Podcasts about Judea

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus (NOT a Morning Mindset resource) ⇒ TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR: Sponsoring in honor of my father, John, who beat cancer through faith, endurance and love. You can sponsor a daily episode of the Morning Mindset too, by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/DailySponsor ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1–5 - In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] And all went to be registered, each to his own town. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, [5] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish HINDI version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Hindi CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/ ***All NON-ENGLISH versions of the Morning Mindset are translated using A.I. Dubbing and Translation tools from DubFormer.ai ***All NON-ENGLISH text content (descriptions and titles) are translated using the A.I. functionality of Google Translate.

Subscribe now to ditch the ads. Chag Sameach! Danny and Derek are joined by independent scholar Joseph Scales to talk about the history of Hanukkah. They discuss the rivalry between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic empires that preceded the conflict; the Maccabean/Hasmonean revolt and the family's ascension to power within Judea; the Judean expansion; and much more. Originally published November 27, 2021

And he [Zechariah] asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him. (Luke 1:63-66)

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com    The Mahotmetan writers suggest that Elizabeth was 89 years old… what does that say in the natural?      Luke 1: 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.  **Blameless but childless Historically in these times it meant that Elizabeth was cursed, a sinner punished by God.   Only God knows your heart, your prayer your need   You can be blameless and wonder to God… what is happening.   You can be blameless and others won't see it.   advanced in years. GK Pro-bay-ee-No elderly saints    8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. There are over 20,000 priests and Zachariah is old… probably has given up on many of his dreams… Being able to go into the Holy of Holies Having a Child   10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, (STARE AT HIM) standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.   He's praying but not for a child… that has long passed!    Luke 1:18 And Zachariah said to the angel, By what shall I know and be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years. 19 And the angel replied to him, I am Gabriel. I stand in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent to talk to you and to bring you this good news. 20 Now behold, you will be and will continue to be silent and not able to speak till the day when these things take place, because you have not believed what I told you; but my words are of a kind which will be fulfilled in the appointed and proper time.

Scripture: Matthew 2: 1-17 The Magi Visit the Messiah 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,     are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler     who will shepherd my people Israel.'[b]” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. The Escape to Egypt 13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”[c] 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

2000 years ago Rome and Judea united to kill Christ in fulfillment of the scriptures, and today — 2000 years later — they are still united against the true body of Christ until the very end. So learn the truth behind this dualistic scheme and come out of Babylon before it's too late. * 00:00 - Introduction* 13:38 - Typology* 23:31 - A History of Evil* 1:27:42 - Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danceoflife.com/subscribe

Luke 1:39-45"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,for he has been mindful      of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,      for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him,     from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;      he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones     but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things     but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel,     remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,      just as he promised our ancestors.”

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION “And I'm not talking about the distant future, where super intelligence leads us to traveling the galaxies and overcoming death and All that. I mean the nearer term future...in a world where we keep accelerating towards better and better and more capable AI...I think AI is uncategorically the best hope for accelerating prosperity. It will touch everything.” ~Guillaume Verdon, better known for his X handle “Beff Jezos”, as heard on episode 8“The Accelerationists” of the podcast The Last Invention, hosted by Gregory Warner. “Turning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world… The best lack all conviction, while the worstAre full of passionate intensity…A vast image …Troubles my sight:Somewhere in sands of the desertA shape with lion body and the head of a man,A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,Is moving its slow thighs, while all about itReel shadows of the indignant desert birds.The darkness drops again; but now I knowThat twenty centuries of stony sleepWere vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?”~Written about the bleakness of the future by William Butler Yeats in 1919 in the aftermath of WWI, the height of the global flu pandemic of 1918-19 which nearly killed his pregnant wife, the wake of the Easter uprising in Ireland against the British crown, and the beginning (in his view) of the collapse of the civilization Europe had spent the last 1600 years building.SERMON PASSAGE selected passages (NIV)Exodus 16 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.” Deuteronomy 8 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Micah 5 2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Luke 2 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.  John 6 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty…” 51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”…58 “This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

CHRISTIAN ORACLES. Is that even a thing? Apparently there were Christians who adapted writings attributed to the Sibyls, prophetesses who channeled messages from the “gods.” What do we make of this? Our esteemed panel, Dr. Judd Burton (BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview With the Giant; Doug Van Dorn (DouglasVanDorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods; and Brian Godawa (Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and two new novels based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea, discuss the historical context, significance, and the interplay between pagan and Christian thought found in the Sibylline Oracles.  We discuss the role of the Sibyls as ancient prophetesses, the legend of Nero Redivivus, and the implications of women as prophets in these texts. We also examine the cultural dynamics of the early church and how the Sibylline Oracles reflect messianic expectations and the incarnation of Christ.  Overall, the discussion highlights the complexity and richness of these ancient writings and their relevance to understanding early Christian theology. 

Christ Our King: The Word Enthroned 12.14.25 Pastor Tony Felich   2 Samuel 7:12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. [13] He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.[16] And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.'”   Psalm 2:6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” [7] I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. [8] Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.   Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.   Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, [2] saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”   Philippians 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. [12] His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. [13] He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. [14] And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. [15] From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.   WLC 45 Q. How doth Christ execute the office of a king? A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory and their good; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God and obey not the gospel.”

John 11:9-10 Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." How do we know how to make decisions if we want to live to love with Jesus? Jesus explained His decision to go to Judea where His life had been threatened. His explanation is that He follows the light of God given to Him. If you remember what John wrote about Jesus in John 8-10, you remember that He testified that He was the Light of Life and the Light of the world. He opened a blind man's eyes to see the Light of the world while the Pharisees and Jews stumbled around blindly in the dark. They couldn't see Jesus because there was no light in them. Jesus made this decision to go to Judea because the Father had given Him love for Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, and that was The Light. Where God's love is directed, there is daylight. The night has no love in it. John wrote the same in his first epistle. 1 John 2:10-11 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. How do we make decisions? Live to love with Jesus and you'll walk in the light.

In Luke 1:45, it is written: “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil his promises to her!” Mary's joy came from her trust in God's promise. This Christmas, may we find our joy in knowing that God's love is faithful and His promises never fail. Even in waiting, even in uncertainty—joy is born when faith takes root. As we move through Advent, may our hearts, like Mary's, be open to saying “yes” to the promises of God. If you are new to Community Church, WELCOME! We would love to get to know you. Please fill in the following form and we look forward to connecting with you: https://bit.ly/cc-new-connect You can find all timely and relevant links from this service on https://bit.ly/cc-links You can also find out more about us at https://communitychurch.hk/ ================ This Week's Scripture: // Luke 1:39-45 (NIV) // At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

