Podcasts about Jehoshaphat

Power of Praying Scriptures over your Marriage: Special Patreon Release with Jodie Berndt   1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV) "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."   *Transcription Below*   Jodie Berndt is bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, which includes volumes for Children, Teens, Adult Children, and Life, plus the new Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage (2023). Jodie has been a trusted speaker, Bible teacher, and prayer warrior for over thirty years. She and her husband, Robbie, have four married children, and they live in Virginia Beach, Virginia.   Connect with Jodie through her website or Instagram.   Questions and Topics We Discuss: What are some ancient truths from Scripture that stand out to you, specifically as it relates to marriage? Will you share a few of the helpful questions for couples that you write in the book? How have you seen kindness open the door to changes in a marriage?   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Chick-fil-A East Peoria and The Savvy Sauce Charities (and donate online here)   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV) Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”   Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”   Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”   Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”   John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”   *Transcription*   Music: (0:00 – 0:09)   Laura Dugger: (0:10 - 2:47) Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, where we have practical chats for intentional living. I'm your host, Laura Dugger, and I'm so glad you're here.   I want to say a huge thank you to today's sponsors for this episode, Chick-fil-A East Peoria and Savvy Sauce Charities.   If this is your first time here, welcome! You may be wondering what it means to have a special Patreon release. So, here's the scoop. Patreon was a platform we used to generate financial support for The Savvy Sauce, and we expressed our thanks to those paying patrons by giving them a bonus episode every month. But, in 2024, we transitioned away from Patreon when we became a non-profit called Savvy Sauce Charities. The podcast is part of this non-profit, which exists to resource loved ones to inspire growth and intimacy with God and others.   So, people used to pay to support us through Patreon, but now they can just donate directly to our non-profit. We spend thousands of dollars each year to record and produce these episodes, and we do pray that they're beneficial and that God sees fit to use them to be transformational in your life. If that is the case, if you have ever benefited from an episode of The Savvy Sauce, would you consider showing your gratitude through your financial generosity? Any amount is greatly appreciated. In fact, if every listener gave only $1 per month, it would completely offset our costs. We have all the details on our website, thesavvysauce.com, but feel free to also reach out to our team anytime if you want to partner together. Our email address is info@thesavvysauce.com.   And now I'm pleased to share this episode with you that used to only be available to paying patrons. Jodie Berndt is my guest today. She is the bestselling author of the Praying the Scriptures book series, and today we're going to focus on the powerful way to pray the scriptures for our marriage. And I just want to give you a heads up that you may hear a lot of airplanes in the background during our conversation, but I hope it doesn't take away from all the goodness Jodie is about to share. Here's our chat.   Welcome to The Savvy Sauce, Jodie.   Jodie Berndt: (2:49 - 2:53) Laura, thank you. It is just a huge treat to be able to chat with you today.   Laura Dugger: (2:54 - 2:59) Well, will you begin by just first telling us a bit about yourself and the work that you get to do?   Jodie Berndt: (3:01 - 4:19) Sure. Yes. Well, like you, I have four children. Mine are grown now, though. I have three daughters and then a son at the end, and they're all adults and married and having kids of their own. I met my husband back when we were in college. We both went to the University of Virginia and got married right after college, kind of jumped into the whole marriage and family thing. By today's standards, it seems ridiculously young. I look back and I think I don't know what we were thinking. But as Robbie, my husband says, when you meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you want the rest of your life to start right now. And I think we both kind of felt that way. And so, we've been married now, I guess, nearly 38 years.   Your listeners may know that I write books. I write the Praying the Scriptures books. I've done others as well. But those are the ones that I am primarily focused on now. Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, your teens, your adult children, your life, because we needed ourselves too. And then most recently, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. So, I never set out to become a prayer writer or even a book writer. But golly, I have realized the power of prayer and my desperate need for God's help in all things. So, I think it sort of fell backwards into it. And it's been a fun journey.   Laura Dugger: (4:20 - 4:37) Well, and I first encountered that book that you mentioned, Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, when I was a new mom, and it was so powerful. So, when you look back to that one, what are some of the stories or takeaways that really stand out from that resource?   Jodie Berndt: (4:38 - 9:31) Oh, gosh. Well, thank you for asking about that one. That was a book that was sort of born, as I said, out of my own need for the Lord, because nothing reveals your flaws and inadequacies and need for help beyond yourself as much as having children does. At least for me, that was the case. I'd grown up in a Christian home. Prayer was a natural part of life for me but not sort of the specific intentional prayers and not praying the scriptures.   And for anybody who doesn't know what that means, it just means taking the words that we read in the Bible, the things that God actually says to us there and using them to shape how we think about things, how we long for things, kind of creating our desires as based on what we read and then animating our prayers so that, as Jesus says in John 15, he looks at his disciples, he's getting ready to go to the cross, and you think of all the things he could have talked about. He chose to drill down on staying connected to him primarily through our prayers. He says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you." And then he explains why. He says, "This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."   And I think I read that chapter in those specific verses, probably a hundred times over my life without fully comprehending what he was talking about there. And I think what he's talking about is that as we abide in him, as we remain in him, as we stay connected day in and day out, whether we're doing the laundry or running a carpool or anything else, we can allow the things we read in the Bible to shape our thoughts, shape our longings, and then give voice to our prayers. And when we do that, that really is the secret to living a difference-making, transformational, impactful life, to bearing fruit.   I loved being able to kind of look back over a 20-year history. And the stories in that book, in all my books, are real-life people who have real-life struggles and real-life prayers. And some of them have very happy endings. Some of them are still being played out. All of them represent times when we're having to trust God. And as I looked back over 20 years of praying parents and watched these families, where when I first was interviewing the mom or the dad, their kids might be five or seven or ten years old. And now, you know, these kids are in their 30s, some of them. And I'm like, wow, God, you know, it's like watching hair grow sometimes when we're praying and we don't see the needle moving. But with the perspective of history and time, you can see how God works. And so that was a huge blessing to me that I didn't expect when I went back and re-read the book and updated the book to be able to see what God has done.   And one particular chapter that I loved in that book was the chapter on praying for your child to promote God's kingdom. And there's a story in there about two little second grade boys, Brandon and Eddie. And I was part of a moms in prayer group at the time. And we were praying a verse, Ephesians 5:16, that our kids would make the most of every opportunity, that they would be wise in the way they live. We really didn't know how God would answer that prayer. But what parent doesn't want their child to be wise in the way they live and to make the most of the opportunities? Well, sure enough, we prayed that prayer. And two weeks later, one of the moms in our group came in and told the most jaw-droppingly beautiful story of how her son, a second grader, as part of an in-class assignment, had chosen to write a persuasive essay. And you can imagine what a second-grade essay looks like. But most of the kids in the class thought, I'm going to persuade my grandmother to give me a bicycle or I'm going to persuade my mom to let me stay up late and watch a TV show, whatever it is. This child chose to write to one of his classmates, who had been known as a real troublemaker in that class and in the school, about why he should accept Jesus as the Lord of his life. And he put these 10 points, things like, you know, God loves you. Jesus loves you. You can have anything you want in heaven. Just is a second grader's viewpoint. And I'm telling you what, I did that interview and wrote that story 20 some years ago. And still today, as I look back on that child and again, getting to watch him grow up, he's now a father with children of his own. And seeing how God has worked in that child's life in answer to that Ephesians 5 prayer that our child will be wise, making the most of every opportunity. I'm just dumbfounded. First, by how God answered that in a second grader's life and how he's continued to have the answer to that prayer unfold over this young man's life as he's grown. It's just we never can know when we pray what God will do.   Laura Dugger: (9:33 - 9:53) Absolutely. Because the fruit looks so different than the seed. And that's incredible to have that gift of perspective. But now with your newest title, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage, first of all, how do you even respond to someone if they ask you, why does prayer matter in marriage?   Jodie Berndt: (9:54 - 12:29) Yeah, well, that's actually a question that I get more than you would think. And especially from people who aren't super comfortable praying. Because a lot of us, even if we've grown up in church-going Christian homes, the idea of praying with our spouse just might not come naturally. And even for Robbie and me. But I'll tell you one of the reasons we want to do it is because prayer really does matter. As I jumped into writing this book, I started doing some research and secular research points to all of these benefits that it reinforces the idea of prayer does that you're on the same team. Psychologists have found that prayer increases a sense of satisfaction in your relationship. It heightens your own sense of emotional well-being. If you're mad, it gives you a chance to calm down. It can lower your blood pressure. And there have even been studies done that shows that when couples pray together, it even leads to better sex. And so, you get all of these things that are completely separate from maybe the spiritual side of why God would want us to pray. This is just the secular research.   But when you take it a step further and look at why God wants us to pray, oh, my goodness. You know, it opens the door to intimacy, both with ourselves and with the Lord, because honestly, it's being vulnerable, isn't it? When we pray, you know, that is asking God for help. That's acknowledging our dependence on him, admitting we can't always be kind or selfless or forgiving on our own. And, you know, I don't know any husbands or wives who can do those things because we're all inherently flawed. We're broken. We're selfish people. And we can kind of start to shrivel up under what pressure to just get it all right, you know, to be a good wife, to be a good husband. And we can feel like we're failing. And yet, when we realize that through prayer, we've got this vehicle of inviting God into the mix, into our relationship, of letting the Holy Spirit step in and do the things that only he can do to work in us, giving us, as Philippians 2:13 says, the desire and the power to do what pleases God. I mean, that just changes the equation. It removes the burden from our shoulders of trying to build a strong marriage or be a good husband or wife. And just says, God, you know what? I can't do this on my own. I need you. Our marriage needs you. And that just opens up the runway, I think, for us in marriages and really gives us a new intimacy and a new confidence in our relationships.   Laura Dugger: (12:30 - 12:45) Well, and Jodie, you did so much research on marriages in preparation for this book. So, what are some of the ancient truths from Scripture that stand out to you specifically as it relates to marriage?   Jodie Berndt: (12:45 - 16:24) I'll tell you, an ancient truth that runs throughout Scripture is God's desire for us to talk to him about all of the details of our lives. There's nothing too big or nothing too small for him to care about. And I know you shared with me that you loved the Isaiah 7:11 verse in The Message translation, which is when Ahaz and the Lord are talking together. And God says, ask anything, you know, be extravagant, ask for the moon. And that's God's invitation to us to ask big. But there are also verses in Scripture where it says, you know, he delights in the details of our lives. He bends down to listen. So, we really can talk to him about the smallest things.   And I'll tell you, in terms of what you term ancient truths, I would say, and your listeners, I'm sure, know this, that the Bible is kind of one big story of God's love for us. And the covenant of marriage really is designed to reflect that. You know, we say this in our marriage vows, but I've yet to meet a bride or groom who really knows what they're talking about when they say those vows. I know for Robbie and me, we were just starry eyed and in love and speaking these vows without even really thinking what it would mean for better, for worse, you know, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish all of those things. But I'll tell you what, marriage gives us a chance to live out the gospel every day in a million little ways.   I love what Tim Keller says about the gospel. He says the gospel is this. It's that we are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe. And yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus than we ever dared hope. And, you know, isn't that a picture of marriage? Because nothing reveals our flaws and our sins as much as taking two inherently selfish people and bringing them into close proximity with each other day in and day out. We are going to love against each other. We're going to be aware of our brokenness. Nobody knows my weak points as much as my husband. Nobody knows his as much as I do. So, we're so aware that we're flawed. And yet within the covenant of our marriage, we can honestly say, OK, we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope as we do what Christ did and give ourselves up for one another.   Ephesians 5, it's that classic New Testament passage about how human relationships are supposed to work. And Paul starts out, he says, Ephesians 5:2, "Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." And you may blow by a verse like that because it sounds very theological and holy. And you think, OK, what does that really mean in my human relationships? And more specifically, what does that mean for our marriage? OK, walking in love, giving yourself up. It could be something as simple as getting out of bed to let the dog out so that your husband or your wife can sleep in. It may be going to the in-laws for dinner when everything in us wants to stay home because we know that's what our spouse longs to do. Anytime we choose to put our partner's needs and desires ahead of our own, that's partaking of the gospel. That is giving ourselves up for them as Jesus gave himself up for us. Even as we do that in the little decisions of our lives every day, we get to live out that gospel. And what a beautiful opportunity. So, if I had to take one ancient truth from all of scripture, it would be that the Bible is one big love story of God's love for us. And in our marriages every day, we can live that out in a million little decisions.   Laura Dugger: (16:26 - 16:50) Well, in your book, you open up about your journey of learning to listen to your husband instead of interrupting him. Oh, yeah. And just a crazy side note. I'm just going to quote you here where you write, the average person pays attention for about eight seconds and can only go 17 seconds before interrupting someone. 17 seconds.   Jodie Berndt: (16:50 - 19:53) Yes. I mean, I read that in my research. I think that was out of Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I think was the source there. But when I read that, I thought, oh, my goodness. A, that makes me just mortified. But B, it makes me feel better about myself because I am an interrupter. I always think that I have the answer, the solution or something that's going to be really either interesting to say or solving to say whatever it is. And I had to learn to give my husband space to speak because like a lot of men, I think he's not super verbose. He's not going to be letting his words tumble out. And so, I have to give space and time in our conversations for him to be able to get his words together instead of just leaping to a conclusion and saying, I know exactly what you mean or stepping in and trying to finish his sentence because he may have something that he's concerned about or worried about.   You know, I tell a story in the book, too, where when we taught a marriage class, we had to rate each other on all kinds of things, 20 different topics on a scale of like zero to four. I think it was. And he gave me a zero in meeting his emotional needs. And I thought zero, but that's not fair. I didn't even know you had emotional needs because you are such a steady, reliable, non-mercurial person. And I realized just because he's steady and not all over the map, doesn't mean he doesn't have fears and worries and concerns and emotional needs just like I do. I had to learn to kind of let him express those. And for his part, he had to learn to let me speak without immediately jumping in and wanting to fix something. I think men, a lot of our husbands are natural fixers. They love us. They want to solve our problems. They want to help us analyze what's wrong. And there have been times where I have had to just look at Robbie, sometimes even take a space in my hands and say, OK, I just want to tell you something. And I don't need you right off the bat to fix it. I just need to be heard. I need to know that you understand. So, will you just listen without trying to solve or analyze or fix and let me express myself, communicate? And that's been a really good listening tool. So so, between me trying to interrupt and him trying to solve and fix, we have really had to learn some some tools and some strategies that we talk about in the book for becoming better listeners.   And I think it only makes sense, right? We are not ever taught to listen or taught to speak. I've got grandchildren here and it's really fun to watch them at age one and two and three learn to mimic what we say when we say, can you say yes, please? Can you say, you know, I love you. And it's delightful to watch our children learn to form words. But nobody ever says to us, OK, let me teach you to listen. Let me teach you to wait. Let me teach you to reflect. Let me teach you to ask questions to help you understand more. All of those things may not come naturally to us. And so, there are things we have to be intentional in marriage and in every relationship about learning.   Laura Dugger: (19:54 - 20:07) Well, are there any of those game changing tools that you would like to elaborate on if someone really hasn't been trained to learn how to listen? Well, what has helped you and Robbie really listen and love?   Jodie Berndt: (20:07 - 22:13) Yeah, well, me not. Number one, expecting him to be a mind reader. I think sometimes we girls, because we intuit things, we think, oh, surely he'll pick this up. And I've had to learn that I need to really be clear in my communication. And just like I said earlier, you know, if I just want him to listen without fixing, I need to say that. And we've also had to learn things like I think sometimes listeners can try to reassure other people. We can minimize the problem saying, oh, it's going to be all right. You know, don't worry. That happened to me once, too. And while we might think we're doing someone a favor by that, what we're really doing is undermining their need to express themselves, to be heard, to say they really are afraid or concerned.   And so, I think a good listener doesn't just jump in immediately with the reassurance or another bad habit is deflecting, you know, saying, oh, yeah, that reminds me of the time I. And we think, oh, good, we're going to take their mind off the problem by telling them another story. And no, they don't maybe need to have their mind taken off it right then. What they might need right then is to know that they're being heard. Or even another bad habit that we had to learn to avoid is intellectualizing something or explaining something. You know, well, the reason it didn't go well for you at work today, honey, is that you probably started by just saying exactly what you felt without giving everybody else in the room a chance to speak or whatever it is. You know, we're going in trying to armchair quarterback our spouse's life by explaining and intellectualizing when, again, they just need to know we're listening, we're hearing, we're willing to be sympathetic and empathize, and we're willing to pray. And we don't have to have the answers.   We can say, gosh, that must be hard. You know, why don't we just stop right now and just say, God, we don't know what to do here. Just like Jehoshaphat had said, you know, he was facing vast armies. He said, God, I don't know what to do. We don't know what to do. But our eyes are on you. And we can say that in our marriage saying, I don't know how to help my spouse. We don't know what to do about this. But God, we're inviting you into this mix. And that's what a good listener can sound like. Sometimes you don't have to have all the answers.   Laura Dugger: (22:14 - 22:36) And I would even add, I guess it's part of the hope of this podcast, even, to ask really great questions. And our tagline is Practical Chats for Intentional Living. And the hope is that anyone listening would be inspired to also ask great questions and have their own practical chats for intentional living.   Jodie Berndt: (22:36 - 25:28) Yes, I love that you bring that up. Because in the book, there are questions at the end of every chapter. I didn't start out to write Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage. But after these other four books came out, I kept hearing from people on Instagram or via my website saying, when are you going to write something about marriage? You know, I'm in this most important human relationship. And we are grating against each other. You know, we need God's help when it comes to knowing how to handle conflict, how to handle our finances, time with our in-laws, intimacy issues, or learning, as you and I have been talking here, how to talk well, how to listen well, how to communicate, how to make friends. You'd think that would come naturally, but sometimes it doesn't. And couples struggle to find people that they want to do life with.   So, all of these things, leaving our legacy, parenting, are things marriages want God to be involved in. And so, these are what the different chapters, the topics. And at the end of each one, there are questions that we can ask our spouse. You know, hit the pause button and say, you know, say it's the chapter on having fun together. We might get to the end of that chapter and say, what's something you'd like to do that might surprise me? Because we don't always know what our spouse's idea of relaxation or fun or laughter would look like. And so, the questions in there are designed to elicit conversation. And you know what? If your spouse isn't interested in talking to you about any of those things, you can talk to the Lord about them. You can open your journal, and you can just write things out. You can listen to God. So, the discussion starters are in there for husbands and wives to use together or for you to use in your own quiet times with the Lord.   And I'll tell you, this is the only book in the series that Robbie has really written with me. He read every word of every chapter before I would send it off to the editor. And time and again, he would come back to me, and he would say, Jodie, I don't think a husband's going to really know what you mean by that. Or I don't think you have dug deep enough on this one or been as helpful as you might be on that one. And that made it hard. I mean, talk about a chance to have conflict with your spouse, invite them to edit your book. But it was so valuable because it has created a resource where I think a wife might buy the book. But I really do think a husband now might be willing to pick up the book. And even if the husband's not digging deep into the stories of every chapter, any husband or any wife can pick it up. Pray the 10 or 12 verses at the end of each chapter or just pray one verse that seems to resonate. And then avail themselves of those discussion questions and conversation starters so that it can help communication both between husband and wife and between you and God. So, thank you for bringing up that part about questions, because that really is something we need to do more about in life. We can't ever know someone without asking those things.   Laura Dugger: (25:29 - 26:18) I agree. And so, we've covered now how listening is that one important ingredient in communication. But in addition, you write, it is still important to stay current with our spouse by also talking and sharing what's going on within and around us. And you write on page 49, The things we don't say can become wedges in our relationships. Communication involves two parts, talking and listening, and we need to be good at both. And Jodie, I think that you model a helpful way to think about this through something that you taught your children. So, will you share that illustration of serving the ball and hitting it back and how that applies to conversation?   Jodie Berndt: (26:18 - 29:16) That's so funny that you pulled that out. And its funny right now because I just read that in a very important intellectual article that showed up in my inbox from one of these institutes. I follow on family studies and different things. I thought that Robbie and I had invented this idea of serving the ball. Our son was an athlete and not much of a talker. And because he was an athlete all year round, he would go to different tournaments, different places. And I remember him being a young teen and not being super eager to engage in conversation. But because we had four kids and you can relate to this, we were not always taking our kids to all the different tournaments and activities. A lot of times they'd be riding in a car with another adult, another team dad or mom. And on one occasion, I remember popping him in the car with a friend of ours who was going to go meet a lacrosse team, you know, another state away. And we knew he'd be in the car for three or four hours. And we said, OK, you know, when Mr. So-and-so asks you a question, you can't just answer with one word, you know, like I'm good or yes, sir. We want you to hit the ball back. We want you to think of something that you can ask him. Think of a conversation. That's our son's name. We said, like you're in a game where the ball has to go back and forth, like say something to keep it in play. And for him, that was a real eye opener for how to learn to talk when he mostly knew how to hit balls back and forth.   And researchers noticed that couples who paid that attention, you know, if a spouse, if a husband said, hey, look at that bird. Isn't that a pretty bird? If the wife didn't even notice the bird, that planted a seed of contempt or indifference, coldness, the cold shoulder that could grow, whereas if the partner said, wow, gosh, that is a pretty bird, and, you know, that reminds me of the one we saw last week on our walk, and, I mean, that's a silly illustration, maybe noticing the bird, maybe it's a sunset, maybe it's saying, wow, this, you know, hamburger is really good, whatever it is, whatever the little tidbits of conversation, when we pick up, when we hit the ball back, when we pay attention and say, you know, yeah, that creates an interest in our spouse and a kindness.   Laura Dugger: (29:17 - 35:00) And now a brief message from our sponsor.   Did you know you can go to college tuition-free just by being a team member at Chick-fil-A East Peoria? Free college education. All Chick-fil-A East Peoria team members in good standing can take advantage of this incredible benefit. If you're looking for a workplace that invests in your future, Chick-fil-A East Peoria is the place for you. You don't have to go into debt for college. Visit Chick-fil-A.com/EastPeoria and click on the career tab. And if you aren't located near Chick-fil-A East Peoria, make sure you check with your local Chick-fil-A restaurant to see if they also participate.   Jodie Berndt: And I'll tell you, when I started doing the kindness research, I said to Robbie, do you think some people are just more naturally kind than others? And he said, yeah, I do. I think some people are just naturally more kind. And I think he's right, but I don't think you put a period there, because kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, right? Galatians 5:22 and 23, it does talk about how love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness is what the Holy Spirit does in our lives. And researchers have found that kindness actually works with them like a muscle. It gets stronger in our lives the more we commit to using it. And I love what folks at the National Marriage Project discovered. They discovered that when we are kind to our spouse with these simple things, you know, bringing them a cup of coffee in the morning, it doesn't even have to be super important, that creates an atmosphere in which generosity toward one another can flourish. And what it does is create an upward spiral. You know, we all talk about downward spirals and how we can just descend into contempt or coldness. We can also ascend. We can create that upward spiral through simple, small words and gestures that communicate kindness in marriage. And it can change the whole climate and allow intimacy and love to flourish.   And I will tell you what, Robbie and I are in the empty nest years, and we have friends who are in our same season, and a couple of couples in particular. For the last maybe four or five years have confided to us that they're not as kind to one another as they would like to be. Their marriage is strong. They're not getting a divorce, but their kids are raised, and they each have kind of their own lanes they're in, and they're in the empty nest, and they're recognizing that they just don't treat each other with the generosity and love in their words and in their actions that maybe they did when they were younger. And you would say, oh, what a shame. Except that it's not a shame because these couples have committed to praying about it and to inviting other couples who will keep that confidential into their lives to say, hey, will you pray this for us? And I will tell you what, we are seeing the needle move in our friends' lives. It is a beautiful thing to watch someone in their 60s who thinks, you know what, I'm just not that kind, actually begin to soften and change and be kind as the Holy Spirit goes to work. So, if you're listening and you're thinking, you know what, I'm just not that nice of a person. I'm just not that kind. Or my spouse, they've been kind of cool or cold all these years. Don't give up. Keep praying. Keep trying. Keep relying on the Holy Spirit. Invite other couples into the mix who can come alongside you and pray for you and even maybe hold you a little accountable saying, okay, you know, that word was maybe harsher than it needed to be. And watch what God can do. Kindness really matters.   Laura Dugger: (45:06 - 45:45) Yes, it does. And my husband, Mark, and I love to ask questions of couples who are in the next season of life. So, we have some friends at church who are empty nesters, and we've asked them similar questions around kindness. And it was really helpful that they said what really enhanced their marital satisfaction and enjoyment of one another in those years was their tone. And I thought that was a really practical application, just to be mindful of our tone. At any season, I think of us raising little ones as well to watch our tone with our kids and our spouse.   Jodie Berndt: (45:46 - 46:16) Yeah, absolutely. And even when we speak in a tone that might, you know, I believe me, can blurt something out and it comes out sounding snippier than I meant. And I have to recognize that and say, I know that came out like I was challenging you or that I was correcting you or whatever. I didn't mean it that way. That was a genuine question of, you know, do you think we should do this or that? And I'm sorry it sounded snippy. So, we have to be aware. And when those things slip out to quickly correct that and say, gosh, sorry, let me try that again.   Laura Dugger: (46:17 - 46:38) Yeah. And I guess it's reminded me of one other quote that was really helpful. On page 63, you shared that one husband was giving a really practical definition for respect. And he said, respect looks like paying attention when I am talking, even if you have better things to do.   Jodie Berndt: (46:39 - 48:11) Yeah, I remember that couple. And I'll tell you, this was a great illustration. I'm glad you brought that one up because this is a wife who loved her husband deeply, respected what he did, said good things about him publicly and in front of people. And she would think, well, so of course he knows I respect him. Like I just praised him in front of our small group, or I just told him what a great job I thought he did on that presentation or whatever he told me about from work. And she thought, so of course he knows I respect him, but he's watching their day in, day out encounters and realizing that like so many women, you know, we do five things, 10 things at once. And he's thinking, I don't even think you're paying attention to me because I'm over here talking and you know, you're cooking the dinner or checking something on your phone or whatever. And you're listening with kind of half an ear. And she had to learn that to him, respect meant stop what you're doing and pay attention to me. And of course we can't do that all the time. Like especially if we've got little kids and they're grabbing our legs and stuff, we might have to say, hold on. I really want to pay attention to what you're saying. Can you give me five minutes to, you know, get the child settled with a coloring book or put the baby to bed or get some food in this toddler, whatever it is, because this is important to me. And I want to pay attention. So sometimes when an important need for respect is, is happening, we have to just set the stage to reassure our partner that yeah, I love you. I want to listen. I want to pay attention. I want to respect you. Let me set it up so I can do that really well. So yeah, good one.   Laura Dugger: (48:12 - 48:17) Well, do you have any other favorite stories or lessons that stand out from your book?   Jodie Berndt: (48:18 - 51:06) Well, I think a big takeaway for me is the importance of community kind of at every stage. You know, the Bible says walk with the wise and become wise for a companion of fools suffers harm. You know, that's a proverb. And I think it's really true that we need to be intentional about who we surround ourselves with. Certainly, as we're starting out young in our marriages, there's going to be adjustment phases. Even the most well-suited couples come from two different families. And as we're trying to blend our expectations, our needs, our desires, our histories, they're going to be bumps along the way. And you want to be surrounded with couples who will be able to almost laugh with you and say, yeah, you know, we had that too. And let me just tell you, here's how we navigated that. Instead of somebody who will say, oh my gosh, my husband drives me just as crazy. Like literally, I had a running group one time where I realized that there was a lot of husband bashing going on in the early morning hours as we would get out on the street, you know, before the kids went to school. And I thought this isn't really healthy. We need to change the channel on this conversation. And so, you know, and sometimes that was doable by simply changing the topic of conversation or saying something positive or just saying, “Hey, let's all list three things we're grateful about, about our spouse.”   But I think how we surround ourselves with couples really makes a difference also in the empty nest years. And I think our friendships change. Robbie and I have had friends change significantly many times over the years. Sure. There are those people that we can look back on college roommates that we're still in touch with, and that's wonderful. But we have had cross country moves four times. We have had different seasons with our kids where all of our friends might be the ones we're on the bleachers with because we are seeing them two and three times a week and traveling on the weekends to games and things like that. And now we're in the empty nest years and our friends are starting to go visit grandkids. They are in retirement, some of them and traveling for fun. Others have taken up new hobbies, new volunteer commitments. So that landscape has shifted and we've had to say, all right, let's look for life giving people, be intentional about who we want to invite over to our house for dinner, who we'd like to co-chair a project with, something where we are constantly thinking about how we can surround ourselves with people who share our faith, who will sharpen us. Again, that proverb about iron sharpening iron, our friends really matter. We want to be around people who keep us sharp and who will be intentional about pouring into our marriages. So, you know, they say divorce is catching, and it really is. If you're in a community where people are just quick to give up or quick to bash their spouse, change that, change that in your life. Look for folks who are leaning in and helping one another love well.   Laura Dugger: (51:07 - 51:27) And I think you're very encouraging to those couples that are entering or in the midst of the empty nest phase of life. And you drew out a proverb that I'd never heard in The Message version in Proverbs 4:18, where it says the longer they live, the brighter they shine.   Jodie Berndt: (51:28 - 51:58) Yeah. Isn't that a great one? I mean, you could read Proverbs 4:18 and in the NIV and the ESV and the King James, all that. And it's always good. But boy, when I hit it in The Message, and I don't know, I might've seen it around my 50th birthday or something, but I thought the longer they live, the brighter they shine. Amen. God, I want to put that on my refrigerator. Just remind me that, you know, you don't necessarily have to have all the Botox to keep shining bright. You can just have the Holy Spirit living in you and through you animating your life and making you radiant. So yeah, I love that one. I'm glad you called that out.   Laura Dugger: (51:59 - 52:06) Yeah. Are there any other ways that you see that play out as people do start to navigate these empty nest years?   Jodie Berndt: (52:07 - 53:52) I think you can become kind of insular as you get older. If we weren't being intentional about trying to have new experiences, make some new friends, your world can start shrinking because maybe your responsibilities at work aren't as demanding. So, you have more time away from work or your kids are gone. So, you're not seeing all the friends that you've done life with all that time. So, emptiness can be a time of loneliness for couples. And it can be a time when you are thinking, gosh, I'm not as active or having as much fun. But we have a friend named Jim Burns. He's written a lot of books on marriage and family issues. And he writes, he says, who would have thought that the most intimate times in a marriage aren't necessarily in the first few years, but in the empty nest. And he and his wife have navigated this transition so successfully. And I think it's in large part because they have been intentional about having fun together, about trying new things. And another couple, I know Susan and Johnny Yates, they're in their seventies. And they were like, Hey, we've never gone snowmobiling. You want to try it? Yeah, let's try it. And I just think, you know, the more we're willing to get out there and try new experiences, a new place to visit, it might even be as simple as a restaurant we've never been to, but just kind of ensuring that your world stays bigger, your friend groups stay bigger, and that you can be leaning into the fact that, you know, I think about Job where it says, God blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the former. And there is a real, a real beauty to knowing that you have a lot of runway left when you hit the empty nest years and asking God, how do you want to use me in my family, in my church, in my community, and being open to the things he puts in front of you?   Laura Dugger: (53:53 - 54:02) I love that. And Jodie, you are just such an encourager. So where can we go online to learn more from you after this conversation?   Jodie Berndt: (54:03 - 55:19) Thank you for asking that. My website is jodieberndt.com. And I would really encourage people to check that out and kind of scroll around. There's an area called resources and printables where there's a lot of free stuff like 31-day prayer calendars. You can download and print to help you pray for your marriage, a verse every day, or pray for your children or your adult children, your teens, your life, all of those calendars are on there, as well as little prayer cards, things you can tuck into your kid's lunchbox or leave on their bedside table. If you have a teenager who maybe would roll their eyes, you know, if you want to walk in there and say goodnight prayers, you might say, well, you know what? I'm just going to leave this little thing on their pillow, so they know that mom or dad is praying. And again, even if they're acting like they don't want it, I've never yet met a teen, my own included, who used to sometimes roll their eyes who will now tell me, you know what mom? I really was listening. I really did appreciate that. So, a little hang in there strategy, but yes, at jodieberndt.com all those resources. And then I'm pretty active on Instagram and that's just @jodie_berndt. So, if people want to follow there, I love to share different prayer prompts or encouragements. People can DM me with questions and it's just a fun way to, to make friends in a digital way that you might not ever be able to see someone in real life, but we can all learn from each other.   Laura Dugger: (55:19 - 55:40) Well, we will add links to all of those places in the show notes for today's episode. And you may already be familiar that we're called The Savvy Sauce because yes, I love it. I love it. And savvy is synonymous with practical knowledge. And so, as my final question for you today, Jodie, what is your savvy sauce?   Jodie Berndt: (55:41 - 57:21) That is such a great question. I love that you asked all your guests that I think for me, this might sound boring or even holier than thou, but I don't mean it that way. For me, a scripture is my savvy sauce. Like I turn to the Bible for my answers. I turn to it to shape my prayers. Like I can be so given to worry about something. I can just naturally go to a place of panic or uncertainty. And yet in the pages of scripture, I find promises that I can hold on to in a way that I can exchange my panic for peace and just trust God's provision. And the circumstances might not have changed, but what has changed as I lean into the Lord and read of his faithfulness in the past, they can help me trust for the future and it doesn't have to be this long. Like the other thing is there was a time when I thought, oh gosh, if I don't spend a half an hour, an hour, you know, reading my Bible with a candle smelling up the room and a nice cup of coffee and my journal open, it's not going to count. And I really, especially when I had younger children, it was so beautiful. An older woman, older mother set me straight. She said, Jodie, you know, you can talk to God in the carpool line. You can read three verses of scripture and meditate on those during the day. That may be more transformational than reading an entire book of the Bible and just having permission to take that in small bites, especially if you've got little ones. I think that is a great savvy sauce. Just find yourself a verse or two, hold onto it, write it out on an index card and meditate on it during the day and see what it does.   Laura Dugger: (57:22 - 57:43) That is so good. And going back to what we had talked about earlier, I experienced so much kindness in you and have really enjoyed this conversation and appreciate all that you've brought to encourage marriages. And I'm wondering if you would just close us out now with a prayer over all the marriages that are represented right now.   Jodie Berndt: (57:44 - 59:43) Oh, I would be so honored to do that. And right back at you. I mean, you're just, your voice is so very kind and welcoming. I just know your listeners love tuning in because it's like,  just having a conversation with a dear friend. So, thank you for that. But I would love, love, love to pray.   Heavenly Father, I just thank you so much for this conversation. I thank you so much for every marriage, every household represented as folks who are listening. And I just want to pray that prayer that I think I start the book with because it just jumps out at me day in and day out from 1 Thessalonians 3:12, "May our love overflow and increase for each other and for everyone else." That's something that Paul prayed for the Thessalonians. And I just want to pray it over all of our marriages, over all of our lives, over our parenting, that our love would increase, that it would overflow for one another, for our families, for our communities. And that that would be the sign that people can look at and say, you know, that as that old song says, they'll know we are Christians by our love. And it is so true in the way that we love one another, in the way that we are kind to one another. That just speaks volumes, Lord, about your love for us. I pray that we really would, as Paul writes in Ephesians, make the most of every opportunity. I pray we would live lives marked with wisdom, that we would, as he goes on in that same chapter, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Let our marriages, let our families, let our friendships be marked by that mutual submission, by that desire to not look just to our own interests, but to the interests of others, just being humble, God. Let us live humble lives, glorifying you, looking out for one another, and growing in the knowledge and grace of your son, Jesus Christ. It's in his name we pray. Amen.   Laura Dugger: (59:44 - 59:47) Amen, Jodie. Thank you so much for being my guest.   Jodie Berndt: (59:47 - 59:55) Laura, thank you so much, and Lord bless you in the work that you are doing to just equip and encourage so many. It's just wonderful.   Laura Dugger: (59:55 - 1:03:39) Thank you. One more thing before you go, have you heard the term gospel before? It simply means good news. And I want to share the best news with you, but it starts with the bad news.   Every single one of us were born sinners, but Christ desires to rescue us from our sin, which is something we cannot do for ourselves. This means there's absolutely no chance we can make it to heaven on our own. So, for you and for me, it means we deserve death, and we can never pay back the sacrifice we owe to be saved.   We need a savior, but God loved us so much. He made a way for his only son to willingly die in our place as the perfect substitute. This gives us hope of life forever in right relationship with him.   That is good news. Jesus lived the perfect life. We could never live and died in our place for our sin.   This was God's plan to make a way to reconcile with us so that God can look at us and see Jesus. We can be covered and justified through the work Jesus finished. If we choose to receive what he has done for us, Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”   So, you pray with me now. Heavenly father, thank you for sending Jesus to take our place. I pray someone today right now is touched and chooses to turn their life over to you.   Will you clearly guide them and help them take their next step in faith to declare you as Lord of their life? We trust you to work and change lives now for eternity. In Jesus name we pray.   Amen. If you prayed that prayer, you are declaring him for me. So, me for him, you get the opportunity to live your life for him.   And at this podcast, we're called The Savvy Sauce for a reason. We want to give you practical tools to implement the knowledge you have learned. So, you're ready to get started.   First, tell someone, say it out loud, get a Bible. The first day I made this decision, my parents took me to Barnes and Noble and let me choose my own Bible. I selected the Quest NIV Bible and I love it.   You can start by reading the book of John. Also get connected locally, which just means tell someone who's a part of a church in your community that you made a decision to follow Christ. I'm assuming they will be thrilled to talk with you about further steps such as going to church and getting connected to other believers to encourage you.   We want to celebrate with you too. So, feel free to leave a comment for us here. If you did make a decision to follow Christ, we also have show notes included where you can read scripture that describes this process.   And finally, be encouraged. Luke 15:10 says, “in the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” The heavens are praising with you for your decision today.   And if you've already received this good news, I pray you have someone to share it with. You are loved and I look forward to meeting you here next time.

