Podcasts about Jabin

Pastor Damaris Solis brings this week's message, “Until I ____ Arose!" Judges 4:1-10 ESV: “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years. Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand'?” Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. And Barak called out Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. And 10,000 men went up at his heels, and Deborah went up with him.” Judges 5:7 ESV: “The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel.” If you enjoyed the podcast, please subscribe and share it with your friends on social media. For more information about PNEUMA Church, visit our website at mypneumachurch.org.  Connect with Us: Instagram: https://instagram.com/mypneumachurch YouTube: https://youtube.com/mypneumachurch Facebook: https://facebook.com/mypneumachurch Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Welcome 04:18 - Judges 4:1-10 ESV 06:13 - Judges 5:17 ESV 07:08 - Until I ____ Arose!

Be Bold & Be ObedientLuke 1:38 “Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”This month in mentoring, the theme is “For Such A Time As This.” Last week, I talked about Joseph and Moses and how they were in the perfect place at the perfect time. It wasn't an easy road for them to get there. They were both broken and then they were positioned. Then I talked about Mary and Deborah. I explored how they went from being obedient to Empowered. This morning, we will look at how saying yes to God can change everything.“Obedience isn't about perfection. It's about saying yes to God—even when it doesn't make sense.” Often, God will ask us to do something, and we have no idea why he is asking us to do it. We don't feel qualified. We don't understand the plan, and sometimes, we just really don't want to do it. Also, God often asks for our 'yes' before He reveals the full plan. This is why obedience is so important. Our yes allows God to work within us and through us.Obedience is the bridge between calling and empowerment. So what this means is that being called to do something isn't enough—you don't just instantly arrive at empowerment. The way to get from calling to being empowered to carry it out is through obedience: taking steps in faith, even when it's hard, unclear, or uncomfortable. In other words, “You may have a purpose, but your obedience activates the power to walk in it.”Let's talk about Mary first. Mary was a young, willing vessel. Let's listen to Mary's Yes to the Lord in Luke 1:26-38. “In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,  to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom, there will be no end.”  Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born[c] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth, in her old age, has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.  For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then, the angel departed from her.To Summarize:- God chose a young, ordinary girl to carry the Savior of the world.- Mary responded in faith, not fully understanding. Do you think if Mary had known the complete story, she would have said yes? This could be why we don't always know the full story before we have to answer, either. The person we are when we say Yes to the Lord is probably not the same person we will be at the end of the story. Mary was young when she said yes to all the Lord had planned for her. She was not the same young girl when she was sitting at the foot of the cross. She had many other experiences in her life that prepared her and trained her to be the woman she was at the foot of the cross.Mary's obedience unlocked the miracle of Jesus entering the world. Mary had free will, just like the rest of us. What if she had said no? Where would we be right now? Thank goodness for Mary's obedience!Now, we will talk about Deborah. Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. Her story is found in Judges 4–5. She led Israel during a time of oppression under the Canaanite king Jabin and his army commander Sisera.Her position was that of Judge and Prophetess of Israel during the era of the Judges before Israel had kings. She provided wisdom, judgment, and spiritual leadership. People came to her for decisions and guidance. She summoned Barak, a military leader, and told him God commanded him to go to war against Sisera. (Judges 4:14) Barak agreed—but only if Deborah went with him. She did.Israel defeated the Canaanite army, and Sisera was ultimately killed by a woman named Jael. Deborah was a worshipper and Poet: Judges 5 records the Song of Deborah, a victory hymn celebrating God's deliverance and the bravery of those who fought.To Summarize:- She was a prophetess and judge in a time when women had little influence.- Her obedience in speaking and leading brought victory.- She led with courage, wisdom, and worship (Judges 5).What Obedience Looks Like1. **Saying Yes in the Unknown**  - Mary didn't have all the answers. Yet she said yes anyway.  - Obedience requires trust more than clarity. Mary could say yes because she knew it was the Lord asking, and she knew she could trust the Lord.2. **Speaking When It's Risky**  - Deborah spoke with authority even when it challenged norms. I am sure it was frowned upon at that time for a woman, even if she was a judge, to tell a military captain to go to war. Yet she did it anyway. Can you think of other people in the Bible who spoke up even when it was Risky?  - Your voice can unlock someone else's breakthrough. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine having the courage to speak up, even when risky, could unlock someone else's breakthrough? Has this happened to you before? Have you said something, and then someone else has had a breakthrough because of it? This happens a lot when praying over people for the prophetic word. Speaking the prophetic word to people takes courage because you aren't sure if what you are hearing is from the Lord or if it is just your own voice getting in your head. We tend to dismiss what we hear because it is far easier to believe that we are making stuff up than to believe that God is talking to us.However, God does talk to us. When we are brave and step out in faith and tell someone the prophetic word we hear from them, the word we hear may cause them to have a breakthrough. It is so beautiful to witness this, to see them realize how much God loves them and how much He really knows them.3. **Moving Despite Fear**  - Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's action in the face of it. My brother has this quote at the end of all of his emails, and I remember the first time I read it, I loved it. There will be times you want to quit every good thing you do in this life, persist. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the mastery of it. If God is asking you to do something, trust that he will give you the courage you need to do it!4. **Worshiping Through the Process**  - Both Mary and Deborah responded with songs of praise.  - Worship shifts our focus from fear to faith.When We Obey, God Empowers- Obedience invites the Holy Spirit to move through us.- Empowerment is not about control or power but about being vessels of God's glory.- God equips those He calls—He never asks for a yes without backing it up with power. You may not feel qualified to do the thing God is asking you to do. However, He wouldn't be asking if He wasn't going to give you all you needed to do the job. If you feel unqualified, join the club. I don't remember reading a single story in the Bible where the person felt qualified to do what they were called to do. Except David when fighting Goliath, and this was only because he knew that he wasn't fighting Goliath alone. He knew the Lord was on his side and would defeat Goliath. Imagine how braver we would all be if we knew that, too.I want to leave you with these last thoughts.- You don't need to have it all figured out.- God honors your yes.- He turns willing hearts into powerful instruments.- Your obedience today could be the key to someone else's miracle tomorrow.I am also going to give you some questions to think about. I gave these to those in mentoring but they are great questions for all of us to think about today.1. **What is God asking you to say yes to?**2. **Where do you need to trust more and understand less?**3. **Who might be waiting for you to rise up like Deborah?**4. **What can you praise God for in the middle of your obedience?**If you have some time today, sit with the Lord and answer these questions together!Dear Heavenly Father, thank you to all those listening to this episode. Lord, I ask you to bless them and their families. Lord, we want to be obedient. Please help us. Help us to get out of our own heads. Help us to remember that if you are for us, who could be against us? Help us remember that you will give us the strength and courage to get everything done. If you call us, you will equip us. You will help us find the time, strength, and whatever else we need to do this thing you are calling us to do. We love you, Lord, and we are so grateful you never leave us alone to do these things. You are always there to do them with us. Thank you. We pray all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name. Amen!!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. If you liked this episode, you will love mentoring. Click on the link in the show notes to check it out, or you can go to my website, walkboldlywithjesus.com. If you want to join mentoring this evening, it is not too late. Just sign up below, and you will get the Zoom link. It is tonight at 8 PM Eastern Time. I hope to see you there.Today's Word from the Lord was received in September 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Every moment of your life, can you remember it? Every moment from the day you were conceived in your mother's womb, I have tenderly held you in my arms. I'm there now as much as I've always been. I will be there at every moment until finally, I grasp you and take you into heaven with me forever.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

In this Bible Story, Jabin and his general Sisera oppress Israel for over 20 years. The Lord sent Deborah, a mighty and wise woman. He also sent Barak, the commander of Israel's armies. Sisera fled, and was in the tent of a woman named Jael, and killed in his sleep with a tent peg through his skull. This story is inspired by Judges 4-5. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Judges 4:22 from the King James Version.Episode 61: Once again Israel is looking to idols and darkness instead of the Lord. And so once again they are allowed to be set under the oppression of a foreign ruler, Jabin king of Canaan and Sisera's commander. God, however, had a message for the commander of Israel's army, Barak. He told him through the prophetess and judge, Deborah, to go out and claim victory. Though he was willing, Barak, like many of us, showed cowardice at the size of his enemy's army, and though God gave them the victory, He allowed a woman named Jael to claim the glory instead.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In chapters 1-10 of the book of Joshua, the Israelites have successfully conquered several cities in Canaan, including Jericho, Ai, and Gibeon, and defeated the southern kings. In chapter 11, the northern kings, led by Jabin of Hazor, gather a massive army to fight against Israel. Despite the overwhelming force, God reassures Joshua not to fear, promising victory and instructing him to hamstring the horses and burn the chariots. This act symbolizes trusting in God rather than relying on human strength. While the chapter's language may seem harsh, it reflects God's judgment on the wickedness of the Canaanites. The Israelites' victory marks the fulfillment of God's promises made to Abraham, Moses, and Joshua, bringing them into the promised land. Like Joshua, we face battles in our own lives, whether personal struggles or challenges. Yet, God promises to fight for us, urging us to trust Him, obey His guidance, and believe that His strength will prevail even in our weakness, leading to victory and the fulfillment of His promises.

Psalm 83 WorksheetA Psalm of AsaphIsrael's ___________________________ against her enemies V. 1-8Asaph does not use any high language as he begins this Psalm, he goes right into asking God to act against the enemies of His people.God's enemies are often consumed with ______________________, lifting up their heads (and shaking their fist) at God's people. I love that phrase in verse 3, that calls Israel God's ‘sheltered ones.' The nations around them then (and now) often make craft counsel against them, and ‘team up' to hurt them. I think of how often the United Nation passes evil resolutions against Israel. But God shelters His people.When a person or nation plans evil toward Israel, God takes notice and puts that nation on notice that they will be ________________________ unless they repent. Genesis 12:1-3For the Day of the LORD upon all nations is near; As you have done (to Israel), it shall be done to you. -Obadiah 15Beginning in verse 6, Asaph gives a kind of “Hall of ______________________” for Israel's enemies, beginning with Edom. What person do the Edomites go back to?Gen. 36:12 1 Samuel 15:8 Esther 3:1So Amalek also goes under Esau, You may remember that the Amalekites attacked Israel on the way to the Promised Land, and were under a pronouncement of God's impending judgment (Exodus 17:8-15). Who was the mother of Abraham's son Ishmael? God does give notes of _________________ in the midst of hurtful circumstances – both Isaac and Ishmael were present to bury Abraham (Genesis 25:9), and both Jacob and Esau were present to bury Isaac (Genesis 35:29). Which two listed here were the incestuous children of Lot?Genesis 19:36-38. Genesis 11:31-32Hagrites is probably a reference to the descendants of Hagar, who lived among the Moabites (1 Chr. 5:10). That makes them an _______________________ or Aramean tribe living east of Gilead. Gebal is a city north of Tyre on the Mediterranean coast. Tyre's King Hiram had been a friend of David and Solomon, but they and Gebal later cheered when _______________ took over Israel (Ezekiel 27; Amos 1:9).The Philistines of course were ancient enemies of Israel (think of _______________________). Israel asks God to deal with current enemies like ______________________ ones V. 9-18Can you remember what happened to Midian?Judges 7Who killed Sisera and what did she use? Judges 4What happened to Jabin at the Brook Kishon?Judges 4Who were Oreb and Zeeb, Zebah and Zalmunna?Judges 7-8 What are the kinds of judgments called for in verses 13-17?Verse 18 ends by a prayer that one way or another God will be ________________________ and that these enemies might know He is God over all the earth – either in judgment, or salvation!God is glorified when repentant sinners turn to Him in salvation; but He will also be glorified by judging unrepentant sinners.

In Richteren hoofdstuk 5 vinden we het loflied van Deborah, een profetes en rechter van Israël. Na de overwinning op de Kanaänitische koning Jabin en zijn legerleider Sisera, zingt Deborah samen met Barak dit lied om God te prijzen voor hun bevrijding. Het lied spreekt over de moed van de Israëlieten die tegen de vijand streden, de kracht van God die hen geholpen heeft, en het belang van leiderschap. Deborah prijst de dappere stam van Issachar en hekelt de inactiviteit van andere stammen die niet deelnamen aan de strijd. Het loflied benadrukt hoe God ingreep om Israël te redden en hoe de vijand verslagen werd. Het eindigt met de belofte van vrede en rust voor Israël.00:00 Intro03:57 Belang prijzen van God06:12 Moeder in Israel17:40 Niks doen20:20 Reactie moeder Sisera21:40 Twee wensen

Jabin Chavez brings humor, heart, and deep wisdom to this episode as he joins Levi and Jennie Lusko for a conversation about life, ministry, and the unexpected twists of following God's call. From growing up in New Mexico to planting a thriving church in the heat of Las Vegas, Jabin opens up about his personal journey of faith, the challenges of portable church life, and the miracles that paved the way. He shares the story of how God spoke to him about moving to Vegas, his experiences juggling worship leading and preaching, and how his new book was born out of a powerful sermon series. Along the way, the three discuss hilarious late-night pastor hangouts, the beauty of family and tradition, and why cold plunges and saunas are non-negotiables. Packed with practical insights for leaders, laugh-out-loud moments, and heartfelt reflections, this episode will inspire you to embrace the hills and valleys of your own journey. Connect with us on social!Jabin: @jabinchavezLevi: @leviluskoJennie: @jennieluskoFresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links]Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHYGet the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Want to be on the next Q&A episode? Send us your questions! https://bit.ly/3RonhJI Timestamps:10:45 - Hearing God's Call to Vegas18:20 - Planting a Church in Las Vegas24:40 - Writing a Book Born in a Valley31:55 - Late-Night Hangouts with Pastors38:10 - Balancing Worship and Preaching44:25 - Building a Church in the Desert52:00 - Diversity in Vegas and the Church

Jabin Chavez brings humor, heart, and deep wisdom to this episode as he joins Levi and Jennie Lusko for a conversation about life, ministry, and the unexpected twists of following God's call. From growing up in New Mexico to planting a thriving church in the heat of Las Vegas, Jabin opens up about his personal journey of faith, the challenges of portable church life, and the miracles that paved the way. He shares the story of how God spoke to him about moving to Vegas, his experiences juggling worship leading and preaching, and how his new book was born out of a powerful sermon series. Along the way, the three discuss hilarious late-night pastor hangouts, the beauty of family and tradition, and why cold plunges and saunas are non-negotiables. Packed with practical insights for leaders, laugh-out-loud moments, and heartfelt reflections, this episode will inspire you to embrace the hills and valleys of your own journey. Connect with us on social!Jabin: @jabinchavezLevi: @leviluskoJennie: @jennieluskoFresh Life Church: @freshlife [Links]Get the 5 Gallon Bucket: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHYGet the Lusketeer Sticker: https://bit.ly/sdl4sHY Subscribe for more exclusive content: https://levilusko.com/hitl-subscribe Want to be on the next Q&A episode? Send us your questions! https://bit.ly/3RonhJI Timestamps:10:45 - Hearing God's Call to Vegas18:20 - Planting a Church in Las Vegas24:40 - Writing a Book Born in a Valley31:55 - Late-Night Hangouts with Pastors38:10 - Balancing Worship and Preaching44:25 - Building a Church in the Desert52:00 - Diversity in Vegas and the Church

Send us a textThe devotion for today, Monday, January 13, 2025 was written and narrated by Thomas Riggs.Today's Words of Inspiration come from Judges 4:6b-9“Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.”Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go.”“Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.  Support the show

Ps 83 (NKJV) 1 DO not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! 2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. 4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” 5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. ​Selah 9 Deal with them as with Midian, As with Sisera, As with Jabin at the Brook Kishon, 10 Who perished at En Dor, Who became as refuse on the earth. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 Who said, “Let us take for ourselves The pastures of God for a possession.” 13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like the chaff before the wind! 14 As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire, 15 So pursue them with Your tempest, And frighten them with Your storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O LORD. 17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, 18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth.

The Prophetess Deborah October 27, 2024 Mason Worthy Judges 4 Verse of the week: “And Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?'” Judges 4:14 1. Deborah was listening for the Lord. “seek, and you will find” Matthew 7:7 2. She took the lead. “That the leaders took the lead in Israel” Judges 5:2 3. She empowered Barak to lead. “And Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?'” Judges 4:14 4. Deborah's obedience led to victory for Israel. “So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel.” Judges 4:23

0613 耶賓 Jabin by 靈修廣播站

0614 耶賓 Jabin by 靈修廣播站

église AB Lausanne ; KJV Judges 4 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand. And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him. ...

