Podcasts about living word

 Hey there, Welcome to Living Word! We're so glad you're here with us. If you find this message inspiring, don't forget to hit that like button and subscribe for more amazing content. We've got a lineup of guest speakers, pastors, and engaging discussions with our awesome community members coming your way. Let's dive in together! Our Links–• Join The Prayer Movement!: https://theprayermovement.com• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwordmn• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingwordmn• Stay up to date with all things LWCC at https://www.LWCC.org• Join our Online Church community here: https://www.lwcc.org/onlinechurch• Give online: https://www.lwcc.org/give/• If you recently committed your life to God, we'd like to give you a free eBook to help you in your spiritual journey. Click here to download: https://www.lwcc.org/nextsteps/#LivingWord #ChurchSermon #Worship 

RIFE STEWART - Sunday, February 22, 2026

Join Pastor Lynne Hammond for a powerful time of Spirit-led prayer as we lift up our city, our state, and our nation. This is not the hour to stay silent—it's the hour to stand in faith, raise our voices, and pray with boldness and purpose. Let's come together and believe God's will will be done.Hey there, Welcome to Living Word! We're so glad you're here with us. If you find this message inspiring, don't forget to hit that like button and subscribe for more amazing content. We've got a lineup of guest speakers, pastors, and engaging discussions with our awesome community members coming your way. Let's dive in together! Our Links–• Join The Prayer Movement!: https://theprayermovement.com• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwordmn• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingwordmn• Stay up to date with all things LWCC at https://www.LWCC.org• Join our Online Church community here: https://www.lwcc.org/onlinechurch• Give online: https://www.lwcc.org/give/• If you recently committed your life to God, we'd like to give you a free eBook to help you in your spiritual journey. Click here to download: https://www.lwcc.org/nextsteps/#LivingWord #ChurchSermon #WorshipMeet Me in the Word: A Daily DevotionalThoughtful reflections for Jesus-Followers Monday through Friday.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

1 Kings 4-9

RIFE STEWART - Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Hey there, Welcome to Living Word! We're so glad you're here with us. If you find this message inspiring, don't forget to hit that like button and subscribe for more amazing content. We've got a lineup of guest speakers, pastors, and engaging discussions with our awesome community members coming your way. Let's dive in together! Our Links–• Join The Prayer Movement!: https://theprayermovement.com• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwordmn• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingwordmn• Stay up to date with all things LWCC at https://www.LWCC.org• Join our Online Church community here: https://www.lwcc.org/onlinechurch• Give online: https://www.lwcc.org/give/• If you recently committed your life to God, we'd like to give you a free eBook to help you in your spiritual journey. Click here to download: https://www.lwcc.org/nextsteps/#LivingWord #ChurchSermon #Worship

Hebrews 4:11-13For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.— Hebrews 4:12

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 23-24, Psalm 24, and Acts 21. Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In this episode for February 14th, 2025, Hunter invites us into a gentle, reflective journey through the scriptures. It's day 45 of the annual Bible reading adventure, and today's passages include Leviticus 23-24, Psalm 24, and Acts 21. Hunter reminds us that the heart of this daily practice isn't just reading words on a page, but experiencing the transforming love of God—a love found in the Living Word, Jesus, who walks with us through every season. In this episode, you'll hear about the ancient festivals of Israel, the greatness of God in Psalm 24, and Paul's courage and faith amidst challenges in Acts. The episode closes with heartfelt prayer, thoughtful encouragement for facing life's ups and downs, and a reminder that even in the grit and grind of February, there's beauty to be found if we look for it. Join Hunter as he helps us keep our eyes and hearts open, walking in faith, hope, and the assurance that we are deeply loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: This life of faith requires two feet to walk. We live in this tension. On one hand, we go through things and we want to be healed and delivered. We want things to work out, and at times God is delighted to do just that—to provide, to heal, to deliver. So one step of faith is asking for and seeking these things from God. But with the other foot, the other step that we must take is to understand that this light and momentary affliction is working out for us something of eternal importance. The life of faith often entails learning to walk amidst those two very real tensions, where we hold firm to the promise that God is indeed our healer, our deliverer, redeemer. He will indeed do all that he has promised. And yet at the same time, there very well may be something that he wants to teach us through it. Maybe he will choose to heal you today, and maybe he won't. But we also know that we will indeed be healed. All of creation will be restored in him, and that day is coming. In the meantime, whatever the affliction that you're suffering through, it is momentary, and in the scales of eternity, Paul says they are light. It may not feel like that right here, right now, but faith in God's goodness helps us to see beyond the right here and the right now. And faith is an invitation to enter into the presence of God. His healing, His deliverance, His redemption isn't just designated for some distant time. We can begin to experience those things in part even today. God has something he wants to teach us all, and we need to trust him and walk with him through all that life brings us. He'll prove himself strong in our weakness. He will be your comforter and your strength. Walk this way of faith with both feet and trust him each step of the way. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

1 Kings 1-4

JOHN 1:1-3IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD, 2 HE WAS WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING, 3 THROUGH HIM ALL THINGS WERE MADE: WITHOUT HIM NOTHING WAS MADE THAT HAS BEEN MADE

RIFE STEWART - Sunday, February 8, 2026

RIFE STEWART - Sunday, February 8, 2026

In a lengthy parenthetical statement, the Apostle Paul issues a reminder, by his own example, that we all have a responsibility to reflect God’s grace in our lives. The post “A Living Word Picture” (Eph 3:1-11) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

