to a god that cannot save. … Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the Earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” U.S. Supreme Court upholds ban of transgenders in sports Here in the United States, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against transgenderism in sports yesterday. The ruling upheld laws in West Virginia and Idaho. These laws prohibit males, pretending to be females, from participating in female sports. Over the past six years, 27 states have enacted such laws.   The ruling stated, “The question before the Court is . . . may schools determine eligibility for women's and girls' sports based on biological sex? The answer is yes.” Report: Liberal Presbyterian Church USA lost 128 congregations The largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S. continues its decline in membership. A new report from the Presbyterian Church USA found that the denomination lost 26,000 members and 128 congregations from 2024 to 2025. Membership has fallen by an annual average of 4.6 percent over the past 10 years. During that time, the denomination has also continued its theological drifting. The Presbyterian Church USA is known for supporting abortion and sexually perverted lifestyles.  Texas State Board of Education approved Bible on reading list Last week, the Texas State Board of Education approved a public-school reading list that includes the Bible.  Bible verses will become required reading as part of literature studies in 2030. These include readings about Noah's Ark, David and Goliath, the Parting of the Red Sea, and the Beatitudes.  Brandon Hall is a pastor and a member of the state education board. He said, “We're going to stop watering down American history. We're going to teach the truth. Our nation was founded as a Christian nation, and Texas is a Christian state.” Buying a home harder today than previous generation A new report from Pew Research found that buying a home has gotten harder for young adults in most American metro areas.  Eighty-nine percent of adults under 40 say home buying is harder for them than it was for their parents.  Between 2019 and 2024, the inflation-adjusted median home value rose 30 percent. Meanwhile, the inflation-adjusted median household income of young adults rose only nine percent.  Founding anniversary of Gideons who've distributed 2.5 billion Scriptures Today marks the 127th anniversary of the founding of The Gideons, a ministry dedicated to distributing Bibles. Two traveling Christian salesmen got the idea for the ministry after providentially meeting at a hotel. John Nicholson and Samuel Hill later founded the group on July 1, 1899 at a YMCA in Wisconsin.  The ministry encouraged Christian traveling businessmen by placing Bibles in hotel rooms. They placed their first Bible in 1908. Over a hundred years later, The Gideons surpassed 2.5 billion Scriptures distributed worldwide.     Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.'” The Worldview needs to raise $123,500 by Friday, July 31st And finally, during the month of July, The Worldview newscast team is looking for financial partners to help fund the next fiscal year for a total of $123,500. That would cover the cost for the six of us to research the stories, write them, voice them, track down the audio clips, and upload the newscast on multiple platforms for another 365 days. In every newscast, we include a story about the persecuted church, highlight Christian news from around the world, reference important Christian history anniversaries, cover domestic politics and social issues like abortion and the homosexual agenda, feature fresh audio clips, we cite two relevant Bible verses, and practical action steps like writing a thank you note to an elected official who took a stand for righteousness. There's not another newscast out there like this one. As you know, beyond our reach on www.TheWorldview.com, Spotify, Amazon Music, iTunes, and SermonAudio.com, the newscast is also heard on 140 radio stations nationwide through Bott Radio Network and Redeemer Broadcasting. So, your financial investment helps us to literally reach hundreds of thousands of people. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus did not pull any punches. He said, "You are the salt of the Earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." What does The Worldview newscast mean to you? Email me your thoughts in 2-4 sentences including your name, city and state, and country if outside America. Send that to Adam@TheWorldview.com We need to raise $12,450 by this Friday, July 3rd. That means we're looking for 10 Worldview listeners to pledge $50 per month for 12 months and 20 listeners to pledge $25/month for 12 months. Go to TheWorldview.com, click on Give, select the dollar amount, and make sure to click on the “recurring” button if that's your wish. We never require a paywall for people to read the transcript or listen to the newscast.  Stand with us today to ensure that we can continue making it available to everyone for free. Thank you for doing your part! Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, July 1st, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

How does a city once known for faithfulness become filled with corruption? In Isaiah 1:21-23, God mourns over Jerusalem's spiritual decline. The people continued their religious practices, but their hearts had drifted far from Him. Justice was ignored, truth was compromised, and selfishness replaced compassion. This passage isn't just about ancient Judah—it serves as a warning for believers today. God isn't looking for empty religion; He's looking for transformed hearts that reflect His holiness in everyday life. Join us as we begin this two-part study through Isaiah 1 and discover what happens when faith becomes nothing more than an outward appearance.

So how does it end? How do the pieces of Isaiah fit together? Well, today we dive into Isaiah 66 and see the Lord's glorious plan for His Servant, His people and His kingdom. Join us in this exciting conclusion to this wonderful book! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    As we wrap up our study in the book of Isaiah, what key truths were taught about sin in the following verses:  a.    Isaiah 1:3 b.    Isaiah 59:2 c.    Isaiah 64:6  2.    What key truths are taught about the New Kingdom and her King in the following verses:  a.    Isaiah 2:2 b.    Isaiah 7:14 c.    Isaiah 9:1 d.    Isaiah 9:7 e.    Isaiah 11:2 3.    In Isaiah 66, verse 1, what can mankind make for God to dwell in? Why? According to verse 2, where does the Lord abide? Who might abide with Him? What does it mean to tremble at the Word of God? Would you say that this phrase describes your disposition to the Lord and His Word?  4.    Verse 3 describes the religious hypocrisy of Isaiah's day. What does it sound like the people were doing? Why was this the equivalent of sacrificing dogs and pigs? Does God embrace this kind of worship? How do people make up their own worship today? Why might the Lord reject that worship too?  5.    How does verse 4 show that the people's worship was truly hypocritical? How might a person today act like they are listening to God when they're really not? 6.    In verse 5, the people who tremble at God's Word even face persecution from their own family. What does it look like in this verse? Have you ever seen this kind of persecution in our world today? How does a person's resilience in the face of persecution demonstrate the genuineness of their trust in the Lord?  7.    In verse 6, what is the Lord's response to those who revile His people? What kind of confidence should this give to God's people when they're facing persecution for the Lord? 8.    Verses 7 to 9 is speaking of how the Lord will form a new people and give birth to a new nation. In light of everything we've studied so far in the book of Isaiah, what is this new nation being spoken of here? What kind of hope do you think the Lord intends to convey to His people in these verses? Why would they need this kind of encouragement?  9.    In verses 10 to 14, what is the appropriate response to this work of God? How was the Lord guiding Jerusalem to fulfill her purpose to be a spiritual mother to the nations of the world? 10.    How does the arrival of this new nation also bring judgment in verses 15 to 18? Why?  11.    Verse 19 speaks of how the Lord will send messengers throughout the world. What will be the result of their ministry in verse 20? What is a grain offering? What is the significance of these people being grain offerings to the Lord? 12.    Think about the statement in verse 21 that these people from the nations will be legitimate priests and Levites. Under the Old Covenant, how did a person become a priest? What kind of selection process did they undergo? Why are these Gentiles given such a privileged role and place in this new nation? 13.    In verse 23, how long will this new nation and these new people last? What will all mankind do before the Lord? What does this also say about the endurance of the people's worship? 14.    Read over verse 24, what is the final point of the Book of Isaiah? How is this still a warning to the world today? 15.    Think back to what we have learned from Isaiah about this coming kingdom. Has this kingdom come yet? In this study of Isaiah, how have you seen what it means to be living in light of this future kingdom? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Today's Promise: Isaiah 40:11 Today's promise reminds us that Jesus is more than our Savior. He is our Good Shepherd. He watches over His sheep with tender care, providing for our needs, protecting us from danger, and leading us into places of rest.   In Isaiah 40:11, God promises to gather His lambs in His arms, carry them close to His heart, and gently lead them along the right path. On the days when you feel strong, He guides your steps. On the days when you feel weak, weary, or overwhelmed, He doesn't leave you behind. Instead, He picks you up and carries you in His arms.   Join me as we explore this beautiful picture of Christ's love for His people and discover the comfort found in knowing that our Shepherd never stops caring for His sheep. No matter what you face today, you can rest in His protection, trust His provision, and listen for the voice of the One who lovingly calls you by name.

