Podcasts about lord almighty

Years ago a major art gallery sponsored a competition for painters. They were offering prizes for the best painting on the subject of "Peace." As the attenders browsed through the entries, most had decided that one certain painting was almost sure to win. It portrayed this lush green pasture under a vivid blue sky, with the cows grazing lazily and a little boy walking through the grass with his fishing pole over his shoulder. It really made you feel all peaceful. But it came in second. The painting that won was a big surprise. The scene was the ocean in a violent storm. The sky was ominous, the lightning was cutting across the sky, and the waves were crashing into the rock walls of the cliffs by the shore. No peace. But you had to look twice to understand what was going on. There, about halfway up the cliff was a birds' nest, tucked into a tiny hollow in the rock. A mother bird was sitting on that nest with her little babies, tucked underneath her, sleeping soundly. That was peace! I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Peace in the Midst of the Storm." Now, that was the title of the prize-winning painting - and rightly so, because peace is not just the absence of a storm. It's peace in the middle of the storm. The kind of peace many of us could use right now; the kind of peace maybe you could have right now if you're resting where you ought to be. As our headlines have become more dominated with new dangers, as so many hearts have been struggling with new anxieties and new fears, I think we're ready for the incredible peace offered in Psalm 46. I call it "Good News for Troubled Times." It's our word for today from the Word of God. Maybe it should be our word for every day right now! "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." So, the more troubled things are, the more present God makes Himself. The psalmist then says, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." Everything's collapsing here - things that have always been there for us. But no fear. Why? "God is our refuge and strength." This psalm continues: "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where The Most High dwells." Where does God live today? Well, it's in those who belong to Him through faith in Jesus. So this might be about you. "God is within her, and she will not fall...Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall...the Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Then as everything seems to be melting down, God says, "Be still, and know that I am God." OK, turn off the news, leave those other voices, and get where you can just be with God. And realize that as long as you're in His hands, there's no such thing as out of control. He is still God and you are still His! And if you have never given yourself to Jesus, the Man who died for you to pay for your sin, I'd say there's never been a better time than this. With so much uncertainty, it's so great to know that you're safe forever in a relationship with Him. I wonder if there's ever been a time when you began your personal relationship with Jesus. Not just have a religion about Jesus or agree with Jesus, but when you've pinned all your hopes on Him as the man who died for your sin and rose from the grave to give you eternal life. If you want that security, if you want that anchor, if you want that forgiveness, that rock to stand on, tell Him that today. Say, "Jesus, I want to belong to You. I'm giving myself to You because You gave yourself for me." I'd love to have you go to our website today because there is help to be sure that you are anchored to Jesus Christ from this day on and forever. It's called ANewStory.com. Would you check it out? When you are nesting in the care of the Lord Jesus Christ, you can rest through any storm, because you belong to the One who can give you peace in the middle of the storm.

Scripture:  2 Samuel 6, Psalm 30:4-5, Hebrews 9:5, Romans 3:25. Today's story of David is one that is an oft time ignored account from David's life, but we will see ways it dramatically impacts and applies to our lives. We open with 2 Samuel 6:2 “David and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark.”  Pastor shares the history of the Ark from the Book of Exodus during the time of Moses, its description, and rules and regulations from God to the Israelites about the Ark. Pastor also goes into the annual Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, and what the practice was with the Ark.  But by the time of David the Ark was mostly forgotten.  The Ark has a fascinating history and Pastor shares a chronology based on what we know from the Bible: ARK OF THE COVENANT     ⁃    Mount Sinai - 1445 BC     ⁃    Promised Land 1406 BC     ⁃    Shiloh - ca. 1399-1075 BC     ⁃    Kiribati Jearim - ca. 1074-1003 BC     ⁃    Jerusalem - ca. 1003-586 BC  And then the Ark disappears.  While we do not know where or what happened to the Ark, we do know that during the time of David, he sought to restore bring the Ark back and to bring worship of God in Israel. 2 Samuel 6:3-5 “They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets,[d] harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.”  However, we see that they are not doing this as the Torah instructed. It was to be moved only by priests, and by holding onto the Ark's handles with the ark completely covered from view. Ahia and Uzzah were priests but were not moving the Ark as God had instructed. On the walk, Uzzah reaches out and touches the Ark because the oxen stumbled and God's anger burned against Uzzah for his irreverent act and God struck him down and he died beside the Ark of God. God desires to be taken seriously.  Their intentions were good but the directions in the scripture were clear and straightforward and they had ignored them. Next we read that David ask the Lord, “how can the Ark of the Lord ever come to me?” God is capricious. God is holy and He's not to be trifled with. We are not to ignore what He says.   Today, many live in fear of God. But what He desires to communicate to us today is that He is holy. But He's more than that, we will find He is merciful AND He is Salvation! David wouldn't take the Ark into his city, after Uzzah died, instead he left it with Obed-Edom to see what would happen to him. And over the next three months Obed-Edom and his entire household were blessed, so David then moves the Ark the City of David with great rejoicing. They understood that God is merciful, that He is a generous and forgiving God. This time they follow what God has prescribed. The priests carry it, it's covered and no cart is used. David wrote Psalm 30 during this time and it expresses what he learned: Psalm 30:4-5 “Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” It was an incredible celebration, a joyous time, because David and the rest understood that God is good, that God is merciful and that God can be trusted. They placed the Ark in the Tent that David had prepared and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. David organized the ongoing care of the Ark which we can read in 1 Chronicles 23 - 26 setting it up so that the priests would do what they were supposed to do. It also helped the children of Israel worship God the way they were supposed to. David wanted to ensure things were done God's way, just as God had directed in the Book of Exodus to Moses. Pastor closes today with, “God is Salvation.” God desires all to be saved. He is calling His children back to Himself. Pastor shares great insight to the “Mercy Seat” using Romans 3:25 “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” Sacrifice of atonement or sometimes stated as “propitiation” are English translations of the Greek word for “mercy seat.”  What this verse literally means is that God presented Christ as a mercy seat through the shedding of his blood to be received by faith. David and people of the Old Testament era had their sins removed once a year on the Day of Atonement, which finds its ultimate fulfillment once and for all, not once a year, but once forever in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He is the mercy seat of God. It's His blood that covers our sin. And so what we have seen in 2 Samuel 6 gets its fulfillment in the One who is the Son of God.  God is holy.  God is merciful.  GOD IS SALVATION. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?” — Acts 5:9 “Kill the chicken to scare the monkey,” says a Chinese proverb. In other words, put the fear of punishment into people, and they will not break the rules. Is that what Peter does in this unnerving story about Ananias and Sapphira? In the early chapters of Acts, the writer Luke includes progress reports on the growth and character of the early church. At the end of Acts 4 we read that the believers were “one in heart and mind” and “shared everything they had.” We also read of a generous donation by Barnabas, who sold some land and gave all the money to the church. The story of Ananias and Sapphira, however, reveals a web of deceit. The couple sold some land and kept some money for themselves while pretending to give all the proceeds to the church. Peter harshly condemned them—not for keeping some of the profit but for lying and thinking they could deceive the Holy Spirit. What should we make of this story? Is Peter making an example of this deceitful couple? Well, this story isn't mainly about Peter. The Holy Spirit, who lives and moves within us and the church, is carrying out Jesus' plans for redemption. Ananias and Sapphira's story reminds us that we should rely only on the Spirit for growth and blessing—and we should never forget that the Spirit is the Lord Almighty. Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise and presence of the Holy Spirit, our comforter. Help us to trust and honor the Spirit in all things. Amen.

