Podcasts about Israelites

As the days grow shorter and seasons become darker, it can be easy to feel discouraged by the loss of light. But John 8:12 reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world—a light that does not fade, even when our circumstances feel dark. While physical darkness can affect our mood and energy, spiritual darkness can also leave us feeling discouraged, uncertain, or distant from hope. Jesus offers a light that reaches beyond our circumstances and gives us lasting hope and life. Jesus’ declaration that He is the light of the world points to His identity as God and His victory over sin and darkness. Through Christ, we are no longer bound to darkness but are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as children of light. Even when we walk through difficult seasons, we can trust that darkness will not have the final word. God’s goodness remains constant, His presence does not fade, and His light continues to shine. Rather than simply waiting for a difficult season to pass, we can reflect Christ’s light through our actions, share the hope we have in Him, and encourage others who may be walking through their own season of darkness. Highlights Why shorter days and physical darkness can affect our emotions and sense of motivation What Jesus meant when He declared, “I am the light of the world” How Jesus’ identity connects to God’s declaration of “I AM” in Exodus 3 Why Christ’s light continues to shine even during difficult and dark seasons How Jesus’ work on the cross frees us from the darkness of sin What it means to live as children of light and let our faith shine before others Encouragement to remember that difficult seasons do not last forever and God’s goodness never fades Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: When the Days Grow Shorter, but God’s Goodness Does Not By: Laura Bailey Bible Reading: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12 NIV Every year around this time, my husband goes into a funk. He’s an outdoor guy, and since his job has him chained to a desk for roughly 10 hours a day, he covets the extra sunshine-filled days of summer. As the days grow shorter, he struggles to find joy in the diminishing hours of light. I get where he’s coming from; there are a lot of people who feel that way. I only made it one winter living in Montreal, where the sun didn’t show up till mid-morning and started setting early afternoon. I struggled with the lack of light in my life, so I went to see a counselor who recommended I invest in a light box. If you are not familiar with a light box, it is literally just that— a box with a light in it. For those who suffer from the seasonal blues, scientists have found that a few minutes in a light box can have a major effect on mood. It’s pretty wild to think about how light, or the lack thereof, can affect our moods, mental health, physical drive, and various other factors of motivation. Scripture speaks often of light and darkness. Jesus tells us in John 8:12 that, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” In the book of John, Jesus makes 7 “I am” statements, which refer to the conversation Moses has with God in Exodus: Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:13-14). God doesn’t need further explanation; He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and end; He has always existed. The same is true for Jesus, since He is part of the Trinity and God in human form; He, too, can say, “I am who I am.” During the time Jesus was teaching, light would have been a precious commodity; you didn’t flip a switch; it took work to keep the light going. So, for the original audience, hearing of a light that never dims or goes out would have been a foreign concept. Yet Jesus tells us that He is a light that never fades and shines into the darkness, and provides life. Jesus Christ’s work on the cross delivers us from the darkness; it releases us from the chains of sin and sets us free. And that’s not all! Those of us in Christ now have the power of the Holy Spirit; the same power that raised Jesus from the grave lives in us (Romans 8:11). So what should we do with this power? We let our light shine before men, so that our good deeds can glorify our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).We boldly share the light in our lives and the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ (Psalm 27:1).We walk as children of the light, those who are called according to God’s purpose to proclaim His wondrous works (Ephesians 5:8). While we have the light of Christ in our lives, there will be times when we experience seasons that feel very dark. If you are in one of those seasons, let me encourage you, as I do my husband, that it will not last forever. One day, the sun’s presence will linger longer, and one day the light will overtake the darkness. Stay encouraged; the days may grow shorter, but God’s goodness does not. Intersecting Faith &Life:If you struggle with the winter blues, take some time today to make a plan to incorporate both spiritual and physical light into your life.Further Reading: What are all the “I AM” Statements? Matthew 5 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the problem in front of you is actually hiding an opportunity you haven't seen yet?I've been thinking a lot about how we see things because the way you see a situation can completely change how you respond to it. We're living in a time where there is so much uncertainty. AI is changing industries, markets are shifting, businesses are adjusting, and it would be really easy to look around and see nothing but problems.But here's what I believe: opportunities almost always come disguised as problems.In this episode of The You Are More Podcast, I'm talking about the story of the twelve spies and something that has been challenging me personally. Twelve people looked at the exact same Promised Land. They saw the same giants, the same obstacles, and the same circumstances. Ten came back convinced they couldn't do it. Two looked at those same giants and said, “We are well able. Let's go possess.”That's the difference perspective can make.Faith doesn't mean pretending the giant isn't there. It means refusing to make the giant bigger than God.I'm also sharing something that happened to me recently when I found myself talking about everything that felt hard—the uphill battles, the weariness, the things that weren't moving the way I wanted them to. Sometimes you need to get those things out, but I also knew I couldn't stay there. If all I rehearse are problems, eventually problems are all I'm going to see.So I had to ask myself: How am I seeing this?Maybe that's the question you need to ask too.When you don't know what to do, ask God for wisdom. When you're sitting in the boardroom and the answers aren't coming, ask Him. When the relationship feels tangled, ask Him. When the circumstances in front of you say there is no way, remember that you carry the divine genius of God on the inside of you.You do not have to figure everything out in your own strength.And when you start questioning whether you can move forward, go back and rehearse your victories. One of my dear friends used to tell me, “Amy, you and God have a good track record.”Maybe you need to remind yourself of your own track record with Him.Remember the door He opened. Remember the provision. Remember the thing you thought would never work out. Remember the season you weren't sure you would survive.Then take another step.When the Israelites were standing at the Red Sea with Pharaoh behind them, mountains around them, and water in front of them, God told them to go forward.Sometimes you don't need to see the entire path. You just need to move.In this episode, I'm also talking about why your perspective affects your words, your emotions, and ultimately your actions; how fear can sometimes disguise itself as wisdom; why timing and seasons matter; what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego teach us about walking through the fire; and why sometimes you simply need to get your fight back.I think about David standing in front of Goliath. Everyone else saw an impossible problem. David remembered the lion. He remembered the bear. He remembered what God had already brought him through.He had history.And so do you.If you've been weary, uncertain, or beaten down by what's happening around you, I want this episode to help you get your “God's got me” back.God is not caught off guard by what you're facing. He has already gone before you. You don't have to navigate this season alone.So ask yourself:How am I seeing it?Am I only seeing the problem, or am I looking for the possibility?Am I staring at the giant, or am I remembering who is with me?Sometimes the opportunity has been hiding inside the problem the entire time.Keep moving. Keep believing. Keep walking.✨ Join me every Thursday morning at 6:00 AM Central for my 30-minute Zoom Bible study. You can find the link on my socials or at YouAreMore.com.And if this episode encouraged you, share it with somebody who needs it, subscribe to The You Are More Podcast, and leave me a five-star review.You carry great purpose. You carry great destiny.You truly are more.Connect With Us:Website: https://www.youaremore.comJoin The 6AM Club Bible Study! Bible Study: https://www.youaremore.com/bible-study Free Download: 5 Steps to Win Through Adversity https://youaremorepodcast.com/store Social Media: Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/youaremorepodcast and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amywienands/ Email: amy@amywienands.comEpisode Minute By Minute:00:50 – How Do You See the Situation?02:05 – Opportunities Come Disguised as Problems02:30 – The 12 Spies: Problem or Possibility?04:00 – Stop Rehearsing the Problem05:10 – Ask God to Show You How to See It05:45 – You Carry Divine Wisdom07:00 – Rehearse Your Victories08:10 – Go Forward09:05 – Timing, Seasons & Knowing When to Move10:00 – Your Perspective Changes Everything11:20 – Walking Through the Fire12:25 – What Is Your Power Source?13:35 – God Has Already Gone Before You15:10 – David, Goliath & Getting Your Fight Back17:10 – Get Your “God's Got Me” Back18:00 – Keep WalkingBe intentional, stay focused, and remember you are more! 

We explore the pivotal moment when Assyria invades Israel, marking a turning point in biblical history. Delve into the rise of the Assyrian Empire and its conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. Discover how King Hoshea's failed alliance with Egypt led to Israel's downfall and the implementation of Assyria's deportation policy. Learn about the spiritual significance of this event as a divine judgment for Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience. This episode examines the fulfillment of biblical prophecies, the fall of Samaria, and the exile of the Israelites.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

MOVE – Faith Takes Action (4)Sermon Title: Move Forward – Faith Refuses to Go BackWednesday, September 23, 2026God didn't bring you this far to take you backward. When He says “Go forward,” faith refuses to let fear send it back.In this fourth message of the MOVE, Faith Takes Action series, we continue the journey from taking the first step, to staying faithful, to leaving behind what cannot go forward. Now the challenge is clear: MOVE FORWARD.The Israelites stood at the Red Sea with the past behind them and an impossible, looking obstacle in front of them. Fear made them want to return to Egypt, but God had already brought them out, and He was calling them forward.Exodus 14:13–15 reminds us that there is a time to stand firm and trust God, but there is also a time when God says, “GO FORWARD!”FAITH REFUSES TO GO BACKFear can make familiar bondage look safer than unfamiliar freedom. But God doesn't call us to keep returning to what He has already delivered us from.Isaiah 43:18–19 reminds us not to dwell on the former things because God is doing a new thing and making a way where there seems to be no way.This message challenges us to stop romanticizing the past, stop revisiting what God has brought us through, and recognize that what's in front of us is greater than what's behind us.Through the story of the Red Sea and the words of Philippians 3:13–14, we are reminded to:• Forget what lies behind.• Strain forward to what lies ahead.• Press on toward God's calling.You may not be where you want to be yet, but thank God, you're not where you used to be.WHAT DOES FORWARD LOOK LIKE?Moving forward may look different for each of us:• Maintaining a healthy boundary.• Refusing to revisit an offense you've already released.• Continuing the financial discipline you've begun.• Serving even when nobody applauds.• Renewing your mind.• Applying for the opportunity.• Having the conversation.• Forgiving.• Starting again after a setback.• Refusing to mentally return to what God has already brought you through.Your step may feel small, but forward is forward.You don't have to cross the entire wilderness tonight. Just obey God with what's in front of you.Faith Takes Action. Faith Keeps Moving. Faith Leaves It Behind. And Faith Refuses to Go Back.Wherever God is leading you, choose to trust Him, follow Him, and MOVE FORWARD.

Study Guide The Gemara discusses a contradiction regarding the time for redeeming a firstborn donkey (peter chamor). One braita states that is can be done immediately, while another states that it cannot be performed before thirty days. Three resolutions are brought. Rav Nachman explains that if one redeemed it within thirty days, it is redeemed post-facto (b'dieved). Rav Sheshet suggests that the thirty-day timeframe teaches that one does not violate the prohibition against delaying the mitzva during this period. Rava resolves the conflicting opinions and explains that the dispute depends on whether one follows Rabbi Eliezer, who compares a firstborn donkey to a firstborn son, or the rabbis, who do not. The Mishna rules that if the owner does not wish to redeem the firstborn donkey, he decapitates it from behind and buries it. The commandment of redemption takes precedence. The Mishna lists additional mitzvot that have an order of precedence: the commandment of designation (ye'ida) takes precedence over the commandment of redemption for a Hebrew maidservant; the commandment of Levirate marriage (yibbum) originally took precedence over chalitza, but nowadays the commandment of chalitza takes precedence because people do not intend it for the sake of the mitzvah; and the commandment of redemption by the owner takes precedence over any other person in redeeming sanctified non-kosher animals. At the opening of the second chapter, the Mishna rules that if an Israelite buys, sells, enters a partnership in, or receives on a sharecropping contract (kibalat) a fetus or an animal of a Gentile, the offspring is exempt from firstborn status of kosher animals, as it is stated in the Torah "in Israel," excluding animals under joint or full ownership of Gentiles. Kohanim and Levites are obligated in the firstborn of a kosher animal, as their exemption applies only to pidyon haben and peter chamor. The Gemara asks why the masechet begins with laws of firstborn donkey and then of kosher animals given that kosher animals possess intrinsic sanctity (kedushat haguf) while a donkey possesses only monetary sanctity (kedushat damim). The Gemara answers that matters regarding non-kosher animals are few, and therefore the matter was concluded first, or because a firstborn donkey is cherished. Regarding transactions with a Gentile, Rabbi Yitzchak bar Nachmani said in the name of Resh Lakish, who quoted the words of Rabbi Oshaya, that an Israelite who gave money to a Gentile (and a Gentile who gave money to an Israelite) acquires through money alone, and does not require physical pulling (meshikha). This derives this from the verse "from the hand of your neighbor" (mi-yad amitekha), teaching that meshikha is required only between an Israelite and his neighbor, whereas a transaction with a Gentile is effected through money. Ameimar holds a dissenting opinion – that a transaction between a Gentile and an Israelite is effected through money. The Gemara analyzes how to understand the verse of amitekha according to Ameimar according to the positions of both Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish. A difficulty is raised from a braita against the position of Rabbi Oshaya regarding one who buys pieces of silver (gruta'ot) from Gentiles and finds an idol inside, where ownership depends on whether money was given or physical pulling (meshikha) was performed. The Gemara resolves the difficulty through four different explanations.