These days, having a child out of wedlock is pretty much a valid lifestyle choice in many cultures. I'm not saying that it's right, just that that's how it's perceived. But back in Jesus' day … man it was a huge scandal. Seriously.   A MISCONCEPTION Well, here we are hurtling towards Christmas. You know, it's interesting when you look at the candy cane – you know that simple little cane with the white and then the three small stripes and then the big stripe – and we think of it as a candy cane, but the confectioner who first created it, didn't create it as a candy cane. He created it as a "J" for Jesus and the white was there to symbolise the holiness of God and the three small stripes were there to symbolise the stripes on His back when He was beaten and the one thick stripe, the red stripe was there to symbolise the blood of Jesus. Isn't it funny how we take symbols to do with Christmas and a whole bunch of other things and we change their meaning – we re-interpret them – and I think it's really true of this thing that we call Christmas. You know, as I look at my four years studying at Bible College, the most profound thing that I learned was this – that theologians, and I can class myself as one of those – we love to take the stories of God in the Bible and snip them up and put them in little piles which we call doctrines. You know, the doctrine of the Trinity; the doctrine of original sin; the doctrine of the incarnation and so we think, "WOW, you know, I've sorted out God; I've got Him is little piles; I have a systematic theology and now I understand God." Well, in a sense that's good, because it's good to know what we believe and why we believe it and look at the whole council of God in His Word. But you know something, if that's all we do, I think maybe, we missed the point because God's chosen way of revealing Himself to us is mostly through stories. Stories throughout history of His engagement with His chosen people, Israel, and then in the New Testament, stories of His new promise; stories of His grace as the church grew out of a revelation of God through Jesus Christ. God speaks to us through His story in history and to me that's the most profound insight that I got after four years of Bible College. And no where is that more true than in Jesus. John in his Gospel calls Jesus the Word, "In the beginning was the Word." Jesus is God talking to us saying, "This is what I'm like." Jesus is a message in a bottle. And Jesus is unique – He is the only person in history, as the Son of God, who could have chosen the place, the time and the circumstances of His birth. Let's just think about that for a minute. It's true isn't it? If Jesus is who He says He is – the Son of God – He is the only person in history that could have chosen the circumstances of His birth. Well, if that's true; if it was a deliberate choice, what is God saying to us about Himself through the manner in which Jesus came into the world, through this story that we now call Christmas. See, it's not some neat doctrine; it's not some neat theology of the incarnation. We learn about Christmas through the stories in Matthew and Mark and Luke and John and I guess, in a sense, many of us know them backwards. But Matthew begins, after the great, long genealogy that we looked at the other week – Matthew now begins with this story – if you've got a Bible, grab it, open it – we are going to Matthew, chapter 1, beginning at verse 18. It says this: "Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way." So in other words, here's the story. "When His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband, Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he decided to do that, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife for the child conceived in her is from God the Holy Spirit. She will bear you a son and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." All this took place to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "look the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and they shall name Him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us". When Joseph awoke from the sleep he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. He took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a Son and he named Him Jesus." So here's Mary, pregnant from the Holy Spirit. How? Well, Luke tells us the angel appeared to her and said, "Fear not!" Have you ever seen a Christmas card with "Fear not!" plastered across the front? Not really! So how to you think Mary felt? She gets spoken to by an angel; she gets told not to be afraid, "you're going to be pregnant because God the Holy Spirit is going to make you pregnant." Now how do you think it went when Mary told Joseph? Here's this single teenage girl from this place called Nazareth; Nowheresville and she wanders in with her belly swollen and she says to her fiancee, "Well, Joe, it's like this – I didn't sleep with anyone – God did this!" WOW! Would you believe her? Joseph didn't – he planned to dismiss her quietly because this was a society where getting pregnant out of wedlock was a disgraceful thing. I mean, the Hebrew law commanded the women who were caught in adultery be stoned to death so the social context was that it wasn't a life style choice; it was something that you stoned someone to death for. But Joseph has a dream. Remember he doesn't have a New Testament; he doesn't know how it's going to turn out. He has this subjective thing called a dream and even if it were true, what incredible pain. How many times would Mary have gone over the angel's words? How many times do you think Joseph would be second guessing his dream? How breathtakingly reckless was God to allow the whole future of humanity to hang on the responses of these two poorly educated, hapless, rural teenagers? I mean, we know Him as Lord, the Christ, the Son of God but His parents and family friends; Mary's little illegitimate baby; the bastard; the stigma. Yet that's what Jesus chose for Himself. That's why I've called this message, "The Illegitimate God". You and I, we read this story of Christmas with a sense of wander and awe and we know how it ended. Then, back then and there? Well, for them it was a scandal; it was a fantasy; it was, "Is God really doing this?"   SOME VISITORS So here we are looking at this story of Christmas – firstly, the way that this baby was conceived – the sense of scandal that would have followed Him around when He was a little child – but then He was born into this brutal, political climate. Let's read on the story; this space and time and situation that God chose for His Son to be born into. We are going to pick it up in Matthew, chapter 2, beginning at verse 1: In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem asking, "Where is this child that has been born the King of the Jews, because we observed His star at it's rising and we have come to pay homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened and all Jerusalem with him. And calling together all the chief priests and the scribes and the people, he enquired of them, 'where the Messiah was to be born?' And they told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet, "And you Bethlehem in the land of Judea, are by no means the least amongst the rulers of Judea, for from you shall come a ruler who is to be the Shepherd of His people, Israel." And the story goes on that Herod secretly called for the wise men and he told them, "Go and find this Jesus and come and tell me", because he wanted to kill Jesus. We look at the politics of Palestine and Israel today – the mess – there seems to be no solution – they just keep shooting each other and blowing each other up. Back then it wasn't much different! You had a brutal Roman empire and the Roman Emperor ruled over a whole bunch of countries including this little country called Israel. And under him you had a despot; an Herodian King. And then this Herodian dynasty – we know about Herod – they were sort of half breeds and they were illegitimate and they were in cahoots with the Romans – together they oppressed the people. The religious leaders were part of all that and there was this sense of hopelessness amongst the people. It was every bit as messy then as it is today. And into this malaise is born Jesus, the Son of God and then these wise men – these Magi (a Magi was an astrologer; a sooth sayer). All of this was forbidden in the Old Testament – people who worshipped the stars were to be stoned to death. And they came from where? From the East; from Babylon – eighty kilometres south of what today is Baghdad. And remember, Babylon was a place of horror and evil for first century Israelites because that's where in 587 and 586 BC they were exiled into slavery. So God invites the Magi; these astrologers from hell to come to the birth of His Son and to worship Him. If you and I were God would we have invited them? I don't think so. And yet God doesn't just invite them but how does He go and get them from Babylon to Bethlehem? Does He send them a prophet? Does He send them John the Baptist? Does He send them a letter? Does He send them the Scriptures? He doesn't do any of those, He sends them a star. You see, God chooses a symbol that they can understand and follow and brings them to worship this child. Babylon who once destroyed the temple and exiled the chosen people is now worshipping the true God. God may well have hated their sin but He loved them much more that He hated their sin. And then one night in a dream – if you flick over the page to Matthew, chapter 2, beginning at verse 13 – Joseph has another dream, it says this: Now after the Magi had left, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream and says: "Get up and take this child and His mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child and destroy Him. So Joseph got up, took the child and His mother by night and went to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what had been spoken by the Lord, through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I have called My Son." See, here we go again – Joseph is having another dream – this subjective thing. It's not like he sits down and he reads the New Testament; he reads the Old Testament and God speaks to him through His Word. No, God spoke to Joseph through a dream and so Joseph and Mary and Jesus all became refugees. They had no rights; they had no land; they had no possessions; they were fleeing for their lives. There are thirty two point nine million refugees in the world today. That's grown by almost fifty percent in just twelve months. Jesus, the Son of God becomes a refugee. How long? What would they live on? Where would they live? Where would they go? Would they be safe? They had to endure hardship for the first few years of His little life. Would you or I, if we were God, have put our son through this? And you read on in Matthew, chapter 2, verses 16 to 18. "When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. This massacre of the infants – have you ever seen a Christmas card about the massacre of the infants? See, we turn Christmas into this little pantomime, but the birth of Jesus into this world; the time when God stepped into this world and became man was a brutal time; it was a tough time and it was the time God chose for His Son. I mean, today we see suicide bombers in the Middle East and the shelling of targets and the shooting by snipers – imagine if you added to that the slaughter of all the children under two in and around Bethlehem – you don't see that on a Christmas card do you? What was God thinking by sending His Son into such a mess?   SO WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT GOD? And then of course, after they returned from Egypt, Jesus and His family moved to Nazareth – you can read it in Matthew, chapter 2, beginning at verse 19. When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up and take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel for those who are seeking the child's life are now dead. So Joseph got up, took the child and His mother and he went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea, in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there and after being warned in a dream, he went to the district of Galilee. There he made his home in a town called Nazareth so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: "He will be called a Nazarene." God allowed, indeed, constructed the circumstances so that the Son of God would grow up in the backblocks of nowhere – in Nazareth. Does anything good come out of Nazareth? And He became a carpenter; not the King; not the head of theology at Jerusalem seminary; not the chief grand whatever in the synagogue or the temple – a lowly carpenter. So what do we learn about God? If God chose the circumstances into which Jesus would be born; if He chose these two young teenagers; if He chose the stable in Bethlehem; if He chose Herod and the persecution and the flight, what does that tells us about God? If Jesus came to reveal God to us, what do we learn about God from the first Christmas? When you read through the Old Testament about God you see His sovereignty; His power; His hugeness; His transcendence. Isaiah says: To whom will you compare Me? Who is My equal," says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and see who created all these stars. See, God is great. Here at Christmas we see this greatness reduced to the size of the single fertilised egg – not even visible to the human eye. Born in the stable with the stench of cow dung and urine on the floor, hunted down, a refugee, the massacre of these infants around Him and then slinking back to Nazareth to eek out an ignominious existence as a carpenter, relying on two uneducated teenage bumpkins for safety and nurture – with always the hint of scandal – Mary's little illegitimate child. Well may God be great but hang on a minute, when you look at Christmas, my God is also small. My God is also humble. If you look at this theological doctrine of incarnation, Jesus the Son of God and the Son of Man – He's different to us yet He's the same as us. But if we really ask ourselves the question, we would mostly conclude that Jesus was fundamentally different from you and me. But like Luther, I believe that if we are even to begin to understand what God is saying in Jesus, we have to draw the conclusion that Jesus is God, deep graven into the flesh. Like the candy cane – on the one hand, white and pure and blameless and different, but with a red stripe; with the blood, suffering like us, He lived, He suffered, He cried, He struggled, like us. That's the point of Christmas; that's the point of Jesus being born into these brutal circumstances, in such humble surrounds. This is God saying, "Jesus is like us". We can have the best doctrine of the incarnation and completely miss the point. God is humble. He shows us that in a profound way at Christmas. He chose the time. He chose the circumstances. He chose the stable and the animals in it. He connects with us. That's why Jesus says later in Matthew, chapter 11, verse 28: Come to Me all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest in your souls." And later in John, chapter 16, verse 33: "I've said these things to you that in Me you might have peace for in this world you will have tribulations but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world." What a contradiction! God, the sovereign God who created all the universe through Jesus, all things that were created were, in fact, created. And yet He calls Himself humble; He makes Himself low at Christmas time. But then everything about Jesus is a contradiction. On the one hand He's the Lion of Judah; on the other hand He's the Lamb of God. When I look at the Christmas story – just the way it is, just plain and simple – look at the circumstances that Jesus was born into, you know what I see? I see something that rings true; I see an authenticity; I see a Jesus who comes humbly into this world and then says, "Come to Me because I'm gentle, I'm humble of heart." I see a Jesus who was prepared to be a refugee; who is prepared to be under threat of death. It's an amazing thing, Christmas and you know, if we just look at it as a pantomime; if we just sing the wonderful little songs and still look at it as children, I think we miss the point. God chose an amazing time for Jesus to be born and we look at Christmas by knowing how it all ended up. We've read the whole New Testament; we have the benefit of knowing that He died and rose again and the church grew up out of that and two thousand years on, you know, we are living the life. So we look back at Christmas through a whole bunch of history and stuff that those people, at that time, simply didn't have. Philip Yancey sums it up this way – I love what he says. This is what he writes: "He is the image of the invisible God; the first born over all creation," an apostle would later write, "He is before all things and in Him all things hold together," But the few eye witnesses on Christmas night saw none of those things. They saw an infant struggling to work never before used lungs. It's the story of a God who steps out of heaven, powerful, transcendent, able to choose anything He wants – He chooses Mary and Joseph; He chooses a stable; He chooses for His Son to become a refugee; He chooses for His Son to grow up in Nazareth as a carpenter. God speaks to us through this Christmas story. God went to extraordinary lengths to say this: "I am humble of heart. I have come to be one of you. I have come to walk in your shoes, in your skin, to experience all the things that you experience." It's the message of Christmas. A God who reaches out in the most amazing way; in the most startling way; in a way that we would never have done if we were God – and speaks to us His love and His desire to have a relationship with us. That is what Christmas is about.