The challenges, rebukes, and encouragements of this sermon all carry their proper weight. Preaching from James 4:2–3, Spurgeon first exposes the poverty of lusting, how all the carnal and self-reliant effort in the world never produces that for which we seek. Then, and painfully, he points out how Christian churches may suffer from spiritual poverty, declining and drifting, neither desiring anything worthwhile nor seeking after it. Such churches are often competing for the wrong things in the wrong spirit, even with bitterness. Where, asks the preacher, is the asking? Where is the praying and the pleading for God's blessing, and for God's glory in the blessing? All this leads to stirring encouragements to take God at his word, and to ask rightly of a God who is only too ready to bestow his favours upon those who seek him. Spurgeon really hammers this point home, exhorting us to persistent prayer to the God of heaven, assuring us that the Lord Almighty stands ready to pour out his goodnesses on those who call upon him. So, shall we believe the Word of God? Shall we give ourselves to prayer? Shall we look for the answer, because we are persuaded of what God himself has said? Read the sermon here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/resources/ask-andhave Check out the new From the Heart of Spurgeon Book! British: https://amzn.to/48rV1OR American: https://amzn.to/48oHjft Connect with the Reading Spurgeon Community on Twitter! https://twitter.com/ReadingSpurgeon Sign up to get the weekly readings emailed to you: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon. Check out other Media Gratiae podcasts at www.mediagratiae.org Download the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

The challenges, rebukes, and encouragements of this sermon all carry their proper weight. Preaching from James 4:2–3, Spurgeon first exposes the poverty of lusting, how all the carnal and self-reliant effort in the world never produces that for which we seek. Then, and painfully, he points out how Christian churches may suffer from spiritual poverty, declining and drifting, neither desiring anything worthwhile nor seeking after it. Such churches are often competing for the wrong things in the wrong spirit, even with bitterness. Where, asks the preacher, is the asking? Where is the praying and the pleading for God's blessing, and for God's glory in the blessing? All this leads to stirring encouragements to take God at his word, and to ask rightly of a God who is only too ready to bestow his favours upon those who seek him. Spurgeon really hammers this point home, exhorting us to persistent prayer to the God of heaven, assuring us that the Lord Almighty stands ready to pour out his goodnesses on those who call upon him. So, shall we believe the Word of God? Shall we give ourselves to prayer? Shall we look for the answer, because we are persuaded of what God himself has said?

Send us a textTitle: “Test Me in This” — When Trust Costs Everything (Malachi 3:10) Scripture Reference: Malachi 3:10Welcome to Unshakeable: A Daily Christian Devotional Podcast. I'm Reverend Ben Cooper, broadcasting daily from London, England. Each episode is a five-minute daily devotion designed to ground you in Scripture, prayer, and faith-filled encouragement. In today's powerful devotional, we turn to Malachi 3:10, where God invites us to do something radical—test Him in the area of provision.For over 31 years, I've served as a preacher and teacher of God's Word, yet there are still moments—like today—when I'm brought to my knees in financial fear. In this deeply personal reflection, I confess the real and raw battle I've faced: heating our modest church studio through the winter, paying mounting bills, and trusting God for continued outreach in a struggling London neighborhood. Like many of you, I've whispered in prayer: “Lord, how can I keep going?”But Malachi 3:10 thunders with divine clarity: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… and test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty. “See if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven.”This isn't just about money. It's about surrender. It's about learning to trust God's promises when your natural circumstances scream otherwise.Today's devotional is an honest journey from fear to faith. I asked the Lord, “Why have I kept a little back in my back pocket?” And the answer hit me: fear. But today, I choose trust. I'm laying down anxiety about heating costs and ministry expenses. I'm declaring: “I will not fear. I will trust the Lord.”Life Application: If you're struggling to tithe, give, or simply trust God in your finances, this devotional is for you. Whether you're in ministry, self-employed, in crisis, or just scraping by, this is your invitation to test God's Word and lean into His abundance. Reflect on supporting Scriptures like Proverbs 3:5-6, Luke 6:38, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, and Psalm 37:25.These five minutes could shift your entire perspective. Call to Action: If this daily Christian podcast blesses you, please support it. Just £3 per month on Buy Me a Coffee helps keep RB Christian Radio alive. Your gift powers every prayer devotion, every teaching, and every soul reached across the globe.Tune in daily on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast to help grow our global community. We are a church without walls, linked in spirit from London to the nations.Tags: daily Christian devotional podcast, prayer devotion, Malachi 3:10, trust God finances, English preacher London, faith and money devotional, Christian podcast UK, 5-minute devotionals, biblical encouragement podcast, RB Christian Radio, Reverend Ben Cooper, Buy Me a Coffee ministry supSupport the showThank you for listening! For more inspiring content, visit our main site at RBChristianRadio.net. Explore our ministry services and celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net. If you'd like to support our work, you can now Buy Me a Coffee and help us keep spreading the word. Every bit makes a difference! God bless and see you in the next episode.

TISHA B'AV: A DAY OF FASTING AND MOURNINGThis coming Saturday evening, August 2nd, the Jewish people will be observing Tisha B'Av. The name Tisha B'Av means "the Ninth of Av," Av being the fifth month in the Jewish calendar. It coincides with the months of July and August in the Gregorian calendar and is a day set aside for fasting, mourning, the reading of Scripture and prayer. It commemorates a number of tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout their history.The observance of Tisha B'Av is nowhere commanded or instructed in the Scriptures, but reference to its observance by the Jewish people is found in the prophet Zechariah. In chapter 7 we read:"In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev. The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melech, together with their men, to entreat the Lord by asking the priests of the house of the Lord Almighty and the prophets, 'Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month (the month of Av), as I have done for so many years?" (Zechariah 7:1-3; cf. vs.5, 8:19) The rabbis taught that the Jewish people experienced five tragedies on Tisha B'Av: the expulsion of the Jews from Israel by the Babylonians in 586 BC, the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC and then by the Romans in 70 AD, the fall of the city of Betar in 135 BC which ended the third Jewish revolt against Rome and the plowing of the city of Jerusalem by the Romans following the crushing of the rebellion.Despite all the tragedies and anguish the Jewish people have experienced at so many times and in so many places, Tisha B'Av is observed with a sense of hope. On Tisha B'Av the book of Lamentations is read and we are reminded:"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.' The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord...Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven...I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: Do not close your ears to my cry for relief. You came near when I called you, and you said, 'Do not fear.' O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life." O daughter of Zion, your punishment will end; he will not prolong your exile...You, O Lord, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation...Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old..." (Lamentations 3:22-26; 3:40-41, 55-58; 4:22; 5:19, 21)YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/Iap9WWAVKfsSend us a text

WHEN HEAVEN CALLSSunday, July 27, 2025Pastor Wes Morris Isaiah 6:1-8 (NLT) It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Then I said, “It's all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”√ GOD'S CALL DOESN'T BEGIN WITH AN ASSIGNMENT - IT BEGINS WITH AN ENCOUNTER. Isaiah 6:1 (NLT) ...I saw the Lord.√ THE CLOSER WE GET TO GOD, THE MORE CLEARLY WE SEE OUR NEED FOR GRACE. Isaiah 6:5 (NIV) “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips...”Luke 5:8 (NIV) When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” You are more sinful than you ever dared believe, and yet more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than you ever dared hope.-Tim Keller√ GRACE DOESN'T JUST COVER OUR PAST - IT CALLS US INTO OUR FUTURE.Isaiah 6:8 (NLT) Then I heard the Lord asking, “Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”WHEN HEAVEN CALLSThe place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.- Frederick BuechnerI. START WITH SURRENDER.Romans 12:1-2 (MSG) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.II. STRETCH OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE. II Corinthians 5:14-15 (TLB) He died for all so that all who live—having received eternal life from him—might live no longer for themselves, to please themselves, but to spend their lives pleasing Christ who died and rose again for them.What makes me feel most alive?What problems or people do I feel drawn to help? (What breaks my heart?)How could God use me to make a difference?III. SAY YES TO THE CALL.Isaiah 6:8 (NLT) Then I heard the Lord asking, “Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.To learn more about Bay Chapel or to visit us in person, check out baychapel.com

Minor Prophets, Major MessageHaggai 1:1-15“Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways.'”  Haggai 1:5 (NIV) Major Message: Give CAREFUL thought to your WAYS. 3 Barriers to putting God first:·DISTRACTION·DISCOURAGEMENT·DELAY Takeaway: What needs to change?

“The Best of Intentions”2 Samuel 6:1-156 David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand. 2 He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark. 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart 4 with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. 5 David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7 The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.8 Then David was angry because the Lord's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.9 David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” 10 He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.12 Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/

Islington Baptist is a church for the Islington and wider Newcastle community sharing the life-changing message of Jesus. Our sermons and Bible teaching is a central part of our gatherings.Romans 9:1-291  I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.6 It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”10 Not only that, but Rebekah's children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses,“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,    and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God's mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?'” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25 As he says in Hosea:“I will call them ‘my people' who are not my people;    and I will call her ‘my loved one' who is not my loved one,”26 and,“In the very place where it was said to them,    ‘You are not my people,'    there they will be called ‘children of the living God.'”27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel:“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea,    only the remnant will be saved.28 For the Lord will carry out    his sentence on earth with speed and finality.”29 It is just as Isaiah said previously:“Unless the Lord Almighty    had left us descendants,we would have become like Sodom,    we would have been like Gomorrah.”