In Isaiah 8:16–18, the prophet Isaiah stands at a critical moment in Judah's history. Assyria is rising like a flood, judgment is approaching, and most of the nation refuses to trust the Lord. Yet Isaiah is commanded to bind up the testimony and seal the teaching among his disciples. In the midst of uncertainty, he chooses to trust the promises God has given him and leads a remnant community to do the same.In this episode, we explore Isaiah's remarkable declaration: "I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him." Although Isaiah is not walking in the same unbelief as Judah, he nevertheless shares in the nation's plight and experiences the consequences of the coming Assyrian invasion alongside them. As a faithful representative of God's people, Isaiah enters into their condition while continuing to trust God's promise of deliverance.We also examine Isaiah's statement, "Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are signs and wonders in Israel." While this certainly includes Isaiah's biological children, we consider the possibility that the phrase extends to his disciples as well. Together, this remnant community functions as a living sign that God will remain faithful to his word. Though Assyria will overflow the land like a river, God will preserve a people for himself and will not allow Judah to be completely swept away.Finally, we turn to Hebrews 2:10–13, where the author quotes Isaiah 8 and applies these words to Jesus. Just as Isaiah shared in the condition of his people while trusting God for deliverance, Jesus shared fully in our humanity by becoming flesh and blood. He entered our suffering, our weakness, and even our mortality. And like Isaiah before him, Jesus trusted God to fulfill his promises—even trusting the Father to deliver him from death itself through resurrection.By connecting Isaiah 8 and Hebrews 2, we discover a powerful portrait of faith: faithful representatives who enter the struggles of others, trust God in the midst of uncertainty, and become living signs of God's faithfulness. Most importantly, we see that Jesus understands our own struggle to trust God during difficult seasons because he has walked that path before us.Key Passages: Isaiah 8:16-18Hebrews 2:10-13Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It's a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God' goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It's a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you're interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at contact@gospelspice.com **Together, let's encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie welcomes her dear friend Erica Wiggenhorn for a transparent, encouraging conversation about what it means to delight in God. Drawing from personal experiences, Scripture, and practical examples, they explore how all believers can experience and sustain joy in the Lord—even through difficult seasons.Stephanie, when pondering this conversation, took away these key points to remember:Delight is not limited to profound spiritual moments; it can be awakened in ordinary, beautiful encounters with God's world.Delight is sometimes borrowed from others, shared through community, creativity, and kindness to oneself during dry seasons.God uses even our hardest experiences as a foundation for authentic delight and hope, especially as we support each other.Getting the Word into us daily is not just a duty—it's the ongoing source of delight and transformation.Delight is rooted not in our performance but in Christ's finished work and the Father's unchanging love.Here's more from this conversation:Delighting in God doesn't require deep theological expertise or perfection. Instead, it's woven into everyday life and accessible to everyone. Erica describes experiences from her childhood at the beach—watching children squeal with joy as they run into the waves, or observing baby whales playing for the first time—highlighting how witnessing God's creation leads her heart to delight in Him.Life isn't always easy. Erica is honest about facing times when delight in God seems distant—whether due to discouragement, struggles, or the pressures of daily life. She insists it's a common, human experience and gives listeners permission to acknowledge seasons where faith feels routine or strained. She offers three practical helps for regaining delight:Music – Worship songs often “tear down the walls” of her heart and renew her connection with God.Movement – Getting outside and moving, especially in sunshine, lifts her spirit.Community – Sharing experiences with others, and especially seeing God through the delight in someone else's eyes, reignites her own joy.Erica shares personally about parenting wayward children and organizing resources for others in similar struggles. She teaches that as we surrender our pain to God, He uses it for deeper purpose—serving others and discovering fresh delight through His redeeming work. Community and expectancy in God's goodness anchor us during heartbreak. For more details about the MOMentum conference, see below.Scripture is the chief wellspring of delight. We get to know God, experience His love, and gain new joy through His Word. Erica encourages varied approaches—listening to the Bible, studying alone or with others, or combining the Word with creative activities. The important thing is to absorb Scripture in the way that fits how God has wired you.In Isaiah 61:10, God dresses us in garments of salvation as a beloved bride. Erica reminds listeners that while we may struggle with shame or self-critique, God sees us beautifully in Christ. We don't earn His delight; we receive it as a gift by simply approaching Him.If you struggle to believe God delights in you, print a picture of a radiant bride and declare, “This is me in the eyes of my King.” Ask Him for faith to accept His joy over you.MORE ABOUT THE MOMENTUM CONFERENCE, JANUARY 29-31 2027, PHOENIX, AZYour child is going their own way, in a direction you would never choose, leading to disruption and separation in your relationship.But what if you found a new pathway for connection, where you could both move forward, together?The Momentum Conference provides a safe place to rest, remember you're not alone and receive tools and perspective empowering you to stand strong in faith and pursue healthy connection with your child.God is for you, for your family — and together we can cling to His promises and find hope.Details and tickets at https://ericawiggenhorn.com/momentum/ What is the Momentum Conference?Momentum is a Friday night through Sunday morning getaway with a balance of biblical teaching, practical help, group connection and time to pursue individual rest.The weekend schedule has been designed to lavish love, impart resources and provide hope to moms who are walking a hard road with their teens, young adult, or adult children.Freedom to pursue preferential activities provided by the resort promises a time of rejuvenation as well as a mental, emotional and spiritual reset."Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn't really work, or it's not really possible here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable.Delighting in God isn't sentimental optimism. It's deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus.It's the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JKind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith:“Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God's delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you'll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content"I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie's joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky"Stephanie's love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways." More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 20, the Book of Proverbs, and Isaiah 20 For Bible in Ten – By DH – 23rd June 2026 Yesterday we completed Matthew 20.    W. Bullinger associates the number 20 with expectancy. It is one short of 21, which is three times seven, a number suggestive of divine completion in spiritual perfection. Therefore, 20 carries the thought of waiting, looking forward, standing just short of completion, and expecting what God alone can bring to pass. As we will see, Matthew 20, Isaiah 20, and Proverbs, the twentieth book of the Bible, each harmonise around the same spiritual note of expectancy. Matthew 20 opens with workers waiting for their reward. Some have borne the burden and heat of the day. Others came at the eleventh hour. All are dependent upon the goodness of the master. The issue is not merely labor, but expectation. What will the master give? How will he judge? Will his goodness offend those who think reward should be measured by comparison? The answer is grace. The last receive what the master has freely determined to give. The first are not wronged, but their hearts are exposed. Thus, Matthew 20 begins with expectancy and turns it into a revelation of grace. Man expects according to merit. God gives according to His goodness. Isaiah 20 gives a darker companion witness. There, Isaiah becomes a sign against Egypt and Cush. The nations that seemed strong, useful, and dependable are exposed. Human refuge is stripped bare. The expectation placed in worldly strength is shown to be empty. This is the other side of expectancy. If man waits upon Egypt, he will be ashamed. If man waits upon Cush, he will be disappointed. Similarly if man waits upon his own wisdom, labor, greatness, or position. But if man waits upon the Lord, he will not be put to shame. This is where the pattern begins to shine. Isaiah has 66 chapters, and the Bible has 66 books. Isaiah, in broad outline, seems to stand as a remarkable miniature witness to the whole Bible. Within that larger 66-fold witness, Isaiah 20 fits with the twentieth book, Proverbs.  That is not random noise. It is the sort of pattern that causes us to marvel at God's wonderful word. It is ordered, layered, and spiritually alive. The same God who numbers the stars and calls them all by name has arranged His word, inspiring human authors with a wisdom that continually exceeds mere human ability and spanning vast distances of human history. Proverbs, as the twentieth book, is typically fitting. If 20 speaks of expectancy, Proverbs teaches us how to wait rightly. It teaches the fear of the Lord. It teaches humility before honor. It warns against pride, envy, haste, self-trust, and the evil eye. It teaches that the Lord weighs the heart and that man must not lean on his own understanding. This is exactly the wisdom needed in Matthew 20. The vineyard workers need Proverbs. They must learn not to grumble against goodness. The disciples need Proverbs. They must learn that greatness is not grasped through ambition. The mother of Zebedee's sons needs Proverbs. She must learn that honor is not seized by request, but prepared by the Father. The blind men heed what Proverbs points toward: the fear of the Lord, humble dependence, and a cry for mercy. The book of Proverbs gives immediate access to God's view of these things. It tells us plainly that pride blinds, envy corrodes, humility precedes honor, and wisdom begins with reverence for God. Matthew 20 then shows these truths embodied in living form. And at the centre stands Christ. He is the One for whom all true expectancy waits. He is the wisdom of God. He is the Servant who does not come to be served, but to serve. He is the ransom for many. He is the One going up to Jerusalem, where peace will be secured not through worldly power, but through His suffering, death, and resurrection. In Isaiah 20, false hope is stripped. In Proverbs, true wisdom is taught. In Matthew 20, true hope and true wisdom meet in Jesus Christ. So by considering the chapter through the lens of the number 20 and its Biblical meaning , we can see once again that man is waiting. Creation is waiting. Israel is waiting. The nations are waiting. The disciples are waiting. The blind are waiting. But the question is: what are they waiting for? Some wait for Egypt. Some wait for reward. Some wait for status. Some wait for human greatness. Some wait for their own works to justify them. But the faithful wait for the Lord. The two blind men at the end of Matthew 20 show the right response. They do not come boasting. They do not argue wages. They do not ask for thrones. They cry, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us.” That is expectancy purified. That is wisdom in action. That is the opposite of trusting Egypt. That is the heart looking to the only One who can open blind eyes. And He does. The Lord stops. The Lord calls. The Lord asks. The Lord touches. The Lord restores sight. Then they follow Him. This is the glory of the pattern. The number 20 brings us to expectancy, but Christ brings expectancy to fulfillment. Proverbs teaches us to fear the Lord. Isaiah warns us not to trust in man. Matthew reveals the Lord Himself, walking the road to Jerusalem to accomplish what no man, nation, ruler, disciple, worker, or wise man could ever accomplish. Life application: We are always waiting for something. We wait for reward, vindication, provision, healing, direction, peace, and completion. The question is whether our expectancy is placed in the Lord or in something that will be stripped away. Isaiah 20 warns us that false confidence will be exposed. Proverbs teaches us that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Matthew 20 shows us that the grace of God is found in Christ, the Servant-King, who gives His life as a ransom for many. Let us therefore wait rightly. Let us not grumble against grace. Let us not grasp after status. Let us not trust in Egypt. Let us not lean on our own understanding. Let us cry out with the blind men, “Lord, have mercy,” and follow the One who opens our eyes. Lord God, how wonderful is Your word. Its patterns are beyond us, its wisdom is pure, and its testimony always leads us to Christ. Thank You for showing us that our expectation must not be in man, merit, power, or position, but in You alone. Open our eyes, humble our hearts, and teach us to rejoice in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Have you maintained a faithful, straight walk in Torah? Or have you gotten “off the path” a little or a lot? Do you sense a call to return to the path, to Yahweh? Taking us to Jeremiah 29:12, Rabbi Steve Berkson points out Yahweh's pattern of behavior toward His people. When He needs to correct covenant behavior, He starts with small, subtle nudges and then uses more severe measures to get our attention. If He determines that we are not listening or responding, we will be turned loose to “play with the pigs” and, hopefully, come to ourselves and return to Him and the Covenant. • What's the first thing one should do when returning to Yahweh? • What is “hedging an apology”? • What does it mean not to seek Yahweh with all your heart? In Isaiah 55:6, two things are mentioned – seeking Yahweh while He can still be found and calling on Him while He is near. • What causes Him not to be near? What separates you from Him and creates distance? • Why do we not fully understand and accept His ways? • What are 3 things that will forever be in the Kingdom of Elohim? From there, Rabbi Berkson takes us to Lamentations chapters 3 and 5, where we see the formula for a prayer of repentance. • Have you ever been contrary to the Covenant out of rebellion? • What does “renew our days as of old” mean? Then we hop back to Jeremiah 6:8-17, where we see that the Torah is much more than just “The Law”; it is for our instruction. Yahweh wants us to be ‘instructed' by Him. • How can our ears be “uncircumcised”? • Why does Yahweh want to see us walk out His instructions? • What is “greedy for gain”? Verse-by-verse and step-by-step, Rabbi Steve Berkson takes us on a journey of discovery, learning how to covenant with our Creator and Father, which, from time to time, requires us to turn around and return to His Word so that we can have a sure entrance into His Kingdom. https://mtoi.org The MTOI App https://mtoi.org/download-the-mtoi-app https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide admin@mtoi.org (423) 250-3020 Join us LIVE (all times Eastern): • Torah Study, Fridays 7:30 pm • Shabbat Service, Saturdays 1:15 pm Streaming available on YouTube, Rumble, MTOI App, and mtoi.org