We explore the reigns of the kings of Judah, focusing on their faithfulness to God and the power of prayer in times of crisis. We delve into the stories of good kings like Asa and Jehoshaphat, who led Judah in righteousness and experienced God's blessings. The episode highlights Jehoshaphat's remarkable faith when faced with an overwhelming enemy force. We discuss the importance of humility, repentance, and turning to God in times of uncertainty.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

Positioned for Victory is a message about what to do when we face battles that feel bigger than us. Through the story of Jehoshaphat, we learn to fix our eyes on God, trust Him to fight on our behalf, and stand firm in His presence. We can praise Him before we see the victory, knowing that He is working even when we can't see it.

2 Chronicles 20:5–12

Nobody explains that the days before a funeral are full. Phone calls, decisions, forms, food, people in the kitchen, a program to approve, flowers to choose. Grief has a to-do list, and you work it because the working is what holds you upright. And then it is over. The casseroles go into the freezer, the cards pile up on the counter, everyone returns to their own lives — and for the first time, there is nothing left to do. And you realize that life has changed and will not change back. Not even for a season. Second Chronicles 20 tells the story of Jehoshaphat facing three armies. He is afraid, he says so out loud, and then he prays one of the most honest prayers in Scripture: we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You. The word that comes back is one everyone knows: the battle is not yours, but God's. But keep reading. Two verses later, God tells them what to do next — take up your positions, stand firm, and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. They already knew the outcome was settled. God had said so. But they still had to get dressed, get in line, and walk out into the desert to stand there. The battle was God's, but the showing up was theirs. That is what this episode carries for the person who wants to give up today. God is not asking you to win. He is not asking you to fix what happened. He is asking you to take your position — even if that position is just the laundry. Even if it is just Monday, then Tuesday, then Wednesday. The standing means something. The showing up is worth something. You can grow stronger in His strength, one small act of obedience at a time. If you're still praying and starting to wonder if it's working, I wrote Praying Through Life's Battles: 90 Days to Strengthen Your Faith for you. You can preorder it now at battleprayers.com. Until next time, remember, God sees you, hears you, and He knows your needs. Bible Verse "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."— 2 Chronicles 20:15, NIV Ponder Today The battle is God's — but the showing up is yours. Judah was told the outcome was already settled, and then they were told to get up, get in line, and walk out into the desert anyway. Taking your position matters, even when the result is not in your hands. God is not asking you to fix it. Some things cannot be fixed, and no amount of effort will change them. God does not measure your faithfulness by whether things are getting better. He asks you to stand, not to win. The smallest act of obedience is still obedience. Laundry that does not care what you have been through, groceries that still need to be bought, floors that still need to be cleaned — these small, meaningless-feeling acts of staying upright are the position God is asking you to hold today. Things may not get easier, but you can grow stronger. Life remained hard for a long time after the hardest loss. But there is a difference between circumstances improving and the person inside them growing. His strength builds in the daily showing up. As long as you are breathing, your life has meaning. Getting up is not a triumph. It is Monday, then Tuesday, then Wednesday. But there are people who need you to be there when they come home. That is enough reason to stay on your feet. A Prayer for You Today Heavenly Father, I want to stop. You know that. I have been holding this together, and I am not sure why anymore. Today, the thought of doing one more day of it feels like more than I have. I confess I have been trying to fix something You never asked me to fix and measuring my faithfulness by whether things are getting better. But You told Judah the battle was not theirs, and then You told them to get up and take their positions anyway. So help me take my position today. Set my feet on the floor, on the next thing, and on the people who need me, even when I have nothing left to give. You have not asked me to win. You have asked me to stand. Give me what I need to do that, and let it be enough. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Host Javon Smith addresses how believers should respond when facing daunting, negative reports. Drawing from scriptural examples like Jehoshaphat, Asa, and Jairus, this episode illustrates why you do not have to let fear dictate your response when bad news arrives. Learn how to fix your heart on the truth of God's Word rather than leaning on natural circumstances or evil tidings.   Watch and learn more at: charisbiblecollege.org

What should you do when the battle is bigger than you and the outcome is beyond your control? Through the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, discover how to stand in God's presence, step forward at His word, and praise Him while He works.

This sermon explores the final chapter of Joel, highlighting three key aspects of God's character: His foretold faithfulness to covenant promises, His revealed retribution against enemies, and His performed promises of restoration. Using John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress as an illustration, the message emphasizes that believers possess a key called Promise to overcome doubt and despair. The exposition details the Valley of Jehoshaphat as the place of divine judgment where God avenges His people and defeats wicked nations. Ultimately, the text points to the certainty of God's faithfulness, encouraging listeners to anchor their hope in Christ and cling to the unchangeable nature of His word.

What do you do when the battle in front of you is bigger than the strength inside of you? Jehoshaphat shows us a battle rhythm: seek God, pray, fast, bow, worship, praise, then advance in obedience. The battle belongs to the LORD. Praise does not make God King; it declares that He is King. Worship surrenders our posture before Him. When the diagnosis, report, relationship, or opposition feels bigger than you, remember the victory that Jesus has already won. Look up, bow down, lift up, sing out, and move forward. Assign your praise and worship to lead your advance.

Send us Fan MailToday's episode is titled “The Consequences of Forsaking the Lord.”We all know that sin has consequences. We all know that turning away from the Lord carries a cost, but what do those consequences actually look like?How severe can they become, and how far-reaching can the fallout be?There are many answers to those questions found across the Bible, but since we're studying 2 Chronicles today, we're going to look at a passage that illustrates some of those consequences with real clarity. Chapter 21 introduces us to Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, a man who inherited a godly legacy but chose a very different path. His story is a stark reminder that forsaking the Lord is never a small matter. It affects families, nations, and futures. And it shows us what happens when a leader abandons the God who blessed his father.  Turn with me to 2 Chronicles 21, and let's look together at the consequences of forsaking the Lord….Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R McCandless...Follow and support me on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailToday's episode is titled “How to Face Life's Problems.” And that title captures the heart of 2 Chronicles 20.In our last episode, Jehoshaphat responded beautifully to a rebuke,  with humility, repentance, and restoration. But now, in chapter 20, he faces something far more frightening: a crisis so overwhelming that he has no human solution.A vast army approaches.The nation is terrified.Jehoshaphat himself is afraid.The situation is impossible.And yet, what he does next is one of the most encouraging and practical lessons in Scripture for anyone facing the problems of life, whether those problems are emotional, financial, relational, spiritual, or simply the pressures of everyday living.Jehoshaphat shows us how to respond when fear strikes,  and how to pray when you don't know what to do.How to trust when the odds are against you, how to worship when the battle is not yet won, and also how to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R McCandless...Follow and support me on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