église AB Lausanne ; KJV Joshua 11 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephoth-maim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire. And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. ...

As a kid, my favorite part about school was recess. Don't get me wrong, I liked school. I liked learning. But I liked playing even more. Now, when it came to recess, my friends and I almost always ended up deciding between one of two games to play together — football or kill the carrier. These two games are very different from one another.In football, you have an even amount of people on both teams — half who are trying to tackle you, half who are trying to block for and defend you. Now, one team may end up with bigger kids than the other team, or faster kids than the other team, but the numbers themselves are always an even split: Six on six. Seven on seven. And so on.Kill the carrier is different, because in kill the carrier the moment you pick up the ball, everyone on the field is your enemy. The kids to your right, to your left, in front of you and behind you, each one of them has one object in mind the moment that ball touches your hands — kill the carrier, which is now you. And within a matter of seconds, that object is typically accomplished as you find yourself flatly pressed to the ground, face to the dirt, and anywhere from 10-15 of your closest friends smothered on top of you. My vote was always for football. Because being surrounded by enemies did not make me feel strong. Did not make me feel at peace. But made me feel vulnerable, and weak, and in need of much help. Psalm 83 is a Psalm about a people surrounded by enemies. A people in need of much help. A people whose enemies did not mean to merely smother them, but annihilate them and wipe them from the face of the earth. Which is why Psalm 83 begins as it does: “O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!” Following that initial cry for help, we're going to see the Psalmist do three things. First, he's going to provide the reason he's asking God for help. Then, he's going to make his request to God — “God, this is how I'm asking you to help us.” Lastly, he's going to explain his hoped-for result. “God, this is what I want to have happen as the result of you answering my prayer. Reason for God's help, request for God's help, result of receiving God's help. Let's pray and ask God to help us.Alright, so what is the reason for the Psalmist's cry for help? What's the reason he prays: “O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!”? We'll start with verse 2:Reason for Prayer“For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads.” Notice the vertical dimension of these words. The problem, first and foremost, is that these people are enemies of God. It's first a vertical problem. “Your enemies (O God) make an uproar; those who hate you (O God) have raised their heads.” And right off the bat, we might wonder, “What could possibly lead to such insanity?” For a people to “raise their heads” against God. We get that imagery, right? “Raise their heads.” Like a rebellious child to his parents, or a defiant soldier to his captain. It's a posture of opposition. Of insolence. And, in this case, insanity. Like a bunch of toy soldiers lining up against a sixty-ton tank. What could lead to such insanity? Hate. Hate could cause a people to do something like that. And I fear that we are going to miss the significance of that word here in verse 2. I fear that because of our immersion into a world that daily disregards and defies God, that we'll simply skip over that word “hate” without even batting an eye. Brothers and sisters, don't miss the outrage of what's being communicated here. This Psalmist is saying these people hate God. “Those who hate you have raised their heads.” There is no greater evil in all the world than the evil expressed in that short phrase — “hate God.” And if our jaw is not ready to drop upon seeing those words (hate God), then we need to recalibrate to reality. What this verse is saying when it comes to the God who made this world, and upholds this world, and loves this world, and gave up his only Son for this world, these people hate him. There is nothing more dark and evil than that in all the world. Nothing. I mean, you might be able to find someone who hates your habits, hates your stuff, hates your politics, hates your morals, maybe even hates you — and yet not one of those hates, not one of them, holds a candle to the human hatred of God himself. There is no worse condition in all the world than having a heart that hates its Maker.Hatred for God's PeopleNow, it follows, that if a certain people hates God, they're going to hate the people who worship God as well. So verses 3-8 should come as no surprise — flowing from the fount of hatred for God is a hatred for God's people. And, as we see, it is a united hatred.Look with me at verse 3,“They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones.”Again in verse 5,“For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant.”Their shared hatred for God and his people leads, as it were, to a cooperative effort. One aimed at total annihilation. Verse 4, “They say, ‘Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!'”Total annihilation. Entire nations, linking arms, bound for the blood of God's treasured ones, and as much blood as possible. Now, to get a sense for the scale of this mounting opposition, the Psalmist lists the names of these enemy nations in verses 5-8 — Ten nations in total. And if we had more time together this morning, we could go through each one of these and note the backstory of the tension between these particular nations and God's people. As it is, we don't have time for that, and the backstory is not really the main point here anyway. The main point is this: Israel, God's people, are surrounded.See if you were to take a map of the world at this time, position Jerusalem (the Land of God's people) right in the center, you could plot out these other nations and come to find that they form a ring all round Jerusalem. Enemies on all sides — that's the point. God's people, in other words, have nowhere to run. Nowhere to turn. Nowhere to go, except to God who rules over all. So, that's what the Psalmist does. He goes to God. Lays out the reason for his alarm, and makes his request to God. RequestBeginning in verse 9, we can see that the Psalmist's request is founded upon the pages of history — all the times in which God's people were in need, and all the times God came to their rescue. Specifically, he cites two scenes from history — both from the book of Judges.The first one involves Midian. You see it there in verse 9? “Do to them as you did to Midian.” To which we might ask, “What did God do to Midian?” Well, he embarrassed them is what he did. He not only defeated them but humiliated, embarrassed them in the process. See God's people at that time had an army of 22,000 men. That's a good size army, don't you think? Well, God didn't. Instead, he whittled that army down to a tiny remnant of only 300 men. He then equipped that army for battle against mighty Midian with clay jars and trumpets. He directed them to then go and surround Midian in the middle of the night, smash a bunch of the jars, blow a bunch of trumpets, make a really loud noise and hold their torches up in the air. They did it. Guess what happened?Midian's mighty soldiers woke up in a panic, and assuming their fellow comrades all round them to be the enemy, grabbed their swords and starting killing each other. Midian was routed that day. Their four leaders — Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, and Zalmunna (you can see their names listed in verse 11), were killed as well. Midian was not only destroyed that day, but humiliated in the process.The second story involving Canaan, and its king Jabin and his leading commander Sisera (you can see their names listed in verse 9), is very similar. Not only was their army routed in battle, but their commander Sisera, (valiant warrior as he was) turned tail and ran from the battle in fear. He sought shelter in the home of a woman named Jael. He asked her for water and protection, just as a child would ask his mother. She brought him in, gave him some milk, covered him with a blanket, and then sunk a tent peg into his skull. Canaan, Jabin, and Sisera was not only destroyed that day, but humiliated in the process.Now, the Psalmist, looking out at the enemy nations all round him, and recalling those two scenes from history, says, “God, do to these enemies what you did to Midian and Canaan and Sisera. Destroy them, and even humiliate them in the process.Request Rooted in NatureNow, the Psalmist's request continues for a few more verses, but the background on his request changes a bit. No longer flowing from the pages of history, but from what can be seen in the realm of nature. Verse 13,“O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.”If you've ever seen an old western movie, you know the image he has in mind here, right? I used to joke with my brother and sister about this because we watched a lot of old westerns with my grandpa when we were growing up. And always, always, there was a scene, where one guy is staring down another guy, it's quiet, tension is peaking, and then this lone tumble weed drifts across the plain between them. That's the picture here, “turn these enemy nations into something akin to lone, worthless, bone-dry tumbleweed blowing aimlessly out of focus.”Chaff, similarly, as the unused part of a plant after harvest, dries out, breaks up, and is carried away in the wind. “God,” says the Psalmist, make them like that. Take, what feels to us, like an immovable and impenetrable enemy, and, “poof,” blow them away.Still in the realm of nature, verse 14 takes things up a notch.“As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane!”Notice: “May you pursue them with your tempest…” God, set your sights, lock in on our enemy, and set a fire blazing upon their heels.The Psalmist clearly wants God to go after this enemy. He wants him to be the one to take down this enemy, and, as we noted in the pages of history, to even do so with a sort of flair that humiliates them in the process. But the question we want to ask is, “to what end?” What does the Psalmist actually want as the result of God's intervention? At first, it appears he wants two very different, even contradictory, results. And we might wonder, “How is this going to work?” How does one possibly pray for both of these seemingly contradictory results, in the very same Psalm?Result of the Prayer Look with me first at verse 16. The Psalmist prays, “Fill their faces with shame,” (that's that bit about defeat leading to embarrassment that we've been talking about). “Fill their faces with shame,” like embarrassment, humiliation, dishonor. But observe the intended result,“Fill their faces with shame that they may seek your name, O Lord.”In other words, make them to see the foolishness and futility of their actions. Awaken them to their own darkness and depravity. Allow them to become so broken and burdened that it brings them to their knees, casts their eyes down to the ground, leads them to cover their faces with shame — “we're sinners.” But do so, O God, in such a way that there, on the ground, and in their shame, these wayward souls begin to feel a tug upon their hearts — one like they've never experienced before. A pull that cries, “Go to God, you rebel, bring your shame and sin to him.” Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord.” Now what does it mean to seek God's name? Well it means to seek God's character. Seek God's nature. Seek God for who he is as, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty” (Ex. 34:5-7). To seek the Lord is to seek him for mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation, and joy. Just as the Psalms have been saying all along:Psalm 27:8, “You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”Psalm 40:16, “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”Psalm 69:6, “Let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.”Psalm 105:3-4, “Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”The Psalmist's prayer in verse 16 is rooted in the reality that, as we see in Paul's speech in Acts 17: God is the one who “Made the world and everything in it, (and who is the) Lord of heaven and earth… (and) who gives to all mankind life and breath… (and who) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth…that they should seek (Him), and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.”It is rooted in the reality that God the Son says to all mankind, Matthew 11,“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” It is rooted in the reality that even now, from heaven, God the Son calls,“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Rev. 3:20).“Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord.”It is a glorious prayer. A prayer with an intended result that befits the nature of God. And it is not the Psalmist's only hoped for result. The Psalmist, as we said, seems to pray here in not one but two very different directions toward two very different results. See how verse 17 reads a bit different: “Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace.”Condemnation before GodThe image here, in contrast to verse 16, is one in which the nations do not end up repenting. They do not end up seeking God, but die in their disgrace and sins. That's what it means to be “Put to shame and dismayed forever.” Forever offers no second chances. Forever offers no hope of a change in the future. “Put to shame and dismayed forever.”This is a prayer for condemnation. And, we might ask, what gives the Psalmist the right to pray this way?Well, to begin, the Psalmist knows that some people will in fact die shaking their fist at God. The Psalmist knows that. Some people will never repent, but will instead die shaking their fist at God. What he doesn't know is whether that'll be the case for these particular people from the enemy nations round him, or not. Will they end up seeking God or will they not? The Psalmist does not know.Yet, this is where we need to lean in. What the Psalmist does know is that if, if, these people for the enemy nations round him do, in fact, never end up repenting and instead die in their sins, die shaking their fist at God, then they must not be allowed to get away with it. In other words, the Psalmist does not pray, “God, cause these people to seek your name. But if they don't, would you just ignore that fact? Could you just turn a blind eye to their sin? Would you be willing to just overlook their rebellion against you?”The Psalmist does not pray that, and he does not want that, and the reason he doesn't is actually the key to unlocking this whole thing. See, because more than anything, highest in priority in terms of the Psalmist's request, is not ultimately that these enemies would be saved, nor ultimately that these enemies would be condemned, but ultimately that one way or another, they would know, they would know, verse 18: That God alone, whose name is the Lord, is the Most High over all the earth. Not them. Not some other god. But God alone, whose name is the Lord, is the Most High over all the earth.See, because here's the thing: When people live their whole lives hating God and hating his people, they live as walking, talking proclaimers of fake news: “God isn't all that great.” “God isn't worthy of our time.” “God is like chopped liver compared to the treasures this world has to offer.” And in doing so, they defy God's glory and drag it through the mud. And when they die that way, they appear, at least from the perspective of the world, to have gotten away with it. They, not God, appear, in the eyes of the world, to be the ones who are most high over all the earth — after all, they were even able to defy God and get away with it.Were the Psalmist to pray, “God, call these people to seek your name. If they don't, just let ‘em be” it would be akin to praying, “God, either get your glory through saving these people, or, simply allow them to go on trampling your glory throughout all eternity. Allow their apparent victory over you to suggest your glory and worth which they've defied isn't all that great after all.” As it is, the Psalmist does not pray that and does not want that, and neither should we. Now, should we “Desire all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4)? Our God does, so we should as well. Should we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us? Of course. Jesus tells us to in Matthew 5:44.Should we also seek to share the good news with our enemies in hopes they'll turn from their sin and receive God's mercy and forgiveness? Of course — that is our commission from here till the day God takes us home. But should we ever desire that those who die hating God, get off the hook for their rebellion against him? No.See, the truth of the matter is that one day, when the lights go out and the curtain falls, Jesus is going to come again to judge the world, and when he does, every knee is coming down. “Every knee [will] bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11).Every man and every woman will know, they'll see it for themselves, that God, not man, but God alone, whose name is the Lord, is the Most High over all the earth.And on that day, God will get the glory he deserves from every single soul.From those who in their life repented and turned and sought God — God will be glorified in the fulfillment of their salvation. From those who did not, in their life, end up repenting or turning or seeking God — God will be glorified in their just condemnation. Their reception of the only punishment terrible enough and long enough to prove the glory and worth of the one whom they have spurned — Hell for all eternity.Our ultimate prayer as Christians should always be, “God, no matter what, get your glory.”Our ultimate prayer should always be, as Christians, “God, hallowed be your name!”The deepest desire within all of our hearts should be that God's worth and God's glory and God's splendor would be held high in our world and throughout all eternity.We pray for our enemies. We pray, “God, save our enemies.” God humble them so that they seek you while you may still be found. And behind that prayer, undergirding that prayer, is “God, no matter what, get the glory you deserve in this world. Get your glory no matter what.”The TableNow, what brings us to the table this morning is the reminder that each and every one of us in this room this morning were born enemies of God. We were born, Romans 1:30, “haters of God.” And yet, as Romans 5:8 tells us, “God show[ed] his love for us in that while we were still sinners [still haters of God], Christ died for us.” Christ died for his enemies. You and me. This table represents his broken body and shed blood for the sake of his enemies. Because that's what this table represents, if you're here this morning and you've trusted in Jesus, we invite you to take and eat with us. If you've not put your trust in Jesus, we ask that you'd let the elements pass, but we pray you would, in this moment, receive Jesus, and his death for you.

