Podcasts about leper

Naaman had everything: power, honor and wealth

June 01, 2026 - Kyle Rye - Healing the Leper by Buford Church of Christ

The sermon examines Matthew 8:1-4 to illustrate the approachability and compassion of Jesus Christ toward those burdened by sin and sickness. By analyzing the leper's interaction with Jesus, the message highlights four key aspects of effective prayer: boldness in approaching God, reverence in worship, specificity in requests, and confidence in His power. Brother Gleiser challenges believers to move beyond stagnant or 'skinny' prayers, urging them to bring their most impossible needs to a Lord who delights in answering faith-filled petitions. Through illustrative anecdotes and scriptural references, the text emphasizes that God cares deeply for His children and is capable of performing miracles when approached with genuine dependence and trust.

The sermon examines Matthew 8:1-4 to illustrate the approachability and compassion of Jesus Christ toward those burdened by sin and sickness. By analyzing the leper's interaction with Jesus, the message highlights four key aspects of effective prayer: boldness in approaching God, reverence in worship, specificity in requests, and confidence in His power. Brother Gleiser challenges believers to move beyond stagnant or 'skinny' prayers, urging them to bring their most impossible needs to a Lord who delights in answering faith-filled petitions. Through illustrative anecdotes and scriptural references, the text emphasizes that God cares deeply for His children and is capable of performing miracles when approached with genuine dependence and trust.

There is a bigger miracle here than in the healing of the leper.  It is that Jesus touches him.  He grabs hold of him. Jesus lays siege to a leper. It is an aggressive word in the text. IMHO, this is the Lord saying, "I'm here. I see your physical and spiritual disease. I'm here to help."The big question for all us spiritual lepers is: will we let him help us? Will we let Him  grab hold of us?Watch 7 minutes. It is worth it.  You are in trouble.  He can help.https://youtu.be/QlCTJMguR2c 

What happens when Jesus moves from teaching with authority to demonstrating it? In this episode, Pastor Woody walks through Matthew 8, where Jesus heals the sick, welcomes outsiders, calms storms, casts out demons, and reveals His authority over every area of life. Through six powerful encounters, we're reminded that Jesus still meets hurting people with compassion and power today. Whether you're facing fear, sickness, shame, uncertainty, or impossible circumstances, this conversation points to one unchanging truth: Jesus has authority over it all. You'll also hear practical encouragement about bringing others to Jesus and living on mission every day—even in unexpected places. Summary Matthew 8 marks a dramatic shift in Jesus' ministry. After revealing the principles of God's Kingdom through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins demonstrating His authority through miraculous encounters with broken people. Pastor Woody walks through six stories that reveal Jesus' power over disease, sin, fear, nature, spiritual darkness, and impossible situations. More importantly, these miracles reveal God's heart toward people who feel forgotten, ashamed, or overwhelmed. One of the central reminders from this message is that God is not mad at you. Jesus didn't avoid the leper—He reached out and touched him. That same compassion still defines the heart of Christ today. The episode also explores the faith of the Roman centurion, the calming of the storm, the cost of discipleship, and the challenge to become people who don't simply experience Jesus—but who actively bring others to Him. Pastor Woody closes with a practical story from a Burger King stop on the drive home from conference, illustrating that ministry opportunities often appear in ordinary moments when we're willing to be available. 00:00 Welcome & Podcast Intro 01:00 General Conference & The Bigger Mission 08:20 Matthew's Structure 10:00 The Authority of Jesus Begins 13:15 Jesus Heals the Leper 17:00 God Is Not Mad at You 18:40 Faith of the Roman Centurion 21:30 You Need Jesus More Than a Pastor 23:00 Healing Peter's Mother-in-Law 24:00 Counting the Cost of Following Jesus 25:00 Jesus Calms the Storm 26:00 Delivering the Demon-Possessed Men 27:30 Which Crowd Will We Be? 29:00 Jesus Has Authority Over Fear 31:00 Invitation to Trust Jesus 37:00 Living on Mission Every Day 44:00 Burger King Story & Final Challenge