God Empowers the Weak (2) (audio) David Eells, 9/9/26 God wants us to trust Him alone. (Jer.17:5) Thus saith the Lord: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. God calls this “departing from the Lord” when you trust in the arm of the flesh. That's departing from the Lord. When you do it the way the world does it, when you don't have any difference, any separation, any sanctification between you and the world, that's departing from the Lord. (Jer.17:6) For he shall be like the heath (or like a tumbleweed) in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited. (7) Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose trust the Lord is. (8) For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. Now that sounds like the wilderness that's coming, doesn't it? And he's telling you who will make it through and prosper and be blessed going through it. It's the person who puts his trust in the Lord. But the person who trusts in the “arm of the flesh” is going to be blown away like a tumbleweed. That's why we're preparing to get in the Ark now. There's a flood coming that's going to take a lot of people away and it's not only the fault of the teachers, but the people who listen to them because it's the easy way. There's no death-to-self in it; there's no becoming like a child in it. God is preparing to show you there's a difference between His method and the method of the world. (2Ch.16:11) And, behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. (12) And in the thirty and ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet; his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians. (13) And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. (14) And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had hewn out for himself in the city of David … What offended God here is that Asa sought his help from the physicians and not from the Lord, meaning that there is a difference.  But Asa's problem was not in just that area. He began to trust in the arm of the flesh in so many things. When Asa ruled over Judah, Judah was at war with the northern 10 tribes. (2Ch.16:1) In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. (2) Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, (3) [There is] a league between me and thee, as [there was] between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me. Judah was bribing the Syrians to break their league with the northern 10 tribes of Israel, so that they could whip them. Well, Asa made a big mistake because he robbed God in order to bribe these people. He looted out of the Lord's treasuries and hired himself some insurance. He took God's money to do this. And you know, we do the same thing a lot of times. If the enemy seems too big, many times we'll take God's money to try to whittle him down a little bit. That's not permitted, and God rebuked Asa for it. In the first place, Asa was bowing down to the god of fear because the enemy was bigger than he was. But throughout history, the enemy was always bigger than God's people when they won, so he shouldn't have bowed down to fear in the first place. In the second place, Asa should not have used God's money. Did you know that all of your money is God's money? It's not our money, so Asa shouldn't have used God's money to buy insurance against his enemy or to strengthen himself against his enemy. But he didn't know God's plan. God had a great plan. (2Ch.16:4) And Ben-Hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel (the northern 10 tribes); and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abel-maim, and all the store-cities of Naphtali. (5) And it came to pass, that when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building Ramah, and let his work cease. (6) Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and he built there with Geba and Mizpah. Look! He had success! He bribed the Syrians to break their league with his enemy and it worked. You'd say, “Well, he accomplished what he wanted to do. In a way, he won the war.”  Asa used God's money to do something that worked; he hired insurance and it worked, but God didn't see it that way. (2Ch.16:7) And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and hast not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand. You see what God was planning? He had planned to give to Judah both Israel and Syria. He was going to let Judah conquer both of them. Instead, Judah got worried, and they bribed Syria to break their pact with Israel, so that they would only have one to conquer. However, God said, “You've made a mistake. I was going to give them both to you. It would have cost you nothing and I was going to give them both to you.” That's the way it is when we run for our insurances and our assurances of the world in our strengthening ourselves. See, God wants to give it all to us. Look. (2Ch.16:7) ... Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and hast not relied on the Lord thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand. (8) Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on the Lord, he delivered them into thy hand. (9) For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Do you understand what God was saying here? He was saying, “Look, if you'd have done it My way, you wouldn't have had to conquer this problem again. This would have been the end of it. But, okay, since you did it your way, you're going to have wars from here on.” So we won't necessarily have to fight if we just do it God's way the first time. God would have given the whole enemy, vastly outnumbered as Judah was, He would have given all of them to Israel, but Judah used money to make themselves strong.  God gives you His help for free, but the alliance that you make with the world using your money is costing you something. When you make yourself strong with the strength of the world with your money, which is really God's money, it is taking from God. Think about that now. It's not your money; it's God's money. You're taking God's money and you're giving it to the devil's kingdom to make yourself strong against an enemy that God would give you anyway and give you for free. An alliance with the world is not God's method, and it wasn't His plan for Asa. That was Asa's problem. Asa had fallen into this trap of putting his trust in the arm of the flesh and it made Asa angry when God rebuked him. (2Ch.16:10) Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in the prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing…. Many of God's people are doing the same thing with their money when they bow down to the gods of insurance. What are you doing when you buy insurance? Isn't it because you don't believe the Word of God? “Oh, we need insurance,” you say. Oh, really? Think about why we need insurance. Is it not because you trust the security insurance companies provide with their large financial reserves? You're trusting in them in case something happens, as if God isn't on His throne. God knows things are going to happen. He also knows He's going to provide. So what you're doing is robbing God's money and giving it to another god. I've hardly ever seen a greater miracle than when God told me to get rid of my insurance. And, let me tell you, when I called my insurance man and got rid of my house and car insurance, it really shocked him. But I don't think it was maybe a week or two later that I saw one of the biggest miracles I've ever seen, and God proved to me that dropping my worldly insurance was His way for me because He blessed me so abundantly. I had pulled my car into this little old quickie supermarket and gone inside when I heard this big crash. The whole front of the store, all the glass in front of the store, just shook. A car had run up in that parking lot and slammed right into my car, and I had just gotten rid of all of my insurance. It slammed right into my little Datsun station wagon that wasn't but a little tin box anyway. I knew something had happened when I looked out of that store, but when I went outside, I tell you what, I was just totally awed by the power of God. This big old Buick had just wrapped itself around the corner of my Datsun station wagon. I mean hit it right on the plastic tail lens of my Datsun, and it just notched the front of that Buick from top to bottom. The hood, the grille, the bumper- they were all caved in about a foot. The plastic tail lens of my Datsun had caved in that car from top to bottom. It was an old Buick, too – an old heavy car built like a tank; hit my car and it literally wrapped around my car.  When I went outside, the driver had backed up about a foot and was out there looking at it with his eyes just as big as saucers. I said, “Oh, man!” If I hadn't seen that, I'd have never believed it because it just totaled out the whole front of his car. And there wasn't a scratch on my car. While he was standing there looking at it, I took my thumbnail and I scraped the paint off of the plastic tail lens where his hood hit my wrap-around tail lens on the corner of that Datsun station wagon. That was the only mark on my car! No, he couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it, either. But you see, I didn't have any insurance. I'd put myself in the hands of the Lord. You know, I'd become like a child, in a way, because I put myself in the hands of the Lord.  Now we have to obey the law, but at this time in Louisiana, we didn't have to have any insurance, and I didn't have any insurance. Nobody ever collected off of me, but boy, I collected off some other folks. I don't say that to be bragging; I'm just saying God did miracles for me because of that. In every way that I didn't have insurance, He was my assurance. Well, I wasn't even thinking right when I saw this; I was just awed. I mean, the guy got in his car and took off, and after he left, I thought, “Boy, I missed the best chance in the world of witnessing to somebody,” so I jumped in my car and caught him at the next red light. I got out and I witnessed to him. I told him that was God! I said, “God did that because I didn't have any insurance.” When I said, “It's a miracle,” he said, “It must be.” I remember the first thing he said when I went outside and looked at the car. He said something like, “Boy, they sure must build them better than they used to.” You know that was totally stupid. His car would have cut a path right through the middle of my car, and he wouldn't have been scratched. It would have been the other way around. Those old Buicks were tough, and mine you could dent with your elbow. A Datsun station wagon? You could knock the car tail lens out with your elbow. I'm telling you there's just nothing there.  This was one of those positions I was put in where I was made so weak and the situation I was facing was so strong that it was totally ridiculous. But I'd just gotten rid of all my insurance. When you put yourself in the hands of God, He takes that very seriously. Whatever you do and however it turns out, when you put yourself in the hands of God, you're going to be the blessed one. Another time when I got in a wreck, God didn't protect my vehicle, but I was so glad He didn't. I had a little Toyota truck that I loved. I was going down the interstate on my way to work, and I saw the car in front of me slowing down. The whole line of traffic was slowing down because somebody was stopped in the middle of a bridge, and I was slowing down, but the fourth guy back was looking off down the river instead of looking at the bridge, and he just scooped us all up. Bang! Bang! Bang! It was just one right after another. Well, the guy in front of me was hurt really badly. He had slammed into the steering wheel, and it jammed up in his chest, and he had lung blood just gushing out of his face. I've shot enough deer to know that it was lung blood. It was bright red because it has a lot of oxygen in it.  So I got up in his cab, and I pulled him out, and I laid him down on the concrete there beside his truck, with his head on the curb like it was a pillow. And the lung blood literally piled up from the road up to his face. That's how it was coming out of him. It came out jelly-like. I'm just telling you what a miracle God did. I knelt down there right beside him, and I prayed for him, and I commanded him to be healed in the name of Jesus. There were people all around me just looking at me doing that. Then the medics came and put him in the ambulance. I immediately left there and went home to call the hospital, and they told me there was nothing wrong with that man. The nurse said, “We turned him loose. He went home.” I said, “Lady, if you'd seen the pile of blood out there on the concrete, you'd know there was something wrong with him.” She said, “Well, I don't know, maybe he had a scratch in his nose or something, but there was nothing wrong with him we could see. We turned him loose and he went home.” Praise the Lord! Now, even though my truck was totaled out and at that time I didn't have any insurance, I got my truck fixed, and I still had $1500 in my pocket. It was a real blessing. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Not only that, what really tickled me the most was this: While I was standing there beside the highway with that man's blood on my arms from picking him out of the cab, somebody from work also came by. It was a Christian guy and he knew I'd preached walking and speaking faith. He saw me standing there with that blood on my arms and said to me, “You'd better go to the hospital.” I kept saying, “There's nothing wrong with me,” but he thought I was speaking faith. He insisted, “You better go to the hospital!” I told him again, “There's really nothing wrong with me,” so he drove off, and he went and told my boss. When I got to work, he and my boss and a bunch of people were standing around waiting for me. They were giving me the once-over with their eyes. They were looking me up one side and down the other, and I told them, “Look, I told him there was nothing wrong with me. It wasn't me. It's the other guy who got hurt. There's nothing wrong with me.” It was really hard to convince them. They thought I was just speaking faith. Well, anyway, that time God fixed my truck. The next time, of course, we didn't have any insurance either and God bought my house with their insurance money. He plundered Egypt right on down and bought my house and car with their insurance money. You know, even in our ignorance, sometimes God blesses us, right? Sure, there is a worldly method that can bring success. Didn't Asa get success by bribing Assyrians to break their pact? But God didn't agree with his method. Asa's method worked. He conquered his enemy and, in fact, it broke the war off totally. But even though it was successful, Asa used God's money to do it. He used God's money to buy insurance. God didn't agree with it. This is not to condemn anybody. This is just so that we know for the future what God can do. God doesn't appreciate insurance because it's a false god. It's something that we're counting on for our salvation in the future. And here's something we really ought to think about: Suppose things come on us because we have insurance. I'll give you a good example that just stuck with me so well, which the Lord showed me. When I worked at Exxon, I was working with this guy on pumps in the field; his name was Melvin. One day we were working on this old slurry pump. It's an old crude pump. Crude is real bad about staining. It's almost like paint. If it gets on you, it will stain you almost permanently. And so I was working with him on this old pump, and the gauge on the top of the pump showed that it was empty, no pressure. The bleeders were open to make sure that there wasn't pressure, that when we broke into it, we wouldn't come into pressure. The bleeder was plugged and the gauge was broken, so when we were breaking into this thing, we were breaking into a pump that had pressure on it, and it was pressurized crude oil.  So, he and I were working on the head of this pump and we'd taken all the bolts out, but the gasket was holding the head stuck onto the thing. I tapped on it a little bit, but it wouldn't break loose, and Melvin was standing right there beside it. I walked away from the pump to get a bigger hammer so I could rear back and hit that plate and it would break the gasket surface. The minute I walked away, the thing popped off and blew crude all over him. Just all over him. Now I'd been talking to Melvin about the Lord a lot. In fact, he'd been converted to the Lord by my testimony to him. But he said, “You planned that, didn't you?” It was like I just walked away and all of a sudden BOOM! and it was crude oil all over him. He was black from top to bottom, clothes and everything. And he said, “Well, don't worry about it; I have a change of clothes in my locker.” I said, “Oh, that's the reason you got it and I didn't get it. I don't have a change of clothes.” So God knew I couldn't afford to get that way because I didn't have a change of clothes. You get the point? Melvin prepared for a disaster and he got one. He had full faith that he was going to have one, and he got what he believed for. See, we don't realize that God is sovereign. If we prepare or we insure for disaster, He can bring one. Sometimes we think, “Oh, thank God I prepared!” But actually, we could have brought on the disaster in the first place. Melvin and I left this pump, and after he had changed his clothes and everything, we went to another pump. This is a very rare thing. Well, believe it or not, this other one was the same kind of pump, and almost the same thing happened. And I was standing right beside him this time, right beside him when the flange broke open. It was amazing to me how two things in a row could happen like this. The flange broke open and it squirted out of one place from that thing and drowned him from top to bottom with crude oil. But just before this happened, Melvin said, “You're never gonna get me like that again.” I said, “Melvin, you better watch those positive statements. God is listening.” We left right there and went over to work on this other pump. Sure enough, we had checked that one even with a rod, but evidently it was plugged up somewhere else- the bleeder with a rod and everything- and the plate just backed up just a little bit. It squirted a stream and hit Melvin and squirted him from top to bottom with crude oil. I said, “I told you about those positive statements, Melvin.” This was the second time. It was a good thing he was a good-natured guy, and he really was, but he got it twice in a row. Well, I'm sure he learned something from that because it was impossible for something like that to happen twice. It was just impossible for us to be working on the same kind of equipment because we worked on everything from turbines to motors to pumps to drivers, and here we were working on a reciprocating pump. There weren't even that many of them out there, and we worked on one right after another, and he got it on both.  God takes offense when you insure yourself, and when you do, He causes you to lose the battle. In the last case we looked at, it seemed like they made the right decision because what Asa did worked. The only thing is, he robbed God by trusting in a false god. God even gave Asa temporary victory in it, but then the prophet came and prophesied to him that he wasn't going to get out of wars because of that. In other words, he didn't do it right that time, so another war was coming. We have to understand that if we don't do it God's way, we haven't gotten out of anything. Another trial just like it is right around the corner because these trials are put there for us to be overcomers and to overcome something in us that's wrong. And trusting in the world is wrong. It's offensive to God. (2Ch.20:35) And after this did Jehoshaphat the king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah the king of Israel; the same did very wickedly: (36) and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-geber. (37) Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath destroyed thy works. And the ships were broken so that they were not able to go to Tarshish. (21:1) And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David…. So we see that Jehoshaphat lost his life because of his insurance, and Asa lost his life because of his insurance. They trusted in something other than the Lord. You know, our help does not come from anything that we can do or anything that we can eat. (Exo.15:26) … I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Help comes from God. Divine help comes from God. It doesn't come from anything we can eat. In fact, whatever you eat, God says it's good and to be received with thanksgiving, if it is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer (1 Timothy 4:4,5). See, God sanctifies your food. He makes it what you need. Whatever you eat, God will make it what you need, if you sanctify it through the Word of God in faith. As a matter of fact, I want to show you something. See, there are all kinds of insurance. We think, “Well, we're not getting enough vitamins.” That's not what the Bible says.  Now we're not putting anybody under laws about vitamins; this is just an example. (1Ti.4:1) But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, (2) through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; (3) forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats…. Why do they command to abstain from meats? Because they say they're unclean. They say they're not healthy. Why does the world say that pork, for instance, is not healthy? Because they have statistics to prove that pork is not healthy. But who is that talking about? It's talking about the world. We are not the world. The statistics that work for them don't work for us. Paul says this is a doctrine of demons to us. Now, they have the statistics to prove that for the lost world, pork is not a healthy meat, but that's not us. Read what it says to Christians. We are the ones who are delivered from the curse. They are not delivered from the curse. We are delivered, so he calls it a doctrine of demons “to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth” (1Ti.4:3). See, if you know the truth, you can eat those meats because you're free from the curse, if you know the truth. If you really believe what he's saying, you can do this; it will have no bad effect upon you. He said they are “created to be received with thanksgiving.” God created them for that purpose for those who love the truth and know the truth. Only those people won't be hurt. These doctrines of demon teachers are going to tell you they're not all good; some of them you better stay away from, and they take that from Old Testament doctrine about unclean meats. But what did those unclean meats signify? Remember that Peter saw the unclean animals coming down out of Heaven on a sheet (Acts 10:11,12) and God said, “rise, Peter; kill and eat (Act.10:13). (14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. (15) And a voice [came] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.” And God did this to Peter three times (Acts 10:16) to make sure he got the point. The sheet came down out of Heaven. God said, “What I make clean, don't you make unclean.” Then three men showed up at his door, inviting him to come and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10:19). And when Peter went before the Gentiles, he said he perceived that they were acceptable to God (Acts 10:28) because of the revelation he had just received about the unclean animals. You see, men are beasts. Gentiles represent unclean animals in the Scriptures.  We're not to partake of unclean animals. If you listen to unclean people, to Gentiles, pagans, their thinking gets into you and, in a way, you're eating what they're saying. Jesus said you're supposed to eat of His Body (John 6:51). His Body is clean. His Body represents the Word, right? He was the Word made flesh. If you eat His body, it goes into you and becomes you. It becomes a part of you. If you do that with an unclean person, you partake of their thinking, their word; it goes into you, and it still becomes a part of you. So God said not to partake of these unclean people, whom the unclean animals represented. That's the revelation that God gave to Peter.  (1Ti.4:4) For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected…. Nothing. Because He said it's good. If God said it's good, it's good: “What I make clean don't you make unclean.” Remember what God said to Peter. “If I say it's clean, it's clean.” In fact, when the disciples were talking about eating only certain things, Jesus said, “not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the man; but that which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man (Mat.15:11). (18) But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: (20) these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man.” Out of his thinking are unclean thoughts. These defile man. It's not what he eats or his unwashed hands. It's what comes out of your mouth, what comes out of your thinking, that defiles you. Worry about that. Don't worry about eating pork is what He's saying here. (1Ti.4:4) For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving: (5) for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. It is to be received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer. “Sanctified” means “set apart unto God.” Can the world do that? No, they're under the curse. They can't do that. Jesus told the disciples, And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you (Luk.10:8). (Eat what is put before you.) (3) Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves. (7) And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. (8) And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.  (1Ti.4:6) If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed [until now:] (7) but refuse profane and old wives' fables…. And that's what these rules of men are. “Don't do this, don't do that; take this and take this,” and all that other garbage. That's not God's plan. That's just like the insurance. That is going after other gods. That's putting your trust in other things. You don't need that. Where does our health come from? It comes from the fact that Jesus became cursed for us so that we could be blessed (Galatians 3:13,14). He bore the whole curse. If I'm blessed and He took all of my curse, then I have to be healthy. I have to be delivered. That's where my faith should be. I am healthy. I don't have to go looking for health by listening to a bunch of quacks who think this drug or this herb or this vitamin is going to heal or keep me. No, that's just crazy, and it's just not Biblical. Our health comes from what Jesus did on the cross. It's something that you accept because of what happened; it's past tense. But people don't believe that's enough, so they think, “I have to do something else to get health. The cross is not enough. Jesus is not a good enough provider, so I'd better get insurance.” Stop and think about these things we're doing. We are trusting in false gods. It is offensive to God. Insurance is common sense to the world, but look at how many times the insurance is the very thing that caused God to bring the curse. And everybody says, “Oh, praise God! Thank God I had that insurance!” No. The curse came because you have insurance. Read here carefully and see if you get the point Jesus is making. (Mat.16:5) And the disciples came to the other side and forgot to take bread. (They didn't provide for themselves.) (6) And Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. (7) And they reasoned among themselves, saying, We took no bread. (8) And Jesus perceiving it said, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have no bread? (9) Do ye not yet perceive, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? (10) Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Do a little arithmetic in your mind here to figure this thing out.  (11) How is it that ye do not perceive that I spake not to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees? (12) Then understood they that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. See, before we look at this carefully, what was the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees? Their teaching was the Law, salvation by works. In everything, salvation was by works to the people under the Law. Now, the disciples thought, “Well, we don't have provision, we didn't bring bread. We should have stored up some bread and brought it with us.” That was what they were thinking, but Jesus wasn't talking about that.  He said, “Don't you remember the five loaves of the 5000 and how many baskets you took up?” And that was 12. Remember, there were 5000 people to feed. They had five loaves to feed them, and after the miracle, they took up 12 baskets of leftovers. That's a miracle, right? Jesus wants you to compare these two miracles. In the next miracle, He says, “the seven loaves of the 4000.” There were fewer people to feed and they started with more to feed them. They had seven loaves and the baskets they took up were only seven.  In other words, when they put in more, God put in less, and there was less left over. Jesus is saying to the disciples, “Look at these two miracles carefully. Don't you remember? When you didn't put in, God made a bigger miracle. When you put in, God made a lesser miracle and there was less left over. Understand the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. They think it's by their own strength.” And that's how the Law worked, by the way. God just gave them the Law and said, “Okay, you keep it or else.” The strength of the Law was the individual's own strength. But what Jesus was saying is, “Don't worry because you didn't bring bread. God's still here. This is not a problem. Don't you understand? Don't you remember what happened?” Look, when you put in less, God puts in more. The less that you have to put in, the more God puts in to show you that it was Him. But the more you put in, the less God puts in. It's that way in everything. The more of self that goes into something, the less of God is going to be there. We must decrease so that He may increase. Remember John the Baptist? (Joh.3:30) He must increase, but I must decrease. That's the truth. That's for all of us. The more we decrease, the more God will increase. Remember, God wants salvation to be by grace – unmerited and unearned, not of your wisdom. (Ephesians 2:8). God is not dealing with us the way He deals with the world. Don't look at the world and think that's the way God wants to deal with you. The world is totally different. He wants all of our salvation, deliverance, prosperity and blessing to come by grace. It has to come freely and trusting in the promise of God. He's called us out of this world (1 Peter 2:9) and He's dealing differently with us. When this life is over, we're going to see how great God is and how little we are. This is the whole point. (Rom.4:4) Now, to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt. See, if you could earn it, God would owe it, but God will not permit that. Think about it again now. “To him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as of debt.” That's your works, right? This salvation would not be by grace. You'd be making your way to Heaven and God would owe it to you. Think that's ever going to be possible? It's not possible. He's sovereign and He's not going to permit it.  Even where God permits the world's works to save them, He won't permit your works to save you. (Rom.4:5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness. You see, God calls a person righteous because they walk by faith. (Rom.4:17) (As it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. (18) Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations…. See, it looked hopeless. God made a promise and then He waited 40 more years until Abraham and Sarah were ancient, when it couldn't possibly come to pass. God waited because, if He had done it right there, everybody would have said, “Oh, it's possible; maybe Abraham did that.” No. God waited until Abraham couldn't do that, and then God brought it to pass to prove it was Him. He wanted all the credit. In our circumstances, it may also become increasingly impossible. Don't lose faith, because the more impossible it gets, the more possible it is for God. Why? Because when you're in the position of weakness, that's what God likes. It's where He wants you to be. It's where He gets all the credit for the miracle, and He looks greater in the eyes of the world when these great things happen. (Rom.4:18) Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be. (19) And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb; (20) yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, (21) and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Now, there was one time when Abraham and Sarah decided to have a little insurance (Genesis 16) and God permitted them to do that, but ultimately, it brought a great curse upon his seed. God's plan and what He is doing is so wonderful. You should have more courage and more faith when things get impossible, because every time in the Bible, that's where they were when the miracle came. Be encouraged when you see the odds against you, as the world calls it, because that's when they're in your favor. 

Send us Fan MailThis Podcast is part of season 23 of a project to complete an in-depth study of the entire Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Episode Notes:Today's episode is titled “How to Respond to a Rebuke.” In our last episode, Jehoshaphat made a dangerous alliance with Ahab. We saw how he listened to the wrong voices, followed the wrong counsel, and how he nearly lost his life because of it.Now, in chapter 19, he returns home, and then God sends a prophet to rebuke him. What Jehoshaphat does next is one of the most beautiful moments in his life. He doesn't try to defend himself. He does not justify his actions, and thankfully he doesn't imprison the prophet, as we sadly saw Ahab do yesterday. Instead, he responds with humility. He receives the rebuke, he corrects his course, and he leads the nation into deeper obedience. This is why I believe that today's chapter 19 teaches us something every believer needs to learn: How to respond when God confronts us.How to respond when we are corrected.How to respond when we are rebuked. So, let's explore how to respond to a rebuke…. Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R McCandless...Follow and support me on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis Podcast is part of season 23 of a project to complete an in-depth study of the entire Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Episode Notes:Today episode is titled “The Danger of False Preachers.”  And that title, I believe, captures the central warning of 2 Chronicles 18.  In our last episode, we saw Jehoshaphat at his best. He was balanced, wise, faithful, obedient, strengthening the nation spiritually and practically. But now, in chapter 18, we see Jehoshaphat at his most vulnerable. He forms a dangerous alliance with Ahab, the wicked king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and surrounds himself with false prophets who tell him exactly what he wants to hear. He also ignores the one true prophet who speaks the word of the Lord, and he walks straight into a battle he should never have entered. Chapter 18 is an important reminder that not everyone who claims to speak for God actually does, and not every preacher is trustworthy. Not every prophet is faithful, and not every voice that sounds spiritual is true. Today, I hope we will discover the danger of being seduced by false voices, and what happens when a Godly person listens to the wrong preachers, teachers, prophets or even influencers…..Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R McCandless...Follow and support me on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Send us Fan MailThis Podcast is part of season 23 of a project to complete an in-depth study of the entire Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Episode Notes:I've always admired people who seemed to live balanced lives — people who developed both their minds and their bodies, who cultivated both discipline and joy, who lived with both conviction and compassion. But for a long time, I never preached a sermon on balance, because I didn't see that concept explicitly taught in Scripture.In this book, one of the kings is described by more than one commentator as balanced. His life gives us a practical, biblical example of what balance looks like, and how we can cultivate it ourselves. That king is Jehoshaphat. He is a king who strengthens the nation militarily, but also spiritually. He builds fortifications but also sends out teachers of the law.He expands Judah's influence but also deepens Judah's devotion.He is active, but he is prayerful.He is courageous, but he is humble.He is strategic, but he is dependent on God. Jehoshaphat shows us what it looks like to live a life that is not lopsided and not spiritually thin, not spiritually frantic, not spiritually inconsistent, but balanced. So today, we're going to explore 2 Chronicles 17 and discover how Jehoshaphat cultivated balance in his life and leadership — and how we can do the same….Support the showThis podcast is entirely the work of Jeremy R McCandless...Follow and support me on Patreon.Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | PatreonTo receive my weekly newsletter and keep up to date with all five of my podcasts, subscribe at:Jeremy McCandless | SubstackCheck out my other Podcasts.My History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.comThe L.I.F.E. Podcast: Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment.https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.comThe Renewed Mind Podcast. My Psychology and Mental Health Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568891The Classic Literature Podcast:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2568906To visit my Author page on Amazon and view my entire back catalogue of books on both Amazon and Kindle, and now also on Audible, Visit:Amazon.com: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Ephesians 6: 10-17 NIV 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation (deliverance) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Repentance - Turning our Hearts Back to God 2 Chronicles 19:4 NIV 4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 2 Chronicles 20:1-2a NIV After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. 2 Chronicles 20:3 NIV 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. Repentance - Turning our Hearts Back to God 2) Fasting - Turning our Focus Back to God Matthew 17:17-21 NASB 17 And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” 20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. 21 But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Repentance - Turning our Hearts Back to God Fasting - Turning Our Focus Back to God 3) Thanksgiving - Turning our Praise Back to God 2 Chronicles 20:15-19 NIV 15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.'” 18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. 2 Chronicles 20:15-19 NIV 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. Repentance - Turning our Hearts Back to God Fasting - Turning Our Focus Back to God Thanksgiving - Turning our Praise Back to God

Pastor Chad's message focuses on the rewards that come through prayer, using Jehoshaphat's victory in 2 Chronicles 20 as the foundation. He emphasizes that God often does far more than we ask or expect, and that even when God doesn't answer a prayer exactly as requested, His response can be better because He sees the bigger picture. The primary rewards of prayer are love, joy, and peace—experiencing the Father's love, finding joy even after seasons of sorrow, and receiving God's peace in the middle of difficult circumstances. He encourages believers to turn toward God, honestly bring Him their problems, remember His past faithfulness with thanksgiving, and confidently make their requests known. 