Acts 15:6-11 In Antioch, Gentile believers were living freely in Christ. Unfortunately, their freedom (salvation) was not celebrated by all. In the eyes of a group that had come Judea, they deemed the Gentiles salvation insufficient. This heresy was a direct challenge the 'heart' of salvation (God's grace). Their agenda was adamant 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.' Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem. They met with the apostles and elders to consider a consequential matter. The meeting of the minds wasn't just about differences of opinion; it was a critical time for the early church both theologically and culturally.

Jesús es sepultado Luc 23:50 Había un varón llamado José, de Arimatea, ciudad de Judea, el cual era miembro del concilio, varón bueno y justo. Luc 23:51 Este, que también esperaba el reino de Dios, y no había consentido en el acuerdo ni en los hechos de ellos, Luc 23:52 fue a Pilato, y pidió el cuerpo de Jesús. Luc 23:53 Y quitándolo, lo envolvió en una sábana, y lo puso en un sepulcro abierto en una peña, en el cual aún no se había puesto a nadie. Luc 23:54 Era día de la preparación, y estaba para comenzar el día de reposo.[a] Luc 23:55 Y las mujeres que habían venido con él desde Galilea, siguieron también, y vieron el sepulcro, y cómo fue puesto su cuerpo. Luc 23:56 Y vueltas, prepararon especias aromáticas y ungüentos; y descansaron el día de reposo,[b] conforme al mandamiento.

