Podcast appearances and mentions of king herod

“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT) If the Christmas story—the well-known narratives of Matthew 2 and Luke 2—is so familiar to you that you can practically recite it from memory, try considering it from a different perspective. Try thinking of it as the successful end to a long search. The arrival of the wise men in Jerusalem likely created quite a stir. These were strange men with a strange question, asking for the King of the Jews. As wise as they were, they were also a little naïve, politically speaking. They didn’t realize that they were triggering an extremely volatile man. In effect, they were saying to King Herod, “We’re looking for the King of the Jews—and clearly you’re not him.” This is why we’re told in Matthew 2:3, “King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem” (NLT). The word disturbed used here could be translated “to shake violently”—like a washing machine in the spin phase. That was Herod. And when Herod was agitated, everyone was agitated. When he was mad, everyone was afraid of what would happen next. So, Herod called in the leading priests and teachers of religious law, men who had committed themselves to studying Scripture. Without missing a beat, they went right to Micah 5:2: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah.Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (NLT). These scholars had steeped themselves in the writings of the prophets. They understood how to interpret the words of Micah. They knew that the Messiah, when He came, would be born in Bethlehem. But that information was academic to them. It hadn’t penetrated their hearts and souls to the point that they could recognize the signs of the Messiah’s arrival. So, they weren’t searching for the Savior. God, in His infinite and mysterious wisdom, used wise men from eastern lands to announce the arrival of Jesus the King of the Jews to Herod the king of the Jews and his Jewish experts. The wise men were pagans who were steeped in the occult. Yet God reached them in a way that they understood. He came to them by a star. The end of their search, as recorded in Matthew 2:9–12, has implications for everyone who seeks answers or meaning or purpose or assurance or direction or anything else. The Lord says that those who seek Him will find Him. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8 NLT). He doesn’t offer details because the discovery process is different for everyone. To educated men and women, He will come in a way they can understand. And to little children, He will appear in a way they can understand. I believe that if people are truly seeking God, He will reveal Himself to them. Reflection question: How can you help people find the Lord? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deep in the heart of Israel, God desires to be known by His chosen people.  Revealing Himself to Moses as Yahweh, the Great I Am, a name too holy to utter, the Israelites call Him Jehovah.  Throughout the Old Testament, Jehovah responds to the faith of His people and shows Himself strong on their behalf.  In remembrance of Jehovah's power and love, the people give Him additional names describing His ability and willingness to help in their lives.  Each name describes the nature of the One True God!  Each is Jehovah!  Together, they are the J-Team!To protect Baby Jesus by keeping his location a secret from King Herod, Jehovah Rohi, The Lord God Almighty Our Shepherd, leads the wise men to return home on a different route.#kids, #biblestoriesforkids, #storiesforkids,#bedtimestoriesforkids, #storiesforchristiankids, #biblelessonsforkids, #bestronginthelord, #namesofgod, #jehovahrohi, #thelordgodalmightyourshepherd, #protection, #guidance, #jesusourgoodshepherd, #fishbytesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #fishbites4kids, #ronandcarriewebb, #roncarriewebbImage by Freepik

J-Team 7: Jehovah Rohi 12/4/25 Deep in the heart of Israel, God desires to be known by His chosen people.  Revealing Himself to Moses as Yahweh, the Great I Am, a name too holy to utter, the Israelites call Him Jehovah.  Throughout the Old Testament, Jehovah responds to the faith of His people and shows Himself strong on their behalf.  In remembrance of Jehovah's power and love, the people give Him additional names describing His ability and willingness to help in their lives.  Each name describes the nature of the One True God!  Each is Jehovah!  Together, they are the J-Team! To protect Baby Jesus by keeping his location a secret from King Herod, Jehovah Rohi, The Lord God Almighty Our Shepherd, leads the wise men to return home on a different route. #kids, #biblestoriesforkids, #storiesforkids,#bedtimestoriesforkids, #storiesforchristiankids, #biblelessonsforkids, #bestronginthelord, #namesofgod, #jehovahrohi, #thelordgodalmightyourshepherd, #protection, #guidance, #jesusourgoodshepherd, #fishbytesforkids, #fishbytes4kids, #fishbites4kids, #ronandcarriewebb, #roncarriewebb

“But the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:10–12 NLT) As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we need to recognize that the season inspires different feelings in different people—and that not all those feelings are pleasant. That was certainly true of the very first Christmas. When the angel delivered his heavenly announcement to the shepherds, he started with the words, “Don’t be afraid!” But the shepherds, along with all of Israel, lived in frightening times. They were under the reign of King Herod, who was a murderous tyrant. Their land was under Roman occupation. There was a pervasive dread about the future. Would Rome ever leave? Would the people of Israel ever be free? Would the Messiah ever come? And when the good news finally came, that the long-awaited Messiah had arrived, it was delivered by an angel: first one, and then a vast host of others. The angel’s greeting of “Don’t be afraid!” was easier said than done, even though it was followed by “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10 NLT). Angels are awe-inspiring—and fear-inspiring—beings. Obviously, the shepherds had never seen anything like them. So, their first reaction was fear. But the angels wanted them to focus on their message and not their appearance. Christmas is cause for joy, not fear. Joy not just for a single day, but for a lifetime, for those who trust in the One who came to save us. The apostle Paul wrote, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NLT). Many people today find it difficult to have joy because we’re surrounded by such sadness. With all the conflict, tragedies, and problems in the world, how can we have good tidings of great joy? The answer is this: “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:11 NLT). No matter what happens in life, remember this: You have a Savior. As a Christian, you have been saved from death. You have been saved from eternal punishment and Hell. You have the hope that when you die, you’ll go straight to Heaven. That’s the most important thing about the Christian life. There is a Heaven waiting for you. The fear, sadness, and pain of this world are temporary. Three decades after His birth in the manger, Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NLT). Reflection question: How can you find joy when you’re surrounded by sadness, anger, and disillusionment? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus was born into a particular place and time. A full human existing with a full human experience. A commonly overlooked piece of his humanity is the empire he was surrounded by. Jesus was born into “the time of King Herod.” This is not just a statement of fact from Matthew. This short sentence paints an entire picture of the powers of his time and how they impacted not just Jesus, but his family, his community, and his worldview.

Welcome to the Christmas series! The magi arrive at the palace of King Herod, looking for the King of the Jews. Herod welcomes them with false-humility, smiling through his gritted teeth. Something isn't right. Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com. As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel. They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history. For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app.  To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Jesus was born in a town called Bethlehem, in Judea. King Herod ruled Judea at that time. After Jesus was born, some wise men came to Jerusalem from a country in the east. When they arrived there, they asked people, ‘Where is the baby who has been born as the king of the Jews? We […]

The Western Wall  Part 16:  Warren's Gate and The Ark of The Covenant  -  English and Spanish.  Warren's Gate, one of King Herod's original passages to the Temple Mount, lies inside the Western Wall Tunnels.  What makes this gate so fascinating?  Perhaps its connection to the Ark of The Covenant! You will not want to miss this thrilling episode!   Recorded November 3, 2025. This an updated version with translation of a podcast originally recorded May 29, 2023.  El Muro Occidental  Parte 16:  La Puerta de Warren y el Arca de la Alianza  -  Inglés y español.  La Puerta de Warren, uno de los pasajes originales del rey Herodes al Monte del Templo, se encuentra dentro de los túneles del Muro Occidental.  ¿Qué hace que esta puerta sea tan fascinante?  ¡Quizás su conexión con el Arca de la Alianza! ¡No te pierdas este emocionante episodio!   Grabado el 3 de noviembre de 2025. Esta es una versión actualizada con traducción de un podcast grabado originalmente el 29 de mayo de 2023.

Today's sermon, by Rev. David Norse, was offered on Sunday, November 30, 2025. The scripture passage this morning was Luke 1:5-21. To listen to the full Lord's Day service, search for "Swarthmore Presbyterian Church."