2 Corinthians 12-13

In this episode, we explore why spending time Scripture is essential for staying rooted in Christ and how it aids us in the midst of spiritual battle. We reflect on the reality that Scripture is the living Word of God, far more powerful than we often realize. It has the ability to encourage, correct, heal, and transform our hearts. We share personal stories of how the Holy Spirit has brought Scripture to life for us and how God's Word has been an anchor during seasons of difficulty. Friends, God desires to speak to you personally through His Word and is inviting you not into just another task, but into a deeper, life-giving relationship with Him.   Heather's One Thing - The Sisters of Life on Franciscan's Campus Sister Miriam's One Thing - Healing Prayers and Renunciations by Bob Schuchts Michelle's One Thing - Frontier Camp with Life Teen   Other Resources Mentioned:  The Bible in the Year Podcast Walking with Purpose Bible Studies Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (Or find it at Ignatius Press here) Magnificat   Announcement: Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!   Journal Questions: How has the Lord encountered me through Holy Scripture? How has the Lord surprised me in prayer and study of the Scriptures? What obstacles prevent me from engaging with the Bible intentionally? What book of the Bible is the Lord inviting me to pray with this year?   Discussion Questions: What does your relationship with Scripture look like today? How have you been healed, convicted, or converted by Holy Scripture? Have you ever felt the Lord intimately and personally encounter you while reading Scripture? What would it look like for you to encounter the Lord in Holy Scripture daily? How do you want your relationship with the Word of God to be transformed?   Quote to Ponder: "In order to reveal himself to men, in the condescension of his goodness God speaks to them in human words: "Indeed the words of God, expressed in the words of men, are in every way like human language, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he took on himself the flesh of human weakness, became like men." Through all the words of Sacred Scripture, God speaks only one single Word, his one Utterance in whom he expresses himself completely…" (CCC Paragraphs 101-102)   Scripture for Lectio: "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)   Sponsor - Nazareth Organics: Nazareth Organics is a Catholic family-owned natural skincare company. Unlike many skincare companies that use lab-made chemical ingredients in their products, Nazareth Organics uses high quality, wild-crafted, and organic ingredients from nature and strives to support local farms and businesses whenever possible. From nourishing facial serums and cleansers to diaper creams and sun screens, Nazareth Organics carries natural products for a wide array of skin conditions. They use grass-fed tallow as a base for many of their balms, because it is rich in fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids that can increase collagen production, strengthen the skin, and calm inflammation. With all these nutrients working in tandem to heal and nourish the skin, tallow is a powerhouse topical ointment for every skin type. The best thing about this business, though, is that it's dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth. From website to packaging, every sustainably sourced product points back to the faith and the ultimate source of creation. They also donate a portion of all proceeds to Catholic charitable organizations. If you want to honor and care for your body using pure and natural ingredients straight from God's hands, then check out Nazareth Organics. You can find them at nazareth-organics.com and use code ABIDE10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Follow them on social media at: @nazarethorganics.   Timestamps: 00:00 Nazareth Organics 01:26 Intro 02:12 Welcome 03:45 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder 04:44 The Power of Scripture 08:28 Scripture Never Gets Old 14:56 How Scripture Can Heal Wounds 19:04 It's Personal to You 24:32 Going Deeper into the Word of God 27:02 One Things  

This message centers on the conviction that the Bible is one unified story whose true subject is Jesus, and that Scripture is meant not merely to inform us about Him but to lead us into life with Him. Jesus Himself insists, in Luke 24 and John 5, that everything written in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms points to Him—and that Scripture only becomes life-giving when it actually brings us to Him. Luke 24 then gives us a model for how disciples are to read the Bible about Jesus with Jesus: as we walk with Him in Scripture, our hearts burn when the Word is read with love and desire for God; our eyes are opened as the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus reshape our vision and blind spots; and our minds are opened when the Living Word illuminates the written Word, granting revelation and understanding by the Spirit. The Bible is not merely a text to master but a Word of encounter, where Jesus meets us, interprets Scripture to us, and reveals Himself. Transformation does not come from technique alone, but from faithfully returning to Scripture with humility, love, and attentiveness, trusting that as we keep showing up, Jesus will open our hearts, our eyes, and our minds—again and again—so that we may know Him and be changed by Him.

In our INTERSECTION message from February 1, 2026, Steve shares with us about the transformative power of God's living word! 

