Podcasts about Jordan River

In this episode of Don't Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study 2 Kings 2–7 and discover that the God who worked miracles through Elijah is the same God who continues to work through Elisha. As one prophet passes the mantle to another, these chapters remind us that God's power has never been limited to one person or one generation. He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever, still healing, providing, rescuing, and strengthening His children. From the healing of the waters at Jericho to the widow's overflowing oil, each miracle points beyond Elisha and toward the heart of God. Whether providing more than enough for a grieving family, reminding us that repentance brings lasting healing, or showing that His blessings often exceed our expectations, these stories reveal a Savior whose grace is abundant. God is not interested in merely helping us survive. He delights in restoring, multiplying, and making us whole. The story of Naaman teaches that God's greatest miracles often come through simple acts of faith. Though Naaman expected a dramatic solution, healing came through humble obedience as he washed in the Jordan River. These chapters invite us to trust that God is patient with our growth, willing to work with us through every attempt, every setback, and every step toward becoming completely clean. His purpose is not partial healing, but complete restoration. The episode concludes by showing that no concern is too great or too small for the Lord. Whether raising a child back to life, helping someone recover a borrowed axe head, or answering the quiet prayers of everyday disciples, God cares deeply about every part of our story. Together, these chapters testify that the same God who performed miracles in the Old Testament still works in our lives today, inviting us to trust Him, seek His Spirit, and believe that His power is never exhausted. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 03:52 Discussing Elijah's Miracles in Hebrew 08:29 Discussing faith and relationship journey 10:21 Desiring a life led by the Spirit 13:31 Continuing God's miracles and presence 16:54 Discussing lasting impact of miracles 22:44 Widow's plea for help 26:03 Questioning and starting to pray 26:33 Questioning faith and superstitions 30:20 Elisha's miraculous revival 33:05 Discussing a leper's honorable introduction 38:23 Naaman's Servants Encourage Him 41:01 The significance of number seven 44:33 Floating ax head miracle story 47:08 God's care in everyday life 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

CheckoutThe God Centered Concept Academy Training Community to learn what growth in Christ ishttps://api.tuvu.com/redirectGroup/6a2ac0e2c9f728027338244cCheck out this link to view Kingdom Cross Roads on TV.https://jesussaid.tv/?affiliate=tswright_gccTo get a copy of our new book "Embracing the Truth" or to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.In this episode of Kingdom Crossroads, TS Wright welcomes author and researcher John Zachary for a fascinating conversation about his book, The Science Behind the Story of Jesus. John shares his testimony, his call to ministry, and the spiritual experiences that led him to write and publish his research.The discussion centers on John's claim that scientific dating, biblical chronology, and historical events reveal repeating patterns of divine control throughout Scripture and world history. He explains how Daniel's 70 weeks, the movement of the Ark of the Covenant, the crossing of the Jordan River, the destruction of Herod's Temple, and Jesus' death and resurrection all point to the reality that God is sovereign over human events.John also shares how he uses this material for evangelism, especially with skeptics, atheists, agnostics, and those searching for evidence that the Bible is true.Topics CoveredJohn Zachary's testimony and call to ministryThe spiritual experiences that led him to write his bookScientific data and biblical prophecyDaniel's 70 weeks and the MessiahThe significance of 14,000-day patterns in biblical chronologyThe Ark of the Covenant, Moses, Joshua, and the crossing of the JordanThe destruction of Solomon's Temple and Herod's TempleEzekiel's Temple visionJesus as the fulfillment of the sacrificial systemWhy the Old Testament sacrifices pointed forward to ChristThe use of biblical research in evangelismIsrael, Jerusalem, and prophetic fulfillmentThe connection between Luke 21, Matthew 24, and end-time prophecyKey TakeawaysJohn Zachary argues that the Bible contains precise chronological markers that reveal God's hand in human history. He highlights a recurring 14,000-day control period that he says appears in multiple biblical and historical events.A central point of the episode is that Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection fulfilled what the Old Testament sacrificial system only symbolized. John connects this to the destruction of Herod's Temple, explaining that the old system was no longer needed after Christ's finished work.The conversation also emphasizes evangelism. John explains that his research is not meant to create arguments but to present evidence that can awaken people to the truth of Scripture and the reality of eternal life through Jesus Christ.Featured Quote“Human events are under divine control to reveal what is true of the spiritual realm.” — John ZacharyScripture References MentionedDaniel 9Daniel's 70 weeksNumbers 10:11Joshua 4:19Revelation 11Hebrews 10John 14:6Luke 21Matthew 24Mark 13Ezekiel 40:1Guest ResourceLearn more about John Zachary and his book: The Science Behind the Story of JesusWebsite mentioned in the episode: authorjohnzacary.comClosing Call to ActionGet your copy of The Science Behind the Story of Jesus by John Zachary and discover how biblical prophecy, historical events, and scientific dating point to the truth of Jesus Christ.KeywordsJohn Zachary, The Science Behind the Story of Jesus, biblical prophecy, Daniel 70 weeks, Christian apologetics, Bible science, NASA data Bible prophecy, Jesus Christ, biblical chronology, end times prophecy, Kingdom Crossroads, TS Wright, Israel prophecy, Herod's Temple, Ark of the Covenant, biblical history, Christian evangelism

We explore the final days of Moses as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land. Despite his enduring physical strength, Moses faces the reality that he cannot cross the Jordan River due to his past disobedience. Joshua is appointed as his successor to lead the people into Canaan. We delve into the challenges Moses faces, including requests from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh to settle outside Canaan, and God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land. 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...

What will your life say when you're gone? In Joshua 4, God instructed His people to take stones from the middle of the Jordan River and build a memorial, not to celebrate themselves, but to remember His faithfulness. In this Father's Day message, Set a Marker, we discover that marked men leave markers. Joshua's life teaches us that God's presence marks us, His faithfulness shapes us, and our obedience creates a path for the next generation. Whether you're a father, mentor, leader, or simply someone trying to follow God faithfully, this message will challenge you to stop living only for today and start building bridges for tomorrow. Your story, your faith, and your obedience may become the very testimony someone else needs to trust God.

Pastor Adam's message takes us on a journey through Joshua chapters 3-6, exploring what happens when God leads the way in our lives. We discover that the story of Jericho is not primarily about walls falling or military strategy, but about the faithfulness of a promise-keeping God. The Israelites stood at a crossroads of uncertainty—Moses was dead, the Jordan River was overflowing, and the fortified city of Jericho loomed before them. Sound familiar? We all face moments when we wonder who will lead us through our impossible situations. But the real question is not who will lead, but will God still be with us? The answer is a resounding yes. We learn that God's promises continue beyond any single person or circumstance, that His power is confirmed through impossible situations, and that consecration must come before confrontation. Before we can fight our battles, we must worship. Before we can sharpen our swords, we must sharpen our souls. The Israelites walked around Jericho for seven days—what looked like foolishness to the world was actually faithfulness to God. And here's the beautiful truth: it wasn't the people walking around the city that brought victory, it was the presence of God encircling those walls. When we submit to God's way and align with God's will, victory is assured. This message challenges us to examine whether we're trying to recruit God into our plans or surrendering to His perfect plan for our lives.

Nick Floyd, Senior Pastor of Cross Church Northwest Arkansas, explores what it means to separate ourselves from sin and surrender ourselves fully to God. Before Israel experienced the presence and wonders of God at the Jordan River, they were called to consecrate themselves, reminding us that God's movement in our lives begins with surrendered hearts.

Have you ever found yourself standing in front of something that felt impossible?In this powerful message, Pastor Jerry reminds us that God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. Looking at Joshua and the crossing of the Jordan River, we discover that following God into new territory requires complete surrender, unwavering trust, and confidence in His Word. The Israelites stood before an impossible river. Abraham waited generations for God's covenant promises to unfold. Moses led a nation through impossible circumstances. Throughout Scripture, we see the same truth repeated again and again: when God makes a promise, He keeps it. If you're facing uncertainty, battling doubt, waiting on a promise, or standing in front of a "Jordan River" in your own life, this message will encourage you to trust God's faithfulness and follow Him where you've never been before.For more on LifePoint Church go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lifepointaz.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our merch store ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lifepointaz-shop.fourthwall.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find all our links in one easy spot ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/lifepointaz ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/lifepointaz ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifepointchurchaz/