The sermon examines King Jehoshaphat's response to an overwhelming military threat, highlighting his willingness to accept prophetic reproof and implement spiritual reforms. It draws a parallel between Judah's historical enemies and the Christian struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. The preacher emphasizes that human strength is insufficient for this battle, urging believers to recognize their total dependence on God. Central to the message is Jehoshaphat's example of gathering the nation in fasting and prayer, relying on God's promises rather than political or military solutions. The text concludes by calling for a national revival through sincere seeking of the Lord, asserting that only divine intervention can overcome spiritual darkness.

Our readings today all provoke interesting and, to some extent, complex thoughts – but that is good: for just as our bodies benefit from physical exercise, so do our minds – from mental exercise. The interaction between Jehoshaphat the God-fearing king of Judah and Ahab the weak king of Israel is very instructive.  Jehoshaphat visits Ahab who invites him to join him in a war to recapture cities that the Syrian king has occupied.  Jehoshaphat wisely requests, “Inquire first the word of the LORD” [1 Kings 22 v.5] Ahab has about 400 prophets who all say, Go up for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.” [v.6] But Jehoshaphat insists that this be confirmed by a prophet of the LORD (Yahweh).  Ahab says there is such a prophet, Micaiah, “but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me …” [v.8]  One of Ahab's prophets then claims, “Thus says the LORD … you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed” [v.11] using “horns of iron” to demonstrate; “all the prophets support him” but what false prophets they all prove to be! When Micaiah arrives, he first says, “Go up and triumph” [v.15] but he does not say it is “the word of the LORD,” we suspect he speaks in a cynical voice. Ahab senses this and exclaims, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD”  [v.16]  The true prophet replies, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains , as sheep that have no shepherd.  And the LORD said, ‘These have no Master …” [v.17], indicating the death of Ahab who then exclaims to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not say he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” [v.18]Micaiah then tells a story which we understand as a parable that a “lying spirit” was sent by the LORD into “the mouth of all his (Ahab's) prophets.” He adds, “the LORD has declared disaster for you.” [v.23] And as we read for ourselves the words of all the genuine prophets of the LORD, of which Jeremiah is one, we reflect on our own serious situation in today's utterly godless world.  In Jeremiah we just read, “behold I am bringing disaster upon, all flesh, declares the LORD.” [ch. 45 v.5] and earlier in his ch. 23, “The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly” [v.23]  This “disaster” is for those who follow the ways of Ahab and ignore God's warnings – and today this seems to be just about the whole world!  God's word is available in every language, but how many heed its' warnings, nearly all leave it to gather dust! But the seekers who read to find “nothing but the truth” will survive.  Many today could meet the same fate as Ahab, and that may not be very far ahead.

Pastor Chad's sermon focuses on the power and purpose of worship, using Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 as the central example. He explains that worship is the primary reason believers gather, not simply for encouragement, teaching, or personal benefit, and that true worship begins with God rather than our preferences. Worship is also a full-bodied, lifestyle response involving our hearts, voices, hands, posture, singing, and praise. Ultimately, praise doesn't change God—it changes us, draws our attention toward Him, and allows us to participate in the worship already taking place in heaven.