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8

Imagine missing Christmas, not because you lacked the opportunity or the resources, but simply because your heart was in the wrong place. That's exactly what happened to King Herod on that first Christmas. Join us as we explore his story and uncover some lessons that will help us to avoid making the same mistakes.

Imagine missing Christmas, not because you lacked the opportunity or the resources, but simply because your heart was in the wrong place. That's exactly what happened to King Herod on that first Christmas. Join us as we explore his story and uncover some lessons that will help us to avoid making the same mistakes.

The historical moment of the Advent story, “the days of King Herod,” was a violent and scary period of history. And yet, it is in that moment that God broke in to the world. In this first week of advent, we will read the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, when God broke in to their world in such a startling way that they had to face their fears. [Luke 1:5-13]

My hunch is that the whole Christmas thing began well before that starry night in Bethlehem. A long time before. Question is – how come God came up with it? IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE I have to tell you it Is hard to believe that we are on the home straight again – just turned that corner into December again – the end of another year. The shops are full of Christmas decorations. You know, it seems like just yesterday it was January and here we are, another one over – it's hard to believe. As I sat down this year to think about messages for December, you know, the whole Christmas, New Year thing, I just felt that this year, we need to take some time and start looking and talking about Christmas just a bit early. You know this whole rush, rush, rush thing that many of us go through and then in the middle of it all, in this clamber and noise and busyness, the end of the year, you hear ministers talking about the "real meaning of Christmas" – yea, right! I just want to get over the line; I just want to finish the year. Ever thought about this – the challenge for ministers and people like me is to talk about Christmas each year. In part there's a sense of, "Well, what do I say? I mean, it's Christmas – we all know the story; we all know the meaning." Do we, really? Rush, rush, rush, buy the turkey, the Christmas pantomime and then it's all over. And all the time you know, people are living lives that fall so short of, well, a full life; a satisfying life. Now sometimes people criticise me for saying things like that. "You religious people are always telling us that our lives fall short; you tell us something is missing; you tell us this and that". There's a tension between what I call the advertising industry view of the world, on the one hand and, you know, the glossy images of success we are all trying to live up to and the reality on the other. And it's not just me – there's a great song by Sting a few years ago called, "Message in a Bottle" – remember that one? This is how the lyrics start off: Just a castaway, an island lost at sea.Oh another lonely day and no one here but me. Oh more loneliness than any man could bear Rescue me before I fall into despair. I'll send you an SOS to the world I hope that someone gets my message in a bottle. And it finishes up like this: Walked out this morning, don't believe what I saw Hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore. Seems I'm not alone at being alone. Hundred billion castaways looking for a home. I'll send an SOS to the world I hope that someone gets my message in a bottle. It's a song that connected with a lot of people. It's a song that tells it just the way things are for so many people. It flips under that thin veneer of so called "success" – all those glossy, successful images the advertising industry used to get us to buy their stuff. And somehow, this song, "Message in a Bottle", speaks to the heart – it's real. So what are you saying, Berni, that we are all a bunch of losers? No, not that. Look around – there are so many people succeeding; doing amazing things: they're talented; their able; their committed – there's lots of good stuff happening in the world. Mixed up with lots of bad stuff too – it's always been that way. I guess though, I want to think for a moment about this whole "Message in a Bottle" thing. Is it true? Are there a whole bunch of lonely people out there? I was reading an article in the weekend newspaper the other day about the internet and blogging. The word 'blog' is short for 'weblog'. It's where people, mostly young, but plenty of not so young as well, get on line on the internet and they share their thoughts and their photos and their videos on this – it's like a personal billboard – for the whole world to see. How many people do you think there are on the internet, blogging – you know, people with their own personal blog sites? Over a hundred million! A hundred million – all sending out their 'message in a bottle' – all crying out to be noticed; all wanting to be significant. I asked my daughter – "what's it all about – I mean, you know, why do you do this blogging thing?" And she said it's all about how many friends you can have subscribing to your blog – whether it's on myspace.com or youtube or – it seems like this "message in a bottle" thing is happening in a way today, that Sting could never have imagined when he wrote that song a few years ago. Maybe you're not a blogger – I'm not – but you know what I'm talking about. There's this search for significance; looking for that place where, finally "I've found myself. I've discovered who I am. There's a deep sense of satisfaction about life and me and how I fit in." Well, often it's not so much about our circumstances but just about finding who we are and connecting and knowing why we are here and what our future is and where we're going. People are sending out their message in a bottle in the most amazing way. Sometimes it's through crime – it's about attention; about wanting to be noticed and needed. Yet the vast majority, I believe, live out life without ever really discovering who they are and why they're here and where they are going. Here we are at the beginning of December, hurtling towards Christmas. I know what you are thinking! 'Isn't it a bit too early for you to be talking about Christmas, Berni? Well not really – the shops have had their Christmas decorations up for weeks now. We are taking an early look at Christmas over these next few weeks because Christmas started well before Christmas; well before that starry night in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. The first Christmas started a long time before that. We know that Christmas probably wasn't in December because the shepherds were unlikely to be tending their flocks out by night in the middle of winter. And I guess, we all kind of know the Christmas story, the whole baby Jesus, born in a manger thing – Mary and Joseph and the donkey and the shepherds and the wise men from the East – all that stuff. But my hunch is the whole Christmas thing started well before that night in Bethlehem.   A RADICAL CONCEPT I was saying before that the whole Christmas thing started well before that night in Bethlehem. In fact, we know that it did. If you look through the Old Testament – if you've got a Bible, grab it because we are going to go there in a minute – the old Hebrew Scriptures, thirty nine books, written by different people over many centuries before Jesus was born. And the Old Testament contains a whole bunch of predictions or prophesies about Jesus – some are very, very specific, like: He would be born in Bethlehem, born of a virgin, of the tribe of Judah, the house of David – well over a hundred and that's a conservative estimate. It predicted how He would die; it predicted there would be soldiers gambling away His clothes; all sorts of things, things that Jesus would have found pretty hard to arrange for Himself, unless of course, He was who He says He was. Kind of a weird thing – what was God up to? Why are these predictions throughout the Old Testament about Jesus the Son of God? In fact, can I ask even a more direct question than that? Why Jesus at all? I mean why send Jesus His only Son to become a man and ultimately to die for you and me? Why not just forgive us and be done with it. I mean, I'm sorry to sound cynical, but why the theatrics? This is how I used to think. Not bad questions really. One of these places in the Old Testament that points forward to Jesus and shows us the shepherd heart of God happens in the Book of Ezekiel, chapter 34. If you've got a Bible, open it up; let's go to Ezekiel, chapter 34 and verse 11 – this is what it says: I myself will search for My sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so I will look after My sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. And again in verse 16: I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd My flock with justice. There's this sense of the heart of a shepherd and you see it right through the Old Testament, over and over again, God talking about His shepherd heart; His heart to be in our midst. What if God saw all our bottles lying on that beach, like we heard in that song; the lyrics from "Message in a Bottle"? What if He heard the cry of our hearts? What