Isaiah 61:1-11 Introduction As we come to the end of Isaiah, I've been thinking and preparing for where we go next May seem weird but it going to a Gospel wasn't top of the list Why? In Isaiah we've spent ~80 weeks in the ‘5th Gospel' Isaiah is most quoted OT book in NT, Jesus references it often we've…

Every day, voices are presenting their case. Fear presents its case. Doubt presents its case. Culture presents its case. Success presents its case. Your past presents its case. Your wounds present their case. In Isaiah 41:21, God issues a remarkable challenge: "Present your case," says the Lord. In context, God is confronting the idols of the nations and exposing their inability to deliver what they promise. He challenges them to prove their authority, demonstrate their wisdom, and establish why anyone should trust them. The same question applies today. What voices are you listening to? What beliefs are shaping your decisions? What arguments are influencing your leadership, relationships, business, calling, and future? In this episode, Juliana explores: ✓ What Isaiah 41 reveals about truth, discernment, and spiritual maturity ✓ Why leaders must learn to examine the voices influencing them ✓ Common modern idols that quietly compete for our trust ✓ The stories fear, insecurity, offense, and scarcity try to sell us ✓ How to distinguish between cultural narratives and God's truth ✓ Why mature leaders don't believe every argument presented to them Because every day, something is asking for your agreement. The question isn't whether a case is being presented. The question is whether it's true. And when every competing voice has been examined, tested, and weighed, God's truth is still standing. "Present your case," says the Lord. "Bring forward your strongest arguments." — Isaiah 41:21 This episode will challenge you to examine what you're believing, what you're building your life upon, and which voices have earned the right to lead you.   If you're looking for deeper training and personal growth, Flight School applications are now open. This six-month prophetic formation experience is designed to help you develop not only prophetic gifting, but also the character, maturity, discernment, courage, and stewardship necessary to sustain it. Because the goal isn't simply hearing God's voice. It's becoming a leader God can trust. Applications close soon. APPLY HERE: https://julianapage.info/flightschoolinterest   And if you're looking for ongoing support, community, and leadership development, we'd love to welcome you into Courage Co. Courage Co. exists to help people expand their capacity so they can fully steward their calling, leadership, relationships, influence, and purpose. Inside Courage Co., you'll find practical teaching, powerful conversations, live trainings, encouragement, and a community of people committed to becoming healthy, whole, courageous leaders. Because hearing God's voice is important. But becoming the kind of person who can sustain what God entrusts to them is where true transformation happens.   Join us inside Courage Co. and continue the journey. www.courageco.org    Ready to continue growing as a leader God can trust? The Spirit-Driven Success® Leadership Audio Mentorship was created for leaders who know their next level won't be sustained by strategy alone. Leadership requires capacity. Discernment. Emotional maturity. Spiritual formation. Wisdom. Each month, you'll receive private audio teachings designed to help you expand your capacity, strengthen your leadership, and steward your calling well. Join the SDS Leadership Audio Mentorship: https://julianapage.info/spiritdrivensuccesspod

In Isaiah 8, the prophet describes a striking paradox. The same God who becomes a sanctuary and refuge for Isaiah becomes a stone of stumbling, a rock of offense, a snare, and a trap for many in Israel.Why the difference?In this episode, we explore the truth that God Himself does not change. Instead, the way we experience Him is often shaped by the condition we are in when we encounter Him. Isaiah presents life as a journey—a way in which we are walking. While Isaiah sought the Lord, much of Israel was moving in the opposite direction. As they drifted farther from God, His intervention became painful. He became a stumbling stone in their path, confronting their direction and exposing their resistance. For some, that resistance would ultimately lead to captivity, fulfilling Isaiah's warning that God would become a snare and a trap.We then follow this imagery into 1 Peter 2:4–9, where Peter applies Isaiah's words directly to Jesus. Christ is the living stone chosen by God. Yet for those who are not fully persuaded by the gospel, He remains a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense—a scandal. They are drawn to Him and pushed away by Him at the same time. They sense there is something uniquely compelling about Jesus, yet they struggle to surrender to what He demands.Many people know what it feels like to be stuck in that place. They cannot move forward, yet they cannot walk away. The experience can be frustrating, painful, and disorienting. But Peter points to a way forward. The answer is not to avoid the stone but to surrender to Him. The One who causes stumbling can become the foundation upon which a new life is built.Join us as we explore Isaiah's vision, Peter's interpretation, and what it means for Jesus to be both the Rock that shelters and the Rock that scandalizes—calling us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.Key Passages: Isaiah 8:11–151 Peter 2:4-9Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Holiness is one of the most misunderstood attributes of God, and the foundation for all of His other attributes. In Isaiah 6, a single vision makes it undeniable: the temple shakes, the seraphim cry out without ceasing, and the weight of His glory fills the room. God is utterly set apart from all creation and perfectly pure in His character. There is nothing common about Him, nothing corrupt, nothing diminished.

The preached Word of God is more than information—it is transformation. When God's Word is proclaimed, lives are changed, hearts are challenged, and faith is strengthened. The power isn't found in human wisdom or eloquent speech, but in the truth and authority of God's Spirit.In 1 Corinthians 2:13, Paul reminds us that spiritual truths are communicated through words taught by the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 55:11, God promises that His Word will never return void but will accomplish everything He intends. And in James 1:22, we are challenged not just to hear the Word, but to put it into practice.This message, “Preached Word,” explores why the preaching of Scripture remains one of God's primary ways of revealing truth, building faith, and transforming lives.

God loves His people enough to warn them before disaster comes. In Isaiah 28, we discover a critical danger that threatens every believer: the temptation to place our trust in the wrong foundation. While the world offers endless promises of security, God reveals the only source of lasting hope and stability. This is a warning every Christian needs to hear, and one that is more relevant now than ever. Join us as we examine Isaiah 28 and uncover a timeless message that could change the way you view your walk with God.

"Every person seeks refuge somewhere. The question is whether that refuge is true or false.In Isaiah 28:14–22, God confronts Judah for seeking security in political alliances rather than in the Lord. Isaiah describes their alliance with Egypt as a “covenant with death” and a “refuge of lies.” Instead of trusting in God, they sought salvation in the strength of man.Against this false refuge, God sets forth another refuge: the cornerstone laid in Zion.This sermon explores:The historical background of Judah's alliance with EgyptWhy Isaiah calls Egypt a “covenant with death”The irony of seeking life from the “land of death”The meaning of the “refuge of lies”The cornerstone prophecy fulfilled in ChristThe temple, Zion, and the Davidic CovenantChrist as the true sanctuary and refuge of his peopleIsaiah 28 powerfully contrasts two foundations: the collapsing refuge of worldly wisdom and the unshakable cornerstone laid by God himself. Christ alone is the refuge that can withstand the coming judgment."