Fight the Real Enemy (1) (audio) David Eells, 8/23/26 Old Man Vs. the New Spiritual Man William Steenland - 12/07/2013 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was watching a political race between two candidates: an old man about 65 and a young man (or new spiritual man) of about 30. The old man had his arms and hands out. I can't remember what he was saying. All I knew was he was lying through his teeth. It was almost comical, the things he was saying. It was totally unbelievable and silly, but the crowd was eating it up and loving it. (The world loves the thinking and speech of the old man, who is their kin, even though it is all a lie. He speaks according to the curse that he sees and not according to the faith; in the flesh and not in the Spirit. He doesn't speak the language of our Kingdom and cannot bear its fruit.) The young man had a questioning look on his face, as if he was upset at this old man. As the old man just kept lying and lying, the young man walked right up to him and said, “You know, I am an adult”. (The young man, or new man, is the mature one in the Kingdom and has power over the old, foolish man.) The young man put the old man in a headlock and dropped him to the ground, where they wrestled and wrestled. (The headlock implies the new man bringing into bondage the mind of the flesh or old man. Let me share a dream I had, where I had the old man in a headlock. I knew he was a giant; only he appeared normal in size. We saw a big giant, and when I turned the old man loose from the headlock, he said, “Bigger, bigger, bigger” to the big giant. I knew if the old man was permitted to speak, he would cause the giant to grow. So, then I karate chopped him in the Adam's apple and said, “No! Smaller, smaller, smaller”. This is because if we let the flesh speak the old man becomes a giant that in our eyes is impossible to conquer. He is then bigger than the promises of God. Then we will be overcome by him. If the spiritual new man speaks him smaller, even dead according to the Word, we will overcome him. The good confession is: (Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. ... (Rom.6:3) Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (4) We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have become united with [him] in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of his resurrection; (6) knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin... (11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof. So speaking according to the promises brings the old man down to conquer him.) Suddenly, the dream changed. It was no longer the old man and the young man or new man wrestling. It was David and me wrestling outside on the grass. (This represents the Davids' words and teachings are wrestling with our old man, the flesh.) I, like the old man, was in a headlock and losing terribly. (When the old man loses, we win.) I had no choice but to tap out. (Meaning to give up and let God rule in you through the new spiritual man.) After I tapped out, we got up and sat on a white concrete wall. (When the new man wins, that is called sanctification, meaning separation from sin, signified by the white rock wall.) We were next to a big white factory (where sanctification is being mass-produced in many people through the new man conquering the old man). The police were walking around, as if to catch us fighting. I had my head down and said to David, “Wow, I never had anyone be a father to me before”. (Because the new or spiritual man is being produced in your life through the ministry of end-time fathers of the seed of David.)  I turned to look up at David and he was gone. (Because the Lord is the unseen Father and the Davids are only vessels for His use.) I saw a UBM brother in the distance in a wheelchair and went to talk with him. (As we manifest this sanctification, we are able to pass it on to those who are spiritually crippled, unable to walk in the Kingdom because they walk dangerously upon the earth where the Beast and curse can crush them.) I had a second dream where I was in the middle of two ancient armies --Roman and German -- coming together (like in the Gladiator movie). (The Roman army could well represent the apostate right-wing. The German army may well represent our own left-wing government. Read “Germany” Attacks United States. In our day, a civil war is coming between the right and the left, and both will be a threat to true Kingdom believers who refuse to fight with the world, against the world. Our ministry of the Good News is to both.) I was totally naked, except for a pair of white boxers. (The coming battle will mature many Christians delivered from both sides and now in the middle.) I knew that I couldn't try to fight my way out. (We are forbidden to fight with flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness.) These intense armies were slowly moving together to fight. I was walking down a narrow path, just escaping between them as they were coming together. I kept on the narrow path (of obedience to the Word) to escape the war. (Father will divide and conquer, as He fought in the day of battle for Jehoshaphat and Gideon.) Suddenly, I wasn't naked anymore, except for the pair of white boxers, but I was in the woods in full armor, and the battle was out in the distance from the woods in the clearing.  I had escaped from the war. (The mature will take no sides and so be hated by both.  Father will save them from this Beast through the armor of God's Word. And then taking their authority over their old man and all the power of the enemy.) I was now in full armor and riding a big horse and holding a huge axe. (Representing having the beastly flesh under authority with the weapons of spiritual warfare.) I looked down where there was a green demon lying crippled and close to dying. (Green represents life and demons represent the true spiritual enemy; hence, they will be losing their spiritual life or power through those who conquer the old man.) He was lying next to a stump of a cut-down tree. (Like with Nebuchadnezzar, Babylonish America is falling to internal and external foes for seven years of madness in leadership.) He was still talking trash, saying he would kill me and so on. I got off the horse and lopped off his head. (Through conquering the old man, we have full authority over all the power of the enemy. (Luk.9:1) And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. ... (10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.) End of dream.   Fear Not For I Am With Thee Tianna Fire - 12/31/22 (David's notes in red)  The Holy Spirit was speaking to me through my husband, Samuel, and I felt the presence of God strongly. However, my flesh was fearful, as I could feel parts of my old nature dying. It was being washed away, and the Holy Spirit was increasing inside of me. (I feel sometimes my flesh fears dying to self, although the spirit and soul desire it. The enemy knows he is defeated and works with the flesh to grasp at every straw in order to survive.) (Rom.8:13 for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.) I was really just desiring to hold onto Jesus, and I was agreeing with the Spirit and not wanting to give in to the flesh's fear. (When we are faithful to receive the Word of the Lord through His vessels and submit to it, our spirit man is strengthened as it is washed clean from the filthiness of the old man. My husband Samuel represents our spiritual Husband, Jesus. When we submit ourselves to the authority of His Word, we bear His fruit in our lives.)   I then saw, to my right, Jesus' giant hand come through the roof of our home and rest in front of mine, indicating and welcoming me to hold His hand. I put my hand where I saw His and felt an abundance of peace and comfort, knowing that He is always there and He won't let me go. He knows what I am experiencing, and He will get me through it. He has already gone through it all for me. (Mat.11:28-30) Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. And (Joh.16:33) In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.) He is patiently waiting for us also to grab His hand [and lean upon His strength]. (Isa.41:10) fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.   Victory Assured for God's Army B. A. - 02/23/2012 (David's notes in red) I saw myself inside a worldly Marine Commander's tent on a battlefield. (Symbolizing a worldly religious leader.) The Commander was going over rescue plans with three of his Special Ops Men. (Leading his brethren to rescue one captive to demonic forces.) Earlier that day, one of the men named Brad in his platoon had been taken captive by the enemy while trying to take a nearby city. (“Brad” is short for “Bradley”, meaning “broad meadow”. Possibly symbolizing in this case, bearing the fruit of much flesh, since Peter said, “All flesh is as grass”. These are the people who get overcome by the enemy spirits easily.) After receiving their orders, the three Special Ops Men set out to rescue Brad (an acronym for bruised, rejected and defeated). Ops Man #1 went in first. As soon as he took two steps into the city, he was confronted by the largest enemy he had ever seen in his life. He pulled out his gun and fired, but the bullet came out of the chamber and fell onto the ground. He had no choice but to surrender. Next, Ops Man #2 was sent in. He saw the mistake Ops Man #1 made, so he decided he would use a hand grenade so he wouldn't have to get too close to the enemy. He pulled the pin and threw the grenade at the enemy, but the grenade was a dud. He was captured and taken prisoner along with Ops Man #1. Lastly, Ops Man #3 went in. His strategy was to get down on his belly and sneak his way around the enemy. What he didn't know was that the enemy saw him coming. When he got just a few feet into the city, the enemy came up behind him and knocked him out. All three of these men were thrown into prison with Brad. (2Co.10:3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (4) (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds.) Upon hearing this grim report, the worldly Marine Commander was at a loss as to what to do next since all of his TOP men had been taken prisoner. (When the leadership is taken captive to demonic forces, they are in a ‘work' they are not qualified to do.) His Lieutenant said, “Sir, there is a young Private from another army waiting outside to see you”. The Commander asked him, “What army is he from?” The Lieutenant said, “I don't know, sir, but I think you should at least see this Private”. (Turns out he is just a Private in God's army, which is higher in rank and authority than all of the carnal armies. (Psa.8:2) Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, Because of thine adversaries, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. If you have the two-edged sword of the Word, saint, you have the authority over the demonic forces holding the immature Christians captive.) So the Commander granted Private entrance into his tent. The Commander asked, “Son, do you understand the gravity of this situation?” The Private answered, “Yes, sir, I do”. The Commander asked, “Well, son, what makes you think that you have what it takes to rescue these men?” The Private said, “Sir, with all due respect, this kind of war can't be fought by worldly standards and weapons”. (Eph.6:10) Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].) The Commander asked, “What do you mean by that statement?” The Private stated, “Sir, this is a very different kind of war and requires higher intelligence and weaponry. My Commander (The Word in our heart is Commander Jesus) sent me to you as He said I would be capable of handling this rescue alone. Upon your approval, Commander, I would like to try”. (The disciple is full of faith and confidence. (Mar.16:17) And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons.)  The Commander said, “Alright, Private, I'll give you a shot at it, but if you get captured you are on your own”. The Private stated that he understood the risks, but he knew he would be fine. As the Private neared the city, he dropped to his knees, bowed his head, and began to pray. When he finished his prayer and thanked the Lord, he proceeded onward. Upon entering the city, he was immediately confronted with enemy #1, Rebellion. He was a BIG ENEMY, ugly and hideous. Rebellion said to the Private, “Haven't I seen you somewhere before? You sure look familiar”. Private said, “Oh, yeah, we've met”. Rebellion said, “You look pretty scrawny, Private. I can't believe they would send somebody like you in here”. (Zec.4:6)... Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts. While Rebellion was running off at the mouth, he didn't see Private pull out the large bazooka he had hidden behind his back. Private took aim and pulled the trigger. A large, powerful blast of water hit Rebellion right in the heart. It blew him into so many pieces he looked like snowflakes coming to the ground. (The washing of water with the Word is our authority to convict others of sin and to cast out their enemy.) Next, Private was going around a corner onto the next street, and there he was -- archenemy Anger was standing there with a big grin on his ugly face. He said, “Well if it isn't little ol' Private. I sure didn't expect to see you here”. Private said, “No, I don't expect you did”. Anger raised up his weapon to fire on Private and said, “Might as well get this over with quickly; it's lunch time and I'm hungry”. Private said, “I couldn't agree more”. He pulled out his weapon, and before Anger could get off a shot, Private hit him right in the middle of his forehead and he fell dead like a rock. (Conquering the mind of the flesh in which anger can live. (2Co.10:5) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ ...)  Private stopped and sang praises and thanks to the Lord, then proceeded on. He hadn't gone far when out popped Bitterness from behind a bus. Bitterness yelled out to Private from a distance, “Hey, Private, remember me? I whipped you good the last time I saw you.” Private stated back in a calm and controlled voice, “I remember, Bitterness. I wasn't prepared for your attack last time, but all that has changed”. Bitterness took a deep breath and spat a deadly, green-looking slime out of his mouth (slander and criticism) to destroy Private. Private remembered the last attack, so he was ready. He took aim and hit Bitterness right in the mouth and knocked his head onto the ground. (He destroyed the mind of flesh with the Word.) Private found the captives and led them out of the city. It was late in the day, so they stopped to camp for the night. Private expected victory, so he had brought plenty of food and water for himself and the captives.  Later, as they were sitting and warming themselves by the fire, the four men asked Private how he was able to rescue them all by himself. (Psa.149:6) [Let] the high praises of God [be] in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand; (7) To execute vengeance upon the nations, And punishments upon the peoples; (8) To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; (9) To execute upon them the judgment written: This honor have all his saints. Praise ye Jehovah. Even the least Private outranks the demonic nobles and kings over this world.  (Luk.10:17) And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name. (18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you. (20) Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (21) In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding (the Commanders of apostate religion), and didst reveal them unto babes (or Privates): yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight. He told them about this special army he was in and how wonderful his Commanding Officer was to all the men. He told them his Commanding Officer wrote an awesome book (the Bible) that contained absolute truths and strategies on how to defeat your enemies. The Private told them that after completing this training, you won't have any problems defeating your enemies. He said, “I was once like you. I got my instructions from the world and I wasn't very successful in defeating my enemies. My Commander and His book changed my entire life”. Upon hearing this Real Good News, these men wanted to know more about the Private's Commander and this awesome book. Private spent all night reading the book to these men. In the morning, they all made their way back to base camp. Private delivered the four men back to their Commander. As Private turned around to leave, the worldly Commander stopped him and said, “Son, you can't leave yet. We have a reward for you”. Private stated, “Sir, with all due respect, I can't accept that reward, as it belongs to my Commander, not me. (Jesus warned us not to receive the glory of men or we would not have the glory of God.) You see, sir, it was my Commander (Jesus) and His weapon (the Word of God) that rescued these men. I was just the vessel He used to accomplish His mission. As Private was walking out the door, the four men that he had rescued came running up to join him. They told Private they had resigned from their army and they wanted to join up with his army. They couldn't wait to meet his Commander and learn more from that awesome book. Private was happy to take these new recruits to meet his awesome Commander.   Torment to Those Who Fight Back  G. C. - 04/28/2009 (David's notes in red) In this dream, I recall being inside a house that was owned by a semi-Christian believer who is in sin with his girlfriend. I had left his house and went into the street to sleep with nothing but a coat on the ground to lie on. Looking back, it was almost like I was downtrodden, but I would rather be in the street than in a household of sinners.  As I was lying there, a group of men from my past gathered around me. These were guys whom I had known in my high school days and thereafter; men that I had partied with and hung out with, but I always knew had hatred for me. They started to kick me in the head and curse me. They were beating me like a dog in the street. I looked around at them and noticed one of them was a recent convert of the Lord, whom I have been helping to disciple. I was shocked to see him in the midst of these attackers because I have done so much for him, by sending him money and food, writing him letters of encouragement, and being the only person there for him during his time of trouble. I cried out to him, “Why are you just standing there? I have done so much for you!” He just ignored me and watched as I was beaten.  As the attack went on, my anger was kindled, and I began to fight back, but with Samson-like power. They could not stand before me. I was knocking them down like bowling pins. I knew that this was not Godly behavior, but the persecution was so intense that my flesh prevailed and fought back with the attackers. (Jesus said, “Turn the other cheek”; “Forgive and you will be forgiven”; “Love your enemies”; “Resist not him that is evil”; “He that lives by the sword will die by the sword”; etc. Paul said by the Lord, “Overcome evil with good”; “Avenge not yourselves”; “Render to no man evil for evil”; “Vengeance is mine saith the Lord”; “Bless them that persecute you; bless and curse not”. Obedience to these commands is to take up our cross and follow Jesus so we can be His disciples.) All the while, I was so distressed that this brother had sided with the heathen. After I physically prevailed against them, I remember being in severe trouble with the police department and court system.  Very heavy charges had been brought against me for attacking the men, even though I was merely defending myself. The world had completely sided with the men, and I was under severe judgment. They brought me before rulers and councils that were always against me. A sense of fear and dread lay heavy upon me throughout the dream. I was so scared and hopeless. I was in so much trouble and was facing many years in prison for my crimes. I remember making so many excuses for my actions and trying to justify my behavior, but it was all to no avail. Not only did none of the authorities side with me, I also had no boldness before the Lord. You must understand that throughout the dream I felt my life was over; it was like a nightmare. I wanted to wake up from the nightmare but could not; it was like I was trapped in this other realm where nothing made sense and I could not get out. After what seemed like weeks and weeks, I found myself in a room with an arbitrator and the men, all of whom were in agreement that I was in the wrong. I finally got the revelation that I had to forgive them and apologize to them for fighting back. I did not make any excuses and just asked my enemies to forgive me and said that I should never have hit them. AS SOON AS I DID THESE THINGS, I INSTANTLY WOKE UP FROM THE NIGHTMARE. IT WAS LIKE BEING LET OUT OF PRISON. THE DREAD LEFT ME AND I WAS FREE.  I realized God was teaching me that soon I may be attacked and persecuted, even by Christians, but I cannot get offended or fight back. It will be better in the end for me if I suffer and take it all patiently. There may be times when we may feel alone, and many will leave our side, even those we have helped, but we cannot fight or get offended. Even if we do fight back in defense, the world and its authority will side with the worldly, and we will be in trouble for doing what only seemed natural. (And the Lord will not help us until we repent and forgive, just as Jesus taught His disciples.) Important related teachings:  The Sword or the Cross? How Shall We Die? Audio Series Let me share the following with you from our book, How Shall We Die? This is available for free download on our website. When we submit to the Word of God, we die to our old self. We've learned that Jesus' teachings concerning this nonresistance, submission to governments, loving your enemy, turning the other cheek, and so on, are very crucifying, but they're commanded of the Lord and, as we obey Him, He is going to come to be manifested in us. I'd like to look further at this in the Book of John.  One of the biggest problems I've seen is that God's people have a problem discovering where the kingdom of the world stops, and the kingdom of heaven starts. We really need to delineate that very explicitly with the Word of God. (Joh.18:36) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. In the Old Covenant the Jews had a natural kingdom, a physical kingdom. In the New Covenant it's obviously not that way – it's a spiritual kingdom, as we're going to see as we read on. Theirs was a very worldly kingdom. They were wrestling with flesh and blood, but our battle is with the principalities and powers as Ephesians 6:12 shows. Jesus said that His servants wouldn't fight, even to deliver Him from death, or from the Jews, or from the Beast kingdom, which was the Roman Empire at that time. His servants wouldn't fight because they were defending a different kind of kingdom, and they were using a different kind of sword. Jesus also went to His cross, physically, as a type and a shadow of us going to our cross, spiritually. (Mat.16:24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (25) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. Except we take up our cross and follow Him, except we lose our life, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. The word “life” there is psuchē, not the physical life, but our soulish life. So, in order to walk in His steps, we follow Jesus' physical crucifixion by going to our spiritual crucifixion of self. Part of that is submitting to His Word, even when it disagrees with our worldly desires. He said, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight.” But since His Kingdom is not a worldly kingdom at all, His servants do not fight, even to defend Him or to defend themselves. However, we do have One Who fights for us, don't we? In fact, His power is far greater than anything we could wield. Jesus told His disciples, “Don't you know, I could call 12 legions of angels if I wanted help? You don't have to bring out that puny sword.” 12 legions of angels! A Roman legion was between 4500 and 6000 men. And we also have angels. If we depend on God, His power is made perfect in our weakness. If we want to see the power of God to defend us, then we have got to quit trying to defend ourselves. What kind of kingdom is Jesus talking about? Peter says, “But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1Pe.2:9). He is speaking here to those who are born again; it says He “begat us again” (3). Those who are born again belong to this holy nation – “holy” meaning separate, sanctified, separated from the world. All of God's born-again people are one holy nation that covers the globe, and we know He's no respecter of persons. (9) But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God's] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. He said that they're “a royal priesthood.” We know that this is spiritual and not physical because of this verse: (5) Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We're spiritual priests; we offer up spiritual sacrifices to the Lord. As a chosen generation, we are a spiritual Kingdom, not a physical kingdom whatsoever.  The Lord has told us in the New Testament that He is not a respecter of persons. Whether He's talking about Jews or Gentiles, He uses that phrase. When He's talking about servants and masters He uses it as well. He's not a respecter of persons because He judges them alike. Read what Peter said to the Gentiles: (Act.10:34) And Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: (35) but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. Out of all nations, God has made one nation of those who are born again. By the way, this nation is still called Israel. As it says in Romans 11, those who walk by faith have been grafted into that olive tree that's called “all Israel.” Read it.  We are now Jews according to the Spirit. We are now priests who offer spiritual sacrifices, the most important of which is that we offer up our bodies as living sacrifices. That means we offer this body up to serve the Lord and not to serve ourselves. In this manner, our reason rails against the fact that the Lord does not permit us to go along with the world by warring with one another, or defending ourselves with weapons, or anything like that. He has told us to submit to the governments and authorities around us, which, in some cases, does not sit well with our reason, especially when they're so contrary to the ways of the Kingdom. But He says it, and we do it because we've decided that He knows more than we do. (Jas.2:1) My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons. (9) But if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. The Bible also warns us: (2Co.5:16) Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh…. It doesn't matter what nation a Christian comes from – they are our brethren. As a matter of fact, they are our brethren, but the natural people around us who don't know God are not. Many times Christians make alliances and allegiances with the wicked people around them, the antichrist people around them. But that's not our Kingdom. We're to “know no man after the flesh.” We know no one by skin color, nationality, or tongue. We're all one in Christ Jesus, Galatians tells us. There are no physical attributes that God accepts. He only wants born-again people. The Lord says that His Kingdom is quite different than the physical kingdom. (Luk.17:20) And being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God cometh, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Now what were they expecting? They were expecting a physical kingdom. Many Christians really think this is a kingdom today, a kingdom of some religious organization of people on earth. There's nothing that we can see that is the Kingdom of God – not our church building, not our preacher; everything we're looking at is not the Kingdom of God. It is the born-again man that is the Kingdom of God. (21) Neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you. That's what the Numeric version says, but it's a strange thing that the phrase “within you” can also be translated “in the midst of you.” As a matter of fact, in the footnote, the Numeric version says that either one of these translations has a numeric pattern because it means both of those things. It means “in the midst of you,” as in “among the disciples, between the disciples”; and it also means “within you” is the Kingdom of God. “Flesh and blood shall not inherit the Kingdom of God” (1Co.15:50). That's why I said, “No, not your pastor,” because the man you're looking at there is not going to inherit the Kingdom. It's the spiritual man on the inside. He's even going to get a new body to inherit the Kingdom if he's born again, serving the Lord and bearing fruit. So there's nothing physical; it is the spiritual that counts, and in the spiritual Kingdom of God, we fight with the spiritual methods.  