if God always knew that the only way to still our hearts and satisfy our souls was for us to know Him? What if, well, what if Jesus is God's "Message in a Bottle" to us; to you and me? For me the constant theme of the Bible, from beginning to end, is God's heart to be in our midst. You see it over and over and over again. Remember the Exodus, when God heard the cry of His people who were oppressed in Egypt as slaves and He sends Moses to Pharaoh to tell Pharaoh, "Let My people go." And so eventually they flee and God protects them and they pass through the Red Sea and then they spend forty years in the wilderness. Let me ask you, where's God in all of this? Where's God in the wilderness? Come with me to Exodus, chapter 40 – the last chapter in the Book of Exodus – we'll have a look at verses 1 to 5. It says this: Then the Lord said to Moses, "Set up the Tabernacle or the Tent of the Meeting Place on the first day of the first month. Place the Ark of the Covenant in it and shield the Ark with a curtain. Bring in the table and set out what belongs on it, then bring in the lamp stand and set up its lamps. Place the gold alter of incense in front of the Ark of the Testimony and put the curtain at the entrance to the Tabernacle or the Tent. (The word "tabernacle" means "tent".) And again later in that chapter, beginning at verse 34, it says this: Then, when Moses had done all of these things, a cloud covered the Tent of the Meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tabernacle, they would set out but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out until the day that it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the Tabernacle by day and fire was in the cloud by night in the sight of all the House of Israel during all their travels. See, all the other gods that the different nations worshipped were up on hills – they lived in temples. That's why the Old Testament talks about and condemns the high places because people had to go to those tin-pot little gods and idols up on the temples on hills and worshipped them – the people went to the gods. But the real God; the God of Israel – God wanted to be in the midst of His people. This notion was so radically different. I mean, we weren't there and so it's harder for us to appreciate how radically different God's approach is. And He was the only God who was like this. When they camped, the Tabernacle – the Tent of the Meeting; the Tent where God's presence resided – was right in the middle of them. There were twelve tribes of Israel – they would camp three to the north, three to the south, three to the east and three to the west. God was smack, bang in the middle. And you notice what it says here: In all the travels … (Exodus, chapter 40, verse 36) Notice how God uses "all": In 'all' the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tabernacle, they would set out but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the Tabernacle by day, fire was in the cloud by night in the sight of 'all' the House of Israel during 'all' their travels. That's why again, over and over in the Scripture, you read these words and you can read them with me here in Leviticus, chapter 26, verses 11 and 12. God says: I will put My dwelling place among you and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God and you will be My people. Please understand with me, how radical this is – how totally contrary it is to people's expectation about a god – how different the true God is from all the other gods that all the nations worship. Their concept was by and large of appeasing the gods so they wouldn't be punished. Here the God of Israel says, "I'm a God of relationship. I want to be with My people, on their journey, in their midst, all the time, where all the people can see Me." And then the whole of the rest of the story of the Old Testament is about Israel's struggle with God. That word "Israel" literally means "he struggles with God". Over and over again God sent His prophets to call the people back to Him and over and over again Israel rejects God and suffers the consequences. And for me the whole of the Old Testament is kind of screaming out, "IT AIN'T WORKING!" We can't hold up our end of this bargain – we need a different approach – and so it was.   IN THE FLESH Christmas is such a wondrous time and it's true for so many of us, it's easy to miss in the hurly burly of life. I wonder as you chew over the Scriptures we've looked at today how radical is it to you, this shepherd heart of God; this heart that God has to be in our midst? It's one thing to read about it, as God expressed it back then, but here and now? I don't know about you, but I find it easy to forget – to forget that God is on this journey with me. Let's look at Ezekiel's words again. Ezekiel, chapter 34, verse 14: I will tend them in a good pasture and on the mountain heights of Israel will be your grazing ground. There they will lie down in good grazing land and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I, Myself will tend My sheep and have them lie down', declares the sovereign Lord. What's this "lying down" business? Have you ever asked that question? Well, it's shepherd language. See a shepherd knows that sheep will only lie down when they feel safe and when they feel at peace. And often you see it, the shepherd walks in their midst and they start to lie down because they feel safe – they don't feel like they've got to run away from danger. And for God in this language here in Ezekiel, He's saying, "By putting Myself in the midst of the people, I want to bring them peace and rest and joy in a good pasture, in good grazing land where they can feed on rich pasture." So we see God with this amazing heart to be smack, bang in the middle of our lives. And the logical extension of that, as He talks about it in the Old Testament, is He becomes one of us – flesh and blood; human. It's exactly what John writes – he called Jesus "The Word", the expression of who God is; God talking to us and telling us who He is, through Jesus. And the beginning of John's Gospel starts this way: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning and through Him all things were made. Without Him nothing was made that has been made. But look just a bit further down in that same chapter – John, chapter 1, verse 14: Then the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory; the glory of the One and only who came from the Father full of grace and truth. See the next logical step is that God becomes man. And the word that John uses for "made His dwelling among us", means "tabernacle or tent". "The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us," is what John writes here. He pitched His tent right in our midst. What does that remind you of? The Exodus story, we looked at just before on the programme – God on our journey with us. It's come back to the radicalness of this thing that God did. The Son of God becomes the Son of Man. We'll look at that and what it says to us a bit more next week. But talk is cheap, right? Anyone can talk – God can talk but actions speak louder than words – that's what Christmas is about. Christmas is about the shepherd heart of God in action – it's a radical step. God slips quietly into this world in a stable – humble but not unnoticed. At Christmas God slips quietly into our lives and on our journey. How different would our lives look if we truly came to grips with the fact that God is on this journey with us? Maybe I'm thick, but whenever troubles or opposition or tension or temptation comes in my life, I find it very, very easy to forget that, through Jesus God is on this journey with me. Like all the other nations around Israel who had gods out there; gods that they had to go to; gods that they had to shout a distance to; gods that they had to appease, you and I when life gets hard, can be like them. You know what; the only thing that stops me from living my life under the yolk of that terrible misconception is that I spend a lot of time in God's Word. My Rock and my anchor – God is speaking to me every day, through His Word, saying to me, "I am on this journey with you. When I sent My Son to become a man, one of the prime things I was saying to you is that I have come to tabernacle in your midst – I have come to be in this place with you – I have come to walk the roads that you walk, to feel the pain that you feel, to deal with the temptations and the trials that you have to deal with." Jesus is God in our midst. That's why in Isaiah it says: Thou shall call Him Emmanuel – God is with us. And as Jesus walks with us and we walk with Him and we build that relationship, His heart is for us to lie down in good pasture, to have peace. My peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. "I know how you feel, not just because I'm God but because I've walked the road ahead of you. I've dealt with all the things you have to deal with." I don't know about you, I wasn't born in a stable, but my Saviour was. I didn't have to flee King Herod as he tried to kill me, but my Saviour did. Come on! How different would our lives be if we lived them in the certain knowledge that this radical God took this radical step at Christmas? He stepped out of the comfort of heaven onto the dusty roads of Israel, to walk them ahead of me, to be my God, to be with me on my journey, to be with us in our midst.