Isaiah 46:11 reminds believers that God always fulfills His promises and accomplishes His plans in perfect timing. In this devotional, Whitney Hopler encourages Christians to trust God even during seasons of waiting, uncertainty, and unanswered prayers. Whether facing career decisions, personal struggles, or closed doors, believers can find peace knowing that God is always working behind the scenes. His faithfulness never fails, and His promises remain true regardless of circumstances. Highlights God always fulfills what He promises in His perfect timing. Isaiah 46:11 reveals the power and certainty of God’s plans. Waiting seasons can strengthen faith and dependence on God. Fear and striving often create unnecessary stress and anxiety. Romans 8:28 reminds believers that God works all things for good. Jesus is the ultimate proof of God’s faithfulness to His promises. Trusting God brings peace even before circumstances change. Join the Conversation What promise from God are you currently holding onto during this season of waiting? How has God shown His faithfulness to you in moments when you doubted the outcome? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: God Will Do What He SaysBy: Whitney Hopler Bible Reading:“... What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.” – Isaiah 46:11, NIV Years ago, I faced a lot of competition for a particular job I wanted. It was so competitive that I wondered whether or not I should even try. But after I prayed about whether I should go for it, I got a strong sense of peace and confidence about doing so. It was a long process! I had to develop a complex creative presentation and go through several interviews with various groups of people. Along the way, I doubted whether or not I could really get the job. I put myself through a lot of unnecessary stress worrying about the outcome. Finally, though, I turned my worries into prayers. After praying regularly about the job, I sensed that God would make a way for me to get it. Sure enough, God did open the door to that job for me. If I had trusted that God would bring that about after I’d prayed the first time, I would have saved myself all that stress I didn’t actually have to go through while waiting. In Isaiah 46:11, God assures us that he really will do what he says he’ll do in our lives. If God has spoken a truth over your life – such as that he loves you, that he’ll never leave you, or that he’ll meet all of your needs – you can really count on God doing that. It’s something you can be sure God will do! If God planned it, he is currently doing the work behind the scenes to make it happen. Just because you can’t see the result yet, because it’s not yet God’s timing for it to happen, doesn’t mean God has abandoned his work on it for you. This verse has real authority behind it. God tells us clearly that he will bring about what he says and that he will do what he has planned. The focus is entirely on God’s power, and God has unlimited power to do whatever he chooses to do. We never have to worry that God won’t be able to keep his promises to us. No matter what, God always keeps his promises. We can also be sure that none of our mistakes will ruin God’s work in our lives. God tells us in Romans 8:28 that all things will work together for our good. God can take all of our broken pieces and incorporate them into the plans he established for us before we were even born. No matter what, God will continue to work to accomplish good purposes for our lives. Jesus is the ultimate proof that what God says in Isaiah 46:11 is true. Thousands of years before Jesus was born, God said he would send a Savior. But as people waited for that to happen, generation after generation passed. People started to doubt that God would really do what he said he would do. At just the right time, though, God brought about just what he had planned and said he would do. Jesus came to Earth at exactly the best time in history to save our world from sin. Since God was faithful to fulfill the massive promise of sending us a Savior, you can trust God to fulfill the promises he has made to you personally. You can stop exhausting yourself trying to force doors open or worrying that you’ve been forgotten. You can breathe. God always tells the truth. If God said it, it’s coming. If he planned it, it’s happening. Your job isn’t to make it happen; your job is to trust the One who is already doing it. Intersecting Faith & Life: As you consider how you can trust God to do what he says he will do, reflect on these questions: What’s one promise you’re currently waiting for God to fulfill? In what ways are you currently tempted to doubt God’s promises while you wait, and how can you remind yourself of God’s faithfulness regularly? Looking back, when has God brought about a plan in your life that you once thought was impossible? Are you exhausted from trying to force a result in your own strength rather than trusting God’s timing? When you think about how God always tells the truth and how he never fails, how does that change your level of peace? Further Reading:Numbers 23:19Joshua 21:45Philippians 1:6Psalm 33:11Hebrews 10:23 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Isaiah 55:8-12 offers powerful encouragement for Christians struggling with disappointment, uncertainty, or unanswered prayers. In this devotional, Cindi McMenamin reminds believers that true joy is found not in perfect circumstances, but in trusting God’s higher wisdom, faithful timing, and unchanging character. Even when life feels confusing or painful, Scripture assures us that God is always working with purpose, and His promises never return empty. Learning to trust God’s plan instead of relying on our own understanding leads to lasting peace, spiritual strength, and deeper faith. Highlights Isaiah 55 teaches that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours. True joy is not dependent on circumstances, but on trusting God. God’s promises and plans never fail or return empty. Believers can experience peace even when they do not understand God’s timing. Joy grows when we surrender control and place our trust in the Lord. God remains loving, faithful, and sovereign through every season. Join the Conversation What situation in your life feels difficult to trust God with right now? How can surrendering control help you experience greater joy and peace in this season? Continue the conversation and share your thoughts with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Our Promise of Joy By Cindi McMenamin Bible Reading: “For you will go out with joyAnd be led in peace;The mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you,And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12 NASB) Could you use some joy in your life right now? Have circumstances discouraged you, causing you to wonder where God is or why He allows what He does? It’s difficult, at times, to understand God, but according to Scripture, His thoughts are not like ours, and His ways are not like ours either. The Bible says we’re foolish to think we can ever fully understand the mind and ways of God. We can tend to think we have Him figured out, and then He seems to act out of character by allowing something that we don’t understand. But, my friend, God is always consistent with Who He is – loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, and faithful to the ends of the earth. So, if it seems like God is disappointing you, failing you, or abandoning you, you must not have the whole picture yet. And spoiler alert: you might not see the whole picture this side of heaven. It occurred to me as I was reading through Isaiah 55:8-12 that God was not only telling His people, through the prophet Isaiah, to trust His ways and His timing, but He was giving them the formula for joy. He wasn’t just saying, “Joy will someday be yours as you trust Me.” He was saying joy was a result of understanding Who He is and that His ways are sometimes unexplainable. In Isaiah 55:8-11, God offers these encouraging, comforting, and (for me, they were life-changing) words: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” NASB). Those four verses of Scripture assure us that even though we don’t always understand God’s thoughts and His ways, He is still God and He can still bring something good out of what He is allowing. And therefore, as we trust His ways and His timing, we can “go out with joy.” Even when we can’t see it all yet. Joy isn’t automatic. And joy certainly isn’t connected to our circumstances. Rather, joy is the result of understanding that God’s ways are so far above our own. God was telling His people, in verses 8-11, that His thoughts were not just different than theirs, but higher than theirs, and His ways were better than theirs, fuller than theirs, accomplishing so much more than theirs. And therefore, joy was theirs as they accepted that God’s ways and timing are different, but so much better. And He can be trusted. The wonderful thing about this promise of joy in Isaiah 55:12 is that it follows that comforting passage, assuring us that God’s ways are not like our own. He doesn’t mess up. He doesn’t miss a thing. And He is always working on our behalf, as we trust and honor Him. Intersecting Faith & Life: Can you trust His ways, my friend, regardless of your circumstances? In addition to this comfort in Isaiah 55:8-12, we are assured in Psalm 18:30 that all God’s ways are perfect. And in addition to His perfect methods and timing, “He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” Trust this God whose ways are higher, better, and more eternal than yours. And experience the joy that comes from being able to say, “I don’t understand. But my trust is in Him.” Further Reading:Psalm 121 For more on trusting God with your whole heart, see my newest book, The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Always On Time" I. Introduction: Defining "On Time" Human vs. Divine Timeline: We all view time differently (e.g., being hours early like Pastor Rhonda's father, pulling in at the last exact minute, or having a "when I get there, I get there" attitude). The Mismatched Watch: Pastor Rhonda shares a story of her father getting anxious about being late, only to realize his watch was still set to a different time zone. We often get aggravated or anxious with God simply because we are looking at our own clock instead of His. Core Truth: God does not operate on our timeline or synchronize His eternal watch with ours. His delays are deliberate, purposeful, and designed to bring Him glory. II. Point 1: The Danger of Rushing God The only thing worse than waiting on God is wishing you had waited on Him. Scriptural Warnings of Impatience: King Saul: Took matters into his own hands and offered an unauthorized sacrifice because his men were scattering and the prophet Samuel was delayed. As a result, the kingdom was torn from him. Abraham and Sarah: Attempted to force God's promise of a child by involving Hagar, resulting in the birth of Ishmael and generational warfare. The Counter-Culture of God's Delays: Even when humanity makes mistakes or tries to rush the process, God is powerful enough to rewrite the story (e.g., the massive revivals occurring today among the descendants of Ishmael in places like Iran). III. Point 2: The Nature of the Waiting Room What is "Waiting"?: In Isaiah 43, the Hebrew word for waiting (qavah) means to be tightly woven together like cords. The Principle: True waiting means binding your heart to the Lord, not to the outcome or the specific thing you are asking for. The Reality of Turbulence: Life brings unexpected turbulence, much like a bumpy flight 30,000 feet in the air. When God chooses not to immediately stop the turbulence, He provides the necessary grace to walk through it. God's Arrangement: In Ecclesiastes, "beautiful in its time" translates from a root meaning arranged, precise, orderly, and fitting. God is intricately preparing the circumstances to display His glory perfectly. IV. Point 3: He Reaches Down and Lifts Us Up An Eyewitness to Deliverance: Our survival through past trials isn't luck, coincidence, or superstition—it is a direct testimony of God doing what only He can do. The Ultimate "Reach": God bridges the massive gap between His absolute holiness and our deep hopelessness. Calvary was the ultimate extension of God reaching down to humanity. Deep Waters: Deep waters represent situations heavier and stronger than we are—depression, grief, financial crisis, or broken relationships. Even David, the mighty warrior who killed Goliath, had to admit when an enemy was too strong for him. The Parent Metaphor: Just as a parent jumps fully clothed into a pool to rescue a drowning child without a second thought, God moves urgently into our deep waters to rescue us and place us in a "spacious place" of freedom. V. Point 4: Walking Through the Fire The Purpose of the Furnace: Fiery trials are not strange occurrences; they are vehicles to burn off the "fake" attributes (like pride or addiction) and solidify genuine, veteran faith. Identity in the Fire: When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, the Babylonian king tried to change their identities by renaming them. However, Christ walked into the fire with them, burning away only their bindings. The Hebrew Meanings of the Three Hebrews: Hananiah (Shadrach): "Yahweh has been gracious." Mishael (Meshach): "Who is like our God?" Azariah (Abednego): "Yahweh has helped." The Fire's Expiration Date: Every trial has a limit. The world cannot alter your identity as a son or daughter of God, and you will come out of the fire not even smelling like smoke. VI. Conclusion: God Rescues Because He Delights in You Relentless Delight: God doesn't love or rescue us out of obligation or because we performed perfectly this week. He is overwhelmed with delight for His children because of Jesus Christ. The Final Declaration: God is worth waiting for. From Joseph to Esther, to the arrival of Jesus in the fullness of time, He has proven that He is an all-time God who cannot fail. Scripture Index Here are the key verses read, cited, or closely paraphrased throughout the service: Psalm 18:1-3 > "I will love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised..." Psalm 126:1-5 > "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like those that dreamed. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing... They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." 1 Samuel 13 (Referenced) – The account of King Saul prematurely offering the sacrifice and Samuel declaring the kingdom torn away. Genesis 16 (Referenced) – Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and the birth of Ishmael. Isaiah 40:31 (Referenced) – Waiting (qavah) on the Lord to renew strength and mount up with wings like eagles. Ecclesiastes 3:11 > "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Romans 8:38-39 (Paraphrased) – The conviction that no principalities, powers, height, or depth can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 43:1-3 > "...Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."   1 Peter 4:12 > "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."   1 Peter 1:6-7 (Paraphrased) – Gold perishes, but a refined faith brings praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Daniel 3 (Referenced) – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace with the fourth man who looked like the Son of God. Numbers 6:24-26 (The Benediction) > "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." "Thanks for listening! For more information, visit churchoftheharvest.com. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and YouTube @cothcleveland.