Psalm 83 is a significant chapter in the Book of Psalms, often attributed to Asaph, a prominent figure among the Levite musicians in King David's court. This psalm is a communal lament, where the psalmist passionately appeals to God for deliverance and protection against the coalition of hostile nations threatening Israel. Structure and Themes 1.Introduction and Appeal to God (Verses 1-4): The psalm opens with a plea for God not to remain silent or inactive in the face of Israel's enemies' conspiracies. The psalmist emphasizes the urgency and gravity of the situation, calling for divine intervention. 2.Listing of the Enemies (Verses 5-8): A detailed enumeration of the nations forming a coalition against Israel follows. These include Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, and the inhabitants of Tyre, with Assyria also lending its support. This list underscores the formidable and diverse nature of the threat. 3.Petition for Divine Retribution (Verses 9-15): The psalmist invokes historical examples of God's past deliverances, such as the defeat of Midian and the victories over Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River. These references serve as a basis for asking God to similarly defeat the current enemies. 4.Prayer for God's Glory (Verses 16-18): The closing verses shift focus from destruction to a broader theological purpose. The psalmist prays that the enemies be shamed and dismayed, ultimately leading them to seek God's name. The ultimate aim is for God's sovereignty and power to be recognized universally. Key Takeaways •Divine Sovereignty: The psalm highlights God's supreme authority over all nations and events. The call for God to act is rooted in the belief that He is the ultimate judge and protector of Israel. •Historical Remembrance: By recalling past victories granted by God, the psalmist reinforces the community's faith and hope in God's continued protection and intervention. •Vindication and Conversion: While the psalm seeks the defeat of enemies, it also expresses a hope that through their humiliation, they may come to recognize and acknowledge God's power. Contemporary Reflection Psalm 83 resonates with modern readers in various ways. It reflects the timeless struggle for survival and protection in the face of overwhelming odds. It also emphasizes the importance of collective memory and faith in divine justice. For many, it serves as a reminder of the need for spiritual reliance and the hope that adversities can lead to greater understanding and recognition of divine truths. In summary, Psalm 83 is a powerful prayer for deliverance, grounded in the historical experiences of Israel and infused with a profound trust in God's ability to save and transform. It calls for divine justice, not merely for retribution but for the ultimate realization of God's glory and authority among all nations.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

The children of Israel were being oppressed by their enemies but Deborah did not ask, “How much longer before God delivers us?” Instead, her approach was, “How much longer before we stand up and fight—with God on our side?” “Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment. One day she sent for Barak son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor. And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin's army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.” Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ #kids, #christiankids, #bedtimestoriesforkids, #storiesforchristiankids, #biblestoriesforkids, #biblelessonsforkids, #godisonourside, #standandseethesalvationofgod, #godisgood, #peacewithgod, #praiseispowerful, #praise, #bestrongandcourageous, #godiswithus, #fishbytesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #fishbitesforkids, #fishbites4kids, #ronandcarriewebb, #roncarriewebb

Are you ready to dive into what it takes to attract and retain the next generation of professionals in the finance industry?In this episode, Ana Trujillo Limón, Director, Coaching and Advisor Content, speaks with Carson's next-gen professionals, Jalen Blackmon, Wealth Management Associate at Carson Group, Jabin Moore, Associate Private Client Manager at Carson Wealth, and Isaiah Johnson, Partner Development at Carson Group. They discuss the importance of attracting and retaining the next generation of professionals in the finance industry. The conversation delves into key aspects such as defining career paths and growth plans, the significance of having a sense of purpose at work, and the value of workplace diversity. Jalen, Jabin, and Isaiah provide valuable insights on how firms can create a culture that resonates with the Gen Z workforce and the skills necessary for young professionals to thrive in the financial services industry.Key discussion topics: The importance of defining career paths and growth plansSetting goals and milestones to gauge progressCultivating a sense of purpose in the workplaceBuilding diverse and inclusive workplace environmentsTransparency, communication, and a sense of belonging in workplace cultureNurturing curiosity, adaptability, and valuable connections in the workplaceInvolving Gen Z in decision-making processes and leveraging diverse perspectivesAnd moreResources:Link to the blog that won't be available until April 1st written by Jessica Colston about serving the next-gen stakeholdersConnect with Ana Trujillo Limón: Carson Group LLCLinkedIn: Ana Trujillo LimónConnect with Jalen Blackmon:Carson Group LLCLinkedIn: Jalen BlackmonConnect with Jabin Moore:Carson WealthLinkedIn: Jabin MooreConnect with Isaiah Johnson:Carson Group LLCLinkedIn: Isaiah JohnsonSend us your questions, we'd love to hear from you! Email us at framework@carsongroup.com.

Tune into this episode as Jabin reveals how to become a 'big' leader.  Embrace the 'big' mindset and lead with impact!For more from Jabin:Jabin's InstagramCity Light ChurchCity Light Church YouTubePreaching Masterclass

In this Bible Story, Jabin and his general Sisera oppress Israel for over 20 years. The Lord sent Deborah, a mighty and wise woman. He also sent Barak, the commander of Israel's armies. Sisera fled, and was in the tent of a woman named Jael, and killed in his sleep with a tent peg through his skull. This story is inspired by Judges 4-5. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Judges 4:22 from the King James Version.Episode 61: Once again Israel is looking to idols and darkness instead of the Lord. And so once again they are allowed to be set under the oppression of a foreign ruler, Jabin king of Canaan and Sisera's commander. God, however, had a message for the commander of Israel's army, Barak. He told him through the prophetess and judge, Deborah, to go out and claim victory. Though he was willing, Barak, like many of us, showed cowardice at the size of his enemy's army, and though God gave them the victory, He allowed a woman named Jael to claim the glory instead.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're going to be a leader, you've got to be a thinker. In this episode, Jabin encourages leaders to be more effective by growing in their ways of thinking!For more from Jabin:Jabin's InstagramCity Light ChurchCity Light Church YouTubePreaching Masterclass

Worship Director Justin Jackson is continuing a series on women of the Bible. This is part 2 about Deborah, where we look at four themes from her song after the victory against Jabin, the king of Canaan. In this song, Deborah rightly proclaims that God is the hero of their battle. Like Deborah, God unites us and calls us to battle against evil. And even though the odds may sometimes seem impossible, God will lead us to victory against cruelty and cowardice. Also, as part of the "Something To Say!" series, we'll start the message with someone's testimony. We hope you find it encouraging. Thank you for listening to this message from Northwest Hills Community Church in Corvallis, Oregon, on March 10, 2023, at 9:30am. You can find us online at nwhills.com. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:56 Something to Say: Overcoming Fear and Finding Faith 05:57 Deborah Part Two: A Dive into the Bible 08:43 The Song of Deborah: Unpacking the Themes 18:41 Understanding the Context of Deborah's Story 19:52 Jesus: The Ultimate Problem Solver 20:29 The Importance of Unity in the Church 31:45 The Death of Sisera: God's Punishment for Cruelty and Cowardice 35:38 Making God the Hero of Your Life

South Asia is a region of remarkable diversity, encompassing countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. Typically, India has been considered the power most capable of exercising its influence in the region. Yet, in recent years, there has been another power that has laid claim to South Asia as part of its periphery and has sought to expand its influence in the region. For the past decade and a half, China has made deeper inroads into South Asia, not only offering capital and infrastructure, but also deepening political ties and people-to-people relations. When did we begin seeing China's interest in the region? How does China interact differently with South Asia compared to other powers like the United States? How does China's slowing economy affect its economic engagement in the region?In this episode of Interpreting India, Jabin Jacob joins Saheb Singh Chadha to answer these pressing questions and discuss recent developments in South Asia. Episode ContributorsJabin Thomas Jacob is associate professor at the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies at the Shiv Nadar Institute of Eminence, a nonresident fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, and adjunct research fellow at the National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi. Jacob holds a PhD in Chinese Studies from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and has spent time as a researcher in Taiwan, France, and Singapore. His research interests include Chinese domestic politics, China-South Asia relations, Sino-Indian border areas, Indian and Chinese worldviews, and center-province relations in China.Saheb Singh Chadha is a research analyst in the Security Studies Program at Carnegie India. His research focuses on China's foreign and security policies, India-China relations, and India's military modernization. He is broadly interested in the geopolitics of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. He is also a researcher on a project examining the nature and dynamics of cross-border violence and its impact on civilian communities.Additional ReadingsHow China Engages South Asia: Themes, Partners and Tools, edited by Constantino Xavier and Jabin JacobG20 in Delhi, US Ties, Global South Leadership: Decoding Beijing Worldview Through Chinese Press by Jabin JacobA Fresh Look at India's Neighborhood First Policy, by Constantino Xavier and Milan VaishnavChina's Influence in South Asia: Vulnerabilities and Resilience in Four Countries by Deep Pal Every two weeks, Interpreting India brings you diverse voices from India and around the world to explore the critical questions shaping the nation's future. We delve into how technology, the economy, and foreign policy intertwine to influence India's relationship with the global stage.As a Carnegie India production, hosted by Carnegie scholars, Interpreting India, a Carnegie India production, provides insightful perspectives and cutting-edge by tackling the defining questions that chart India's course through the next decade.Stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and a deeper understanding of India's place in the world.Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to join the conversation and be part of Interpreting India's journey.

In this episode, join Jabin as he delves into the world of leadership tensions and shares how to navigate through them. For more from Jabin:Jabin's InstagramCity Light ChurchCity Light Church YouTubePreaching Masterclass

In this episode, Jabin helps us revisit invaluable fundamentals of leadership! Tune in and enhance your leadership skills!For more from Jabin:Jabin's InstagramCity Light ChurchCity Light Church YouTubePreaching Masterclass

Mobile devices have become pervasive in reach and constant in attention. What role does that availability have as a cause of, and potential solution to, crises in mental health and the care profession? And who falls between the cracks where technology falls short? Dr Dianne Wepa from Charles Darwin University joins us again along side Dr Jabin from the University of Bradford to talk tech, therapy and professional care.  This episode includes discussion of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231174307 Listen to their previous episode: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10213208

In this episode of The Dept. Omar talks with Jabin Chavez, lead pastor of City Light in Las Vegas, NV. Jabin has been in ministry for 23 years, preaching all over the world at the biggest churches and has wisdom for living a life that is build to last. With City Light being the fasting growing church in one of the most un-churched cities in the world, Jabin shares his insight on how he has designed his life to allow him to lead better. If you want to experience a better life in business, ministry, relationships you must become better at leading yourself.Give To City Light's Building Projecthttps://www.citylightvegas.com/buildingFollow Jabinhttps://www.instagram.com/jabinchavezhttps://www.youtube.com/@CityLightVegasTake The Content To Cash Challengehttps://thevideodept.myflodesk.com/challenge

In this episode, Jabin has a conversation with Nick Nilson on the importance of perspective when setting goals and vision!For more from Jabin:Jabin's InstagramCity Light ChurchCity Light Church YouTubePreaching MasterclassFor more from Nick Nilson:Nick's Website