2 Corinthians 6-12

Read OnlineWith many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them, but to his own disciples he explained everything in private. Mark 4:33–34Today's Gospel begins with two parables about the Kingdom of God, using the familiar image of seeds. Both of these parables point to the Kingdom of God as something that grows mysteriously and abundantly, often beyond human understanding or control.The first parable points to the mysterious growth of the seed that the sower scatters on his fields: “and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how” (Mark 4:27). This emphasizes the hidden and gradual work of God's grace. Like the seed that grows in the soil without the sower fully comprehending how, the Kingdom of God grows quietly and powerfully, primarily through divine initiative.The second parable is about the mustard seed, the smallest of seeds, which, when planted, “springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade” (Mark 4:32). This parable reveals the transformative power of the Kingdom, which begins from the humblest beginnings but grows into something expansive and life-giving. God often works through what appears insignificant to accomplish great things.Though these parables are important and provide us with spiritual nourishment through prayerful reflection, what the Gospel writer says next, as is quoted above, is just as important. Parables were meant to draw the listener into divine mysteries. We have to ponder the message prayerfully and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God's Word to us. Because Jesus spoke only in parables to the crowds, we must see ourselves among their number. However, we must also work to be counted among Jesus' own disciples: “to his own disciples he explained everything in private.”God's Word is alive. The Scriptures are not only like an ancient philosophy book that requires study and interpretation, which certainly play a proper role in understanding the Word of God. However, because God's Word is a Living Word, it is more than an intellectual exercise. When we read it or hear it proclaimed, God is present. It is God Himself Who speaks to minds and hearts that are open and attentive. When we approach God's Word in this way, God will “explain everything in private.”“Private,” in this case, means “personal.” Engaging God's Word draws us into a personal conversation with Him. It enables God to speak to us directly, revealing Himself in His Word, filling us with the spiritual gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, and Counsel. These Gifts of the Spirit are essential to our spiritual growth and are the primary way to grow in faith, hope, and charity.Do you see the Word of God as the Living Word, inviting you into a personal dialogue with God? Consider the depth of the invitation extended to you in this Gospel passage. Jesus desires to speak to you “in private,” unveiling the mysteries of His Kingdom in a way that is deeply personal and uniquely suited to your personal journey.Reflect today on how you approach the Word of God in your daily life. Take time to prayerfully ponder the parables and their meaning in your life. Consider setting aside a specific moment each day to read and meditate on a short passage from Scripture. Allow God to sow the seed of His Word in your heart and, like the farmer, marvel in wonder and awe as the Kingdom takes root and grows in your life. Trust that even the smallest acts of faith, like the mustard seed, can grow into something extraordinary when authentic and nurtured by God's grace. Open your heart to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, asking for Wisdom to discern God's voice, Knowledge to understand His will, Understanding to grasp the depths of His truth, and Counsel to act upon His Word. My Lord and intimate God, You desire to speak to me day and night, revealing the mysteries of Your Kingdom and communicating to me Your Living Word. Open my mind and heart to all You wish to reveal, so that, through Your Word, Your Kingdom may take root in my heart and bear abundant fruit. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: See page for author, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Exodus 23–24; Psalm 14; Acts 5 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! On this January 29th episode, join Hunter as he guides us through day 29 of our year-long journey through the Bible. Together, we'll explore the guidelines given in Exodus 23–24, reflect on the heartfelt cry of Psalm 14, and witness the early church's challenges and triumphs in Acts 5—including the powerful and sobering story of Ananias and Sapphira. Throughout the episode, Hunter, your Bible reading coach, helps us see how these passages all point to the Living Word, Jesus—the One who offers us abundant life. We'll be reminded how easily the simple message of Christ can be missed or manipulated, and invited once again to say yes to the true message: life in Him. We finish with meaningful prayers and practical encouragement for our spiritual journey, all wrapped in a spirit of gratitude and community. Thank you for joining us as we walk this pilgrim road together—let's dive into today's reading and let the Word do its work in our hearts. TODAY'S DEVOTION: The message is so simple. And yet, as we read today, Ananias and Sapphira got that message so very wrong. The High Council and the religious leaders, too, missed the central truth. And that's pretty much true to form for most religion—the simple message of God can often be missed, misused, or manipulated. Ananias and Sapphira thought this message was about getting—position, influence, prominence. They wanted to manipulate, to use the message for gain, not for giving. The heart of what God offers was missed in their striving, their attempt to appear generous when it was really driven by self-interest. Then we see the religious leaders; they saw the message as a threat to their control and their standing. They tried to stop it, seeing it not as good news of life but as something that threatened their systems. And isn't this true for us as well? Inside and outside the church we often take the message of life and shape it into something else—a tool for manipulation, or a means to gain acceptance or justify ourselves, or a way to maintain power or status. But the message is so simple, and we see it again today, spoken with clarity by the angel to Peter and John: "Go to the temple and give the people this message of… life." That's it. Life. You've been included into the very life of God. Let go of all the false messages, let go of the need to control, to pretend, to justify. Just say yes to this simple truth, and experience life—here and now. Jesus himself tells us, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). In him was life, and that life was the light of all people (John 4). It's not about power, or prestige, or gaining influence. It's about participating in the abundant, eternal life that God gives freely. Among all the twisted manipulations of the human heart comes God's invitation: Step into life. Don't miss it; receive it, enter and awaken to the life offered to you. Walk with him. Participate with him. You can start right now, simply by turning your heart toward God in gratitude—"Thank you for life, Lord Jesus. I walk with you today." That is the prayer for my soul, for my family—my wife, my daughters, my son—and that's the prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