How do we move forward from being healed to being truly cleansed?In this week's episode of Latter-Day Lights, filmmaker Taylor Riley of “Scripture Central” and “Messages of Christ” shares the remarkable story behind “The Cleansing of the Leper”, a Praiseworthy Award-winning short film that brings one of the Bible's most overlooked passages to life.Together with Scott and Darla, we explore the rich symbolism found in Leviticus 14 and Mark 1, uncovering profound connections between the cleansing ritual, the Savior's Atonement, and the sacred patterns that continue throughout the restored gospel.Taylor also gives a behind-the-scenes look at filming on the Church's Goshen set, the creative process of translating ancient scripture into visual storytelling, and the importance of helping modern audiences experience the scriptures beyond reading them.Through powerful insights and personal experiences, this conversation invites us to see ourselves in the story of the leper and to remember that through Jesus Christ, healing is only the beginning, while true cleansing and transformation await all who come unto Him.*** Please hit SUBSCRIBE to get our latest episodes, and hit the SHARE button to help us share Taylor's story and light with others. ***To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/wrEmY5y0xWg-----To WATCH Taylor's film, “The Cleansing of the Leper,” visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl0CCIj0Fg8&tTo WATCH more of Taylor's work on “Scripture Central,” visit: https://www.scripturecentral.org/To WATCH more of Taylor's work on the “Messages of Christ” YouTube channel, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@messagesofChrist-----To READ Scott's new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/-----Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylightsAlso, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

JULY 19 | Who Is This King? | Mark 14:1-11 ...Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.”While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Step into the story of Luke 5, stand with the leper, feel the healing touch of Jesus, know that He is the reward of every expression of faith. No matter what kind of day you've had, rest in hope and peace tonight as you draw near to the heart of God. This short, uplifting meditation from His Word will create a space at the end of the day for you to refocus on the goodness and nearness of the Lord, entrust your burdens to Him and fill your mind with His promises and faithfulness towards you. Tonight's meditation is read by Adeyinka. Meet the team at odb.org/meet-the-team. These meditations are lovingly and prayerfully crafted by human writers, presenters and producers, with no AI-generated content. If you'd like to get in touch with us to share your story or let us know how we can make the Evening Meditations an even better experience, email our team at eveningmeditations@odbm.orgWe hope that you enjoy this Evening Meditation from Our Daily Bread Ministries! You can find more exciting content from Our Daily Bread Ministries by downloading the Our Daily Bread app or visiting us at: odbm.orgAll our funding comes from our listeners, like you, who value what we do and want to help us reach more people. Together, we can keep making our podcast freely accessible to all. You can make a donation towards our mission at eveningmeditations.org. ★ Support this podcast ★

He was made bishop by the Apostle Peter and sent to Gaul as a missionary. Some believe that he was Simon the Leper, whom the Lord healed, later named Julian in Baptism. In Gaul, despite great difficulty and privation, he converted many to faith in Christ and worked many miracles — healing the sick, driving out demons, and even raising the dead. In time the local prince, Defenson, was baptised along with many of his subjects. He reposed in peace.

Mark 1:35-45

Pastor Mike Haman continues in the "Summertime Stories" series teaching us how we can experience the supernatural blessings of God through serving, humility, and obedience.

In this story, we learn that our sins make us dirty; Christ can make us clean. ✧ Check out more resources in The Biggest Story Curriculum ✧ Follow The Biggest Story on Instagram ✧ Watch The Biggest Story Animated Videos! ✧ Sign up to receive weekly emails about the new story each week!

After revealing how the rulers in Israel were plotting howthey could murder Jesus, Matthew gave us two examples that showed vary different responses to Jesus, so close to His crucifixion. The unnamed woman in the houseof Simon the Leper, and Judas Iscariot. The unnamed woman's actions proved that she knew, loved, and valued Jesus above any earthly possession. Her act of kindness is remembered throughout the centuries. Judas' actions proved he saw Jesus only as a means to what was truly important to him. He is remembered as the definition of treachery and betrayal. A sermon preached by Pastor Caleb at Legacy Reformed Baptist Church in East Grand Forks, MN.

REF: SM1750

June 18, 2026

Discover the miraculous power of faith and compassion as Jesus heals a leper and transforms a life. Join us on The Jesus Podcast for an inspiring story of a leper's plea for healing and Jesus' compassionate response. Experience the profound impact of divine love and the hope it brings to the broken. Today's Bible verse is Mark 1:40 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is it worth it, Texas Tech? [1:10]College football's “Leper.”Living up to the hype. [29:21]Knicks v Spurs delivers. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 1 of Walking with Jesus, we are introduced to the first miracle of Jesus recorded in Mark where he touches and cleanses a leper. Learn the many principles that Pastor Chad draws from Mark 1. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1388/29?v=20251111

We hope you enjoyed this episode.If you haven't yet, make sure to leave a review and let us know your thoughts on the content this week. Also, make sure to add our podcast to your library if you haven't yet, so you don't miss our weekly content. Also, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seedgiver.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and consider becoming a part of this missions initiative. With your spare change, you can change the world!