If you've been running on empty for months — chronic fatigue, autoimmune flares, a body that won't cooperate no matter how much you sleep — and part of you has quietly wondered whether God is doing this to you or just letting it happen, this episode is for you. We're walking through five biblical reasons God allows suffering, and what to actually do while you're still in the middle of it. Fair warning: these reasons aren't wrapped in a bow. A few of them are genuinely hard to sit with. But stay to the end, because there's real encouragement waiting there. This one is for the Christian woman who is done spinning her wheels and ready to take real steps toward healing — body and faith, together. As a Registered Nurse and holistic health coach, I bring both a clinical lens and a faith-centered one to this conversation, because holistic health was never meant to separate the two. Why God Allows Suffering: 5 Biblical Reasons 1. So God's Works Can Be Displayed — John 9 When Jesus's disciples ask who sinned to cause a man's blindness, him or his parents, Jesus answers plainly: neither. "It was not that this man sinned or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." — John 9:3 Illness isn't always a verdict on someone's character. Sometimes it's simply the setup for what God plans to do next. If you've walked through healing, your story matters — telling it points other people back to Him. 2. Because God Works in Ways We Don't Fully Understand — Job The Book of Job is genuinely hard, and it's okay to say so. Job loses his family and his health, and when God finally speaks, He doesn't explain Himself. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding." — Job 38:4 There's no tidy resolution here. Just a reminder that we serve a God whose understanding is bigger than ours — which means some suffering won't make sense from where we're standing, and that's allowed to be true without shaking our trust in Him. 3. Temporary Suffering Can Be Training Now, and Protection Later — Joseph, Genesis 50 Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned — roughly seventeen years between the dream God gave him and the day it came true. When his brothers later feared retaliation, Joseph told them: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive." — Genesis 50:20 God used that season to train Joseph for the leadership he'd eventually need, and that same training is what positioned him to protect his entire family years later when famine hit. The suffering came first. The protection came after, once the training had done its work. If you're walking through chronic illness or a season of low energy right now, it's worth asking what this might be preparing you for, and who it might one day let you protect. 4. So God's Power Can Be Made Perfect in Weakness — 2 Corinthians 12 Paul asked God three times to remove his "thorn in the flesh." God didn't. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." — 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul's conclusion was that his weakness became the very thing that made him strong. Self-sufficiency tends to pull us toward leaning on our own strength instead of God's. Sometimes the thorn stays so the credit goes to God's power, not ours. 5. So We Will Lack Nothing — James 1 "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness... that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." — James 1:2-4 Nobody signs up for trials willingly. But if the process produces something in us we'd otherwise be missing, that reframes the waiting — even when it doesn't make it easy. What to Do While You're Waiting on God Faith Matters — But It's Not a Verdict on Your Healing (Luke 8) A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years touches the edge of Jesus's garment and is instantly healed. He tells her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well." Faith plays a real part in healing. But just because you haven't been healed yet doesn't mean you don't have enough faith. The man born blind in John 9 wasn't blind because of a lack of faith. Faith is a factor, but it's not the only one. There may be other things at work that have nothing to do with how much faith you have, so there's no need to carry guilt over it or pick yourself apart looking for what's missing. Obedience Is Part of the Process (2 Kings 5) Naaman was told to dip in the Jordan River seven times to be healed of leprosy — and he almost refused because it felt too simple. When he finally obeyed, he was healed. Sometimes God is asking for action alongside our faith — working with a doctor, researching natural remedies, changing a habit, simply doing the next obedient thing in front of you. Faith and action aren't in competition. And underneath it all is a quiet principle worth remembering: we reap what we sow. Good choices tend to bear good fruit, even when the harvest is slow to show up. Remembering God's Goodness in the Waiting There's a lot in Scripture that's genuinely hard to understand — Job's story, Ezekiel being told not to publicly mourn his wife, and plenty more. But understanding everything was never the requirement for trusting God's goodness. "He will never leave you nor forsake you." — Hebrews 13:5 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." — Romans 8:28 He's been proving that for thousands of years. He's still doing it now, even in the waiting. Key Takeaways Suffering is not automatically a punishment for sin or a sign of insufficient faith. Some of God's ways genuinely won't make sense from where we're standing — and that's allowed. Hard seasons can be preparation for something ahead that isn't visible yet. Faith and practical obedience — medical care, lifestyle changes, natural remedies — work together, not against each other. You're responsible for your next faithful step, not for forcing an outcome or understanding the whole plan. This episode is educational and faith-based reflection, not medical advice or a diagnosis.  Ready for Your Next Step? If you are experiencing low energy or autoimmune symptoms, I'd love to help you with your next steps. I have a few spots open for a More Energy Strategy Session, where we'll look at what's actually going on and build a clear path forward. You can book your session at herholistichealing.com/services.

As part of our Being Human series, David Stockton and Anthony Kennada continue their conversation about faith, work, and technology by exploring what it means to move forward when the path ahead is uncertain. Looking at Israel's crossing of the Jordan River, they reflect on trust, courage, and how God leads His people through seasons of change.

Send us Fan MailThese special, condensed conversations were recorded at the 2026 U.S. Christian Chamber of Commerce SWC Conference in OrlandoBen Fleet - Corporate Giving Manager for Crossroads Prison Ministries - shares his faith and his impactful work including growing up in a Christian home; putting his faith in Jesus at 14; how 9/11 brought  him closer to Jesus; having criminal justice “in his DNA”; switching over to the ministerial program; how he responded to the threat of pulling funding from his college education; a church plant in Montreal; Crossroads Prison Ministries; correspondence based ministry; bringing hope to their students (those incarcerated); how prison ministry reduces recidivism rates; how bringing hope reduces taxpayer money through prison ministries; and much more! https://cpministries.orgEpisode starts at the 20:47 markRobert & Kay Lee Fukui - Founders of i61 Business Development Network - takes us on their journey of faith, family, and how to help the two work in tandem including Kay Lee growing up in the church and Robert being a PK (preacher's kid); Robert growing up with a “rebellious” spirit; growing up with family as secondary to the ministry; Kay Lee being the catalyst to bring Robert back to church; how an unusually empty tourist stop at the Jordan River in Israel transformed their lives; how their respective upbringings led them to their marriage ministry;  how relationships are really all you have in the end; how the unexpected death of Robert's first wife brought clarity; prioritizing family activities on calendar; spiritual and practical applications to strengthen your marriage; and much more! https://marriedentrepreneur.co/Support the show

What do you do with the moments you never want to forget?In this special fifth anniversary message, John Gunter reflects on the story of Joshua 4 and God's command to Israel to build a memorial of stones after crossing the Jordan River. Those stones were not trophies celebrating human achievement. They were testimonies pointing future generations to the faithfulness of God.Looking back over five years of Eagle Community Church of Christ, this sermon celebrates God's provision through seasons of uncertainty, challenge, sacrifice, and growth. Through every obstacle, God has continued to bless His people and open doors for ministry.But this message is about more than the past. It is a call to build for the future. Just as Israel built stones for the next generation, believers today are called to leave behind a testimony of faith that others can follow.Key Themes: Remembering God's faithfulness through difficult seasons  Building a testimony for future generations  Unity is worth protecting and pursuing  Every believer has a place and purpose in God's family  The church grows when ordinary people become fully engaged 

Detailed Sermon Summary “Standing Where God Made a Way” Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min. Part 5 of the “Rooted & Grounded”  Watch the 14 minute video: "The Road to Juneteenth" Pastor Bryan Hudson's sermon, “Standing Where God Made a Way,” connects the biblical account of Israel crossing the Jordan River in Joshua 4 with the historical meaning of Juneteenth. The central message is that believers, families, communities, and nations must remember the places where God brought deliverance, because remembrance preserves gratitude, identity, wisdom, and responsibility. The sermon begins by framing Juneteenth as more than a national holiday. It is presented as a memorial of deliverance and a reminder that God makes a way where there is no way. Dr. Hudson connects Juneteenth to the broader biblical theme of God delivering people from bondage, especially Israel's deliverance from Egypt and later their crossing into the Promised Land. He also references his video, “The Road to Juneteenth,” which traces the journey from emancipation declared to freedom enforced. Joshua 4: Remembering the Crossing The primary Scripture is Joshua 4:1–11, where God commands Joshua to have twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, take twelve stones from the Jordan River after the people crossed on dry ground. These stones were to be set up as a memorial so that future generations would ask, “What do these stones mean?” The answer would preserve the story of how God cut off the waters of the Jordan and brought His people through. Dr. Hudson explains that this crossing parallels the Red Sea crossing under Moses forty years earlier. In both cases, God removed a barrier that His people could not remove on their own. The Jordan River was not always deep, but it did flood seasonally. God stopped the waters so Israel could cross, then instructed them to take stones from the riverbed—stones that were normally hidden—and make them visible as a testimony. A key insight is that the stones were not objects of worship. They were reminders of the God who acted. The stones pointed beyond themselves to God's power, faithfulness, and deliverance. Juneteenth as a Stone of Remembrance Dr. Hudson then connects Joshua's stones to Juneteenth. Just as Israel needed memorial stones to remember deliverance, African Americans and the nation need Juneteenth as a memorial of freedom delayed, freedom enforced, and freedom remembered. He explains that the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1862 and took effect on January 1, 1863, but freedom was not fully enforced in Texas until June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston and announced General Order No. 3. This shows one of the sermon's major historical lessons: freedom declared is not always freedom practiced. Justice often requires enforcement. Juneteenth, therefore, is not merely a celebration. It is a memorial, an educational moment, and a call to remember both God's deliverance and the human struggle required for justice. Theological Foundation: Human Dignity and the Image of God A major theological point in the sermon is that all people are made in the image and likeness of God. Because of this, no person or group has the right to dominate, dehumanize, enslave, or exploit another. Dr. Hudson emphasizes the importance of saying “enslaved people” rather than simply “slaves.” To call someone a slave can make bondage sound like their identity. But their true identity is that they were human beings made in God's image who were enslaved by others. This point becomes the moral foundation for the sermon's critique of slavery, racism, domination, and exploitation. Slavery was especially evil because it involved humans made in God's image enslaving other humans made in God's image. A Sober View of American History The sermon also calls for honesty about American history. Dr. Hudson says Juneteenth should never have been necessary. If the nation had truly lived up to biblical principles from the beginning, enslaving Africans would never have been tolerated. He notes that the founders debated slavery and compromised in order to form the nation. Some opposed slavery, while others wanted to preserve it because of the economic benefits of free labor. That compromise, he explains, carried a terrible cost and eventually helped lead to the Civil War. Dr. Hudson does not reject love for the nation, but he urges listeners to avoid “rosy narratives” that ignore the blood, suffering, and injustice woven into the nation's history. The proper response is gratitude mixed with sobriety, remembrance, and responsibility. God Still Makes a Way The sermon repeatedly returns to the message that there are always barriers to cross. God parted the Red Sea under Moses. God stopped the Jordan River under Joshua. God made a way for enslaved people through emancipation and enforcement. And God still makes a way for His people today. Dr. Hudson says that today's breakthroughs may not always look as dramatic as the Red Sea or Jordan crossings, but the principle remains the same: when God brings people through obstacles, they should remember, testify, and move forward in faith. Memorials Are Educational Another key theme is that memorials are meant to teach. In Joshua 4, the stones were designed to provoke questions from children. When the children asked what the stones meant, the older generation was responsible to explain God's deliverance. Dr. Hudson applies this to holidays such as Juneteenth, Thanksgiving, Easter, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and others. These are not merely days off or occasions for celebration. They are opportunities to educate, remember sacrifice, and pass meaning to the next generation. He warns that routines, celebrations, and comfort can obscure legacy. People can enjoy the benefits of history without remembering the sacrifice that made those benefits possible. Therefore, remembrance must be intentional. Standing Where God Made a Way The title phrase, “Standing Where God Made a Way,” captures the sermon's central conviction. Dr. Hudson teaches that many of us are living in places of blessing that exist because God worked through previous generations. We are standing on ground made possible by God's intervention, people's prayers, sacrifices, faith, courage, and perseverance. This applies personally, spiritually, historically, and nationally. We stand where parents, grandparents, ancestors, saints, activists, soldiers, and faithful servants endured hardship so future generations could live differently. Twelve Contemporary Stones of Remembrance Near the end, Dr. Hudson gives twelve “stones” that people and families can set up as memorials today. These are practices and places that help preserve memory, identity, and gratitude: Education — learning the truth and teaching it to others. Vicarious living — learning through the lives and experiences of others rather than repeating their mistakes. Identification — seeing oneself connected to faithful and courageous people from the past. Honoring — highly valuing parents, elders, ancestors, and those who made sacrifices. Testimony — telling what God has done personally and collectively. Studying history — learning the real story, not only simplified or sanitized versions. Serving others — turning remembrance into action. Shared experience — building memories and meaning together as families and communities. Museums — places such as Freetown Village that preserve and teach history. Family gatherings — moments that connect generations. Anniversaries — recurring opportunities to remember God's faithfulness. Juneteenth — a national and spiritual stone of remembrance that points to deliverance, justice, and responsibility. These “stones” help people stay rooted. They prevent forgetfulness. They help connect the present generation to legacy and history. Final Exhortation The sermon closes with a call to preserve memories that are worth preserving. Dr. Hudson urges listeners to be intentional with their children, grandchildren, families, and communities. If people do not connect present blessings with past deliverance, they may lose their way in the future. The final prayer thanks God for His goodness, for ancestors and heroes known and unknown, and for the fact that we are standing where God made a way. The prayer also asks God to help His people remember, honor, educate, and never take His blessings—or the people He used—for granted. Core Message The sermon's core message is: God makes a way through impossible barriers, and His people must remember where He brought them from. Memorials—whether stones, holidays, testimonies, museums, family stories, or historical observances like Juneteenth—help us honor God, educate future generations, and move forward without forgetting the sacrifices that made our present blessings possible.