A Lamp, Not a MapLearning to Walk by the Light Yahovah Gives“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105This is one of the most familiar verses in Scripture, yet its power is often lost through repetition. David was not offering a comforting slogan or poetic imagery detached from real life. He was describing how he survived seasons of darkness, confusion, and uncertainty, by learning to walk with the light God actually gives.What matters first is the image David chose.He does not say God's Word is the sun, a floodlight, or a map revealing the entire journey. He calls it a lamp. In the ancient world, a lamp illuminated only a small space ahead. It required closeness, constant attention, and enough oil to keep it burning. Most importantly, it was useful only while moving. A lamp was never meant for standing still.This tells us something vital about faith. God's Word is given for obedient movement, not passive observation. Scripture is not primarily about gathering information; it is about receiving direction. Faith, in the biblical sense, is meant to guide our steps, not merely inform our thoughts.David reinforces this by saying the lamp is for his feet before it is for his path. That order matters. He does not say God's Word illuminates his understanding first. He says it lights his feet. In other words, obedience comes before clarity. Throughout Scripture, God consistently gives light for the step we are willing to take, not the road we wish to see.“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD” (Psalm 37:23), but those steps still require movement. God does not provide light for tomorrow's road when today's step has not yet been taken. Revelation flows in the direction of obedience. When obedience stalls, light dims, not because God has withdrawn His Word, but because we have stopped walking in it.This truth becomes even more powerful when we consider David's context. He wrote these words not from comfort, but from caves, wilderness seasons, threats, betrayal, repentance, and waiting. He was a man familiar with darkness. Yet the Word did not remove that darkness. It made it walkable.God never promised a problem-free path. He promised faithful guidance through the path. The lamp did not eliminate danger; it made progress possible.From a Hebraic perspective, David's reference to “Your word” is not a general example, but davar of God is covenant instruction, rooted in the Torah, commandments, testimony, and revealed will. Scripture itself confirms this: “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light” (Proverbs 6:23).This means divine guidance is not found in feelings alone, impressions alone, or spiritual intuition disconnected from God's revealed Word. Light is found within covenant boundaries. Many stumble not because God is silent, but because they have stepped off the path while still expecting illumination.There is also a hidden requirement in David's image that is easy to miss. A lamp without oil is useless. Oil in Scripture is consistently associated with the Spirit, faithfulness, and preparation. Yeshua echoed this truth when He said that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3).The lamp must be tended daily. Yesterday's revelation cannot sustain today's obedience. When Scripture is neglected, light diminishes, not suddenly, but gradually. What once seemed clear begins to feel uncertain.David's words ultimately point beyond himself. He speaks prophetically. Yeshua later declares, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness” (John 8:12). John confirms this revelation by writing, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).The written Word leads us to the Living Word. Scripture is not the destination; it is the

1-25-25

Feelings can be powerful—but they were never meant to lead your life. In this episode, Pastor Ken and Pastor Angie walk through Scripture to show us how faith is anchored not in emotions, but in the Living Word of God. Using the faith of the Roman centurion, they reveal what it truly means to take Jesus at His Word. ✨ The Living Word always accomplishes what it promises ✨ God's Word is eternal—even when circumstances change ✨ Faith speaks truth to fear, anxiety, and confusion If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or spiritually uncertain, this message will help realign your heart with God's truth.

Joshua Vasquez

Nehemiah 8:1-18 The post Built on Truth: God’s Living Word appeared first on Pillar Baptist Church.

Genesis 1:1 - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Let's look at the words "God" and "created." in this verse in Hebrew the word used for God is a plural noun and created is a singular verb. What day did God create the world? It says God created everything in 6 days and He rested on the 7th day, the Sabbath, and that is Saturday. Which means the first day of creation was on Sunday. What was the day of the week that God began a new creation?  That was on the day Jesus arose from the grave. The Bible tells us this was on the first day of the week, on a Sunday. Jesus' closest friend, John, begins his gospel this way: "In the beginning  was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Psalm 33:6 "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth."  In Genesis 1 we read over and over, "And God said…" God brought everything into being through His Word and the Bible describes Jesus as that Word, the Living Word. John 1:3 tells us "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."  Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God. Hard to comprehend, but true. John goes on in verse 14, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."  Let's look at these words from that verse, "made his dwelling" in Hebrew it is one word. Tabernacles. Jesus, the Word became flesh and tabernacles among us. Not simply in the spirit, but in the flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.  Colossians 1:15-17 "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." The only way we can be held together in this fallen world is in Jesus Christ, the Savior of us all. The only way to face the future and the difficulties of life in a fallen world is through the power of His Son who has redeemed us and through His Holy Spirit who strengthens, guides and directs us. Our God is an awesome God! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer"  https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

This weekend marked a sacred and historic moment for Living Word with the induction of Pastor Jim as Senior Pastor. Pastors Mac and Lynne shared from the heart, reflecting on decades of prayer, faith, and trust in God's call on their son's life, even in seasons when it seemed unlikely. They spoke of Pastor Jim's deep preparation, from serving in every area of ministry to his strong grounding in the Word and unwavering commitment to prayer. With the laying on of hands and powerful prophetic prayer from Pastors Mac and Lynne, the church formally recognized this God-ordained transition, celebrating a new day marked by continuity, spiritual authority, and great expectation for what lies ahead. Pastor Jim responded with humility and love: “I will most gladly spend myself and be utterly spent for the people of Living Word."Following this moment, Pastor Mac continued his series "The Gatekeeper of Power," reminding the church that while God's power is available to every believer, it is accessed through a renewed mind. Teaching from Scripture, he emphasized that our minds act as the gatekeeper, determining whether God's life-giving power or the enemy's deception has influence. By focusing on the unseen, eternal truths of God's Word rather than natural circumstances, believers learn to open the gate to resurrection power, walking more fully in the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. It was a fitting message for a day of transition: a call to steward both leadership and personal faith with intentional focus and spiritual clarity.Our Links–• Join The Prayer Movement!: https://theprayermovement.com• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwordmn• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingwordmn• Stay up to date with all things LWCC at https://www.LWCC.org• Join our Online Church community here: https://www.lwcc.org/onlinechurch• Give online: https://www.lwcc.org/give/• If you recently committed your life to God, we'd like to give you a free eBook to help you in your spiritual journey. Click here to download: https://www.lwcc.org/nextsteps/#LivingWord #ChurchSermon #Worship