# Puah and Shiphrah: Courage, Quiet Defiance and the Power of Women of Faith | Women in the BibleWhat does it mean to stand for God when the world around you demands that you do otherwise? And can quiet, strategic obedience to God be just as powerful as bold, public acts of defiance?Found in Exodus 1, these two women lived during a time when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt under the rule of Pharaoh. Faced with his horrific command to kill every Hebrew baby boy at birth, Puah and Shiphrah made a choice that demonstrated extraordinary courage. They feared God more than they feared the most powerful king on earth and refused to obey an order that went against His will.Their story teaches us that courage doesn't always have to be loud, visible or dramatic. We often think of biblical defiance through the example of Daniel, who openly stood firm in his faith. But Puah and Shiphrah show us another kind of courage: quiet, strategic and collective defiance. They worked together, using wisdom and discernment to protect innocent lives without Pharaoh knowing what they were doing.We explore the power of women coming together in faith, supporting one another and working behind the scenes to accomplish God's purposes. These women were likely leaders among the midwives, and their influence reminds us that some of the greatest acts of faithfulness happen away from the spotlight.When Pharaoh eventually summoned them to explain their actions, God gave them wisdom in their response. Their story reminds us that when we fear God above all earthly authority, He can equip us with the wisdom and courage we need to navigate difficult situations.**In this episode, we reflect on some powerful lessons from Puah and Shiphrah:**✨ **The courage to obey God:** What happens when the expectations of society, culture or the laws of the land conflict with God's Word? We learn the importance of standing firm in biblical truth, trusting that God will see us through.✨ **The power of quiet defiance:** Not every act of courage needs to be public or confrontational. Sometimes the most powerful resistance is quiet, strategic and rooted in obedience to God.✨ **The strength of women working together:** Puah and Shiphrah remind us of the incredible influence women can have when they unite in faith, purpose and a shared commitment to honouring God.✨ **God rewards obedience:** Their faithfulness did not go unnoticed. Exodus tells us that God dealt well with the midwives and established households for them. Their story demonstrates that God sees our obedience, even when the world does not.✨ **Wisdom in difficult circumstances:** We see how God can give us the words, discernment and wisdom we need when our faith is challenged.✨ **Our frontline is our ministry:** Perhaps one of the most important lessons from these women is that our greatest opportunity to serve God may not be behind a pulpit or within the walls of a church. It is often in the everyday spaces where He has placed us.Our workplaces, homes, communities, friendships and relationships are our frontlines. These are the places where we can demonstrate God's faithfulness, love, glory and mercy to the world.As Christians, when we each faithfully live out our calling on our individual frontlines, our collective influence can reach further into society than a pastor preaching for an hour on a Sunday ever could alone.Puah and Shiphrah remind us that ministry is not reserved for those with a platform, a title or a public voice. Every one of us has a God-given opportunity to make a difference right where we are.Their story challenges us to ask ourselves: **Are we honouring God in the everyday decisions we make? Are we willing to stand for His truth when it costs us something? And are we recognising our own frontline as a place of ministry?#BiblicalWomanhood #FaithAndCourage #ObedienceToGod #StandingOnGodsWord #QuietStrength #ChristianLiving #YourFrontlineIsYourMinistry #GodsFaithfulness

The Mishna lists animals that cannot be used for redemption, including a calf, an undomesticated animal, a slaughtered or treifa animal, a hybrid (kilayim), or a koy (a creature of doubtful status between a domesticated and undomesticated animal). Rabbi Eliezer permits redemption using a hybrid because it is nevertheless a lamb (born to two animals in the sheep family), but forbids a koy. The Gemara explains that the Mishna follows Ben Bag Bag, who derives from a textual comparison (gezeira shava) of the word seh from the Paschal sacrifice that only a standard, kosher lamb or goat fulfills the obligation. Four questions are asked regarding animals that may or may not be used to redeem a firstborn donkey. The first question: may a fetus that was in the womb of its mother when she was slaughtered (ben pekua) be used? At first, the Gemara assesses that the question is according to the Sages' position regarding a ben pekua, and not Rabbi Meir's. Mar Zutra holds it is invalid because it does not require ritual slaughter, and therefore it is considered equivalent to a slaughtered animal. Rav Ashi permits it because the Torah repeats the word tifdeh (redeem) to include all kosher sheep. The second question: can an animal that does not resemble its mother (nidmeh) be used for redemption? At first, the Gemara assesses that the question is according to the Sages' position and not Rabbi Eliezer's, since it is clear he would permit it, given that even kilayim is permitted for use. Two sources are brought to answer the question, but in the end, each source is inconclusive. The third question: may consecrated animals that became blemished (pesulei hamukdashin) be used to redeem a firstborn donkey? Rav Mari son of Rav Kahana proves from the verse comparing them to a gazelle and a deer (k'tzvi v'ka'ayal) that just as a gazelle or deer cannot be used to redeem a firstborn donkey, blemished consecrated animals likewise cannot be used. The final question: may one use an animal that possesses Sabbatical year sanctity for redemption? One clearly cannot use it to redeem a definite firstborn donkey, as the Torah specifies that Sabbatical produce is designated "for eating" (l'okhla) and not for commerce (l'skhora). To answer the question, a statement of Rav Chisda is brought showing that one may use a Sabbatical year animal to redeem a doubtful firstborn donkey, according to Rabbi Yehuda. Rav Chisda ruled on other issues regarding animals with the sanctity of the Sabbatical year—that they are exempt from firstborn status and obligated in priestly gifts. A difficulty is raised from a braita regarding halla, but it is resolved. If an Israelite gives an unredeemed firstborn donkey to a kohen, the kohen is not permitted to keep it until a lamb is designated in its place immediately, as kohanim were suspected of taking firstborn donkeys without properly redeeming them. If one designates a lamb for redemption and the lamb dies, Rabbi Eliezer and the Sages dispute who bears responsibility. Rabbi Eliezer holds that the owner remains responsible to provide another lamb (comparing it to redemption of a firstborn son, pidyon haben), whereas the Sages hold that the owner is free of responsibility (comparing it to the redemption of second tithe, ma'aser sheni). Testimony from Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Tzadok confirms the Sages' view that the kohen receives nothing if the designated redemption dies before reaching him. Rav Yosef and Rava subsequently explain the source for Rabbi Eliezer's position.