Pastor Darren begins the Advent series "Not Just the Shepherds, Others in the Christmas Story" by looking at some of the other significant people in the Christmas story and their role in it, in this message he speaks of King Herod.

A look into the history and behavior of the King Herod that was in power when Jesus was born.    Illustration:  Mariamne Leaving the Judgment Seat of Herod - John William Waterhouse, wikimedia commons, Public Domain 

“We love because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19Those six simple words form the foundation of all Christian generosity. Every act of love, every gift we offer, every step of obedience begins with what God has already given to us. We don't start by giving—we start by receiving.In this spirit, Sharon Epps, President of Kingdom Advisors, joined us for a meaningful conversation on the often-overlooked generosity of the women who financially supported Jesus. Their story, found in Luke 8, gives us a powerful picture of what grateful, gospel-shaped giving looks like.Women Who Supported JesusLuke 8 opens with a glimpse into Jesus' ministry on the move:“Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the Good News of the Kingdom of God… and also some women… Mary called Magdalene… Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”  — Luke 8:1–3These women formed part of Jesus' traveling ministry team, and Scripture highlights an astonishing truth: they provided for Jesus and His disciples out of their own resources.Among them was Joanna, a woman of high social standing and significant wealth. As the wife of King Herod's household manager, she lived with privilege—but Scripture also tells us she was once spiritually and physically broken. Jesus healed her, and her generosity flowed from that transformation.Receiving Always Comes Before GivingBefore Joanna gave to Jesus, she received from Jesus.Sharon points out that Luke intentionally includes this detail: these women had been healed—spiritually, emotionally, or physically—before they supported Jesus' ministry. It reminds us that money alone can't solve the deepest problems of the heart. We all begin our stewardship journey by receiving.At the most basic level, every good thing in our lives is a gift from God:The breath in our lungsThe abilities we developThe resources we holdThe love we experienceAs Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “What do you have that you did not receive?” The answer is nothing.Giving, then, is designed to be a response—a natural overflow of gratitude.Joanna's Love for JesusJoanna's story doesn't end in Luke 8. We meet her again in Luke 24 at the empty tomb, heartbroken and confused, until the angels remind her of Jesus' words. Joanna becomes one of the first witnesses of the resurrection, running with Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, to tell the apostles.Her pattern is clear: She received from Jesus. She loved Jesus. And she gave to honor Jesus. Her generosity was not transactional—it was relational. It was the fruit of a transformed life.Generosity as a JourneySharon suggests that generosity is never a one-time event—it's a journey. As our relationship with Christ deepens, our giving naturally grows. Joanna shows us what sacrificial generosity looks like when it springs from grateful love.To make this practical, Sharon shared three questions she's been asking herself—questions all of us can ask:1. What do I need to recognize as a gift from Christ before I can give generously?Do I see what's in my hands as mine—or as His?2. Is my giving safe or sacrificial?Does my generosity reflect comfort… or love?3. What does my current giving say about how well I've received?Giving reveals the condition of the heart.These questions invite us into deeper intimacy with Jesus, because generous living always begins with grateful receiving.Becoming Conduits of Christ's LoveJoanna's life encourages us to see generosity not as a duty but as a joyful response to God's grace. As Sharon put it, her prayer—and ours—is to “receive so well that we become conduits of Christ's love through generosity.”May we, like these remarkable women, offer our resources, time, and lives with open hands—recognizing that every gift we give begins with the gift we've already received in Christ.On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:I'm considering taking 72(t) withdrawals from my 401(k) in a couple of years as I retire and begin consulting. Should I plan on withdrawing around 5% annually, and if so, should I keep the money invested in stocks to aim for the usual 9–11% returns?My husband and I need about $8,000 and are debating whether to pull it from my 403(b), use benefits from his part-time retirement job, or tap a small annuity worth $3,000–$4,000. We want to pay off some credit cards and finish a car loan with three months left. What's the best source to use?We inherited enough money to either pay off our mortgage or cover about three-quarters of our daughter's student loan. The amounts are similar, and our mortgage is mostly principal now. I'm 61. Which payoff makes the most sense?I started my Social Security retirement benefits at age 70 this June. My younger husband reaches full retirement age next July. Can he take a spousal benefit equal to half of mine until he reaches FRA and then switch to his own higher benefit?I'm getting remarried, but my fiancée would lose nearly $1,500 in Social Security benefits she currently receives. Is there any way to avoid losing that benefit once we marry?Resources Mentioned:Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on MoneyLook At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and AnxietyRich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich FoolFind a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, we feature a talk by Rico Tice given at a carol service in 2022. It's a fantastic talk in considering how the Christmas story is a challenge for every listener to respond rightly to Jesus. Questions answered in this episode: - What does the story of King Herod mean? - Why should I care about Christmas? - Does it matter if I believe in the Christmas story? The Bible Matters Podcast is funded entirely by the generous donations of its listeners. If you would like to become a financial partner with us on this journey, you can give to the project on this link: https://sthelensbishopsgatechurch.churchsuite.com/donate/fund/saainnwx The music for today's episode was written and produced by Leo Elbourne and Josh Stidwill. To contact us, email office@biblematters.org #preaching #Meaningofchristmas #carolservice

Don't Fight God! | His Word, His Plan, His People Through the story of Peter's escape from prison and Herod's collapse, we're reminded that fighting God always ends in loss—but trusting Him leads to freedom. If you've been feeling stuck, anxious, or unsure, lean into this message and let God lead. Key Insights: * Fighting God only leads to loss—even if it feels like you're winning in the moment. * God's power can release you from any physical, emotional, or spiritual bondage. * Earnest, persistent prayer activates God's movement in ways we often underestimate. * There is peace available in the storm when you truly trust God to lead. * You can't glorify yourself and expect God to bless it—His glory is non-negotiable. Key Scripture: Acts 12:1 (https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ACT.12.ESV) Speaker: Matt Petty Series: His Word, His Plan, His People Location: Burnt Hickory Baptist Church (https://maps.app.goo.gl/hazkR3omjk9xvxZc7) Connect with us: ° Watch this sermon on YouTube (https://youtu.be/YiSa_ZUxadM) ° Follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/bhbchome) ° Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/burnthickorybaptist/) ° Visit our website (https://www.burnthickory.com/)

In this Bible Story, we witness the tragic yet noble death of James. He would be the first apostle to become a martyr, and he would not be the last. As persecution of the church increases, so does the risk of imprisonment. Yet death is no match for Jesus, nor is it a threat to those who believe in him. This story is inspired by Acts 12. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 12:7 from the King James Version.Episode 227: As men and women ran from burning buildings to escape death, they were captured by King Herod and imprisoned. These Christians were the only thing standing between him and power. James, one of the Lord’s twelve disciples, remained in the city preaching about the restoration that Jesus brings. While he was preaching, Herod sent guards to kill him where he stood. A public death sent a message from Herod that he is King, not Jesus. But this persecution could not stop Jesus or His followers. Even when Peter was captured and imprisoned, God made a way for him to escape death.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Thank you for supporting this ministry, I lovingly refer to as "The Little Green Pasture." Click here: PayPal: http://paypal.me/JoanStahl **Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/joaniestahl **Contact Email: jsfieldnotes@gmail.com **Subscribe to me on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-534183​Have you ever hit rock bottom? Felt the crushing weight of fear or the temptation to hide and give up? ​In this powerful message, we dive into Luke 13:31-33, where Jesus is warned that the "fox-king" Herod wants to kill him. Instead of running, Jesus delivers a stunning, confident reply that reveals the true heart of our mission.​The devil tries to use threats, fear, and intimidation to get us to hide and kill off our joy, courage, and faith. But we are called to the Spirit of Life! Discover how to stand firm, complete your mission, and run the race with full confidence, even when the enemy tries to tell you to quit. Jesus Himself will see to it that you will finish your race with great joy, and powerful victory, you can rely on it. You can rely on Him."Satan is not particular what lie he tells you; one will work as powerfully as another if he can get you to believe it." - William Gurnall​ Hitting rock bottom Luke 13:31-33 Jesus and Herod The Spirit of Life vs Spirit of Fear Overcome fear and adversity Christian motivation spiritual confidence fulfilling your mission devil's threats joy courage faith keep the race