"And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” - 1 Samuel 1:11A visual learner? Watch the stream back now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“When God Gets Angry”1 Samuel 15:1-31 Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'” CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/

The Gospel of John Week 4 Scripture: John 2:1-22, Genesis 1:10 & 12, Isaiah 62:5, Isaiah 25:6-9 Today's study starts with the story of a wedding at Cana in Galilee and the text opens with “On the third day.”  The first day is Sunday, the second day of the week is Monday and the third day is Tuesday.  The wedding is happening on a Tuesday. Why is the wedding on Tuesday? The answer is because of what we read in Genesis 1:10 and 12 where God declared everything as good, not once but twice on the third day of creation and the rabbis said the third day is an especially good day - what a great day for marriages! So orthodox Jewish people have set their wedding dates on Tuesdays going back to Biblical times. Mary, Jesus' mother is at this wedding, too. They are most likely into the 4th or more day of the wedding feast. (They typically lasted a week or longer). And they run out of refreshment and Mary lets Jesus know they have run out of wine. Mary then tells the servants to “do whatever He tells you.”  This is a word for us today - to do what Jesus tells us. We are to listen and obey. Pastor considers the questions: “Isn't this a rather frivolous miracle? Why would Jesus for His first miracle make 150 gallons of wine?”  Let's take a look at this miracle in light of what the Old Testament Scriptures say and what the Jewish people believe: God speaks of Himself as being married to His people. God calls Himself the groom and He gives Himself for His bride (the children of Israel). We reading Isaiah 62:5 "For as a young man marries a young woman, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you." And the Bible talks of wedding feast banquets when Messiah comes. Isaiah 25:6-9 begins with:  “On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare     a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—     the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy     the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;     he will swallow up death forever.” These are a sample of the verses Jewish people knew and now Jesus performs His first miracle at a wedding! This is not a frivolous miracle - this is Jesus saying: “I am the Bridegroom. I am the One who provides everything you need. I am the One who brings in the wedding feast!”  This miracle points to Jesus as the Messiah! It is a dramatic declaration of Jesus' identity and purpose and going forth Jesus will continually refer to Himself as the Bridegroom and to His people as those who get to be invited to the wedding feast. Pastor shares other great insight into:     1.    Why it's important that the jars where stone and not clay pottery     2.    The use of the word “signs”     3.    The 7 miracles shared in the Gospel of John and how they show Jesus' identity and demonstrate He is the Messiah.     4.    The recent archeological discoveries that go back to the 1st century. Next in our text we read the story of the Temple cleansing where Jesus overturns money changing tables at the Temple.  John is the only gospel that has this story at the beginning of Jesus ministry, the other gospels have it at the end of His ministry. Pastor shares the perspective of there being 2 temple cleansing: 1 at the beginning and.another at the end of Jesus' ministry. Other interesting points     ⁃    The temple was to be a house of prayer - not a market place     ⁃    Money changing was being done where worship was supposed to be happening     ⁃    Tyrian Stater - 1/2 shekel temple tax     ⁃    Pastor shares a detailed description of the Temple in Jesus' day and does a dating of events in conjunction with the building of the temple and Jesus' ministry     ⁃    Pastor suggests a book by Jack Finnegan, “Handbook of Biblical Chronology” Our reading today ends with John 2:20-21 where we read that Jesus knows what is in our hearts. He can see into our very souls. We cannot con Jesus. He is the Living God come to earth and we cannot fool Him.   Pastor ends today's class with a look at the Feasts of the Lord celebrated by the Jewish people and how the festivals point us to understanding their connection to who Jesus is: The Fulfillment of each festival. Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most “Gentile/Greek” of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

“When God Gets Angry”1 Samuel 15:1-31 Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'” CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/

Some years ago our family was vacationing on the eastern end of Long Island near a little village called Sag Harbor. It was amazing how much that village changed, though, over a period of just 24 hours. One day it was a sleepy little town of tourists kind of strolling from store to store. The next day it was a chaotic beehive with snarled traffic and anxious people rushing from store to store. Do you know what made the difference? A hurricane warning! Yes, a powerful storm was moving up the East Coast and it was expected to hit that part of Long Island. So people were rushing everywhere to get prepared. Batteries and candles suddenly appeared by every cash register in every store. And they quickly disappeared. People were suddenly living differently when there was a major storm. I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Year That Everything Changed." You might be living in a year like that right now; a year when a lot of things have changed. And times like these (hurricane times) can really change your perspective on what's important and how you should be living. In our word for today from the Word of God beginning with Isaiah 6:1, Isaiah says, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord." Now, you're probably not all broken up over Uzziah dying, but he had been king for 52 years. So if you were 52 or under, King Uzziah was the only ruler you had ever known. And he had brought his nation to an unparalleled level of prosperity and power. And suddenly he was gone. It was one of those years when everything changed. So let's think of these words in this way, "In the year that everything changed." That's when Isaiah says, "I saw the Lord." That's when you usually do - when everything is changing - when the hurricane is blowing you around. Maybe God has shaken your world recently so you'll see Him as you've never seen Him before and so you'll live differently. Now there are three perspectives God wants you to live by in a season when everything is changing. First, Isaiah says, "I saw the Lord, seated on a throne, high and exalted." Isaiah describes powerful angelic beings he sees "calling to one another, 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.'" Perspective #1 when everything is changing; "Lord, You are awesome." God wants you to enter His Throne Room as Isaiah did - by prayer. He wants you to see His majesty; to realize that, by praying, you are entering the Throne Room from which billions of galaxies are governed and bringing your life and your needs to the One who rules it all. When everything's changing, you need to dwell on the awesomeness of your God. Then Isaiah tells us he cried, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Then he describes how one of the angels touches his lips with a live coal from the altar and says, "Your guilt is taken away." Perspective #2 - "Lord, I'm a mess." See, God wants all this change to be a wakeup call that shows you the sin that you haven't dealt with and to let Him touch it with His forgiveness and His cleansing. Then God asks, "Whom shall I send?" And Isaiah says, "Here am I. Send me!" God wants you to look at His awesomeness, then at your sinfulness, and then at the lostness of the people around you. Perspective #3 - "They are dying." You've seen the King; they never have. And God has sent the storm to refocus your attention on the mission of rescuing the dying people around you. With all that's changing in our world, the things that really matter haven't changed. In fact, the changes make the important things more important than ever. Make frequent visits to God's Throne Room, go off and to Jesus' cross to get clean, and go on frequent missions to take some people to heaven with you. With the storm intensifying, focus on the things that really matter so this can be the time when you really see the Lord.

You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession. . . . — 1 Peter 2:9 Remembering that priests and prophets and kings were anointed as confirmation of their special callings, we need to take our calling as God's sheep seriously. The apostle Peter points out the high calling that is on our lives as “the people of God.” We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, . . . God's special possession.” Called to kingly and queenly service, we are to lead in the same manner as the great high King, the Lord Almighty. We are to radiate God's excellent attributes to the world through our leadership as parents, in our workplaces, in our communities, and everywhere else. As priests, we are called to pray for a broken world, bringing that brokenness to the one who can heal. Priests also represent God to the world and invite people who don't recognize the shepherd to gain a glimpse of his love and mercy in our own lives. Peter also uses the word holy, meaning that we are set apart for this valuable work for the sake of the Lord's lost sheep. Our purpose in all of this is to share with others the good news and the great works of the Lord who has called us “out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Each one of us is a living picture of the shepherd's mercy and grace, equipped to invite others to the best way to live. What is one concrete way in which you can live into your high calling today? Lord, help us to radiate your goodness in the world. By our words and actions may we reflect the light of your love. Amen.