What Actually Happens When You Get Baptized?Most of us have watched a baptism. The water, the moment, the applause. But what if there's something happening beneath the surface that most people never stop to think about?Here's something worth sitting with: repentance is the first word of the gospel. The first word out of John the Baptist's mouth. The first word of Jesus' public ministry. The first instruction after the resurrection. The first word of the first Christian sermon. Baptism is where that repentance goes public — where an inward decision becomes an outward declaration.In this message, Pastor Aaron McRae unpacks the scene in Matthew 3 where Jesus steps into the Jordan River — and what that moment reveals about three things baptism marks fresh in every believer's life: a new identity in Christ, an inauguration into life and ministry, and a living illustration of the gospel itself.Whether you were baptized decades ago or are still figuring out what you believe, this is an invitation to remember what that moment meant — and to keep living like it actually does.

We're in a season of transition at River City Church, and honestly, it can feel a little unsettling. We know where we've been, we know where God is leading us, but the in-between? That's where faith gets real.Just like the Israelites standing at the Jordan River, staring at the Promised Land, we're learning that God is more concerned with our obedience than our understanding. He doesn't always show us the whole staircase—just the next step. And that's okay, because He's right there in the middle of it all with us.Here's what we need: preparation, courage, vision, and movement. We need to remember His faithfulness in our past so we can trust Him with our future. Our failures don't cancel out His promises. Where is God asking you to dip your feet in the water today? What step of faith is He calling you to take, even when you can't see the whole path?The word is near you—it's in your heart. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to follow Him.

What do you do when God gives you a promise, but all you can see is an impossible situation? In this message, we explore Joshua 3 and discover that breakthrough often begins where comfort ends. Israel stood before a flooded Jordan River, and instead of removing the obstacle first, God called them to follow His presence and step into the water before seeing the miracle. We discuss why faith is not driven by pressure, fear, or human urgency, but by God's presence and His Word. You'll learn how inherited testimony must become personal faith, why breakthrough often requires stepping into the deep, and how God may already be working on your behalf in places you cannot yet see. If you're waiting on God, facing uncertainty, or standing at the edge of what feels impossible, this message will encourage you to trust that God is moving upstream even when you can't see the evidence yet.

Is there something you know God is calling you to do — but you just haven't done it yet? A conversation you've been avoiding. A step you've been putting off. A river you can see but won't cross.In this message from our Uncharted: A Study in Joshua series, we look at two people in Joshua 2 and 3 who faced that exact moment — and what happened when they finally stepped in.Rahab had no safety net. The priests had no guarantee. But both of them stepped out in faith — and neither of them regretted it.The miracle doesn't come before the step. It comes after.Whatever your Jordan River is — this message is for you.

Joshua 2:4-21 This powerful message draws us into the story of Rahab from Joshua chapter 2, revealing profound truths about urgency, faith, and our responsibility to those we love. We encounter two nations on opposite sides of the Jordan River: one a military powerhouse with fortified walls, the other a group of former slaves living in tents.

View this sermon (with video and/or audio recording) on our website: https://www.lordoflords.org/sermons/compassion-is-love-in-motion/We were blessed to have a team of 7 teen girls and 1 teen boy with Pastor Matt Hennig from Living Word Lutheran Church in Montrose, Colorado join us this week as a mission team. We kept them busy. In the morning, the team ran our soccer camp at Mike Seder Park. We had 25 campers, ages 5-13 for 3 days.The campers learned about passing, dribbling, shooting, and teamwork on the soccer pitch. In the devotion time, they learned about Zaccheus. Though he was a tax collector, Jesus had compassion on Zaccheus by calling him down from the sycamore tree and eating dinner at this house. They learned about Nicodemus, who visited Jesus at night because he was afraid of his fellow Pharisees. Jesus had compassion on Nicodemus by teaching him that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son ... who was sitting and talking with Nicodemus that night. They also learned about Elijah. Though Elijah had a great victory over Baal's prophets on Mt. Carmel, Queen Jezebel issued death threats to Eli that terrified him. God showed compassion on his fearful prophet by whispering his word into his ears and heart through the wind.The kids loved camp! They didn't care about the cold. They didn't complain about the wind. We received lots of positive feedback from parents that their kids wouldn't stop talking about camp on the way home. One of the parents told me that her son played his first soccer game on Wednesday night and scored a goal. She said she could tell he got better during just those first two days at camp.Except for the snack and devotion time, the campers were always in motion. They played soccer, but they also played games like wheelbarrow races, three-legged races, shepherds/sheep/and wolves, and "Ouch!". "Ouch" is where the campers try to kick the ball and hit the coach to make her yell, "Ouch!" They also enjoyed the oversized soccer ball and the pool noodles.Jesus was a man in motion. He healed a paralytic, a sick woman, and two blind men. He raised another man's daughter from the dead. He called 12 men to be his disciples. He answered the questions posed by searchers and skeptics. All that in Matthew chapter nine! Matthew then writes, "Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness" (Matthew 9:35). Whew! Jesus was humanly busy! He was also divinely talented.Why all this activity? Why all this urgency? Because the people were harassed by false prophets. They were harassed by forces of evil in this dark world. They were harassed by the guilt of their own sin and the fear of eternal death. By themselves, they were helpless to do anything about it. Matthew explains, "When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were troubled and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).We kept our missionary team of teens busy. Last week, we placed flyers on 750 homes in neighborhoods around Casper College, telling them that we would be coming by Tuesday through Thursday from 6 to 8 pm. Our team was going to the door to collect food for the Casper College students' food pantry. The team received mostly positive responses at the door. However, there were a handful of negative reactions. One young woman opened the door, saw our team of young ladies, dropped the F-bomb on them, and closed the door. There were a few who refused to open the door and were just hiding in the kitchen. There were some who slammed the door in their faces. And there was one man on Thursday night, when he saw their Lord of Lords t-shirts, not so politely said, "No, thank you".When we talked Thursday night about their highs and lows, the team shared these stories. I reminded them that the people who responded like this are like sheep without a shepherd. I assured them that these people most likely do not have a church home or a pastor and possibly do not believe in Jesus as their Savior. Otherwise, they wouldn't act like that. So, their reactions are normal for an unbeliever. These are the lost people that Jesus specifically targets for us to find. That's hard to do! But Jesus did it. Why? He had compassion on them.Jesus was a man in motion. But he took the time to stop and spend time with people -- the people he had come to save. With divine compassion, Jesus healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf. But Jesus also sat and listened. He stood and taught. He certainly must have held hands, gave hugs, cried together, laughed together, and prayed with and for those who were hurting.He did all this because of his compassion. Compassion can be defined as "love in motion". That's why Jesus was a man on the move. He had compassion for the lost, troubled, and downcast like us. His love moved him into motion.To have compassion for someone does not mean wallowing with them in their misery. Rather, it's listening to them. Spending time with them. Helping them. Those are all action verbs. Love in motion. It's helping them by pointing them to something greater than themselves, their sins, and their problems. It's sharing Jesus with them. He is the cure for their ailments, the forgiveness for their sins, and the mercy for their mistakes.Jesus told his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers into his harvest" (Luke 9:37-38). Jesus sends us out to put love in motion.On the last day of camp, I was talking to a grandmother of one of the campers. She really loved the camp. I was telling her I was new to Casper. She said, "I'll pray for you. And I'll pray for Lord of Lords." She was putting Jesus' words into action: "Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out workers into his harvest." So, we pray for the teens from Living Word. And we pray for the teens and adults from Lord of Lords who helped with soccer camp, canvassing, meals, hosting, giving monetary donations to feed the teens on the drive home, and more. You are all workers in this harvest. We've already set it up with Pastor Hennig for him to come back next year with his teens. Lord willing, camp will be even bigger and better.In the abstract, we feel compassion for lost sinners. In the concrete, however, compassion comes with much greater difficulty. We may help with prayers or groceries. We may lend a hand or offer some assistance. But we're busy people. We lead daily lives to meet our personal needs, earn a living, and keep our family together. Having true compassion takes time, effort, and investment that we don't really want to be part of. Oh, we may respond to a mission sermon or a plea for help. But normally, we don't think about the lost. It's not that we don't care. It's more that we don't think about taking the time to care.How different is the single-minded compassion of Jesus for lost sheep? His immaculate conception and perfect life to replace humanity's sinful natures and imperfect lives. His baptism in the dirty Jordan River to take away the grime of humanity's sins. His temptations in the desert to defeat the power of the Devil. His redemption on the cross to pay for humanity's crimes against a holy God. His resurrection that gives the promise of eternal life to all who believe in him. His ascension puts him at God's right hand to rule all things for the good of his people's salvation. That is Jesus' divine compassion for the lost.Jesus' compassion for us moves us to have compassion for others. So often pastors and people get stuck in mainly doing "come" strategies. Just getting people to come to the church for worship, events or activities. Notice what Jesus does with his brand-new 1st century disciples. Matthew, who is among the twelve, writes, "Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, 'Do not go among the Gentiles, and do not enter any town of the Samaritans. Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near!' Heal the sick. Raise the dead. Cleanse lepers. Drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give'" (Matthew 10:5-8).Jesus sends us as his 21st century disciples to go into the community. Flyers on doors, social media reels and stories, a soccer camp in the park, canvassing for food, and more. When I did the training with the outreach team on Tuesday afternoon, we talked about not only collecting the food and moving on but asking what our church could do to reach out into the community. And if possible, ask for prayer requests and even pray with them at the door. That last one took a lot of courage. But these teenagers were great at it!Despite the handful of negative reactions, the team had a lot of positive experiences. They were able to summarize their Lutheran Christianity in their conversations. They talked about what they liked about the church. One team helped an older lady get her Corgi back inside the house. One lady who works at Casper College talked about how parents will come during midterms to give hugs to all the students. She suggested we do something like that. We discussed doing something similar and encouraging ... but without the hugs. That would be a little weird.When the team asked what our church can be doing in the community, most answered,"This! Keep doing things like this." Though they didn't use the words, they were really talking about doing compassion ministry. Most said that what we were doing for Casper College students was important. One gentleman added that this would create goodwill in his neighborhood toward our church. One person even suggested, "Can you entice politicians to be nice?" ... Probably not. But you know me, I'll try.Like Jesus, our team prayed for and with people on the front porch. One lady asked for a prayer for health for herself and a prayer for safe-keeping for her family that's dealing with substance abuse. They prayed with a lady for a toddler who was having surgery soon. They prayed with a woman who was having a rough night because her boyfriend is in the hospital. And they prayed with a man whose best friend had just lost his grandson.Compassion for the lost. Only God can fill us with it. Jesus sought us out as sheep needing a shepherd. He gave his life for us on the cross. He personally binds up our wounds and forgives us. But he also constantly places before us people who need his love and forgiveness. He moves us into action to look for and have compassion for lost sheep. He wants to use us to teach, feed, and heal them. He wants us to witness through compassion.That's what Jesus' ministry of compassion is all about. God's compassion cuts through our loneliness to join us to community within the Church. God's compassion in the words of absolution that forgives your past and gives you power for sanctified Christian living. God's compassion is the water of Baptism that gives us new life found in the flock of sheep who also bear the scars and healed-over wounds of life. God's compassion is the bread and wine of life that's served at the Shepherd's table for hungry sheep.There is immediacy and urgency in Christ's mission: "Preach 'The kingdom of heaven is near!' Heal the sick. Raise the dead. Cleanse lepers. Drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Help people right where they are. Give them the healing balm of Christ's forgiveness for their wounds caused by hurt and anger. Give them hope of the resurrection in Jesus Christ as they face death. Give them the assurance of an eternal home through faith in Christ as they see their homes destroyed by divorce or violence. We are workers in the ripe harvest fields of Casper.Compassion is love in motion. Jesus is calling you and pointing you toward the world -- toward the world he loves, the world he redeemed, and the world that is our mission field. It's time for us to get moving! Amen.