This weekend marked a sacred and historic moment for Living Word with the induction of Pastor Jim as Senior Pastor. Pastors Mac and Lynne shared from the heart, reflecting on decades of prayer, faith, and trust in God's call on their son's life, even in seasons when it seemed unlikely. They spoke of Pastor Jim's deep preparation, from serving in every area of ministry to his strong grounding in the Word and unwavering commitment to prayer. With the laying on of hands and powerful prophetic prayer from Pastors Mac and Lynne, the church formally recognized this God-ordained transition, celebrating a new day marked by continuity, spiritual authority, and great expectation for what lies ahead. Pastor Jim responded with humility and love: “I will most gladly spend myself and be utterly spent for the people of Living Word."Following this moment, Pastor Mac continued his series "The Gatekeeper of Power," reminding the church that while God's power is available to every believer, it is accessed through a renewed mind. Teaching from Scripture, he emphasized that our minds act as the gatekeeper, determining whether God's life-giving power or the enemy's deception has influence. By focusing on the unseen, eternal truths of God's Word rather than natural circumstances, believers learn to open the gate to resurrection power, walking more fully in the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. It was a fitting message for a day of transition: a call to steward both leadership and personal faith with intentional focus and spiritual clarity.Our Links–• Join The Prayer Movement!: https://theprayermovement.com• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwordmn• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingwordmn• Stay up to date with all things LWCC at https://www.LWCC.org• Join our Online Church community here: https://www.lwcc.org/onlinechurch• Give online: https://www.lwcc.org/give/• If you recently committed your life to God, we'd like to give you a free eBook to help you in your spiritual journey. Click here to download: https://www.lwcc.org/nextsteps/#LivingWord #ChurchSermon #Worship

2 Corinthians 1-6

The Rubber Duck and the Real Counselor"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." — Proverbs 11:14There's this interesting practice in the computer programming world that caught my attention. Programmers keep rubber ducks on their desks, and not just for decoration. When they get stuck on a coding problem, they explain their code to that little yellow duck, line by line. They call it "rubber duck debugging."Here's the amazing thing: just by talking through the problem out loud, even to an inanimate object, programmers often spot their own mistakes. The duck doesn't say a word, doesn't offer advice, just sits there with that painted smile. But somehow, the act of explaining helps clear the fog.Now, that got me thinking. If talking to a rubber duck can help solve computer problems, how much more powerful is it when we bring our life problems to the living God?You see, we all get stuck sometimes. Life throws us these complicated situations where we can't see our way through. Maybe it's a relationship that's gone sideways, a decision about a job, or just feeling lost in the daily grind. And here's where a lot of us make our mistake, we either keep it all bottled up inside, or worse, we find our own version of a rubber duck, something that listens but can't really help.I knew a man who'd spend hours at the local bar, talking through his problems with whoever would listen. The bartender nodded, the beer bottles didn't judge, but come morning, his problems were still there, plus a headache. That's rubber duck debugging for life, talking to something that can't talk back with wisdom.But God offers us something so much better. David knew this secret. He wrote, "I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons" (Psalm 16:7). See, David didn't just talk at God like a rubber duck. He received counsel back. Real wisdom, real guidance, real comfort.And it doesn't stop there. God's given us His Word, which "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). That's not a one-way conversation. When we read Scripture while praying about our problems, the Holy Spirit illuminates truth we need to hear.Then there's the body of Christ, our fellow believers. James tells us, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (James 5:16). These aren't rubber ducks. These are brothers and sisters who can pray with us, share wisdom from their own walks, and sometimes tell us hard truths we need to hear.I learned this the hard way, and I'm too soon old and too late smart on this one. For years, I tried to sort out my problems on my own, maybe throwing up a quick prayer here and there, but mostly just spinning my wheels. It wasn't until I learned to be transparent before God, to dig into His Word for specific guidance, and to humble myself enough to seek godly counsel that I started finding real solutions.The programmer's rubber duck works because it forces him to slow down and articulate his problem. But we have access to the Creator of the universe, the Living Word, and a family of faith. Why settle for a one-way conversation when we can have genuine dialogue with divine wisdom?Let's pray: Father, help us to bring our problems to You with transparency and faith. Thank You for Your Word that guides us and Your people who support us. Teach us to seek Your counsel above all else. In Jesus' name, Amen.#RTTBROS #Nightlight #Prayer #ChristianCommunity #BiblicalWisdom #Faith #SpiritualGrowth #DailyDevotionBe sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Hebrews 4:12-13 | January 11, 2025 | Dr. Michael J. KrugerDr. Michael J. Kruger is Teaching on Hebrews 4:12-13. We hope you are blessed and equipped by today's message.To find out more about Shorebreak Church or to partner financially, visit www.shorebreakchurch.comTo share your story or ask questions, contact aloha@shorebreakchurch.comMahalo for listening!

In this message Pastor Jacob Sheriff calls the church to recover Scripture as essential to discipleship in a time of biblical illiteracy and cultural drift, reminding us that the Bible's authority flows not from tradition but from Jesus Himself. Scripture matters because it testifies to Christ, the Living Word, and is meant to make us wise for salvation through faith in Him, not merely informed or morally reinforced. When Scripture is severed from Christ, it can be misused or misunderstood; when read with Him at the center, it forms faith, produces wisdom, and leads to life, shaping us into “people of the Book” who are continually formed into Christlikeness through humble engagement with God's Word.