God Empowers the Weak (7)  (audio) David Eells, 9/30/26 We all want to manifest the fruit of the Spirit, but first there must be the crucifixion of the lusts. Jesus taught us and He's our example. Many people think He was an example so that we wouldn't have to die. No, Jesus didn't die so that we wouldn't have to die. Jesus died so that we could die. I'm talking about dying spiritually; dying to self. He died to make it possible for us to die to self.  Those who refuse to take up their cross and follow Him, and refuse to obey His commands, are refusing to be disciples. Even if they call themselves Christians. I want to show you that Jesus turned the other cheek, but He did it as an example to us. When Jesus was before Pilate and the Sanhedrin (Matthew 27:12-14), He resisted not the evil. He did turn the other cheek. He had the power to say “No.” He had more power than the disciples understood He had because they thought they were going to save Him with the sword. (Mat.26:52) Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. He said, “Don't you know I could call more than 12 legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53) Look, Jesus had power they didn't know of to keep from going to the cross. He didn't have to resort to man's arm of the flesh. One angel in the Old Testament killed 185,000 men (2 Kings 19:35) and Jesus is talking about calling 72,000 angels here. That's power! Christians need to realize that their power is not in the arm of the flesh; it's in the Kingdom of Heaven. That power should be used to fulfill God's Will. In the very next verse after Jesus said, “Don't you know I could call more than 12 legions of angels?” He said, “how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” (Mat.26:54) We want the Scriptures to be fulfilled in us, which is the manifestation of Christ; however, they won't be fulfilled if you refuse to go to your cross. Just as Jesus had a free will and He could have called the 12 legions of angels, we have a free will, and we could, in many cases, walk away from our cross. But that doesn't mean we won't be faced with it again. We will be faced with it again and again because God is merciful. And we'll be faced with it until we get it right or just run out of time because we are running out of time. We've been put here to bear fruit, and we've been given a certain amount of time to do that. There's a door closing on the other end of this life. I've shared before the vision my wife had about being on a treadmill. The door ahead was closing. We had to run faster and faster to get through the door before it closed. The treadmill was imperceptibly picking up speed going in the opposite direction, and we had to run faster and faster. That's the way the world is; it's picking up speed in the opposite direction, and the door is closing. We're running a race but it's not a race against one another; this is a race against time. There's a door closing. You have to bear fruit or else you'll be called what Scripture and Jesus called an “unprofitable servant,” cast forth into outer darkness (Matthew 25:30). There's no such thing as bearing fruit without the cross. I'm going to point out just a few of Jesus' commands and show you that when you obey them, they put you in a position of weakness. You cannot defend yourself. You cannot hit back. You won't be able to do the things that your flesh wants because, if you do, your flesh will live and it will get stronger. (Rom.8:13) For if ye live after the flesh (in other words, if you walk in obedience to the flesh), ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. We want the new man to live and there's only one way that can happen – the old man has to die. They live in the same house. The spiritual man was supposed to go into the Promised Land and kill the old man and live in his house, and we are, in one parallel, that promised land. That spiritual man is Christ in us and He's the spiritual man in every one of us, Who seeks to take over our vessel. (1Pe.2:18) Servants, [be] in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (19) For this is acceptable (the literal translation is actually “grace”), For this is grace, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. Grace? That's right. God sends us through grace down here on this earth. Sometimes we don't look on it as grace, but it's fleshly suffering. He calls it grace. That's the original word there. We have to go through suffering. (Act.14:22) … Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. We must go through suffering because the flesh doesn't die without suffering. If you're not suffering, then you're not ceasing from sin. Peter said, He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin (1Pe.4:1). That's because when you're suffering, when the flesh is suffering – and I'm talking about that entity of the old man in you, the mind of the flesh in you – when that old man is suffering, it means that he's not getting his way and he's dying. This is not about the physical flesh suffering, you understand. I'm talking about that entity that lives in you that wants to gratify “self.” If the old man is not suffering, you're not bearing the cross; you're not obeying the commands of Jesus to lose your life. So Peter called it “grace” here. (1Pe.2:20) For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted [for it,] ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it,] ye shall take it patiently, this is grace with God. The last thing we want is to do right and to have wrong done to us in return. We want justice and our rights. The flesh demands its rights, but the flesh is a dead man. We reckon the old man to be dead unto sin (Romans 6:11) and dead men don't demand rights. You can slap the dead man on one cheek and they'll turn the other one, too. That's the way Jesus commanded us. If you want that old man to die, then don't feed him. Just don't obey him and he'll die. This is grace with God. (1Pe.2:21) For hereunto were ye called…. We were called to suffer in what the world would call “wrongfully.” In other words, we're called to suffer when we do right. (1Pe.2:21) For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: (22) who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (23) who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously. In other words, Jesus left judgment, wrath and payback in the hands of God. Peter said Jesus left this example to us so that we should follow in His steps. Every day we're going to have an opportunity to do this. There's just no way you could live this life without having an opportunity to deny our self life. Don't waste your time. Redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16), the Scripture says. This is what we're here for. Suffering is one of God's greatest methods to put to death your flesh so that Christ can live in you.  (1Pe.3:13) And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? (14) But even if ye should suffer for righteousness' sake, blessed [are ye:] and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; (15) but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: [being] ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: (16) having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. (17) For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. (18) Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit. We can see a spiritual type there in the life of Christ. When He resisted not the evil, He was put to death in the flesh, but He was made alive in the spirit. This is a spiritual type for us because, if we want to be made alive in the spirit, we must accept our death in the fleshly self-life daily.  (1Pe.4:14) If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed [are ye;] because the [Spirit] of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. (15) For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men's matters: but if [a man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. (17) For the time [is come] for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if [it begin] first at us, what [shall be] the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? (18) And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? (19) Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God (That doesn't fit the prosperity doctrine very well, does it?) commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator. Commit your soul unto a faithful Creator. Jesus obeyed His own command in Matthew 5:39 and He was crucified for it. I can imagine several places where He could have interjected just a little bit of truth and totally turned the situation around, such as when He talked about, “destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (Joh.2:19). Of course, he spake of the temple of his body (21), but that's not what was brought out at the trial by the Sanhedrin and I never saw Him even objecting to it, though He knew what He meant. He didn't bother to stick up for Himself. There's one person from the Old Testament who really impressed me with his understanding of not resisting him that is evil, and that's David. He obeyed this. I've seen probably a half-dozen to a dozen good examples of where David obeyed this doctrine. He seemed to be way ahead of his time in understanding what it was that pleased God. He seemed to be almost walking in New Testament revelation in some areas of this resisting not evil and it definitely bore fruit in his soul. (Psa.38:12) They also that seek after my life lay snares [for me,] And they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all the day long. (13) But I, as a deaf man, hear not; And I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. (14) Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, And in whose mouth are no reproofs. (15) For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: Thou wilt answer, O Lord my God. David put his trust in God to bring about justice, just as the Lord did (1 Peter 2:23), and not with his own tongue, nor in his own strength. In fact, as we read on here, you'll see that David knew and understood God's purpose. You know, it's a fiery trial when you resist not the evil, no matter what form it is. There's a righteous indignation that rises up on the inside of you wanting justice, but listen, we can't afford justice. Nobody reading this can afford justice. We want mercy. With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful (Psa.18:25). If you get justice, you're in trouble. Did you know that? God gives justice to some and He gives mercy to others (Romans 9:21-23). Christians get mercy. The world doesn't always get mercy. But I'll tell you what, the only thing we better show to the world is mercy because God's going to be merciful and forgiving to those who are merciful and forgiving. And to those who are not merciful, He's going to give justice (Matthew 18:35). None of us here can afford the justice of God. Not everybody even gets a revelation of God in this world, but they get justice because every man is going to reap what he sows (Galatians 6:7). People ask, “What do you do with the wicked who never hear the name of Christ?” No problem. They're going to get justice. Everybody in this world is going to at least get justice, but Christians, at least true Christians, are going to get mercy and grace from Him.  God's not doing wrong by doing that because He's at the very least giving justice to people. But we had better pray that we don't get justice because that means we'll pay for what we've done and what we are doing that is wrong. David understood this, and Jesus understood this. So David says, “for I said, Lest they rejoice over me: When my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.” (Psa.38:16) (17) For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me. (18) For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. (19) But mine enemies are lively, [and] are strong; And they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. (20) They also that render evil for good Are adversaries unto me, because I follow the thing that is good. (21) Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me. (22) Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation. (39:1) I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me. (2) I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; And my sorrow was stirred. (3) My heart was hot within me; While I was musing the fire burned; [Then] spake I with my tongue: (4) Lord, make me to know mine end, And the measure of my days, what it is; Let me to know how frail I am. You know, when David resisted not the evil, when he kept his mouth shut when he was really being pressured to speak up, he said the fire burned in him. Have you ever felt that fire? I have. It's just like a real fire burning in you. It's a fiery trial that's come to prove you and to burn up the wood, hay and stubble of the self-life. You know, we've been told by some church ministers that the fiery trial is in the next life, but that's as big a lie as has ever been told. (1Co.3:12) But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. It's here that you go through the fiery trial to burn up the wood, hay and stubble, not in the next life. The Bible says, “the day shall declare it.” There are no days in eternity. This is where the fiery trial comes. But you can avoid the fiery trial very easily. All you have to do is not obey the commands of Jesus. If you don't obey Him, it's easy to avoid those kinds of trials, and quite often we'll go around them, but what we're doing is putting off the day of crucifixion and the day of bearing fruit. God wants to motivate us with many, many Scriptures that today is the day of salvation. Today is God's day of deliverance (2 Corinthians 6:2). I found many places where David understood this. One of them is when Nabal's herds had been protected by David and his men out in the wilderness (1 Samuel 25:16). By the way, Nabal means “fool.” And David's men were sent to Nabal to get some supplies for his men, who were living in the wilderness, and Nabal answered them very roughly and sent them back without any help (1 Samuel 25:10,11,14). So David had decided, “I'll just go over there and take his head off” (1 Samuel 25:22). Meanwhile, Nabal's wife, who was a very understanding and wise woman, decided she was going to go meet David and ask his forgiveness, and she did (1 Samuel 25:24). And one thing she said is, “Thank God that the Lord has withheld you from avenging yourself at your own hand” (1 Samuel 25:26,31). She said that twice. Then David thanked her for her part in bringing that to pass (1 Samuel 25:32,33). You know, there's something wrong about us avenging ourselves with our own hand. (Rom.12:19) Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath [of God:] for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. He said, if you do this, “thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head” (20). In other words, it's God's job to repay. If we repay, then God has to whip us because we've been commanded over and over not to repay. If we do it, He's going to whip us, but He doesn't have to whip them.  I'll give you an example. If you have two kids and you tell them, “Now, look, don't you hit back. If so-and-so does something to you, you come and tell me; I'll take care of it. If one of them hits back, then the other one has al­ready gotten his punishment. In that case, why should I hit him again? I'm going to have to hit you since you're the one who needs the whipping because you disobeyed me.” Here's the point. This is the way God does things. If He tells us. “Don't do it,” there's a purpose in it. (Eph.6:12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. What we war against must be done in the spirit; it must be done with authority of Christ and through the power of faith. It can't be done in the flesh.  Let me show you a really good example of this from David. (2Sa.16:5) And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and cursed still as he came. (6) And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. (7) And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Begone, begone, thou man of blood, and base fellow: (8) the Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned … Well, I don't know if Shimei knew it or not, but David had opportunity about three times to kill Saul. It was in his hand to do it, and he wouldn't do it. He would resist the evil. He wouldn't repay. He left that to the Lord, and the Lord took care of that. The Lord used the Philistines to take Saul and his whole family out (1 Samuel 31:6), but He didn't have to blame David for it. David even had to dodge some of Saul's spears and his evil spirits (1 Samuel 18:11, 19:10). Shimei went on with his slander… And the Lord hath delivered the kingdom unto the hand of Absalom thy son; and, behold, thou art [taken] in thine own mischief, because thou art a man of blood. (2Sa.16:9) Then said Abishai the son of Zeruah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse the lord my king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. (10) And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David … Do you see that? “The Lord hath said unto him, ‘Curse David.'” David wasn't wrong here. The Lord works all things after the counsel of His Own Will (Ephesians 1:11). He sends wicked people to us to crucify our flesh. It's His purpose to do that, just as He sent and used the hand of wicked men to crucify the Lord. (Act.2:23) Him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay. God used these vessels of dishonor. He used the people of Israel and He used the wicked Roman Empire to crucify the Lord, as the Scripture says. It's the same with us. He put us here in the midst of a bunch of wolves. Jesus said, “I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves” (Luk.10:3). We have been put here for crucifixion, and the world is designed to crucify us. If you don't understand that, you don't understand the sovereignty of God. God designed this world to crucify us. Jesus was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). Stop and think. “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Before Adam fell, God designed a Savior. Do you think we're in Plan B? Nope. We're in Plan A. There never has been a Plan B because God is Sovereign. He designed this world to manifest sons, and to manifest sons, you have to have a fallen nature to begin with. There have to be people who don't deserve God's goodness. That's where you have to start out because God wasn't creating angels. If He was creating angels, He wouldn't have had to make man at all. God didn't want angels. He wanted somebody who was fallen and so they could gratefully realize they picked up by the grace of God. You remember what Jesus said to one of the Pharisees? (Luk.7:40) And Jesus, answering, said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. (41) A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. (42) When they had not [wherewith] to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most? (43) Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. (47) Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little. In other words, “Who is forgiven much, loveth much.” See, we're going to know how to love God because we don't deserve anything. We have fallen and have been picked up by grace, not by our works, but by grace or unmerited favor. We don't deserve anything. We deserve justice, but pray you don't get that because God's grace is far above justice. His mercy is far above justice. That's why we have to give grace to other people. Don't give them what they deserve; you may get what you deserve. (Mat.7:2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. If you give somebody justice, you'll receive it back. Give them mercy. Give them grace. God will judge them. God may even judge them out of your mouth, but understand that it won't be with your flesh. The prophets spoke judgments. In the Book of Revelation, prophets speak judgment in (Revelation 11:6). I'm convinced that everything that happens in the Book of Revelation comes out of the mouth of God's children. Many of the curses today that are coming upon this world are coming out of the mouth of God's children. In fact, I'm convinced that all of them do. God is bringing judgment, and He's doing it through His people but it won't be personal retaliation or unforgiveness. They're speaking judgment, but they're not doing it with the mouth of the flesh. You know, we can't rise up against this government that God ordained according to Romans 13. If you do, God promises, “all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Mat.26:52). But ultimately God's Kingdom is coming. The saints are going to possess the Kingdom, and they're going to take it from the Beast. They will do this by using the Sword of the Spirit and it will be happening in the spirit realm. They won't be doing it in the flesh. The flesh must be crucified. Works of the flesh must cease. You must desist. You must resist not him who is evil. In the spirit realm, we can do many mighty things. God has planned it that way so that your spirit man will be strong, but your flesh will be weak. That's the way God's salvation, God's deliverance, and every need is going to come. David understood that the Lord had commanded this, and we need to understand this, too. All we have to do is read Job to see that circumstances are the same today as they were back then. (Job2:10) … What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?…. And you know what? Job repented after God answered him in chapters 38-40. He repented of his self-righteousness. He repented (Job 42:1-6) and God gave him back what he'd lost (Job 42:10). But God used crucifixion in Job's life. Job wasn't physically doing wrong things; he wasn't in outward immoral disobedience. His problem was self-righteousness. God brought all this against him to bring him to repentance. David was also put in a position of crucifixion by God. God sent this enemy against him and David understood that. I think very few people in the Old Testament had wisdom like David concerning this. And he said, (2Sa.16:10) And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? Because he curseth, and because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David; who then shall say, Wherefore hast thou done so? (11) And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more [may] this Benjamite now [do it]? let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. “The Lord hath bidden him.” Think about that the next time people come against you and want to put you on the cross, and you keep wanting to climb down. We do want to climb down off that cross, but you can't drive the nails. God has designed the wicked to put the cross in the ground and drive the nails. That's their calling in this world.  God has vessels of honor and vessels of dishonor. He has vessels of grace and vessels of wrath. They're all doing His Will, one way or the other. All things serve the Lord, and He works all things after the counsel of His Own Will (Ephesians 1:11). If you understand this, you can walk in grace and peace in this world, no matter what comes against you, because God put you there for a purpose. He put you there to be crucified and so that you would learn to use the weapons of your warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4). You know, sometimes the Lord sends the devil against you just so you can defeat him. He'll send the enemy against you, but He doesn't want you to go against him by wrestling with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). Remember that the Bible says, “resist not him that is evil” (Mat.5:39). On the other hand, it says, “resist the devil” (Jas.4:7). “Resist not him that is evil” is talking about man. We don't wrestle with flesh and blood. When they wrestled with flesh and blood in the Old Testament, that was a type and shadow of them wrestling with principalities and powers. Go back over there and read the names of those kings and the names of those tribes that were conquered, and study in the Hebrew what those names mean. You're going to find out they're all the lusts of the flesh and demon spirits. That's who the Israelites were spiritually wrestling with and everything that happened to them was a type and a shadow for us. (1Co.10:11) Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come. So go back to the Old Testament and look at it carefully. You'll see what they wrestled with.  Today we think we're supposed to carry on an Old Testament-type warfare in the way we war with people, but you can't grow if you do that. God will chasten you if you do that because you're rebelling against His Word. And David said of his accuser, “the Lord hath bidden him” (2Sa.16:11). (12) It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will requite me good for [his] cursing of me this day. David is saying that the Lord will pay him back good for his resisting not evil. If the Lord's going to bless you for it, go ahead and let them curse. Didn't Jesus say you'd be blessed when men would curse you? Absolutely (Matthew 5:11). Didn't He say the spirit of grace and the Spirit of God would rest upon you? Have you ever experienced that? I have. When I first learned of this doctrine, the Lord put me in situations where I did, by His grace, turn the other cheek, and I felt the power of God on me for going through that. It's just a great anointing that comes upon you when you obey God in the place where you want to defend yourself, and you refuse to do it. Instead, you leave it in the hands of God, and you won't defend yourself.  If you do defend ‘self', then the old man will live; he'll climb down off that cross. Even though he's crucified, he's not totally dead yet, so he can still climb down. It's true that we have to reckon him dead (Romans 6:11), but until he is dead, don't let him live; don't feed him. Do you know what fasting is a type of? Well, when you fast, you're not feeding the flesh. What happens when you don't feed it? It gets weak. What does that do? It makes the spiritual man strong. There's a reason for fasting and there's a spiritual type. The whole chapter of Isaiah 58 is talking about spiritual fasting, about denying yourself, so we see that they had a revelation of that in the Old Testament, too. (2Sa.16:13) So David and his men went by the way; and Shimei went along on the hill-side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. (14) And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary; and he refreshed himself there. Well, that wasn't the end of the story. David never did do anything to Shimei, but his son Solomon had him killed because he rebelled against his commands and left the city. It's hard to comprehend why Shimei was so against David. My guess is he was a low-life who just didn't want to understand the situation here. Anybody who was on Absalom's side and saw righteousness in Absalom and not in David, and saw righteousness in Saul and not in David, was in trouble. He was a sick son of the devil. Leaving our recompense in God's hands will do a work in you that nothing else will do because our old man would like to get the last word. And the last place you'll usually overcome in doing this is in your family. You can do it pretty well with the world and with the Christians around you, but one of the last places you're going to do it is with your family. The Scriptures teach this really well. The Lord says, “bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not” (Rom.12:14).(17) Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. (18) If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. We're to be at peace with all men. I once had a rather strange thing happen to me when I was in that state between dreaming and waking up. I was faced with an enemy that had come against this country. I saw an invasion force, and I was in the midst of it, and I was saying things to them in this dream like, “You're not my enemy.” The world may have enemies, but the world is not our enemy. Did you know the world is not our enemy? He said, “I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men” (2Sa.7:14). See, the rod is not your enemy; the rod is God's method of creation. When what we call our “enemy” is finished doing their work, God's going to destroy them. They have a work to do that we have to cooperate with God in. They are the rod of God who comes against us, but they're not really our enemy. We are to resist not that evil because that evil is what crucifies this flesh, which is our true enemy; it's the enemy of our eternal life. So they're doing a work in us that nothing else could do, and we need them. And God says, “as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men” (Rom.12:18). (19) Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath [of God]. “Give place unto the wrath.” That “of God” wasn't in the original. Just cross that out because it's not in there. It says, “give place unto the wrath: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord” (19). (20) But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Our method to bring the Gospel to people around us is to overcome evil with good. And Paul said, always leave the vengeance up to the Lord. Now I've heard for years that this ‘heaping coals of fire upon their head' was coals of conviction. Maybe so. But if you don't take vengeance, the Lord will, because He said to Israel, I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse (Gen.12:3). The Bible says we're the Israel of God. That verse is about you. It's not about a bunch of pagan Israelites who don't know God. No, it doesn't have anything to do with them. It has to do with the Israel of God. For as many as are of the faith of Abraham, these are the sons of Abraham (Romans 4:16). (Rom.2:28) For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: (29) but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart…. God's going to bless those who bless you, but He's going to curse those who curse you.  (Psa.140:9) As for the head of those that compass me about, Let the mischief of their own lips cover them. (10) Let burning coals fall upon them: Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, whence they shall not rise. So, this ‘burning coals upon the head;' could mean a lot more than just the convicting power. There are some people who will be totally convicted when you resist not their evil, and God can overcome evil in people who can be convicted because the power of God is drawing them. But there are some people who have no desire toward God. They're not being drawn of God, as a matter of fact. The Scripture doesn't say God draws everybody. (Joh.6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him…. It's just not in there. And this won't do anything for them, but the Bible does say God's judgment will fall upon them. If you resist not the evil, God's judgment will fall upon them, so those burning coals can mean the judgment of God. (Rom.13:1) Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God…. Did you know that there is no power but of God? If somebody has power over you, guess Who gave them that power? Jesus told Pilate, “thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above” (Joh.19:11). It's the same situation with us. God puts us in positions where physically we don't have the power; the enemy, the wicked, have the power. How many times have you ever seen a Christian government over a country? Daniel said that God gives the kingdom to whom He will and He sets up over it the basest of men (Daniel 4:17). Did you ever wonder why God does that? Did you ever wonder why, in the days of Jesus, there were the Neros and the Caesars, and since then the Hitlers and the Mussolinis? God does that because we need crucifixion. God is in the process of creating sons, and there has to be a crucifixion for sons. The people in power most often are the wicked. The Bible says in Romans 13 that when they're put in power, God puts them there. So it says, “let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the [powers] that be are ordained of God” (Rom.13:1). And that was written in the days of the Herods and the Caesars and the Neros! God put them in there and they crucified the Christians. They brought the Christians through trouble and all that was God's purpose. (Act.14:22) … Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.