By Mary Lindow I had just worked four days and had put in 46 hours on my feet. I was tired. I had spoken life and ministered to many people in my position as an office manager and chiropractic assistant to a wonderful Doctor that loves people and loves God. But nonetheless, I was tired.   I had been asked to come and minister at a women's gathering on my day off, which would be Friday evening. I rested part of the day, did laundry the rest of the day and spoke to the Lord and prepared what he was giving me for the evening ministry meeting.   As I Got In The Car, I Noticed That My Indicators Were Telling Me There Was Something Wrong With The Car. Engine light flashing, cruise button not working and I had no time to spare to get to the meeting on time. So, I simply prayed, put my pedal to the metal and prayed all the way there.   When I Arrived, The Room Was Filled With Tired, Weary Women, Who Had Also Been Working Hard. Many of them, single mothers, many of them were parents who had taken on the adoption of their children's children, because their own children had gone wild and embraced a lifestyle of drugs and freedom. They were pouring everything they had into these grandchildren, yet they still came. Many in the room we're still seeking employment because they had lost previous jobs due to economic down change. And there, sitting in the church were young pregnant mothers.   Also, in the room were teenage high school girls and there I was, sent in my fatigue, to speak to them about the hope of Christ. I can tell you, I am so grateful for time in the word and time in prayer that anchors us and shows us the purpose beyond our own, as to why God sends us into different places.   I Was Honest, I Was Raw, And I Was Right In Front Of Them As One Of Them. As I began to talk about what it means to be in the presence of God, to really know him and his presence, and that it is there for us to draw from, to drink from, in order to survive this cruel world, something in the room began to change.   We are all aware of when the presence of God comes into a meeting and we call it the glory of God, Or We Call It The “Shekinah Glory”, Or The Holy Presence Of The Lord, And All Of This Is Very True! But in this meeting there was such a kindness and such tenderness towards this room of women who showed up on a Friday night after a long workweek, just to come in hope that they could touch the hem of his garment.   There were people in that group from about 11 years old all the way up to I would say late 70s. But every single one of them were women created in the fashion that God wanted them to be made in. Each of them still has dreams alive inside of them, even if their bodies are aging and are beginning to slow down a bit. There's a fire inside of them that God wants to keep lit so that he may use them to the fullest.   But How Do You Address Those Situations With Multiple Generations? You talk to them about how much God loves them. You tell them about the hope that Jesus brings and then you get honest and tell them where you are!   When You Don't Put Yourself On A Pedestal or lift up the icon of “your great knowledge of the Lord”, but instead, you get in the boat with them, they suddenly feel that they can receive from something or someone who “gets where they are at”.   I told stories of when I was a young girl, and first came to know the Lord and I had the young girls laughing, and it was so wonderful! But the Lord gave me their attention then.   I began to talk about raising children and how frightening it can be in a world where the narratives are screaming to influence our children's minds, and I cheered the mothers on who are willing to do the hard things of homeschooling or be on top of the things their children are learning at school and to be vocal.   I talked about what it means to have pain in a family and to see children suffer, to see orphaned and adopted children come into your home, and you love, and care and nurture them as your very own.   And, I talked about when our bodies begin to change and grow a bit weaker and a bit older, the things we must do to remain strong in the Lord and yet what we can do with what we have, and how we can walk the floors in prayer, how we can be in the church building and pray for those who need to know Christ, and if we can't walk, we can ride in our car and drive around and pray for our neighborhoods.   You See The Nurturing Quality Of God Is Real! It is the Holy Spirit in a mothering form, but it also has to come across with direction.   People Are Looking For Direction Today. They need to see a course set out before them that has light and hope, and the wonderful woman of God, Deborah in the scriptures, had a journey, and a story to tell that in fact, turned her nation around because she chose to work and do the hard things in her community, where God began to then build a rapport with those who would even go to war and lead the armies.   God Is Raising Up Many Deborahs In This Hour. Many who have been silent and quiet. Maybe it's your wife, maybe it's your daughter, and maybe it's your grandmother.   But right now there are women who see on the horizon, the great and dark, gloomy agendas of the world. And Friends, when you have a mother's, fighting spirit and you have experience, there is nothing you will not do to stand up and protect your family and to go to war in the kingdom of God.   “God's eyes are searching to and fro over the earth looking for a heart that is fully His.”  -2 Chronicles 16:9   What caught His eye when He came to Deborah? Was it the uncompromising fire of holiness, an unwavering faith or an unrelenting love that set her apart? Was it something about the integrity of her character, the depth and integrity of her wisdom and the richness of her kindness, which produced confidence in both men and women?    THE LORD IS SO JEALOUS FOR EACH ONE OF US TO LOVE HIM AND KNOW HIM!   When We Start To Move Away From Him, He Allows Evil Kings To Oppress Us. The Word tells us that God is the one who appoints evil kings and magistrates, but He also rises up the godly judges and kings!   Deborah was the fourth judge and for the first 20 years of her 40-year reign, the nation was oppressed by one of history's most powerful and cruel Canaanite Kings, Jabin, and his sneaky military commander, Sisera. (Judges 4:1-4)   Deborah Captured The Heart Of God! What is amazing is that the Lord raised up a woman to deliver a nation! What is especially surprising is that it happened in the Middle East thousands of years ago! Deborah was not only a wife, mother, intercessor, psalmist and prophetess but also a judge and a national deliverer. That's not a bad resume for a middle-aged woman living in that oppressive Middle Eastern culture!   Against Great Odds, God Used Her Powerfully. Deborah broke outside of her culture but she wasn't in rebellion, she was in obedience -- to her God. She was used radically and set her people free, and the people loved her. It's a wonderful story of faith in God, and it champions men and women partnering together in a war to save their nation from great oppression. When we read about this revolutionary prophetess and judge, it expands our religious studies of women being allowed to lead governmentally. But I really feel that God is raising up a troupe of end-time Deborahs.   THERE IS GREAT GLOBAL SHAKING THAT HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN, AND THE LORD IS CALLING NOT ONLY THE MEN, BUT ALSO THE WOMEN OF GOD!   The Lord is saying, “ARISE! SHINE Deborahs! Be a part of the army of the Lord!”   There Are Two Root Words For Consecrate In Hebrew: never (separating from) and cades (separating unto). Deborah, Like The Other Defenders Of The Faith, Was Separated From The World And Unto God. She did nothing on her own but spoke just what the Father taught her. This is where the true victory lies, in listening to Him.   Deborah's Work History We tend to think of multi-tasking as a 21st century sensation, but Deborah was functioning in five major roles. Many scholars believe that one of Deborah's roles before becoming judge was being a lamp lighter in the temple.   In The Bible, Oil Is Often A Symbol For The Holy Spirit. Deborah was married to Lapidoth, whose name means, shine, lamp, flame, burning lamp, lightening, and torch. Isn't it interesting? He, too, was a lamp that had oil!   Deborah Was A Keeper Of The Oil And Light, Carefully Tending The Lamps. This shows us that she was a woman who was passionately spending long hours dwelling in the temple. She was a woman of prayer and of worship. She lived between two villages, Ramah and Bethel, in Ephraim, which means the valley of fruitfulness.   Biblical Names Often Have Profound Prophetic Meanings. The ancient village of Ramah was known to be the seat of high adultery. Bethel was known as the house of the Lord with open heavens, where Jacob had his ladder experience in Genesis 28.   Deborah stood in the gap interceding between the seat of high idolatry and pagan worship and the house of Bethel with its open heavens. Now The Picture Becomes A Little Clearer As“ Deborah Was Raised Up By God To Intercede Against Idolatry (Ramah). She wanted to turn the hearts of the children of Israel back to the house of God (Bethel) to inherit a double portion of fruit (Ephraim).   Deborah's Relationship With The Lord Was Very Precious And Intimate. I believe that in those twenty years of captivity, Deborah stood in the gap and interceded to change the course of Israel. God promised Abraham, in Genesis 18, that He would save a nation for the sake of ten righteous men. I believe that the righteous prayers of Deborah availed much!   She Worshipped And Had A Deep Intercessory Life With God. She would go into the temple and fill the lamps with oil and ask God for revelation for people around her in great darkness.   She was prepared in this secret place as she stood in the gap in desperate intercession for her people and her nation. She would hear from God and would bring down great wisdom and counsel.   She Spent Long Hours In The Temple. This dedication moved the very heart of God and changed the very heart of Deborah. He led, she followed. She led, Israel followed.   Oftentimes we have the misunderstanding that worship is merely the thirty-minute time slot before the sermon, when we sing songs of devotion to God. This is part of worship.   But Doing Small Things With Great Love Unto Him Is Living A Life Of Worship. Deborah was a worshipper who loved the oil of the lamps, the Holy Spirit.   We Need To Be Like Deborah, Men And Women Of Prayer. Sincere and passionate prayer is the key to unlock our relationship with Almighty God.   Many struggle with praying because they feel that their intercession is not much more than empty cries to an invisible God who seems so distant. We often think that our prayers bounce off the ceiling and back to us unheard and unanswered.   But Beloved! God Loves Conversing With You! He promises that He will hear you and answer!   IT TAKES ONLY A FEW SECONDS OF A FACE-TO-FACE ENCOUNTER WITH GOD, TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY FOR YOU, YOUR CITY, OR YOUR NATION.   In Fact, Connecting With God Is The Highest Purpose For Which You Were Created! This is eternal life to know me! (John 17:3)   Our Hunger For God Is What Fuels Our Prayer Life. When His presence is our passion and our hunger is for His heart, we can approach the throne of God boldly with the confidence that our Papa loves our prayers, but having this first love is so important.    For Deborah, intercession was an exchange of ideas in which God began to download strategic battle plans, blue prints from heaven, and keys to open doors that no man can shut, and shut doors that no man can open. Isa. 22:22 How else could she have so wisely judged so many civil cases with the Israelites?   The journey of Deborah is a declaration of the power of just ONE life… …Fully set apart for God.   Deborah Stood As A Prophetic Representation, a suggestion that as a woman who may have been weaker in her physical attributes, she had the word of God! She had a history of going in and lighting the lamps.   She Had A History Of Hearing The Voice Of God In The Secret Place. So swiftly, when the hour came for her tangibly to go into war, she was ready. She was in the place to say yes because she knew the voice of her God.   What Is The Reason Why God Was Attracted To The Life Of Deborah? Prophetess Deborah functioned in the divine dimension of a spirit of wisdom and revelation. It was almost as if God had supernaturally, placed a divine compass in her, always guiding her to Him. The judging that Deborah did so well might have been because of her gift as a prophetess.   She would have been able to make wise decisions if she saw well in the Spirit. She was humble, willing and wise.   In Matthew Henry's Commentary, he writes: “She was a woman of illuminations, or of splendors, one extraordinarily known and wise, and so came to be eminent and illustrious. She was intimately acquainted with God, she was a prophetess, and one that instructed others in divine knowledge by the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and had gifts of wisdom, to which she attained not in an ordinary way; she heard words of God, and she probably saw visions of the Almighty. She was totally devoted to Israel. After Jehovah, Israel was she first love.”   Deborah Was One Who Received Fresh Instructions From Heaven,and though she knew how evil the oppression of King Jabin was, she also knew that with God anything is possible! Something in Deborah knew how to pull on the sources of heaven, standing in the guidance of the Lord (Jer. 23) and open her mouth and let Him fill it (Psa. 81:10).   She Was A Mother Of Israel. What made this woman a mother of Israel?  Deborah loved well. Imagine facing the unending line of people all needing a touch of heaven. Imagine her tired eyes looking out on the faces of His design as she felt the ache in their hearts for God. They had come so far, how could they leave empty handed? The eleven other scattered tribes of Israel walked for miles and risked their lives on the dangerous highways as they struggled through to hear from God, through Deborah's voice.    In Judges 5:6-8, listen to what she says. “The highways were deserted, and the travelers walked along the byways. Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, Arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; then there was war in the gates.” I believe that Deborah could hear the groans of the Israelites who were oppressed for 20 years and feel the throbbing pain in God's heart over His people's sin and oppression.   I Believe That It Was Her Ability To Hear His Heartbeat That Allowed Her To Save A Nation In A Day. Deborah ruled with the sword of a prophet but the staff of a shepherd -- she truly loved God's people. She always led well. She led by loving.   Military Policymaker Deborah Was More Than A Judge; She Was Used To Deliver Israel From The Second Longest Captivity. As a prophetess and military strategist, she called the nation to war. She not only brandished the hand of God but also operated with the heart of God. You see, Deborah was a deliverer! She Loved The People And They Loved Her. She Delivered Them From A Great Enemy.   The Lord literally issued a clear prophetic word to summon Barak, the Israeli commander, to rally the troops for battle against impossible odds. Why? Because the Hebrews had no weapons -- none. They had all been taken away by the Canaanites.   God Showed Deborah The Secrets Of How To Win The Battle. She brought a holy “about-face” to the wicked plans of Israel. When the city gates were at war, Deborah, a mother of Israel who was willing to lay down her life for her God and county, arose.   Why We Need Deborahs To Arise And Shine Today There is a cry going out from the hearts of God's people about the oppression the church is under  from the enemy.   Heaven Is Aware Of The Issues Affecting The People Of God. But, until a cry goes out from the people of God, the hands of Heaven are tied.   Without A Cry, We Show We Are Satisfied Or Comfortable With The Way Things Are. The harassment had been going on for well over 20 years. How long do we put up with things before we cry out for change?    GOD HAS BEEN WATCHING AND STIRRING UP DEBORAHS FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW AND THE TIMING IS RIGHT.   When We Get To The Place To Where Revival Itself Isn't Enough, But We Must See Change Take Place, We Know We Are On The Verge Of Something Great.   We Have Got To Get To The Place That We Don't Just Want Change, But We Are Willing To Rise Up And Put Our Hands To The Plow, To See Change Occur.   Actions truly do speak louder than words.   Deborah Represents The Steadiness And Dependability Necessary To Both Win And Keep Victory. Barak means “lightning flash”. That is temporary. We don't need a temporary fix or a temporary anointing. If a temporary, quick fix was enough; we would be in a great position by now! We didn't get to where we are at quickly, and the victory must be won with reliability and dedication.   When Deborah Arose, The Warriors Returned. There is a group of God's warriors who are waiting for someone to rise up and lead them back to the place and position for which they have been created. God bestowed peace and victory for 40 years. The time of victory was twice as long as the time of oppression. The sad part is that after the 40 years, the Israelites went back to their wicked ways and found themselves in a place of oppression again.   Let Us Be Men And Woman Who Will Stand In The Breach And Go Before God And Cry Out In Intercession These Very Words,   “Lord, we need restoration! Lord, we need the Kingdom of God to break in with the resurrection power of life!”   This Is A Call To Combat! This is a call for you to say that you want to hear the voice of God… … From the secret place. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably, with reverence and awe.” -Hebrews 12:28   Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed, as long as the complete message, Website, podcast link and information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You! 2023 "THE MESSENGER"  - Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com www.marylindow.podbean.com   If you would be so kind and assist Mary helping her to meet other administrative needs such as website and podcast costs, or desire to bless her service in ministry with Spirit-led Love gifts or regular support:   Please JOYFULLY send your gift in the form of:  ► Personal Checks ► Business Checks ► Money Orders ► Cashiers Checks To:    His Beloved Ministries Inc.  PO Box 1253 Denver, Colorado 80614
 USA    Or feel free to use our send a tax-deductible gift with   Pay Pal   paypal.me/mlindow  Under the name of - His Beloved Ministries Inc.    ALL gifts are tax-deductible under His Beloved Ministries 5013c non-profit status.   We are financially accountable and have been in full compliance since 1985 with Clergy Financial Advantage. THANK YOU!

In this episode, Jabin shares some insight on how to truly lead!For more from Jabin:Jabin's InstagramCity Light ChurchCity Light Church YouTubePreaching Masterclass

In this episode, Jabin shares his thoughts along with Pastor David Hall, on what they believe makes a great leader! For more from Jabin:Jabin's InstagramCity Light ChurchCity Light Church YouTubePreaching Masterclass

Proper 27 First Psalm: Psalm 23; Psalm 27; Psalm 83 Psalm 23 (Listen) The Lord Is My Shepherd A Psalm of David. 23   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.13     He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness2    for his name's sake. 4   Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,3    I will fear no evil,  for you are with me;    your rod and your staff,    they comfort me. 5   You prepare a table before me    in the presence of my enemies;  you anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows.6   Surely4 goodness and mercy5 shall follow me    all the days of my life,  and I shall dwell6 in the house of the LORD    forever.7 Footnotes [1] 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest [2] 23:3 Or in right paths [3] 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness [4] 23:6 Or Only [5] 23:6 Or steadfast love [6] 23:6 Or shall return to dwell [7] 23:6 Hebrew for length of days (ESV) Psalm 27 (Listen) The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation Of David. 27   The LORD is my light and my salvation;    whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold1 of my life;    of whom shall I be afraid? 2   When evildoers assail me    to eat up my flesh,  my adversaries and foes,    it is they who stumble and fall. 3   Though an army encamp against me,    my heart shall not fear;  though war arise against me,    yet2 I will be confident. 4   One thing have I asked of the LORD,    that will I seek after:  that I may dwell in the house of the LORD    all the days of my life,  to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD    and to inquire3 in his temple. 5   For he will hide me in his shelter    in the day of trouble;  he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;    he will lift me high upon a rock. 6   And now my head shall be lifted up    above my enemies all around me,  and I will offer in his tent    sacrifices with shouts of joy;  I will sing and make melody to the LORD. 7   Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;    be gracious to me and answer me!8   You have said, “Seek4 my face.”  My heart says to you,    “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”59     Hide not your face from me.  Turn not your servant away in anger,    O you who have been my help.  Cast me not off; forsake me not,    O God of my salvation!10   For my father and my mother have forsaken me,    but the LORD will take me in. 11   Teach me your way, O LORD,    and lead me on a level path    because of my enemies.12   Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;    for false witnesses have risen against me,    and they breathe out violence. 13   I believe that I shall look6 upon the goodness of the LORD    in the land of the living!14   Wait for the LORD;    be strong, and let your heart take courage;    wait for the LORD! Footnotes [1] 27:1 Or refuge [2] 27:3 Or in this [3] 27:4 Or meditate [4] 27:8 The command (seek) is addressed to more than one person [5] 27:8 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain [6] 27:13 Other Hebrew manuscripts Oh! Had I not believed that I would look (ESV) Psalm 83 (Listen) O God, Do Not Keep Silence A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. 83   O God, do not keep silence;    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!2   For behold, your enemies make an uproar;    those who hate you have raised their heads.3   They lay crafty plans against your people;    they consult together against your treasured ones.4   They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”5   For they conspire with one accord;    against you they make a covenant—6   the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,    Moab and the Hagrites,7   Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,    Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;8   Asshur also has joined them;    they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah 9   Do to them as you did to Midian,    as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,10   who were destroyed at En-dor,    who became dung for the ground.11   Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,    all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,12   who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves    of the pastures of God.” 13   O my God, make them like whirling dust,1    like chaff before the wind.14   As fire consumes the forest,    as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,15   so may you pursue them with your tempest    and terrify them with your hurricane!16   Fill their faces with shame,    that they may seek your name, O LORD.17   Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;    let them perish in disgrace,18   that they may know that you alone,    whose name is the LORD,    are the Most High over all the earth. Footnotes [1] 83:13 Or like a tumbleweed (ESV) Second Psalm: Psalms 85–86 Psalms 85–86 (Listen) Revive Us Again To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. 85   LORD, you were favorable to your land;    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.2   You forgave the iniquity of your people;    you covered all their sin. Selah3   You withdrew all your wrath;    you turned from your hot anger. 4   Restore us again, O God of our salvation,    and put away your indignation toward us!5   Will you be angry with us forever?    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?6   Will you not revive us again,    that your people may rejoice in you?7   Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,    and grant us your salvation. 8   Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;    but let them not turn back to folly.9   Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,    that glory may dwell in our land. 10   Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;    righteousness and peace kiss each other.11   Faithfulness springs up from the ground,    and righteousness looks down from the sky.12   Yes, the LORD will give what is good,    and our land will yield its increase.13   Righteousness will go before him    and make his footsteps a way. Great Is Your Steadfast Love A Prayer of David. 86   Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me,    for I am poor and needy.2   Preserve my life, for I am godly;    save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.3   Be gracious to me, O Lord,    for to you do I cry all the day.4   Gladden the soul of your servant,    for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.5   For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.6   Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;    listen to my plea for grace.7   In the day of my trouble I call upon you,    for you answer me. 8   There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,    nor are there any works like yours.9   All the nations you have made shall come    and worship before you, O Lord,    and shall glorify your name.10   For you are great and do wondrous things;    you alone are God.11   Teach me your way, O LORD,    that I may walk in your truth;    unite my heart to fear your name.12   I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,    and I will glorify your name forever.13   For great is your steadfast love toward me;    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 14   O God, insolent men have risen up against me;    a band of ruthless men seeks my life,    and they do not set you before them.15   But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.16   Turn to me and be gracious to me;    give your strength to your servant,    and save the son of your maidservant.17   Show me a sign of your favor,    that those who hate me may see and be put to shame    because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. (ESV) Old Testament: 1 Maccabees 1:1-28 New Testament: Revelation 19:1–10 Revelation 19:1–10 (Listen) Rejoicing in Heaven 19 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,   “Hallelujah!  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,2     for his judgments are true and just;  for he has judged the great prostitute    who corrupted the earth with her immorality,  and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” 3 Once more they cried out,   “Hallelujah!  The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice saying,   “Praise our God,    all you his servants,  you who fear him,    small and great.” The Marriage Supper of the Lamb 6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,   “Hallelujah!  For the Lord our God    the Almighty reigns.7   Let us rejoice and exult    and give him the glory,  for the marriage of the Lamb has come,    and his Bride has made herself ready;8   it was granted her to clothe herself    with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said1 to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Footnotes [1] 19:9 Greek he said (ESV) Gospel: Matthew 16:1–12 Matthew 16:1–12 (Listen) The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs 16 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them,1 “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees 5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 83 Psalm 83 (Listen) O God, Do Not Keep Silence A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. 83   O God, do not keep silence;    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!2   For behold, your enemies make an uproar;    those who hate you have raised their heads.3   They lay crafty plans against your people;    they consult together against your treasured ones.4   They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”5   For they conspire with one accord;    against you they make a covenant—6   the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,    Moab and the Hagrites,7   Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,    Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;8   Asshur also has joined them;    they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah 9   Do to them as you did to Midian,    as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,10   who were destroyed at En-dor,    who became dung for the ground.11   Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,    all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,12   who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves    of the pastures of God.” 13   O my God, make them like whirling dust,1    like chaff before the wind.14   As fire consumes the forest,    as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,15   so may you pursue them with your tempest    and terrify them with your hurricane!16   Fill their faces with shame,    that they may seek your name, O LORD.17   Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;    let them perish in disgrace,18   that they may know that you alone,    whose name is the LORD,    are the Most High over all the earth. Footnotes [1] 83:13 Or like a tumbleweed (ESV) Pentateuch and History: 1 Kings 15:25–16:34 1 Kings 15:25–16:34 (Listen) Nadab Reigns in Israel 25 Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. 26 He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin which he made Israel to sin. 27 Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him. And Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, for Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. 28 So Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa king of Judah and reigned in his place. 29 And as soon as he was king, he killed all the house of Jeroboam. He left to the house of Jeroboam not one that breathed, until he had destroyed it, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. 30 It was for the sins of Jeroboam that he sinned and that he made Israel to sin, and because of the anger to which he provoked the LORD, the God of Israel. 31 Now the rest of the acts of Nadab and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. Baasha Reigns in Israel 33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel at Tirzah, and he reigned twenty-four years. 34 He did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he made Israel to sin. 16 And the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying, 2 “Since I exalted you out of the dust and made you leader over my people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, provoking me to anger with their sins, 3 behold, I will utterly sweep away Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 4 Anyone belonging to Baasha who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the field the birds of the heavens shall eat.” 5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 6 And Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried at Tirzah, and Elah his son reigned in his place. 7 Moreover, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and also because he destroyed it. Elah Reigns in Israel 8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha began to reign over Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned two years. 9 But his servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. When he was at Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah, 10 Zimri came in and struck him down and killed him, in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his place. 11 When he began to reign, as soon as he had seated himself on his throne, he struck down all the house of Baasha. He did not leave him a single male of his relatives or his friends. 12 Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, 13 for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned and which they made Israel to sin, provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their idols. 14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? Zimri Reigns in Israel 15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. Now the troops were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, 16 and the troops who were encamped heard it said, “Zimri has conspired, and he has killed the king.” Therefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp. 17 So Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. 18 And when Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king's house and burned the king's house over him with fire and died, 19 because of his sins that he committed, doing evil in the sight of the LORD, walking in the way of Jeroboam, and for his sin which he committed, making Israel to sin. 20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and the conspiracy that he made, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? Omri Reigns in Israel 21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. 22 But the people who followed Omri overcame the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri became king. 23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for twelve years; six years he reigned in Tirzah. 24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents1 of silver, and he fortified the hill and called the name of the city that he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill. 25 Omri did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did more evil than all who were before him. 26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols. 27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri that he did, and the might that he showed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 28 And Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria, and Ahab his son reigned in his place. Ahab Reigns in Israel 29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. 31 And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. 32 He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. 33 And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 34 In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun. Footnotes [1] 16:24 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Ezekiel 46 Ezekiel 46 (Listen) The Prince and the Feasts 46 “Thus says the Lord GOD: The gate of the inner court that faces east shall be shut on the six working days, but on the Sabbath day it shall be opened, and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened. 2 The prince shall enter by the vestibule of the gate from outside, and shall take his stand by the post of the gate. The priests shall offer his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he shall go out, but the gate shall not be shut until evening. 3 The people of the land shall bow down at the entrance of that gate before the LORD on the Sabbaths and on the new moons. 4 The burnt offering that the prince offers to the LORD on the Sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish and a ram without blemish. 5 And the grain offering with the ram shall be an ephah,1 and the grain offering with the lambs shall be as much as he is able, together with a hin2 of oil to each ephah. 6 On the day of the new moon he shall offer a bull from the herd without blemish, and six lambs and a ram, which shall be without blemish. 7 As a grain offering he shall provide an ephah with the bull and an ephah with the ram, and with the lambs as much as he is able, together with a hin of oil to each ephah. 8 When the prince enters, he shall enter by the vestibule of the gate, and he shall go out by the same way. 9 “When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, he who enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate, and he who enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: no one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered, but each shall go out straight ahead. 10 When they enter, the prince shall enter with them, and when they go out, he shall go out. 11 “At the feasts and the appointed festivals, the grain offering with a young bull shall be an ephah, and with a ram an ephah, and with the lambs as much as one is able to give, together with a hin of oil to an ephah. 12 When the prince provides a freewill offering, either a burnt offering or peace offerings as a freewill offering to the LORD, the gate facing east shall be opened for him. And he shall offer his burnt offering or his peace offerings as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and after he has gone out the gate shall be shut. 13 “You shall provide a lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering to the LORD daily; morning by morning you shall provide it. 14 And you shall provide a grain offering with it morning by morning, one sixth of an ephah, and one third of a hin of oil to moisten the flour, as a grain offering to the LORD. This is a perpetual statute. 15 Thus the lamb and the meal offering and the oil shall be provided, morning by morning, for a regular burnt offering. 16 “Thus says the Lord GOD: If the prince makes a gift to any of his sons as his inheritance, it shall belong to his sons. It is their property by inheritance. 17 But if he makes a gift out of his inheritance to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty. Then it shall revert to the prince; surely it is his inheritance—it shall belong to his sons. 18 The prince shall not take any of the inheritance of the people, thrusting them out of their property. He shall give his sons their inheritance out of his own property, so that none of my people shall be scattered from his property.” Boiling Places for Offerings 19 Then he brought me through the entrance, which was at the side of the gate, to the north row of the holy chambers for the priests, and behold, a place was there at the extreme western end of them. 20 And he said to me, “This is the place where the priests shall boil the guilt offering and the sin offering, and where they shall bake the grain offering, in order not to bring them out into the outer court and so transmit holiness to the people.” 21 Then he brought me out to the outer court and led me around to the four corners of the court. And behold, in each corner of the court there was another court—22 in the four corners of the court were small3 courts, forty cubits4 long and thirty broad; the four were of the same size. 23 On the inside, around each of the four courts was a row of masonry, with hearths made at the bottom of the rows all around. 24 Then he said to me, “These are the kitchens where those who minister at the temple shall boil the sacrifices of the people.” Footnotes [1] 46:5 An ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters [2] 46:5 A hin was about 4 quarts or 3.5 liters [3] 46:22 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain [4] 46:22 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Romans 15:1–13 Romans 15:1–13 (Listen) The Example of Christ 15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,   “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,    and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said,   “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again,   “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,    and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says,   “The root of Jesse will come,    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;  in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV)