"Why do some people hear the Word of God as life and glory, while others hear it only as meaningless noise?In Isaiah 28:7–13, Isaiah describes the spiritual condition of Judah's leaders as drunken, blind, and incapable of understanding the Word of God. To them, divine truth sounds like nothing more than “precept upon precept, line upon line.” The problem is not with God's Word—it is with the hearts of those who hear it.This sermon examines:The spiritual blindness of Judah's priests and prophetsThe judicial hardening theme throughout IsaiahWhy the Word of God sounds foolish to unbeliefChrist's use of parables as judgmentThe meaning of “strange speech” and foreign tonguesPaul's use of Isaiah 28 in 1 Corinthians 14The clarity of Scripture and the responsibility of the hearerIsaiah warns that when people refuse to hear God's clear Word, God may give them over to confusion and judgment. But for Christ's sheep, the Word remains the voice of the Good Shepherd and the words of everlasting life."

What did Isaiah really mean when he spoke of a “young woman” bearing a son called Immanuel? And why does Matthew quote Isaiah 7:14 as a prophecy of the virgin birth of Jesus?In this episode, we explore the fascinating Hebrew vocabulary behind one of the most debated passages in the Bible. We examine the nuanced meanings of the Old Testament terms na-arah, almah, and betulah, and discuss how each word overlaps with — yet differs from — the others. Does almah mean “virgin”? Does it simply mean “young woman”? Or does it intentionally sit in the space between the two?We also examine the Greek translation of Isaiah 7:14 in the Septuagint (LXX), where the Hebrew term almah is translated with the Greek word parthenos — an explicit term associated with virginity. From there, we trace how Matthew uses Isaiah 7:14 in Matthew 1:22–23 and why his interpretation depends not only on prophecy, but also on the theological trajectory of Israel's story.Along the way, we explore a significant difference between Isaiah and Matthew. In Isaiah 7:14, the woman who bears the child appears to be the one who names him Immanuel — “God with us.” Yet Matthew broadens the language so that “they” will call him Immanuel. Could Matthew be suggesting that Mary and Joseph gradually came to recognize who Jesus truly was through the years of their intimate life with him?What would it have been like to raise a child who never sinned? To watch him move from infancy to adulthood without corruption, deceit, selfishness, or moral failure? At what point would his parents begin to realize that this child was not merely sent by God — but was God with them?Ultimately, this episode is about far more than a linguistic debate. It is about the astonishing story of the incarnation: the God who does not remain distant from humanity's condition, but enters into it personally. Jesus does not merely observe our corrupted human nature from afar. He joins himself to it, enters our condition, and begins the process of healing, restoring, and transforming humanity from the inside out.Key Passages:Isaiah 7:14Matthew 1:22-23Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

"In Isaiah 28:1–6, the prophet Isaiah warns Ephraim—and through Ephraim, all of God's people—that pride always leads to destruction. The “glorious beauty” of the proud fades like a dying flower, and those intoxicated with the glory of this world will eventually be brought low under the judgment of God.Yet woven into this warning is a glorious promise of salvation. While the proud fall, God preserves a righteous remnant for whom the Lord himself becomes “a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty.” Isaiah points us beyond the immediate historical context to the coming Messiah—the true King filled with the Spirit, who judges in righteousness and becomes the refuge and glory of his people.This sermon explores:The structure and themes of Isaiah 28–35The spiritual meaning of “drunkenness” in IsaiahGod's judgment against worldly prideThe remnant theology of IsaiahThe connection between Isaiah 28, Isaiah 4, and Isaiah 11Christ as the Spirit-filled ruler and true glory of his peopleThe message of Isaiah 28 is deeply relevant today: the glory of this world is fading, but those who trust in Christ will never be put to shame."

Strength for the Weary | Anchored in Troubled Waters | Season 9 Episode 22Podcast DescriptionEveryone gets tired, even faithful people. In Isaiah 40, God reminds His people that He does not faint, grow weary, or run out of strength. This message looks at what it means to wait upon the Lord, receive renewed strength, and keep walking when life has left us worn down. When our strength runs low, God remains able to lift, sustain, and carry His people.Weariness is not always a sign of failure. Sometimes it is simply the reality of carrying burdens in a broken world. Isaiah 40 reminds us that while human strength runs out, God never grows weary. This message points tired hearts back to the everlasting God who gives power to the faint and renews the strength of those who wait upon Him.Some seasons leave us worn down, but Isaiah 40 gives hope to weary people. God does not faint, grow tired, or run out of strength. He gives power to the faint and teaches His people to wait upon Him. This message reminds us that renewed strength may look like soaring, running, or simply walking one more faithful step without fainting.

In Isaiah 31–32, we get a great example of the "dual lenses" through which Isaiah sees God's work in the future. Alex, Jim, and Sam discuss.

Today's readings.. (Joshua 1), (Isaiah 7, (1 Thessalonians 3,4)All 3 of our readings today provoke serious meditation about human reactions to God. We started reading Joshua and saw God's challenge to him to take his people over the Jordan.  He is told, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land … [1 v.5,6] In Isaiah (ch. 7] the prophet is told to “Go and meet (king) Asa” [v.3] and encourage him to face the threats from the north.  He is to tell him, “Be careful, do not fear, and do not let your heart in faint …” [v.4]  Then the king is bluntly warned, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” [v.9]  It is not possible to have a sort of half-faith!  Ahaz feels he is putting God to the test if he asks with a full expectation God will preserve him, he says, “I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test” [v.12]  Because of his lack of faith the LORD then gives, through Isaiah, messages to him of bad times to come when, among other things, “all the land will be briers and thorns” [v.24]In the New Testament we started to read Paul's 1st letter to the Thessalonians and saw how he is commending them on “how you turned … to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” [v.9,10] These words as so meaningful for us today; let us be “firm in faith” that God means what he caused his servants such as Paul to write.   May we, with full conviction in the word of God, “wait for his son from heaven' sensing that “wrath” will soon be coming on our world because it has reached the stage of near total godlessness. Let us not neglect our regular Bible reading as it lays the foundation to being “firm in faith” and to “be strong and courageous” both now – and even more – when the promised “wrath to come” actually happens and the dramas we will read of tomorrow in Paul's words actually takes place.