I've struggled with self-reliance my whole life. Growing up, I learned early to count on myself. And the world cheers that on. It applauds hustle, control, and making things happen. What the world doesn't applaud is waiting on God. In this episode I share one of the hardest seasons of my walk with Jesus. I waited on God for years in an area then I hit this point where I grew impatient and took matters into my own hands. I went back to self reliance.  As a daughter of the King self reliance doesn't make sense when the one who created us and has great plans for us wants us relying completely on him.  And here's the thing. God was answering that prayer the whole time. I just couldn't see it yet. We'll look at Abraham and Sarah, who took matters into their own hands. We'll look at the Israelites, who turned an 11-day journey into 40 years. And we'll look at Job, who praised God even after losing everything. I close with four scriptures to speak over yourself when the enemy whispers, "Did God really say?" If you're growing weary in the waiting, this one is for you. Timestamps 00:00 Why self-reliance has been my lifelong struggle 00:27 The world applauds self-reliance, not waiting on God 00:54 Trusting God when the timeline doesn't match ours 01:21 Unanswered prayers in love, family, and finances 02:44 Abraham and Sarah take matters into their own hands 03:37 The enemy's lies go all the way back to the garden 04:07 My story: years of waiting on God in singleness 05:30 The season I went my own way, and what it cost me 06:27 It's not about the business or the relationship. It's about your heart. 07:24 God was answering that prayer all along 08:14 "Did God really say?" How the enemy chips away at our faith 09:39 Delight yourself in the Lord 10:34 Seek first the kingdom of God 11:33 Sometimes the wait is about the journey, not the answer 12:27 The Israelites: an 11-day journey that took 40 years 13:24 Job praised God through it all 14:41 My four years off track and the gap in this podcast 16:34 The take-home: don't go into self-reliance 17:59 Letting God's Word, not our feelings, tell us who He is 19:28 Perspective from our persecuted brothers and sisters 20:57 We were never meant to cling to this world 23:18 Four verses for staying in God reliance 23:38 Proverbs 3:5-6 26:10 Isaiah 40:31 and Philippians 4:13 26:37 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 27:34 He's enough, so we don't have to be 28:58 Fight back with scripture, just like Jesus did 29:55 Closing encouragement Key Takeaways God's timing won't match the world's timeline. If we're waiting on Him, our journey will look different, and that's okay. Doubt makes self-reliance look smart. When time passes, the enemy whispers that God isn't coming through, so we might as well do it ourselves. Taking matters into our own hands costs us. Abraham and Sarah made a mess. So did I. God still keeps His promises, but we miss out along the way. Our attitude in the waiting matters. The Israelites' complaining and unbelief kept a generation out of the promised land. Praise is always in our hands. Job lost everything and still worshiped. We can choose thankfulness no matter what. It was never about the answered prayer. Our relationship with God is the point. Everything else is a bonus. Keep this world in perspective. It's temporary, and where we're going is so much better. We don't have to be enough. He is enough, and that takes all the pressure off. Answer the enemy with scripture. Jesus did it three times in the wilderness, and we can too. Scriptures Referenced (NKJV) Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;" Proverbs 22:7 "The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender." Genesis 3:1 "Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, 'Has God indeed said, "You shall not eat of every tree of the garden"?'" Genesis 16:2 "So Sarai said to Abram, 'See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.' And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai." Genesis 21:1-2 "And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him." Deuteronomy 1:2 "It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea." Philippians 2:14 "Do all things without complaining and disputing," Job 1:21 "And he said: 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.'" Job 42:10 "And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." 2 Corinthians 4:18 "while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." Matthew 4:4 "But He answered and said, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."'" Your Next Step Pick one of the four verses from this episode and write it somewhere you'll see it every day. The next time the enemy asks, "Did God really say?" answer him with it.

Scripture reminds us that opposition does not automatically mean we are outside God’s will. Sometimes challenges are part of the process, and learning to trust God’s timing can strengthen our faith and spiritual endurance. Ezra 4:4 describes how the Israelites faced discouragement and fear while rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. Their opposition temporarily interrupted the work, but it did not ultimately defeat God’s purposes. Like the Israelites, we can continue seeking God’s wisdom when doors close and people resist our efforts. Although rejection can hurt, our calling does not depend entirely on human approval. By grounding ourselves in God’s promises, discerning His direction, and remaining faithful in our work, we can face opposition with courage and renewed trust. Highlights Why opposition and rejection do not always mean we have misunderstood God’s calling What Ezra 4:4 teaches about discouragement and fear when doing God’s work How to discern the difference between God’s redirection and rejection from people Why Christians should not expect a life without trials or opposition How God’s promises can strengthen our faith and spiritual endurance Why our calling and value do not depend on human approval Encouragement to trust God’s timing and continue faithfully pursuing His purposes Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword 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: Staying Encouraged When We Face Opposition By: Laura Bailey Bible Reading:Then the people around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. - Ezra 4:4 ( NIV) I stared at the e-mail. This was the third rejection I’d received this week. I felt confident the Lord was calling me to a new opportunity to serve Him, yet doors remained closed. In an attempt to gain clarity, I spoke with my pastor. With a background in counseling, my pastor speaks biblical truth alongside practical steps that encourage. “How do I know if this is a sign from God, or just a part of the process?” I inquired. “Do you think I heard God wrong?” “Or maybe this is just a testing of my faith; God is strengthening my spiritual endurance, you think?” My pastor asked if I’d studied the book of Ezra, to which I admitted to reading it, but I couldn’t recall specifics. While the author is not specifically named, it’s likely Ezra the priest, a leader of the Israelites. If I asked you to name some of the most significant leaders in the Bible, likely Ezra wouldn’t make your top 10. His name means “help”; that’s exactly what he did for God’s people who were coming out of exile and reestablishing the nation of Israel. Ezra lived a life wholly committed to surrender to God’s commands and serving His people, no matter how difficult the circumstances. In our key verse, Ezra 4:4, we see the Israelites attempt to rebuild the temple so they could have a place to worship, yet they faced great opposition from the local inhabitants, who didn’t want to see the Jews prosper. The first verses in Ezra chapter 4 give us a glimpse into the hostile climate the Israelites faced; their enemies were great, and they were vocal about not wanting a temple built. However, just because they faced opposition didn’t mean it wasn’t in God’s plan for them to continue building. In fact, believers can expect opposition when they are engaging in God’s work and carrying out His purpose. We should note that it’s not always spiritual warfare, or the intentions of evil people working against us; sometimes it's just the consequences of life in a fallen world. Christians are not promised an easy life, one without trials and opposition, but we know that we can “take heart because Jesus has overcome the world” (John 16:33). When we have trouble, we cling to God’s promises and trust in His plan and timing. As I thought about this biblical text and my current situation, I began to consider that perhaps what I had perceived as a rejection of my calling was just “no” to that circumstance. While rejection still hurts, and I would need to continue seeking opportunities with the possibility of further rejection, I was reminded that I didn’t need human approval to affirm my calling; I already had God’s. Like the Israelites, I had a choice when facing opposition; I could become discouraged and intimidated, and ultimately allow fear of humans to persuade me to give up on my calling. The Israelites had just recently been released from captivity; they would have been weary, likely with shaky motivation and faith. Ezra not only led the people back to their home, Jerusalem, but also encouraged and equipped them to build an altar and begin rebuilding the temple—a visual reminder of who they serve and of God’s faithfulness to keep His promises to His people. It wasn’t easy; they faced significant opposition, and rumors and false accusations put the project on hold for a while. Yet, God’s purpose prevailed. Nothing can thwart God’s plan; if He calls us to something, He will certainly carry us through. Ultimately, the temple was rebuilt, and the Israelites were able to live freely and worship—God made a way. And the same is true today; if it is God’s will, nothing can hold us back from achieving His purposes. Let us continue to work as unto the Lord and not human masters (1 Corinthians 15:58) and trust in God’s timing and plan. Intersecting Faith & Life:Are you easily discouraged when you face opposition in your life? How can you discern if it’s redirection from the Lord or rejection from people?Further Reading: How to Trust God Amid Uncertainty Ezra 4 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this message, Hezekiah digs into the grand opening of Solomon's temple in 1 Kings 8 to explore what it means to enter the presence of a holy God. Drawing a parallel to motorcycle safety, he warns against letting familiarity make us casual or careless in our faith, pointing out how the Israelites responded to God's presence with deep reverence, sacrifice, and awe. Ultimately, the sermon highlights how Jesus bridged the gap between a holy God and flawed humanity, transforming believers into living temples who have direct access to God's presence today.Subscribe to AfterWords on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Visit us online: rivchurch.comFollow us on InstagramSend us feedback: podcast@rivchurch.com—About Riverview ChurchRiverview Church is a multi-venue church based in Lansing, Michigan, where we invite everyone to know and enjoy Jesus as we stumble together in our pursuit to love like Him. Learn more at https://rivchurch.com

We sometimes find ourselves living in our own little world where we are untouchable, the hero or the winner. It seeps into our relationships too.  There are times it gets into our relationship with God. We feel like he owes us or like He works for us.In this message, Pastor Kevin walks us through the story of the battle of the Israelites and the Philistines in 1 Samuel 4.

President Todd J. Williams begins his fall chapel series by reflecting on the prophet Jeremiah's command to the Israelites to look for the ancient paths and walk in them.