2025 July 13 | This week, Stephen Wood from Liberti Riverwards continues our Exiles sermon series in Haggai 1:1-11. A Call to Build the House of the Lord 1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jozadak,[a] the high priest: 2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord's house.'” 3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” 5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” 7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

Summer at City A Consuming Fire & An Unshakeable Kingdom Hebrews 12:25-29 25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” Deut. 4:24 ESV "For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Consuming: completely filling one's mind and attention; absorbing. "It's not that we don't want God; it's that we've found a thousand things we want more than God." - Ravenhill God's fire produces missional clarity “yet there is a spiritual force which may well be described as a shaking. It is only when the tree of the nation has a thorough shaking, that at last the prime, ripe fruit will drop down into the great Master's lap. He shakes by Providence, by the movement of the human conscience. He shakes by the impulses of his Holy Spirit; he shakes the human spirit, and as a result persons out of all the nations are brought to himself. Stones that he would have, come at last out of the quarry, and he builds them up into a temple.” -Spurgeon Haggai 2:6-7 NIV “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the Lord Almighty" Chemdah: the desire/desired of all nations 2:7b Revelation 5:9 NIV "And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation." Titus 2:13-14 KJV "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous for good works" God's fire emphasizes eternal stability v28a. Questions: Are you building your life on the unshakable Kingdom? Does the way I'm living my life in this moment make sense in light of eternity with Jesus? God's fire propels us towards intimacy v28b

Daily Dose of Hope July 10, 2025   Scripture - Matthew 24:1-35   Prayer:  Lord, our Lord, How majestic is your name in all the earth!  We magnify your precious and powerful name.  How often we forget how mighty you are.  You created all.  You created us.  Thank you, Lord, for who you are.  Most of all, thank you for loving us with all our flaws and brokenness.  In all we do, in who we are, help us to be more like you.  We pray for humility, mercy, and compassion.  Help us see others through your eyes.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts. Today, we start Matthew 24.   We start with this interesting discourse about the Temple.  Jesus has taken awhile to get to this point.  He has given plenty of warnings as to what is going to happen.  But the disciples just can't let it go; it's all a lot for them to understand at this point.  They draw attention to the size and grandeur of the Temple buildings.  Even though they were from Galilee, most of these men would have seen the Temple before.  They were required to attend multiple festivals each year at the Temple in Jerusalem.  But they continue to be enamored by the Temple.  And it was a beautiful sight.  Psalm 84:1 reads, How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!   Thus, when Jesus tells them that the Temple will all be knocked down, they don't know what to make of it.  They want to know all the nitty gritty details.    What's interesting about this is that Rome destroys the Temple roughly forty years after Jesus said this.  This would be an ugly season in Jerusalem's history, with lots of persecution and oppression.  Is this what Jesus is referring to in nation rising against nation, famines, earthquakes, and so forth?  Scholars don't all agree but I think it's safe to say yes and no.  Yes, the Roman armies destroying Jerusalem in AD 70 was pretty horrific.  Much of the population was starved and/or eventually massacred.   But there is more to this.  This is more than just a “in the near future” scenario. It's also likely that Jesus is referring to the end of times and when he will return to judge all people.  We certainly have images of Jesus returning on the clouds with the loud trumpet call; this echoes prophecy in Daniel.  Look at verses 30 and 31, Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.   And up until this point, Jesus has often alluded to this.  He never tells people to be scared or worried, just to be ready.  As believers, we have nothing to fear.  We belong to Jesus.  Just be ready.  But there is still an urgency to this – how seriously do we take this?  Are we busy doing God's business, which includes leading people to Jesus?  Is sharing the story of Jesus a regular part of who we are as believers?  If not, why?  Do you believe that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead?  These are serious questions that every single one of us has to reckon with.    One other thing to mention about this passage.  At this point, the disciples still don't understand that God's presence now dwells in the person of Jesus Christ.  From their perspective, the Temple still holds the presence of God.  But the Good News of Jesus is that God's presence is no longer in a building but in Jesus.  God is Jesus and Jesus is God.   If that isn't enough to blow your mind, consider that the presence of God is now also in the person of the Holy Spirit.  Where does the Holy Spirit dwell?  Well, in us as believers!  So that means that the presence of God is in Jesus' church, his people.    That being said, are we living and acting like the presence of the Living God is in us?  I'll be honest; I always find this question so convicting.  Think about your day.  Think about what you said and did.  Was there anything that you would change if you could, thinking about how you represent the Living God?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. RAM HORNS HERALDING HIS PRESENCE The Great I AM Jehovah, the great I Am. Your Spirit, is in command. Thou shall lead us from here, for Your voice we do hear. And nothing shall we fear. For Your presence is ever before us. Jehovah, glory be unto Thee. Jehovah, the great Elohim! I Bow Down I bow down before You, Father, Father. Words don't approach You, only a broken heart. Forever I'll worship, Father, Father. Live here within me, my heart can be Your home. O Father I am Yours. Psalm 91 The one who dwells in the secret place of the most high God, within the shadow of the Lord Almighty, he will abide. The one who dwells in the secret place of the most high God, within the shadow of the Lord Almighty, he will abide. I'll say of the Lord, Only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. Amen. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. Amen. Amen Amen! Worship in the spirit I'll say of the Lord, Only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. Amen. Fill Me Fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Truth shall stand and lies are washed away from me. When You fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Truth shall stand and lies are washed away from me. When You fill me with Your Spirit Lord. Standing In Thy Presence Standing in Thy presence Lord, when Thy glory is revealed. Standing in Thy presence Lord, no heart is ever concealed. Standing in Thy presence Lord, the day of Thy power. Standing in Thy presence Lord, all the sons of God have waited for this precious hour! Worship in the Spirit Standing in Thy presence Lord, when Thy glory is revealed. Standing in Thy presence Lord, no heart is ever concealed. Standing in Thy presence Lord, the day of Thy power. Standing in Thy presence Lord, all the sons of God have waited for this precious hour! Ram Horns! Thank you for joining us in this time of worship to our King!...

1 Samuel 17:2-51 (NIV)2 Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span [over 9 ft tall]. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; [126 lbs.] 6 on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. 7 His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. [15 lbs.] His shield bearer went ahead of him.8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! [I defy your God] Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had eight sons, and in Saul's time he was very old. 13 Jesse's three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. 14 David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, 15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father's sheep at Bethlehem. 16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. 17 Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. 18 Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” 20 Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. 22 David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. 23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. 25 Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” 26 David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 27 They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” 28 When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” 29 “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can't I even speak?” 30 He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before.31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” 33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So, he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I'll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 4 ways to fight fights that are bigger than us.Fight AwareEphesians 6:11-13 (NIV) 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].Fighting Aware affords the ability to…Fight Secure in your relationship with God (Helmet of Salvation).Fight Protected in the righteousness of God (breastplate of righteousness).Fight Tight - Held together by the Truth (Belt of Truth). Fight Shielded from the consistent onslaught of the enemy (shield of faith). Fight Wielding the Sword of the Spirit. Fight Anchored with the sure footing of peace the Gospel provides. 4 ways to fight fights that are bigger than us.Fight AwareFight Surrendered“The devil fears a soul in union with God as he fears God Himself” Saint John of the Cross.4 ways to fight fights that are bigger than us.Fight AwareFight SurrenderedFight Prepared“Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. You don't fight and kill a giant without practice. You don't get good with a sling in the heat of the biggest battle of your life. 4 ways to fight fights that are bigger than us.Fight AwareFight SurrenderedFight PreparedFight Forward.45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.”. 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. 51 David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. You can't use your weapons effectively running away. God goes before us as we go forward.Deuteronomy 9:1-3 (NIV) Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. 2 The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?” 3 But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you.3 particular lies work against us when fighting giantsLie #1 “I'm too small.”The intent of personal criticism is to keep you out of the fight. 2 Fight SkillsLearn to recognize a lie when you hear one (fake news). Live in your calling regardless of your position. Lie #2: “It's too BIG.” Lie #3: “I am in this alone.”Fight Aware. Fight Surrendered. Fight Prepared. Fight Forward.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17-51, Ephesians 6:10, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Corinthians 15:57. Today's story is the most familiar, famous and well-known battle in the Old Testament - David and Goliath - but is there still something we can learn from a story we know so well? This is a battle between Goliath and the Philistines and the Israelite army. Goliath challenges them every day for 40 days: “send a man to battle me, if I kill him you become our slaves and if your man kills me we will become your slaves.” 40 days are significant in the Bible - it is a time of preparation and renewal that at its end brings forth mighty things from God. On the 41st day of the challenge - David arrives with food for his brothers and others in the army and he learns of Goliath's challenge. David is in his teens - younger than age 20 and he arrives at a critical moment. He is concerned for God's honor. Seeing this challenge as a spiritual battle, he speaks bravely.  His brothers ridicule him - yet he says he will take Goliath on.  To King Saul, David shares stories of past bravery and says the Lord will rescue him from the hand of Goliath. David is Spirit-filled, knows his strength is in God alone, is confident and bold and recognized it is God who saves. David trusts the Lord who delivered him in the past to deliver him again. So Saul tells David to fight Goliath and he outfits David in his armor but David takes it all off as he's never worn anything like that before. Comparisons:     ⁃    David a young teen and untrained in battle vs Goliath a well trained warrior     ⁃    David is of small stature vs Goliath who stood at 9 feet 9 inches tall     ⁃    David is dressed in a shepherd's simple clothing vs Goliath with a bronze helmet wearing 125 pounds of body armor      ⁃    David's weapons were his shepherd's staff, a slingshot and 5 smooth stones vs Goliath carrying a 15 pound spear plus a javelin. And David goes out to meet Goliath and says, ‘you come against us with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the Name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the Armies of Israel and this day the Lord will deliver you into my hands - I will strike you down and cut off your head for the battle is the Lord's and He will give all of you into our hands.” David runs toward Goliath and slings a stone hitting Goliath in the head and Goliath falls down dead. This is not simply an historic battle record - it is clear insight into what the New Testament describes as spiritual realities. Spiritual Realities     ⁃    Spiritual warfare - life is a battle but we know God wins.     ⁃    Spiritual weapons - we put on the armor of God: prayer, the Name of Jesus, God's word, daily filling of the Holy Spirit     ⁃    Spiritual victory - is in Christ Jesus. From this familiar story we are to learn we are to be familiar with the lessons that     ⁃    We are in the midst of a battle     ⁃    The Lord provides strength to triumph through faith in Jesus Christ. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/david-and-gods-heart Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Sometimes God gives us a glimpse of something so great that we fear. Some may try to convince us that we should give up faith because it is too good to be true, or that we should be afraid of something so magnificent. However, godly fear doesn't drive us away from God but to him. It is this fear of God that brings holiness to completion in our lives driving us to respond to the promises and presence of the living God by drawing near to the Lord Almighty. He is our joy. He is our peace. He is our fear.  