Be Strong in the Lord Ephesians 6:10-24 by William Klock We've made it all the way to the end of St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians.  For just over five chapters, Paul's been explaining how the church is God's means of taking what Jesus has done in his death and resurrection and turning it into God's new creation.  He's shown us how, in Jesus and the Spirit, he's given us back the vocation that Adam rejected.  We've been restored to our position as stewards of God's presence and God's wisdom and God's glory for the sake of the world.  Even more than that, as Adam was placed in God's garden-temple, through the gift of God's indwelling Spirit, you and I—the church—have now become God's temple.  And as Jesus has been raised from death to go be the new Adam, so in him and in the power of the Spirit, you and I are now called to put off the old, corrupt, lie-based way of being human and to put on the new humanity exemplified by Jesus.  And if we will be faithful to be fruitful and to multiply—whether by having our own children and raising them in the wisdom of the Lord or through our proclamation and living out of the gospel that brings others to the Messiah—Brother and Sisters, the temple will grow and grow and grow, carrying God's presence to the ends of the earth, spreading his wisdom—the way of new creation and the way of truly being human—to the ends of the earth, until God's glory covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. And having established that this is what the church is and that this is what our mission is, he shifted in Chapters 3-5 to the how of living out this new creation, to the how of putting off the old and putting on the new.  Don't listen to the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil.  Speak the truth and live the truth of God's new creation.  Put aside anger and wrath, and start living out love and grace and patience and mercy with all humility—just like Jesus.  And don't believe the world's lies about sex and money and power.  Be holy as God is holy and trust in his goodness and faithfulness.  In other words, as I said last week, stop trying to write your own story.  You're bad at it.  We all are.  God did not design us with the capacity to write our stories for ourselves (or to be gods, as Genesis put it).  Instead, trust in the God who gave his own son as a sacrifice for our sins, to set us to rights at such a great cost, and live the story he has written for us.  And the world will take note.  Live God's story, and you will challenge the lies of the world.  Live the story in which Jesus is Lord, proclaim that story and seeing that glimpse of new creation, of redemption and renewal, of mercy and grace people around us will believe.  But, too, live the story in which Jesus is Lord and you will challenge the Caesars of this world.  Live the story in which God is good and faithful and generous, and you will challenge the greedy, grasping lies of the world.  And the world, the flesh, and the devil will push back.  Or as Paul puts in Chapter 6, the principalities and powers.  They've lost, but they don't want to admit it.  They don't like to be challenged.  And this is where Paul picks up in Ephesians 6:10 with his final bit of wisdom for the Ephesians and for us.  [This is page 1163 in the pew Bibles.] “What else is there to say?  Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.  Put on the whole armour of God, then you will be able to stand firm against the devil's schemes.  The warfare we're engaged in, you see, is not against flesh and blood. It's against principalities, against the powers that rule the world in this dark age, against the wicked spiritual elements in the heavenly places.” Brothers and Sisters, know who your enemy is.  When things, when people, when systems push back against the gospel.  When we try to bring new creation to the world, when we try to live out the new way of being human we have in Jesus and the Spirit, we will experience opposition.  And it's critical we stand firm and fight back  But Paul stresses here: Know your enemy.  Because fighting the wrong enemy isn't going to win us anything. Paul knew this well.  Consider that he'd been a Pharisee.  The Pharisees were the party that traced its roots back to the Maccabean revolt two hundred years earlier, when the Jews rose up and threw off their pagan Greek overlords.  Paul—like most of his fellow Jews—grew up knowing that the enemies of God's people were the pagans: the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greek, the Romans. In a couple of decades it would happen again in the Judean volt of a.d. 70 and then again in the bar Kochba revolt in a.d. 132.  Neither of those revolts ended well for the Jews. And when the Jews revolted, they went into battle with passages like Isaiah 11 in mind: The shoot from the stump of Jesse would come, full of wisdom and justice.  “He shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins” (Isaiah 11:4-5)  But they added their spin to the scriptures.  The community at Qumran—the people responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls—the saw it this way: “With your sceptre may you lay waste the earth. With the breath of your lips may you kill the wicked…May justice be the belt of your loins, and loyalty the belt of your hips.  May he make your horns of iron and your hoofs of bronze.  May you gore like a bull…and may you trample the nations like mud…For God has raised you to a sceptre for the rulers before you…all nations shall serve you, and he will make you strong by his holy name, so that you will be like a lion.”[1] You can hear Isaiah in that, but then here the warrior girds himself up for battle, to trample the nations like mud.  He gores the nations like an ox and ravages them like a lion.  The picture begins with Isaiah, but it gets lost along the way.  In Isaiah 11 the Messiah's warfare ends not with a goring ox or a lion tearing flesh, but with the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the goat, the calf and the lion laying down together at peace and one like a little child leading them into a renewed creation where the lion eats straw like an ox. I fear we fall into the same trap.  Jesus said to his disciples: “Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more they can do. I will show you who to fear: fear the one who starts by killing and then has the right to throw people into Gehenna. Yes, let me tell you, that's the one to fear! (Luke 12:4-5) Brothers and Sisters, God had always urged his people to stand firm and to put up a fight, but our enemy, as Paul says here isn't flesh and blood.  It's not the people, however wicked they may be.  It's the lies the devil whispers—or sometimes shouts—into our world.  It's been that way from the beginning when Adam and Eve believed the first of his lies.  It's the lie that we can write our own stories better than God can.  It's the lie that security or power is to be found in money or in politics or in sex or in education or in all the other things to which we look that are not God—all the things that use and abuse and manipulate and exploit others for our benefit.  It's the lie that we can fight the gospel battle with bullets or with politics or with violence.  Paul's people talked about principalities and powers—sort of angelic beings whom God had created and appointed to oversee the nations, but who had fallen under the power of the devil's lies.  That's how they thought. I don't know if that's how it really is, but there are powers—political, economic, sexual, intellectual—that perpetuate the devil's lies and keep us in the dark, keep us stomping on each other, keep us at each other's throats, keep us seeing everyone else as the enemy so that we never stop to think that the real problem is the devil and his lies. So Paul reminds us.  The enemy is not flesh and blood.  Yes, other people enforce those systems.  Caesar believed the lie that he was the world's lord.  And his soldiers believed that lie too, when they arrested Christians and threw them to the lions.  But they were not the enemy; the lie was.  It still is.  They needed deliverance from it just like we do.  The enemy isn't Mark Carney or Donald Trump.  The enemy isn't greedy bankers or crooked businessmen or the people who run giant pornography websites.  It's not the abortionist or the therapist pushing gender ideology.  They're flesh and blood.  They bought the lie.  They need a gospel resuce just like we do.  And so Paul warns us, yes, there's a battle, put on the armour of God, and stand firm, but know your enemy.  Take your battle to the devil and the principalities and powers that perpetuate the lies.  Don't shoot their prisoners when what their prisoners need is to know the truth, the wisdom of God.  Brothers and Sisters, to fight them, to take the battle to flesh and blood, is just to fall prey to another lie of the real enemy.  Paul says that weird thing in verse 12, that these wicked spiritual elements are in the heavenly places, but I think his point there is that—as he said back in Chapter 2, we are seated in the heavenly places with the Messiah.  In his death and resurrection, Jesus won the decisive victory and now he's enlisted us, not to just sit in the church and be holy until he returns, but to be the new humanity who takes his new creation to the ends of the earth and, along the way, confronts the lies and the systems and powers that perpetuate them and declares that they have been defeated.  As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “he must go on reigning until he has put all his enemies under his feet.”  Brother and Sisters, the church is his means to bring that day.  (See, this has turned out to be an Ascension sermon after all!) So, Paul goes on in verse 13, “For this reason, you must take up God's complete armour.  Then, when wickedness grabs its 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!”  Now, what is the armour of God?  Notice the echoes of Isaiah 11 here.  “Put the belt of truth around your waist; put on justice 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 all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.” Notice that everything about this picture is defensive except the sword.  Again, the Messiah has already won the decisive victory.  He's won the ground.  Creation once again belongs to him.  Our job is to hold it against the enemy.  And, notice, as Paul has said before and as he says here in verse 10: We stand in God's power and might, not in our own.  We know what this power can do, because it's the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and now, as Paul has said over and over, we are “in the risen Messiah” and that makes us strong in the strength of his might.  There's an interesting parallel to this in Romans 4.  There Paul writes that Abraham was “strong in faith”, believing God's promise even though everything around him said not to trust this strange God.  He was strong because he trusted the God who had the power to accomplish what he had promised. Brothers and Sisters, we stand in that same faith, but unlike Abraham we have every reason to believe.  No one knew this God in Abraham's day.  You and I live with the witness of all the generations who have known and experienced this God ever since.  You and I live with the witness of the resurrection of Jesus, the greatest show of God's might in history and the event by which he has inaugurated his new creation.  If Abraham had reason to be strong in faith, we have reason to be even stronger.  So stand firm in the Messiah's battle and put on his armour to guard against the enemy who wants nothing more than to take back the ground he's lost to Jesus. As the Messiah puts on his armour for the battle in Isaiah, so should we.  It shouldn't be surprising that the first thing Paul says to put on is the truth.  All along he's been warning us not to believe the lies that have brought sin and death to the world.  All along he's warned us to be committed to the truth and not to be deceived by the lies around us.  In Isaiah 11:5 the Messiah puts on the belt of justice and faithfulness.  In the Greek “faithfulness” is translated as “truth”. The truth of God's creation and his new creation are the foundation of the gospel.  Isaiah saw the Messiah setting creation to rights, and to do that demands the truth to put an end to the lies.  The gospel proclaims Jesus' victory and the new creation that has come with him out of the tomb, the truth of the goodness of God's original creation and the truth of the goodness that he's now restoring it to.  Our calling now is to stand firm on that foundation and to wrap that truth around us like a belt.  The gospel is not about our feelings or our imaginations or what we think people will like or not like.  The gospel is about truth: God's good creation and Jesus' setting it to rights. But our main piece of defensive equipment is the breastplate—the breastplate of justice—or righteousness in some translations.  The Greek word means both.  Paul takes this image from Isaiah 59:17.  It's not just righteousness as we often think of it as moral goodness.  It's truly justice.  It's God's desire to see this broken world full of pain and tears truly set to rights.  In Isaiah 59 it's the divine warrior who goes out to bring God's justice to the world, but Paul understood that the divine warrior is Jesus the Messiah.  And he didn't go out to bash heads in order to bring justice.  He went in humility to the cross.  He gave his life to free us from sin and to wash away the stain of death, so that he could fill us with his Spirit and make us his temple.  And, in that, Paul's saying we're now called to follow in Jesus' steps to bring God's justice, his righteousness to the world as we live out Jesus' new—renewed—way of being human.  This is why Jesus talked in the Sermon on the Mount, about his people hungering and thirsting for justice.  It's our breastplate.  It's the thing staves off our own temptations to idolatry and greed that would otherwise cause us to bring more pain and tears into the world. And then the shoes of peace.  Another echo of Isaiah that Paul and the Jews knew so well: “How beautiful are the feet of the messenger who announces peace…who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”  Except whereas for people like the old Paul, this had become a hope of violent military victory over the pagans, in Jesus peace has come through his resurrection.  The enemy did his violent worst, and Jesus has trounced him with life.  And now he commissions us to be his ambassadors, running to the world to announce that in the risen Messiah, the king has returned to establish the peace that Israel had so long hoped for and the peace that even us gentiles hope for, knowing that the world is not as it should be.  Put on your gospel shoes! And then the shield of faith.  Paul seems to have come up with this all on his own.  He pictured flaming arrows that would set an ordinary shield on fire, but there were things you could do to prevent that—like stretching water-soaked leather over your shield.  Faith is like that, says Paul.  The Messiah's faith and then our faith that answers in return.  Faith will protect you from the enemy.  Don't let go of it. And then, back to Isaiah 59:17, the helmet of salvation—the helmet of “rescue”.  The divine warrior has won the battle and rescued the captives.  Brothers and Sisters, we've been rescued by Jesus, put that helmet on not only to stand your ground, but as with all these things, when we take up the Messiah's armour, we take up the Messiah's task.  He's rescued creation from the devil and now we're part of the battalion called to keep the devil from taking creation back.  That helmet of salvation reminds us—maybe that's why Paul puts it on our heads—that the Messianic mission is ultimately a rescue mission—to rescue creation and to rescue humanity from the enemies lies. And then there's the one defensive bit of God's armour: the sword of the Spirit, which Paul says is God's word.  The word is the gospel, the good news of Jesus, crucified and risen.  The word that fulfils Isaiah 11:4 where the Messiah smites the earth with the rod of his mouth and slays the wicked with the breath of his lips.  His breath.  In both Hebrew and Greek the word for breath is also the word for spirit.  Brothers and Sisters, Paul knew that when he proclaimed the gospel, God's Spirit went to work: confronting idolatry with the true and living God and sinners with a message of hope.  The battle isn't won with violence.  It's won with the good news of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  But Paul knew, too, that if we're going to stand firm in the Messiah, and if we're going to put on his armour, we'd better be praying, too.  He continues at verse 18: “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 God's holy ones—and also for me.  Please 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 mystery 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.” The military imagery is still here.  Like a sentry on guard: stay awake and alert.  Pray and persevere.  Don't give up.  The lies will swirl around you like a hurricane, but stand firmly in the truth of God's new creation and pray.  Connect with him in that mysterious and inexplicable gift he's given us to speak with and to be in communion with him.  It's one of the main reasons he's given us his own Spirit.  And here, I think Paul is again thinking of Isaiah 59 and the divine warrior, driven by the Spirit.  “As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord: my Spirit that is upon you and my words that I have put in your mouth shall not depart out of your mouth…from now on and forever” (Isaiah 59:21).  So pray.  Pray, pray, pray and pray that the Spirit will give you—will give us all—the boldness to speak God's word: his truth, his wisdom, his gospel into a world so desperately in need of them.  It doesn't matter if you're chained up for the gospel like Paul.  That's the gospel paradox.  God reveals his strength when we are at our weakest—just as he did at the cross. And then the last few verses of the letter.  Paul wraps things up saying, “It's important that you should know how things are with me, and what I'm up to; so our dear brother Tychicus will tell you about it.  He is a loyal servant in the Lord.  I've sent him to you with this in mind, so that you may know how things are with us, and so that he may encourage your hearts.  Peace be to the whole family, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus the Messiah.  Grace be with all who love our Lord, Messiah Jesus, with a love that never dies.” Tychicus is making the rounds to let them know what's up with Paul.  Again, Paul's said it several times: he's in prison.  We don't know what else beyond that Tychicus would have told them about Paul, but it's telling that whatever the news is, Paul expects them to be encouraged.  And it doesn't seem that it's news of a soon release.  I expect Paul would have mentioned something like that.  Instead, Paul seems to expect them to be encouraged by his chains.  Again, the opposition he's facing is a sign that the gospel and the Spirit are doing what they're supposed to do, that the gospel is marching on, that (so to speak) Aslan is on the move, and the principalities and powers feel threatened.  And that's good news.  So, knowing his brothers and sisters are standing firm and fighting the gospel fight, he wishes them peace and love with faith and grace—the heart of the gospel, the foundations on which God's new creation is being built. And then that last word.  I'll close with that.  To everyone who loves the Messiah: grace.  Grace with a love that never dies.  The Greek word literally means “immortality”.  Brothers and Sisters, this gracious love will never pass away.  When the battle is finally over, when we have fought the good fight, when we have stood firm and kept the faith, when the church has finally done what she was created to do and expanded God's temple until his presence, his wisdom, his glory have filled the whole earth and Jesus has made a final end of death itself, when we have done what our Lord has called us to do and find—maybe to our own surprise—that we're still standing on our own feet in those shoes of peace, when there are no more lies and Jesus is Lord, then our love for him—which may feel so imperfect and inadequate today—but our love for him that kept us strong through the storm and the battle, will turn out to have been only the beginning of the great gift of love that we will enjoy for ever in God's presence and in his creation set to rights, in that new heaven and earth in which there are no more pain or sorrows or tears or death, only grace and love. Paul began his letter by directing our gaze back before the foundation of the world and now he points forward to day when not only are all God's promises fulfilled, but when he himself sums up all things in heaven and earth himself, the fullness of all in all.  And here in the in-between, in the middle of the story we stand: rescued by love, given a new gospel life in love, equipped with God's word and God's Spirit in love, and filled with God's wisdom that, following Jesus, we will be the new humanity—the firstfruits of his new creation.  Not only for our sake, but for the sake of the whole word over which Jesus the Messiah is already ruling as Lord. Let's pray: O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen. [1] The Dead Sea Scrolls Study Edition, ed. F.G. Martinez and E.J.C Tigchelaar (Leiden: Brill, 1997), 109.