Welcome to a powerful message that delves into the ancient story of Joshua and the Israelites as they cross the Jordan River! Have you ever wondered why we commemorate significant events, or how history shapes our present? Today, we're exploring Joshua chapter four, where God commands the Israelites to set up twelve memorial stones. These aren't just rocks; they're tangible reminders of God's miraculous power, His unwavering faithfulness, and the life-giving importance of obedience. Join us as we uncover how these stones served as a perpetual teaching tool for generations, emphasizing God's progressive revelation and the critical role of Word-centered leadership. Discover why God's commands are always for our good, and how the church today is called to live under His theocratic rule, guided by Scripture alone. This sermon will challenge you to reflect on your own "memorials" – the ways you remember God's grace through His Word, baptism, and the Lord's Supper. Get ready to be encouraged and equipped to instruct your children in the truth of the Gospel!

Welcome to Day 2882 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2882 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 135:8-14 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2882 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2882 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Sovereign of History – Dismantling the Rebel Giant Kings In our previous stop along this grand, poetic landscape, we explored the opening movement of Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five, where we witnessed a magnificent temple liturgy that unmasked the false gods of the nations. We watched as Yahweh effortlessly demonstrated His total, seamless mastery over nature—commanding the clouds, directing the lightning, and releasing the wind from His royal celestial storehouses. We saw how the psalmist executed a brilliant, razor-sharp polemical attack against Baal, stripping the Canaanite storm god of his fraudulent resume. We discovered the comforting truth that Israel is Yahweh's segullah—His private, prized, and treasured possession, chosen out of the chaotic landscape of a disinherited world. Today, the temple liturgy takes a powerful, dramatic turn. The psalmist shifts his focus away from Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over nature, and directs our eyes to His absolute, undeniable sovereignty over human history and spiritual geography. He takes the traveling assembly on a historical tour, demonstrating that the True King doesn't just manage the weather; He systematically dismantles the greatest earthly emp'res, and violently crushes the giant rebel kings who attempt to block the expansion of His kingdom. We are exploring Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five, verses eight through fourteen, in the New Living Translation. Let us step onto the trail, adjust our cosmic lenses, and watch the Righteous Judge execute justice against the principalities of darkness. The First Segment is: The Judgment of Egypt's Incarnate Gods Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five: verses eight and nine. He destroyed the firstborn in each Egyptian home, both people and animals. He performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt against Pharaoh and all his people. The historical narrative begins in the dark, oppressive brick-kilns of Egypt, tracing the opening lines of Israel's great cosmic liberation. “He destroyed the firstborn in each Egyptian home, both people and animals. He performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt against Pharaoh and all his people.” To fully comprehend the sheer scale of the spiritual warfare embedded in these familiar words, we must look past our modern, secular history books, and view the Exodus through the profound lens of the Ancient Israelite divine council worldview, as masterfully taught by Doctor Michael S. Heiser. In the book of Exodus, chapter twelve, verse twelve, Yahweh explicitly declares the ultimate, underlying purpose of the plagues. He states, “Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am Yahweh.” The Exodus was not merely a political dispute over human labor; it was an open, aggressive courtroom trial, and a declaration of war against the corrupt, territorial elohim of the Nile. Egypt was the premier superpower of the ancient world, operating under the direct spiritual inspiration of powerful, rebellious members of the heavenly host. Pharaoh himself was not viewed merely as a human politician; he was worshiped as an incarnate god—the living proxy, and the supreme avatar, of the rebel spiritual principalities. When Pharaoh oppressed the chosen family of God, he was acting as the mouthpiece for the cosmic rebellion. Therefore, when Yahweh unleashed His miraculous signs and wonders, He was systematically target-shooting the Egyptian pantheon. He turned the Nile into blood to humiliate the river gods; He blocked out the sun to blind the sun god, Ra; and He paralyzed the land with darkness. The terrifying, ultimate climax of this cosmic execution occurred when the Lord destroyed the firstborn of both people and animals. In the ancient Near East, the firstborn son represented the strength, the legal inheritance, and the future legacy of the household. By striking down the firstborn—including the firstborn son of Pharaoh himself—Yahweh permanently broke the spiritual back of the empire. He demonstrated that the gods of Egypt were utterly helpless, completely unable to protect their own biological and spiritual lineages from the superior authority of the Creator. The proud, arrogant principalities of the Nile were weighed in the celestial balances, found wanting, and publicly stripped of their power. The Second Segment is: Dismantling the Gatekeepers of the Underworld Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five: verses ten through twelve. He struck down great nations and slaughtered mighty kings— Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the rulers of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, a special possession to his people Israel. The historical tour moves from the waters of the Red Sea, to the rugged, bloody battlefields on the eastern side of the Jordan River. “He struck down great nations and slaughtered mighty kings—Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan, and all the rulers of Canaan. He gave their land as an inheritance, a special possession to his people Israel.” To the casual reader, the names Sihon and Og might seem like obscure, boring footnotes from ancient military history. But to the ancient Israelite pilgrim singing this song, these two names triggered a profound sense of awe, and holy terror. These were not ordinary human kings; they were the terrifying, giant gatekeepers of the cosmic rebellion. Let us unpack the spiritual geography of these territories through Doctor Heiser's research. In the book of Deuteronomy, we discover that Og, the king of Bashan, was a literal remnant of the giant Rephaim. His massive iron bedstead was over thirteen feet long! In the ancient Near Eastern mindset, the Rephaim were not just tall people; their lineage was directly connected to the Nephilim—the hybrid offspring resulting from the spiritual corruption of the Watchers recorded in Genesis chapter six. They were the physical, and spiritual, anomalies produced by the rebel gods to contaminate the human race, and block the redemptive plans of Yahweh. Furthermore, the region of Bashan was universally recognized as the geographic and spiritual epicenter of darkness. Located at the foot of Mount Hermon—the exact site where the rebel angels originally staged their mutiny—Bashan was poetically referred to as the "place of the serpent," and the literal "gate of the underworld." Sihon and Og ruled over this demonic stronghold, acting as a massive, supernatural wall designed to intimidate Israel, and prevent them from ever entering the Promised Land. When Yahweh struck down great nations, and slaughtered these mighty giant kings, He was not just clearing a physical highway for Israel. He was executing a spectacular, cosmic cleansing of the geography. The Divine Warrior marched into the very territory of the dead, confronted the most terrifying, monstrous proxies of the rebel council, and completely obliterated them from the face of the earth. He proved that giant stature, demonic lineages, and ancient spiritual fortresses are absolutely nothing but dust in the presence of the Almighty. And look at the ultimate, glorious result of this victory in verse twelve: “He gave their land as an inheritance, a special possession to his people Israel.” This is the beautiful, geographic reversal of the Tower of Babel. At Babel, humanity was disinherited, and handed over to the rule of the lesser elohim. But here, Yahweh violently reclaims the land from the rebels, completely evicts the demonic tenants, and hands the territory over to His segullah—His special possession. The Promised Land becomes a restored beachhead of Eden, a sacred space where the cosmic order, truth, and righteousness of the true King can finally flourish. The Third Segment is: The Eternal Courtroom Verdict Psalm One Hundred Thirty-Five: verses thirteen and fourteen. Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. Having demonstrated Yahweh's absolute mastery over history, the psalmist transitions into a magnificent, courtroom declaration of praise, drawing a sharp contrast between the mortality