Saturday, 8 November 2025   And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. Matthew 14:5   “And desiring to kill him, he feared the multitude for they held him as a prophet” (CG).   In the previous verse, it was noted that John had told King Herod that having his brother Philip's wife was unlawful. Therefore, Matthew continues with words concerning Herod's attitude toward John, saying, “And desiring to kill him.”   In Mark, it notes that Herodias wanted to kill him, but she couldn't because Herod feared John “knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him” (Mark 6:20). No contradiction should be considered between the two.   It should be obvious to anyone who has been accused by another that Herod was certainly miffed at John when he was confronted with his wrongdoing and scolded for it. Being king, he probably thought, “I'll just have this guy killed... problem solved!”   However, after thinking about it, he would have then reconsidered, something Herodias was unwilling to do. As for Herod, the account next says, “he feared the multitude for they held him as a prophet.”   These words align with the thought given in Mark and match the suggested state of Herod just noted. Herod was confronted with his sin. He didn't like it, and Herod wanted him killed. However, after thinking it through and realizing this would not be a popular course of action, he renounced that thought.   The prophets were often hated by everyone. They called out sin in the people, and depending on the overall attitude of the populace, they could go from being popular with the commoners to being hated by them as well. In John's case, he not only called out for people to turn to the Lord, but he also proclaimed the immediate coming of the Messiah.   This would have been very popular with the commoners who had to suffer under the rule of the dirty priests, the oppressive kings, and the even more oppressive hand of Rome, to whom even these lesser positions were responsible. Add in the arrogant and controlling attitude of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes, and they would have been elated at the thought of a new rule under the Messiah.   On the other hand, these people in positions of power and authority would openly claim they were happy about the coming of the Messiah, but only so far as He would continue to allow them to retain their exalted positions.   Regardless of what the leaders thought, the people were happy with John as a prophet and could have thrown the nation into turmoil if Herod executed him, especially when it was Herod who was violating the law and which brought about John's words of rebuke.   Life application: It should come as no surprise when a Bible preacher is not liked by people in general. His job is to preach the whole counsel of God. In doing so, the general population will not like his message because it highlights sin in humanity.   This is not something people want exposed in their lives, even if nobody else is aware of it. Scripture exposes each individual's sinful state in relation to God. People would rather hate the messenger than acknowledge their sin.   People in the church will also get miffed at preachers. If someone believes people can lose their salvation, but the preacher rightly explains why this is incorrect, the preacher will be mocked and spoken against by those who disagree with him.   The safest way to avoid such things is not to address them at all. Hence, some preachers have churches that fill stadiums because they give easy messages that the masses won't feel intimidated by. Those who may have personal views on particular doctrines are never challenged on them.   For the preacher, it is a safe and often effective walk on a path of mediocrity that keeps money coming in, people content in their weekly church experience, and nobody is seemingly harmed by it.   But this is incorrect. People must be made aware of what the Bible expects and approves of and disapproves of. If not, they will not be properly prepared for the true challenges of a close walk with the Lord in a fallen world of choices that must be made to stay in line with what He expects from His people.   Consider what it is that you want when you select a church. If you are wise, you will desire to attend where the Bible is fully explained, even from those sections that can cause division and animosity. After all, they too are a part of God's word.   Lord God, be with us as we pursue a right understanding of Your word. Open the eyes of our pastors and teachers to rightly understand and properly teach Your word so that we will know what is correct. Amen.

Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible for Kids! In today's episode, host Hunter guides us through an extraordinary story from the Book of Acts. We hear about King Herod's persecution of the early church, the dramatic arrest of Peter, and the miraculous intervention of an angel who sets Peter free from prison. As believers gather to pray, God shows His power to rescue and help in times of trouble. Along the way, Hunter reminds us of the importance of prayer, the strength we get from God's presence, and the unshakable truth that we are deeply loved. Gather around for this inspiring adventure through scripture, and get ready to be encouraged in your own walk with God! TODAY'S DEVOTION: God hears the prayers of His people, and He is powerful to rescue. What an incredible story we hear today in the book of Acts! Peter was in a tough spot—arrested, imprisoned, and kept under heavy guard. It looked hopeless, but the church didn't give up. Instead, they prayed—earnestly, together. And God answered their prayers in a stunning way, sending an angel to set Peter free. Chains fell off, gates opened by themselves, and Peter walked right out of the prison, not even sure if it was real at first! Sometimes in life, we or our friends might face problems or things that seem impossible, just like Peter did. But God invites us to come to Him in prayer. He is strong, He is willing to help, and He is always with us. Sometimes the answer will surprise us, just like it did for Peter and the praying church. Sometimes God gives us strength to endure, or He sends help in ways we can't imagine. Psalm 46:1 says, God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. You're never alone—even when things seem dark or impossible. God's love and power can reach right into your situation. He can set you free, give you peace, and surround you with His care. So when you are in trouble, or when someone you know is facing something hard, turn to God. Ask for His help. Invite others to pray with you, too. Remember, our God is powerful and He loves you deeply. You are never out of His reach. That's a prayer I have for my own heart, for my family, and for you today: that we would remember to pray, to trust, and to lean on the God who rescues and provides. May it be so. DRB Kids  is a part of the one year Bible family of podcasts from the Daily Radio Bible. DRB Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast for kids. Children and families around the world gather to listen to amazing stories from the Bible. These short 5 minute podcasts will encourage your family, inspire your children, and help root your Child's life in the story of God's love for the world.    Find out more at www.drbkids.com   DONATE TO THE PODCAST to help kids around the world recieve these podcasts free everyday.  Thanks! Listen to the Bible in a Year  HERE on Spotify HERE on itunes Podcast Listen to our Daily Proverb Podcast HERE on Spotify HERE on itunes Podcasts Leave us a voicemail here: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible email Hunter for more information: hunter@dailyradiobible.com      

Welcome to the Christmas series! The magi arrive at the palace of King Herod, looking for the King of the Jews. Herod welcomes them with false-humility, smiling through his gritted teeth. Something isn't right. Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com. As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel. They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history. For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app.  To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian imagery and biblical references abound in this violent early 1990s crime thriller, tonally similar to THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS is a lesser-known entry in the 1990s serial killer canon. Instead of a theatrical run, it premiered on HBO in 1993, which may have contributed to its obscurity. That's unfortunate, because the movie takes creative risks and deserves to be reevaluated as a cult classic. The film stars Scott Glenn as FBI Special Agent Stephen Broderick, a family man whose crime scene experience makes him a natural choice to investigate the Provo Canyon Massacre, a brutal child murder committed by someone calling himself “God.” A man awaits execution for the crime, but Broderick believes the real killer is still at large. His son Jesse, played by Jesse Cameron-Glickenhaus (the real-life son of director James Glickenhaus), is a precocious 10-year-old computer whiz whose tech skills help his dad link the massacre to a recent abduction in the same Utah area. Jesse's inclusion is one of the film's funniest choices—it's bizarre to see a cheerful 10-year-old browsing crime scene photos and discussing grisly details of child violence. For us at Boys' Bible Study, SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS stands out for its Christian imagery. The “God” killer, Mordecai Booth (Zitto Kazann), is consumed by a biblical obsession so intense he even steals two giraffes from a zoo to honor Noah's Ark. The title itself comes from the biblical story of King Herod slaughtering infants to prevent Jesus's rise. The final scene is so strange and powerful that we won't spoil it, but it perfectly captures what we love to see as a Christian film review podcast. Though this is a secular movie, it features two actors familiar from faith-based cinema: Kevin Sorbo as FBI agent John Willison and Michael D. Weatherred (of THE BUTTERCREAM GANG) in a small role. We love when secular films engage with biblical imagery, even when it borders on blasphemy. The aura Christian symbolism lends to a story—its power to evoke awe, fear, and moral imagination—shows religion's lasting influence on culture's darkest corners. View our full episode list and subscribe to any of our public feeds: http://boysbiblestudy.com Unlock 2+ bonus episodes per month: http://patreon.com/boysbiblestudy Subscribe to our Twitch for livestreams: http://twitch.tv/boysbiblestudy Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/boysbiblestudy Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/boysbiblestudy

Nominated for three Emmys Thaao Penghlis just completed his 41 st year on Days of our Lives and “Beyond Salem,” a five episode mini -series for the NBC's Peacock channel. Thaao starred in the films Slow Dancing in the Big City, Altered States, The Bell Jar and The Mirror. Penghlis then won the role of the charismatic Tony DiMera on Days of our Lives. Penghlis played Nicholas Black on the prime time series revival of Mission: Impossible. On television, he has starred in the miniseries Sadat, appeared opposite Omar Sharif and Jane Seymour in the miniseries adaptation of Sydney Sheldon's Memories of Midnight, and played a terrorist in the critically acclaimed television film Under Siege. His most unusual role was playing the lover of Dame Edna as Colonel Godowni in the cult classic Les Patterson Saves the World. A world- class traveler, Penghlis had his first book “PLACES” published in 2015 garnering great reviews. It deals with his journeys to the Middle East and the dangers he encountered in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. His second book “Seducing Celebrities One Meal at a Time” was released in November 2016' Thaao's lifelong fascination with Archaeology, researched the famous archeologist Heinrich Schliemann who is the subject of his screenplay and podcast. The ultimate adventurer, Penghlis has trekked across the Sinai desert, climbed Mt. Sinai, soared in a hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, and survived both crashes and an attempted kidnapping. His Podcast “The Lost Treasures” was released September 2023. It is based on Heinrich Schliemann's discovery of Troy and ‘Mycenaean,' Greece. Thaao's newest podcast is "The Great Escape" and it explores the Holy Family's escape into Egypt, detailing their journey, the historical context of King Herod and the Magi, and the origins of the Coptic religion.    Want to watch: YouTube Meisterkhan Pod (Please Subscribe)