We have powerful weapons that the world knows nothing about and that it cannot resist. (2Co.10:3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (4) (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds). Their weapons are useless against the weapons of our warfare, which are not fleshly or carnal.  Many people fear that if they give up their right to defend themselves or their country, God can't take care of them. Well, as we saw, 12 legions of angels are at His disposal. If He just sends one to be by your side (and we know from the Scriptures that you have at least one), that one could kill 185,000 men, so that angel can certainly take care of you. The more we learn to put our faith in Him, the more we see that our puny weapons are worthless and that we shouldn't make any allegiances with nations that are not our nation.  Many people lean upon patriotism to a natural nation, which is not God's Kingdom and not of God's Kingdom and is a very dangerous and foolish thing to do. In fact, it says we're all just strangers passing through. (Heb.11:13) These all died in faith, not having received the promises (those are the New Testament promises), but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. This earth is passing away, but our Kingdom is eternal. We are not to pledge our allegiance to this world. (14) For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. Meaning, of course, that if we're just strangers and pilgrims, that this is not our country. We're seeking after one that is our own. (15) And if indeed they had been mindful of that [country] from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. Do you know that many people do return to bondage, to allegiance to nations that are not their nation? We belong to one nation; it's a worldwide, spiritual nation, but it's a real nation, and we are spiritual priests in that spiritual house with spiritual sacrifices. (16) But now they desire a better [country], that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.  God is not ashamed of those who don't claim that this world is their home or that this nation is their nation, but who claim citizenship of the spiritual nation, whose spiritual city, the New Jerusalem, is their capital. For the rest, who are members of the world, who have united themselves with the world, it's a different story. I know that God's grace covers our ignorance. Thank God for that. We're very ignorant, but God, by His mercy and by His grace, forgives us, and that's great; but when we get knowledge and understanding, we have to do something with it. This relates to what we're talking about here. If we don't act on what we see here to become a “holy” nation, which means a “separate, or sanctified” nation, then God is ashamed of us.  We see this separation here: (2Co.6:14) Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers…. Would you go out and fight for the world? Would you defend an antichrist kingdom? That's what the Bible says you'd be doing. Would you go out and kill the devil's servants for the devil? That happens, too, because we have brothers and sisters all over the world and some of them are ignorant; some are in the foreign militaries, and they think they're fighting patriotically for their country. But we see from the Scriptures that that's not so. We have one country and we are ambassadors for that country. (14) Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity…? Even what the world calls “good people” are not our brothers and sisters. We have a holy nation, a separate nation. (14) … Or what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial…? If you're fighting for a nation of this world, guess who the god of this world is? Who is it who causes nations to go out and kill each other by the thousands and hundreds of thousands? Do you think that is righteous? We've been deceived about this. When we join with the world against the world, we're leaving our Kingdom. (15) … Or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? (16) And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Now what is he talking about? What does it mean to yoke with the unbeliever? Obviously, we can do it with war, politics, marriage, business – we can do it in so many ways, but God says, “Don't do it.” We can reason our way out of it, or we can seek to do His will. I understand that sometimes a person comes into this knowledge and they're already yoked in a situation like that. We can be unequally yoked in a marriage, and God says not to leave them because how do we know that they might not be saved or sanctified through our faith? (1 Corinthians 7:16) We can't tell a Jew by looking at the flesh anymore. They might be one of those chosen from the foundation of the world, but we have to wait and see. (1Co.7:15) Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart…. We're not bound in such a case. After acquiring knowledge, we don't want to enter into an unequally yoked situation like that. We can marry, but only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7). Concerning politics, some people say, “I'm a Republican.” Oh, really? Wouldn't you just rather stand for the Lord? Wouldn't you rather do what He wants you to do? And besides, He's going to install any kind of government He wants anyway; and usually they are vessels of dishonor, not vessels of honor, to fulfill His Will. Especially when you're talking about an end-time Beast government that God is putting together to chasten His people, to bring them to their cross, to which they refuse to go. So you see, God doesn't necessarily want good vessels in the government to do that, but many people are deceived into thinking that they can vote in godly people. It just hasn't ever worked that way. That's not God's plan. So, with politics, with war, should we become unequally yoked with a bunch of people who are antichrist to go and kill other people for the devil? There is no physical warfare in our Kingdom. It's all spiritual warfare: turn the other cheek; love your enemy; do good to them that despitefully use you. Why would we reunite? Why would we go back to the country from which we are coming out, as Paul said? God is not ashamed to call us His children and Himself our God. If we're looking for that spiritual country, we're not pledging allegiance to a wicked nation of this world. (2Co.6:17) Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…. Some people think that's just talking about the Harlot. Well, that's part of it because the Harlot is a worldly church. They have more affinity for the world than they do for the Lord. But it's also talking about coming out of the world, if you look at the text. Make no allegiances with the world. (17) … And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you. We want the Lord to receive us in all things, but we're not willing to give up the world to do it. (18) And I will be to you a Father, and ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Notice that sonship comes to those who become separate from the world.  Sometimes God will separate us from allegiance to the world and from being unequally yoked. We should accept it when the Lord does that. (1Co.7:15) Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart…. That's an example, but Paul goes even deeper: (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. We are not to join with the world in their bitterness, their anger, their lust against other nations, because we don't know anybody after the flesh. We don't have an allegiance to one man who is maybe one color, or maybe one nationality, against another man. The Lord is no respecter of persons, and we're also forbidden to do so. James said it was a sin. We don't hold one man more valuable than another man, especially when referring to a bunch of lost people in the world. They all belong to one another. But when we come into the Kingdom, we are one holy nation worldwide, and God has called us to be separate, in order for us to be sons of God. Praise God! You may say, “That's radically different, David.” Well, no, it's been there all the time. We're just reading the black and white here. There's nothing really hidden about this. (1Jn.5:19) We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one. All of the world- what men call “good people” and what men call “bad people,” they're all in the devil, all in the evil one, and he is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). We are in the world, but we are not of the world, according to what Jesus said. We're just passing through, on our way to a spiritual and eternal Kingdom. God doesn't appreciate it when we make allegiances and alliances with the wicked. He wants us to be separate.  That's made very plain here: (1Jn.4:1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world. So he's talking about the spirits of people here. (2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God (he's talking about the Spirit of God in people): every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: (When we run into the spirit in a person that confesses that Jesus is in that flesh, that's the Spirit of God.): (3) and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, (Notice: Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is the spirit of antichrist.) whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.  Lots of people have that theology, but every time the word “antichrist” is mentioned in the Scriptures, it's not talking about an individual; in every case it's talking about the corporate spirit of all lost mankind. Antichrist is as close to us as the next pagan, the next lost person. (4) Ye are of God, [my] little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. (1Jn.4:5) They are of the world: therefore speak they [as] of the world, and the world heareth them. There is He that is in you and he that is in the world. These are two nations – the nation of the world and the nation of God's people. That is the nation of Christ and the nation of antichrist. (6) We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. The whole world, Jesus said, is going to hate us; all nations are going to hate us. The reason God is going to do that is to get God's people to join together. What way can God's people come to realize that the kingdom they live in and have patriotism toward is not the Kingdom of God, other than by turning it to hate them? The pharisees were at the top of a kingdom that hated Jesus. Many preachers who claim Jesus hate His Word and Him. And God will, for His name's sake, turn the whole world to hate His people. He caused the Egyptians' hearts to hate His people, and in these days God is going to do the same thing because God's people do not know that this world is not God's Kingdom and that they will never build God's Kingdom in America or any other place. God's Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. God's people must also realize who the enemy is. There's “He that's in us”, and there's “he that's in the world”, who is Satan in the body of all lost mankind. He that is in us is Christ from heaven. The Beast from the pit is in the lost, and Christ from heaven is growing in all born-again believers. Jesus said,“He that is not with me is against me” (Mat.12:30). That's anti (against); that is antichrist. “The whole world lieth in the evil one,” Scripture says. Satan is the god of this world. Would you be patriotic for a nation overwhelmingly made up of antichrist people? Don't you realize those are the devil's people? No, we're not here to judge them; we're here to bring them the Gospel, to offer them the grace of the Kingdom, and we will see which among them is chosen of God because “he who is of God hears the words of God.” We are to be separate, to have “no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph.5:11). “Fellowship” means “having in common.” It means “giving and receiving.” We are not to receive the things of the wicked world. We have fellowship with the world many times when we're just sitting there, feeding on that old TV or social media because we're polluting ourselves. (1Co.5:6) … A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. God wants us to have fellowship, “having in common,” with His Word, fellowship with Jesus Christ. Once a person is joined patriotically to the world, they're joined to a spirit that has murdered as many people as religion. Those are the two major killers of people – religion and patriotism. Some of you may say, “I never thought of it that way, David.” No, some of you are probably as mad as a wet hen at me right now, but it doesn't make any difference. This is the Word of God. Straight out of the Word, it says that we need to separate from this wicked world. They live according to their lust; they wage war against other nations because they think they have a right to. God says that we don't have a right to. We're to love our enemies; that's what He commanded. We're to offer them the Gospel, not a sword. What does it mean to worship the image of the Beast? We see the image of the Beast in Daniel chapter three and a revelation of it in Daniel chapter two. It is all the nations of the lost people of the world in one image of a corporate man; there's “the Antichrist” right there. Are we members of that? Are we patriotic toward that? (1Jn.2:15) Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Eternal life has to do with our doing the Will of God. Some of these things that we're looking at are not popular, but they will separate us from the world, and that's what's necessary to be sanctified. (Heb.12:14) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification (separation) without which no man shall see the Lord.  Sanctification is this process of separating us from the world, from sin, from evil, from these antichrist people around us, unto the Kingdom of God, the one holy nation that does not recognize race, creed, or nationality. Obviously, when we get fully in the Kingdom of God, into heaven, we're going to have so many brothers and sisters that we'll be glad for the variety. God is; He created them all. Many a young man has gone out and died for a nation because of the vainglory of life, as he tells us in verse 16, and they think they're going to have great glory fighting for this world, but there's no glory in it. It's contrary to God's way; it's contrary to His nature. He hates it. The people who are being killed are the very people that we're supposed to be offering eternal life to, and yet, we're sending them off to eternal damnation. What are we here for? Wars don't come from God. (Jas.4:1) Whence [come] wars and whence [come] fightings among you? [come] they not hence, [even] of your pleasures that war in your members? There are no just wars. We are not to go to war along with the world, if we want to enter the spiritual, eternal Kingdom of God and not have God be ashamed of us. But if we're going to war with the world after we receive knowledge, God is ashamed of us. Now I'm not saying that God is condemning our forefathers here in America for the wars that they fought. The great thing about God is, To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (Jas.4:17). But the Lord wants us to grow up in this day, so when we look at these things, He wants us to act on them. It doesn't matter that our forefathers fought and died to give freedom to America. That has nothing to do with what God is doing with us here and now. He is creating sons of God in these days. Jesus, the Son of God, cannot even be imagined as taking up a weapon and fighting for natural Israel. As a matter of fact, when Jesus prophesied, He prophesied judgment on natural Israel and talked about the Beast kingdoms encompassing them and destroying them. And He was on God's side. That's where we have to be, on God's side. No matter what nation we come from, we have to be on God's side. What does God think? What does He want? (2) Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain... People fight over land; they fight over oil; they fight over what they think is injustice. They war with other nations and kill thousands of people, and the sad thing is the political Christians today don't understand that that's all of the devil, and they're pushing for it. (2) … Ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not. Whatever we need, just ask God. (Mar.11:24) … All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye received them, and ye shall have them. What do we need to take away from anybody else? Why is it that people need the world anyway? What's wrong with a simple life? People lust after so much. Wars come from it because people lust after things they could have for the asking. God will take care of it. (Jas.4:3) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend [it] in your pleasures. (4) Ye adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? What does he call the friendship of the world? Well, those who go out and fight with the world. (4) … Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of God. If we're going to go out and make an unholy alliance with the wicked world, we become the enemy of God because now we become a member of the body of antichrist. We want to be separate, sanctified from the wicked world, having “no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.” We are to share God with the world, not be part of them. People say, “Well, David, what am I supposed to do if someone attacks my family? Am I supposed to just stand there and look at them or am I supposed to do something physical to take care of this?” Do you remember the words of Jesus? (Mat.26:52) Then saith Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into its place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. They thought they were just defending family; He called them transgressors. In Luke 22, those who took the sword were transgressors. “All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” That doesn't sound like you're taking care of your family. That sounds to me like you're coming across as fighting against God and, ultimately, it will cost you. (53) Or thinkest thou that I cannot beseech my Father, and He shall even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? Does God promise to protect us with His angels? Sometimes not, if we protect ourselves. God says that His power is made perfect in our weakness. We don't ever get to see God defend us until we quit defending ourselves, and basically, that's what He was saying here. What did God say about the angels defending His people? (Psa.91:10) There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent. (11) For he will give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Wow! He's talking about those who are in the “secret place of the Most High”, those who are abiding in Christ! How do we abide in Christ? By obeying His commands. (1Jn.2:24) As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father. What we heard from the beginning is that which is written in His Book. If we abide in the Son, He promises His angels will take charge over us, to keep us. (Psa.91:12) They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. We can't even have an accident when we're abiding in Christ. Notice that they will protect you if you believe it. They will keep you. If you ask, “But what if somebody attacks?” you're denying the Lord here. You're denying what the Word of God says very plainly. (13) Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under foot. That seems like a pretty dangerous thing to do and it's a good way to get bitten if we're not walking with the Lord, but we're talking about the protection of God for those who abide in Him. Recently I was raking some leaves out of my way with my fingers, which caught a copperhead underneath and flipped him out. He was mad but I stomped on him. Think about Daniel in the lion's den. Why did God close the mouths of lions? Daniel was abiding in the secret place. And would He only do that for Daniel? No. (Psa.91:14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him…. Who is it who loves the Lord? He said, those who keep His commands. You see, when you have obeyed these things that we're looking at, you love the Lord, and you're abiding in the secret place of the Most High. Your enemy can't find the secret place.  Don't think about what things happen in the world, as if you're in the world. Don't compare yourself with the world. If you want to see God defend you, stop defending yourself. His “power is made perfect in weakness” (2Co.12:9). (Psa.91:14) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. God holds your faith and your trust in Him very highly, but not all the “what ifs” that the devil can put into your mind. (15) He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honor him. (16) With long life will I satisfy him, And show him my salvation. Wasn't Jesus saying this when He was speaking to Peter? “Put up your sword. All they that take the sword are going to die by the sword. Don't you know I could call 12 legions of angels?” What kind of puny defense is a sword or a gun? How many people get killed with their own swords and their own guns? But we're not taking any chances when we lean on God. We can lean on the medical profession and die of all sorts of things. Even their medicine has killed many. Some people think, “Oh, I'll take my chances, David. I need to trust in my gun and drugs.” You need to trust the Lord. You are taking a chance any other way. Jer 17:5  Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah.  Wouldn't you rather have a defense like this? (Psa.34:7) The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them. You might not even have the chance to get to your gun. I remember a testimony of a man a few years ago who picked up a hitchhiker. The guy shot him three times point blank, and he was never touched by the bullets. They don't even know what happened to the bullets. An assassin shot at me close range and my angel disappeared the bullet and there was a witness. Michael and I were in his truck sliding down a steep hill on ice. I saw clearly our vehicle pass THROUGH a parked car on the side of the road and our tracks in the snow proved it. (8) Oh taste and see that the Lord is good (we just need to taste and see): Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him. If we trust in ourself, we're not taking refuge in Him. We haven't put our trust in Him. God will guide you around or through a lot of these things that happen to the wicked. We have a Passover Lamb. (1Co.5:7) … For our passover also hath been sacrificed, [even] Christ. The Passover Lamb is for us to be delivered from the curse on this world. The death angel, the curse, passed over the Israelites who had the blood on their doorposts, but the death angel destroyed the Egyptians all around them. If we're really going to be believers, we don't need to listen to these horror stories that happen to the world because it normally happens to the world; they're the Egyptians. We have a Savior, and part of our covenant is deliverance. Now, I know that not everybody partakes of all of the Covenant. They take a part, bits and pieces here and there, and in the part that they believe, they partake of. But the part they don't believe in doesn't do them any good. (Hos.4:6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (understanding)…. God's people are destroyed because they don't agree with this Word. Many are trusting in their ability to shoot straight or to have enough ammunition stored up in the house. And to hold off whom? I have an acquaintance who lived not too far from me, and when my kids were growing up, I went to his house, and it was an arsenal. The guy had bazookas and everything. I said, “Man, what are you getting ready for?” He said, “I'm getting ready for the Germans.” So I told him, “You'd better get ready for the Americans because they may be coming to get you.” And that's the truth. We'd better get ready for the church to come against us. We'd better get ready for this Beast government to come against us when we don't take their mark. Forget about the Germans. Oh, they're coming, but they're coming to take care of the Americans who persecute the Christians. That's how it's going to happen. But “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him.” That guy's liable to blow himself up over there with all that stuff, or his wife might fall out with him and just shoot him with something, since it's nice and handy. I hope it's not a bazooka. At any rate, if we trust the Lord, there's nothing that any man can do if we put our faith and our trust in Him and abide in the secret place of the Most High. So don't give ear to all these horror stories – “What if this? What if that?” That's just the devil. We have something sure here to depend upon. The Lord says that we have these angels round about us. They won't even let us dash our foot against a stone. They'll protect us in the days to come. We can trust in God.  “The angels are mighty,” the Bible says in Psalm 103. But I'm not trusting in angels; I'm trusting in God. (Psa.103:19) The Lord hath established his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all. (20) Bless the Lord, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. Did you know that we have to be entitled for these words to be fulfilled on us and for us? We have to walk by faith, so that when the angels hearken unto the voice of His Word, they are “ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation” (Heb.1:14). (Psa.103:21) Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts, Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. (22) Bless the Lord, all ye his works, In all places of his dominion: Bless the Lord, O my soul. The Lord God Almighty is our Savior in all things, and He will defend us and keep us. Jesus laid down His life, but no one took His life. (Joh.10:17) Therefore doth the Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. (18) No one taketh it away from me, but I lay it down of myself…. When they tried, He just passed through their midst. The Lord told me years ago that bodily translation will be common in the days to come. Can you imagine, if you're not able to buy and sell or get on a jet plane to go from here to there, what God is going to do to get His Gospel all over the world? He says that it's going to happen. He can translate you into trouble, and He can translate you out of trouble. We heard a testimony here not too long ago of a minister who was in Africa. He was being accosted by a witch doctor, and God snatched up that witch doctor and threw him over in the midst of the deep, dark woods; it took him a week to walk out of there. God can protect you. He can take the enemy out, or He can take you out. Or He can just stop the bullets, but He can protect you. We need to put our trust in Him to find out what that's like. You know, we're in the minority here, as the people who trust in God. All the horror stories, all the statistics that you hear are overwhelmingly about what happens to unbelievers. Find some statistics about those who trust in the Lord. That's a small and narrow group of people, I agree, because even most Christians don't trust in the Lord. We need to find out what that's like because we're coming to the most dangerous time in all of history. Jesus said, “ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake” (Mat.24:9). God's raising up a great enemy. We're going to need to know how to walk in “the secret place of the Most High”; we're going to need to know how to put our trust in the Passover Lamb, so the death angel will pass over, no matter what. Every one of you out there who is a born-again child of God, you have an angel whose job it is to protect you. Believe me, no man on this earth can do anything to you without God's Will. God bless you, saints. I just pray that you'll be full of faith and seek out what it is to abide in Jesus Christ.