What does it mean to lead with unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming challenges? In this inspiring episode of Who's Who in the Bible, Fr. Joseph Royan, C.Ss.R., takes viewers on a journey through the remarkable life of Joshua, one of Scripture's most influential leaders. From stepping into the immense responsibility of succeeding Moses to guiding the Israelites into the land promised by God, Joshua's story is a powerful witness to courage, obedience, and trust. Explore key moments from his leadership, including the crossing of the Jordan River, the victory at Jericho, and the decisive events at Gibeon—each revealing how faith in God can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.More than a story of conquest, this reflection uncovers Joshua's enduring message of commitment to God. His challenge to the people of Israel to remain faithful continues to resonate with believers today, offering valuable lessons for anyone seeking direction, purpose, and spiritual strength. Join this enriching exploration of Joshua's legacy and discover how his steadfast confidence in God's promises can inspire your own walk of faith.

What do you do when you find yourself standing at the edge of uncertainty, unsure how to move forward? In this Annual Celebration 2026 message, Pastor Tim Ghali teaches from 2 Kings 2:1–15, where Elijah and Elisha stand at the Jordan River and witness the power of God at work. Through this powerful story of transition, calling, and spiritual empowerment, we are reminded that the same God who parted waters for Moses, Joshua, Elijah, and Elisha is still on the move today. Pastor Tim reflects on a significant year in the life of Grace Chapel — a year marked by transition, challenge, faith, generosity, and God's provision. Through it all, we are invited to trust that God sees us at the riverbank, empowers us for what is ahead, and calls us to join His ongoing work in the world. This message also includes the story of Colin, a reminder that God is still changing lives in unexpected ways through ordinary people who are centered on Jesus.

On the occasion of the dedication of Dayspring Bible College & Seminary's new campus on Salem Lake in Long Grove, Illinois, Pastor Jim Scudder delivers a message of celebration and faith rooted in Joshua 4. Just as God commanded Israel to set up twelve stones as a memorial of His miraculous provision at the Jordan River, this message calls believers to recognize and remember the miracles God works — both the extraordinary and the less noticed. Drawing on the remarkable story of Dayspring's two campus acquisitions, Pastor Scudder challenges the congregation to cultivate eyes of faith that see God's hand in all things. The message concludes with a call to the greatest miracle of all — the redemption of a sinner through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

WHEN SEASONS CHANGE |  MAY 31, 2026Pastor Wes Morris Joshua 1:1-9 (NLT) After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you...no one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”√  EVERY NEW SEASON REQUIRES A NEW SURRENDER.Joshua 1:1-9 (NLT) After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead...”√  THE SEASON MAY CHANGE, BUT THE SOURCE STAYS THE SAME.Joshua 1:5 (NLT) As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. √  GOD DOESN‘T GIVE US EVERY DETAIL, BUT HE ALWAYS GIVES US HIMSELF. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.WHEN SEASONS CHANGEI. GRIEVE WHAT ENDED, BUT DON'T GET STUCK THERE.Joshua 1:1 (MSG) God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant: “Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people."Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NIV) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.II. LET GOD‘S FAITHFULNESS BE YOUR FOUNDATION.Joshua 1:5 (NLT) As I was with Moses, so I will be with you...Lamentations 3:18-23 (TLB) All hope is gone; my strength has turned to water, for the Lord has left me. Oh, remember the bitterness and suffering you have dealt to me! For I can never forget these awful years; always my soul will live in utter shame.Yet there is one ray of hope: his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord's mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day. III. LEAVE TOMORROW IN GOD'S HANDS. Matthew 6:27 (TLB) Will all your worries add a single moment to your life?34 So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.

www.patreon.com/theconspiracypodcastThe Ark of the Covenant (Part 1)It's a box. Not a particularly big box — roughly four feet long, covered in gold, carried on poles, and missing for over 2,600 years. But according to three major world religions, it's the single most dangerous object that has ever existed on planet Earth. This week, Sean, Eric, and Jorge crack open one of the greatest mysteries in human history: the Ark of the Covenant.Before anyone can chase it, hide it, or die trying to touch it, you need to understand what this thing actually was. The boys walk through the full origin story — Moses on Mount Sinai, 40 days and 40 nights, a very specific divine blueprint, and a construction contract that made IKEA instructions look casual. God wanted acacia wood, exact cubit measurements, a solid gold lid hammered by hand, and two golden cherubim with wings arching inward. No substitutions. No pine. Acacia only, sir.Then the Ark starts doing things. Rivers stop flowing. City walls collapse. Seventy people drop dead just for looking inside it. A man named Uzzah reaches out to keep it from falling off a cart — trying to save it — and God strikes him down on the spot. The Philistines steal it, regret it immediately, and send it back with gold offerings and a full apology. It parts the Jordan River. It flattens the walls of Jericho without a single sword swung.And then, somewhere around 586 BC, it simply vanishes — so completely that even the Babylonian king who looted Jerusalem didn't bother writing it down.Where did it go? Is it buried under a church in Ethiopia? Was it hidden by priests who saw the invasion coming? Was it ever even a physical object at all? The boys lay the foundation this week so Part 2 can go full conspiracy. The mystery is just getting started.

Have you ever felt like God was calling you into something bigger, but you didn't feel prepared enough to take the next step? In this message, we explore the story of Joshua and discover a powerful truth: God rarely calls people who feel ready. Instead, He forms them through obedience. From Joshua standing at the edge of the Jordan River to Jeremiah doubting his own ability, Scripture reminds us that readiness is not a prerequisite for God's calling, it's something He develops as we move forward in faith. If you've been battling fear, insecurity, doubt, or hesitation, this message will encourage you to stop focusing on what you lack and start trusting what God is forming within you. Your next step may be the very place where God reveals the strength, courage, and purpose He placed inside you all along.

There are moments in life when we've prayed, weighed the options, and sought wisdom — and still have to make a decision without knowing how it all turns out. In Joshua 3, the Israelites find themselves at the Jordan River at flood stage. God doesn't part the water first. He asks them to step in. In this message, we look at what it means to follow a God who goes before us into unknown territory, how preparation and consecration shape

In this powerful closing message of our Prepare for Rain Campaign, Pastor Chris reminds us of the spiritual importance of remembering what God has already done. Preaching from Joshua 4, he calls us to pause, look back, and recognize the faithfulness of God in our lives, our church, and our future.Just as Israel gathered twelve stones after crossing the Jordan River, we are invited to “pick up our stone” and mark the miracles, provision, answered prayers, and moments of breakthrough God has given us. Forgetting what God has done yesterday can weaken our faith for what He wants to do tomorrow—but remembering builds faith, strengthens obedience, and creates a testimony for generations to come.As Grace City Church reflects on a year of God's provision through the Prepare for Rain Campaign, Pastor Chris celebrates the launch of high school ministry, growth in community, lives being changed, and God's miraculous provision for a future home. This message is a call to gratitude, faith, generosity, and legacy.The rain came. Now let's finish what was started.Scripture: Joshua 4Sermon Title: Don't ForgetSpeaker: Pastor ChrisSeries/Campaign: Prepare for RainSubscribe for more sermons and content from Grace City Church.#DontForget #PrepareForRain #PastorChris #GraceCityChurch #Joshua4 #ChristianSermon #Faith #RememberGodsFaithfulness #ChurchGrowth #Generosity #GodProvides #Sermon #Jesus #ChristianMessage

Opener 1. When you wanted to do something as a kid, did you have a specific parent you went to first to ask for permission? What made you choose one over the other? 2. What are the different names, titles, or nicknames people call you depending on the setting (e.g., at work, at home, by old childhood friends)? What does the various names say about your relationship or role in that environment? Discussion 1. Read Matthew 3:13-17. If you were standing on the banks of the Jordan River witnessing this moment firsthand, what would your impression be? What does this scene show us about the distinct presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit working all at once? Look at the roles highlighted in the sermon: God the Father: Creator, Protector, Provider. God the Son: Redeemer, closer than a brother, shows us the Father’s heart. God the Holy Spirit: Comforter, Guide, the one who empowers us to follow Jesus. 2. Which person of the Trinity do you naturally find it easiest to relate to right now? Which role do you feel you need to experience more deeply this week? The Trinity is three distinct persons but ONE God. When we ask the practical question, “Who do I pray to? Father? Son? Holy Spirit?”, the sermon’s ultimate answer is a resounding “YES!” because prayer is fundamentally about relationship. 3. How does shifting your focus from a theological puzzle to an invitation into a relationship change the way you talk to God this week? How has this week's sermon about the Trinity and the Holy Spirit grown you? What questions does it raise? Application 1. What does it look like for you to invite the Holy Spirit to be your Guide and Helper, and the one who empowers you to walk with Jesus this week? Close in Prayer Spend time in prayer freeing ourselves from the anxiety of “getting prayer right”. Thank God for drawing us into relationship with Him , and ask the Holy Spirit to comfortably guide, help, and empower everyone to walk closely with Jesus this week.  