Recently I was with 1000 Pastors on The Ambassador Summit to Israel. We visited The Nova Festival massacre site in Gaza to get a first hand experience of what happened. We were also privileged to be joined by survivors, widows, bereaved family members, Israel Deference Force commanders, etc… After seeing the horror of what happened on October 7, 2023 and listening to many stories, I felt God nudging me to the passage in Matthew 24: 15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. " Matthew 24:15-18 As I will share much in today's show why I isolated these three, I wanted to share them here with some pictures of the scene I will refer to. So if you are experiencing terror either physically or spiritually I really would suggest these steps, they may save your life.. See – don't be distracted Flee to the Mountain Don't go back or look back…

John 11:8 The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?" Remember that twice the Jews had picked up stones to kill Jesus. If left up to the disciples, the decision to return to Judea would have been made based upon natural reasoning, outward circumstances, and history. They were concerned for His welfare and probably their own as well. They would have missed God's will and seeing God's glory. How many times have we done the same? We chose the path of least resistance or the road which offered what looked like a happier and more comfortable outcome. To The Spirit's point through John: that's not how we make decisions as we live to love with Jesus. If we don't make decisions based on our natural reason, outward circumstances and history, then how do we know what to do? Tune in tomorrow to find out.

"The West Bank" is a political invention. Judea and Samaria are the historical truth.

To become a follower of Jesus, visit: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/MeetJesus (NOT a Morning Mindset resource) ⇒ TODAY'S DAILY SPONSOR: The cost of today’s episode is financially supported by David, from Ohio, who listens every morning. You can sponsor a daily episode of the Morning Mindset too, by going to https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/DailySponsor ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:57–66 - Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. [58] And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. [59] And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, [60] but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” [61] And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” [62] And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. [63] And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. [64] And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. [65] And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, [66] and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him. (ESV) ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE MORNING MINDSET: (not tax-deductible) -- Become a monthly partner: https://mm-gfk-partners.supercast.com/ -- Support a daily episode: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/daily-sponsor/ -- Give one-time: https://give.cornerstone.cc/careygreen -- Venmo: @CareyNGreen ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ FOREIGN LANGUAGE VERSIONS OF THIS PODCAST: SPANISH version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Spanish HINDI version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Hindi CHINESE version: https://MorningMindsetMedia.com/Chinese  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ CONTACT: Carey@careygreen.com  ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ THEME MUSIC: “King’s Trailer” – Creative Commons 0 | Provided by https://freepd.com/ ***All NON-ENGLISH versions of the Morning Mindset are translated using A.I. Dubbing and Translation tools from DubFormer.ai ***All NON-ENGLISH text content (descriptions and titles) are translated using the A.I. functionality of Google Translate.

Hamas hoarding humanitarian aid in Gaza, US sanctions looming for UNRWA. Message to the Trump administration about Judea & Samaria. A Bible reading plan filmed in Israel bringing the Word to life. Charlie Kirk's book on the importance of the sabbath.

John 11:7 Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again." This is all about timing. Jesus knew to wait upon His Father. It was the only way to glorify Him. He always abided in the Father. He said, “Let's go,” because His Father said, “Let's go.” The only way we can glorify Jesus is by abiding in Him and living to love with Him. We should go because He goes. We should love as He loves. We are in this world as He is in this world, wrote John (1 John 4:17)—for the glory of God. Waiting for believers shouldn't be difficult because we have surrendered our lives to Him and want His glory. Therefore we don't want to move or speak without Him. May we learn that when He bids us wait, He is loving us. How important it is to learn this lesson early in our lives.

En aquellos días, María se encaminó presurosa a un pueblo de las montañas de Judea, y entrando en la casa de Zacarías, saludó a Isabel. En cuanto ésta oyó el saludo de María, la creatura saltó en su seno.Entonces Isabel quedó llena del Espíritu Santo, y levantando la voz, exclamó: “¡Bendita tú entre las mujeres y bendito el fruto de tu vientre! ¿Quién soy yo, para que la Madre de mi Señor venga a verme? Apenas llegó tu saludo a mis oídos, el niño saltó de gozo en mi seno. Dichosa tú, que has creído, porque se cumplirá cuanto te fue anunciado de parte del Señor”.Entonces dijo María: “Mi alma glorifica al Señor y mi espíritu se llena de júbilo en Dios, mi salvador”.

Hamas hoarding humanitarian aid in Gaza, US sanctions looming for UNRWA. Message to the Trump administration about Judea & Samaria. A Bible reading plan filmed in Israel bringing the Word to life. Charlie Kirk's book on the importance of the sabbath.

He's the villain of the Nativity. An alleged killer of innocents, remembered as one of history's great monsters. But the truth about Herod the Great is far more dramatic, far more complex, and far more shocking.On today's special episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes asks: who was the real Herod behind the legend and the infamy? Joined by Professor Benedict Eckhardt, Dr Kimberly Tchaikovsky and Professor Helen Bond, he charts the gripping rise of one of antiquity's most formidable and misunderstood rulers. From perilous beginnings to becoming Rome's chosen King of Judea, Herod's story blends Greek-style tragedy with ruthless Roman politics and features encounters with towering figures like Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Join us to step into the turbulent world of Roman Judea and discover how Herod defied the odds to seize his throne.MOREThe Wise Men:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Great Jewish Revolt:Listen on AppleListen on Spotify Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here:https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb." In the quiet hill country of Judea, the first confession of faith in the New Testament is made not by a scholar, but by an unborn child in the presence of the Incarnate Lord. In part 4 of a special 12-part series connecting Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfillment, we witness the joyous meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. As the Holy Spirit fills the house, Mary bursts into song—the Magnificat—proclaiming a God who scatters the proud and lifts up the humble.  The Rev. Mark Loder, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church & School in Howard Lake, MN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Luke 1:39–56.  To learn more about St. James Lutheran, visit stjameshl.org. This Advent series begins by covering the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, and then spends twelve episodes alternating between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment, tracing God's promises from Isaiah to the birth of Christ. The series explores Emmanuel's promise, the Davidic King, John the Baptist as forerunner, and reaches its climax with the Nativity. The final episodes examine the Suffering Servant, the shadow of the cross in Christ's infancy, Isaiah's Messianic mission statement, and John's declaration that "the Word became flesh."  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Daily Dose of Hope December 11, 2025   Scripture – Acts 15   Prayer: Holy God, We come before you today rejoicing in your powerful name.  Thank you for who you are and all you do.  Thank you for loving us.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts, help us set aside distractions, and truly focus on you right now.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, we want to hear your voice...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that goes along with the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.  Today, we are working through Acts 15.   This is a pretty crucial moment for the young church.  Some people from Judea have gone to the churches and said that to follow Jesus, you must first be a Jew first and follow the law of Moses.  That means being circumcised and the whole bit.  Well, Paul and Barnabas are appalled and they debate fiercely with these men.  Thus, they are invited to go to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders to discuss the matter.  This is a pivotal moment.  Will the council in Jerusalem put the burden of the Law on these new Gentile believers?  Because the Law is a heavy burden. Even the Jews can't handle it.   Amazingly, it seems that the discussion at the council meeting is both civil and Spirit-filled.  Don't we wish all church meetings could be this way?  Paul and Barnabas give testimony to what they have witnessed with Gentile believers receiving the Holy Spirit.  James stands up and quotes Scripture from the prophets which points to Gentiles accepting the Lord.  Thus, they come up with a compromise to not make the burden too heavy for the new believers.  They are to avoid sexual immorality, not eat meat dedicated to idols or meat from strangled animals or blood.  All three of these were very pagan behaviors associated with idol worship.  This is where they decide to draw the line and it makes sense.  We know this won't be the end of the story but it is a great place to start.   As the chapter progresses, there is a sharp dispute between Paul and Barnabas.  They are ready for another missionary journey and Barnabas wants to bring John Mark.  Paul does not.  Apparently, John Mark abandoned them on the last journey.  It must have been a pretty heated argument in which neither party backed down.  So, they went their separate ways.  Barnabas took John Mark and they went one way.  Paul took Silas and they went another way.  While some of us might be surprised that believers had such an intense dispute, they are still human beings.  It appears they weren't ugly about it and they came up with a solution.    This is the truth.  We will not always agree.  Even as Christians.  We aren't always going to agree but we don't have to be disagreeable.  We can show respect, we can be kind, and we can do our best to find a compromise.  In the end, the Gospel won out because now there were two different missionary journeys occurring at the same time.  More people get to hear about Jesus!   This would be a good time to talk about conflict.  Are you in one?  How are you dealing with it?    Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Reading 1Isaiah 11:1-10On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,and from his roots a bud shall blossom.The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,a spirit of counsel and of strength,a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.Not by appearance shall he judge,nor by hearsay shall he decide,but he shall judge the poor with justice,and decide aright for the land's afflicted.He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.Justice shall be the band around his waist,and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;the calf and the young lion shall browse together,with a little child to guide them.The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,together their young shall rest;the lion shall eat hay like the ox.The baby shall play by the cobra's den,and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,as water covers the sea.On that day, the root of Jesse,set up as a signal for the nations,the Gentiles shall seek out,for his dwelling shall be glorious.Reading 2Romans 15:4-9Brothers and sisters:Whatever was written previously was written for our instruction,that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptureswe might have hope.May the God of endurance and encouragementgrant you to think in harmony with one another,in keeping with Christ Jesus,that with one accord you may with one voiceglorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you,for the glory of God.For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcisedto show God's truthfulness,to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.As it is written:Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentilesand sing praises to your name.GospelMatthew 3:1-12John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judeaand saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:A voice of one crying out in the desert,Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.John wore clothing made of camel's hairand had a leather belt around his waist.His food was locusts and wild honey.At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,and the whole region around the Jordanwere going out to himand were being baptized by him in the Jordan Riveras they acknowledged their sins.When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduceescoming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers!Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.And do not presume to say to yourselves,'We have Abraham as our father.'For I tell you,God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruitwill be cut down and thrown into the fire.I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.I am not worthy to carry his sandals.He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His winnowing fan is in his hand.He will clear his threshing floorand gather his wheat into his barn,but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