We hope you enjoyed this episode.If you haven't yet, make sure to leave a review and let us know your thoughts on the content this week. Also, make sure to add our podcast to your library if you haven't yet, so you don't miss our weekly content. Also, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seedgiver.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and consider becoming a part of this missions initiative. With your spare change, you can change the world!

In Part 1 of Walking with Jesus, we are introduced to the first miracle of Jesus recorded in Mark where he touches and cleanses a leper. Learn the many principles that Pastor Chad draws from Mark 1. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1388/29?v=20251111

Naaman is now faced with a crossroads. Does he obey the man of God who revealed to him the cure for his leprosy? It didn't make sense to him, but obedience proved to be the key to Naaman's victory over his disease.

There are moments in the writings of St. Isaac the Syrian where one realizes that what he is speaking about is not “religion” as we commonly understand it at all. He is not concerned with external religiosity, spiritual image, theological sophistication, emotional experiences, or moral performance. He speaks instead about the transformation of the human being into a living place of divine communion. The entire struggle of the ascetic life is directed toward one thing: purity of heart. Not moralism. Not perfectionism. Purity. And purity for Isaac is not primarily about behavior. It is about vision. “The pure in heart shall see God.” The Fathers understood this literally. The heart darkened by distraction, anger, judgment, vanity, endless speech, lust, resentment, self-construction, and immersion in the noise of the world loses the capacity to perceive reality as it truly is. Man ceases to remember God because he has become filled with himself. The tragedy is not simply that we sin. The tragedy is that the heart becomes opaque. Heavy. Fragmented. Unable to behold the Kingdom already present within it. Isaac speaks with terrifying clarity here: “He who restrains his mouth from speech guards his heart from the passions.” Modern man speaks endlessly because he cannot bear silence. We drown ourselves in commentary, analysis, outrage, explanations, arguments, entertainment, notifications, and noise because silence threatens the ego. Silence exposes the inward chaos we spend our lives trying to conceal. But Isaac tells us something almost unbearable: the mysteries of God become visible only in stillness. A wrathful heart cannot behold the mysteries of the Kingdom because wrath keeps the self at the center of reality. A judgmental man may speak about theology endlessly and yet remain entirely estranged from the life of God. A proud man may appear religious and still dwell inwardly in darkness. Why? Because the Kingdom is not perceived through brilliance but through purity. This is why Isaac places such immense emphasis upon guarding the tongue, fleeing gossip, withdrawing from quarrels, avoiding angry speech, and refusing distraction. He is not prescribing pious behavior merely for the sake of morality. He understands something we do not: every movement of the soul either clarifies the heart or darkens it. And so Isaac speaks of continuous remembrance of God. Not occasional remembrance. Not Sunday remembrance. Not remembrance during emotional prayer alone. Continuous remembrance. The modern mind hears this and immediately turns it into technique. But Isaac is not describing a method so much as an identity. Man was created to live in continual orientation toward God. Prayer is not an activity added onto life. Prayer is life restored to its natural condition. This is why Isaac says: “That which befalls a fish out of water, befalls the mind that has come out of the remembrance of God.” What a terrifying image. We imagine ourselves spiritually neutral when we live immersed in distraction, noise, anxiety, worldly conversation, vanity, and continual mental agitation. Isaac says otherwise. The soul outside remembrance gasps for life without understanding why it is suffocating. And this is precisely the condition of modern man. We are overstimulated yet inwardly deadened. Connected constantly yet unable to descend into the heart. Religious perhaps, but incapable of stillness. Surrounded by information while starving for theoria. Isaac uses that extraordinary image of the dolphin moving through the calm sea. When the sea of the heart becomes still from wrath and agitation, divine mysteries begin moving within the soul. The Kingdom is not absent. The heart is simply too turbulent to perceive it. This is why the Fathers fled distraction so fiercely. Not because they hated the world. But because they desired reality. And reality, Isaac tells us, is infinitely more luminous than the fantasies by which we continually feed ourselves. The terrifying thing is that modern people often imagine remembrance of God to be restrictive. In truth, distraction is the prison. Remembrance is freedom. The man who remembers God continually gradually becomes transparent to divine life. His thoughts change. His speech changes. His desires change. His vision changes. Mercy begins appearing naturally. Humility deepens. Judgment weakens. The passions lose their violence because the soul has found greater beauty. Isaac's vision is nothing less than transfiguration. The purified heart becomes Heaven itself. Not symbolically. Actually. “Lo, Heaven is within you.” The human person becomes a living icon of the Kingdom. The mysteries cease being abstractions and become life. The soul begins beholding Christ “at every moment.” Not through imagination, but through participation. Through communion. Through the gradual purification of the inner man. This is why the saints seem luminous to us. Not because they became extraordinary personalities, but because they ceased obstructing the Radiance of God within them. And Isaac insists that this path is deeply practical. Guard the tongue. Flee distraction. Withdraw from useless speech. Avoid judgment. Remain in remembrance. Practice silence. Study God continually. Refuse the fragmentation of the passions. Seek meekness. Seek humility. Seek hiddenness. Not as legalism. But because every movement either opens the heart toward the Kingdom or closes it inwardly upon itself. The modern world trains us in continual forgetfulness. The ascetic life trains us in remembrance. And remembrance gradually becomes vision. Then prayer ceases being something we “do” and becomes the atmosphere in which the soul breathes. At the center of Isaac's vision lies something fierce and beautiful: man was created not merely to think about God, but to behold Him within the heart and become radiant with His life in the world. This is the true meaning of purity. Not moral self-consciousness. But transparency to divine life. Not religious performance. But the gradual emergence of Heaven within the human heart. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:18:52 Una: Father, do you know much about Saint Nikiphorus the Leper? 00:19:03 Una: Perhaps a saint for the disabled 00:19:10 Una: My mike isn't working 00:20:33 Bob Čihák, AZ: Remember, in these texts, “men” means all humans, “men and women.” 00:23:23 Una: Reacted to "Remember, in these..." with