Saturday, 16 May 2026   So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28   “And Jesus, He said to them, ‘Amen! I say to you that you, the ‘having followed Me', in the rebirth, when He shall sit, the Son of Man, upon ‘throne, glory, His', you will sit, also you, upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes – the Israel.'” (CG).   In the previous verse, Peter noted to Jesus that he and the others had left all and followed Him. As such, he asked what they would have. In response, Matthew records, “And Jesus, He said to them, ‘Amen!'”   As usual, when making a solemn proclamation, Jesus begins with “Amen.” His word is to be accepted as an assured truth. Continuing, He says, “I say to you that you, these having followed Me.”   The response is limited to true followers of Jesus. For example, there are many people who claim Jesus at this time. Hebrew Roots, Mormons, and Seventh Day Adventists, all claim to follow Jesus, but their doctrine holds to either a false Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4), or a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-8). Jesus' words are exclusive of such. He next says, “in the rebirth.”   Two points about this. First, it is a new and rare word, paliggenesia, rebirth. It is from palin, again, and genesis, nativity. As such, it refers to a spiritual rebirth or the messianic restoration. It is only found elsewhere in Titus 3:5 –   “...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration [paliggenesia] and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”   The second point is what this is referring to. Some tie the word to the previous clause. Others to the second clause –   “I say to you that you, the ‘having followed Me' in the rebirth...”   “I say to you that you, the ‘having followed Me', in the rebirth, when He shall sit, the Son of Man, upon ‘throne, glory, His'.”   The first option assigns this time as beginning with John the Baptist and continuing through Christ's ministry. The correct option is the latter. After Christ's ministry is complete and the Holy Spirit is poured out, then the rebirth is made possible. Therefore, Jesus' words are referring to what lies ahead in the future “when He shall sit, the Son of Man, upon His throne of glory.”   This then leaves open a couple of interpretations. Is this referring to the millennium or to the eternal state. Isaiah 65:17 speaks of a new heaven and a new earth. Thus, many equate it to what is said in Revelation 21:1, where it appears the same thought is presented.   However, this is incorrect. In Isaiah 65, it continues, referring to death, such as “For the child shall die one hundred years old.” In fact, such thoughts fill Isaiah 65:20-22. But in Revelation 21:4, it goes on to say, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”   This cannot be the same time frame. Rather, it refers to the millennium. At that time, Jesus will sit on the throne of His glory, exactly what was prophesied to Israel in the prophets. This will be literally fulfilled. At that time, when Jesus is received as Israel's promised Messiah, He emphatically declares to His disciples, “also you upon twelve thrones, judging Israel's twelve tribes.”   The twelve disciples, who Jesus designates, will act in leadership roles. The idea of judging is not merely that of a court judging offenses. It is a way of referring to leadership, just as the judges of old served under the Lord. In this case, it will be the Lord incarnate with them serving and judging under Him.   Life application: It cannot be that the millennium will be overlooked. God made promises to Israel that must be fulfilled. To say that Isaiah 65 is to be fulfilled in “spiritual Israel,” supposedly meaning the church, does a complete disservice to the promises made exclusively to Israel. The dispensational model must be worked through for people to fully comprehend man's total dependence on God's grace as given through Jesus Christ.   If the millennium does not occur, there will be a void in this progression and in man's seeing what needs to be seen. And more, contradictions in the text itself are seen, such as noted above. Other glaring and irreconcilable contradictions will also arise.   Jesus does not say that the rebirth is the time of the millennium. He says that the time of the millennium will occur in the time of the rebirth –   NO: “the ‘having followed Me', in the rebirth, He shall sit, the Son of Man.” YES: “the ‘having followed Me', in the rebirth, when He shall sit, the Son of Man.”   Jesus includes the word hotan, when (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty). In Titus, Paul has shown that the rebirth is an event that occurs based on our relationship with Jesus. It is a condition that believers now possess.   At some point after the commencement of this event, which has been going on for two thousand years thus far, those in this state will enter the millennium, and Jesus will sit on His throne of glory. This promise is made apart from any notion of the rapture or the tribulation. It is simply a point of fact that will occur.   The rapture was, and remained, an unknown event until it was described by Paul with the words, “Behold, I tell you a mystery” (1 Corinthians 15:51). There is no need to shove either the church age or the rapture into Jesus' words here. They simply do not fit. He is speaking to Israel, under the law, about things promised in the law to Israel. He is further defining those matters at this time.   Lord God, You are ever faithful to Your people. We thank You that it is so. Your faithfulness to Israel means You will be likewise faithful to us. And what an encouragement that is. We fail You often, but because of Jesus, we are secure in You. Hallelujah to You, O God! Amen.