In this episode, host Lynne Hilton Wilson uncovers little-known details of the Nativity story by bringing together the unique accounts found in the books of Luke and Matthew. Dive deeper into Luke's intimate portrait of Mary—her lineage, her spiritual preparation, the symbolism of her “highly favored” calling, and the cultural realities she faced as a young mother in ancient Judea. Then explore Matthew's distinctive focus on Joseph—his royal Davidic heritage, his revelatory dreams, his quiet strength, and the legal and spiritual responsibilities he carried in protecting the Holy Family. Lynne illuminates how these two perspectives weave together a richer, more complete tapestry of the birth of Christ. This episode goes beyond the familiar Christmas narrative to highlight historical context, overlooked verses, and surprising insights that reveal the faith, courage, and divine guidance surrounding Jesus's arrival into the world. Perfect for viewers looking to deepen their understanding of the Nativity and appreciate the beauty in both Mary's and Joseph's stories.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251210dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:4-6 Confess Do you ever wrestle with regret? I’m not talking about how you may regret not buying that stock when it was at $20 per share or eating at that sketchy restaurant and getting food poisoning. I’m talking about the regret of the decisions that have left you with shame. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? There was that time when you took things too far. There was that time when, so enraged, you said or did something you can’t take back. Or maybe there is that constant guilt that you carry around because you know your life choices aren’t the right ones, and you’ve been acting on that urge or behavior, even though you know it is wrong. You know that it is toxic for you and/or your relationships with others, and you’ve gone back to it more times than you can count. The people who came to see John preaching at the Jordan River were just like you and me. They wrestled with guilt. They knew shame. And, tragically, when they went to their religious leaders, they were told, ‘Stop doing that! Be better!’ However, John said something else. When they talked with John, they unburdened themselves of that weight of regret and shame. They confessed to their sins that had weighed them down and left them feeling lost. And do you know what John told them? He assured them of their forgiveness! Whatever guilt or shame has brought regret into your life, confess it. Open your heart to God and confess that sin. Because when we do that, God promises that he has forgiven us because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus has paid for all the things you regret, and he promises that you and I are loved and wanted by him. Prayer: Dear Jesus, forgive me for my past missteps and failures. I am sorry for them. Help me to trust in my Savior Jesus for his forgiveness today and every day. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251210dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:4-6 Confess Do you ever wrestle with regret? I’m not talking about how you may regret not buying that stock when it was at $20 per share or eating at that sketchy restaurant and getting food poisoning. I’m talking about the regret of the decisions that have left you with shame. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? There was that time when you took things too far. There was that time when, so enraged, you said or did something you can’t take back. Or maybe there is that constant guilt that you carry around because you know your life choices aren’t the right ones, and you’ve been acting on that urge or behavior, even though you know it is wrong. You know that it is toxic for you and/or your relationships with others, and you’ve gone back to it more times than you can count. The people who came to see John preaching at the Jordan River were just like you and me. They wrestled with guilt. They knew shame. And, tragically, when they went to their religious leaders, they were told, ‘Stop doing that! Be better!’ However, John said something else. When they talked with John, they unburdened themselves of that weight of regret and shame. They confessed to their sins that had weighed them down and left them feeling lost. And do you know what John told them? He assured them of their forgiveness! Whatever guilt or shame has brought regret into your life, confess it. Open your heart to God and confess that sin. Because when we do that, God promises that he has forgiven us because of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus has paid for all the things you regret, and he promises that you and I are loved and wanted by him. Prayer: Dear Jesus, forgive me for my past missteps and failures. I am sorry for them. Help me to trust in my Savior Jesus for his forgiveness today and every day. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Discussions about the birth of Jesus often include the assertion that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were refugees fleeing persecution. This framing is intended to connect the biblical story to contemporary global crises and highlight empathy for displaced people. While the intention may be understandable, the historical circumstances of the Holy Family do not align with the modern category of refugee status as defined by law, borders, and international recognition.In the first century, the Eastern Mediterranean was not divided into nation-states. It operated under one imperial authority: Rome. Judea, the birthplace of Jesus, was ruled by Herod the Great as a client king under Roman oversight. Egypt, where the Gospel of Matthew records that the family traveled, was a Roman province governed directly by imperial administration. Movement from Judea to Egypt was therefore not a departure from one country into another, nor did it require permission, documentation, or protection from a foreign sovereign power.The journey to Bethlehem, prompted by the census described in the Gospel of Luke, was not migration at all. It was internal travel for administrative purposes, a reality familiar across the empire for those subject to taxation and bureaucratic recordkeeping.The subsequent flight to Egypt described in Matthew was a response to danger, specifically the threat posed by Herod's directive to kill infant boys in Bethlehem. This reflects urgency and real risk, but urgency alone does not make the Holy Family refugees in the modern sense. A refugee, in contemporary legal terms, is a person who crosses an internationally recognized boundary and receives acknowledgment or protection from another state. Many people flee danger without ever being recognized as refugees; they are displaced, endangered, or in flight, but not legally categorized under that term.Another key element distinguishing this narrative from typical migration or displacement is the presence of explicit spiritual and supernatural agency. Herod's actions are portrayed as a response to prophecy. Joseph's decision is directed by a dream in which an angel provides instruction. The narrative presents a specific threat against a specific child, rather than a generalized persecution of an entire population. The movement was personal, not collective. It was prompted by divine warning, not legal petition, social negotiation, or state-to-state appeal.Understanding these distinctions does not diminish the gravity or significance of the story. Instead, it preserves the historical and spiritual context in which it occurred. Using modern terminology to describe ancient events may blur rather than clarify the meaning of the narrative, substituting contemporary categories for ancient realities.The account of the Holy Family's journey remains important without translation into the language of modern policy. It is a narrative of faith, danger, obedience, and protection. It illustrates vulnerability met with guidance, threat met with trust, and uncertainty met with action. Its power does not depend on its alignment with contemporary refugee frameworks; its significance rests in the world it emerged from and the faith it continues to inspire.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251209dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'” Matthew 3:1-3 Ready Your Heart for Jesus! When I was a kid, I remember that we got the word that the President of the United States was coming to town. And, somehow or another, we even heard that his motorcade was going to be driving down the street right by my house. We were so excited! Our family waited by the sidewalk, looking down the road with anticipation, and then, sure enough, a procession of vehicles came whizzing by, with the president’s hand (or some unlucky staffer’s) waving to us! When a president or, in ancient times, a king, comes to town, you need to make preparations. You must get the road ready for his arrival. That is the picture we see in the message of God’s Word we’re looking at for our devotion. A great king is coming to town, and the road needs to be cleared. “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” John’s whole purpose in life was to prepare the world for Jesus. He was the opening act who came onto the scene just before the headliner. And the way he got everyone ready was by preaching to them. He preached God’s Word to them. With that Word of God, he shook them with his call to prepare their hearts. That call is still applicable to you and me. Our hearts are often filled with things that don’t please God. We prioritize things that don’t really matter. We go our own way rather than listening to God’s Word. But John calls us to repent, to prepare our hearts! Turn away from that sin which so often entices your heart and turn to Jesus who has paid for it with death. Turn your heart to God with joy and see the forgiveness so freely given in our Savior. Ready your heart for Jesus! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for taking away my sins. Help me to turn away from my sin each day and turn to you to find forgiveness and peace. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