With family: 1 Kings 3; Ephesians 1 1 Kings 3 (Listen) Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom 3 Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt. He took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. 2 The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the LORD. 3 Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 6 And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 10 It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 14 And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” 15 And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants. Solomon's Wisdom 16 Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 The one woman said, “Oh, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. 18 Then on the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth. And we were alone. There was no one else with us in the house; only we two were in the house. 19 And this woman's son died in the night, because she lay on him. 20 And she arose at midnight and took my son from beside me, while your servant slept, and laid him at her breast, and laid her dead son at my breast. 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, behold, he was dead. But when I looked at him closely in the morning, behold, he was not the child that I had borne.” 22 But the other woman said, “No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.” The first said, “No, the dead child is yours, and the living child is mine.” Thus they spoke before the king. 23 Then the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son that is alive, and your son is dead'; and the other says, ‘No; but your son is dead, and my son is the living one.'” 24 And the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose son was alive said to the king, because her heart yearned for her son, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means put him to death.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.” 27 Then the king answered and said, “Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.” 28 And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice. (ESV) Ephesians 1 (Listen) Greeting 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful1 in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us2 for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known3 to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee4 of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,5 to the praise of his glory. Thanksgiving and Prayer 15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love6 toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Footnotes [1] 1:1 Some manuscripts saints who are also faithful (omitting in Ephesus) [2] 1:5 Or before him in love, 5having predestined us [3] 1:9 Or he lavished upon us in all wisdom and insight, making known . . . [4] 1:14 Or down payment [5] 1:14 Or until God redeems his possession [6] 1:15 Some manuscripts omit your love (ESV) In private: Psalms 83–84; Ezekiel 34 Psalms 83–84 (Listen) O God, Do Not Keep Silence A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. 83   O God, do not keep silence;    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!2   For behold, your enemies make an uproar;    those who hate you have raised their heads.3   They lay crafty plans against your people;    they consult together against your treasured ones.4   They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”5   For they conspire with one accord;    against you they make a covenant—6   the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,    Moab and the Hagrites,7   Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,    Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;8   Asshur also has joined them;    they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah 9   Do to them as you did to Midian,    as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,10   who were destroyed at En-dor,    who became dung for the ground.11   Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,    all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,12   who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves    of the pastures of God.” 13   O my God, make them like whirling dust,1    like chaff before the wind.14   As fire consumes the forest,    as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,15   so may you pursue them with your tempest    and terrify them with your hurricane!16   Fill their faces with shame,    that they may seek your name, O LORD.17   Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;    let them perish in disgrace,18   that they may know that you alone,    whose name is the LORD,    are the Most High over all the earth. My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.2 A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. 84   How lovely is your dwelling place,    O LORD of hosts!2   My soul longs, yes, faints    for the courts of the LORD;  my heart and flesh sing for joy    to the living God. 3   Even the sparrow finds a home,    and the swallow a nest for herself,    where she may lay her young,  at your altars, O LORD of hosts,    my King and my God.4   Blessed are those who dwell in your house,    ever singing your praise! Selah 5   Blessed are those whose strength is in you,    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.36   As they go through the Valley of Baca    they make it a place of springs;    the early rain also covers it with pools.7   They go from strength to strength;    each one appears before God in Zion. 8   O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah9   Behold our shield, O God;    look on the face of your anointed! 10   For a day in your courts is better    than a thousand elsewhere.  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.11   For the LORD God is a sun and shield;    the LORD bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does he withhold    from those who walk uprightly.12   O LORD of hosts,    blessed is the one who trusts in you! Footnotes [1] 83:13 Or like a tumbleweed [2] 84:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [3] 84:5 Hebrew lacks to Zion (ESV) Ezekiel 34 (Listen) Prophecy Against the Shepherds of Israel 34 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; 6 they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. 7 “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8 As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 10 Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them. The Lord God Will Seek Them Out 11 “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy.1 I will feed them in justice. 17 “As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats. 18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? 19 And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet? 20 “Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 22 I will rescue2 my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken. The Lord's Covenant of Peace 25 “I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild beasts from the land, so that they may dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. 26 And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. 27 And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land. And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them. 28 They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them. They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid. 29 And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations. 30 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord GOD. 31 And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Lord GOD.” Footnotes [1] 34:16 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate I will watch over [2] 34:22 Or save (ESV)

Old Testament: Isaiah 5–7 Isaiah 5–7 (Listen) The Vineyard of the Lord Destroyed 5   Let me sing for my beloved    my love song concerning his vineyard:  My beloved had a vineyard    on a very fertile hill.2   He dug it and cleared it of stones,    and planted it with choice vines;  he built a watchtower in the midst of it,    and hewed out a wine vat in it;  and he looked for it to yield grapes,    but it yielded wild grapes. 3   And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem    and men of Judah,  judge between me and my vineyard.4   What more was there to do for my vineyard,    that I have not done in it?  When I looked for it to yield grapes,    why did it yield wild grapes? 5   And now I will tell you    what I will do to my vineyard.  I will remove its hedge,    and it shall be devoured;1  I will break down its wall,    and it shall be trampled down.6   I will make it a waste;    it shall not be pruned or hoed,    and briers and thorns shall grow up;  I will also command the clouds    that they rain no rain upon it. 7   For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts    is the house of Israel,  and the men of Judah    are his pleasant planting;  and he looked for justice,    but behold, bloodshed;2  for righteousness,    but behold, an outcry!3 Woe to the Wicked 8   Woe to those who join house to house,    who add field to field,  until there is no more room,    and you are made to dwell alone    in the midst of the land.9   The LORD of hosts has sworn in my hearing:  “Surely many houses shall be desolate,    large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant.10   For ten acres4 of vineyard shall yield but one bath,    and a homer of seed shall yield but an ephah.”5 11   Woe to those who rise early in the morning,    that they may run after strong drink,  who tarry late into the evening    as wine inflames them!12   They have lyre and harp,    tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts,  but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD,    or see the work of his hands. 13   Therefore my people go into exile    for lack of knowledge;6  their honored men go hungry,7    and their multitude is parched with thirst.14   Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite    and opened its mouth beyond measure,  and the nobility of Jerusalem8 and her multitude will go down,    her revelers and he who exults in her.15   Man is humbled, and each one is brought low,    and the eyes of the haughty9 are brought low.16   But the LORD of hosts is exalted10 in justice,    and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.17   Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture,    and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich. 18   Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,    who draw sin as with cart ropes,19   who say: “Let him be quick,    let him speed his work    that we may see it;  let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near,    and let it come, that we may know it!”20   Woe to those who call evil good    and good evil,  who put darkness for light    and light for darkness,  who put bitter for sweet    and sweet for bitter!21   Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,    and shrewd in their own sight!22   Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine,    and valiant men in mixing strong drink,23   who acquit the guilty for a bribe,    and deprive the innocent of his right! 24   Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble,    and as dry grass sinks down in the flame,  so their root will be as rottenness,    and their blossom go up like dust;  for they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts,    and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.25   Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people,    and he stretched out his hand against them and struck them,    and the mountains quaked;  and their corpses were as refuse    in the midst of the streets.  For all this his anger has not turned away,    and his hand is stretched out still. 26   He will raise a signal for nations far away,    and whistle for them from the ends of the earth;  and behold, quickly, speedily they come!27   None is weary, none stumbles,    none slumbers or sleeps,  not a waistband is loose,    not a sandal strap broken;28   their arrows are sharp,    all their bows bent,  their horses' hoofs seem like flint,    and their wheels like the whirlwind.29   Their roaring is like a lion,    like young lions they roar;  they growl and seize their prey;    they carry it off, and none can rescue.30   They will growl over it on that day,    like the growling of the sea.  And if one looks to the land,    behold, darkness and distress;  and the light is darkened by its clouds. Isaiah's Vision of the Lord 6 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train11 of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:   “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;  the whole earth is full of his glory!”12 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah's Commission from the Lord 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” 9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people:   “‘Keep on hearing,13 but do not understand;  keep on seeing,14 but do not perceive.'10   Make the heart of this people dull,15    and their ears heavy,    and blind their eyes;  lest they see with their eyes,    and hear with their ears,  and understand with their hearts,    and turn and be healed.”11   Then I said, “How long, O Lord?”  And he said:  “Until cities lie waste    without inhabitant,  and houses without people,    and the land is a desolate waste,12   and the LORD removes people far away,    and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.13   And though a tenth remain in it,    it will be burned16 again,  like a terebinth or an oak,    whose stump remains    when it is felled.”  The holy seed17 is its stump. Isaiah Sent to King Ahaz 7 In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it. 2 When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with18 Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz19 and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind. 3 And the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub20 your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field. 4 And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. 5 Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying, 6 “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it21 for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,” 7 thus says the Lord GOD:   “‘It shall not stand,    and it shall not come to pass.8   For the head of Syria is Damascus,    and the head of Damascus is Rezin.  And within sixty-five years    Ephraim will be shattered from being a people.9   And the head of Ephraim is Samaria,    and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah.  If you22 are not firm in faith,    you will not be firm at all.'” The Sign of Immanuel 10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the LORD your23 God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” 13 And he24 said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.25 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!” 18 In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.26 20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River27—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also. 21 In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, 22 and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey. 23 In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels28 of silver, will become briers and thorns. 24 With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns. 25 And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread. Footnotes [1] 5:5 Or grazed over; compare Exodus 22:5 [2] 5:7 The Hebrew words for justice and bloodshed sound alike [3] 5:7 The Hebrew words for righteous and outcry sound alike [4] 5:10 Hebrew ten yoke, the area ten yoke of oxen can plow in a day [5] 5:10 A bath was about 6 gallons or 22 liters; a homer was about 6 bushels or 220 liters; an ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters [6] 5:13 Or without their knowledge [7] 5:13 Or die of hunger [8] 5:14 Hebrew her nobility [9] 5:15 Hebrew high [10] 5:16 Hebrew high [11] 6:1 Or hem [12] 6:3 Or may his glory fill the whole earth [13] 6:9 Or Hear indeed [14] 6:9 Or see indeed [15] 6:10 Hebrew fat [16] 6:13 Or purged [17] 6:13 Or offspring [18] 7:2 Hebrew Syria has rested upon [19] 7:2 Hebrew his heart [20] 7:3 Shear-jashub means A remnant shall return [21] 7:6 Hebrew let us split it open [22] 7:9 The Hebrew for you is plural in verses 9, 13, 14 [23] 7:11 The Hebrew for you and your is singular in verses 11, 16, 17 [24] 7:13 That is, Isaiah [25] 7:14 Immanuel means God is with us [26] 7:19 Or watering holes, or brambles [27] 7:20 That is, the Euphrates [28] 7:23 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 83 Psalm 83 (Listen) O God, Do Not Keep Silence A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. 83   O God, do not keep silence;    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!2   For behold, your enemies make an uproar;    those who hate you have raised their heads.3   They lay crafty plans against your people;    they consult together against your treasured ones.4   They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”5   For they conspire with one accord;    against you they make a covenant—6   the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,    Moab and the Hagrites,7   Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,    Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;