ROYAL SERVICE2 KINGS 5:1

GEOFFFFFFFFS LET'S GO~This week Spencer is teaching us about a phenomenon known as coffin-jumping! Next, Madison is here to educate us on leprosy! We've got an obituary for a diva with an attitude problem one for a stupid man, and so much more! Oh…and we didn't forget to top it all of with some dumb.ass.criminalllllllllls!!!!!!!       Please rate and review wherever you listen!   Watch us on YouTube: Youtube.com/@obitchuarypodcast   Buy our book: prh.com/obitchuary   Come see us live on tour: obitchuarypodcast.com   Join our Patreon: Patreon.com/cultliter   Follow along online: @obitchuarypod on Twitter & Instagram @obitchuarypodcast on TikTok   Check out Spencer's other podcast Cult Liter wherever you're listening!   Sources: https://www.newspapers.com/image/235325365/?article=a6410546-d23a-41d6-bc91-1d939e876917&terms=stupid https://www.newspapers.com/image/387758741/?article=fd83bf5a-10e8-4940-8943-9347e79d603c&terms=Leper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separatio_Leprosorum https://www.facebook.com/ancienthistoryexplorers/photos/during-the-great-outbreaks-of-leprosy-in-the-middle-ages-many-european-communiti/122231579414276853/ https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/how-did-doctors-treat-leprosy/ https://www.historyhit.com/leprosy-in-medieval-england/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305440309003057 https://www.historyextra.com/period/general-history/leprosy-history-disease-perception-treatment/ https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230124-leprosy-the-ancient-disease-scientists-cant-solve https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-armadillos-can-spread-leprosy-180954440/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leper_colony https://www.history.com/articles/leprosy-colonies-us-quarantine https://www.npr.org/2026/02/07/g-s1-108321/leprosy-india-colony https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/637 https://www.newspapers.com/image/1166311008/?article=e6b98f6c-8dda-4bfb-b1e4-e0d85b9fe9a4&terms=leper https://newschannel9.com/news/instagram/wynonna-judds-daughter-grace-kelley-arrested-on-charges-of-indecent-exposure-obstructing-governmental-operations-in-alabama-elmore-county-jail-millbrook https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-woman-arrested-allegedly-kicking-kid-youth-football-game-field-rcna343687 https://www.quora.com/What-is-a-casket-jumper https://www.reddit.com/r/SixFeetUnder/comments/k3buec/casket_jumpers/ https://www.reddit.com/r/askfuneraldirectors/comments/1stus2j/anyone_ever_witnessed_a_funeral_outburst_fight_or/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/979505012/ https://www.newspapers.com/image/1190316335/ https://www.mykeeper.com/BettyBroderick?srsltid=AfmBOoo-bEsim-XWMouHQ0EkFmxni649iOm0CSpq9Bq0Zv2CyxwWSTQf Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Naaman had a great pedigree, but we are reminded by his life that no matter how mighty of a person you are, we all need Jesus. Rich or poor, honorable or not, we all are sinners in need of the Savior!