2 Timothy 3:10-17 w/ Pastor Jacob SheriffScripture matters because it testifies to Christ, the Living Word, and is meant to make us wise for salvation through faith in Him, not merely informed or morally reinforced. When Scripture is severed from Christ, it can be misused or misunderstood; when read with Him at the center, it forms faith, produces wisdom, and leads to life, shaping us into "people of the Book" who are continually formed into Christlikeness through humble engagement with God's Word.Support the showhttps://victorylifechurch.com/teachings/

Hey there, Welcome to Living Word! We're so glad you're here with us. If you find this message inspiring, don't forget to hit that like button and subscribe for more amazing content. We've got a lineup of guest speakers, pastors, and engaging discussions with our awesome community members coming your way. Let's dive in together! Our Links–• Join The Prayer Movement!: https://theprayermovement.com• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwordmn• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingwordmn• Stay up to date with all things LWCC at https://www.LWCC.org• Join our Online Church community here: https://www.lwcc.org/onlinechurch• Give online: https://www.lwcc.org/give/• If you recently committed your life to God, we'd like to give you a free eBook to help you in your spiritual journey. Click here to download: https://www.lwcc.org/nextsteps/#LivingWord #ChurchSermon #Worship

John 1:1-5 Jesus Christ is eternal and fully God, existing before all things and standing as the Creator of everything that exists. Life itself flows from Him, and that life shines as light into a dark world that resists and rejects it. He is not a created being or a lesser expression of God, but God Himself made known. All creation testifies to His power, and every person is accountable for how they respond to the light He gives. The tragedy of humanity is not the absence of light, but the refusal to receive it, even as Christ continues to shine in truth, grace, and redemption. Don't forget to download our app for more from the Riverview Baptist Church. http://onelink.to/rbcapp Find more at https://riverviewbc.com/ Donate through Pushpay https://pushpay.com/pay/riverviewbc