Old Testament: Isaiah 5–7 Isaiah 5–7 (Listen) The Vineyard of the Lord Destroyed 5   Let me sing for my beloved    my love song concerning his vineyard:  My beloved had a vineyard    on a very fertile hill.2   He dug it and cleared it of stones,    and planted it with choice vines;  he built a watchtower in the midst of it,    and hewed out a wine vat in it;  and he looked for it to yield grapes,    but it yielded wild grapes. 3   And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem    and men of Judah,  judge between me and my vineyard.4   What more was there to do for my vineyard,    that I have not done in it?  When I looked for it to yield grapes,    why did it yield wild grapes? 5   And now I will tell you    what I will do to my vineyard.  I will remove its hedge,    and it shall be devoured;1  I will break down its wall,    and it shall be trampled down.6   I will make it a waste;    it shall not be pruned or hoed,    and briers and thorns shall grow up;  I will also command the clouds    that they rain no rain upon it. 7   For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts    is the house of Israel,  and the men of Judah    are his pleasant planting;  and he looked for justice,    but behold, bloodshed;2  for righteousness,    but behold, an outcry!3 Woe to the Wicked 8   Woe to those who join house to house,    who add field to field,  until there is no more room,    and you are made to dwell alone    in the midst of the land.9   The LORD of hosts has sworn in my hearing:  “Surely many houses shall be desolate,    large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant.10   For ten acres4 of vineyard shall yield but one bath,    and a homer of seed shall yield but an ephah.”5 11   Woe to those who rise early in the morning,    that they may run after strong drink,  who tarry late into the evening    as wine inflames them!12   They have lyre and harp,    tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts,  but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD,    or see the work of his hands. 13   Therefore my people go into exile    for lack of knowledge;6  their honored men go hungry,7    and their multitude is parched with thirst.14   Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite    and opened its mouth beyond measure,  and the nobility of Jerusalem8 and her multitude will go down,    her revelers and he who exults in her.15   Man is humbled, and each one is brought low,    and the eyes of the haughty9 are brought low.16   But the LORD of hosts is exalted10 in justice,    and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.17   Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture,    and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich. 18   Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,    who draw sin as with cart ropes,19   who say: “Let him be quick,    let him speed his work    that we may see it;  let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near,    and let it come, that we may know it!”20   Woe to those who call evil good    and good evil,  who put darkness for light    and light for darkness,  who put bitter for sweet    and sweet for bitter!21   Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,    and shrewd in their own sight!22   Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine,    and valiant men in mixing strong drink,23   who acquit the guilty for a bribe,    and deprive the innocent of his right! 24   Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble,    and as dry grass sinks down in the flame,  so their root will be as rottenness,    and their blossom go up like dust;  for they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts,    and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.25   Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people,    and he stretched out his hand against them and struck them,    and the mountains quaked;  and their corpses were as refuse    in the midst of the streets.  For all this his anger has not turned away,    and his hand is stretched out still. 26   He will raise a signal for nations far away,    and whistle for them from the ends of the earth;  and behold, quickly, speedily they come!27   None is weary, none stumbles,    none slumbers or sleeps,  not a waistband is loose,    not a sandal strap broken;28   their arrows are sharp,    all their bows bent,  their horses' hoofs seem like flint,    and their wheels like the whirlwind.29   Their roaring is like a lion,    like young lions they roar;  they growl and seize their prey;    they carry it off, and none can rescue.30   They will growl over it on that day,    like the growling of the sea.  And if one looks to the land,    behold, darkness and distress;  and the light is darkened by its clouds. Isaiah's Vision of the Lord 6 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train11 of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said:   “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;  the whole earth is full of his glory!”12 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah's Commission from the Lord 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” 9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people:   “‘Keep on hearing,13 but do not understand;  keep on seeing,14 but do not perceive.'10   Make the heart of this people dull,15    and their ears heavy,    and blind their eyes;  lest they see with their eyes,    and hear with their ears,  and understand with their hearts,    and turn and be healed.”11   Then I said, “How long, O Lord?”  And he said:  “Until cities lie waste    without inhabitant,  and houses without people,    and the land is a desolate waste,12   and the LORD removes people far away,    and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.13   And though a tenth remain in it,    it will be burned16 again,  like a terebinth or an oak,    whose stump remains    when it is felled.”  The holy seed17 is its stump. Isaiah Sent to King Ahaz 7 In the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, Rezin the king of Syria and Pekah the son of Remaliah the king of Israel came up to Jerusalem to wage war against it, but could not yet mount an attack against it. 2 When the house of David was told, “Syria is in league with18 Ephraim,” the heart of Ahaz19 and the heart of his people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind. 3 And the LORD said to Isaiah, “Go out to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-jashub20 your son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field. 4 And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah. 5 Because Syria, with Ephraim and the son of Remaliah, has devised evil against you, saying, 6 “Let us go up against Judah and terrify it, and let us conquer it21 for ourselves, and set up the son of Tabeel as king in the midst of it,” 7 thus says the Lord GOD:   “‘It shall not stand,    and it shall not come to pass.8   For the head of Syria is Damascus,    and the head of Damascus is Rezin.  And within sixty-five years    Ephraim will be shattered from being a people.9   And the head of Ephraim is Samaria,    and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah.  If you22 are not firm in faith,    you will not be firm at all.'” The Sign of Immanuel 10 Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign of the LORD your23 God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.” 13 And he24 said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.25 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The LORD will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!” 18 In that day the LORD will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.26 20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River27—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also. 21 In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, 22 and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey. 23 In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels28 of silver, will become briers and thorns. 24 With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns. 25 And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread. Footnotes [1] 5:5 Or grazed over; compare Exodus 22:5 [2] 5:7 The Hebrew words for justice and bloodshed sound alike [3] 5:7 The Hebrew words for righteous and outcry sound alike [4] 5:10 Hebrew ten yoke, the area ten yoke of oxen can plow in a day [5] 5:10 A bath was about 6 gallons or 22 liters; a homer was about 6 bushels or 220 liters; an ephah was about 3/5 bushel or 22 liters [6] 5:13 Or without their knowledge [7] 5:13 Or die of hunger [8] 5:14 Hebrew her nobility [9] 5:15 Hebrew high [10] 5:16 Hebrew high [11] 6:1 Or hem [12] 6:3 Or may his glory fill the whole earth [13] 6:9 Or Hear indeed [14] 6:9 Or see indeed [15] 6:10 Hebrew fat [16] 6:13 Or purged [17] 6:13 Or offspring [18] 7:2 Hebrew Syria has rested upon [19] 7:2 Hebrew his heart [20] 7:3 Shear-jashub means A remnant shall return [21] 7:6 Hebrew let us split it open [22] 7:9 The Hebrew for you is plural in verses 9, 13, 14 [23] 7:11 The Hebrew for you and your is singular in verses 11, 16, 17 [24] 7:13 That is, Isaiah [25] 7:14 Immanuel means God is with us [26] 7:19 Or watering holes, or brambles [27] 7:20 That is, the Euphrates [28] 7:23 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams (ESV) New Testament: Hebrews 4:14–5:10 Hebrews 4:14–5:10 (Listen) Jesus the Great High Priest 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 5 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,   “You are my Son,    today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place,   “You are a priest forever,    after the order of Melchizedek.”

Proper 20 First Psalm: Psalm 83; Psalms 146–147 Psalm 83 (Listen) O God, Do Not Keep Silence A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. 83   O God, do not keep silence;    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!2   For behold, your enemies make an uproar;    those who hate you have raised their heads.3   They lay crafty plans against your people;    they consult together against your treasured ones.4   They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”5   For they conspire with one accord;    against you they make a covenant—6   the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,    Moab and the Hagrites,7   Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,    Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;8   Asshur also has joined them;    they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah 9   Do to them as you did to Midian,    as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,10   who were destroyed at En-dor,    who became dung for the ground.11   Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,    all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,12   who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves    of the pastures of God.” 13   O my God, make them like whirling dust,1    like chaff before the wind.14   As fire consumes the forest,    as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,15   so may you pursue them with your tempest    and terrify them with your hurricane!16   Fill their faces with shame,    that they may seek your name, O LORD.17   Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;    let them perish in disgrace,18   that they may know that you alone,    whose name is the LORD,    are the Most High over all the earth. Footnotes [1] 83:13 Or like a tumbleweed (ESV) Psalms 146–147 (Listen) Put Not Your Trust in Princes 146   Praise the LORD!  Praise the LORD, O my soul!2   I will praise the LORD as long as I live;    I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3   Put not your trust in princes,    in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.4   When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;    on that very day his plans perish. 5   Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,    whose hope is in the LORD his God,6   who made heaven and earth,    the sea, and all that is in them,  who keeps faith forever;7     who executes justice for the oppressed,    who gives food to the hungry.   The LORD sets the prisoners free;8     the LORD opens the eyes of the blind.  The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;    the LORD loves the righteous.9   The LORD watches over the sojourners;    he upholds the widow and the fatherless,    but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 10   The LORD will reign forever,    your God, O Zion, to all generations.  Praise the LORD! He Heals the Brokenhearted 147   Praise the LORD!  For it is good to sing praises to our God;    for it is pleasant,1 and a song of praise is fitting.2   The LORD builds up Jerusalem;    he gathers the outcasts of Israel.3   He heals the brokenhearted    and binds up their wounds.4   He determines the number of the stars;    he gives to all of them their names.5   Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;    his understanding is beyond measure.6   The LORD lifts up the humble;2    he casts the wicked to the ground. 7   Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;    make melody to our God on the lyre!8   He covers the heavens with clouds;    he prepares rain for the earth;    he makes grass grow on the hills.9   He gives to the beasts their food,    and to the young ravens that cry.10   His delight is not in the strength of the horse,    nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,11   but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,    in those who hope in his steadfast love. 12   Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!    Praise your God, O Zion!13   For he strengthens the bars of your gates;    he blesses your children within you.14   He makes peace in your borders;    he fills you with the finest of the wheat.15   He sends out his command to the earth;    his word runs swiftly.16   He gives snow like wool;    he scatters frost like ashes.17   He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;    who can stand before his cold?18   He sends out his word, and melts them;    he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.19   He declares his word to Jacob,    his statutes and rules3 to Israel.20   He has not dealt thus with any other nation;    they do not know his rules.4  Praise the LORD! Footnotes [1] 147:1 Or for he is beautiful [2] 147:6 Or afflicted [3] 147:19 Or and just decrees [4] 147:20 Or his just decrees (ESV) Second Psalm: Psalms 85–86 Psalms 85–86 (Listen) Revive Us Again To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. 85   LORD, you were favorable to your land;    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.2   You forgave the iniquity of your people;    you covered all their sin. Selah3   You withdrew all your wrath;    you turned from your hot anger. 4   Restore us again, O God of our salvation,    and put away your indignation toward us!5   Will you be angry with us forever?    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?6   Will you not revive us again,    that your people may rejoice in you?7   Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,    and grant us your salvation. 8   Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;    but let them not turn back to folly.9   Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,    that glory may dwell in our land. 10   Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;    righteousness and peace kiss each other.11   Faithfulness springs up from the ground,    and righteousness looks down from the sky.12   Yes, the LORD will give what is good,    and our land will yield its increase.13   Righteousness will go before him    and make his footsteps a way. Great Is Your Steadfast Love A Prayer of David. 86   Incline your ear, O LORD, and answer me,    for I am poor and needy.2   Preserve my life, for I am godly;    save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God.3   Be gracious to me, O Lord,    for to you do I cry all the day.4   Gladden the soul of your servant,    for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.5   For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,    abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.6   Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;    listen to my plea for grace.7   In the day of my trouble I call upon you,    for you answer me. 8   There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,    nor are there any works like yours.9   All the nations you have made shall come    and worship before you, O Lord,    and shall glorify your name.10   For you are great and do wondrous things;    you alone are God.11   Teach me your way, O LORD,    that I may walk in your truth;    unite my heart to fear your name.12   I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,    and I will glorify your name forever.13   For great is your steadfast love toward me;    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. 14   O God, insolent men have risen up against me;    a band of ruthless men seeks my life,    and they do not set you before them.15   But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious,    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.16   Turn to me and be gracious to me;    give your strength to your servant,    and save the son of your maidservant.17   Show me a sign of your favor,    that those who hate me may see and be put to shame    because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. (ESV) Old Testament: 2 Kings 9:1–16 2 Kings 9:1–16 (Listen) Jehu Anointed King of Israel 9 Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tie up your garments, and take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. 2 And when you arrive, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. And go in and have him rise from among his fellows, and lead him to an inner chamber. 3 Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the LORD, I anoint you king over Israel.' Then open the door and flee; do not linger.” 4 So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. 5 And when he came, behold, the commanders of the army were in council. And he said, “I have a word for you, O commander.” And Jehu said, “To which of us all?” And he said, “To you, O commander.” 6 So he arose and went into the house. And the young man poured the oil on his head, saying to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, I anoint you king over the people of the LORD, over Israel. 7 And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD. 8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. 9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. 10 And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her.” Then he opened the door and fled. 11 When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, they said to him, “Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the fellow and his talk.” 12 And they said, “That is not true; tell us now.” And he said, “Thus and so he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, I anoint you king over Israel.'” 13 Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare1 steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.” Jehu Assassinates Joram and Ahaziah 14 Thus Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat the son of Nimshi conspired against Joram. (Now Joram with all Israel had been on guard at Ramoth-gilead against Hazael king of Syria, 15 but King Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds that the Syrians had given him, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria.) So Jehu said, “If this is your decision, then let no one slip out of the city to go and tell the news in Jezreel.” 16 Then Jehu mounted his chariot and went to Jezreel, for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah had come down to visit Joram. Footnotes [1] 9:13 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain (ESV) New Testament: 1 Corinthians 6:12–20 1 Corinthians 6:12–20 (Listen) Flee Sexual Immorality 12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined1 to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin2 a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Footnotes [1] 6:16 Or who holds fast (compare Genesis 2:24 and Deuteronomy 10:20); also verse 17 [2] 6:18 Or Every sin (ESV) Gospel: Matthew 6:1–6; Matthew 6:16–18 Matthew 6:1–6 (Listen) Giving to the Needy 6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. The Lord's Prayer 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (ESV) Matthew 6:16–18 (Listen) Fasting 16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (ESV)

