Podcasts about introduction last

On May 8th 2021, bird watchers around the world took part in the Global Big Day. This 24-hour event encouraged birders to see as many species as possible within their local area. The Casual Birder Podcast entered a team to take part in the event. Members of the team had a range of birding experience, from novice to expert, and saw 430 species in locations in Australia, UK & Europe and North America. Hear about Suzy’s experience of the Big Day where she saw 54 species, visited two RSPB reserves and did a spot of garden bird watching from the bedroom window in the morning. Timestamps 00:00:00 Opening 00:01:17 Introduction Last episode Casual Birder Weekly 00:02:09 Global Big Day Description Global Birding website Past episode - Global Bird Weekend Donate to BirdLife International 00:05:36 Suzy's Big Day 00:06:39 Garden Birdwatch 00:11:33 RSPB North Warren RSPB North Warren BTO Skylark & Woodlark ID BTO Sedge & Reed Warbler RSPB Guide to Birdsong book 00:16:51 Thorpeness 00:19:03 Promo: Bird Feeder Report Suzy's Bird Feeder Report 00:19:30 RSPB Minsmere RSPB Minsmere LevParikian & Cetti's Warbler - Episode 53 00:27:28 South Mimms Services 00:30:52 Sightings from the Team 00:35:17 Support the Show Buy me a virtual coffee - Tip Jar 00:35:40 Keep in Touch Tell me about your bird sightings 00:36:11 Wrap & Close 00:36:35 Last Call      Website: The Casual Birder Podcast Don't miss an episode - follow the show! Thank you to Randy Braun for designing the artwork for the show. The theme music is Short Sleeved Shirt by The Drones. Thanks to them for letting me use it. Check out their website at www.dronesmusic.net  

Introduction Last week we heard Jesus disprove a popular theory that people have about neutrality toward God. Jesus said... 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. That should dispel the idea people get in their heads about being okay with God as long as…

Introduction Last week we talked about Jesus sending out 70 or 72 missionaries. These were true believers. They had heard and understood the cost of discipleship that Jesus had been teaching. They knew that to follow Jesus they had to deny themselves, take up their crosses daily, and follow Him. They…

Introduction Last week we talked about faith. Faith is believing and acting on what God says. To know what God says, you need to hear from him. Through... listening to real, biblical preaching reading the Word and mingling with the people of God - the church - church member and I talked the other day…

Introduction Last week we looked very briefly at Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Christ of God Christ = Messiah Reign on David’s throne forever (Israel had it great under David and Solomon, but this would be even better.) Overthrow Roman oppression Heal everybody - awesome health care plan Jesuscare…

Introduction Last week, we looked at how in our dark times, our world is in desperate need of hope. We also saw that Jesus came as the hope-giver. That is Good News. What else do we need in these turbulent times? It just so happens that the second Sunday of Advent is that of peace.… Read more

Introduction Last week we looked at the parable of the soils. My belief is that most of the people attending church in this country are 3rd soil people. Those are folks who Jesus described as... 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked…

Introduction Last week we saw the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness. We saw that while Jesus was hungry, isolated, and weak in the flesh he still overcame Satan. He knew what the Word of God said, and how to apply it. We too can have victory over temptation by knowing and correctly applying…

Introduction Last week we saw John the Baptist proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. We talked about what repentance is and what it produces in the life of a believer. We saw that repentance means unconditional surrender to God. For those of us who have repented, He is the…

Introduction Last week we looked at the Rise of Greece The division of Alexander the Great’s empire into four parts. The Rise of the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV His persecution of the Jews. =============== Then we transitioned to his greater and later counterpart, the end times antichrist. He will win…

Introduction Last week we saw the prelude to Daniel’s last vision. In that prelude, Daniel was blessed with a vision of the pre-incarnate Christ. Then he was ministered to by an angel. We got a glimpse into the reality of Spiritual warfare. We saw that the prayers of the saints have effects in the physical…

Announce prayer list - starting from scratch. Announce Sunday School thoughts - Tell me if you want literature by next Sunday . Introduction Last week we looked at Daniel’s prayer. Today we will look at God’s answer. There is some good news and some bad news . Good news - present Babylonian captivity…