When we face uncertainty, when life gets hard, when things happen that we can’t explain, we’ll often ask: Where is God? But every Christian should realize they are never alone. Jesus is with you. Pastor Greg Laurie shares more in this message. Notes: Focus verse - Genesis 22 Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil; For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Sometimes our feelings need to catch up with our faith. #1 Joseph was in a prison cell. He probably felt all alone and abandoned. He was there, not because he broke a law, but because he kept one—God’s law. God was in the prison cell with Joseph. Genesis 50:20 (NKJV)"You meant it for evil; but God meant it for good—to save many people alive.” #2 Let’s go from a prison to a palace and think of Esther. Queen Vashti, to her credit, refused. She would not be humiliated or objectified, not even by the king. Vashti is a role model for young girls and women today.Don’t ever let some guy reduce you to a mere object. You are a woman made in the image God. If you present yourself cheaply, don’t expect to be valued royally. A man needs to value you for who you are on the inside, not only the outside. The most attractive thing is to be a godly and principled woman. Through the providence of God, Esther became the queen of Persia. God is always at work in the life of the believer, every hour of every day. God is now here! Providence comes from the Latin prōvidentia; “pro” meaning "before" or "ahead of time” and “videntia” meaning “to see.” God is in control. #3 The story of Israel at the Red Sea.They were between a rock and a hard place. Exodus 14:13–14 (NLT) Exodus 14:13–14 (NLT) Colossians 1:16–17 Exodus 14:19 A Christophany is an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament. John 8:56–58 (NKJV)"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." John 8:56–58 (NKJV)Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" John 8:56–58 (NKJV)Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM!" Luke 24:27 The disciples on the Emmaus Road were literally listening to God incarnate describe His Old Testament appearances. Jesus didn’t begin in Bethlehem; He has always been. The story of redemption started a long time ago in a garden. The Christmas story begins with a tree: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam and Eve sinned and lost that sweet fellowship with God. Genesis 3:8 (NLT)“When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden.” We can never escape the presence of God. When you walk with God, it is a source of comfort. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” James 1:14–15 (NLT)“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow,it gives birth to death.” The Bible says, “Christ was slain from the foundation of the world.” Genesis 3:15 Pharaoh tried to exterminate the Jews starting with the Hebrew baby boys. Wicked Haman tried to have the Jews wiped off the face of the earth. King Herod hearing that one was born, “King of the Jews,”tried to kill Jesus, but that too failed. Nothing would stop Messiah from coming.Nothing will stop Christ from coming again either. #4 The story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah. Read Genesis 22 The two of them went together.Genesis 22:8 That is exactly what happened when Jesus went to the cross for us. This gives a glimpse of Calvary from the Father’s perspective, sacrificing His Son, His only Son. Genesis 22:11 Christ died in our place and absorbed the wrath of God. --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we face uncertainty, when life gets hard, when things happen that we can’t explain, we’ll often ask: Where is God? But every Christian should realize they are never alone. Jesus is with you. Pastor Greg Laurie shares more in this message. Notes: Focus verse - Genesis 22 Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil; For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Sometimes our feelings need to catch up with our faith. #1 Joseph was in a prison cell. He probably felt all alone and abandoned. He was there, not because he broke a law, but because he kept one—God’s law. God was in the prison cell with Joseph. Genesis 50:20 (NKJV)"You meant it for evil; but God meant it for good—to save many people alive.” #2 Let’s go from a prison to a palace and think of Esther. Queen Vashti, to her credit, refused. She would not be humiliated or objectified, not even by the king. Vashti is a role model for young girls and women today.Don’t ever let some guy reduce you to a mere object. You are a woman made in the image God. If you present yourself cheaply, don’t expect to be valued royally. A man needs to value you for who you are on the inside, not only the outside. The most attractive thing is to be a godly and principled woman. Through the providence of God, Esther became the queen of Persia. God is always at work in the life of the believer, every hour of every day. God is now here! Providence comes from the Latin prōvidentia; “pro” meaning "before" or "ahead of time” and “videntia” meaning “to see.” God is in control. #3 The story of Israel at the Red Sea.They were between a rock and a hard place. Exodus 14:13–14 (NLT) Exodus 14:13–14 (NLT) Colossians 1:16–17 Exodus 14:19 A Christophany is an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament. John 8:56–58 (NKJV)"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." John 8:56–58 (NKJV)Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" John 8:56–58 (NKJV)Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM!" Luke 24:27 The disciples on the Emmaus Road were literally listening to God incarnate describe His Old Testament appearances. Jesus didn’t begin in Bethlehem; He has always been. The story of redemption started a long time ago in a garden. The Christmas story begins with a tree: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Adam and Eve sinned and lost that sweet fellowship with God. Genesis 3:8 (NLT)“When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden.” We can never escape the presence of God. When you walk with God, it is a source of comfort. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” James 1:14–15 (NLT)“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow,it gives birth to death.” The Bible says, “Christ was slain from the foundation of the world.” Genesis 3:15 Pharaoh tried to exterminate the Jews starting with the Hebrew baby boys. Wicked Haman tried to have the Jews wiped off the face of the earth. King Herod hearing that one was born, “King of the Jews,”tried to kill Jesus, but that too failed. Nothing would stop Messiah from coming.Nothing will stop Christ from coming again either. #4 The story of Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah. Read Genesis 22 The two of them went together.Genesis 22:8 That is exactly what happened when Jesus went to the cross for us. This gives a glimpse of Calvary from the Father’s perspective, sacrificing His Son, His only Son. Genesis 22:11 Christ died in our place and absorbed the wrath of God. --- Learn more about Greg Laurie and Harvest Ministries at harvest.org. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners. Support the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two things are simultaneously true about every human being: we all long for something greater than ourselves to worship and serve, yet we fiercely resist any authority that threatens our control. This tension is represented in the magi and King Herod in Matthew 2. In this sermon, we explore the remarkable truth that Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel's hopes (and ours). In Jesus, the nations are gathered in, evil is defeated, and a new Exodus has begun.Series Description: Jesus is the hero of all of Scripture, the center of the biblical story, and the most important figure in history. The Gospel of Matthew gives us a firsthand look at the life and teachings of Jesus. It stands as a “bridge” between the Old and New Testaments, grounding us in the rich story of Israel while revealing the in-breaking reality of the kingdom of heaven. Through this preaching series, we seek to help people encounter the gospel of the kingdom and embody it as flourishing disciples who live under the gracious rule of God.

In this episode, we move on into Luke 9:1-9 where we read of Jesus sending the 12 apostles out on ministry, and King Herod's desire to see Jesus and understand who He is. Together, we reflect on the missional blueprint that Jesus laid out—both for His apostles then and for us today. As we live on mission, we not only proclaim the Lordship of Christ but also embody it in our daily lives. In doing so, the attractive nature of the Kingdom is revealed, drawing the world irresistibly toward Him.

Heart of a Man is a men's community based our Carmel, IN. We exist to deeply connect men with a brotherhood equally committed to learning, growing, walking through life together and deepening in faith. Our mission is to build men into character-driven, committed disciples of Jesus, equipped to forge healthy, life-giving relationships at home, at work, and in their communities. Today's lesson is from Bill Moore, CEO and Co-Founder of Heart of a Man. Bill walks us through Matthew Chapter 2, where we see the responses from the Magi, King Herod, and Joseph. Through their responses, Bill challenges us to consider how we approach Jesus, and how we will respond when He calls us. Please visit us at www.heartofaman.org to learn more, to contact us, to purchase merchandise, donate to our ministry (we are a 501c3 and all donations are tax-deductible) or to join us in-person for one of our many Bible studies and classes!