How much must one give to redeem a firstborn donkey? Rabbi Yosi bar Yehuda requires at least one shekel, whereas the Sages hold that any minimal amount is valid for redemption. Rav Yosef explained that the value of "any minimal amount" can even be a lamb worth a sixth of a zuz. However, in the story involving Rabbi Yehuda Nesia, Rabbi Tarfon presents three options—a generous eye, a stingy eye, and an average eye—ranging between two to four zuzim. To resolve this contradiction, it is explained that Rabbi Tarfon's ruling applies when one comes to consult, but if one acts on their own, a sixth of a zuz is sufficient. Reish Lakish rules that if the owner does not have a lamb to redeem it with, he may redeem it with its financial equivalent, as the Torah did not specify "a lamb" to be stringent upon him, but rather to be lenient. Initially, it was thought that he ruled in accordance with Rabbi Shimon, but because it is unreasonable to say he ruled like him (for two distinct reasons), his ruling is ultimately explained according to the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. If a person redeems someone else's firstborn donkey, the redemption is valid. However, the Gemara asks: to whom does the donkey belong after redemption—is it similar to consecrated property (hekdesh) and thus belongs to the redeemer, or not? This question is answered from the law stating that a thief who steals someone else's firstborn donkey pays double damages to the owner, showing that it is not treated as hekdesh. An Israelite who has ten doubtful firstborn donkeys in his house designates ten lambs for them, tithes them as animal tithe (ma'aser behema), and retains them for himself, since due to the doubt he is not obligated to give them to a kohen. The same applies to an Israelite who inherited ten definite firstborn donkeys from his maternal grandfather who was a kohen, who had inherited them from his maternal grandfather who was an Israelite, or untithed produce under similar circumstances, he sets aside the tithes for them and they remain his. One who purchases untithed, smoothed produce from a non-Jew in the Land of Israel is obligated to tithe it, because a non-Jew's ownership in the Land of Israel does not exempt produce from tithes. Nevertheless, the tithes belong to him and he does not give them to a kohen, since he can say to the kohen: "My rights to this produce comes from the rights of a person with whom you have no legal claim." A contradictory source is brought, but it is resolved by differentiating between teruma gedola and teruma of maaser (that the Levite gives to a kohen). In explaining the words of the Mishna, the Gemara clarifies that from the moment the owner redeems the donkey for a lamb, it becomes the property of the kohen and stands in his domain, so that even if it dies in the house of the owner, the kohen can still derive benefit from the lamb.

As Moses and the people recover from the golden calf incident, God begins to distance Himself from the Israelites. God uses the language of distancing as Exodus chapter 33 opens. Did God mean what He said, or was He testing the people? How did they react? We also learn what happened to all of that gold which the Israelites received when they left Egypt. And we find out more about another person who will become very important later, a man named Joshua.

Order out of chaos pt.14

"Will God put me in the right place?"We can wonder if we are in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. In Jeremiah 29, we see that concern. The Israelites were in exile; obviously not where they expected. Yet, God commands them to seek the peace of the city. Sometimes, we might feel displaced, yet God still wants us to Live Brightly in this dark world. Today, we explore how we can Live Brightly in our community and what is our motivation

In this study we will take a look at the women within the Bible. We will look at each one of them and see how their story influences our lives today.As we continue our study in this fantastic insight of the Women of the Bible, this morning we will finish our study on Deborah and Jael.Deborah (a bee) & Jael (wild or mountain goat) – Warrior WomenDeborah is one of the major judges (other words more of a charismatic military leaders, not a justice type judge figure) in the story of how Israel takes the land of Canaan. Deborah summons Barak to lead the battle against the Canaanites; he agrees, but only if she accompanies him. Barak and his warriors destroy all the Canaanites except Sisera, who seeks refuge with but is killed by Jael. Later rabbis acknowledged Deborah as a prophet but, due to their discomfort with women leaders, blunted her impact by speculating about her husband, reading her self-identification in the Song of Deborah in Judges 5 as hubris, and minimizing her role as judge. Deborah led the Israelites in peace and in war. She was a prophetess, but when war came she devised a battle strategy that gave the out-numbered and badly equipped Israelite troops victory over their Canaanite enemy. Meanwhile woman, Jael, used a tent peg and a mallet to finish off the unfortunate enemy general, Sisera.The story of Deborah describes the unlikely victory of the Israelites, led by the wisdom of Deborah, over superior Canaanite [do you remember who these people were?] forces. After the battle, the defeated Canaanite general Sisera was killed by a Kenite woman called Jael. Deborah's achievement was significant because the battle gave the Israelites their first access to the fertile and prosperous Plain of Esdraelon and part of the Plain of Sharon.Jael's story is similar to the one told about David and Goliath. A small, weak person, Jael, triumphs over a terrifying and apparently invincible warrior, Sisera. The story celebrates the defeat of Israel's enemies and the power of Israel's Elohim. The story of Deborah and Jael contains four main sections: 1 Deborah, a judge of Israel, summoned Barak (Judges 4:1-11, 5:1-18). When war and oppression come, Deborah acted as a leader of the people. She chose the most able military general and told him what he must do. 2 The battle was fought: Sisera fled (Judges 4:12-16, 5: 19-23). The superior enemy forces were routed, their troops were slaughtered, and the Israelites were jubilant. Their faith in their Yahweh was strengthened. Sisera, the enemy general, fled from the battlefield towards the encampment of Jael the Kenite woman. 3 Jael met Sisera, and killed him (Judges 4:17-24, 5:24-27). Jael called Sisera into her tent, hid him and fed him. After he fell asleep Jael killed him by driving a tent peg through the side of his head. She was hailed as a national heroine by the pursuing Israelite forces, led by Deborah and Barak. 4 The mother of Sisera (Judge 5:28-30). Sisera's mother and the noblewomen who surrounded her waited for her son to return. But as the reader knows, he was already dead by Jael's hand. The Song of Deborah (Judges 5) is dated at about 1285-1265BC, near when these events happened. It is a vivid picture, giving more details than Judges 4. For example, it contains a series of curses on those tribes who did not help in the battle, planting the seed for a later separation of the northern and southern tribes of Israel.Deborah is the only woman judge mentioned in the Book of Judges. The people of her time had no difficulty in accepting her as a judge. This suggests that judges were seen as ‘Yahweh's people', and their gender was unimportant.It is always sin which puts things out of Yahweh's order, and all kinds of complications follow. At this time, the children of Israel did evil in the sight of Yahweh, and "Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin “one who is intelligence', king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor “village”; the captain of whose host was Sisera “battle array”, which dwelt in Harosheth “workmanship” [so called from the different races, possible giants included]of the Gentiles." Again and again, this history had been repeated. Yahweh had fulfilled His word, "If ye will not hearken unto Me, and will not do all these commandments; and if ye shall despise My statutes, or if your soul abhor My judgments, so that ye will not do all My commandments, but that ye break My covenant: I will also do this unto you;…I will set My face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you." (Lev. 26:14-17.) The Battle: Phase 1Deborah summoned as many Israelite tribesmen as she could get – the main contingent was from Naphtali and Zebulun. Some of the tribes would not come, but those who did camped at Mount Tabor.It was hilly ground, easily defensible, with a flanking position facing the Jezreel Valley. There was excellent visibility in all directions. The sloping ground gave the Israelites security against any Canaanite chariot attack.The main Canaanite army base was at “Harosheth of the Gentiles.” This must have been close to the Valley of Jezreel, for the site of the decisive battle was near Megiddo, in the western section of the valley.Just before the battle, a flash flood swelled the nearby Wadi Kishon and turned the battleground into deep mud (documented in the Song of Deborah 5:4-5), giving the Israelite foot soldiers the advantage over the Canaanite chariots. The Battle: Phase 2Deborah guessed that when Sisera was told about the Israelite deployment, he would concentrate all his forces at Mount Tabor, to contain Barak.Eventually, Sisera would have reasoned, Barak would be forced out into the open to fight on the open plain – where he could be defeated.But Deborah had a second force at her disposal, militia she had gathered from Ephraim. She used this body of soldiers to draw Sisera away from his vigil opposite Mount Tabor, towards the swampy area of the Kishon River in the western part of the Jezreel Valley.She must have provided good reason for him to abandon his first position – tantalizingly, the Bible does not tell us what it was.But it must have been a movement threatening the unprotected plain. Only this would have induced Sisera to break camp and move in the direction of the Kishon River, to secure the narrow pass between the Carmel and the Tivon hills leading from the Jezreel Valley into the coastal plain. Whatever this feint was, it worked.The Battle: Phase 3The opposing forces watched each other for a few days. One guesses that Deborah was waiting for rain to turn the Kishon and its tributaries into a mire. When she received the confirmation she hoped for, she gave Barak the sign to attack: ‘Up, for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand' (Judges 4:13).Her assault caught Sisera's troops in the flanks or rear, or possibly both. At that point the Ephraimite force joined the main battle. ‘And the Lord discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak' (Judges 4:15).There was a wonderful irony in this. Baal, the main god of the Canaanite forces, was god of storms and weather. He was worshipped by the Canaanites, with Anat, a fierce goddess who fought vigorously to protect her family. Yet the Canaanites lost the battle because of a storm!The Israelites could hardly believe their luck. Yahweh, their Elohim, was clearly superior to the gods of the Canaanites.Abandoning his army, Sisera fled on foot away from the battlefield, towards the encampment of Jael, the Kenite woman (Judges 4:12-16).Jael had her own tent, separate from her husband's tent. At this period in Israelite history it was still common for several women to be married to one man. In such a case, each wife had her tent, which she made, pitched and maintained herself. When she had children, they lived with her in this tent.‘So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug. Then he said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink; for I am thirsty”. She opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink and covered him. He said to her “Stand at the entrance of the tent, and if anybody comes and asks you “Is anyone here?” say “No”.When Sisera arrived at the encampment in the last stages of exhaustion and terror, Jael saw him and called him to her tent.  One point to notice is that Sisera went into Jael's tent, not the tent of Heber her husband. The ancient laws of hospitality in the Middle East were very strict. A guest, once ritually invited into the home, had to be protected and cared for, even at the expense of everyone else in the house. But only the chief man of the household could offer ritual hospitality. Sisera went into Jael's tent. She covered him with a rug, which suggests that he was afraid and wanted to hide. He asked for water. She gave him a drink of goat's milk. Exhausted from the battle and his flight, he fell asleep.Faced with a man who was far superior to her in physical strength, Jael used her wits and courage. She took the wooden hammer used to put up her tent and one of the pegs that held the tent ropes, and then with one expert blow she drove the peg deep into the side of Sisera's head. Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com 

Why are tents mentioned nearly 400 times in Sacred Scripture? Catholic author, speaker, and pilgrimage leader Steve Ray (catholicconvert.com) joins host Matt Swaim on The Son Rise Morning Show to explore the spiritual, historical, and practical significance of tents and tent-making in the Bible. Ray breaks down how the Israelites and God Himself dwelt in tents during the 40 years in the wilderness, how St. Paul crafted tents using the unique black goat's wool (cilicium) from his hometown of Tarsus, and the various biblical symbolic meanings of "tents"—from earthly tabernacles to human bodies. Stream now to listen!Support the show: https://www.sacredheartradio.com/donate-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fr. Mike discusses God's instruction to the people of Israel not to marry women from foreign lands. He explains why God would provide this instruction and how Ezra reacted when he discovered that many prominent Israelites had not obeyed it. He also identifies the prophecies of Palm Sunday and the thirty pieces of silver found in Zechariah. Today's readings are Ezra 9-10, Zechariah 9-11, and Proverbs 20:16-19. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

He knows people's hearts. He told the Israelites not to assimilate with the Cannonites. Now we live a a world with Muslims and we are finding out they are the enemy. 

How do you prepare your heart for worship? Start before you reach the church doors!Israelite pilgrims sang the Songs of Ascents, also called the Pilgrim Psalms, on the road to Jerusalem because it helped them leave daily stress behind and prepare their hearts for worship.In this episode of the Bible Book Club, we explore how preparation for worship is both physical (ascending) and spiritual (singing), and why the design of your church building might be part of the plan.In our Psalms 120-136 Bible study, we cover:[3:11] The Ancient Road-Trip Playlist: What it was like to travel for days with family and neighbors, singing your way up to the Temple.[5:39] Visual Metaphors: How church architecture that draws our eyes upward mirrors the ascent of ancient pilgrims to Mount Zion.[9:22] The Triad Pattern: Why the grouping of Psalms 120-134 into five triads echoes the story of the Exodus (trouble, protection, and safe arrival).[19:06] Solomon's Arrows: What Psalm 127 reveals about the value of children and why it matters today.[28:29] The Great Hallel: What the word hallel means and why "His love endures forever" repeats 26 times in Psalm 136 alone.Psalms Show NotesPsalms RoadmapPsalms Prayer ListPsalms Playlist - Listen on Apple MusicPsalms Playlist - Listen on SpotifyPhil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video]ACTS Prayer GuideFeasts and FestivalsScene from The ChosenGroup Discussion Questions for Psalms 120-136[3:16] The Israelite pilgrims sang on their way up to Jerusalem. What can you do to prepare your heart for Sunday worship?[9:35] Each triad follows the same pattern: trouble, protection, and safe arrival. Can you spot a time in your life when you've seen this pattern play out?[19:29] In Psalm 127, Solomon points out the importance of future generations. How does this psalm challenge or affirm the way you think about the next generation?Contact Bible Book Club!Social: Instagram or FacebookWebsite: Bible Book ClubReview Us: Apple Podcast or SpotifyJoin the Fun: DONATE or Buy merchThis episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!