On this episode of Faith and Family Fellowship, Pastor Chris Buscher speaks with Paul Osbourn, author of God's Big Plan: Earthly Kings to King Jesus.Through the fireside storytelling of Grandpa Joe and his three grandsons, the book introduces young readers to Saul, David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah, and ultimately Jesus Christ. Each earthly king reveals something about leadership, trust, wisdom, worship, obedience, and failure, while pointing children toward the one true King who never fails.Paul discusses why biblical history matters for children, how the Old Testament connects to the gospel, and why he wanted young readers to see Scripture as one unfolding story of redemption rather than a collection of disconnected Bible stories.God's Big Plan: Earthly Kings to King Jesus is scheduled to release on Amazon August 13, 2026.Get the book today on Amazon - https://a.co/d/09EV9XwLConnect with the author - paulosbourn.com Connect with Pastor Chris Buscher - pastorchrisbuscher.com

“Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” (Psalm 107:8 NLT) In the Old Testament we find an interesting story of how King Jehoshaphat took an uncommon approach when his enemies waged war against him. “After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: ‘Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’” (2 Chronicles 20:21 NLT). Imagine the scene: “All right, guys, here’s the plan today. The enemy soldiers are out there, armed to the teeth. So, our first wave of attack will be musical. We’re sending out the choir.” If I’d been one of those choir members, I might have wondered whether the king liked our music. But God had directed Jehoshaphat in this unusual battle tactic. The result was nothing short of amazing. “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped” (verses 22–24 NLT). Good things happen when God’s people prioritize thanking and praising the Lord. It’s a simple lesson, but one that’s shockingly easy to forget. Luke 17:11–19 tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with ten men who had leprosy. When the men saw Jesus approaching their village, they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (verse 13 NLT). And with a single instruction from Him, the men were healed. Their leprosy disappeared. Their lives were changed forever. Verse 15 says, “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’” (NLT). One out of ten thanked Jesus. That percentage surprised even the Lord Himself. “Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’” (verses 17–18 NLT). It’s not so much that Jesus was offended by the inconsiderate reactions of the other nine; it was more of a concern that they were going to miss out on the blessings that come when people express their thanks to God. Of course, few of us would dare shake our heads at the lack of response from the inconsiderate nine. If we could do an inventory of the number of times God has answered our prayers and then compare that to the number of times we’ve thanked Him, we probably would cringe at the results. The psalmist wrote, “Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them” (Psalm 107:8 NLT). Let that be our daily priority. Reflection question: How can you be more proactive in giving thanks to God for His blessings in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1 Kings 22, Pastor Gerrit walks through two kings heading into battle unequally yoked, one faithful and one wicked. Jehoshaphat of Judah joins forces with Ahab of Israel against Ramoth Gilead, but the true prophet Micaiah warns of disaster while four hundred yes-men promise an easy victory. This message traces how partnering with someone who doesn't share your convictions pulls you in the wrong direction, and how telling the truth, even when it's unwelcome, matters more than being liked. Ahab dies exactly as prophesied, and Jehoshaphat is spared through prayer, closing out the book of 1 Kings with a picture of God's sovereignty over kings and battles.

God gathers the nations into the valley of Jehoshaphat and reads the charges: they scattered His people, divided His land, cast lots for captives, traded a boy for a prostitute, and sold a girl for wine. Then a line every listener knows arrives in reverse: beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. The LORD roars from Zion, the heavens and the earth quake, and in the same breath He is a refuge to His people. Joel ends with sweet wine dripping from the mountains and a fountain flowing from the house of the LORD.  The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joel 3:1-21.  Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

In our last episode we covered the life of King Jehoshaphat who was faithful to the Lord, but in today's episode we witness the beginning of the end for the kings of Judah. Jehoshaphat's son, King Jehoram is straight-up Je-horrible and when he dies from a horrific intestinal disease, Scripture records that he “died to no one's regret.” Sounds like a great epitaph for a tombstone doesn't it? His son, Jehoahaz, whom we should note is mainly called Ahaziah, takes the throne after him for only one year before he is killed. After his death, his mother Athaliah goes on a killing spree in order to take the throne, but an heir to the throne is waiting undercover to take back the kingdom. 2 Chronicles 21 - 1:08 .  2 Chronicles 22 - 5:31 .  2 Chronicles 23 - 9:20 .  2 Chronicles 24 - 14:53 .  Isaiah 7 - 21:18 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

This week Dr. Gregg Mays focuses on helping us with our Spiritual growth as it pertains to developing our faith. He shares the story of Judea when Jehoshaphat was king and prayed to God saying, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes or on You.”What overwhelming concern do you have? Allow the message in this episode of the podcast to help you be drawn closer to the Father. Foundation Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:12How can Agape Leaders serve you?   Please find us at:         Website:  http://www.agapeleaders.org/    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-mays/      Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/agapeleaders.org      Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/agapeleaders10/ Bible Break With Agape Leaders: http://www.agapeleaders.org/daily-devotionTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greggmays            YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCmM7ETR652mLtDSKSjda-pwGet Your Copy of the A Word Wednesday Devotion: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Word+Wednesday+Devotion&ref=nav_bb_sbRead Dr. Mays' book Practical Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=practical+leadership+lessons+from+an+average+leader&crid=259U5RNS5J5W5&sprefix=Practical+Leadership%2Caps%2C102&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_20 Give to ALCFM: http://www.agapeleaders.org/store/p15/Agape_Leaders_Christian_Fellowship_Ministry_Support.html

At the end of our last episode we were introduced to Asa's son, King Jehoshaphat, and today we'll read further accounts of his life. Jehoshaphat instituted a plan to educate Judah in the ways of the Lord, sending officials and priests out with the book of the Lord's instruction. Remember that Asa failed to call upon the name of the Lord when there was threat of war, but by contrast, Jehoshaphat regularly calls upon the Lord throughout this narrative. Each time Jehoshaphat humbles himself and prays or calls a prophet to inquire of the Lord, the Lord is gracious and delivers him from trouble, blessing Judah with riches and peace. 2 Chronicles 18 - 1:09 .  2 Chronicles 19 - 9:29 .  2 Chronicles 20 - 12:08 .  Isaiah 6 - 21:36 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

If you want to give through Grace Church you can do so here: https://pushpay.com/g/grace-alone?src=hpp&r=monthlyStories of Struggle: The Pathway Through is a 10-week series where we look at real people in Scripture who faced fear, rejection, waiting, and more—and how God led them through. Discover how He meets us in our struggles and leads us forward with faith, courage, and purpose.To Learn more about Grace Church go to https://gracechurchco.com/In this message, Pastor Rick Long teaches about navigating overwhelming situations by examining the story of King Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20 (5:07). He emphasizes that while struggles and anxiety are a normal part of life, believers can find peace by intentionally shifting their focus from the size of their problems to the power of God (37:56).Key principles for managing times when life feels like "too much":Admit the situation is bigger than you: Acknowledge your limitations and seek help from God and your community rather than trying to carry the burden alone (19:52, 22:04).Bring your attention back to God: Anxiety grows when we focus on problems, but peace is found by fixing our thoughts on God's character and promises (32:23, 37:39).Fill your mind with praise instead of panic: Jehoshaphat appointed singers to lead his army into battle, showing that worship can redirect the heart from fear to confidence (42:20, 42:49).Release the need to control: Surrender the pressure to manage every outcome and trust that God is working even when the way forward is not yet visible (47:24, 49:31).Show up and walk by faith: Faith is an action; we are called to move forward in obedience while trusting in God's ultimate victory (51:21, 52:44).0:00 Introduction and Announcements5:07 Introduction to King Jehoshaphat7:52 When Life Feels Like "Too Much"17:48 Fact 1: Admitting the Situation is Bigger Than You32:23 Fact 2: Bring Attention Back to God42:20 Fact 3: Fill Your Mind With Praise Instead of Panic47:24 Fact 4: Release the Need to Control49:31 Fact 5: Trust That God is Working51:21 Walking by Faith54:22 Legacy of Faithfulness57:49 Salvation and Closing Prayer

The modern Church has turned singing into something soft, sentimental, and safe. Scripture presents something far more dangerous. From Moses at the Red Sea to Jehoshaphat marching against an army, from David's war Psalms to Christ singing on His way to the cross, God repeatedly places songs into the mouths of His people when enemies are falling and His kingdom is advancing.In this sermon, we examine how singing carries God's Word into battle, interprets His victories for future generations, marches before His armies, wages war against fear, and joins the victorious song of the risen Christ. Singing is not liturgical filler or religious entertainment. It is a weapon God has placed in the mouths of His people. We sing when we are winning, when we are bleeding, and when our knees are shaking, because Jesus Christ reigns, His enemies will become His footstool, and the world will one day resound with the song of the Lamb.

Today's Scripture passages are Psalm 119:33-64 | 1 Kings 22:1-28 | 2 Chronicles 18:1-8 | 3 John 1. Read by Christina Edmondson.Get in The Word with Truth's Table is a production of InterVarsity Press. For 75 years, IVP has published and created thoughtful Christian books for the university, church, and the world. Our Bible reading plan is adapted from Bible Study Together, and the Bible version is the New English Translation, used by permission.SPECIAL OFFER | As a listener of this podcast, use the code IVPWORD40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode at ivpress.com.Additional Credits:Song production: Seaux ChillSong lyrics written by: Seaux Chill, Ekemini Uwan, and Christina EdmondsonPodcast art: Kate LillardPhotography: Shelly EveBible consultant: JM SmithSound engineering: Podastery StudiosCreative producers: Ekemini Uwan and Christina EdmondsonAssistant producer: Christine Pelliccio MeloExecutive producer: Helen LeeTo reach the IVP podcast team, please use this form.Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Key Verse:2 CHRONICLES 20:2-4…some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from [b]Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set [c]himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.We want to encourage you to not just sit back and watch, but to really engage along with your church family today. So, gather up the family and grab your Bible, share this and invite your friends, turn your volume up, and let's worship Jesus TOGETHER today!

Pastor Chad teaches that when we face situations beyond our ability to solve, we should follow Jehoshaphat's example by turning our eyes to God. Rather than focusing on the size of the problem, we should remember God's greatness and past faithfulness, stand on His promises, pray His Word, and trust Him to fight the battle. He emphasizes that resistance and difficult circumstances can actually draw us closer to God and take us higher in faith.