INTRODUCTION:Last week I spoke about a topic titled “Provokers of Miracles.”Today I want to follow the same line of message and reading my notes and studies I cameacross a story I read 7 years ago from the devotional "Our Daily Bread" under the title "WreckHunters" which inspired me a lot since it let’s me see a spiritual reality on a worldwide level.The story is of "Craig Fuller" a wreck hunter (remains) of crashed warplanes in theSoutheastern US during World War II training.A Smithsonian reporter accompanied him on a successful search. Fuller was searching for theremains of an AT-17B, called a Bobcat, in a remote section of the Chiricahua Mountains ofArizona. The two-man plane fell on a training flight on December 28, 1943, and over time,records of its exact location were lost. After a difficult journey through rugged cactus-coveredcanyon territory, Fuller's team found the tangle of rusted metal. Close examination revealedthat it was the missing plane: rudder braces, governor assembly, and even a piece ofinstrument panel. The lost had been found.Jesus was also looking for human wrecks by coming into this world.He held out his hand to: the demon possessed, prostitutes, dishonest publicans.Bringing them a message of love, healing, hope and forgiveness of sins through faith.Not only did He find the ruined human wrecks, but He restored them.Zaccheus (Luke 19)Nicodemus religious but spiritually dead (John 3)Mary Magdalene (7 demons)Last week God invited us to be "Provokers of Miracles" and today He takes us in the same lineand calls us to be "wreck hunters"Once we are called to salvation by the grace of Jesus, we are commissioned to be "SpiritualWreck Hunters"Who are these spiritual wrecks and where are they?They are rich and poor, literate and illiterate.People of eminent positions and ordinary people,People with thoughts of moral superiority, but lostPeople who can be seen from a mile away, they are walking in a disorderly life.They are next door in the homes, they are the neighbors, coworkers, school friends, they arepassers-by, owners of premises, employees.2Maybe you who listen to me today feel that it is a wreck, a spiritual tangle, so let me tell youthat Jesus is the solution.How can we rescue spiritual wrecks?CONVICTION, OBEDIENCE, PERSEVERANCE AND EFFORT.Support the show (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TU4ST3G79LFDE&source=url)

Luke 23:1-25 Please note the video and audio contain the entire service and not just the sermon. Introduction Last week we took a look at Jesus’ religious trial. There we saw that during his interrogation, it was revealed that Jesus was in fact the Messiah and the Son of God. This was important for the… Read more