Noisy Doors, Leaky Roofs, and the Mark of the Beast Last week's newsletter was written to be very simple. This week...not simple. We're tying together our lessons on the Salt Covenant, The Scarlet Harlot, and the basic menorah pattern of Workbook One. So no, it's not simple, but it's not too difficult, either! Try printing it off and studying it over two Shabbats, referencing the suggested videos or workbooks as you go.   ***   So what do noisy doors, leaky roofs, and the mark of the beast have in common?    Excellent question! I'm glad you asked.   In order to see the connection, we have to know a little something about each of them. If you want a refresher on the Beast, consider signing up for the Creation Gospel Workbook Four class coming up with Kisha Gallagher (scroll down for info) or watching the Scarlet Harlot series on YouTube. You can also refresh your memory on the meaning of the mezuzah with our "More Than" YouTube videos. We'll cover a few basics here to tie it together.   “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me…”   Yeshua standing at the door knocking is a huge hint, especially on the heels of John's sobering prophecies of the mark of the beast in Revelation. If we can't see the link to the world commercial system as “Babylon” in Revelation, we're not trying very hard. Revelation begins with memos to the seven assemblies emphasizing their need to “overcome” the tribulations John is about to describe,   • “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Re 3:14-21)   We can conclude that how to overcome is described in Revelation, but we can also conclude that an ignorance of the Torah will make our understanding only partial. Revelation is written as an incredibly intricate re-telling of the Torah portions. Without an understanding of those Torah portions, it will be difficult to be identified as one of those who overcome when they “keep the testimony of Yeshua and the commandments of God.”   If Yeshua knocks on the door of one of these potential overcomers, he knocks on a door that is marked by a mezuzah, which contains summaries of the commandments. To pull in the themes of our Salt Covenant study over the last several weeks, a mezuzah is a sign that those inside the house know to be salty within, tenderly and joyfully salting their commandment-keeping. Because they are pliable to the work of the Ruach HaKodesh within the house, they are ready to meet the challenges of the Beast outside the house.   The mezuzah is their reminder that they've committed their coming and going, especially their work and business dealings, to preserving their covenant with the Father with salt, for savory salt is our faith, the tenderness we have toward His Word. It is our desire to draw close to Him through our sacrifices, not begrudgingly or to be admired by others, but to give glory to the Father. Yeshua reminds us that he also wants to draw near to our salty selves, so he stands at the door and knocks.   Just imagine that the mezuzah on your door was Yeshua standing there each day inquiring if he may accompany you in your coming and going.   Because he is. The custom is to touch one's fingers to the mezuzah and kiss the fingers. It demonstrates affection and tenderness toward the Shma and other scriptures in the mezuzah, which remind us in our coming and going Who the only Source of wealth is. The name Shaddai is inscribed on mezuzot, which is the name describing His attribute of nourishment and supply.   By touching the mezuzah, we also are reminded like the Israelites in Deuteronomy Eight: “Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.' But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers...”   The mezuzah on the door marks the boundary between what happens when we go into the world and how we are inside our homes. If we are at war inside our homes, then how will we war against the principalities and powers outside our homes? The shin on the tefillin reminds the person Who opens the Heavenly windows to drip down zuzim, or coins, transactions, in our lives. Zuz is found in the word mezuzah, but the letter shin is found on both the mezuzah and the prayer tefillin.   Because they are worn in prayer, it helps one to adjust those trade prayers according to Yeshua's model…daily bread…forgiveness…holiness…His will and glory on earth…protection from temptation to sin. Ever notice how many famous actors, musicians, and sports stars end up unhappy, addicted, disconnected from the real world, and just plain weird? We are not spiritually wired to receive the glory of Heaven, only to reflect the glory of Heaven outward with salt. Of course they get weird and depressed!   Our labor and business dealings outside the home must be salted and lit from within first. We must extend ourselves from within, or it will eventually be evident to the world that we did not exert ourselves according to our wealth of salvation and light.nIt is thought that the marks of tzaraat (leprosy) that appeared in a home were a result of greed and stinginess. When the priests removed everything inside to the outside to quarantine and scrape the stones, everyone would see the wealth concealed inside, especially if they'd pretended not to have enough to help the needy brother. The “best third” is where the mezuzah is placed on a door, the upper third, like an upper room. The mezuzah marks the right hand frame of the door about 2/3 of the way up: “Mezuzah guards the Covenant, and so observing the mitzvah of mezuzah leads a person to truth and faith, the faith which is absolutely necessary when conducting business.”    “And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,' And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.'” (Zec 13:9)   Yeshua invokes this prophecy in Zechariah when he warns the Laodiceans in Revelation Three that he is standing at the door knocking: “Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich…”   This is where we see another connection to the mezuzah. Zechariah prophesies of the “third part.” This is thought to be the remnant that will come through the tribulation refined by fire instead of destroyed by it. They have not succumbed to the Beast's commercial activity, buying and selling excessively or on Shabbat (see CG Workbook Four or Workbook Two). Traditionally, the mezuzah is affixed at a pointing on the right side of the door 2/3 of the way up the door. To relate the thirds, the mezuzah is like the principle of the “upper room” we've studied over the last several weeks.    Ancient Israelite houses typically had two levels, a ground level where beasts were stabled and practical household work such as cooking and weaving took place, but the family quarters were on the second floor. An extra upper room had to be built either on the second floor or atop the family quarters, making it an upper third. More simply, an upper room was where the family made space for visitors, a space that wasn't there, yet they created the space through hospitality.   Those upper rooms in Scripture were places associated with hospitality toward the righteous visitor as well as resurrection from the dead, like the stories of Elijah, Elisha, Dorcas, and Eutychus. A mezuzah reminds us not to neglect making those spaces of hospitality for the righteous visitor, who represents hospitality toward Yeshua and the Living Word. Yeshua's noisy knocking on the door is a daily reminder that when we make an “upper room” of hospitality, then we are actually tapping into the Garden of Eden. The resurrections in the upper rooms of Scripture show us this.    On the mezuzah is either the Name Shaddai, or it is in the shorthand of the first Hebrew letter shin. Not so coincidentally, the tefillin that are placed on an Israelite male's forehead and arm are also marked with a shin (see above). The mezuzah and tefillin remind each day:   • Hear, O Israel! The LORD our God, the LORD is one! And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Dt 6:4-9)    Deuteronomy 8:11-19 reminds Israel not to be deceived when they become comfortable and prosperous in the Land, for their wealth will deceive them into thinking they earned it with their own hand. Remember the gumballs?   The tefillin on the hand and arm are a reminder that it is YHVH alone who gives the power to acquire wealth. Likewise, the mezuzah is marked with a shin for Shaddai, the One who provides sustenance, nourishment to Israel. Strangely, the shin is made of three Hebrew letters vav joined at the bottom. The gematria value of vav is six. 666.    Whaaaaat? Yes, it's the mark of the beast. But that's not the whole story. The mezuzah and tefillin are NOT the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast is when you get very close to being a salt covenant household or person, yet you have something lacking. Salt. Your daily work is not to acquire the wealth of the Kingdom to the glory of the Father, which can only be done through the power of the Ruach HaKodesh moving through the Word in you. The mark of the beast is when our daily work is to acquire the object of desire for our own sake. We can hear the disingenuous, unsalty believer when he says, “If God will just let me win the lottery, I'll build orphanages and feed the poor all over the world.”   