In this episode of Open Our Bible Together, we pick up right after Israel crosses the Jordan River on dry ground into the Promised Land—and things move forward, but not in the way you might expect. Instead of rushing straight into battle, God first tells His people to remember. Twelve stones are taken from the Jordan and set up in Gilgal as a memorial, so every generation would know—it was the Lord who made a way through the water. Then, before anything else happens, God brings Israel back to who they are. Through circumcision and the Passover, He reminds them that they are His chosen people. The manna stops after 40 years, and for the first time, they're eating from the land He promised them. It's a clear turning point—wilderness to promise… right in front of their eyes. And then they're standing in front of Jericho. No battle plan that makes sense on paper. Just instructions that require trust. Walk. Be silent. Wait. Repeat. For six days, nothing seems to happen. But on the seventh day, everything changes. The trumpets sound, the people shout, and the walls of Jericho come down—not because of military strength, but because God kept His word. And right in the middle of it all, we see Rahab and a scarlet cord—a quiet but powerful picture of rescue and redemption that points us forward to something even greater. From stones in the river to silence around a city, Joshua 4–6 reminds us that God is faithful in every step of the journey. He calls His people to trust Him, follow Him, and watch Him do what only He can do. Because when the walls come down… it's always Him. ❤ For the full episode show notes, please go to https://mfahring.com/joshua-4-6/

How does the crossing of the Jordan River compare to the Red Sea? What is the significance of the Ark of the Covenant and the Memorial Stones?

Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla reflects on Psalm 66:5–7 and the invitation to “Come and see what God has done.” In this LCMS Lutheran devotional, the mighty acts of God in Scripture—such as the crossing of the Red Sea and the Jordan River—point forward to the greater salvation accomplished through Jesus Christ. This ESV Bible-based devotion proclaims that the Lord delivers His people from sin, death, and eternal judgment through the cross and resurrection of Christ. As nations rise and fall and the world grows increasingly uncertain, believers find peace in knowing that God rules forever in wisdom and power. His eyes watch over the nations, and His promises remain steadfast. Through repentance and faith, Christians are called to trust not in themselves but in the mercy of Christ crucified. Subscribe for daily Lutheran devotions, Gospel-centered teaching, and biblical encouragement rooted in Scripture and the Lutheran confession of faith for Christians everywhere today.Buy Me a Coffeehttps://buymeacoffee.com/whitegandalph⸻Hashtags:#DailyDevotion #Psalm66 #LCMS #Lutheran #ChristCrucified

On many occasions, individuals will do something so that they remember a significant life event. The Israelites gathered stones as they crossed the Jordan River. With the stones, they built a monument so that when future generations asked what the stones meant, they would hear of how God led them through and provided for them. We also put up monuments, not to worship, but to remember individuals or events that have impacted our nation in a significant way. Unfortunately, it's these statues and monuments that are under attack. Why is this happening? To address this issue, Crosstalk welcomed Dr. Tim Schmig. Dr. Schmig is executive director of the Michigan Association of Christian Schools, director of Stories in Stone and author of Stories in Stones: Our Heritage of Evidence. So why is there such a concerted effort to remove statues and monuments today? Dr. Schmig believes part of it is because people today are looking back through the lens of their own personal experiences, therefore they view our nation's founders based upon what's known as "presentism." In other words, they weigh the actions and productivity of the founders (and others who've gone on before us) based on what they believe is right today. As he noted, none of us are perfect, including America's founders. The present day protesters that tear down monuments aren't perfect either. So if you look at our nation through the lens of idealism, we'll be weighed in the balances and found wanting. Yet if you look at America's history based upon the times that they lived in, you'll see that those individuals did some amazing things.

MAY. 15, 2026Rest in your redemption."By this you shall know that the living God is among you." Jos 3:10 NKJVAs the Jordan River swelled to a mile in width, crossing it was no small task.Especially with millions of people! God said, "Go over this Jordan, you and all this people" (Jos 1:2 NKVJ). Do you think they were scared? Would you have been? "The feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water" (Jos 3:15 NKJV). It was the smallest of steps, but with God, the smallest step of faith can activate the mightiest of miracles. As they touched the water, the flow stopped as if someone had shut off the water main. Next, we read: "All Israel crossed over on dry ground" (v. 17 NKJV). By performing this miracle, God wanted them to know: "By this you shall know that the living God is among you." For Joshua's people, assurance came as they stood on dry land looking back at the Jordan. For us, assurance comes as we stand on the finished work of Christ and look back at the cross. Let the cross convince you. Be settled about God's faithfulness. The psalmist describes a person of faith this psalmist describes a person of faith this way: "He is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him" (Ps 112:7 TLB). Life has many unanswered questions, but God's promise to save you needn't be one of them. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Ro 8:32 NKJV). Rest in your redemption. The past is past. Your future is bright.Rest in your redemption Let the cross convince you.Share This DevotionalSend us Fan MailSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!

This is another awesome example of scripture that testifies of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  We will study the event of the Golden Calf and God will teach us in His TORAH, His instructions, that He had a plan for Israel.  He had an awesome purpose for His treasured possession (Exod. 19:5)  It all relates to John 3:16 and the love the Lord has for all, the whole world.  But, the Hebrews failed and chose another god, a god of gold, a bull calf.  They didn't give up on the one true God, they just disobeyed Him in making an animal to represent the one God, the only God, יהוה Yahvay (I pronounce His name Yahvay and not Yahway since  Hebrew has no W sound so it is an error to say Yahway for His name).  Yahvay put this in His Ten Statements, His Ten Commandments, that we are not to make an image to represent the Lord.  The Hebrews  did.  And they did not follow His commands and went their own way. Once again, I brought up the likelihood that the Hebrews had assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  The Hebrews cried out in Exod. 2:23.  But, it is more than cried out.  The Hebrew word is za'aka זעק H2199 which is shriek or scream in deep anguish or terror.  On top of that the Hebrews cried out to no one!  In Exod. 2:23 they cried out - to who?  God heard them but they did not cry out, shriek in deep pain, to the Lord.  Later, at the sea before they crossed over, one they were reintroduced to the God of Abraham, we read in Exod. 14:10 that Israel cried out TO THE LORD.  We miss that.  We think they cried out to the Lord in Exod. 2:23.  That is putting words in the Bible that aren't there.  They didn't know the God of their fathers anymore.  What happened?  What's going on?  The answer - they had assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  The Bible proves it yet we missed it.  All they knew were the gods of Egypt.  It is easy to get Israel out of Egypt but it is nigh impossible to get Egypt out of Israel.   The Hebrews after hundreds of years were deeply imbedded into the Egyptian culture and ways.  Here's the link to study that the Hebrews assimilated into Egypt – https://halakhaoftheday.org/2023/03/29/from-propsperty-to-assimilationn/ Here' a link to lesson 4 part 2 in this series where we study this idea.  It is seemingly proven from the very word of God.  Here's the link - https://youtu.be/9tY5N0mAJ2I?si=BQ2ID2W8eVXZT1xb I did an “AI” search (artificial intelligence) of the Apis Bull in ancient Egypt.  I came up with the following.  I know a lot about the Apis Bull from my days traveling and doing research in Egypt plus my own personal study.  The “AI” material is right on.  So here it is in its entirety.  I do this just in case you want to expand your study to learn more about the Apis Bull and ancient Egypt. AI SEARCH ON THE APIS BULL – MAY 2026 The Apis bull was a sacred animal in ancient Egypt, serving as a living manifestation of the god Ptah and, during its life, a powerful symbol of the pharaoh's vitality, strength, and divine right to rule. As a direct connection between the gods and the kingdom, the Apis bull reinforced the legitimacy of the monarch and was frequently referred to as the "strong bull" in royal inscriptions. [1, 2, 3, 4] Connection to the Pharaoh Symbol of Power: The Apis bull directly symbolized the fertility, power, and vitality of the pharaoh. "Strong Bull" Titles: Pharaohs often used titles such as "Strong Bull of His Mother" to equate themselves with the sacred animal. Ritual Union: During the Sed festival (rejuvenation ceremony), the pharaoh participated in rituals with the bull to absorb its divine power, often described as running or walking with the Apis. Divine Manifestation: The bull was considered an earthly avatar of Ptah (creator god) and, upon death, united with Osiris to become Osiris-Apis. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7] Worship and Life Selection: Priests selected the bull based on strict, specific markings, including a black coat, a white triangle on the forehead, an eagle-shaped mark on the back, and a beetle-shaped mark under the tongue. Royal Treatment: Once selected, the Apis lived in a specialized "House of Apis" in Memphis, treating the bull with the same reverence and luxury as a pharaoh. Afterlife: When the Apis died, it was mummified and buried with immense fanfare in a dedicated cemetery known as the Serapeum at Saqqara. [2, 8, 9, 10] [1] https://www.ancientegyptblog.com/?p=3313 [2] https://www.facebook.com/Egypt.Culture/posts/the-sacred-bull-apis-was-one-of-the-greatest-religious-symbols-in-ancient-egypt-/930050865826543/ [3] https://www.magellantv.com/articles/by-the-horns-of-apis-ancient-egypts-noble-bullgod [4] https://egyptatours.com/what-is-apis-bull/ [5] https://australian.museum/learn/cultures/international-collection/ancient-egyptian/bull-apis-e39829/ [6] https://templeofathena.blog/2016/08/18/god-of-the-month-club-apis-the-living-bull-god-of-egypt/ [7] https://www.livius.org/articles/religion/apis/ [8] https://www.facebook.com/Tresuresofancientegypt/posts/a-sacred-bull-apis-egypt-with-ahmed-graeco-roman-museum-of-alexandria/833234285657958/ [9] https://egypt-museum.com/cows-bulls-in-ancient-egypt/ [10] https://x.com/archeohistories/status/1939677557500293212 In this lesson the Bible supports the idea that Aaron was complicit in the event of the Golden Bull Calf.  Orthodix Jewish Rabbis, however, stick up for Aaron and try to argue he is totally innocent with regards to the Golden Bull Calf incident.  Their views are merely opinion not based upon God's word and in fact are dismissive of the word when it says that Aaron is guilty and the Lord will destroy him along with all Israel.  Their views are totally unacceptable and in great error. Aaron may not have participated in the worship of the Golden Bull Calf, but he made the molten image and thus got all Israel to sin grievously against the Lord.  That Aaron was found guilty is clear in the very words of God Himself and God wanted to destroy all Israel and AARON!!  "The LORD spoke further to me, saying, 'I have seen this people, and indeed, it is a stubborn people. 'Let Me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.' "(Deu 9:13-14) "The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him; so I also prayed for Aaron at the same time."  (Deu 9:20) Here's some links that will add to your study with regards to Aaron's guilt in this terrible event of the Golden Bull Calf. ARTICLE ON AARON'S GUILT FROM CHABAD – AN ORTHODIX JEWISH SITE - https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/860977/jewish/Why-Did-Aaron-Make-the-Golden-Calf.htm ARTICLE ON AARON'S GUILT FROM www.GotQuestions.org - https://www.gotquestions.org/Aaron-golden-calf.html In this lesson we hear God say, "They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them ..." (Exo 32:8) What is God's WAY that He wanted the Hebrews to follow?  The Hebrew word for the word WAY is derekh (דֶּרֶךְ).  It is the word used in Genesis 3 when the Lord shows the WAY back to the Garden was closed and guarded by two mighty Khrooveem (not cherubs).  The WAY to the Father was blocked.  Now in Exodus 32 God talks about His WAY, His derekh (דֶּרֶךְ) He wants the Hebrews to follow.  Later, the Lord comes to us and He says in John 14 that, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (Joh 14:6)  So, what might he Lord be getting at?  What is the lesson?   I suggest it seems to be summed up in the first verses of Psalm 119. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways. You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!   (Psa 119:1-6) In TORAH the Lord gives us His intruction to live as His people, His chosen ones.  We are to liv in such a way that our lives show we are lovng the Lord God and serving Him by living as per His word, the Written Word.  But then He came to us.  Yeshua.  He is the Living Word.  In John 14 we read that Yeshua says if we are His true disciples He is in us and we in Him.  We abide together.  And as true branches of the "true vine" that is Yeshua we are to be fruitful so that our work in Yeshua keeps until the final harvest of the Vinedresser, the Father, and show ourselves to be His disciples.  We live to be His People of THE WAY,  derekh (דֶּרֶךְ). Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  (Ferret - somewhere on the Jordan River in northern Galilee) What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0  