  Sermon - 1 Peter 1:3-9 1 Peter 1:3-9 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Introduction Last week we looked at 1 Peter 1:1-2 & 2:11-12, under the title “Living in the face of alienation and its cure”. The Apostle Peter was writing to a group of people, followers of Jesus, spread throughout what we know as modern Turkey. These believing sojourners were undergoing trials, suffering & persecution. Peter instructs them toward Christian stability, and the proper expression of this stability and growth. Throughout the letter, Peter stresses a hope so alive, so glorious and so very certain, that any persecution, trial and suffering can be endured. These people are sojourners or pilgrims on a spiritual journey! Last week we discovered that Peter reminds them of the God they worship and live for - a missional & relational God of salvation. A loving God who is Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God the Father has chosen and is calling all people to Himself, out of amazing love for them. God the Holy Spirit sanctifies and cleanses to allow people to enter God’s holy presence through the obedient sacrifice of God the Son. ----more----Then we learnt together about how within the believer, that there is a battle. A spiritual battle – the old earthly human nature battling against the new nature of the believer given to them by God. Salvation is yours, Peter says, so go let the world know that this salvation can be theirs also, by living so devoted to God, that He permeates every facet of your life. That people will know you are God’s possession and God lives through you! WOW! The believing sojourner is to live such a good life that they are good witnesses for the God in whom they believe! We also know that this group of people are undergoing various forms of suffering and grief. Not the least, sporadic events of persecution but also the possibility of systematic persecution to come.So now we come to tonight’s reading – 1 Peter 1:3-9. Again we will start out by looking at God, before going onto looking at a reaction to this great God of whom Peter continues to reveal. Here in this first section from 1:1 to 2:9, Peter touches on subjects which he will elucidate upon later in the letter. 1. God the Joy Giver! Peter continues in this the first section of his letter. The natural second section of the letter starts in 1 Peter 2:11 as we saw last week under the title “Living in the face of alienation and its cure”. Tonight we move on under the title “Living in the joy of salvation…” This naturally implies that there is a joy giver and a salvation! Who is the giver of this “joy” and what is joy?Let’s look briefly at who Peter says this joy giver is! The Joy Giver! In v3, Peter continues praising His God and the God of His readers. This God is the joy giver! Let’s look very briefly at some aspects of this God whom Peter reveals!a. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ v3 Peter would have remembered the words of Jesus, the Son, who told him and the others disciples to call God, Father! Father God is the one who calls and beckons all people to Himself. He is the Father of the Son, Jesus Christ, but not in a way such as He created the Son, for the Son has always existed and was never created. God the Father is a Father in that the He plans and directs, while the Son responds obediently. God the Father sent the Son, and Jesus Himself said he had come from the Father and was returning to the Father. Again we looked briefly at that relationship last week. The joy giver is to be praised!b. his great mercy he has given v3 This God is a merciful God! He does not give people what they deserve – which is death for humanity’s wilful rebellion, but He offers salvation – a new birth! The mercy of God is the goodness of God to those in distress - tenderness & compassion! WOW! How is the new birth possible? c. resurrection of Jesus Christ v3 This new birth is only possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which we celebrate at Easter. Resurrection means more than just coming back to life! Jesus raised at least three people from the dead, but that was more resuscitation than resurrection! Those resuscitated people came back to life with their normal bodies and they would go on to die a physical death again! Jesus’ resurrection was different in that He also had a new body! WOW!Jesus’ resurrection proved and vindicated all of His teaching. Jesus’ resurrection, witnessed by Peter and many others, certified and attested to His claims to be who He said he was – God. If Jesus had not been resurrected, then be assured Peter would not now be in Rome as a witness for this Jesus! No way! He would probably have gone back to being a fisherman - not as he is now – a leading figure in the embryonic church. Or at best Peter would be cowering away in fear for retribution from the religious leaders of his day.The resurrection was also God the Father’s approval of His Son Jesus’ obedient service. The fulfilment of all the Old Testament promises are declared through the resurrection. The result of which, is inheritance and salvation for all those who respond to God the Father’s calling! But more about that later as we continue to explore our bible passage for tonight!d. Jesus Christ is revealed v7 Jesus will return and be revealed for who He is and in fully glory for the world to see! Jesus said so during His earthly life and it is mentioned 318 times within the New Testament. Jesus is returning. Not as a human baby this time but as a conquering majestic Prince of Peace. When will He come? No-one knows! But it will happen unexpectedly! Expect the unexpected! God Himself is the joy giver! 2. Living Out Joy! So if that is the joy giver, what is joy and how is the Christian, the receiver of salvation, to live in the light of this joy? Let us look briefly at each of this series of mini-pictures given to us by Peter!a. New birth v3 Back in verse 3, when Peter says “born anew”, he is echoing the very words of Jesus who said that only those who are born again or born anew will see and experience the kingdom of God and have the salvation of their souls (John 3:3). What does Peter mean here? Just as each person has a physical body, each person also has a spirit. Now our spirit is our spiritual system, which is seen in our consciousness of God and in our faith and conscience. A spiritual birth is required in order to give a spiritual life, just as a physical birth gives physical life. Each person is made up of a physical body and an internal spirit. That is why Peter says that all those who are followers of Jesus have been born anew or have been born again! This phrase can also be translated “born from above”. It is also something that a human cannot do by their own efforts! It can only be a work of God! It is from His twin wellsprings of grace and mercy, that people can have this new life! Grace – getting what we don’t deserve and mercy – not getting what we do deserve.b. Living hope v3 Because believers have this new life, been born anew, they have a new hope. Not a dead hope as some might imagine but a living and dynamic hope! As it is living, Peter is stating that the hope within the believer is to grow and flourish! As the believer continues living life here on earth, the hope is to continue to grow and develop! It is a hope which is dynamic as it is growing in confidence and expectation! What is this living hope to be in and for?c. Inheritance v4 Peter goes on! This living hope is for the inheritance of the believer! Part of this inheritance is the new body of the believer! The believer will also be resurrected just as Jesus was! This inheritance is described by Peter