191Cuando acabó Jesús estos discursos, partió de Galilea y vino a la región de Judea, al otro lado del Jordán. 2Lo seguía una gran multitud y él los curaba allí. 3Se acercaron a Jesús unos fariseos y le preguntaron, para ponerlo a prueba: «¿Es lícito a un hombre repudiar a su mujer por cualquier motivo?». 4Él les respondió: «¿No habéis leído que el Creador, en el principio, los creó hombre y mujer, 5y dijo: “Por eso dejará el hombre a su padre y a su madre, y se unirá a su mujer, y serán los dos una sola carne”? 6De modo que ya no son dos, sino una sola carne. Pues lo que Dios ha unido, que no lo separe el hombre». 7Ellos insistieron: «¿Y por qué mandó Moisés darle acta de divorcio y repudiarla?». 8Él les contestó: «Por la dureza de vuestro corazón os permitió Moisés repudiar a vuestras mujeres; pero, al principio, no era así. 9Pero yo os digo que, si uno repudia a su mujer —no hablo de unión ilegítima— y se casa con otra, comete adulterio». 10Los discípulos le replicaron: «Si esa es la situación del hombre con la mujer, no trae cuenta casarse». 11Pero él les dijo: «No todos entienden esto, solo los que han recibido ese don. 12Hay eunucos que salieron así del vientre de su madre, a otros los hicieron los hombres, y hay quienes se hacen eunucos ellos mismos por el reino de los cielos. El que pueda entender, entienda». 

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251209dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'” Matthew 3:1-3 Ready Your Heart for Jesus! When I was a kid, I remember that we got the word that the President of the United States was coming to town. And, somehow or another, we even heard that his motorcade was going to be driving down the street right by my house. We were so excited! Our family waited by the sidewalk, looking down the road with anticipation, and then, sure enough, a procession of vehicles came whizzing by, with the president’s hand (or some unlucky staffer’s) waving to us! When a president or, in ancient times, a king, comes to town, you need to make preparations. You must get the road ready for his arrival. That is the picture we see in the message of God’s Word we’re looking at for our devotion. A great king is coming to town, and the road needs to be cleared. “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” John’s whole purpose in life was to prepare the world for Jesus. He was the opening act who came onto the scene just before the headliner. And the way he got everyone ready was by preaching to them. He preached God’s Word to them. With that Word of God, he shook them with his call to prepare their hearts. That call is still applicable to you and me. Our hearts are often filled with things that don’t please God. We prioritize things that don’t really matter. We go our own way rather than listening to God’s Word. But John calls us to repent, to prepare our hearts! Turn away from that sin which so often entices your heart and turn to Jesus who has paid for it with death. Turn your heart to God with joy and see the forgiveness so freely given in our Savior. Ready your heart for Jesus! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for taking away my sins. Help me to turn away from my sin each day and turn to you to find forgiveness and peace. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Hechos 1:8 (NTV) Pero recibirán poder cuando el Espíritu Santo descienda sobre ustedes; y serán mis testigos, y le hablarán a la gente acerca de mí en todas partes: en Jerusalén, por toda Judea, en Samaria y hasta los lugares más lejanos de la tierra.

Matthew 3:1-12John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judeaand saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:A voice of one crying out in the desert,Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.John wore clothing made of camel's hairand had a leather belt around his waist.His food was locusts and wild honey.At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,and the whole region around the Jordanwere going out to himand were being baptized by him in the Jordan Riveras they acknowledged their sins.When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduceescoming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers!Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.And do not presume to say to yourselves,'We have Abraham as our father.'For I tell you,God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruitwill be cut down and thrown into the fire.I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.I am not worthy to carry his sandals.He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His winnowing fan is in his hand.He will clear his threshing floorand gather his wheat into his barn,but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Matthew 3:1-12John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judeaand saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:A voice of one crying out in the desert,Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.John wore clothing made of camel's hairand had a leather belt around his waist.His food was locusts and wild honey.At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,and the whole region around the Jordanwere going out to himand were being baptized by him in the Jordan Riveras they acknowledged their sins.When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduceescoming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers!Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.And do not presume to say to yourselves,'We have Abraham as our father.'For I tell you,God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruitwill be cut down and thrown into the fire.I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.I am not worthy to carry his sandals.He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His winnowing fan is in his hand.He will clear his threshing floorand gather his wheat into his barn,but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Matthew 3:1-12John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judeaand saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:A voice of one crying out in the desert,Prepare the way of the Lord,make straight his paths.John wore clothing made of camel's hairand had a leather belt around his waist.His food was locusts and wild honey.At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,and the whole region around the Jordanwere going out to himand were being baptized by him in the Jordan Riveras they acknowledged their sins.When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadduceescoming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers!Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.And do not presume to say to yourselves,'We have Abraham as our father.'For I tell you,God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruitwill be cut down and thrown into the fire.I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.I am not worthy to carry his sandals.He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.His winnowing fan is in his hand.He will clear his threshing floorand gather his wheat into his barn,but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251208dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:1-2 Something Has Got to Change Something has got to change. Have you ever thought that? You might have thought that about your marriage or your relationship with your kids. You probably have thought that about your job or a working relationship with a coworker. At some point in your life, you have probably said that about something going on in government. Something has got to change. I would suspect, however, that when we’ve had this thought, often, we think this change should happen in someone else. Someone else needs to be fixed. Someone else needs to turn things around. After all, wouldn't the world just be better if everyone thought like I do and did things my way? But before we try to change everyone else, it might be helpful if we first look in the mirror and see if there are things about ourselves that need to be changed. That's really the message that God teaches us through the voice of John the Baptizer. If you had to summarize, John’s whole message, it would be this: repent. Repentance has two parts: 1) to acknowledge shortcomings, failures, and guilt, and then 2) to turn to Jesus and find forgiveness. You and I can’t change the hearts of other people. But God can and does change our hearts! Through the voice of John, God is calling for you and for me to look at our own lives and be honest about where we fall short, where we have done wrong, not just against others but against God. But in that call to repentance, God beckons us to lift our eyes to see the Savior who has forgiven us of our faults! That’s what Jesus has done for you! You don’t have to live in shame or fear for your faults. No, Jesus has paid for them with his sacrifice! Recognize your guilt but turn to Jesus and find that peace of forgiveness! Prayer: Dear God, I am broken and am truly sorry for my sin. Thank you for sending me my Savior who loves me and forgives me. Continue to help me daily repent and see the peace which Jesus brings. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