And he probably will. But he will do it only in order to feed his own desires first. He's not really seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. He's pursuing his own kingdom, offering God a deal that the Kingdom of Heaven will benefit from the scraps. Such a person will not give commensurately with his newfound wealth, for he is stingy at heart. Unsavory salt. Tepid. Lukewarm. Blechhhh!   The secret of the 666 is that it is only the letter of the Torah without the Ruach. The shin is like a menorah when the backlight of the Ruach shines through it (again, see Workbooks 2 & 4). Remember last week's lesson on the gumball machine? It was what you couldn't see that had to occur before what you could see. The Ruach precedes the letter of the Torah. Together, with the spiritual backlight through the literal three vavs, it yields seven, the seven- branched menorah. One tefillin has three vavs, but its mate has four! 3 + 4 = 7. Compare to the above: To be unsalty is 666. To be salty is to shine the seven spirits of Adonai described in Isaiah and Revelation:     •  wisdom   •  understanding   •  counsel   •  Spirit of Adonai   •  power   •  knowledge   •  reverence    Yeshua, the Living Word, is the doorkeeper of the overcoming household. We never want to reduce him to someone there to reward us with wealth. The word mezuzah comes from a Hebrew word meaning movement, going back and forth. The historical zuz was a coin, about a day's sustenance for one adult:   • Weight: About 4.26 grams (0.137 troy ounces) of silver. • Value: Historically equivalent to a day's wage or a portion of food/clothing, (e.g., 200 zuz was a year's support).  • Modern value would be about $20.   "Give us today our daily bread." Not the lottery.   Not so coincidentally, a mezuzah means more than movement. It is rooted as well in the movement of a beast: What starts out as a beautiful creation of spirit (upper room), soul and body (lower rooms), can degenerate into the mark of the beast. Instead of letting the Ruach drip into our lower rooms of work and family, the upper room is sealed off because of our stinginess and greed. Esau and Jacob had very different motives in asking for blessings. We can become unsavory, relentless hunters like Esau, the Red One, nicknamed Edom because he was red and hairy all over like a beast, a man of the field who loved hunting. We don't want to become marked by the Red One, never satisfied, even on Shabbat.   “…and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.” (Re 13:17)   Nehemiah's struggles with those returning to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple, especially in their continued buying and selling on Shabbat, are the reference point. He eventually had to order the gates of Jerusalem shut and locked to prevent the vendors from coming in with their goods. How glorious will it be when the gates no longer need to be shut, for no one will even entertain the idea of disobeying the King of King's command to rest and be with Him in Jerusalem on Shabbat.   Knock, knock.   In short, the mark of the beast is on one who buys and sells on Shabbat. Because there is no trust in Adonai to provide the many things we crave, we continue to work on His holy day. Someone who believes in God may have salt, but it is not savory. One who believes in God enough to do what He says is savory salt. Salt allows us to draw near the upper room of the Garden. I'm sure Yeshua is having wonderful conversations with the righteous souls of those who just didn't understand Shabbat, but they were faithful in what they knew. They are learning while they wait, not rebelling.   Ezekiel describes what went wrong in the “upper room” of the Garden of Eden, a hospitable place for those who want to draw near to the voice of Elohim, but a place from which rebels are purged. The “trader” was cast out of the heavenly fiery stones and tossed into the lower realms of strange, profane fire, that is, fire used by those estranged from the upper room fires of the Ruach above:   You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. (Eze 28:13-16; 18)   Ezekiel 28 drops a hint to where we should be vigilant: “By the abundance of your trading [H7404 rekula] you became filled with violence within, and you sinned...”   ????? rawkal' [H7402] to travel for trading   Our trade is part of work for our living, yet, the abundance is the danger zone. If our inner fire craves more wealth than we are willing to give back to Heaven commensurately, our going back and forth, zuzing about, to trade our time and effort for goods, power, and esteem becomes idolatry. In Hebrew, moving back and forth is zuz [zuz is also a coin], the root of mezuzah. The mezuzah marks the door where we travel back and forth each day to obtain our portion of wealth.   When our pursuit of wages and wealth pushes the testimony of Yeshua and the commandments of God beneath our feet instead of allowing them to drip daily from the upper room of the resurrection Ruach that raised Messiah from the dead, we sin. Our house's upper room should be designed to drip to lower floors of daily living, or we become unsavory salt.   We trade our precious lives, our time, our effort, to accumulate an abundance of things, not necessarily money, but what money will purchase: entertainment, security, comfort, esteem, power, knowledge, appeasement, etc. These things deceive us into believing they will bring joy and peace, but we know it's a lie because they never do. They are simply offered to the strange, consuming fire of the soul, but are not refinement of the spirit, which is everlasting peace and joy. It brings savory salt, light, and contentment from within.    The ancient investment advice is:   • Invest 1/3 of your income in tangible property such as real estate, durable goods, secure long-term investments  • Invest 1/3 in your daily labor, your paycheck, investments that provide a faster return, a little riskier, easily liquidated • Invest 1/3 above the mezuzah in the Kingdom of Heaven by lending to the poor, giving to needy, investing time in spiritual causes along with Torah study, prayer, service, discussing Scripture with others, etc. Even kindness is an investment!   We should not become “stingy” with Heavenly principles in the world of work, which would reflect a home's lower rooms sealed off from the upper room. The upper room should drip the testimony of Yeshua and the noisy commandments of God through the power of the resurrection Ruach. It leaks into the lower rooms of family and work!   The leaky roof is what we need to carry into the world of work and business as well as our relationships. An outwardly successful business producing wealth that can only be spent before the resurrection of the dead is not successful at all.    Preparation in the home under the disciplines of the Ruach HaKodesh will be evident in the place of business, not as a pile of 666 cash, but as peace in drawing near the Father, salt. The physical work is simply a means of building the Kingdom instead of demanding that the Father bless our work to build our own kingdoms of security, esteem, attention, comfort, intellectual stimulation, etc. Whether we have little or many zuzim, all we need to remember is that we must give commensurately with the wealth the Father drips down upon us.    If we can be responsible even with earthly money, which has no righteousness within itself, then we can be responsible with Heavenly riches.   If we can't be trusted to give commensurately with our wealth when there is no Temple service, and much freedom is granted in when and how much we give, then how can the Father trust us with His riches when the Temple on “the mountain of God” descends? The Temple services and the Land of Israel are places of extreme exactness in managing work and wealth.   Manage earthly zuzim faithfully, and we will inherit the Heavenly riches to manage.    One of my favorite movies is about a Quaker family, from the book Friendly Persuasion. One of the funniest lines is, “Friend, thee's got a squeaky door upstairs.”    Friend, thee's got a squeaky door downstairs, too. Yeshua is knocking, reminding, inquiring, requesting if we will open to his voice. It is the same voice of Elohim that walked and talked in the Garden, an upper room.   When we open our doors to him, we release the water of the Word from our upper rooms and let it fill our homes, workplaces, and relationships. If we move about, may we zuz for the glory of the Father.    Please SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to get new teachings.