as imperishable, unspoilt and unfading! No doubt the readers of this letter would have thought back to the time when the nation of Israel was promised the land of Israel as an inheritance. But the inheritance Peter is referring to is not a physical kingdom, property or possessions! No! Those things will rot, rust, perish, decay and fade away as time goes on. Don’t put your hope in those things cries Peter! Putting hope in them is not a living hope but a dead hope! O sojourner of Jesus Christ, writes Peter, put your hope, your living hope, in your glorious inheritance to come! You will have an inheritance and life which is pure, undefiled and unpolluted by sin! No suffering there in this inheritance! And where is this inheritance now, Peter? Not on earth says Peter! This inheritance is being kept in heaven for you and each person who follows Jesus Christ and perseveres! This is a personal inheritance. Each person must be born anew into this living hope. Where are you tonight? Have you taken up this living and dynamic hope and been born anew by God’s grace and mercy? Don’t leave tonight without speaking to somebody about it!d. shielded by God’s power v5 As we know, again from last week, Peter is writing to groups of people, who maybe coming under increasing persecution – or soon will be, particularly from the Romans. We know that in the year 64AD, systemic persecution of Christians came about under the Emperor Nero. How will God’s people, those He has chosen as his, be protected? Peter is writing to encourage these believers! This inheritance is theirs! They have been born anew! They are God the Father’s chosen and well loved children! What about when persecution comes? Who will protect them and keep their inheritance safe? Peter tells them that they will be shielded or guarded by God Himself! God will keep them safe! Just as God kept the spies into the land of Canaan way back in the Old Testament. It is a guarding, which is not only protection but also a shielding away. It is the security of their salvation which God also protects. Will any fall away from God when persecution hits them? Will they be able to stand? If they rely on God’s power and strength and continue to put their personal faith and trust in Him, then they will indeed be energized, sustained and safeguarded. We know from other passages of Scripture, that God the Son, Jesus Christ intercedes for us to God the Father! WOW! This guarding work is not just for the inheritance but something else too! Peter goes on in v5!e. Salvation – future v5 This safeguarding is also for the salvation of the believing sojourner! Salvation has three tenses to it! A believer has been saved (justified); is being saved (sanctified) and will be saved! One glorious day the believer will come into his or her full inheritance! They will have full possession of all that God the Father has kept for them. It will be revealed one day – keep having hope, says the Apostle Peter! We looked briefly at that last week.The believer has been born anew into a living and dynamic hope for the future! Chosen by God the Father and called by Him to be His child! His child who is regenerated, renewed and cleansed by God the Holy Spirit through the obedient life and sacrifice of God the Son, Jesus Christ who rose up from the dead! WOW!f. Rejoice v6Peter continues! Peter seems to be saying here in v6 “Rejoice, believers and keep on rejoicing just as you are indeed doing! When you think about your future inheritance, rejoice! Rejoice, sojourners, in your future hope and inheritance!”To rejoice is to have a deep and glorious spiritual joy! It is rejoicing in God with deep joy! Now remember these believers are suffering and some will indeed suffer more. As Peter says they may have to suffer and endure trials which are to come. What are these suffering and trials? We cannot be certain but every human that has ever lived in some way has suffered somehow. Indeed the very process of physical birth is a kind of suffering – for baby, mother and father! These believers are enduring all sorts of trials. Trials put upon them by satan, put upon them by other people as well as natural trials such as sickness and death. But Peter here says may have to suffer. Suffer for simply being believers perhaps as the shadow of persecution hovers above them?These trials, suffering and griefs are temporary and incomparable to glory which awaits the believer who holds on and perseveres. Peter says that suffering, trials and griefs go hand in hand with joy – deep joy! More about joy soon! 3. Faith! a. Faith’s genuineness v7 Why are they suffering? Peter goes on to say that the trials have come to prove their faith in God. Faith is trusting in God. How will they trust in God as they undergo such ordeals! How will their faith be exhibited! These trials and griefs will show the genuine nature of these believing sojourners faith. They are to refine and purify the believer, just as gold is refined by fire. Even though on earth gold is one of the most durable substances, one day it will perish. Just as all this old earth will. Genuine faith and real trust in God is far more enduring and valuable than placing faith in gold, because God is to be the object of the believer’s faith. God’s evaluation of these believers, these sojourners, is of higher value than the opinion of mere humans. God’s evaluation is basis for faith in Him by these believing sojourners who Peter is writing to. This faith of theirs is to be shown in praise to and of Jesus Christ. This genuine faith of theirs, which is to always to seek to give praise, honour and glory to Jesus. This genuine faith is expressed with joy. Particularly as we saw earlier when Jesus Christ is revealed in His divine post-resurrection glory. When all of humanity will be judged and the secret desires of the hearts of humans is revealed. b. Faith’s love v8 The object of the Christian’s faith, Peter goes on, is Jesus Christ and Him alone. Peter of course had known Jesus personally. Peter had seen Jesus, been called by Jesus, was rebuked by Jesus and regularly frustrated Jesus. This Peter had also betrayed Jesus and was forgiven by him. Peter had loved Jesus and was still loving Jesus. Jesus loved Peter. This Peter had seen the resurrected Jesus before witnessing Jesus, God the Son, ascend back to the right hand of God the Father. But these believers had not had those experiences. They had heard the stories for sure and the testimony of witnesses to the person of Jesus. Not only were these believers to have faith in Jesus, but to express their love of Him. Peter is saying faith is personal, individual and to express your faith in Jesus by loving Him and being obedient to Him. These believers Peter was writing to loved Jesus and were expressing it by living lives worthy of Him. Could that describe you here tonight?c. Faith’s belief v8 Moreover this genuine faith of love is in evidence through their belief. That is their trust in Jesus, resting their confidence in Him because He is dependable and reliable. It is a personal relationship between Jesus and the believer. It is resting entirely upon Him for all things. Again – could that describe you here tonight in 2013?d. Faith’s joy v8 How is this faith expressed? This faith, Peter goes on, is expressed in and through joy or exultation! Old Testament language and experiences such as in our reading from the book of joy, Leviticus, told of the glory of God being revealed! Moses and Aaron, as we read in Leviticus, come out from tent, give a blessing to the people and God’s glory appeared to the nation! It must have been some blessing Aaron gave! Whatever the words that were expressed, they were words that