Pastor Matthew Woodward preaching on Sunday morning. May 24th, 2026. Find us online at:Website: www.capitalcommunity.ca Facebook: www.facebook.com/capitalcommunitychurchInstagram: www.instagram.com/ccc_fredericton YouTube: www.capitalcommunity.tvThe Conversation Podcast: www.anchor.fm/ccc-theconversationSermon Archive Podcast: www.anchor.fm/capitalcommunitychurch

Edition 446 of Steve Blease's Heavy Elements is now available as a podcast. Playlist: Dream Theater – Beyond This Life (live)Dream Theater – Home (live)Dream Theater – Caught In A New Millennium (live)Dream Theater – Metropolis Pt. 1 (live) Opeth – The Moor (live)Opeth – The Drapery Falls (live)Opeth – Blackwater Park (live)Opeth – The Leper […]

In this heart-wrenching episode, we hear from Carolyn, a 49-year-old former Jehovah's Witness who survived a lifetime of systemic trauma, from foster care and childhood molestation to a high-control religious environment that "eats its members alive". Carolyn shares the chilling reality of being "shunned while active," a state where she remained an exemplary member but was treated like a "leper" by her own community after reporting elder misconduct and sexual harassment. Her story exposes the dark underbelly of a congregation where elders protect abusers and engage in "fake gross" behavior, including stalking and rehoming a member's pet under false pretenses. The narrative reaches a critical turning point when the organization's cruelty extends to Carolyn's autistic son, who was bullied by elders and physically assaulted by a member over a bag of candy. Carolyn details her "miraculous" health recovery upon leaving the constant stress of the organization and her eventual choice to choose self-identity and "organic" living over a toxic, performance-based membership. This is a powerful testament to the strength required to stand up to a "hate machine" and the beauty of finding a life defined by genuine love rather than control. Key Takeaways The "Darvo" Defense: Carolyn explains how reporting elder misconduct, such as an elder rolling in the sand drunk with another man's wife, resulted in the elders forming a judicial committee against her for "slander" rather than addressing the behavior. Targeting the Vulnerable: The sources highlight the heartbreaking systemic bullying of Carolyn's autistic son, whom elders mocked as "Eeyore the donkey" and attempted to bribe with money to "smile" for them. The Myth of "Wait on Jehovah": When Carolyn sought justice through a 25-page letter to the Branch, she was ignored for months and eventually told to simply "pray more, attend more meetings, and give more" instead of receiving an investigation. Physical Toll of Indoctrination: A major revelation in the episode is that Carolyn's chronic liver and health issues, which she suffered from for years, "miraculously improved" almost immediately after she stopped attending meetings and removed herself from the stress. Conditional Forgiveness: Carolyn exposes the hypocrisy of the "Matthew 18" rule, noting that while she was told to forgive her abusers, the organization used the same scripture to form a "lynch mob" against her when she tried to apply it to their behavior. Direct Quotes "My health miraculously improved after leaving". "If I can't be myself, if I can't be organic, I don't want it. I'm putting it down". "What you're doing is hurting me. Can you please stop doing that to me?". Resources Mentioned ExJwHelp.com: Cult recovery coaching and resources. California Penal Code: Specifically regarding harassment and stalking. Ex-Jehovah's Witness Subreddit: Mentioned as a place to find similar survival stories. ShunnedPodcast.com: For merch, guest information, and telling your own story. This JW Life: The host's original podcast detailing his own story. Becoming Jehovah: A book by the host available for free online. Patreon.com/shunned: Bonus content and guest connections. Guest Bio Carolyn is a 49-year-old survivor of high-control religious abuse and a dedicated mother who successfully navigated her way out of the Jehovah's Witnesses to protect her children. After overcoming a lifetime of being silenced, she now advocates for the importance of boundaries, self-identity, and the "Golden Rule" outside of organized control. Support the show and get bonuses as well by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let's talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach with a focus on cult recovery. Click HERE for more information. Want more resources? Go to my other website exjwHelp.com Leave us a review on iTunes Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show. This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah's Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment. Read my FREE online book, based on This JW Life, called Becoming Jehovah, in both English and Spanish by clicking here An ExJW podcast and ExJW YouTube Channel

https://storage.googleapis.com/enduring-word-media/devotional/Devotional04222026.mp3 The post But a Leper – 2 Kings 5:1 – April 22, 2026 appeared first on Enduring Word.

click the link below to download the service notes https://esm.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/04.18.26-Congregational-Notes.pdf*********************************Website: esm.usPastor Mark BiltzMission Statement: (https://esm.us/about/)El Shaddai Ministries exists to take Torah to the nations by restoring the Biblical and historical perspectives that have been lost over the last 2000 years, uncovering replacement theology, and healing our Christian-Jewish relationships.Statement of Beliefs:https://tinyurl.com/4ks6eznu