Women are gaining more financial influence than ever before. But for Christian women, the bigger question isn't simply how much wealth they will control. It's what they will do with what God has placed in their hands.Pam Pugh, Co-Founder of Women Doing Well and President of VirtuAssets Foundation, has spent years helping individuals and families think about how to use their assets virtuously. She believes women are entering a significant season of financial stewardship—one shaped by greater earning power, longer life expectancies, entrepreneurship, and an enormous transfer of wealth.Those changes create opportunities, but they also call for preparation. For Christian women especially, growing economic influence offers an opportunity to prayerfully consider how their resources can serve God's purposes and the good of others.Four Shifts Reshaping Women's Financial InfluencePugh points to four significant shifts taking place in the financial landscape.The first is education and earning power. Women now represent 62% of college graduates and earn more than half of all doctorate degrees. Four in 10 physicians and attorneys are women, and among women ages 25 to 54, 78% work outside the home. Women also make the vast majority of consumer purchasing decisions, giving them significant influence not only through what they earn but also through how they spend.The second shift is longevity. Because women generally live longer than men, many will eventually become the primary decision-maker for their household wealth. Pugh notes that women live an average of 5.8 years longer than men and that an estimated 90% of women will manage their wealth independently at some point. She also points to estimates that women will inherit $124 trillion through 2048, including $54 trillion transferred to spouses, many of them widowed baby boomers.A third change is the growth of women-owned businesses. Pugh says one in 11 working-age women is an entrepreneur, while women own 39% of closely held businesses in the United States. Those businesses employ 12.9 million people and generate $3.3 trillion in revenue. For many women, entrepreneurship is not simply about earning more. It can also provide flexibility and greater control over how work fits into the rest of life.Finally, Pugh sees a shift in how women think about wealth itself.A Broader Definition of WealthFinancial wealth matters, but Pugh says many women view wealth more holistically. They think not only about money but also about physical, spiritual, social, and intellectual well-being.That perspective changes money's purpose. Financial resources become a tool rather than an end in themselves—something that can provide freedom and help accomplish meaningful purposes. Pugh also points to research suggesting women tend to be patient, studious, holistic, and methodical investors, with many prioritizing aligning their investments with their values.For Christians, that raises a deeper question: If God has entrusted us with greater resources and influence, how do we prepare to steward them faithfully?Pugh offers a simple framework.Step One: DreamImagine you were preparing for a month-long trip overseas. You wouldn't simply show up at the airport and hope everything worked out. You would think about where you were going, what you would need, what you already had, and who could help you prepare.Financial stewardship deserves similar intentionality. Pugh encourages women to begin by prayerfully envisioning where they may be headed. One helpful exercise is to imagine your life five years from now and ask:If I were confident that God was with me, what would I explore?Then write it down. Consider not only what your financial life looks like, but the kind of life you hope to be living. What values are evident? What relationships matter most? What kind of work are you doing? What does generosity look like?The point isn't to predict the future. It's to become intentional about where you are headed and why.Step Two: Take InventoryOnce you've thought about where you may be headed, ask another question: What's already in your hand?Pugh draws that language from Exodus 4:2. Moses was reluctant when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. After Moses repeatedly expressed his fears and inadequacies, God asked him, “What is that in your hand?”It was a shepherd's staff—something ordinary that Moses may never have imagined could play a role in what God was calling him to do.The same question can help us recognize what God has already entrusted to us.Your “inventory” includes more than the balance in your bank or retirement account. It may include relationships, financial resources, knowledge, experience, skills, opportunities, and even lessons learned through hardship.Rather than beginning with what you lack, begin by identifying what you already have.Step Three: Talk About It and Make a PlanA dream becomes far more actionable when you share it and support it with a plan.Pugh encourages women to talk about their goals with trusted friends, peers, family members, and, when appropriate, a financial professional who understands their values.A like-minded advisor can help turn broad hopes into concrete financial strategies. That might involve evaluating whether current resources will support future needs, clarifying investment objectives, or determining how saving, spending, and giving decisions can work together to support long-term goals.That guidance can be particularly valuable when uncertainty becomes paralyzing. Questions such as Will I have enough? or Can I accomplish what I believe God is putting before me? can be difficult to answer alone.A thoughtful financial plan cannot eliminate uncertainty, but it can help you understand where you stand and make informed decisions about the road ahead.What Will You Do With What's in Your Hand?Women's economic influence is changing dramatically through education, employment, entrepreneurship, longevity, and generational wealth transfers. But influence itself is not the destination.Stewardship asks a different question: What will you do with what God has entrusted to you?Pugh encourages women to recognize the opportunity before them, prayerfully consider what God has already placed in their hands, and prepare intentionally to use those resources for His glory and the good of others.You may not know every step that lies ahead. But you can begin by dreaming prayerfully, taking inventory, seeking wise counsel, and moving forward faithfully with what you already have in your hands.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I owe about $78,000 on a Discover card, and they've offered to settle the debt for roughly $58,000. How would accepting the settlement affect my credit?I'm 58, own my home and car outright, and need to set up a will and possibly a trust. Where should I start if I want an estate plan that reflects my Christian values?I'm 24, living at home, and almost finished paying off my student loans. How should I start budgeting, investing, and preparing for rent or a future home purchase? And at my age, how should I think about renting versus buying?Resources Mentioned:Become a FaithFi PartnerWomen Doing WellVirtuAssets FoundationOpen Hands FinanceFaithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly MagazineFaithFi Field Guide: How Much Money is Enough? Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob WestWisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every weekday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Bible tells us that at the beginning of the Israelites' 430-year stay in Egypt, they were well respected for Joseph's sake. Later, when the Egyptian leadership forgot how Joseph saved Egypt, it began making their lives difficult.One of the most enlightening archaeological finds from the period of Israel's captivity is a settlement called The Village of the Place of Truth. Excavators at the city have found homes, letters, notes, court records, work diaries and wills dating from this period. The village was home to those who built the royal tombs. While there is no evidence that the Israelites ever lived in the village, what has been found has revealed much about life in Egypt when Israel was there.We learn that Egypt had a tradition in which every citizen put in at least one year of service to the government. Those out of favor could be forced into years or even a lifetime of forced labor. It was considered an honor to work on the royal tombs, however, and it seems unlikely that the Israelites had much to do with them. The Bible tells us that the Israelites did, however, make bricks. That could include the very bricks that built the Village of the Place of Truth. Finally, we learn that pigs were a staple among such workers, which certainly would be repugnant to the Israelites.Archaeologists have concluded that the Biblical record of Israel's stay in Egypt has too many accurate details about Egypt to be nothing more than a legend.Exodus 3:7“And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.”Prayer: I thank You, Lord, for knowing my sorrows and bringing me salvation. Amen.REF.: Biblical Archaeology Review, "Pharaoh's Workers" To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

A nation of former slaves builds a tent in the desert, and the Bible gives it more space than the creation of the universe. Inside that tent, the God of heaven chooses to dwell in the middle of a camp. And at the entrance, an endless river of blood. Bulls, goats, lambs, day after day, year after year. Then the prophets speak, and what they say is shocking. God desires mercy, not sacrifice. He takes no delight in burnt offerings. So did the God who commanded the altar ever actually want what happened on it?In this episode, Johnny Ova sits down with Dr. Nathan MacDonald, Professor of the Interpretation of the Old Testament at the University of Cambridge and one of the world's leading scholars on Israelite worship, the priesthood, and the Tabernacle. Together they walk into the tent at the center of Israel's story: what sacrifice actually accomplished, why the presence of God was both a gift and a danger, what really happened when a worshiper laid his hand on the animal, and how the family of Aaron quietly rose from cultic servants to the most powerful men in the nation.In this episode you will learn:Why sacrifice feels so alien to modern readers, and what it meant in a world where meat never came neatly packagedWhat Israel's neighbors believed sacrifice accomplished, and how Israel's understanding was differentWhy the prophets seem to reject the very sacrifices the Torah commandsThe two names of the Tabernacle, and how each one unlocks what it was forWhy the Bible spends more time on this tent than on creation itselfWhat the deaths of Nadab, Abihu, and Uzzah reveal about holinessWhat laying a hand on the animal may have actually meantThe different types of sacrifices, and what each one was designed to doHow Aaron's family went from cultic servants to ruling the nationThe hidden rivalry between the priests and the Levites buried in the textMeet Our Guest:Dr. Nathan MacDonald is Professor of the Interpretation of the Old Testament at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of St John's College.The Making of the Tabernacle and the Construction of Priestly Hegemony: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-making-of-the-tabernacle-and-the-construction-of-priestly-hegemony-9780198813859Priestly Rule: Polemic and Biblical Interpretation in Ezekiel 44Deuteronomy and the Meaning of MonotheismNot Bread Alone: The Uses of Food in the Old TestamentStay in touch with Johnny:Website: johnnyova.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejohnnyovaCheck out Johnny's latest book on the Book of Revelation: https://a.co/d/hiUkW8H

Pastor Dylan Dodson opens up Leviticus chapters 8-9 to unpack the Israelite priests' ordination and the glory of God entering the tabernacle.

Join Micah, Fae, and Daniela as we discuss Molech in Leviticus 20. Who--or what--is Molech? What do all these strict prohibitions tell us about Israelite society and the societies surrounding it? How does the context help us respond to the “clobber passage” in this text? And do we still deal with Molech today? Find some perspectives on these questions and more on this episode of The Word in Black and Red!thewordinblackandred.comYou can find the show, more episodes, and other means of listening at thewordinblackandred.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many people drift through life without ever stopping to ask why they are here. The Bible is clear that God's purpose for your life centers on three things: worshiping Him continually, getting His Word into your heart, and praying for the people around you who are far from Him. The story of Moses offers a powerful picture of what it looks like to live this way. While the Israelites wasted 40 days chasing something they could see and control, Moses spent that same time in the presence of God, worshiping, receiving His Word, and interceding for others. God spoke to Moses as a friend, and that same kind of friendship is available to you. Jesus made it possible, not by asking for forgiveness on your behalf, but by dying in your place and taking the punishment you deserved. The life you are looking for is not found in temporary things. It is found in a real, daily, growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Follow and subscribe to stay updated with our latest content: Youtube  | Facebook | Instagram | Central Wired Website

The book of Proverbs is filled with easily portable and memorable ideas. At first glance, they might seem too trite to be helpful, much like we take fortune cookies with a grain of salt. But collectively, they point to how the ancient Israelites saw the world, and how we can be faithful in asking hard questions about life. Is there really a cause-and-effect relationship between our actions and the blessings and curses that happen? Where can we find wisdom that is reliable, and truth that lasts? Reflection Questions:1. Where might humility and curiosity open you to wisdom you need today?2. Who are the wise people in your life whose guidance you need to hear?3. Where is God inviting you to move, wait, or trust?Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Jordan Maxwell was talking about UFOs, extraterrestrial intelligence, ancient civilizations, and the hidden history of humanity long before these subjects entered mainstream conversation.In this fascinating talk, Jordan explores UFOs past, present, and future and asks a much bigger question: What if humanity's encounters with strange beings in the sky didn't begin in the modern era?Jordan connects modern UFO phenomena with ancient religious traditions, biblical accounts, mysterious beings, and descriptions of objects moving through the heavens. From the strange cloud and fire that guided the Israelites to stories of angels, heavenly beings, and divine encounters, he challenges us to reconsider how ancient people may have interpreted extraordinary phenomena.Jordan also discusses his own experiences and encounters, government secrecy surrounding the UFO subject, and the possibility that humanity has been interacting with non-human intelligence for far longer than we realize.Were ancient people describing the same phenomenon we now call UFOs or UAPs?Were some encounters interpreted through the religious language of their time?And if these intelligences have been interacting with humanity throughout history… what are they, where do they come from, and what do they want?This is classic Jordan Maxwell—questioning accepted history and exploring the strange intersection of UFOs, aliens, ancient civilizations, spirituality, the Bible, and the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven.Whether you agree with his conclusions or not, the questions he raised decades ago have become increasingly difficult to ignore.Topics: Jordan Maxwell, UFOs, UAPs, extraterrestrials, aliens, ancient aliens, UFO disclosure, biblical UFOs, angels, Kingdom of Heaven, ancient civilizations, government secrecy, spirituality, and unexplained phenomena.Jordan Maxwell has spent his life exploring the unseen architecture of reality, the symbols, stories, and cosmic forces that shape humanity from the shadows. His work bridges astrotheology, ancient religions, secret societies, extraterrestrial encounters, aliens, UFOs and the esoteric foundations of Christianity, revealing a universe far stranger and more interconnected than most ever imagine.For decades, Jordan illuminated how the heavens guided ancient mythmakers, how sacred texts concealed astronomical and spiritual codes, and how non-human intelligences have accompanied humanity since the dawn of time. His work shows that behind every religious ritual, political symbol, and celestial myth lies a deeper truth waiting to be uncovered. Jordan Maxwell is not just a researcher, he is a keeper of forgotten knowledge.His teachings, interviews and lectures continue to inspire seekers who feel the pull toward hidden wisdom, cosmic spirituality, and the mysteries that bind heaven, earth, and the worlds beyond.Spirit Realm: Angels Demons, Spirits and the Sovereignty of God (Foreword by Jordan Maxwell) https://amzn.to/31g9ydR