In this Bible Story, we see Jesus through the eyes of Peter. His mighty works of healing and acts of compassion bring Peter to his knees. He truly sees that Jesus is a man worth following, and he would soon come to the understanding that Jesus is God himself. This story is inspired by Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:22-38, Luke 4:31-44, Luke 5:1-11. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Luke 5:10 from the King James Version.Episode 181: After a long night of no catches, Peter and his brother Andrew were getting ready to go ashore. Just as they were getting ready to turn in, Jesus came to them asking to use their boat as a platform to teach from. After He was done, Jesus told Peter and Andrew that if they went back out into deeper waters they would catch fish. Though there may have been some reluctance, Peter obeyed and to his amazement, they took in a catch so big that the nets began to break. This got Peter’s attention. Later that week, as Jesus was walking around Galilee, a leper approached Him and begged Jesus to cleanse him. Breaking all convention Jesus touched the man and he was made clean!Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the Christmas series! The magi arrive at the palace of King Herod, looking for the King of the Jews. Herod welcomes them with false-humility, smiling through his gritted teeth. Something isn't right. Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com. As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel. They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history. For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app.  To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Much of his story is told in the first chapter of Luke's Gospel. The Synaxarion continues:   'After the birth of Christ, Zacharias plainly declared the virginity of Mary and showed her truly to be the Mother of God; for he appointed her a place in that part of the Temple reserved for the virgins and so brought upon himself the hatred of the priests and levites.   'When John was six months old, Zacharias hid him and his mother in a cave beyond the Jordan because King Herod, hearing of the birth in Bethlehem of the king of the Jews and fearing a rival of his own worldly power, sent soldiers to kill all the male children of Bethlehem. His enemies seized this opportunity to denounce Zacharias to Herod, who had him pursued and put to death within the precinct of the Temple, at the very place the Mother of God abode for a witnes to her virginity. As the Prophet's blood flowed within the sanctuary, it signified the withdrawing of the divine Presence. Priests came to take up his body and they buried him with his fathers. From that moment signs and prodigies occurred in the Temple, indicating that the rites of the Law would soon be abolished. No longer would the priests behold the angels of God, or have the grace of prophecy; no longer would they be able to deliver oracles or enlighten the people upon the dark places of holy Scripture, as they had been wont to do.'

Much of his story is told in the first chapter of Luke's Gospel. The Synaxarion continues:   'After the birth of Christ, Zacharias plainly declared the virginity of Mary and showed her truly to be the Mother of God; for he appointed her a place in that part of the Temple reserved for the virgins and so brought upon himself the hatred of the priests and levites.   'When John was six months old, Zacharias hid him and his mother in a cave beyond the Jordan because King Herod, hearing of the birth in Bethlehem of the king of the Jews and fearing a rival of his own worldly power, sent soldiers to kill all the male children of Bethlehem. His enemies seized this opportunity to denounce Zacharias to Herod, who had him pursued and put to death within the precinct of the Temple, at the very place the Mother of God abode for a witnes to her virginity. As the Prophet's blood flowed within the sanctuary, it signified the withdrawing of the divine Presence. Priests came to take up his body and they buried him with his fathers. From that moment signs and prodigies occurred in the Temple, indicating that the rites of the Law would soon be abolished. No longer would the priests behold the angels of God, or have the grace of prophecy; no longer would they be able to deliver oracles or enlighten the people upon the dark places of holy Scripture, as they had been wont to do.'

In this Bible Story, the baby Jesus is visited by three wise men. Herod, the evil king of the Jews, gets word that there was a new child born by prophecy. Seeing Jesus as a threat to his power, he has every child under the age of two killed. But Joseph had his family flee just in time. This story is inspired by Matthew 2. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Matthew 2:11 from the King James Version.Episode 174: In search of the Messiah, three wise men from the south made their way up to Judea. They went to the palace of King Herod to ask if he knew where this newborn King was. When they finally made it to Bethlehem, they found Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. They worshiped Him, presenting Him with gifts that would both assist them and proclaim what His life would be about. Meanwhile, King Herod, ordered that all boys under two years old be killed in an effort to root out this new “king”. But God was with Joseph and revealed to him in a dream that he should flee immediately with Mary and Jesus to Egypt to be protected from Herod's massacre.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The magi arrive at the palace of King Herod, looking for the King of the Jews. Herod welcomes them with false-humility, smiling through his gritted teeth. Something isn’t right.Today's Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 15:50, from the King James Version.Download the Pray.com app for more Christian content including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Pray.com is the digital destination for faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation outside in the woods on the memorial of the beheading of John the Baptist at Camp Caribou near Barry's Bay on August 29, 2025. The church celebrates both his birth and his death. The to the death prelude is important: Mark 6, 14-16:  King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah.” And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago.”  But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!”Then comes the flashback that explains this. Not all give their lives in martyrdom, but all saints were faithful to the end. We too, are part of that long chain of fidelity.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, August 29, is the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist, Christ's precursor.On June 24, we commemorated his birthday, and today we honor the anniversary of his martyrdom.Besides our Lord and our Lady, St. John the Baptist is the only one whose birth and death are celebrated.Today's Gospel relates the dramatic circumstances of his execution by King Herod.He had the courage to blame Herod to his face for his illegal union with his sister-in-law Herodias, whose husband was still alive.Herodias obtained the beheading of the saint through her daughter, Salome.John suffered a long imprisonment and martyrdom as a witness to our Redeemer. His persecutors demanded that he keep silent about the truth. But John shed his blood for the truth; he died for Christ. By his own suffering, he demonstrated that Christ would also suffer.He preached the freedom of heavenly peace, bearing witness to the Light of life, yet was thrown into prison by ungodly men. He knew eternal joy would be his reward.The apostle Paul rightly said: "You have been granted the privilege not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for his sake."Christ's gift to his chosen ones is to suffer for him: "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us."Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York• ⁠August 29, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

In Mark 6:14–29, Mark interjects the story of the events that led to the death of John the Baptist at the order of King Herod. Pastor Isaiah explains how this text should challenge us to consider the cost of faithful discipleship, and to resolve to follow Christ boldly and stand couragously upon the Word of God today!

From Acts 12. We witness God's unstoppable mission as persecution rises, Peter is miraculously freed from prison, and King Herod is struck down. This sermon reminds us that no opposition can thwart God's plans, and those who walk with Him share in His victory.