Back To Basics // Week 9 // WorshipPastors JF and Ashley WilkersonExodus 20:3 NIV 3 “You shall have no other gods before me…”Colossians 3:16-17 NIV 14 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.1. Worship impacts Your CONTEXTEzekiel 46:9 NIV 9 “‘When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed festivals, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which they entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.Matthew 6:31-33 NIV 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.1. Worship Impacts Your CONTEXT2. Worship Impacts Your CARES1 Peter 5:7 NLT 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.Psalm 150 NIV1 Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,4 praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe,5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.1 Peter 2:9 NIV9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.1. Worship Impacts Your CONTEXT2. Worship Impacts Your CARES3. Worship Impacts Your CLARITY2 Corinthians 3:12-18 NIV12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.Isaiah 6:1-8 NIV1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”1. Worship Impacts Your CONTEXT2. Worship Impacts Your CARES3. Worship Impacts Your CLARITY

“The devil fears a soul in union with God as he fears God Himself” Saint John of the Cross Three good questions to ask in regard to the God of the Bible.“Why does God choose messy people? “Why does God show us so much of that mess?” “Why doesn't people's mess undermine God's reputation and derail His purposes?”Three good answers in regard to the God of the Bible.God doesn't choose messy people, He chooses ordinary people. It just turns out that ordinary people are messy. God doesn't hide people's mess because the Bible it isn't a story about people, it's a story about Him. God chooses to write His story in conjunction with ordinary people to highlight His power and grace. Our mess doesn't derail God's purposes because He isn't dependent on us, we are dependent on Him.Why does an “Immeasurably More God” consistently leave His people overmatched and under resourced? 1. God is the Hero of the story, not us. We can't save anybody, He can save everybody. 2. Success is dependent on God dependence not self-reliance.God neither abandons us to walk alone nor does He empower us to walk alone. He redeems us to be aligned and walk with Him!The Core of Saul's Mess ImpatiencePrideTwo Mess Lessons 1. To move without God reveals a misaligned self-dependence. 2. Impatience with God reveals a lack of trust in God.In our wait, God isn't still.1 Samuel 13:10-12 (NIV) 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. 11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord's favor.' So, I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”1 Samuel 13:13 (NIV) 13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord's command.” 15 Then Samuel left Gilgal and went up to Gibeah in Benjamin, and Saul counted the men who were with him. They numbered about six hundred.Impatience is a Trust issue. Trust is a Heart issue. Actions reveal our Heart. 1 Samuel 15:1-3 (NIV) Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so, listen now to the message from the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'”1 Samuel 15:10-14 (NIV) 10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: 11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the Lord all that night. 12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.” 13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord's instructions.” 14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”Saul's pride was displayed in his disobedience. His disobedience was a rejection of God's authority. Replacing God as authority redirects worship only intended for God. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NIV) “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”Worship it is primarily a “heart” issue not a “hand” issue. Worship is the ultimate surrender move.A lack of trust + abundance of self-reliance = a separation from God. Do you know where your heart is this morning? Check your feet. Your feet reflect your heart. Back to Saint John of the Cross“The devil fears a soul in union with God as he fears God Himself” Trust over impatience and obedience over pride unites us with God. When we are united with God we walk in His grace and power to fulfill His purposes. This unity not only impact us, it impacts everyone we touch.

“The Best of Intentions”2 Samuel 6:1-151 David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand. 2 He and all his men went to Baalah in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark. 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart 4 with the ark of God on it, and Ahio was walking in front of it. 5 David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7 The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.8 Then David was angry because the Lord's wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.9 David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” 10 He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.12 Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/

Set Apart for Such a Time as This: The End Is Not Yet • Sunday Service To Give: www.ToddCoconato.com/give Website: www.PastorTodd.org Church, we are in a defining moment. The world is rumbling. Headlines scream war and chaos. There's fear in the air, confusion in the Church, and deception in the culture. But let me speak this over you prophetically: The end is not yet. We are not in World War III. We are not in the Tribulation. What we are in, is a season of separation. God is once again calling a remnant to rise. Not a popular people—but a set-apart people. Not those caught in the tides of the world, but those rooted in the Spirit of the Living God. We are entering a new phase—a time where deep trust in the Lord will be non-negotiable. His presence must be our oxygen. His Word must be our compass. And yes, this will require sacrifice. Some relationships won't come with us. Some comforts will have to die. But His glory is worth it.   1. Matthew 24:6–8 (NKJV) “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” 2. Hebrews 12:26–27 (NKJV) “…yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, ‘Yet once more,' indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.” 3. 2 Timothy 3:1–5 (NKJV) “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 4. 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 5. Romans 12:1–2 (NKJV) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” 6. Psalm 91:1–2 (NKJV) “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'” 7. 2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (NKJV) “Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.' ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.'” 8. Isaiah 60:1–2 (NKJV) “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you.” 9. Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” 10. John 15:19 (NKJV) “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” We are not in World War III. We are in a spiritual crossroad. The end is not yet. But the separation has begun.  • God is separating wheat from tares.  • He's calling His remnant to the secret place.  • He's asking for trust, sacrifice, and obedience.  • Some relationships won't survive this season. That's okay.  • What matters is your alignment with the Spirit. CCLI: 21943673 Be the remnant.

Trust In Him And Walk In Obedience Isaiah 54:2-5 2“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 3For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. 4“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. 5For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Hello everyone and welcome to the podcast. This episode is another time of the family coming together to worship the Lord. Come gather with us at the foot of His throne and worship in Spirit and Truth. Prophetic Declarations We ascend to the Father this mourning with our hearts. And You are gathering Your remnant, You are gathering Your people to worship You. We just enter in with our heart to love You to lift You up today. You are everything to us God. We loose the anointing on us Lord, to bless You – to just be a throne that You sit on today. In our worship to You – Lord we love You. Amen. Worship in the Spirit The one who dwells in the Shelter of the Most High The one who dwells in the shelter of the most high God, in the shadow of the Lord Almighty he will abide. I'll will say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. Amen I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God, I'll say of the Lord, only You are my God. Amen Amen! Amen! Worship in Spirit Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah,

In our next few studies through the Sermon on the Mount, we are going to slow the journey down and spend some time in the prayer that has become known as The Lord's Prayer. Jesus introduced it like this: 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. (In other words, no reward from God – just from people)6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matt 6:5-8)You may remember, from our last devotion in verses 1 – 4 that Jesus said something similar about giving to the needy. Do it in the Secret Place where only your Father in heaven sees. Don't give or pray to try to win the approval of others. “An audience of one” is all that is important – the Lord himself. And his rewards last for all eternity. Jesus then said, ““This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed (holy) be your name…'” (Matt 6:9)The Bible has much to say about God being our loving Father, His presence in Heaven and His holiness. Consider these verses for example:See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— 15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. (Ps 33:13-15)​1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Is 6:1-3)Our Father in Heaven, sits on His throne, exalted above all things and sees the heart of every human being. But He also loves us deeply, constantly inviting us into his presence through prayer and through faith in His son, Jesus. Jesus taught us to respond to that invitation by speaking simple words, beginning with, ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed (holy) be your name…'. He knows the Father hears it, and He knows the Father sees us. And he knows the Father loves to call us His children. 