Fr. Matthias Shehad unfolds the message in Deuteronomy chapters 27 to 30, where Moses recounts God's laws and forewarns the Israelites of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience before entering the Promised Land. He explains the significance of setting up stones inscribed with the law, symbolizing the people's call to remember their origin and God's provision. Fr. Matthias details the dual assembly on Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, where blessings and curses are declared, reflecting the people's covenant commitment. He highlights the necessity of both orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right practice) as foundational to faith. The teaching also focuses on the spiritual implications of idolatry, faith, and consequences of sin, illustrating how turning away leads to exile and destruction. Yet, repentance and return to God bring restoration and blessings. The discussion connects Old Testament themes with Christian living today, emphasizing obedience, holiness, and trusting God's word beyond sensory experience. #DeuteronomyStudy #CovenantBlessings #BiblicalObedience #OrthodoxyAndOrthopraxy #FrMatthiasShehad #StPaulHouston #Coptic #FrMatthias Subscribe to us on YouTube https://youtube.com/stpaulhouston Like us on Facebook https://facebook.com/saintpaulhouston Follow us on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/stpaulhouston Follow us on Instagram https://instagram.com/stpaulhouston Visit our website for schedules and to join the mailing list https://stpaulhouston.org

This month's Word of Life comes from the Book of Exodus, which recounts the increasingly desperate situation of the Israelites in Egypt. Oppressed and enslaved, they cry out to God for help, and their cry reaches His heart. God intervenes through Moses, leading the people to freedom and establishing a new relationship with them. After their liberation, God gives them the “Code of the Covenant,”[1] a collection of teachings and laws — including the Ten Commandments — that flow directly from the extraordinary experience of being rescued. This code, formally accepted by the entire people,[2] offered concrete guidance for how they were to live in fidelity to the God who saved them. Among these instructions is the command: “You shall not oppress or afflict a resident alien, for you were once aliens residing in the land of Egypt.” This reminder roots their moral life in memory: the people are called to treat others with the same compassion and justice that God showed them.“You shall not oppress or afflict a resident alien, for you were once aliens residing in the land of Egypt.”  (Ex 22:21)The stranger belongs to the categories favored and protected by God because they are among the most vulnerable, along with the poor, the orphan, and the widow. The rationale behind this rule appeals, first and foremost, to the memory of what was experienced during slavery in Egypt. God's mighty intervention in the Exodus is constantly repeated in the Old Testament. It is an event that the people must always keep in mind as something that continues to repeat itself, in different ways, in every generation. Origen's statement, in his commentary on the Book of Exodus, is significant: “Whoever oppresses the stranger shows that he has not yet left Egypt.”[3] This commandment also calls for empathy because putting ourselves in the shoes of another helps us understand them and grasp what they need. Those who have gone through a difficult experience should find it easier to empathize with the pain of others. But in the Old Testament, this is not merely a human experience. The first to set an example of what it means to enter into the situation of others is God himself.“You shall not oppress or afflict a resident alien, for you were once aliens residing in the land of Egypt.”  (Ex 22:21)How can we put this Word of Life into practice? It might be helpful to ask ourselves a few questions: Have I ever experienced being a stranger? Have I ever felt unaccepted, unwelcome, misunderstood, or out of place? What have I learned from these experiences? Who is the stranger to me? Who is the stranger to God? How can I welcome them without reservation, just as the Lord does with us? What concrete steps can I take? Chiara Lubich once wrote: “With a God who makes no distinction between people, how can we not take universal brotherhood to heart? As children of the same Father, we can discover that we are brothers and sisters to every man and woman we encounter. If, therefore, we are all brothers and sisters, we must love everyone, beginning with those closest to us, without stopping. Our love will not then be a theoretic, abstract love, but a concrete one, made of service. A love capable of reaching out to the other person, initiating a dialogue, empathizing with their distress, taking on their burdens and worries, all the way to the point that the other one feels understood and welcomed in their diversity and free to express all the richness they carry within themselves.”[4] This is the experience of Maryam, a young Pakistani woman: “In a café, I saw the owner refuse to serve tea to an elderly woman. I had only a few rupees (the local currency) in my pocket, but I felt I had to help her, so I approached the owner and offered to pay for her. At first, he hesitated. Then, after a pause, he smiled and said, ‘No, that's not right. If you, a customer, are willing to use what little you have to take care of her, how much more generous should I, the owner, be? It's easier for me to give her a free cup of tea than to charge you.' It was a powerful experience. By trying to show love, first to the woman and then to the owner, I saw how a simple gesture of kindness can open another person's heart.” Prepared by Augusto Parody Reyes and the Word of Life team[1] Ex 20:22-26.[2] See Ex 24.[3] Origen, Early Christian scholar, (185-254 AD), “Homily on the Exodus,” verse 5.[4] Chiara Lubich, Commentary on the Word of Life of May 2006.

In The Greatest Story, God hears the cries of the Israelites and calls a reluctant Moses to lead them toward freedom. At the burning bush, God reveals the holy name, “I AM,” and promises to go with Moses. Generations later, Jesus echoes this name, declaring, “Before Abraham was, I am.” From Moses to Jesus, God's covenant and care are revealed in a God who hears, calls, and promises to be present.

God led the Israelites through the wilderness using a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When the cloud moved, they moved. When it stopped, they stopped. This was not a system built around human schedules or preferences. It was a daily, visible reminder that God provides direction, not a timetable, and that His people are called to trust Him with both. The cloud rose upward when it was time to move, not sideways or away, so that even the last person at the back of the camp could see it clearly. That detail matters. God does not lead only the people at the front. He leads everyone, including those who feel the furthest from Him.One of the most practical questions this raises is whether you are a natural stayer or a natural mover. Stayers can confuse comfort with God's will, settling into what is familiar and calling it faithfulness. Movers can confuse restlessness with calling, constantly chasing the next thing without ever putting down roots or finishing what they started. Both tendencies can pull us away from genuine obedience. The ancient Greeks understood this tension through two words for time: chronos, the measurable tick of the clock, and kairos, the appointed moment filled with divine purpose. We have become so obsessed with chronos that we miss the kairos moments happening right in front of us.Following God's leading today looks like four practical steps: getting still before Him without distraction, reading Scripture and letting His Word speak, listening for the peace that the Holy Spirit provides as a guide, and seeking wise counsel alongside prayer. When we do these things consistently, we put ourselves in a position to hear what Isaiah described as a voice behind us saying, this is the way, walk in it. And when we follow that voice, God provides. Not always everything we want, but always everything we need. The wilderness journey was not just about reaching a promised land. It was about being led to a promised Person, Jesus Christ, who meets us in every season and sustains us every step of the way.

What happens when we're thirsty and God doesn't seem to be providing what we need? In Exodus 17, the Israelites' physical thirst becomes a deeper question of faith: “Is the Lord among us or not?” Karin and Blake explore how suffering can make us forget what we've already experienced of God, while also challenging us to move beyond asking “Where is God?” to “How do I respond?” From humanitarian organizations to the everyday ways we embody God's presence, this episode invites us to notice the holy at work—and become part of relieving the suffering around us. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download the transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.   NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ. 

In the latest episode of the Realist and the Visionary Podcast, host Tena dives deep into the complexities of the Jezebel spirit and its pervasive influence in our lives today. With a title aptly named "The Jezebel Spirit," this episode explores the intricate connections between narcissism, manipulation, and emotional control.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-realist-the-visionary--3304218/support.Check out our website:https://www.therealistthevisionary.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-realist-the-visionary--3304218/support.Follow us on IGFollow Us on TikTok

Kyle Kauffman | Sept 27 2026 Do you long to see God working in powerful ways in your life and in our world today? The answer to that question is probably obvious. “Of course I do!” In Joshua 3-4 we see God miraculously stopping the Jordan River so that his people can cross on dry ground. It's easy for us to read accounts like this and either dismiss them as an occurrence of the past (“That's how God used to work”) or to immediately jump to some way we long to see God do this in our day and our lives (“Why doesn't He show His power more clearly in my life?”). But these accounts are in the Bible are there first and foremost teach us about God. As we come to understand more about why God did these wonders in the first place, we come to see what impact they are meant to have on our lives today. We also get a glimpse into how God is continuing to work wonders in our lives today even if that doesn't look quite like what it looked like for the Israelites. And we see how God wants us to respond to the wonders He does – both in scripture and in our lives today.

In a city that often tells us we need more—more success, more financial security, more recognition, more possessions—how do we discern what truly matters? This Sunday, we consider Jesus' searching words in Matthew 16:26: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” Let us look beyond the promises of fortune and achievement to discover the deeper, lasting life Jesus offers—a life shaped by His love, presence, and call. If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/ ================ This Week's Scripture: // Exodus 16:2-7b, 11-20 (NIV) // In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat round pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.' Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.' So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, ‘In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?' [...] The LORD said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, “At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.”' That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, ‘What is it?' For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: “Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.”' The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed. Then Moses said to them, ‘No one is to keep any of it until morning.' However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

What if the thing you fear might destroy you could somehow become the place where healing begins? In Numbers 21:4–9, the Israelites are attacked by poisonous snakes in the wilderness. God gives Moses a strange instruction: make an image of the very creature they fear, raise it on a pole, and tell the people to look at it. Those who look toward the serpent live. Centuries later, Jesus draws upon this disturbing story in John 3:14–17: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” The cross—an instrument of humiliation, suffering, and death—becomes Christianity's great symbol of salvation and life. Chapin explores the unsettling Christian conviction that sometimes something within us must die before we can become fully alive. Not because suffering is good, but because God can work even through loss, failure, disappointment, and the things we most fear. Resentments can die. False identities can be shed. Old ambitions can loosen their grip. We can become freer to love, forgive, reconcile, and give thanks. And the invitation is surprisingly simple: Look to Jesus. We do not need to understand everything before healing begins. We turn our gaze toward the One who was lifted up—and trust that God can bring life even from the places that look like death.

This sermon examines Exodus 32–33 as Moses confronts the prospect of moving forward without God's presence, highlighting the fear and loss that come when we separate ourselves from Him. Drawing on practical spiritual disciplines—like Frank Laubach's "practice the presence"—the message offers clear steps to cultivate awareness of God in daily life, encouraging listeners to rely on Christ for identity, strength, and guidance. ---- Exodus 33   In chapter 32 of Exodus the Israelites create the golden calf Quote  “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.  Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”    Exodus 32:9-10 Quote  So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold.  But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”   Exodus 32:31-32 Quote Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you.    Exodus 32:33 Quote I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.  Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”   Exodus 33:2-3 Moses is confronted with the possibility of moving forward without the Presence of God Quote  But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you.   Exodus 3:11-12 God has been the source of Moses' strength God has shaped the identity of moses and His people Quote  The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.   Exodus 33:14-15 Moses is totally dependent on the ‘Presence of God' “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus”.  Romans 8:39 The new Testament Promises While God will be faithful we can separate ourselves from the Presence of God We separate ourselves from God's Presence through Sin and inattentiveness What steps can you take this week to cultivate the Presence of God in your life?  With Reverend Scott Shaw --- Find other Podcasts, Sermon Notes and the Bulletin here. https://www.mvcnaz.org/live Stay in touch with our Church Center App at https://www.mvcnaz.org/churchcenter Contact us through our CONNECT form at https://www.mvcnaz.org/connect