invocated Almighty God’s power, presence and peace to be with and upon His people. No wonder the people fell on the ground with their noses in the dirt as an act of joyful worship and praise to God! So amazing was this sight that a tremendous wave of exuberant joy overcame the people and they all fell with their face in the ground! There was probably a mixture of amazement, surprise and reverent fear! This was not just joy as a mere emotion, but true exultant joy as evidenced through sacrifice, praise and testimony! The intended readers of Peter’s letters would have been well acquainted with such passages in what is our Old Testament – where the bright shining radiance of God’s glory was revealed. An exultant joy which is inexpressible and glorious!e. Faith’s outcome v9 And what does Peter say is the outcome or result of each of these sojourners faith? It is the salvation of their soul. Salvation as we have looked at earlier tonight as well as in last week’s study. A salvation which is the work of God the Trinity: God the Father has chosen and calls all people to himself, out of love for them. God the Holy Spirit sanctifies, sets apart and cleanses people to allow them to enter God’s holy presence. This entrance is only through the obedient sacrifice of God the Son. Conclusion So with all that said, let’s briefly recapitulate before we conclude.Firstly we looked at a God who is to be praised; a God who is merciful in giving new life to those who respond personally to His call. As evidence of this new and living hope, He sent His Son who came to earth as a human, lived, died and was resurrected to new life. This Son ascended to be at His right hand once more. This Son, Jesus Christ will be coming back again one day. Meanwhile, all those who place their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, will be shielded, safeguarded and protected by God Himself. Indeed, their salvation is assured and safeguarded. But if they were to die, they would be still shielded and safeguarded by God, because their salvation was assured and they would be in His presence. God shields and safeguards His people.Secondly we then looked at this new life or new hope in more detail. This new hope is living, dynamic and the believer has a glorious inheritance and salvation. This is given by God and God alone from his twin wellsprings of grace and mercy.Then lastly we looked at Faith’s genuineness, Faith’s love, Faith’s belief, Faith’s joy and finally Faith’s outcome which is the salvation of the soul.With that said, how are we to conclude tonight? How are we, in the 21st century, to respond and react to Peter in this section of his letter? For those of us who would call ourselves a Christian - a sojourner of Jesus Christ – you believe in Him and have placed your faith in Him for new hope, new life and salvation of your soul. I wonder what trials including alienation and persecution you have undergone in the past, are undergoing at the moment or will persevere through in the future. I don’t even know how I will suffer and grieve in the future. But I do know who has the answers to our trials and testing. It is my God and your God. Our God of love – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He knows the answers and I have to trust in Him. Are you currently undergoing any sort of trial - run to God! He will listen! He is your protector, your guard and your empowerer! Remember He lives within you! He loves you! He cares for you! He is a personal God who has your best interests at heart! As Christians we worship and serve a God who knows intimately about personal suffering. Our God isn’t an inanimate and passive carving, to be placed on a shelf or a wall which is immune to the suffering of the world. No! Our God is a personal, dynamic and active God who knows the suffering we ourselves endure – because He Himself has suffered. He is an intimate, dynamic, responsive and living personal being who has shared in our sufferings through Jesus when He died on a cross 2000 years ago. This same Jesus who was resurrected and raised to new life and witnessed by our author - the Apostle Peter! WOW! The ineffable God made known to humanity in the man Jesus Christ. As part of our new hope and new life as Christians, as sojourners of Jesus Christ, we await that glorious day in the future when He has come again. That day when Jesus Christ will take your face in his scarred hands, and wipe away your tears. Wipe away your tears – tears of pain released and tears of ineffable and inexplicable joy! WOW! You and I will know then, that it was all worth it – the sufferings and trials that we have endured in this life, in order to enter the new life to come. Amazing! WOW!On that final day, when your faith is tested, will it be proven to be genuine? Let this faith of yours always seek to give praise, honour and glory to Jesus and Him alone. May it be a faith being worked out by you living a life which is worthy of Him alone – which is seen by those currently not in the faith. Your genuine faith being expressed with inexplicable joy to those outside. As Christians here, just as it was last week, it is an imperative that we go and show our new life, new hope, empowered and safeguarded by God’s power alone. Persecution may come and we will in some quarters even now be rejected. But we persevere. As Christians, we have good news for the world – it is up to us to go out living in the joy of salvation. We will be alienated by some, but also embraced by others. God is for us – who then shall we fear? God is a mission God – Peter clearly knows that – and because He is a mission God, we too are also on a mission. We have to take risks in order to continue this mission. History is filled with churches that failed to adapt and take the mission opportunities available to them. Will we be like that? I for one certainly do not hope so. We need to be reaching out, including those forgotten people – the people who cannot get out of their own homes for what ever reason. Helping those people who are already Christians and helping those who are not yet Christian, to find this living hope in God.God is a tri-unity of Love... The Father loves the Son and the Spirit. The Son loves the Father and the Spirit. The Spirit loves the Father and the Son. We as a church are also to be a community of love. A love which mirrors that of the God of love... A love which looks not to its own interests but to the interests of others... Let's go love... Encourage others - not just your friends or those you like... Let's go encourage others enduring all sorts of tests and trials, just as Peter has done to this group of spiritual sojourners... God loves you... Let's reflect the God we claim to love, follow and obey...Tonight, you maybe in need of prayer because of some trial or suffering you are currently undergoing. We would love to pray with you and for you.Again, I am compelled to say this. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Maybe you are here tonight, and you would not call yourself a Christian. Then please do not leave here tonight without asking somebody here about how you can become one and start this new life and the new hope which only those who are Christian can claim. God the Father’s love is calling you. God the Father has chosen you. God the Holy Spirit is waiting to set you apart and cleanse you. God the Son is waiting for you to accept his obedient sacrifice. Come!   Right Mouse clickor tap here to save this as an audio mp3 file You can now purchase our Partakers books! Please do click or tap here to visit our Amazon site! Click or tap on the appropriate link below to subscribe, share or download our iPhone App!