Study 25 - Luke 20:1-21: 4 Jesus challenges his hearers 7 times. The first 4 of these challenges are quite substantial with definite contexts; the others less so. Challenge 1 – Luke 20: 1 – 8 The question of authority is of great importance. There is no answer here so we need to go to John 5: 31 – 45 to find one. Question 1: Where does Jesus say his authority comes from or is testified to in these verses, which I am just about to read. Listen carefully and count the different sources you can hear. You should get six different ones. Where does the authority of what we say or do come from? You should have got as sources of authority: John the Baptist, his works, his Father, the Scriptures, Moses, his own words. Our main authority should be the Word of the Scriptures. All other authorities are secondary to them. Challenge 2 – Luke 20: 9 – 19 It is based on Isaiah 5: 1 – 7. This story of the Tenants, or rather of the Vineyard Owner, is one of the most significant of all the parables with the clearest foreshadowing of the future of Jesus. Question 2: What is the expected answer to Vineyard owner’s question “What shall I do?” after the first 3 servants have been beaten and sent back empty handed? What, therefore, is the significance of the given answer ‘I will send my son’? The expected answer is that he will declare war on the tenants and have them beaten or killed to restore his honour which has been so shamed. Instead the Owner (God) makes himself vulnerable to the behaviour of the tenants (the Temple leadership). Thus a new way of humility, love and grace is displayed before the watching world. That vulnerability is displayed in the Owner sending his son. The son is killed and only then is it said that the Owner ‘will kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.’ Question 3: What is the significance of that for the original hearers? And for us? This suggests that the Incarnation of Jesus constituted a last chance for the leadership of Israel. They failed the test. Jesus is the first and last chance for us. Jesus comment on the parable is a quotation from the Psalms (118: 22) ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone’ and one from Isaiah (8: 13 – 15) ‘The LORD Almighty will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.’ “Son” in Hebrew is “ben”; “stone” is “eben”. This is probably a deliberate word play. Question 4: What should we, the second tenants, learn from this story? God is infinitely gracious in what he has done for us; but we must not presume on his loving kindness if we despise his Son and his graciousness. Challenge 3 – Luke 20: 20 – 26. This is about the relationship between church and state. Should we: a) resist - have nothing to do with politics? b) accept - have a modest involvement only? c) challenge - be politically active for the betterment of society? Since hearers and readers of this will come from so many different countries with so many different situations I will have to leave you without an answer so it will be best if I do not ask the question! There is a deeper meaning, often missed. Question 5: If we compare v 24b ‘Whose portrait and inscription are on it?’ with Gen 1: 26. ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,’ What does this imply? If the denarius belongs to Caesar we, not just our coins, belong to God. Challenge 4 – Luke 20: 27 – 40 People often assume that we shall be united with our loved ones in heaven although this is not clearly stated in Scripture. Jesus’ answer to the 7 husbands teaser probably has no implications for that assumption, since it is an impossible situation anyway. The following 3 much smaller challenges all have very little given context. Challenge 5 – Luke 20: 41 – 44 It is not easy to see what Jesus meant when he said this. Luke probably records it because it was very meaningful for the early church about 40 years later when they must have been quite puzzled to know who exactly Jesus was. They were worshipping him. Did that make him God? We know now that it did, and he was, but they must have been unsure about that for many years. These verses are a part answer to their questions. What Jesus said equates the Messiah with the Son of David. That is not literally true. It is a useful reminder that ‘son of God’ is not to be taken as grossly literal either as some people try to do. Challenge 6 – Luke 20: 45 – 47. Question 6: Jesus did not actually condemn the privileges given to the scribes. What did he condemn? What are the present day equivalents of these? In particular, in what ways can we err in the way we participate in a prayer meeting? What Jesus condemned were wrong attitudes to those privileges. They were to be things treasured and used for the benefit of other people not for private vanity. A minister should not dress differently from other people unless it is for a purpose such as recognition as he visits a hospital. We need to be careful when we take part in a prayer meeting that we are not taking part because we like other people to hear our voice. Challenge 7 – Luke 21: 1 – 4. Question 7: Is this realistic advice? Is ‘all she had to live on’ wise giving? If we do that we will end up in court for non-payment of utility bills or have to rely on other members of our family to give us food! So what can we take from this passage? Yet again this is all about motives and attitudes. A very few Christians can imitate this situation. But they have to be a very few or we would all starve! Perhaps this is another of Jesus’ overstatements for effect. Right mouse click or tap here to save/download this as a MP3 audio file

Isaiah 1: 2-202 Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!    For the Lord has spoken:“I reared children and brought them up,    but they have rebelled against me.3 The ox knows its master,    the donkey its owner's manger,but Israel does not know,    my people do not understand.”4 Woe to the sinful nation,    a people whose guilt is great,a brood of evildoers,    children given to corruption!They have forsaken the Lord;    they have spurned the Holy One of Israel    and turned their backs on him.5 Why should you be beaten anymore?    Why do you persist in rebellion?Your whole head is injured,    your whole heart afflicted.6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head    there is no soundness—only wounds and welts    and open sores,not cleansed or bandaged    or soothed with olive oil.7 Your country is desolate,    your cities burned with fire;your fields are being stripped by foreigners    right before you,    laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.8 Daughter Zion is left    like a shelter in a vineyard,like a hut in a cucumber field,    like a city under siege.9 Unless the Lord Almighty    had left us some survivors,we would have become like Sodom,    we would have been like Gomorrah.10 Hear the word of the Lord,    you rulers of Sodom;listen to the instruction of our God,    you people of Gomorrah!11 “The multitude of your sacrifices—    what are they to me?” says the Lord.“I have more than enough of burnt offerings,    of rams and the fat of fattened animals;I have no pleasure    in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.12 When you come to appear before me,    who has asked this of you,    this trampling of my courts?13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!    Your incense is detestable to me.New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals    I hate with all my being.They have become a burden to me;    I am weary of bearing them.15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,    I hide my eyes from you;even when you offer many prayers,    I am not listening.Your hands are full of blood!16 Wash and make yourselves clean.    Take your evil deeds out of my sight;    stop doing wrong.17 Learn to do right; seek justice.    Defend the oppressed.[a]Take up the cause of the fatherless;    plead the case of the widow.18 “Come now, let us settle the matter,”    says the Lord.“Though your sins are like scarlet,    they shall be as white as snow;though they are red as crimson,    they shall be like wool.19 If you are willing and obedient,    you will eat the good things of the land;20 but if you resist and rebel,    you will be devoured by the sword.”For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.IntroductionThe Judgement of GodHolinessWrathThe Mercy of GodPatienceRedemptionThe Reasoning of GodHis DesireHis WillHis GloryOur ResponseFearGratitudeObedience

What are you afraid of?   ‘Dismayed and terrified': The ‘people's choice' messiah Vs the champion of Gath (v1-11)   ‘Who is this?': The Spirit-filled messiah Vs the fear-filled Israelites (v12-31)   ‘The battle is the Lord's': Sword and spear Vs the name of the Lord Almighty (v32-58)   Jesus our Champion: Take heart!

God Should Always Be First Haggai 1:5-6 5Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