From our Sermon May 9th, 2026What happens when worship continues, but the relationship underneath it begins to collapse?In Isaiah 1, God confronts a people who still gather, still sing, and still worship outwardly while their hearts drift far from Him. This is not a message about abandoning worship. It is a call to a restored relationship.“What would change if my worship aligned with my relationship with God?”#Isaiah1 #BrokenWorship #GodofEmotion #AdatHaTikvah #AdatChicago

Daily Dose of Hope May 12, 2026   Name of God: El Olam – The Everlasting God Scripture: Genesis 21:33: Isaiah 40:28, 26:4, Jeremiah 10:10, Psalm 90:1-2   Prayer:  El Olam, Thank You that You are the God of eternity. When my heart fears change, remind me that Your love never ends. When I grow tired, lift me into Your everlasting strength. Anchor my life in Your promises and help me live today in light of eternity. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently in a study on the names of God in the Old Testament.  Names in ancient times were very significant and the various names of God are incredibly significant.  Each divine name illustrates a particular aspect of God's character and being.  The more we learn about God's names, the more we learn about God's character.   The name of God that we are focusing on today is El Olam.  The Hebrew word Olam means eternity, forever, everlasting, unending. Thus, when the Scripture speaks of God as El Olam, it is referring to him as the Everlasting God.  It is reminding us that God stands outside of time. He is not bound by beginnings or endings, by clocks or calendars. He is the God who was, who is, and who is to come.  For us, who live in a world where things are temporary with many changes, El Olam is like an anchor.  He is the one who never changes, whose promises are sure and strong throughout all time, and whose love is eternal.   In Genesis 21:33, Abraham called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God (El Olam), after planting a tree in Beersheba as a reminder of God's enduring covenant.  In Isaiah 40, some of my very favorite Scripture, the prophet calls God the everlasting one.  He is the one who does not grow tired and weary, and He is the one who no one can comprehend. In Psalm 90, we read that God was everlasting to everlasting before even the earth was created.  When Scripture uses Olam, it's not just talking about "a very long time." It is talking about foreverness — there is absolutely no end.  That is hard for us to wrap our brains around! What does that mean for us? Olam means God's mercy never runs out. Olam means His Word is eternally true. Olam means His kingdom cannot be shaken. For believers, Olam is not just about God's eternal nature. It is also about the eternal life He offers us in Jesus. Our lives don't end when our earthly bodies die.  Our life is woven into God's eternal plan. His promises don't have an expiration date and  His love never grows old.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

In Isaiah 60:1, we are reminded to “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” This shining marks the dawning of the gospel and the appearing of our Lord Jesus. Throughout Isaiah 60, we find the glorious promise of a future where God shines upon all His people—drawing in His elect, beautifying His house, and securing us forever.

In Isaiah 36, a foreign voice named Rabshakeh stood at Jerusalem's gates and prophesied doom over a nation God was actually saving. Lance Wallnau says that exact same spirit just resurfaced — and three of conservative media's biggest voices are now carrying it. The bitter taste it leaves in your mouth after every podcast is the giveaway. What really happened to Tucker, Candace, and Kelly? Prophetic voice Lance Wallnau exposes the Sennacherib spirit — a 2,700-year-old lying voice that intimidates God's people, counterfeits wisdom, and robs you of the awareness of victory even while America is breaking through. In this episode: - The Isaiah 36 pattern repeating in conservative talk media right now - Why Jesus said discerning of spirits matters MORE than healing in the last days - Jane Hammond's revelation about the toxic vapor smothering America - The wine connoisseur secret to cleansing your spiritual palate - "Mind like water" — how to stop the enemy from amplifying every pebble into a boulder - Why the most capable Christians get quietly taken out of the battle - The hidden tactic Satan uses to rob you of breakthrough you already won - What David's own brothers teach us about being misjudged on the way to destiny - How walking in peace becomes the ultimate weapon of discernment If you've felt heavy, demoralized, or like nothing in this country is working — even while something deep inside you knows America is breaking through — this episode names the spirit doing it to you, and how to break its grip before it steals one more day of your victory. The Lance Wallnau Show 2110: What Happened to Tucker, Candace, and Kelly? | don't miss this! Listen to more episodes of the Lance Wallnau Show at lancewallnau.com/podcast

A word from Richard Wurmbrand. In Isaiah, we visit the judgment scenes of Ethiopia and Egypt and begin to uncover a mystery called Babylon.

Is God impressed with our worship… or is He actually rejecting it?In Isaiah 66, we see a God who cannot be contained, cannot be fooled, and will not settle for empty religion. This final chapter brings both comfort and confrontation, revealing the kind of heart God honors, the reality of His judgment, and the global, eternal future He's preparing.As always be blessed and enjoy.Please follow, like, and share our podcast with a friend or family member!

What if God has been reaching out… and we just didn't recognize it?In Isaiah 65, God responds to the cries of His people with a powerful truth — He was never far away. While some turned from Him, others remained faithful, and to them, God promises something incredible: a future made completely new.Today, we're talking about responding to God, remaining faithful in a drifting world, and holding onto the promise that He is still making all things new.

Peace can feel hard to find in a world filled with pressure, anxiety, and uncertainty. But the Bible reveals that peace isn't just a feeling—it's a place we can live in through Jesus.In Isaiah 53:5, we're reminded that Jesus was wounded so that we could be healed—and that includes the healing of our inner turmoil. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 declares that the Lord Himself is the source of peace, giving it to us at all times and in every way. And in Ephesians 2:14, we see that Jesus doesn't just give peace—He is our peace.This message, “The Place of Peace,” will guide you into understanding how to step out of chaos and into the steady, unshakable peace that only Christ can provide.

This week, we continue our Easter series Resurrection Power. In Isaiah 52:13-53:12, we see Isaiah's prophecy of the Suffering Servant, Jesus, and the agony He endured on the cross to save us. Pastor Eric shares four points as we work through the text: 1) Our exalted savior (52:13-15) 2) Our rejected savior (53:1-3) 3) Our needed savior (53:4-6) 4) Our victorious savior (53:10-12)

What do we do when we see both the justice of God and still long for His mercy?In Isaiah 63, we're given a powerful contrast — a God who brings righteous judgment, yet remains full of compassion for His people. It's a chapter that reminds us that even when we don't fully understand what God is doing, we can look back at what He's already done.Today, we're talking about justice, mercy, and the kind of honest prayer that cries out, “God, where are You?” — while still choosing to trust that He hears.Be Blessed and enjoy!Please follow, like and share our podcast with a friend or family member!

In Isaiah 63 the prophet asks a sobering question about the victorious figure introduced in the opening verse: “Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?” In this episode of Words of Grace, Benjamin Winslett continues this message by focusing on the work of the One … Continue reading "Why Are His Garments Red?"

Check out this Encore show from March 24, 2023 Bible Study: (1:56) Wis 2:1a, 12-22 Father gives his thoughts on the state of society Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Did Jesus lie to his relatives? Letters (24:13) - Will all Baptized people go to heaven? (25:35) - what was the authority of the Pharisees? (30:21) - Karen writes in about Father's use of the name 'Karen' (31:20) - Paul give more ideas for families getting back to the Church (34:09) - Why does Jesus make clay with saliva? Word of the Day: Tabernacle (36:55) Callers (40:05) - What do you think about the commentary on the gospel of John from Fr. Raymond Brown? (43:58) - Is it okay for two people to cantor during the psalm response at the ambo? (44:37) - In Isaiah it says where the Messiah will be born, but if the rabbis don't follow Isaiah, how did they know where Jesus will be born? (46:09) - I'm a little confused about the covenant made w/Abraham? Could you give a good definition of covenant? (47:38) - Is a medal scapular as good as a brown or green one? (48:21) - Was Jesus a Pharisee, is that possible?