Dennis Prager examines Exodus 3 and 4, focusing on Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush and his repeated reluctance to accept the mission of leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Why did Moses question his own abilities, and why did God choose him despite his lack of confidence and speaking ability? Dennis explores the meaning of God’s name, “I Am Who I Am,” the nature of leadership, and the importance of carrying out a moral mission even when the task seems overwhelming. The discussion also considers the Torah’s teachings on freedom, human responsibility, divine knowledge, and the dangers of viewing people only as victims of circumstance. Through Moses’ story, Dennis highlights enduring lessons about faith, courage, character, and moral choice. Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timeless-wisdom-with-dennis-prager/id1517302239 Follow us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4SZEYeH4tuLr2FvG4ok1rl Learn more about Dennis Prager: https://pragertopia.com/ Follow Dennis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DennisPrager Follow Dennis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedennisprager/ Follow Dennis on X: https://x.com/DennisPrager Learn more about the Salem Podcast Network: https://salempodcastnetwork.com/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to Day 2957 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2957 – Wisdom Nuggets – Proverbs 7:1-5 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2957 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2957 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Apple of Your Eye and the Sister of Wisdom. On our previous trek, on Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Five, we witnessed the stark, sobering contrast between a starving thief and an utter fool. We learned that while society might find a sliver of empathy for a man who steals bread to survive, the cosmic order demands that he pay back what he took. However, his financial debt is ultimately payable! In violent contrast, the man who violates a sacred marriage covenant scoops consuming fire directly into his own lap. He shatters a trust that no amount of money, ransom, or payoff can ever restore, leaving him with a permanent, un-compensable disgrace. Today, as we step forward onto Day Two Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Seven of our ongoing journey through God's Word, we cross the boundary into Proverbs chapter seven, focusing on verses one through five. In these opening five verses, Solomon provides us with the ultimate, proactive defense strategy against the catastrophic fires of immorality we just studied. He shifts our focus away from the horrific consequences of failure, and points us toward the profound, intimate beauty of internalizing God's truth. Having spent over fifty years focusing on and studying Biblical wisdom, and having accumulated seventy years of life experiences, I have learned a vital truth about human nature: you cannot fight the intoxicating pull of temptation with mere willpower. The only way to consistently defeat a counterfeit, destructive love is to cultivate a genuine, overwhelming love for divine wisdom! Let us open our minds and hearts to this passionate, fatherly plea, as recorded in the New Living Translation, grouping together the deeply connected, contiguous thoughts found in Proverbs chapter seven, verse one, and verse two. Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. Listen to the intense, urgent repetition in Solomon's voice! He calls out, "Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands." In the original Hebrew, the word translated as "treasure" is tsaphan, which means to hide, to hoard, or to safely store away something of incalculable value. You do not leave a priceless diamond sitting on the front porch; you lock it inside a secure vault! Solomon is telling us that God's instruction must not be treated as casual advice; it must be locked away in the deepest vault of our inner being. Look at the extraordinary, vivid metaphor Solomon utilizes in verse two: "Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes." In the ancient Hebrew text, the phrase "your own eyes" literally translates to the ishon of the eye—the little man of the eye, referring to the pupil! Think about how aggressively and instinctively you protect the pupil of your eye. If an insect flies toward your face, or a speck of dust blows in the wind, you do not have to consciously calculate a response. Your eyelids snap shut instantly! Your hands fly up to block the danger. It is an involuntary, biological reflex designed to protect your most vulnerable and precious organ of sight. Over my seven decades of living, I have marveled at this physical reflex. Solomon is commanding us to develop that exact same spiritual reflex! When cultural compromise, perverse speech, or seductive temptation flies toward you, your spiritual defense mechanisms should snap shut instantly. You must guard God's commands with the same fierce, instinctive desperation that you use to guard your physical vision. If you lose your eyesight, you stumble in the physical dark; if you lose God's instruction, you stumble in the spiritual dark, tumbling straight into the valley of death. The narrative now shifts from the eyes down to the hands, and deep into the human soul, as we examine the powerful, physical imagery in Proverbs chapter seven, verse three. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Here, Solomon draws directly upon the foundational covenant commands given to the nation of Israel! This verse vividly echoes the famous Shema from Deuteronomy chapter six, where Moses commanded the Israelites to bind God's words on their hands and foreheads. "Tie them on your fingers as a reminder." Your fingers represent your actions, your daily labor, your business transactions, and your physical interactions with the world around you. When God's wisdom is tied to your fingers, it dictates how you handle your money, how you type on your keyboard, how you touch your spouse, and how you conduct your daily affairs. Every single deed is filtered through the reminder of God's holy standard! But Solomon knows that external actions are meaningless without internal transformation. So he adds, "Write them deep within your heart." In the Ancient Israelite divine-council worldview, the Torah—the instruction of Yahweh—is not an arbitrary list of burdensome rules imposed by a distant dictator. It is the very cosmic order of the universe, designed to help human image-bearers flourish in harmony with the heavenly assembly! To write these laws deep within your heart is to align your central command center—your intellect, your emotions, and your will—with the very heartbeat of the Creator. It ensures that your obedience is not just a performance for others to see, but a genuine overflow of a transformed nature. Solomon then elevates this instruction from a legal or physical concept into a profoundly relational reality, as recorded in Proverbs chapter seven, verse four. Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. Consider the staggering beauty of this personification! Solomon commands, "Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family." In the Hebrew culture, the bond between a brother and a sister was fiercely protective, deeply loyal, and inherently honorable. A brother would lay down his life to protect his sister's dignity! Solomon is telling us to invite Lady Wisdom into our homes, pull up a chair for her at our dining room tables, and treat her as our closest, most trusted relative. He wants us to move from viewing God's commands as a cold, sterile textbook, to embracing them as a warm, beloved family member! Throughout my fifty years of studying the Scriptures, this singular verse has continually reshaped my perspective on spiritual growth. True discipleship is not merely about avoiding bad behavior; it is about cultivating a rich, joyful intimacy with divine insight. When you make insight a beloved member of your family, you consult her before making financial investments, you listen to her voice before disciplining your children, and you seek her counsel before navigating conflicts in your marriage. She becomes the trusted confidant who walks beside you on every single mile of your trek. Finally, Solomon pulls the curtain back to reveal exactly why this intimate family bond with wisdom is so desperately necessary, connecting the logical thoughts in Proverbs chapter seven, verse five. Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman. Here is the tactical purpose behind the apple of your eye, the strings on your fingers, the tablet of your heart, and the sister of wisdom! "Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman." Solomon brings us right back to the central threat that has haunted chapters five and six! Notice the specific weapon the immoral woman utilizes: flattery! In the original text, this refers to smooth, slippery, deeply deceptive speech that tells a foolish traveler exactly what his fragile ego wants to hear. Temptation rarely approaches us wearing a hideous mask; it approaches wearing a beautiful disguise, speaking smooth words of validation, offering a counterfeit intimacy that requires no covenant commitment. But when you have already made Lady Wisdom a beloved member of your family, you immediately recognize the cheap, toxic nature of that flattery! The genuine, honorable love of your "sister" Wisdom exposes the hollow, destructive lies of the seductress. A heart that is already filled to the brim with the rich, satisfying truth of God has no empty space left for the poisonous honey of the world. As we complete today's trek through the opening verses of Proverbs chapter seven, I urge you to conduct a rigorous audit of your own...

The Apostle Paul wrote that believers are in a spiritual battle all the time against forces that are wickedly strong. He also maintains that we have the power of God with us in these battles, and this New Testament promise is an echo from the days of Joshua, the fearless Israelite commander in ages past. This mindset is a model for all of us. Dick Winters was a 27-year-old first lieutenant when he jumped into Normandy, France, in 1944 with other paratroopers during the invasion of Europe. Once the Allies began moving inland, Winters' unit was given the objective of taking a key French town from the Germans.As Winters and his men approached, machine gunfire pinned them down along a road leading into the town; they had nowhere to go. All of a sudden, Winters stood straight up and began shouting orders at his men. Stunned at first, they looked up and decided that if he could do it—so could they. The entire force leaped to their feet and charged the German position. That was the last day Nazi forces controlled the current in France. The next day, Winters was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. This is precisely how we can overcome great odds, great challenges. When circumstances threatened to overwhelm us, we can fight back with confidence in Christ. He's the one leading us along dangerous roads. Psalm 27:3 offers encouragement for life's battles, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” When the army of God is with you, who can stand against you? Let's pray. Father, only you can lead us in the battles of life. You are all we need. We believe that no enemy can stand against you and your army. Your strength holds us up above the danger and sets us on safe ground. Thank you, Lord, for your eternal faithfulness. In Jesus' name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Fr. Mike introduces us to the books of Ezra and Haggai, explaining the Israelites' return to the promised land. He also warns us against apathy and indifference in our relationship with God, as we see Israel display towards the temple. Today's readings are Ezra 1-2, Haggai 1-2, and Proverbs 20:1-3. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Welcome to the Return period! Jeff Cavins joins Fr. Mike to introduce the ninth biblical period, which covers the Israelites' return to Jerusalem, the rise of the Pharisees, and the establishment of common household practices. They explain the pattern of exiles and returns throughout the Bible, starting with Exodus and leading all the way to Jesus' ministry. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

What if the next change God works in your life doesn't start with trying harder, but with a lens change? Graham Cooke opens New Man Theology with a simple picture — everyone comes into life with a lens that either bends the light so you can see clearly or blocks it so everything is blurred and ill-defined — and shows why perception, mindset, and language are "all the keys to transformation." Discover why following Jesus means learning a foreign language, and why the God who met Peter on a rooftop in Joppa is "endlessly patient and fabulously good" — quite happy to do a retake until we get it. Graham lands on the invitation that changes everything: when God shows you something you don't understand, move towards it, "because you get revelation as you go, not as you stand still, and definitely not as you retreat."Key Scriptures:+ John 1:47-48. "Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!' Nathanael said to Him, 'How do You know me?' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.'"+ Matthew 5:43-44. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."+ Acts 4:13. "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus."+ Acts 10:13-15. "A voice came to him, 'Get up, Peter, kill and eat!' But Peter said, 'By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.' Again a voice came to him a second time, 'What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.'"+ Acts 10:19-20. "While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, 'Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.'"Want to explore more?

We would love to hear from you! Text us any feedback. What are the “stones” in your family, the stories you never want your children to forget?In Joshua 4, God instructed the Israelites to take twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan River and build a memorial. Why? So that one day, when their children asked, “What do these stones mean?” they could tell them the story of God's faithfulness.In this deeply personal episode, Nikki reflects on the stones within her own family: miscarriage and postpartum depression, closed doors that became protection, unexpected redirection, hospital rooms, a heart attack, pulmonary embolisms, and seasons when the ending was anything but certain.But God's faithfulness cannot be measured only by whether a story ends the way we hoped. Sometimes the stone says, “Look what God fixed.” Other times, it simply says, “God was with us there.”This conversation is an invitation to remember where God has met your family, and to intentionally pass those stories on to your children. Because someday they will face their own closed doors, unanswered prayers, hospital rooms, and Jordans. When that day comes, may they have stones to look back on that remind them:God was with us there.God was faithful there.God did not abandon us there.And He will be with you here, too.In this episode:Why God repeatedly calls His people to rememberHow rejection can sometimes be God's protectionRecognizing God's faithfulness even when circumstances do not changeWhy our children need to see us depend on GodPractical ways to preserve and share your family's faith storiesThe difference between protecting children from adult burdens and allowing them to witness authentic faithA simple challenge to identify one “stone” and share its story with your family this weekScriptures referenced:Joshua 4:4–7Deuteronomy 6:7Deuteronomy 31:8Psalm 46:1Resources mentioned:Five-Year Prayer Journal -                https://hosannarevival.com/collections/one-thing-i-ask/products/one-thing-i-ask-5-year-prayer-journal-edinburgh-themePodcast - Deep Dive: Encouragement for the Weary:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deep-dive-encouragement-for-the-weary/id1458672189?i=10007854482632 Week Sermon on God's Faithfulness- https://redeemerrockford.church/sermon/faithful-a-look-back/  https://redeemerrockford.church/sermon/faithful-a-look-forward-god-will-be-faithful/If you are walking through a difficult season—or if you have questions about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus—please reach out. Nikki would be honored to connect with you, pray with you, or help you find a Bible and a place to begin.Next week, join us as we celebrate the 100th episode of A Heart That Beats for Home and revisit some of the most meaningful lessons and conversations from the past three years.JOIN ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Follow Along @ - https://www.instagram.com/nikkicronksmith/

On today's page, Bekhorot 5, Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish disagree about when the Israelites began sanctifying their firstborn: before entering the Promised Land or only after they arrived. Their dispute raises a much bigger question about how we approach the things we hope to accomplish. Do we wait until everything is in place before getting to work, or can doing the work be what gets us there in the first place? Listen and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the greatest revelation Elijah received was not the fire from heaven, but the silence that came afterward? In 1 Kings 19, Elijah goes from the spectacular victory on Mount Carmel to one of the darkest moments of his life. Jezebel threatens him, Elijah flees into the wilderness, and under a desert broom bush he asks Hashem to take his life. But instead of rebuke, Heaven gives him food, rest, and time. Elijah then journeys forty days and forty nights to Horeb, where Hashem reveals Himself through kol demamah dakah — a still, small voice. The chapter also reveals the hidden seven thousand faithful Israelites and introduces Elisha, the man who will inherit Elijah's mantle. In this chapter: -Elijah after Mount Carmel: Why does the prophet who fearlessly confronted 450 prophets of Baal suddenly flee for his life? -“The journey is too great for you”: Elijah receives food, rest, and compassion before receiving any explanation or correction. -The still, small voice: At Horeb, wind, earthquake, and fire pass before -Elijah encounters kol demamah dakah—a profound lesson about hearing Hashem beyond the miraculous spectacle. -The seven thousand: Elijah believes he is completely alone, but Hashem reveals that thousands of Israelites have remained faithful even though their names are never recorded. -Elisha and the mantle: Elijah finds his successor plowing a field, and ---Elisha burns his plow and oxen before following the prophet—leaving his old life completely behind. ✡️Join the Land of Israel Fellowship If you want to study Torah, the Prophets of Israel, and the Land of Israel together with a worldwide community, come join us in the Land of Israel Fellowship.

In this message, guest speaker Pastor Phil Hopper from Abundant Life Church joins Bethlehem Church to walk through Joshua 3. Standing at the edge of the Jordan River, the Israelites faced a crucial choice: stay in the comfortable wilderness or step into the promises of God. Through this powerful story, Pastor Phil exposes the trap of being an "unbelieving believer" and reveals why true spiritual breakthroughs require more than partial commitments—they require full consecration. Discover how dying to self opens the door to experiencing the resurrection power of Jesus in your life, marriage, and everyday walk.