December 7, 2025. Fr. Tyler's homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Enjoy! Gospel Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Doug Cobb, founder of The Finishing Fund, is passionately convicted that we could see the fulfillment of the Great Commission in our generation. In 1994, Doug's life was changed when he joined Paul Eshleman and the Jesus Film Project for a trip to Nigeria where he caught the vision to see completely unengaged people groups reached with the Gospel. Utilizing his background in startups and venture capital, Doug eventually founded The Finishing Fund, a venture capital fund for the Great Commission, connecting donors to projects intended to reach the unengaged with the Gospel for the first time. In the last eight years, The Finishing Fund has helped get the Gospel to about 800 people groups who had never heard it before.   In his most recent book, The Sprint to the Finish, Doug discusses three major finish lines that need to be crossed to fulfill the Great Commission—seeing a first Believer in every known people group, a Bible translated into every language, and a church established in every village on Earth. To date, there are only 20 unengaged people groups left in the world, and by God's grace, The Finishing Fund and its collaborative partners have a shared goal to see the entire world reached with the Gospel by 2033.   Doug's conviction is simple but bold: The mission Jesus gave us can be completed in this generation, and God is already making it happen. If you want a front row seat to what God is doing around the world right now, you won't want to miss this episode.   Major Topics Include: Three finish lines to completing the Great Commission The current state of Gospel work in the world Comparing approaches—church planting and disciple making Stories of signs, wonders, and miracles drawing people to Jesus Fueling the Gospel spark in a community The biggest obstacles to fulfilling Great Commission What operational collaboration looks like The evangelistic power of a new Believer The Great Wealth Transfer and the Great Commission Looking forward to the return of Jesus QUOTES TO REMEMBER “The statistics tell us that most Christians sitting in churches can't even tell you what the great commission is, much less can they tell you anything about what's happening.” “I think we're within a year or two by God's grace of seeing the work begun in every people group.” “God is preparing people of peace in these places and it's almost like the Spirit is there tapping His toe and waiting for us to show up to close the deal. He's already working in the hearts and minds of people to prepare them.” “When God's people are willing to go, Jesus will go with them.” “Why would the Spirit not do today what He did way back then to validate the testimony of Paul and the other apostles?” “I don't think it's coincidental that God has created this wealth in the last days at a time when it's needed, and that creates an enormous responsibility for our generation.” “This generation has more than we need to complete the Great Commission.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Sprint to the Finish by Doug Cobb The Finishing Fund (see our interview with founder Doug Cobb) Jesus Film Project (see our interview with Executive Director Josh Newell) Finishing the Task (see our interview with FTT Global Church Planting Strategist Dan Hitzhusen) IllumiNations Bible Translation Alliance (see our interview with Todd Peterson or John Chesnut) ACHIEVE Alliance New Covenant Missions Coalition of the Willing Jim Wise, Financial Advisor with Ronald Blue Trust (see our past interview here) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Luke 16:10a | Faithfulness   One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much,   Matthew 28:19 | The Great Commission   Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   Matthew 24:14 | Then the End Will Come   And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.   Revelation 7:9-10 | Every Nation, Tribe, and Tongue   After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”   Acts 1:8 | Power to Witness   But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.

Advent reveals that love and vulnerability are inseparable, for God entered the world not in power but in the fragile form of a baby laid in a manger. The incarnation isn't distant theology—it is God with us, meeting us in our fear, grief, and limitations with a love strong enough to overcome darkness. True courage mirrors the infant Christ: a willingness to embrace uncertainty, rely on help when we are helpless, and love even when it hurts. In a world afraid of weakness, Advent invites us to begin again with vulnerability, interdependence, and the radical truth that the Father's love is strong enough to save. --- Scripture: Matthew 2:17-24 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,     weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children     and refusing to be comforted,     because they are no more.”[a] The Return to Nazareth 19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Good News, Great Joy - Pt 3 - Peace on Earth - We all know the warm picture of rustic shepherds around a manger. But why, of all the people in Judea, were these men chosen as the sole eyewitnesses of the newborn Messiah? The answer is consistent with who Jesus would grow up to be. And it gives us another reason to rejoice.

He Shall Be Called // Week 2 // Mighty GodPastor Ashley WilkersonIsaiah 9:6-7a NIV6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7a Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.Mighty (The Oxford English Dictionary) - possessing great strength, power, or size.1. Remember the COUNTLuke 2:1-5 NLT1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.1. Remember the COUNT2. Remember the CASTLMatthew 2:1-2 NIV1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”Proverbs 18:20-21 NIV20 From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.Philippians 4:12-13 NIV12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.1. Remember the COUNT2. Remember the CASTLE3. Remember the CAVE and the COVERINGLuke 2:5-7 NIV5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.Genesis 3:9-11a NIV9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11a And he said, “Who told you that you were naked?‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NIV8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.1. Remember the COUNT2. Remember the CASTLE3. Remember the CAVE and the COVERING