What did the 12 memorial stones Joshua placed by the Jordan River signify? Find out with Tim Moore and Nathan Jones on Christ in Prophecy Radio!

Year A – Pentecost – May 24, 2026 Pastor Megan Floyd Acts 2:1-21 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 20:19-23 Grace and peace to you from God, our Creator, and from Jesus Christ, our redeemer, who poured out their Spirit upon all flesh, blessing us to the end of days. Amen. *** Yes, Pentecost …is the birthday of the Church! Happy Birthday, Church! For our Jewish ancestors and siblings, Pentecost was part of the Festival of Weeks, or Shavuot… it was celebrated 50 days after Passover. This is why there were so many pilgrims in Jerusalem on that day… the day the Spirit blew through town. These pilgrims were there for this harvest festival, and it was during this time that they celebrated God's gift of the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai. It's not the whole Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament… It's just the first five books, also called the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Torah contains the historical narrative of what God had done for God's people… it holds the stories of creation… and the stories of the matriarchs and patriarchs, and of the Exodus from Egypt. The Torah also contains the law… the holy teaching… 613 commandments given by God at Mount Sinai… the divine instructions for how to live according to God's will for humanity. And so then… on this festival day celebrating God's gift of the law to God's people, God gave another gift of blessing… God poured out God's Spirit upon them, inaugurating a new era! On this day, the same Spirit that rested on Jesus at the Jordan River was poured out on them… and that same Spirit… has been poured out upon you. Yes, this is the Church's birthday! It is OUR birthday! And in thinking about this celebration today, it is worth considering what it means to be the Church… and what it means to be the Church together. In what ways are we still shaped by that first community of believers… and how have we grown in the Spirit since then? Because Pentecost was only the beginning… a great reversal of the ancient story of the Tower of Babel… when humanity, in their arrogance, wanted to reach God, and so they began building a tower so great that they might ascend to heaven from earth. And God scattered them by diversifying their language. …but on this day, God's Spirit graciously descended to the earth, to us… to swirl through and around God's people… bringing them together… not by reintegrating the language, but by preserving that diversity and instead giving each the ability to share the good news of Jesus in as many different languages and cultures as there are. The Holy Spirit blew through and moved those frightened disciples out of the locked, upper room… moved them outside and into the crowd… into their community. The Spirit gathers people… gathers us… across difference and across fear… it does not gather us into sameness, but rather… into beloved community… into the living body of Christ. The Spirit gathers us in… and… the Spirit also sends us out… out to continue Jesus' mission and ministry… out into the world… to be church together… to be the whole body of Christ. And this is where we are today… a diverse and beautiful tapestry of humanity. We don't all worship the same… or sing and pray the same… and we may disagree on theological points, but… if we are following Jesus's mission and ministry, and loving the way Christ taught us to love, then… we are still… one body. I was blessed this week with the perfect example of this diversity in the body of Christ… Mike Nussdofer introduced me to Shari Montgomery, the founder of The House of Promise in Lansing, which helps women escape trafficking and rebuild their lives. I had a lovely morning with her as she showed me around the campus… it was beautiful and peaceful… and I couldn't imagine a more loving way to care for these women who have been so brutally harmed. And yet, throughout the morning, I gathered from our conversation that she and I likely have some pronounced theological differences. And yet, as I took in the larger context of her work… the fruits of her labor… I saw that it was good… and full of love… and there was no doubt in my mind that the fire of this woman's passion to serve others came from the Holy Spirit. And so, I give thanks for her… for her passion and her ministry to care for the most broken and abused among us … and for being part of this body that is… the Church. And I give thanks for the Holy Spirit for giving us each different passions… different gifts and abilities, so that together, we can address the needs of all. And I give thanks that God continues to guide us… continues to show up for us, sometimes as a rushing wind, or a fire that burns and does not consume… or sometimes… as still, small voice… God's Holy Spirit is still with us. And because we still have God's Holy Spirit… we still have the Church… a community of believers who come together to discern what this voice of God is calling us to do… …and how this Spirit is calling us to move and act in the world… guiding us to those who need us and our particular gifts, the most. I give thanks that the Holy Spirit still strengthens weary hearts… still illuminates difficult decisions… and still gives courage when faith feels costly. I give thanks… thanks for God's Holy Spirit… and how it called me into pastoral ministry… and brought me to you! Pentecost is not merely the story of what happened long ago in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit is still blowing through this place… still gathering us in… still creating faith… and still ushering in new life out of death. The Holy Spirit is still breathing peace into troubled hearts... and I for that I give thanks. And so, on this day of Pentecost… we celebrate with our Jewish ancestors that God's law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai…  But God does not discard the first gift in order to give the second. God who gave the Torah at Sinai is the same God who pours out the Spirit at Pentecost. Just as Jesus did not abolish God's law, neither does the Holy Spirit… but instead… the Spirit writes God's love upon human hearts and empowers us to live it. So, we now also celebrate our Advocate in the Holy Spirit, who guides us always in the way of love and grace and gives us the power and strength to share the good news of God's forgiveness and salvation through Jesus… This is a celebration, indeed! Therefore, on this day, I pray… may the Spirit transform the way we love across difference… transform the way we forgive those who have hurt us… and guide us to seek reconciliation when we have caused the hurt. May the Spirit light a fire in us that sends us to serve and live according to the will of Christ. …and may we carry this fire of Pentecost into our homes… into our workplaces, our families, and into our communities… so that the world may encounter, through us, the living and enduring presence of God. This day, and always. Amen.

Have you ever felt like God was not answering? Like you had done everything right — shown up, presented your need, believed — and nothing happened the way you expected? I want you to stop right now and receive this truth — because Naaman's story is YOUR story. And the thing that almost stopped his healing may be the same thing standing between you and yours.Naaman was the greatest military commander in Aram. Powerful, decorated, respected — and covered with leprosy. He traveled to Israel with horses, chariots, silver, gold, and a letter from the king. He arrived at the door of Elisha expecting a personal audience with the prophet. And Elisha did not even come out."But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: 'Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.'" — 2 Kings 5:10 (NLT)Let these words resonate within your heart today. God's instruction was simple. Not complicated. Not dramatic. Not matching Naaman's expectations of what healing should look like. Just — go wash seven times. Take comfort in this — God does not always meet your need the way you planned. He meets it the way He planned. And the instruction that sounds too simple to work is often the exact instruction your miracle is hiding behind."But Naaman became angry and stalked away. 'I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!' he said." — 2 Kings 5:11 (NLT)Understand this — Naaman's leprosy did not block his miracle. His expectation of how God would heal him almost did. He had a picture in his mind of what the miracle should look like — and when God's method did not match his picture, he walked away in rage. How many miracles have we walked away from because the method God chose did not match our expectations?The wisest voice in the story was the lowest-ranking person in it. And when Naaman finally laid down his pride and dipped himself seven times in the muddy Jordan River — his skin became as healthy as a young child's. The miracle was not in a dramatic ceremony. It was in simple obedience to an instruction his pride had rejected.May this powerful teaching from 2 Kings 5 fill your heart with humility and remind you that God's ways are not our ways — and His method of delivering your miracle is always greater than the one you had planned.

Moses could get Israel to the Promised Land, but he couldn't get them in. To cross the Jordan, Israel needed a new leader with a familiar name: Joshua. Discover why the transition from the Law to Grace is the only way to claim your divine inheritance. Summary: In this episode, we study the Book of Joshua. We move beyond the battles and the trumpets to find the deep spiritual transformation required to stop wandering and start inheriting. Filling the Shoes of a Giant: We analyze the transition from Moses to Joshua—and from Peter to Jesus—exploring how God stays with the successor just as He was with the predecessor. Crossing the Jordan: We look at the "dry ground" miracle at the Jordan River and how the priests had to step into the water before it parted. Strange Strategies: We discuss the "foolish" tactics used at Jericho. Why does God ask us to do small and simple things—like family prayer or scripture study—that seem unrelated to the "walls" we are trying to bring down? The Valley of Achor: We look at the cautionary tale of Achan and how "one man's sin" can affect an entire community, and how God turns our "valleys of trouble" into "doors of hope." Choose You This Day: We conclude with Joshua's final plea at Shechem. We learn that our obedience lasts only as long as our memory, and why we must choose—every single day—whom we will serve. Call-to-Action: Joshua told the people that the stones of the altar had "heard" their promises. What "witnesses" have you set up in your life to remind you of your covenants? Share your thoughts in the comments! To keep your faith "Unshaken" as we enter the era of the Judges, please like, subscribe, and share this video. Chapter Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 5:31 Joshua, filling shoes 16:37 Preparing for the Promised Land 34:05 Rahab in Jericho 53:34 Crossing the Jordan River 1:08:02 Magnifying, Memorializing, and Renewing Covenants 1:30:19 The Battle of Jericho 1:46:45 Achan the Accursed 2:19:53 The Battle of Ai 2:25:42 The Gibeonites' Trick 2:37:11 God Fighting Battles & Lengthening Days 2:53:11 The Conquest Continues & Caleb Stakes a Claim 3:10:28 Inheritances in Israel 3:30:15 Mainstream & Margin, Exceptions & Rules 4:12:59 Conclusion

Welcome back to the Menlo Midweek Podcast! This week, host Matt Summers and Phil EuBank sit down to reflect on a truly special standalone weekend across our campuses: Baptism Weekend. Whether faith feels deeply familiar to you, totally unfamiliar, or honestly a little complicated right now, we hope this conversation meets you right where you are. We're diving deeper into the weekend message, looking at baptism not just as a church tradition or a religious box to check, but through the epic biblical story of Joshua 3 and 4. Israel is standing on the edge of a promise, facing a flood-stage river, and stuck in the heavy tension of "almost."