Introduction Last week we talked about Psalms of Orientation. These are Psalms about where you are. Way things are. The way the world is. Today we are going to bee looking at a Praise Psalm, that is also a creation Psalm, which means it is a Psalm of Orientation. With the rise of Enlightenment, philosophers…

Episode 60 of The Teaching Space Podcast delves into active reading. Introduction Last year I read 100 books. I know. It’s a crazy number and it’s not something I’m planning to repeat any time soon (I chat about this in episode 47). While I have run no official statistical analysis on my 2018 reading list (surprised?) I’d estimate 90% were audiobooks. I’m a huge fan of audiobooks, but one downside for me, is I don’t fully absorb everything I hear. While this is usually OK for fiction, it’s sometimes problematic for non-fiction, particularly if I’m reading for professional reasons (e.g. study). This has lead me to explore active reading, and that’s what I will talk to you about today. What is Active Reading? According to the Open University website, active reading is “reading something with a determination to understand and evaluate it for its relevance to your needs”. When I’m listening to an audiobook or a podcast, I’m listening but I am definitely not evaluating at a high level. The closest I come to evaluating is deciding whether or not I like the narrator’s voice (can I listen to it for 10 hours?!) There’s a big difference between the passive way I consume audiobooks and the definition of active reading. How to Make Your Reading Active Highlight and annotate important passages of the book (I do this on the second pass because you don’t always know what is important on the first read). Highlight selectively. Build an alternative index (I read about this in an article written by Shawn Blanc, but I believe the concept came from Maria Popova from Brain Pickings). It’s a personalised index based on your own ideas. Split screen approach: this is what I am experimenting with at the moment. I read on my iPad and have the Kindle app open on the left, and my note-taking app open on the right. I read for, then make notes. SQ3R (Source) SKIM through the text quickly to get an overall impression. QUESTION. If you are reading it for a particular purpose (for example, to answer an assignment), ask yourself how it helps. Also ask questions of the text: Who? What? Where? When? How? READ. Read the text in a focused, and fairly speedy way. REMEMBER. Test your memory - but don’t worry if you can’t remember much. REVIEW. Read the text in more detail, taking notes. Use your own words. What About Those Audiobooks? I’m not giving up audiobooks any time soon; I love them. But I have decided to focus on using them for fiction only. I need to be more active when reading non-fiction. Wrap up That’s all from me today, before I go, I have one small ask. Please sign up for my weekly email newsletter, The Teaching Space Extra. It includes access to my free resource library, as well as lots of great reading recommendations and information about productivity, teaching and tech. Hop over to theteachingspace.com/tts-extra to sign up.