Study 18 - Luke 13: 10 – 14:35 The Great Reversals We read Luke 13:10–17. Question 1: In these verses how do the Lord, and Luke, heighten the contrast between the woman before and after? By emphasising the ‘bent’ and the ‘straight’, we may well be meant to see these as metaphors for sin and righteousness. We read Luke 13:18–21. Question 2: The two small parables about the mustard seed and the yeast) say something obvious about size. What else do they say? Growth is a major factor in both little parables. And the fact that birds could perch in the tree suggests there will be unclean – non-Jewish people - in the Kingdom. What sort of tree Jesus had in mind is not clear; mustard seeds do not normally grow into a tree. Was Jesus, with his great sense of humour, deliberately suggesting that the impossible would happen? Yeast too is unclean, with the same suggestion. We read Luke 13:22–35. Isaiah 25 & 60 provide the background for the first story here. There we read: On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations— their kings led in triumphal procession. Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land for ever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendour. The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly. The Jews of Jesus’ day were inclined to forget the bit about ‘all nations’ and think they were the only privileged people who would see the Kingdom. Jesus is saying that the situation will be much reversed if they are not careful – as they weren’t. We read Luke 14:1–14. Question 3: Why does Jesus not say something like ‘If you come back tomorrow I can give you proper attention and not offend anybody.’ Instead of (Luke 14:3–5)? Jesus is using the situation as a teaching opportunity. He is saying that the human situation, demanding the healing of the man, is more important than the religious duty of keeping the Sabbath. At first glance Luke 14:7–14 reads more like advice than a parable. There are two hints that it is a parable: the word translated ‘honoured’ near the end of v 10 is the same one usually used for ‘grace’, so it is literally ‘get grace’; and the saying in v11 is obviously like Luke 13:30, which refers to the kingdom. Question 4: Necessarily, some are Chief Executive Officers, bishops or head teachers. How does the teaching (Luke 14: 8 – 11) apply to them? They must be careful not to exalt themselves. If others exalt them that is alright. Once again Jesus is emphasising the importance of motive in all that we do. Other people can not see our motives but we know what they are, if we think about them, and the Lord knows anyway. Jesus breaks the accepted social conventions of good behaviour (Luke 14:4,7 & 12). Question 5: Why does Jesus do and say things that so offend people? Does this give us as ambassadors of the gospel a licence to offend people? Jesus places the rules of his Kingdom above the social conventions of his day. He wants people to understand that. We should only offend people for the same reason and then not if we can avoid doing so. We read Luke 14:15–24. The background to the implied question in 14:15, who will be at the great feast in heaven, is interesting. Isaiah clearly thought Gentiles would be present in his prophecy of that event that we have already looked at. Jews of the time of Jesus could not accept that and suggested things such as - that the angel of death would be present to destroy the Gentiles, forcing the believers to wade through the blood to reach the banquet! Jesus is being asked for his opinion. Question 6: People don’t buy fields or houses without seeing them, oxen or motorcars without trying them out (Luke v14:18-19). What is Jesus suggesting by his imagery? People make excuses for not doing what they know they ought to do. That is true here in our world. It is true even when the decision taken here in this world has implications in the age to come. Curiously, the third excuse (Luke 14: 20) is much better than the others! (Deut 24: 5) We read Luke 14:25–35. Question 7: There are 3 conditions here (Luke 14:26, 27, 33 and in 18, 20) for discipleship: renouncing family ties, being prepared for suffering and forsaking possessions. Which is the hardest, which the easiest of these? The answer to that question is up to you. Even allowing for the fact that the ‘hate’ of Luke 14:26 is another example of exaggeration for effect few are prepared to renounce family ties as completely as this suggests. To do so seems to run counter to all other NT teaching. Question 8: When I was at university, a long time ago, the Gospel sermons on a Sunday evening were expected to include a section on ‘counting the cost’. It did not appear to lessen the number of converts. How does that compare with what you hear as the preaching of the good news? That was a tremendously good thing to do and fully in agreement with what Jesus taught in these verses. That has been the second successive long passage with many small episodes, stories and parables. Since you have got this far – well done. The next study includes the parable of the prodigal son so it is rather easier to understand what it is all about. Look forward to it! Tap or click here to save/download this as a MP3 audio file

In His greatest sign and wonder, the LORD Almighty delivers His people through the judgment that falls upon His Son, a display of power great enough to overcome hardened hearts.

IntroductionThe picture in our home of Jesus knocking on the door – all the hidden messages! No way to open the door from the outside - “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”Revelation 3:20 the heart of Jesus – the darkness on the inside, a ram's head? rose of Sharon? “I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women.” Song of Songs 2:1-2 NIV Read Text - John 2:13-25  The pictures in the storyThey point to the big event setting the stage for the main Passover eventThe 3rd day reference to the resurrectionThe Passover, the Lamb of God here, John 7 and later comes the climax of salvation…The whip and purificationSigns of authority – Jonah Crowds that believeThe staircase events of John 1:51- heaven touching earthPreparation for persecutionHow does this fit in with the image you have of Jesus?An angry guy? With your image of the loving gentle Jesus?Notice the whip?Understanding the situation: the influx of people to the Passover ca. 2 million and the temple tax – ½ shekel was worth 2 weeks labor for a common laborer, or a ½ week for a skilled laborer. (50 shekels was a good wage.) Today a comparison would have been ca. $2000 plus an animal from dove to sheep and goats or oxen. Imagine the noise, the smells, the bargaining, and the shouting going on in a marketplace! Photos! Bargaining and kickbacks in the marketplace that was to be a house of prayer for the nations! David Pawson suggests 4 reasons why Jesus was so angry:Laziness and convenience?Exploitation?Nationalism?Misappropriation? – And, and: “for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”” Isaiah 56:7 What authority did Jesus have?He is the Son of God, the real High Priest: “It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence.” Hebrews 9:23-24 He is the Messiah of Israel: Malachi 3:1-4    ““I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.” Malachi 3:1-4  He is the temple of God – that is his authority to cleanse How does it affect us? We become believers when we see the signs“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19) “In (him) you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22) Jesus has authority to cleans the temple! Is he cleansing your temple? What are the hindrances? David Pawson writes: “is your body just a library to be stuffed with knowledge? Is your body a bank, a place for gathering money? Is your body a playhouse, simply for pleasure? Is your body a pigsty where slimy passions rule? Or is your body a temple where God lives?”Let's examine the 4 possible reasons why Jesus cleansed the temple:Convenience - Exploitation – Nationalization - Misappropriation

By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,2CO.6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,2CO.6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;2CO.6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;2CO.6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.2CO.6:11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.2CO.6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.2CO.6:13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.2CO.6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?2CO.6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?2CO.6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.2CO.6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.2CO.6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty

The believer Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory, for Your steadfast loving-kindness and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness. (Ps. 115:1 AMPC) We are the inheritors of Your kingdom, and we live and move in Your glory, in the peace and security that comes from following the Prince of Peace. Voice: The Lord The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted – and they will be humbled. (Isaiah 2:11-12) The believer: Yes Lord, scatter all that is proud and lofty in the imagination of our heart and bring us to that deeper place of knowing that we are living and praying according to Your will; no longer asking amiss by following our own desires but increasingly conformed to the image of Your Son, whose only desire is to do the will of the One who had sent Him. Rather than looking wistfully at someone else's gifts and opportunities, or bowing down at the shrine of our own achievements, we cry out with the psalmist, ‘All our springs are found in You!' (Psalm 87:7) You, who did not spare Your own and only Son, do not spare us from Your work of refining. Remove all bias and boasting from our hearts; fashion within us a true and lasting humility so that we are spared the fate of Aaron's foolish sons and Eli's licentious offspring. (Lev. 10:1-3) Keep us from becoming like Demas, who put love of worldly things ahead of serving You (2 Tim. 4:10).

Send us a textGOD IS NOT FOR SALE PART 4When it comes to giving there are obviously two separate sets of people in the body of Christ. The cheerful givers who although doesn't always have it to give but nonetheless gives at each and every opportunity and the resentful givers who has it but refuses to give or when they give, they give grudgingly. It is not the will of our Father that His people be put under such constraints through their giving. It is not His will that His people feel so obligated to give that they leave His presence feeling condemned, insecure and broken because they could not give what the prophets, preachers, pastors, teachers and leaders of their churches and meetings demanded. And oftentimes when the people can't give, when they truly don't have it to give, the leaders and prophets literally condemn them and talk down to them for not giving more. The really sad thing about this particular practice is that the money that's being demanded is oftentimes purely for the comfort and personal gain of the individual who is raising this money. Again as Isaiah 3:14-15 reads; The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. 15 What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty. To hear more of what our Father is speaking to us in this particular segment click on the buzzsprout.com link or go to your favorite podcast app and search for This Is the Voice of the Prophet. Then click on the title GOD IS NOT FOR SALE PART 4.Support the show

April 25, 2025 - Equipped 2025 - Day 2 - 11:00M Session   Looking at Isaiah 6, Hiram examines the challenge that Isaiah had as a profit by both giving the good news but also the impending judgement.   Isaiah 6 -Isaiah's Commission 6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;     the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 9 He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;     be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' 10 Make the heart of this people calloused;     make their ears dull     and close their eyes.[a] Otherwise they might see with their eyes,     hear with their ears,     understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” 11 Then I said, “For how long, Lord?” And he answered: “Until the cities lie ruined     and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted     and the fields ruined and ravaged, 12 until the Lord has sent everyone far away     and the land is utterly forsaken. 13 And though a tenth remains in the land,     it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak     leave stumps when they are cut down,     so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”   Video: 2025 Equipped Workshop 4-25-25 - "JUDAH'S JUDGMENT PREACHED" - Hiram Kemp   Duration 40:51