You can see the Promised Land from where you're standing. So why aren't you moving?In this episode of Account for Your Life, Jay Moore gets real about the one thing holding most business owners back — and it's not the economy, the market, or the timing. It's them. Using the moment in Joshua 3 where the Israelites stood paralyzed at the Jordan River, Jay breaks down five reasons entrepreneurs stay stuck at the edge of their next level, and what it's actually costing them to stay there.In this episode you'll hear:Why comfort feels like peace — but isn't, and how to tell the difference between Sabbath and stagnationHow past failure calcifies in your body and leads you away from what God said about youThe dangerous difference between Spirit-led patience and unbelief wearing a suitThe water didn't part first for the Israelites — and it won't part first for you either. Your Jordan step is never just about you. There are people waiting on the other side of your obedience right now.Don't stay on the wrong side any longer. Hit play.

The King Has Come "Jesus Feeds the 5000" (Matthew 14:13-21) In Matthew 14, Jesus has just received word that his cousin and fellow minister John the Baptist has been killed. He withdraws to grieve. A crowd of more than 10,000 follows. And rather than sending them away, Jesus extends compassion. Then he turns to his disciples and says something that stops them cold: "You give them something to eat." Pastor Russell Howard walks through this miracle, the only one recorded in all four Gospels before the resurrection, and draws out its central test. The disciples analyzed the situation correctly. Five loaves, two fish, no money, no plan. They passed the math test. What they failed was the faith test. The Jordan River did not part until Israel's feet touched the water. Provision follows obedience. Measuring the gap is good, because it lets you see when God acts. But the gap is not the final answer. The listener walks away with a clearer picture of what Jesus is actually asking when he calls his people to do what seems impossible: bring what you have, open-handed, and let him work. Sermon Notes May 17, 2026 Pastor Russell Howard • Lead Pastor Presented by McGregor Podcast 2025 Visit Our Website at McGregorPodcast.com New to McGregor? Plan a visit at mcgregor.net/plan-a-visit

What does water baptism really mean? Is it just a public declaration of faith, or is there something deeper happening spiritually? In this powerful sermon from Dwelling House Church, Pastor Jeremiah Genin teaches on the biblical meaning of water baptism, surrender, sanctification, and obedience to Jesus. Through Scripture, powerful illustrations, and the story of Israel crossing the Jordan River, Pastor Jeremiah explains how baptism is not a “graduation” in Christianity, but an encounter with God and a declaration that your old life is gone and your new life belongs to Jesus. This message explores what it means for God to be “The Lord Who Sanctifies” and how believers are called to step into obedience, trust, and complete surrender to Christ. This sermon also highlights the importance of worship, gathering together as the church, walking by faith instead of feelings, and trusting God even before the waters part. Whether you're considering baptism, returning to faith, searching for a Spirit-filled church, or wanting a deeper understanding of biblical Christianity, this message will encourage and challenge you. Dwelling House Church is a Spirit-filled, Christ-centered church passionate about the presence of God, biblical truth, worship, discipleship, and helping people encounter Jesus in a real and transformative way. If you're searching for sermons about water baptism, surrender to God, sanctification, Christian obedience, Spirit-filled Christianity, or growing deeper in your relationship with Jesus, this message is for you. This sermon answers: 1.What is the true biblical meaning of water baptism? 2. What does it mean that God is “The Lord Who Sanctifies”? 3. Why does obedience to God often require stepping out in faith before we see the miracle?

In this special 100th episode of Open Our Bibles Together, we step into the book of Joshua and begin a powerful new chapter in God's story. Picking up where Deuteronomy left off, the Israelites stand at the edge of the Promised Land. Moses is gone. Joshua is now leading. And in this moment of transition, God repeatedly calls Joshua to be strong and courageous—not because of who he is, but because God will be with him. In these first 3 chapters of Joshua, we have a front row seat to see everything begin to unfold just as God says it will. From Rahab's unexpected faith in Jericho to the Israelites standing before the flood-stage Jordan River, God is already at work—going before His people and preparing the way. And when the time comes to move forward, the priests step into the water carrying the Ark of the Covenant—the very symbol of God's presence—and the river parts, allowing the people to cross on dry ground. Through it all, one truth remains: God is with His people. He goes before them, meets them in the middle, and faithfully leads them into what He promised all the way back in Genesis. Gosh, that's good! As we celebrate 100 episodes—and cue that confetti—please know that we're just getting started, my OOBTers! There are many more of the 66 books in our Bible to go, and I'm so glad you're here for the journey. For the full episode show notes, please go to https://mfahring.com/joshua-1-3/

In this episode of Handmaidens, Harems, and Heroines, Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson explores the powerful women and pivotal covenant moments found in the book of Joshua. As the children of Israel finally cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership, we witness the fulfillment of promises made generations earlier. From the miraculous crossing of the Jordan to the dramatic fall of Jericho's walls, this episode highlights how faith, obedience, and covenant loyalty shaped Israel's destiny. A special focus is placed on Rahab, one of the most surprising and courageous women in the Old Testament. Though known as Rahab the harlot, her story becomes one of redemption, faith, and divine protection as she risks everything to shelter Israelite spies and align herself with the God of Israel. Dr. Wilson examines Rahab's remarkable transformation from outsider to covenant participant and discusses her lasting legacy in scripture. Join us as we uncover how women like Rahab played essential roles in God's unfolding covenant story and what their examples teach us today.

In this episode of Don't Miss This, Dave Butler and Grace Freeman study Joshua 1–8; 23–24 and step into the long awaited moment when the children of Israel finally enter the promised land after years of wandering in the wilderness. As Joshua takes Moses' place, the Lord repeats the same invitation again and again: “Be strong and of a good courage.” These chapters become a reminder that faith often means stepping forward before the miracle happens. From crossing the Jordan River on dry ground, to carrying stones of remembrance, to walking around the walls of Jericho day after day, the people are invited to trust a God who keeps His promises even when the outcome cannot yet be seen. This episode highlights what it looks like to live in the realm of miracles. Dave and Grace explore the courage to follow God into unfamiliar places, the importance of remembering His goodness, and the power of believing before the walls fall. The story of Rahab becomes a beautiful witness that faith can change everything, and that God delights in rescuing, welcoming, and redeeming every person who chooses to believe. This episode invites us to look at our own life and ask where God may already be moving. Because sometimes faith looks like stepping into the water before it parts, walking around the walls one more time, or building reminders of the miracles we never want to forget. And through every chapter, Joshua reminds us that the God who led His people before is still the God who leads us now. Chapters: 00:00 INTRO 06:22 Being an encourager in tough times 10:27 Reflecting on meaningful scripture 17:19 Living a Meaningful Life 26:04 Missionary work and sacrifice 28:31 Power of a believing woman 35:02 Crossing the Jordan River 41:12 Joshua's moment of encouragement 45:19 Believing in miracles and taking risks 49:12 Building a memorial with stones 57:05 Feeling stuck and going in circles 01:02:45 Personal faith testimony 01:03:58 Signing off and social media plugs 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

Continuing our series "The Way," Pastor Morgan Ervin preaches a message called And I'll Be With You — a direct challenge to the popular saying, "God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called." Walking through Joseph, Moses, Gideon, and Mary, Ps. Morgan makes the case that God isn't in the business of qualifying us at all. He's in the business of being with us. From the burning bush to the Jordan River to the angel's announcement to a teenage girl in Nazareth, the pattern of Scripture is the same: presence over performance, intimacy over qualification. A word for everyone carrying invisible weight, and every believer still trying to feel ready before they say yes.

We explore the deep biblical meaning of baptism, tracing its roots from the Jordan River crossing in Joshua to the baptism of Jesus and the early church. We see that baptism not as a ritual that saves, but a powerful public declaration of faith, forgiveness, new life, and allegiance to Jesus Christ. We unpack how baptism serves as a memorial, a witness, and a step of obedience for those who have already trusted Jesus. Faith often requires stepping into the water before seeing the miracle. Speaker: Greg Holder

Today’s Bible Verse: “And tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.” — Joshua 4:3 Joshua 4:3 takes place after God brought Israel safely across the Jordan River. Before moving on, God instructed the people to gather stones as a memorial—a visible reminder of His faithfulness and provision. Have an idea for our newsletter? We want to hear from you! Take our survey below: Take Our Survey! “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Meet Today’s Host: Jennifer Slattery Discover more devotions with Jennifer at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Jennifer Slattery is a national speaker and multi-published author, She’s passionate about helping believers live with bold faith, rooted in surrender to Christ’s purpose. Jennifer co-hosts both Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear, encouraging listeners to step into their God-given identity. Her teachings blend Scripture with personal insight to help others embrace God’s power over fear and move forward with confidence.

As we begin our reading of the book Joshua, Fr. Mike draws our attention to God's power as he parts the waters of the Jordan river, allowing the Israelites to walk across on dry land. We learn that following God often requires great courage and trust. Today's readings are Joshua 1-4, and Psalm 123. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.