Phil continued our series looking at Joshua 10, reminding us that God does not break his promises and that he can use all situations for his glory. Introduction • Last week we looked at the Gibeonite deception • How Israel did not enquirer of the Lord but make a covenant / Treaty with the Gibeonites that the Lord had commanded can they must not do. • They were presumptuous in not enquiring of the Lord • How that applies to us in our daily life Chapter 10: 1-15 • The Gibeonites were afraid of the people of God causing them to deceive them • Now the king of Jerusalem had heard of the victories and that Gibeon had made the covenant and was afraid • Gibeon on its own was a great city like one of the royal cities and all it's men were warriors They had cause to fear • J10 V 5 the 5 kings of the Amorites joined with the other kings. • In J 2 v 10 2 Amorites kings had already been defeated east of the Jordan • J 5v1 - fear was already in their hearts Word sent to Gilgal where Joshua was camping Gilgal was an important place for Israel • Gilgal was the place of memorial (Joshua 4:20 - 12 stone from the river Jordan piled up here • Gilgal was the place of radical obedience (Joshua 5:2-3 - circumcision took place here • Gilgal was the place where reproach was removed (Joshua 5:9 - Reproach rolled away • Gilgal was the place of obedience and the remembrance of salvation (Joshua 5:10- celebrated the Passover • Gilgal was the place where the manna stopped, and they began to live of what the Promised Land provided (Joshua 5:11-12 The first time they tasted of the land flowing with milk and honey. They leave Gilgal It is estimated that the route to Gibeon from Gilgal was 20 mile (32km) with a 3,300 ft climb (1000m) and would have taken 8-10hrs through the night. Do not fear for I have given them into your hands not a man of shall stand before you • Fear takes away our ability to fight battles. Even in the face of strong enemies, Joshua was command to not fear and needed reminding. • For Joshua, fear was unbelief – being unwilling to believe what God promised. So it is with us today • God does His work, but He seeks to draws us into working with Him. Often God waits to see our initiative, our willingness to be a partner with Him, before He does what only He can do. • This is not the idea that “God helps those who help themselves.” • That's a lie the end,y would have us believe. Along with positive thinking rather than faith. • The idea is “God wants to draw His people into partnership with Him in seeing His work done.” • God honours Joshua for honouring the covenant with the Gibeonites ○ Even though it was against Gods instructions ○ Grace was given to Joshua even though mistakes had been made • God honours his promise to give them the land ○ Gods promise is true irrespective of us ○ He is faith to his promise even when we are not ○ The Promise to Moses and not to Joshua still stands ○ Not disqualified from the promise 3 miracles • God not only keeps his promise but he fights for them himself by a. God threw them into panic b. Sending a storm of hail stones that killed more than the sword Joshua prayed this one prayer, simple, short precise “On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.”” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬ https://www.bible.com/116/jos.10.12.nlt “So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day. There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day! Then Joshua and the Israelite army returned to