In this Bible Story, after decades of waiting, Abraham and Sarah have a son named Isaac. Hagar and Ishmael are sent into the wilderness and God saves them. This story is inspired by Genesis 21:8-21. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year. Today's Bible verse is Genesis 21:22 from the King James Version. Episode 15: The promised son Isaac is finally born! In joy, Abraham and Sarah laugh over the amazement of their situation. And when the boy is old enough to be weaned, Abraham gives a feast in his honor! However, Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar, is displeased, causing strife between Sarah and Ishmael, leading to Hagar and her son being sent away. But, even in their exile, God would not abandon them. Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham. Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living. This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store. Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max Bard Producer: Ben Gammon Hosted by: Pastor Jack Graham Music by: Andrew Morgan Smith Bible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psalms 80–85 Psalms 80–85 (Listen) Restore Us, O God To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Testimony. Of Asaph, a Psalm. 80   Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,    you who lead Joseph like a flock.  You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.2     Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,  stir up your might    and come to save us! 3   Restore us,1 O God;    let your face shine, that we may be saved! 4   O LORD God of hosts,    how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?5   You have fed them with the bread of tears    and given them tears to drink in full measure.6   You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,    and our enemies laugh among themselves. 7   Restore us, O God of hosts;    let your face shine, that we may be saved! 8   You brought a vine out of Egypt;    you drove out the nations and planted it.9   You cleared the ground for it;    it took deep root and filled the land.10   The mountains were covered with its shade,    the mighty cedars with its branches.11   It sent out its branches to the sea    and its shoots to the River.212   Why then have you broken down its walls,    so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?13   The boar from the forest ravages it,    and all that move in the field feed on it. 14   Turn again, O God of hosts!    Look down from heaven, and see;  have regard for this vine,15     the stock that your right hand planted,    and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.16   They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;    may they perish at the rebuke of your face!17   But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,    the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!18   Then we shall not turn back from you;    give us life, and we will call upon your name! 19   Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!    Let your face shine, that we may be saved! Oh, That My People Would Listen to Me To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.3 Of Asaph. 81   Sing aloud to God our strength;    shout for joy to the God of Jacob!2   Raise a song; sound the tambourine,    the sweet lyre with the harp.3   Blow the trumpet at the new moon,    at the full moon, on our feast day. 4   For it is a statute for Israel,    a rule4 of the God of Jacob.5   He made it a decree in Joseph    when he went out over5 the land of Egypt.  I hear a language I had not known:6   “I relieved your6 shoulder of the burden;    your hands were freed from the basket.7   In distress you called, and I delivered you;    I answered you in the secret place of thunder;    I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah8   Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!    O Israel, if you would but listen to me!9   There shall be no strange god among you;    you shall not bow down to a foreign god.10   I am the LORD your God,    who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.    Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11   “But my people did not listen to my voice;    Israel would not submit to me.12   So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,    to follow their own counsels.13   Oh, that my people would listen to me,    that Israel would walk in my ways!14   I would soon subdue their enemies    and turn my hand against their foes.15   Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him,    and their fate would last forever.16   But he would feed you7 with the finest of the wheat,    and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” Rescue the Weak and Needy A Psalm of Asaph. 82   God has taken his place in the divine council;    in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:2   “How long will you judge unjustly    and show partiality to the wicked? Selah3   Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;    maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.4   Rescue the weak and the needy;    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” 5   They have neither knowledge nor understanding,    they walk about in darkness;    all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6   I said, “You are gods,    sons of the Most High, all of you;7   nevertheless, like men you shall die,    and fall like any prince.”8 8   Arise, O God, judge the earth;    for you shall inherit all the nations! O God, Do Not Keep Silence A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. 83   O God, do not keep silence;    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!2   For behold, your enemies make an uproar;    those who hate you have raised their heads.3   They lay crafty plans against your people;    they consult together against your treasured ones.4   They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”5   For they conspire with one accord;    against you they make a covenant—6   the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,    Moab and the Hagrites,7   Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,    Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;8   Asshur also has joined them;    they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah 9   Do to them as you did to Midian,    as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,10   who were destroyed at En-dor,    who became dung for the ground.11   Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,    all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,12   who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves    of the pastures of God.” 13   O my God, make them like whirling dust,9    like chaff before the wind.14   As fire consumes the forest,    as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,15   so may you pursue them with your tempest    and terrify them with your hurricane!16   Fill their faces with shame,    that they may seek your name, O LORD.17   Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;    let them perish in disgrace,18   that they may know that you alone,    whose name is the LORD,    are the Most High over all the earth. My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.10 A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. 84   How lovely is your dwelling place,    O LORD of hosts!2   My soul longs, yes, faints    for the courts of the LORD;  my heart and flesh sing for joy    to the living God. 3   Even the sparrow finds a home,    and the swallow a nest for herself,    where she may lay her young,  at your altars, O LORD of hosts,    my King and my God.4   Blessed are those who dwell in your house,    ever singing your praise! Selah 5   Blessed are those whose strength is in you,    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.116   As they go through the Valley of Baca    they make it a place of springs;    the early rain also covers it with pools.7   They go from strength to strength;    each one appears before God in Zion. 8   O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah9   Behold our shield, O God;    look on the face of your anointed! 10   For a day in your courts is better    than a thousand elsewhere.  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.11   For the LORD God is a sun and shield;    the LORD bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does he withhold    from those who walk uprightly.12   O LORD of hosts,    blessed is the one who trusts in you! Revive Us Again To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. 85   LORD, you were favorable to your land;    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.2   You forgave the iniquity of your people;    you covered all their sin. Selah3   You withdrew all your wrath;    you turned from your hot anger. 4   Restore us again, O God of our salvation,    and put away your indignation toward us!5   Will you be angry with us forever?    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?6   Will you not revive us again,    that your people may rejoice in you?7   Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,    and grant us your salvation. 8   Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,    for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;    but let them not turn back to folly.9   Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,    that glory may dwell in our land. 10   Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;    righteousness and peace kiss each other.11   Faithfulness springs up from the ground,    and righteousness looks down from the sky.12   Yes, the LORD will give what is good,    and our land will yield its increase.13   Righteousness will go before him    and make his footsteps a way. Footnotes [1] 80:3 Or Turn us again; also verses 7, 19 [2] 80:11 That is, the Euphrates [3] 81:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [4] 81:4 Or just decree [5] 81:5 Or against [6] 81:6 Hebrew his; also next line [7] 81:16 That is, Israel; Hebrew him [8] 82:7 Or fall as one man, O princes [9] 83:13 Or like a tumbleweed [10] 84:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [11] 84:5 Hebrew lacks to Zion (ESV)

Having zero experience, but needing an engineering internship for the summer, Jabin decides to ruthlessly cold call companies. He goes from stocking shelves at Target to working for Raytheon, Amazon, Tesla, Rivian, and Blue Origin!Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my guest's and my own. They do not express the views or opinions of our employers.If you enjoyed this episode let's connect: InstagramTikTokLinkedIn

In today's episode, we once again encounter a theme that's becoming all too familiar: humans becoming chaos monsters. Jabin, king of Canaan, and Sisera, the commander of his army, are depicted as serpents in Judges 4, and the humans who overcome these two dragons are two women, Deborah and Jael. Join Tim and Jon as they explore the theme of the dragon in the scroll of Judges.View more resources on our website →Timestamps Part one (00:00-11:44)Part two (11:44-28:25)Part three (28:25-42:07)Part four (42:07-50:01)Referenced ResourcesThe Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, Ludwig Koehler, Walter Baumgartner, and Johann Jakob StammInterested in more? Check out Tim's library here.You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music “Defender (Instrumental)” by TENTSAll additional music breaks by Patrick MurphyShow produced by Cooper Peltz with Associate Producer Lindsey Ponder, Lead Editor Dan Gummel, and Editors Tyler Bailey and Frank Garza. Mixed by Tyler Bailey. Podcast annotations for the BibleProject app by Hannah Woo.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

In this episode, Jabin shares some personal principles that can help you make your world bigger!For more from Jabin:Jabin's InstagramCity Light ChurchCity Light Church YouTubePreaching Masterclass

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 23 Psalm 23 (Listen) The Lord Is My Shepherd A Psalm of David. 23   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.13     He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness2    for his name's sake. 4   Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,3    I will fear no evil,  for you are with me;    your rod and your staff,    they comfort me. 5   You prepare a table before me    in the presence of my enemies;  you anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows.6   Surely4 goodness and mercy5 shall follow me    all the days of my life,  and I shall dwell6 in the house of the LORD    forever.7 Footnotes [1] 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest [2] 23:3 Or in right paths [3] 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness [4] 23:6 Or Only [5] 23:6 Or steadfast love [6] 23:6 Or shall return to dwell [7] 23:6 Hebrew for length of days (ESV) Pentateuch and History: 1 Samuel 12 1 Samuel 12 (Listen) Samuel's Farewell Address 12 And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. 2 And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. 3 Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me1 and I will restore it to you.” 4 They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand.” 5 And he said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.” 6 And Samuel said to the people, “The LORD is witness,2 who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 7 Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous deeds of the LORD that he performed for you and for your fathers. 8 When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them,3 then your fathers cried out to the LORD and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. 9 But they forgot the LORD their God. And he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor,4 and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them. 10 And they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. But now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, that we may serve you.' 11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal and Barak5 and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety. 12 And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,' when the LORD your God was your king. 13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king.6 16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. 17 Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking for yourselves a king.” 18 So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” Footnotes [1] 12:3 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks Testify against me [2] 12:6 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks is witness [3] 12:8 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks and the Egyptians oppressed them [4] 12:9 Septuagint the army of Jabin king of Hazor [5] 12:11 Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew Bedan [6] 12:15 Septuagint; Hebrew fathers (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Lamentations 3 Lamentations 3 (Listen) Great Is Your Faithfulness 3   I am the man who has seen affliction    under the rod of his wrath;2   he has driven and brought me    into darkness without any light;3   surely against me he turns his hand    again and again the whole day long. 4   He has made my flesh and my skin waste away;    he has broken my bones;5   he has besieged and enveloped me    with bitterness and tribulation;6   he has made me dwell in darkness    like the dead of long ago. 7   He has walled me about so that I cannot escape;    he has made my chains heavy;8   though I call and cry for help,    he shuts out my prayer;9   he has blocked my ways with blocks of stones;    he has made my paths crooked. 10   He is a bear lying in wait for me,    a lion in hiding;11   he turned aside my steps and tore me to pieces;    he has made me desolate;12   he bent his bow and set me    as a target for his arrow. 13   He drove into my kidneys    the arrows of his quiver;14   I have become the laughingstock of all peoples,    the object of their taunts all day long.15   He has filled me with bitterness;    he has sated me with wormwood. 16   He has made my teeth grind on gravel,    and made me cower in ashes;17   my soul is bereft of peace;    I have forgotten what happiness1 is;18   so I say, “My endurance has perished;    so has my hope from the LORD.” 19   Remember my affliction and my wanderings,    the wormwood and the gall!20   My soul continually remembers it    and is bowed down within me.21   But this I call to mind,    and therefore I have hope: 22   The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;2    his mercies never come to an end;23   they are new every morning;    great is your faithfulness.24   “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,    “therefore I will hope in him.” 25   The LORD is good to those who wait for him,    to the soul who seeks him.26   It is good that one should wait quietly    for the salvation of the LORD.27   It is good for a man that he bear    the yoke in his youth. 28   Let him sit alone in silence    when it is laid on him;29   let him put his mouth in the dust—    there may yet be hope;30   let him give his cheek to the one who strikes,    and let him be filled with insults. 31   For the Lord will not    cast off forever,32   but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion    according to the abundance of his steadfast love;33   for he does not afflict from his heart    or grieve the children of men. 34   To crush underfoot    all the prisoners of the earth,35   to deny a man justice    in the presence of the Most High,36   to subvert a man in his lawsuit,    the Lord does not approve. 37   Who has spoken and it came to pass,    unless the Lord has commanded it?38   Is it not from the mouth of the Most High    that good and bad come?39   Why should a living man complain,    a man, about the punishment of his sins? 40   Let us test and examine our ways,    and return to the LORD!41   Let us lift up our hearts and hands    to God in heaven:42   “We have transgressed and rebelled,    and you have not forgiven. 43   “You have wrapped yourself with anger and pursued us,    killing without pity;44   you have wrapped yourself with a cloud    so that no prayer can pass through.45   You have made us scum and garbage    among the peoples. 46   “All our enemies    open their mouths against us;47   panic and pitfall have come upon us,    devastation and destruction;48   my eyes flow with rivers of tears    because of the destruction of the daughter of my people. 49   “My eyes will flow without ceasing,    without respite,50   until the LORD from heaven    looks down and sees;51   my eyes cause me grief    at the fate of all the daughters of my city. 52   “I have been hunted like a bird    by those who were my enemies without cause;53   they flung me alive into the pit    and cast stones on me;54   water closed over my head;    I said, ‘I am lost.' 55   “I called on your name, O LORD,    from the depths of the pit;56   you heard my plea, ‘Do not close    your ear to my cry for help!'57   You came near when I called on you;    you said, ‘Do not fear!' 58   “You have taken up my cause, O Lord;    you have redeemed my life.59   You have seen the wrong done to me, O LORD;    judge my cause.60   You have seen all their vengeance,    all their plots against me. 61   “You have heard their taunts, O LORD,    all their plots against me.62   The lips and thoughts of my assailants    are against me all the day long.63   Behold their sitting and their rising;    I am the object of their taunts. 64   “You will repay them,3 O LORD,    according to the work of their hands.65   You will give them4 dullness of heart;    your curse will be5 on them.66   You will pursue them6 in anger and destroy them    from under your heavens, O LORD.”7 Footnotes [1] 3:17 Hebrew good [2] 3:22 Syriac, Targum; Hebrew Because of the steadfast love of the Lord, we are not cut off [3] 3:64 Or Repay them [4] 3:65 Or Give them [5] 3:65 Or place your curse [6] 3:66 Or Pursue them [7] 3:66 Syriac (compare Septuagint, Vulgate); Hebrew the heavens of the Lord (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: 1 Peter 5 1 Peter 5 (Listen) Shepherd the Flock of God 5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,1 not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;2 not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Final Greetings 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. Footnotes [1] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight [2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you (ESV)