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --In 2 Chronicles 19:1-3 When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.” 2 Chronicles 19:1-3 NIVThe Crisis. Armies are coming against Jehoshaphat.The Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 20:1 NIVVs 1 Jehoshaphat had just got things in order in chapter 19 and here comes three groups of people coming against him and God's people. Just because you have done some good things does not mean that you are exempt for the attacks from the enemy. Well thought out plans do not disqualify you from the enemy's schemes.What is Jehoshaphat's Response to the possible attack?. Prayer and FastingVs 3-4Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 NIV Part of his prayer is vs 15 “Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:15Everything hinges on what you are looking at, what you focus on. Prayer and Fasting are life-giving tools through which believers align their eyes and hearts with God's purpose and experience His transformative power.Divine intervention. After they fasted and prayed, God sent intervention. Vs 14-16 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them.Joel 2:12–13 God promises that when people return to God with fasting and weeping, He will hear and answer. The battle is not yours it's the Lords.Our Response. Praise and worshipVs. 15 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Vs. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.The Word of God demands a correct response from us. The correct response is thanksgiving and praise. God's Resolution. God strategiesVs 21-23 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” 22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.VS. 27-30 27 Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the Lord with harps and lyres and trumpets.29 The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

What do you do when faced with a daunting negative report? Join Javan Smith on Charis Daily as he explores faith responses versus reactions, uncovering the truth of God's promises in healing.

What do you do when the pressure is real, the odds feel stacked, and you are tired of trying to “fight through it” on your own? Tony Williams shares a faith filled message on rejoicing in your victories in life and career, rooted in a bold biblical conviction: God has already made us victorious, and our response is to sing for joy and declare His loving kindness in the morning and His faithfulness at night.We walk through the promise of 2 Chronicles 20:17 and what it means when God says, “You need not fight in this battle.” Tony connects that word to everyday struggles, from health crises to financial strain, and shows a practical way to use Bible promises without getting vague: name the situation, find the Scripture, meditate on it, and proclaim it in faith. Along the way, we talk about spiritual identity and spiritual warfare in plain language: if you have received Jesus, you are a child of God, and the Holy Spirit lives on the inside of you. You are not facing your circumstances alone.The episode also explores Galatians 2:20 and the life changing truth that Christ lives in you. That shifts how we lead, how we speak, and how we show up in the workplace, in family life, and in moments when fear tries to take over. We revisit Jehoshaphat's story and the surprising strategy of praise before the victory appears, learning why “we fight from victory, not for victory.” If you need Christian encouragement, biblical teaching, and a clear next step for trusting God, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review with the promise you are standing on today.Send Tony a Texthttps://www.seldicompany.com/

What do I do when life feels overwhelming? Looking at Jehoshaphat's response in 2 Chronicles 20, we find a practical, biblical path for facing fear and anxiety. Join us as Pastor Phil Moser examines this topic in our continuing series, "One Story: The God Who Draws Near."

Turn Back to God by Autumn Dickson Time for another Old Testament story. Jehoshaphat is a king of Judah. He is a righteous king who worked on pushing the hearts of his people towards the Lord. He tears down idols. He seeks out the will of the Lord. He's a good man, though imperfect at times. At one point in time, Jehoshaphat finds himself in Israel with his ally, the wicked King Ahab. Ahab wants to go fight Syria to recapture a city that was taken from Israel. Jehoshaphat agrees but wants to consult a prophet first. After consulting 400 false prophets who declare that they will be victorious, Jehoshaphat insists on consulting a true prophet. The true prophet, Micaiah, comes and prophesies that they will lose and Ahab will die. Micaiah is actually quite awesome, but he is a story for another day. Despite Micaiah's prophecies, Ahab and Jehoshaphat try to fight Syria. It obviously doesn't go very well. Ahab tells Jehoshaphat to wear royal robes, and Ahab dresses like a common soldier. Syria immediately starts trying to kill Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat calls out to the Lord and is saved. Ahab takes a random arrow and dies. Jehoshaphat returns home and is greeted by a prophet from his own kingdom. 2 Chronicles 19:2-3 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord. 3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. After this experience, Jehoshaphat continues to make reforms to point his people towards the Lord. Jehoshaphat was not a perfect king, but he was a good king. In the Old Testament, we read a lot about the Lord punishing disobedience quickly and strongly. There is a reason for that; the Lord is warning us about the spiritual consequences of disobedience. And yet, the Lord doesn't do this with Jehoshaphat despite his multiple recorded failings. We see Jehoshaphat's weakness a few more times over his reign. Later on, Jehoshaphat makes another alliance with Ahab's son, the new king of Israel. They built a bunch of ships together, and the prophet, Eliezer, prophesies that the ships will get destroyed. They get destroyed. One of the ways that these two nations were allied was through a marriage. Jehoshaphat's son, Jehoram, marries Ahab's daughter. It comes back to haunt Jehoshaphat later when Jehoram starts worshipping idols and Ahab's daughter tries to wipe out the Davidic line. I love the nuance here. Jehoshaphat made mistakes, but God spares him. He has weaknesses; he keeps trying to connect himself further with the northern kingdom that is wicked and idolatrous. There are two “despites” here that teach something really important. Despite the fact that Jehoshaphat loves God, his disobedience and lack of trust come back to bite him. He loves God, but he has to experience consequences because of his flaws. Despite the fact that Jehoshaphat has flaws, God continues to save him. He is directly saved in the battle that he fought with King Ahab, but he is preserved upon the throne until he “rested with his ancestors.” This is a biblical phrase that suggests he died peacefully. I see it in my own life all the time. Despite the fact that I love God, I have flaws and they come with consequences. They drive me to be unhappy. When I get frustrated with my kids or get prideful or uncharitable, I find innate consequences that come back to bite me. And yet, despite the fact that I have flaws, God continues to save me. We just keep on trying to move forward. As I pondered this pattern, I thought of some of the other patterns I find in the Old Testament, specifically the pattern where God punishes those who trust mankind over Him. We see examples of kings that trusted Egypt but found themselves completely fallen to Babylon. Why didn't Jehoshaphat find himself in this category? As I pondered Jehoshaphat's exception, I was reminded that Hezekiah is another example of this. Hezekiah tried paying tribute to Babylon to get them to go away, and he even stripped the gold and silver out of the temple in order to pay that tribute. So why were Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat spared when they also didn't put their trust fully in God? There is one more verse I want to share. It's about Jehoshaphat, but Hezekiah did a similar thing. 2 Chronicles 18:31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him; and God moved them to depart from him. What was the difference? Jehoshaphat called out to God. Hezekiah did similarly. After stripping the temple and failing, Hezekiah went to the temple and pleaded with the Lord. When do we really lose the battle? When we turn on the Lord and don't turn back to Him again after. I think that's really one of the keys to life here. We all fail. It's inevitable. What keeps us in the pattern of Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah? We turn to the Lord again even after we failed Him. We plead to Him and ask for forgiveness even in the midst of the potentially devastating consequences that we got ourselves into. We just keep turning back, no matter how many times we've failed. I testify that we can turn to God, no matter how many times we've failed. I testify that this pattern is the one that really grants us success: turning to the Lord over and over and over and over. Even when we've failed Him, we turn right back. We trust that He will still love us, and we ask Him to help us get out of it and get better. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30 – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

Join us for fantastic content on our Patreon website: https://www.patreon.com/c/EnlightenEdgeEDU . This week on Patreon we will show you many of the key places we talk about and tell you details of the stories of the fall of Jerusalem and Israel. This week we are finishing the story of the Kings of Israel and the Fall of Judah.Also, you can get Kerry's free booklet that helps us understand the storyline of the history of Israel by going to https://www.patreon.com/c/EnlightenEdgeEDU and clicking on "collections" and going to the TSAR handouts collection.Join us for a workshop on Isaiah. For more information email TheScripturesAreReal@gmail.comJoin us for an incredible cruise with amazing spiritual momentum where you hear from Elaine Dalton, myself, Jasen Wade, Kirby Heyborne, Jenny Oaks Baker, Nathan Pacheco, and more. During July you can get $250 off for the second person, and $50 of for each person with the discount code KERRY. Go to https://www.goanddotravel.com/momentum-27-west-2 and join right away!In this episode Kerry helps us understand what Chronicles is, and then he and Dr. Christina Olson explain more about Chronicles. Then Kerry teaches us lessons the Chroniclers wanted us to learn from Asa and Jehoshaphat that aren't taught in Kings. Then Kerry gives us a big picture overview of the Kings of Israel and the lessons we learn from how they work -- or didn't work -- with God and His prophets. Kerry also helps us see what we can learn about God's mercy and love and the nature of Christ/Jehovah, and God from these stories.We are grateful for our executive producers, P. Franzen, J. Parke, D. Watson, B. Van Blerkom, the Dawsons, M. Cannon, M. Rosema, B. Fisher, J. Beardall, D. Anderson, M. Zitar, J. Edwards, A. Dixon, T. Cottrell, and H. Umphlett, and for all our generous and loyal donors. We are also very grateful for all our Patreon members. We are so thankful for Beehive Broadcast for producing the podcast and for Rich Nicholls, who composed and plays the music for the podcast.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes (00:00) Although 1-2 Kings and 1-2 Chronicles cover the same time period, they are very different histories.(17:25) When you violate god’s laws you are left to your own strength. The 4-4-4 principle.(29:37) 2 Chronicles 20 emphasizes the protective power of God’s temple. The battle isn’t ours alone. Moab besieges Jehoshaphat. (41:22) Elder Christofferson taught that no injustice in mortality is permanent.(43:50) 2 Chronicles 30 is Hezekiah’s invitation to Israel to come to the temple.(51:01) Some from the north came to the temple. Perhaps Lehi’s ancestors were among them. The second temple is destroyed in 70 AD, just a short time after Christ.(54:37) Asa’s trust in God. The discrepancy regarding Azariah in 2 Chronicles 15 is explained.(58:35) 2 Chronicles 18 portrays God among his divine council. Micaiah enters the council and is sent to deceive wicked king Ahab.(1:07:59) The power of the temple and covenants are valid and protective. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 381 | 1-2 Chronicles, Come Follow Me 2026 (July 20-26) appeared first on Talking Scripture.

The tension hadn't lifted. The problem hadn't changed. And yet a mother reached out, gathered her daughters' hands, and started to sing — smiling, dancing, filling the anger-stricken air with words about love. To an outside observer, it might have looked absurd. But the memory lives on wrapped in flowers and light, because her voice tore through the tension and spoke defiantly of hope. That is what singing in the face of darkness does. It is not denial. It is declaration. Scripture is full of people who understood this. Moses and Miriam led the people in song after God's mighty rescue from slavery. Deborah and Barak sang of God's deliverance from a ruthless enemy. Jehoshaphat sent singers out ahead of the army with no battle plan except worship. Paul and Silas, chained in a prison cell at midnight, raised their voices in praise. And young Mary, carrying the Messiah while facing whispered rumors and accusing glares, broke into the song we now call the Magnificat. None of them were singing because circumstances were easy. They were singing because they knew something about their God that their circumstances could not change. Ephesians 5:18-20 calls every believer into this same practice: be filled with the Spirit, speak to one another in psalms and hymns, sing and make music from the heart to the Lord. When we raise our voice in worship, we are speaking truth against the darkness and declaring that our God is greater than anything we face. Today's Bible Verse "Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."— Ephesians 5:19-20, NIV Ponder Today The practice of singing through difficulty has deep biblical roots. From Miriam on the shore of the Red Sea to Paul and Silas in a prison cell, God's people have always used song as a weapon against despair and a declaration of trust. Worship is an overflow of the Spirit, not just an emotional response to good circumstances. Ephesians 5:18-20 connects being filled with the Spirit directly to singing and giving thanks. The two are inseparable in the life of a believer. Song transforms perspective. When we speak words of truth and beauty in praise of our Savior — even when circumstances are dark — something shifts in us. We remember what is true. Hope is renewed. Singing reminds us we are not alone. Whether it feels silly or solemn, joyful or grief-stricken, lifting our voice in worship connects us to the long procession of God's people throughout history who have done the same, holding onto His faithfulness in every season. A Prayer for You Today Great Lord who sings over me with delight, turn my heart toward hope when I am tempted to despair. Help me raise my voice in song to praise You, remembering Your goodness and faithful love. Like Jehoshaphat, may I do so even when facing the unknown. Like Mary, may I do so in response to Your grace. And like Paul and Silas, may I do so even when my circumstances seem hopeless. When I speak words of worship and tune them to music, I am speaking truth against the darkness that threatens to overwhelm me with fear. I declare that You are greater than anything I face, and in You I can take refuge. Help me develop this practice of singing in defiance of the darkness, whether I am happy, fearful, or grieving. In Jesus' name, Amen. Don't Miss an Episode If today's prayer stirred a song in your heart, we'd love to stay connected. Subscribe to the LifeAudio newsletter at LifeAudio.com for daily prayers, devotionals, and more content to fill your heart with the truth and hope of God's faithfulness every day. If you like this podcast, be sure to check out our sister podcast, Your Nightly Prayer - an evening Christian prayer podcast to help you end your day in conversation with God. https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-nightly-prayer/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sister Heather Farrell examines 2 Chronicles, Jehoshaphat's reliance on God, the women who saved the faith, and her own angel-protection story.SHOW NOTES/TRANSCRIPTSEnglish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230ENFrench: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230FRGerman: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230DEPortuguese: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230PTSpanish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT230ESYOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/EpvBs6ID148ALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTESfollowHIM website: https://www.followHIMpodcast.comFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook WEEKLY NEWSLETTERhttps://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE0:00 - Part 2 - Sister Heather Farrell3:02 “Are there good things found in thee?”5:33 Jehoshaphat's prayer6:59 Jerusalem bike story and the “Angel Squad”10:16 Family beyond the veil, believing as a spiritual gift14:53 Athaliah seizes the throne and kills the royal seed17:24 Jehoshaba hides baby Joash, saving Davidic line20:16 Your family history doesn't define you22:25 Hezekiah restores the Passover: “Focus on the home”25:48 Just start27:07 Huldah and Josiah and teaching children32:07 Huldah the prophetess and the Huldah Gates37:24 Huldah declares the book is scripture39:09 Temple destroyed, end of the Old Testament, Book of Mormon begins42:23 Heather's non-traditional journey45:18 Why does God come to women?48:55 The influence of women and womeninthescriptures.com49:46 End of Part 2 - Sister Heather FarrellThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorSydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com

In this Bible Story, Jehu is used by God to rid Israel of evil. He kills Jezebel and all the remnants of king Ahab. He also toppls the temples of Baal along with all its followers. Eventually, he succumbs to his own inner evils and strays away from God. This story is inspired by 2 Kings 9:30-10:36. Go to https://www.BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Kings 9:34 from the King James Version.Episode 139: Jehoshaphat, in an attempt to broker peace between him and Israel, betrothed his son Joram to Ahab's daughter Athaliah. But because the wicked and idolatrous nature of her parents was in her, both Jehoram and the nation of Judah would be led astray. And as he, his kingdom, and his sons passed away; his wife Athaliah plotted. Determined to stay in power, she killed all of her grandchildren so that the line of David could not stand in her way. But God would not let her evil stand in the way of His promise. Jehosheba, Athaliah's daughter, hid away one of Ahaziah's sons in the temple to be raised by the priests and taken care of until he could become king!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 Haberkorn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Don't Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study 2 Chronicles 14-20; 26; 30, discovering what some of the greatest prayers in scripture teach us about the heart of God. Through the lives of Asa, Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah, we see leaders who faced impossible situations yet continually turned to the Lord, trusting that His power was greater than any obstacle before them. As armies gathered, kingdoms were threatened, and fear surrounded them, these faithful kings chose prayer before panic. Whether facing overwhelming odds, uncertain futures, or desperate personal trials, they sought the Lord with humble hearts, believing that God hears every cry and remains faithful to His promises. Their stories remind us that prayer is not a last resort but the first place we can turn when we don't know what to do. This episode also explores what it means to fix our eyes on God instead of our fears. Rather than counting reasons to give up, these kings remembered who God is and what He had already done for His people. As they trusted Him, the Lord answered with guidance, protection, peace, and unexpected miracles, showing that His graciousness reaches every sincere soul who calls upon Him. Above all, these chapters offer hope for anyone who has ever wondered if heaven is listening. The same God who heard the prayers of ancient kings still hears ours today. He sees every tear, knows every burden, and invites us to bring every fear before Him. No prayer offered in faith goes unnoticed, because our God is gracious, merciful, and always ready to hear His children. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 03:03 Studying prayers of three kings 07:06 Finding faith over logic 12:27 Temple dedication and divine promise 13:21 Reflecting on First Kings 8 17:28 Imagining prayer in a new way 20:46 Discussing Hezekiah in 2 Kings 23:03 Hezekiah receives and prays over letter 27:52 Discussing Faith and Feeling Ignored 30:10 Hezekiah's Illness and Prayer 34:21 Weekly word: Graciousness and prayer 35:44 Subscribing to the app and newsletter Sign up for the Don't Miss This newsletter at www.dontmissthisstudy.com #dontmissthis #comefollowme NEWSLETTER LINK: The Don't Miss This video, the prayer poster, and tip-ins for kids, teens, couples and individuals can all be found in this week's newsletter. Sign-up link in bio if you haven't had a chance yet!! www.dontmissthisstudy.com Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Podcast: Don't Miss This Study Facebook: Don't Miss This Study Follow Grace Instagram @thisweeksgrace Follow David Instagram: @mrdavebutler Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdavebutler/ Subscribe to the Don't Miss This App https://www.dontmissthisstudy.com/app

What if you've been reading the Old Testament your whole life and missed the most important name on every page? Dr. Don Parry opens the Hebrew Bible with a scholar's precision and a testimony revealing how Elisha's miracles, his very name, and 6,800 attestations of Jehovah converge into one stunning, Christ-centered portrait of a God who never stops showing up.SHOW NOTES/TRANSCRIPTSEnglish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228ENFrench: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228FRGerman: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228DEPortuguese: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228PTSpanish: https://tinyurl.com/podcastOT228ESYOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/s7MPgm2gLooFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook WEEKLY NEWSLETTERhttps://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE0:00 - Part 1 - Dr. Don Parry5:27 Bio 8:01 Elisha's name “My God is salvation”15:41 The prophetic mantle: Elijah to Elisha19:58 Elisha as a type of Jesus Christ and chariots of fire24:48 Chariot mysticism, temples, returning to God's presence30:36 Restoration-era chariot visions–Joseph Smith and angels36:04 Old Testament metaphors in Restoration scripture40:04 Elisha heals the waters at Jericho46:09 The mocking young men and she-bears55:06 Don't mock the Lord's anointed1:00:10 Jehoshaphat, Moab, and seeking God through a prophet1:04:23 Music invites revelation, and Elisha calls for a minstrel1:09:29 Water miracle without rain1:10:45 End of Part 1 - Dr. Don ParryThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorSydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com