Introduction: Last week we began to enter into some of the more subjective aspects of apologetics looking at the argument from desire. Today we want to go a little deeper into the subjective side of things looking at the argument from experience. The argument is a simple one: millions of Christians of all ages, education levels and cultural experiences testify to a real experience of knowing God. The various experiences include, answers to prayer, sightings of the miraculous, a transformed character and life, joy inexpressible and full of glory, a sense of presence, an overwhelming sense of guilt and terror, etc. In non-Western cultures this is one of the most important and powerful ways to speak about God but we in the West with our history of Modernism which is biased towards a naturalistic explanation of all things and sees empiricism as the only valid foundation for epistemology, this argument has fallen on hard times. So today as we consider this type of argument we will firstly answer some objections and secondly give some examples. Source

Introduction Last week we left off with Paul challenging us that if we are to share in God’s glory we must also share in His suffering. Of all people Paul understands what suffering means. However, I am not sure we completely understand Paul’s view on suffering. Paul in verse 17 is not talking about…

Here are the show notes for this episode. Introduction Last year I managed to read over 100 books. That’s a crazy number, right? This list comprised fiction (some complete trash) and non-fiction. I tend to read fiction for relaxation and non-fiction for personal and professional development. Reading is, to me, both relaxation and learning. I happened to mention how many books I read last year to a few colleagues (in a completely non-bragging way, I promise) and many were a little stunned. Quite a few didn’t believe me! Many confessed they wanted to read more but just didn’t have the time. In response, I set up a book club for my colleagues. This podcast episode will hopefully help too. Here are my 14 tips to help you make time to read more. Consume audiobooks - it’s not cheating! Understand that it’s OK to leave a book unfinished. Remember - there is no test at the end. Start or join a book club. Find a reading buddy. Wake up early to read. Go to bed early to read. Keep a book in your bag. Have two books on the go at the same time. Make the most of your commute. Try short stories/books. Set reading goals and track your progress using an app like Streaks. Set a daily reading reminder on your smartphone. Read what you want, not what you should. This episode was inspired by one of my favourite podcasts: seanwes. Wrap Up I hope you enjoyed this episode. Please check out my new book, The Productive Teacher at theproductiveteacherbook.com.

Introduction Last week we began our study on the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. We looked at who the Holy Spirit is, and what the Spirit offers to those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord. Essentially, we explored the theology of the Holy Spirit. The reason I began the series this way was…

Introduction Last week we wrapped up our series on the Bible called “Breath”. We breathe all the time. It is central in our lives. Another area in our lived that is equally central/vital/important in our lives (whether we like it or not is money) money (how we get it, spend it, save it) stands right…

Introduction Last month I was studying what is know in Theology as Anthropology. Anthropology is simple the study of Man, or Humans if you want to be more P.C. The teaching I received in this area where from a Biblical World view of course, and when you study that subject out it becomes increasingly…

Introduction: Last week I ministered on the subject, "But." Those who were here, and paid attention, realize that I did not finish the story. I did that on purpose. We were looking at a man who had everything. He had position; he had power; he had riches. "But" he was a leper. His name was Naaman. His disease was a symbol of sin in both the Old Testament and in the New. I pointed out that it separated him from his loved ones, that it was ugly. That is why we have the expression, "ugly as sin." I also explained that the disease took over and controlled everything else in life. Next, we pointed out that the king was asked to heal him. Kings, governments, or wealth could not solve the problems. They could not then, and they cannot now! Yet, a servant girl knew the answer. The answer to the "But" in life is always found in the places men do not look. Now we will look at the answer to Naaman. But guess what? When he hears the answer, he gives "Excuses." 2 Kings 5:8-12(NKJV) – 8So it was, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 10And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” 11But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, “Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’ 12Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.

-Introduction -Last week follow-up -Chinese Grand Prix Race Report -Red ...