Today's focus is on the vital importance of building our lives according to God's pattern, not our own preferences or the shifting standards of the world. Drawing from Jesus' words in Matthew 7, we see that every person is building a “house”—a life, a family, a future. The difference between a life that stands and one that falls is not in the storms faced, but in the foundation chosen. Jesus makes it clear: hearing His words is not enough; it is the application—obedience—that makes us wise builders. The storms of life are inevitable, but those who build on the rock of Christ will endure. A key obstacle to hearing God is the absence of repentance. Repentance is not just a one-time event but a continual turning from our own way of thinking to God's way. The story of King Herod illustrates the danger of silencing the voice of repentance; when we cut off repentance, we cut off the voice and direction of God in our lives. True repentance means surrendering our right to define good and evil and instead adopting God's standard. Wisdom is not merely knowledge, but knowledge applied. Solomon's prayer for wisdom, rather than riches or power, shows us that wisdom brings with it all the other blessings we often seek. Many of the struggles we face are not just circumstantial but are rooted in faulty patterns—cycles that can only be broken by aligning our lives with God's design. Life built by default—drifting wherever the tide takes us—leads to instability. But life built by design, according to God's pattern, brings hope, stability, and endurance. The foundation we choose is more important than the storms we face. Even if you have built poorly in the past, God's grace allows you to choose today to build on the rock of Jesus. Our hope is not in our circumstances, but in the unshakable foundation of Christ. Like the hymn writer Edward Mote, whose song “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” was born out of a desire to hear from God, we can find peace and strength in Jesus, no matter what storms come our way. Key Takeaways - Repentance is the gateway to hearing God's voice. When we refuse to repent, we silence the very voice that brings direction and life. Repentance is not just feeling sorry, but a decisive change of mind—letting go of our own definitions of right and wrong and embracing God's truth. Without repentance, even the most religious among us can find ourselves spiritually deaf. [03:21] - Wisdom is knowledge applied, not just knowledge acquired. Solomon's request for wisdom teaches us that God values our desire to discern and apply His ways above all else. Many blessings we seek are the natural result of living wisely, and without wisdom, even good things can become burdens or be lost. Wisdom is the difference between surviving storms and being swept away by them. [10:54] - The patterns we follow determine the outcomes we experience. Repeated struggles often point to faulty patterns, not just bad luck or spiritual attack. God calls us to build according to His pattern, not our feelings or cultural trends. Changing the pattern—aligning with God's design—brings freedom and breaks cycles of defeat. [17:18] - Life built by default is unstable; life built by design is secure. Drifting with the tides of circumstance or emotion leads to instability and disappointment. God invites us to intentional living—making decisions rooted in His wisdom and truth. Our destiny is shaped not by chance, but by the daily decisions to build on the rock. [22:39] - Hope for the future is found in the foundation, not the forecast. The storms of life are inevitable, but they do not determine our future—our foundation does. Even if you have built on sand in the past, God's grace allows you to start building on the rock today. The peace, hope, and endurance you long for are found in Jesus, our unshakable foundation. [27:49] Youtube Chapters [00:00] - Welcome [01:26] - The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders [02:42] - The Importance of Hearing God [03:21] - Repentance: The Key to Hearing [04:56] - The Danger of Silencing Repentance [06:57] - Herod's Encounter with Jesus [08:02] - Choosing God's Standard Over Our Own [09:05] - Hearing and Doing: The Path to Wisdom [10:54] - Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom [12:49] - Wisdom Sustains What Blessing Brings [14:10] - Building Foundations: Lessons from Construction [16:19] - Praying for Relief vs. Building with Wisdom [17:18] - Building by God's Pattern [18:20] - Breaking Cycles: Pattern Problems [19:18] - Living by Default or Design [21:32] - The Story of Captain Turtle [22:39] - Decisions Shape Destiny [23:23] - Why Wisdom and Structure Matter [24:49] - Is It Sin or Is It Wise? [25:29] - The View from the Sand [27:49] - Hope for the Future: Building on the Rock [29:06] - The Story Behind “My Hope Is Built” [31:57] - Hope and Peace in the Storm [33:22] - Responding to God: Repentance and Application [34:26] - Closing and Prayer

Acts 12 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. No matter what, keep praying. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. No matter what, you still possess peace. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. No matter what, if God opens it, no one can close it.   11 Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!” 15 “You're out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. No matter what, stay ready to receive. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. 18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. No matter what, God's word prevails.

PRAYER IS THE WORKPastor Mark Lee | Vantagepoint ChurchLuke 11:9 - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you.Mark 11:24 – Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer,believe that you have received it and it will be yours.Matt 21:22 – If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for inprayer.Acts 7:55 – full of the Holy Spirit he looked up to heaven and saw the glory ofGod and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.Acts 12:1 – It was about this time that King Herod arrested some whobelonged to the church intending to persecute them. He had James, thebrother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleasedthe Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.Acts 12:12-15 – When this had dawned on him, he went to the house ofMary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gatheredand were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance and a servant namedRhonda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter's voice, she wasso overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at thedoor!” “You're out of your mind,” they told her.Acts 12:5 – So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying.Haddon Robinson- Where was it that Jesus sweat great drops of blood? Not inPilate's hall, not on his way to Golgotha, (in other words, he didn't just pray whilehe was in the trial) it was in the Garden of Gethsemane. There he offered upprayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save himfrom death. Had I been there and witnessed that struggle, I would have worriedabout the future. If he is so broken up when all he is doing is praying, I mighthave said, what will he do when he faces a real crisis. Why can't he approach theordeal of his three sleeping friends with a calm confidence? Yet, when the testcame, Jesus walked to the cross with courage while his three friends fell apartand fell away.Charles Finney - I have never known a person to sweat blood (while praying);but I've known a person to pray till blood started from his nose. And I haveknown persons to pray till they were all wet with perspiration, in the coldestweather in winter. I have known a person to pray for hours, till their strengthwas all exhausted with the agony of their minds.”Augustine's mother - It is not possible that a child of such tears can be lost.

This account of King Herod's untimely death is not only presented in Scripture, but in the records of Josephus – a well-respected historian of the time. It offers a warning to any who would try to take glory that should be directed to God while also persecuting those He loves. We may not see people bowing down before leaders today, but the fervor some have for their political icons can be a form of worship. As we'll be warned in today's message from Pastor Mark, we can have confidence that God and His Word will always prevail over these attacks, and we'd much rather be on the winning side of this war.

A dream cast put on a live production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl over this past weekend, when Cynthia Erivo as Jesus went toe-to-toe with Adam Lambert as Judas -- not to mention Hamilton's Philippa Soo as Mary Magdalene, John Stamos and Josh Gad sharing the role of King Herod, Raúl Esparza as Pontius Pilate and more legends of stage and screen. Unfortunately for anyone who wasn't in the house Friday, Saturday or Sunday in Los Angeles, those are the only three nights planned for this star-studded cast -- but what if the show could go on? On the new Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Keith tells Katie all about being in the house for the final night of the show and pitches the possibility of a live cast recording being released for all of us who have been watching every fan-shot clip on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aloha and welcome to The Mission North Shore's Podcast!  In this powerful exploration of Matthew 2, we're challenged to examine the clash between two kingdoms: the kingdom of self and the kingdom of Jesus. Through the contrasting examples of King Herod and Jesus Christ, we're invited to reflect on our own priorities and values. Are we, like Herod, consumed with building our own temporal kingdoms? Or are we, like Jesus, focused on serving others and advancing God's eternal kingdom? God bless and have a great week!

Full Text of ReadingsFeast of Saint James, Apostle Lectionary: 605The Saint of the day is Saint JamesSaint James’ Story This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:19-20). James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus, and the agony in Gethsemani. Two incidents in the Gospels describe the temperament of this man and his brother. Saint Matthew tells that their mother came—Mark says it was the brothers themselves—to ask that they have the seats of honor in the kingdom. “Jesus said in reply, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?' They said to him, ‘We can'” (Matthew 20:22). Jesus then told them they would indeed drink the cup and share his baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or left was not his to give—it “is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23b). It remained to be seen how long it would take to realize the implications of their confident “We can!” The other disciples became indignant at the ambition of James and John. Then Jesus taught them all the lesson of humble service: The purpose of authority is to serve. They are not to impose their will on others, or lord it over them. This is the position of Jesus himself. He was the servant of all; the service imposed on him was the supreme sacrifice of his own life. On another occasion, James and John gave evidence that the nickname Jesus gave them—“sons of thunder”—was an apt one. The Samaritans would not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to hated Jerusalem. “When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?' Jesus turned and rebuked them…” (Luke 9:54-55). James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred. “About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3a). This James, sometimes called James the Greater, is not to be confused with James the Lesser or with the author of the Letter of James and the leader of the Jerusalem community. Reflection The way the Gospels treat the apostles is a good reminder of what holiness is all about. There is very little about their virtues as static possessions, entitling them to heavenly reward. Rather, the great emphasis is on the Kingdom, on God's giving them the power to proclaim the Good News. As far as their personal lives are concerned, there is much about Jesus' purifying them of narrowness, pettiness, fickleness. Saint James the Greater is the Patron Saint of: ChileLaborersNicaraguaRheumatism sufferersSpain Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Welcome to the Christmas series! The magi arrive at the palace of King Herod, looking for the King of the Jews. Herod welcomes them with false-humility, smiling through his gritted teeth. Something isn't right. Sign up for special devotionals at StoriesoftheMessiah.com. As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel. They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history. For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app.  To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.