Daily Dose of Hope December 8, 2025   Scripture – Acts 12   Prayer:  Lord Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, We give you all the glory and praise.  Thank you for being a God who provides.  Thank you for being a God who heals.  Thank you for being a God who sees past our brokenness and invites us into relationship with you.  Help us, Lord, to grow more deeply in love with you every day.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We are getting to the end of our reading plan after months of walking through the Gospels and Acts.  I would love to hear what you have learned.  What have been your big takeaways?    Today, we walk through Acts 12.  Things are getting rough for Peter and the Christians.  Persecution is increasing.  Herod is getting especially agitated and throws Peter in prison.  I want to talk about the miracle of Peter being released but first let's discuss the Herod dynasty because I think that's important.  The Herodians were given power of the region of Judea by the Romans.  While they were brutal and power-hungry, they did consider themselves to be Jews.  This Herod from Acts 12 is Herod Agrippa I.  His grandfather was Herod the Great; he was the Herod who called for the killing of the Jewish baby boys after Jesus' birth.  He was the nephew of Herod Antipas, who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist and to whom Jesus was brought.    All of these Herodian kings were insecure and felt easily threatened by those who criticized them or their way of life.  Thus, this Herod was persecuting Christians and had already executed James, the brother of John.    Peter is arrested and thrown in prison with many, many layers of security.  But no soldiers or shackles can stop God!  He sends an angel who frees Peter and leads him out of the prison to a home where many believers were meeting.  The believers had been praying fervently for Peter's release and then they were shocked when he shows up at the door of the home where they had gathered.  Talk about answered prayer!  This is just the beginning of the miracles God is going to do.   Do you believe in answered prayers?  Do you pray bold prayers like these believers?  The boldness of our prayers speak volumes about how we feel about God.  It's clear that the early church believed that God was all-powerful, that God was a God of miracles, a God of provision, and a God who would take care of their every need.  The big question is – do we?   Finally, let's talk about Herod's death.  After securing some kind of peace deal, King Herod stands before the people and gives his royal address.  The people go wild!  They begin to say this is the voice of a god, not a man.  And insecure Herod just soaks it up.  But God is having none of it, and he strikes him down dead.  Y'all, arrogance does not pay.  God calls his people to be humble.  All glory and honor belong to God.  Yes, there are times in which we can be appropriately proud but we have to be very, very careful.  The way of Christ is always humility.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251208dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:1-2 Something Has Got to Change Something has got to change. Have you ever thought that? You might have thought that about your marriage or your relationship with your kids. You probably have thought that about your job or a working relationship with a coworker. At some point in your life, you have probably said that about something going on in government. Something has got to change. I would suspect, however, that when we’ve had this thought, often, we think this change should happen in someone else. Someone else needs to be fixed. Someone else needs to turn things around. After all, wouldn't the world just be better if everyone thought like I do and did things my way? But before we try to change everyone else, it might be helpful if we first look in the mirror and see if there are things about ourselves that need to be changed. That's really the message that God teaches us through the voice of John the Baptizer. If you had to summarize, John’s whole message, it would be this: repent. Repentance has two parts: 1) to acknowledge shortcomings, failures, and guilt, and then 2) to turn to Jesus and find forgiveness. You and I can’t change the hearts of other people. But God can and does change our hearts! Through the voice of John, God is calling for you and for me to look at our own lives and be honest about where we fall short, where we have done wrong, not just against others but against God. But in that call to repentance, God beckons us to lift our eyes to see the Savior who has forgiven us of our faults! That’s what Jesus has done for you! You don’t have to live in shame or fear for your faults. No, Jesus has paid for them with his sacrifice! Recognize your guilt but turn to Jesus and find that peace of forgiveness! Prayer: Dear God, I am broken and am truly sorry for my sin. Thank you for sending me my Savior who loves me and forgives me. Continue to help me daily repent and see the peace which Jesus brings. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

John the Baptist and the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A 2025 Gospel Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

1. Bethlehem: The Little Town with a Big Assignment Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are SMALL among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” (NIV) 2. The Manger: A Small Place for a Big Savior Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a MANGER, because there was no guest room available for them. (NIV) 3. The Clothes: A Little Garment for a Loving God Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in CLOTHES and placed him in a manager, because there was no guest room available for them. (NIV) 4. The Shepherds: Ordinary People with an Extraordinary Message Luke 2:8-10 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” (NIV) 5. The Little Star: The Tiny Light Led to a Tremendous Moment Matthew 2:1–2 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his STAR when it rose and have come to worship him.’” (NIV) 6. The Magi: A Minor Part with a Major Impact Matthew 2:9-10 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. (NIV) 7. The Gifts: The Giving That Saved Lives Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (NIV) 1. The Little Blessing of SALVATION Hebrews 2:1–3 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we IF WE IGNORE SO GREAT A SALVATION? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. (NIV) 2. The Little Blessing of LIFE Psalm 91:16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (NIV) Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. (NIV) 3.  The Little Blessing of HEALTH Psalm 103:2–3 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, (NIV) 4. The Little Blessing of RELATIONSHIPS Ephesians 1:16 I do not cease to give thanks for YOU, remembering you in my prayers, (ESV) 1 Corinthians 1:4 I give thanks to my God always for YOU because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus (ESV) Philippians 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of YOU (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for all of YOU, constantly mentioning you in our prayers (ESV) 5. The Little Blessing of PROVISION Psalm 34:10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. (NIV) Psalm 37:25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN or their children begging bread. (NIV) 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (NIV)

Luke 1:5–25 - [5] In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. [6] And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. [7] But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. [8] Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, [9] according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. [10] And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. [11] And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. [12] And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. [13] But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. [14] And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, [15] for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. [16] And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, [17] and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” [18] And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” [19] And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. [20] And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” [21] And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. [22] And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. [23] And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. [24] After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, [25] “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” (ESV)   THE EVENING MINDSET IS COMING! Beginning January 1 - 2026 - A new DAILY podcast will be available to help you wind down, reset your mind on God’s truth, and prepare for a night of rest and rejuvenation. “The Daily Mindset” will launch on the podcast player of your choice on January 1, 2026. Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode: https://EveningMindset.com

Read Online“I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11–12This passage comes just before Jesus is baptized and begins His public ministry. John the Baptist had been ministering in the desert of Judea, preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Many came to him to be baptized with a baptism of repentance. But when John saw many scribes and Pharisees coming to him, he said, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” The passage above is John's warning to them—and to us—about what will happen if we fail to repent.At that time, when wheat was harvested, it was left to dry. Then, a winnowing fan was used to blow the wheat and chaff into the air. The lighter chaff would blow away, while the grains of wheat would fall to the ground to be gathered, milled into flour, and used for baking. John uses this familiar image to depict what Jesus will do with the righteous and the wicked. The righteous are like the grains of wheat that will be gathered and brought to Heaven. The wicked are like the chaff that, once separated from the righteous, will burn in the unquenchable fire of hell.Though it is comforting to speak of the glories of Heaven and to anticipate being brought there by our Lord, it is necessary to also consider the reality of the unquenchable fires of hell. Pondering the reality of those unquenchable fires is something we should not neglect.In his spiritual classic, The Spiritual Exercises, Saint Ignatius of Loyola presents a format for a thirty-day directed silent retreat, considered by many to be the ideal retreat experience. During the first week of that retreat, the retreatant focuses primarily upon mortal sin and its consequences—the unquenchable fires of hell. Why would Saint Ignatius begin his retreat this way? Because he understood that the foundation of our growth in union with God is repentance, and repentance requires an honest and thorough examination of sin and its consequences.Reflect today on the unquenchable fires of hell, and allow yourself to foster a burning desire to flee from every sin that leads to that end. As we enter the second week of the penitential season of Advent, ponder this warning from Saint John the Baptist. Hear him speak those words directly to you. We must fear sin and avoid it, as much as we want to avoid the unquenchable fires of hell. Start with this foundational truth, so that having fostered deep repentance, you are ready to turn your heart and mind toward the glorious promise of Heaven. Jesus, our Just Judge, You hold the winnowing fan in Your sacred hand and separate the righteous from the sinner. Please grant me the grace to see my sin clearly, so that I may humbly acknowledge it and turn from it with all my might. May I build this foundation of repentance during Advent, so that Christmas becomes an even greater time of union with You. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.