With family: 1 Samuel 12; Romans 10 1 Samuel 12 (Listen) Samuel's Farewell Address 12 And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. 2 And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. 3 Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me1 and I will restore it to you.” 4 They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand.” 5 And he said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.” 6 And Samuel said to the people, “The LORD is witness,2 who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. 7 Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous deeds of the LORD that he performed for you and for your fathers. 8 When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them,3 then your fathers cried out to the LORD and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. 9 But they forgot the LORD their God. And he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor,4 and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them. 10 And they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. But now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, that we may serve you.' 11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal and Barak5 and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety. 12 And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,' when the LORD your God was your king. 13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you. 14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. 15 But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king.6 16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. 17 Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking for yourselves a king.” 18 So Samuel called upon the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day, and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19 And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” 20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” Footnotes [1] 12:3 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks Testify against me [2] 12:6 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks is witness [3] 12:8 Septuagint; Hebrew lacks and the Egyptians oppressed them [4] 12:9 Septuagint the army of Jabin king of Hazor [5] 12:11 Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew Bedan [6] 12:15 Septuagint; Hebrew fathers (ESV) Romans 10 (Listen) 10 Brothers,1 my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.2 The Message of Salvation to All 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?'” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?'” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?3 And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for   “Their voice has gone out to all the earth,    and their words to the ends of the world.” 19 But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,   “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;    with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” 20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,   “I have been found by those who did not seek me;    I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” 21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” Footnotes [1] 10:1 Or Brothers and sisters [2] 10:4 Or end of the law, that everyone who believes may be justified [3] 10:14 Or him whom they have never heard (ESV) In private: Psalms 26–27; Jeremiah 49 Psalms 26–27 (Listen) I Will Bless the Lord Of David. 26   Vindicate me, O LORD,    for I have walked in my integrity,    and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.2   Prove me, O LORD, and try me;    test my heart and my mind.13   For your steadfast love is before my eyes,    and I walk in your faithfulness. 4   I do not sit with men of falsehood,    nor do I consort with hypocrites.5   I hate the assembly of evildoers,    and I will not sit with the wicked. 6   I wash my hands in innocence    and go around your altar, O LORD,7   proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,    and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8   O LORD, I love the habitation of your house    and the place where your glory dwells.9   Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,10   in whose hands are evil devices,    and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11   But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;    redeem me, and be gracious to me.12   My foot stands on level ground;    in the great assembly I will bless the LORD. The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation Of David. 27   The LORD is my light and my salvation;    whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the stronghold2 of my life;    of whom shall I be afraid? 2   When evildoers assail me    to eat up my flesh,  my adversaries and foes,    it is they who stumble and fall. 3   Though an army encamp against me,    my heart shall not fear;  though war arise against me,    yet3 I will be confident. 4   One thing have I asked of the LORD,    that will I seek after:  that I may dwell in the house of the LORD    all the days of my life,  to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD    and to inquire4 in his temple. 5   For he will hide me in his shelter    in the day of trouble;  he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;    he will lift me high upon a rock. 6   And now my head shall be lifted up    above my enemies all around me,  and I will offer in his tent    sacrifices with shouts of joy;  I will sing and make melody to the LORD. 7   Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;    be gracious to me and answer me!8   You have said, “Seek5 my face.”  My heart says to you,    “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”69     Hide not your face from me.  Turn not your servant away in anger,    O you who have been my help.  Cast me not off; forsake me not,    O God of my salvation!10   For my father and my mother have forsaken me,    but the LORD will take me in. 11   Teach me your way, O LORD,    and lead me on a level path    because of my enemies.12   Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;    for false witnesses have risen against me,    and they breathe out violence. 13   I believe that I shall look7 upon the goodness of the LORD    in the land of the living!14   Wait for the LORD;    be strong, and let your heart take courage;    wait for the LORD! Footnotes [1] 26:2 Hebrew test my kidneys and my heart [2] 27:1 Or refuge [3] 27:3 Or in this [4] 27:4 Or meditate [5] 27:8 The command (seek) is addressed to more than one person [6] 27:8 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain [7] 27:13 Other Hebrew manuscripts Oh! Had I not believed that I would look (ESV) Jeremiah 49 (Listen) Judgment on Ammon 49 Concerning the Ammonites. Thus says the LORD:   “Has Israel no sons?    Has he no heir?  Why then has Milcom1 dispossessed Gad,    and his people settled in its cities?2   Therefore, behold, the days are coming,    declares the LORD,  when I will cause the battle cry to be heard    against Rabbah of the Ammonites;  it shall become a desolate mound,    and its villages shall be burned with fire;  then Israel shall dispossess those who dispossessed him,    says the LORD. 3   “Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai is laid waste!    Cry out, O daughters of Rabbah!  Put on sackcloth,    lament, and run to and fro among the hedges!  For Milcom shall go into exile,    with his priests and his officials.4   Why do you boast of your valleys,2    O faithless daughter,  who trusted in her treasures, saying,    ‘Who will come against me?'5   Behold, I will bring terror upon you,    declares the Lord GOD of hosts,    from all who are around you,  and you shall be driven out, every man straight before him,    with none to gather the fugitives. 6 “But afterward I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites, declares the LORD.” Judgment on Edom 7 Concerning Edom. Thus says the LORD of hosts:   “Is wisdom no more in Teman?    Has counsel perished from the prudent?    Has their wisdom vanished?8   Flee, turn back, dwell in the depths,    O inhabitants of Dedan!  For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him,    the time when I punish him.9   If grape gatherers came to you,    would they not leave gleanings?  If thieves came by night,    would they not destroy only enough for themselves?10   But I have stripped Esau bare;    I have uncovered his hiding places,    and he is not able to conceal himself.  His children are destroyed, and his brothers,    and his neighbors; and he is no more.11   Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive;    and let your widows trust in me.” 12 For thus says the LORD: “If those who did not deserve to drink the cup must drink it, will you go unpunished? You shall not go unpunished, but you must drink. 13 For I have sworn by myself, declares the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a horror, a taunt, a waste, and a curse, and all her cities shall be perpetual wastes.” 14   I have heard a message from the LORD,    and an envoy has been sent among the nations:  “Gather yourselves together and come against her,    and rise up for battle!15   For behold, I will make you small among the nations,    despised among mankind.16   The horror you inspire has deceived you,    and the pride of your heart,  you who live in the clefts of the rock,3    who hold the height of the hill.  Though you make your nest as high as the eagle's,    I will bring you down from there,      declares the LORD. 17 “Edom shall become a horror. Everyone who passes by it will be horrified and will hiss because of all its disasters. 18 As when Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring cities were overthrown, says the LORD, no man shall dwell there, no man shall sojourn in her. 19 Behold, like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make him4 run away from her. And I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me? 20 Therefore hear the plan that the LORD has made against Edom and the purposes that he has formed against the inhabitants of Teman: Even the little ones of the flock shall be dragged away. Surely their fold shall be appalled at their fate. 21 At the sound of their fall the earth shall tremble; the sound of their cry shall be heard at the Red Sea. 22 Behold, one shall mount up and fly swiftly like an eagle and spread his wings against Bozrah, and the heart of the warriors of Edom shall be in that day like the heart of a woman in her birth pains.” Judgment on Damascus 23 Concerning Damascus:   “Hamath and Arpad are confounded,    for they have heard bad news;  they melt in fear,    they are troubled like the sea that cannot be quiet.24   Damascus has become feeble, she turned to flee,    and panic seized her;  anguish and sorrows have taken hold of her,    as of a woman in labor.25   How is the famous city not forsaken,    the city of my joy?26&

Morning: Psalms 82–84 Psalms 82–84 (Listen) Rescue the Weak and Needy A Psalm of Asaph. 82   God has taken his place in the divine council;    in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:2   “How long will you judge unjustly    and show partiality to the wicked? Selah3   Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;    maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.4   Rescue the weak and the needy;    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” 5   They have neither knowledge nor understanding,    they walk about in darkness;    all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6   I said, “You are gods,    sons of the Most High, all of you;7   nevertheless, like men you shall die,    and fall like any prince.”1 8   Arise, O God, judge the earth;    for you shall inherit all the nations! O God, Do Not Keep Silence A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. 83   O God, do not keep silence;    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!2   For behold, your enemies make an uproar;    those who hate you have raised their heads.3   They lay crafty plans against your people;    they consult together against your treasured ones.4   They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;    let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”5   For they conspire with one accord;    against you they make a covenant—6   the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,    Moab and the Hagrites,7   Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,    Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;8   Asshur also has joined them;    they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah 9   Do to them as you did to Midian,    as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,10   who were destroyed at En-dor,    who became dung for the ground.11   Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,    all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,12   who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves    of the pastures of God.” 13   O my God, make them like whirling dust,2    like chaff before the wind.14   As fire consumes the forest,    as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,15   so may you pursue them with your tempest    and terrify them with your hurricane!16   Fill their faces with shame,    that they may seek your name, O LORD.17   Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;    let them perish in disgrace,18   that they may know that you alone,    whose name is the LORD,    are the Most High over all the earth. My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.3 A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. 84   How lovely is your dwelling place,    O LORD of hosts!2   My soul longs, yes, faints    for the courts of the LORD;  my heart and flesh sing for joy    to the living God. 3   Even the sparrow finds a home,    and the swallow a nest for herself,    where she may lay her young,  at your altars, O LORD of hosts,    my King and my God.4   Blessed are those who dwell in your house,    ever singing your praise! Selah 5   Blessed are those whose strength is in you,    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.46   As they go through the Valley of Baca    they make it a place of springs;    the early rain also covers it with pools.7   They go from strength to strength;    each one appears before God in Zion. 8   O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah9   Behold our shield, O God;    look on the face of your anointed! 10   For a day in your courts is better    than a thousand elsewhere.  I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.11   For the LORD God is a sun and shield;    the LORD bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does he withhold    from those who walk uprightly.12   O LORD of hosts,    blessed is the one who trusts in you! Footnotes [1] 82:7 Or fall as one man, O princes [2] 83:13 Or like a tumbleweed [3] 84:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [4] 84:5 Hebrew lacks to Zion (ESV) Evening: Romans 8:19–39 Romans 8:19–39 (Listen) 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because1 the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,2 for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. God's Everlasting Love 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be3 against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.4 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,   “For your sake we are being killed all the day long;    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Footnotes [1] 8:27 Or that [2] 8:28 Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good [3] 8:31 Or who is [4] 8:34 Or Is it Christ Jesus who died . . . for us? (ESV)

Meet Jabin Chavez of The City Light church, a preacher who has recruited over half of Ryan's workforce!Looking to grow in your faith and business? Join the premiere community for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. Develop your leadership, discipleship, and your faith at https://wealthyway.co/dyyHow to Start and Grow Your Social Media from Zero - https://youtu.be/0y1qyob_nBsAre you living The Wealthy Way? Take my free quiz with the link below and get FREE access to my course the “Wealth Builder Academy” where I go over all the fundamentals of building wealth in all areas of life.https://www.wealthyway.com/______________________________________________________Here's how my businesses can help you:Want to be coached by me on real estate investing? Apply at https://wealthyway.co/jmiAre you an entrepreneur who wants to build their personal brand on social media? Go to https://wealthyway.co/rj9Want to utilize a full service social media agency? At Pineda Media, we film, edit, post, and personally coach you to create top level content and build your personal brand. Apply now! https://www.pinedamedia.com/Create your business to grow your revenue, scale your organization, and make an impact with help from Wealthy Business! Book a call here https://wealthyway.co/50dWant to partner with me to supercharge your business? Apply at https://www.pinedapartners.com/You can invest in my real estate deals! Go to https://pinedacapital.comNeed tax and accounting help? Contact my CPA Firm! https://TrueBooksCPA.com/______________________________________________________My other social media channels:Subscribe to my real estate only channel "Wealthy Investor" https://www.youtube.com/c/futureflipper1Follow me on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/ryanpinedahttps://www.tiktok.com/@ryanpinedahttps://www.twitter.com/ryanpineda______________________________________________________Connect with Jabin!YouTube -  @jabinchavez  Instagram - @jabinchavezHe and Ryan discuss the growth of Vegas, especially after Covid, and how Jabin's church experienced growth by focusing on biblical principles rather than popularity.Jabin shares insights he has learned about success from Chick-Fil-A, where striving to be better led to demands for growth. He emphasizes preaching to children and attending church with true love for Christ.The discussion moves to patterns and habits that shape destiny. Jabin believes slow success and long-term commitment lead to positive life changes, rather than relying on luck or quick fixes.Changing oneself through altering patterns is crucial. People often seek a magic pill instead of accepting the grind and hard work necessary for success.The importance of standards is highlighted, as people often fall to their patterns and standards rather than rising to their goals. Jabin and Ryan agree on following the Wealthy Way to establish healthy patterns.They address the rise of fear and anxiety, and Jabin provides guidance on actively dealing with these emotions.Jabin and Ryan also discuss the use of money and generosity among Christians. They stress that wealth can be a blessing if used for God's purposes, and being generous with whatever income one has can lead to greater trust and blessings.Lastly, Ryan shares his vision for a sustainable Christian retreat center, and the importance of being generous regardless of financial status.Enjoy this episode as it delves into personal growth, faith, and the positive impact of adopting healthy patterns and habits!

Your life looks like your priorities. In this episode, Jabin helps us reevaluate the priorities in our lives.For more from Jabin:Jabin's InstagramCity Light ChurchCity Light Church YouTubePreaching Masterclass

With family: Judges 4; Acts 8 Judges 4 (Listen) Deborah and Barak 4 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD after Ehud died. 2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. 3 Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years. 4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. 7 And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand'?” 8 Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” 9 And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 And Barak called out Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. And 10,000 men went up at his heels, and Deborah went up with him. 11 Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh. 12 When Sisera was told that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, 13 Sisera called out all his chariots, 900 chariots of iron, and all the men who were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the river Kishon. 14 And Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the LORD go out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him. 15 And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot. 16 And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left. 17 But Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18 And Jael came out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me; do not be afraid.” So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug. 19 And he said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink and covered him. 20 And he said to her, “Stand at the opening of the tent, and if any man comes and asks you, ‘Is anyone here?' say, ‘No.'” 21 But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died. 22 And behold, as Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” So he went in to her tent, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in his temple. 23 So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel. 24 And the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan. (ESV) Acts 8 (Listen) Saul Ravages the Church 8 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city1 of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city. Simon the Magician Believes 9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles2 performed, he was amazed. 14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall3 of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” 25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south4 to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:   “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter    and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,    so he opens not his mouth.33   In his humiliation justice was denied him.    Who can describe his generation?  For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”5 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. Footnotes [1] 8:5 Some manuscripts a city [2] 8:13 Greek works of power [3] 8:23 That is, a bitter fluid secreted by the liver; bile [4] 8:26 Or go at about noon [5] 8:36 Some manuscripts add all or most of verse 37: And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (ESV) In private: Jeremiah 17; Mark 3 Jeremiah 17 (Listen) The Sin of Judah 17 “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars, 2 while their children remember their altars and their Asherim, beside every green tree and on the high hills, 3 on the mountains in the open country. Your wealth and all your treasures I will give for spoil as the price of your high places for sin throughout all your territory. 4 You shall loosen your hand from your heritage that I gave to you, and I will make you serve your enemies in a land that you do not know, for in my anger a fire is kindled that shall burn forever.” 5   Thus says the LORD:  “Cursed is the man who trusts in man    and makes flesh his strength,1    whose heart turns away from the LORD.6   He is like a shrub in the desert,    and shall not see any good come.  He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,    in an uninhabited salt land. 7   “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,    whose trust is the LORD.8   He is like a tree planted by water,    that sends out its roots by the stream,  and does not fear when heat comes,    for its leaves remain green,  and is not anxious in the year of drought,    for it does not cease to bear fruit.” 9   The heart is deceitful above all things,    and desperately sick;    who can understand it?10   “I the LORD search the heart    and test the mind,2  to give every man according to his ways,    according to the fruit of his deeds.” 11   Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch,    so is he who gets riches but not by justice;  in the midst of his days they will leave him,    and at his end he will be a fool. 12   A glorious throne set on high from the beginning    is the place of our sanctuary.13   O LORD, the hope of Israel,    all who forsake you shall be put to shame;  those who turn away from you3 shall be written in the earth,    for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water. Jeremiah Prays for Deliverance 14   Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed;    save me, and I shall be saved,    for you are my praise.15   Behold, they say to me,    “Where is the word of the LORD?    Let it come!”16   I have not run away from being your shepherd,    nor have I desired the day of sickness.  You know what came out of my lips;    it was before your face.17   Be not a terror to me;    you are my refuge in the day of disaster.18   Let those be put to shame who persecute me,    but let me not be put to shame;  let them be dismayed,    but let me not be dismayed;  bring upon them the day of disaster;    destroy them with double destruction! Keep the Sabbath Holy 19 Thus said the LORD to me: “Go and stand in the People's Gate, by which the kings of Judah enter and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem, 20 and say: ‘Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. 21 Thus says the LORD: Take care for the sake of your lives, and do not bear a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. 22 And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers. 23 Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction. 24 “‘But if you listen to me, declares the LORD, and bring in no burden by the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it, 25 then there shall enter by the gates of this city kings and princes who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their officials, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And this city shall be inhabited forever. 26 And people shall come from the cities of Judah and the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the Shephelah, from the hill country, and from the Negeb, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD. 27 But if you do not listen to me, to keep the Sabbath day holy, and not to bear a burden and enter by the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched.'” Footnotes [1] 17:5 Hebrew arm [2] 17:10 Hebrew kidneys [3] 17:13 Hebrew me (ESV) Mark 3 (Listen) A Man with a Withered Hand 3 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus,1 to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him. A Great Crowd Follows Jesus 7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea 8 and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. 9 And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, 10 for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. The Twelve Apostles 13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot,2 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit 22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” 23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. 28 “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—30 for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” Jesus' Mother and Brothers 31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers3 are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” Footnotes [1] 3:2 Greek him [2] 3:18 Greek kananaios, meaning zealot [3] 3:32 Other manuscripts add and your sisters (ESV)

It may seem counterintuitive, but successful founders are often stung by self-doubt, a topic the hosts discussed in this episode, along with Neil Patrick Harris' foray into the RTD cocktail business and an unexpected brand collaboration that's being described as both brilliant and revolting. We also feature the latest edition of Special Ops with Andrew Guard, in which the operations expert shared insights about scaling strategies, how to generate mainstream appeal through flavor and working with non-nutritive sweeteners. Show notes: 0:37: Bev.net, Sprouts Speaks, Target And Tost, Ray Reads IG Comments – John Craven returns to the studio and after a brief chat about his visit to Vermont, the hosts spoke about Outhaus' big news and the founder's bout of imposter syndrome, how sparkling beverage brand TÖST landed a big-time partner, and why Ray isn't a fan of a collaboration between a premium chocolate company and… Velveeta. 27:24: Special Ops with Andrew Guard, Vol. 3 – Andrew Guard of boutique beverage co-packer Right Coast Brands spoke about how founders operating early-stage and emerging businesses can more effectively prepare their brands for scale. He also discussed the link between great flavor and mainstream demand and considerations for working with natural and non-nutritive sweeteners, including monkfruit. Brands in this episode: Tost, Plink, Oat haus, Corona, Thomas Ashburne, Hoplark, Other Half Brewing, Fila Manila, Kasama Rum, Compartes, Velveeta, Jabin, Kit Kat, Van Leeuwen's, Kraft, Midwest Juicery, Gutsy Kombucha, Jabin