Daily Dose of Hope May 20, 2025 Day 2 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 2   Prayer:  Dear God, You are amazing!  How awesome it is that you who created all things are also so intimately involved in our lives.  We give you glory and praise for who you are.  We are so thankful for your love.  We want to know you more.  We want and need to hear your voice.  Help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...  In Your Name, Amen. Welcome back, friends, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a devotional and podcast connected to the Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, FL.  Today, we are digging into Matthew 2.  This is pretty familiar Scripture to many of us.  Let's try to see it with fresh eyes. The text begins with foreign Magi visiting King Herod.  These men are an interesting and mysterious group. We don't really know much about the magi who come seeking Jesus from eastern lands.  Some translations call them wise men or kings.  Matthew doesn't include a lot of details.  We have no idea how many there actually were (despite the popular carol, Scripture does not say there were just three of them).  Like the shepherds, the magi seem an unlikely group to seek out and worship Jesus. They were pagans, gentiles, involved in the occult, and yet they knew there was something more.  They were searching for something more.  So these magi embark on a long journey, carrying expensive gifts worthy of a king, eager to pay homage. Their efforts lead them to an encounter far beyond their expectations. Unlike an earthly king who would have been found in a palace, the magi are led to what we can probably assume is a modest home of a Jewish family and it's there that they find Jesus with his mother and Scripture says they bow down and worship him.  Maybe it wasn't what they expected but they see God's hand in it nonetheless and worship the one they know to be the Messiah, the savior of the world.  They were outsiders but they recognized the Messiah when so many insiders failed to do so. Up until now, it all sounds great, right?  But there is another character in this story.  His name is Herod the Great. The Herod family ruled over the holy land both before and after the time of Christ, they were somewhat like puppet kings, put in place by the Romans to keep order.  And they don't have a great reputation at all.  They were, for the most part, insecure and power-hungry. One reason I don't think it's accurate to refer to the magi as wise men is because they did one thing that was really unwise.  They go straight to King Herod, “So where is the NEW king? Where is the one who has been named king of the Jews?”  Keep in mind, Herod the Great considered himself to be king of the Jews.  The man is insecure and vicious so he tries to trick the magi into divulging Jesus' location.  But no amount of earthly power can get Herod what he wants.  The magi are warned in a dream to not return to Herod.  And this angers him more.  Herod was both feared and hated. The Jewish historian Josephus painted a picture of Herod as a suspicious and cruel client king, with a history of killing anyone whom he saw as a threat, including three sons and his wife. So even though the magi remind Herod of Micah's prophecy that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), his response was not to pay homage but to destroy the newborn king.  In Matthew 2:16, we read that Herod decides to take matters into his own hands and kill all the baby boys who might be in the age range of Jesus, When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.  Truly dark and horrific.  The extent to which human beings will go to gain power surely demonstrates the brokenness of our world.  Then and now.  But through all of this, Jesus is saved.  The baby's family is warned in a dream and they head down to Egypt for a period of time to keep the boy safe from Herod before they come back to Israel and settle in Nazareth.  Because God's purposes will prevail.  God had promised long, long ago to send a Savior for his people and there is nothing that could get in the way.  Listen to this prophecy from in Isaiah 9:6-7, spoken 700 years before the birth of Jesus, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.  It's like God was saying “I'm going to send someone who will restore the people of Israel to me.  This person will be a light to the Gentiles, and will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth AND it will be obvious once more that your God reigns.”  No power-hungry king could mess that up as hard as he tried.  No earthly power could thwart God's plan of redemption for his people.  It's true that bad things to happen.  God allows human beings free will and that is too often used for evil.  But that doesn't mean God isn't involved, it doesn't mean he isn't invested, God can and has orchestrated, changed, and/or stopped the plans of all kinds of people to get done what needs to get done.  God has been working, in his time, over the course of thousands of years, to achieve his bigger purpose. And what was the bigger purpose?  God's mission from the beginning was to redeem his world.  He did this through Jesus.  That little baby that the wise men knelt down and worshiped, that child that Herod felt so threatened by --- that child would grow to become the Savior of the world.  He would bring sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed, he would proclaim good news to the poor.  He would preach the Kingdom of God and show the world a different way of living, ultimately giving up his own life voluntarily on a Roman cross.  In doing so, he became the final sacrifice for sin, providing a way for you and me and all people to be redeemed.  Because of Jesus' sacrifice, our sins can be forgiven and we can walk hand in hand with a holy God.  Because of Jesus, nothing separates us from God.  And then, three days after he died, he was resurrected, defeating evil and death and demonstrating to the world who HE is.  He is, after all, God.  Jesus is the Lord. Jesus is LORD of all.  Paul writes this in Colossians 1:15-20, The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.  Jesus is above all things.  Jesus is Lord. And over the course of 2000 years, rulers and kings and dictators and autocrats have tried to wipe out his influence.  They have misused his teachings, they have twisted the Gospel.  Like Herod, they have done all kinds of things to either try to eliminate the influence of Jesus or to use the Gospel for their own deceitful purposes.  And at times, it's been ugly and violent and really sad.  But this is TRUTH:  God will ensure that his purposes prevail.  Yes, in our sinful and broken world, all kinds of horrors will occur.  Vladimir Putin will think he's invincible.  Kim Jong Un will declare himself supreme ruler.  American politicians will think themselves unshakable.  You and I will experience heartbreak, loss, and illness.  And yet, Jesus is still Lord of all.  God is still working in our lives, God is still present with us in the middle of the mess, and Jesus is still in the business of transforming lives.  Friends, Jesus is on the throne, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The rulers of the world may oppose him but they are ultimately answerable to him.  Because he will come again. I'll stop there for now.  But I do have to ask this question:  Is Jesus Lord of your life?  More tomorrow. Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Teacher: Adam Barnett A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.   - 1 Samuel 17:4-7 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.”   - 1 Samuel 17:8-9 On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.    - 1 Samuel 17:11 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”    - 1 Samuel 17:32 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”  - 1 Samuel 17:33 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”  - 1 Samuel 17:32-37 He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I'll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”   - 1 Samuel 17:41-44 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.”  - 1 Samuel 17:45-47 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine's sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.  – 1 Samuel 17:48-51 1) Life guarantees giants.   2) Battles require faith. The story of David and Goliath is about keeping spiritual perspective and acting in faith. 2A) David remembered the past. 2B) David trusted in the present. 3) Prayer is our best weapon. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 6:12 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  - Philippians 4:6-7

Finding Jesus in Unexpected Places // The Human Womb Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)“Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (God with us)” Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Colossians 2:9 (NIV)“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” Colossians 1:15-22 (NIV)“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. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” Isaiah 40:12,15 (NLT)“Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? … For all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand.” John 1:1-4 (NLT)“In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.”     Luke 1:30-39 (NIV)“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacobʼs descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.' ‘How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.' ‘I am the Lordʼs servant,” Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea.” Luke 1:41-42 (NIV)“When Elizabeth heard Maryʼs greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!'” Luke 1:44-45 (NIV)“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Hebrews 4:15-16 (AMP)“For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God's gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”  John 1:14 (NIV)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.” John 1:14 (MSG)“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son.” John 1:9-11 (NIV)“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” 

05-11-25 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the study of Romans with an exploration Romans 2:12 - 3:21. Paul used his lawyer background consisting of a 3-pillar approach of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos to provide information to the Greco-Roman culture. His flow of logic included a power statement and logically or methodically based statements that were brief, complete, and concise to show God's judgment. Romans 2:12 - 3:21 All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory: without the law or under the law. No hope without God. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and belief in the Gospel or the Good News. Points for home: There but for the grace of God go! The Gospel is the power of God for salvation for those who believe. Listen to Mark show how Paul used the art and science of persuasion to show how we are saved from God's judgment. Praise to the Lord Almighty.

Daily Dose of Hope May 6, 2025 Day 2 of Week 6   Scripture – Mark 13   Prayer:  Almighty God, We give you glory and praise.  Thank you for the ways you care for us.  Thank you for the ways you care for our church.  Lord Jesus, help us set aside our scattered thoughts.  Help us push away distractions and truly focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...Holy Spirit, guide our reading and devotional time today.  May we hear a word from you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, friends, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we work our way through Mark 13 and I want to warn you, this is a difficult chapter.  Jesus is speaking about the destruction of the Temple and signs of the end times.    Before we begin to walk through the text, let me start by stating that there are different interpretations of today's Scripture.  I am going to do my best to offer you different things to consider and reflect upon but scholars do not agree on what this text means.  I personally would be skeptical of anyone who claims to understand it completely.    Jesus has just finished teaching at the Temple.  As he and his disciples are leaving, one of the disciples comments on the magnificence of the stones and the building.  It seems kind of an odd comment, except for the fact that these men were from Galilee where things were much smaller and less extravagant.  The Temple was, in fact, quite amazing and something to behold.    Jesus' response probably isn't what the disciple was expecting.  He says that eventually the whole Temple would be destroyed.  Not surprisingly, the men ask when this would occur.  Here is where things get tricky. Jesus begins to speak of when false teachers will come, wars, earthquakes, famines, and many other catastrophic events.  He speaks of the disciples being turned over to be arrested and flogged but also the need for the Gospel to be preached to all nations.  There isn't a timeline presented but Jesus does state that in the midst of all this threat and disaster, the Messiah will be the one to come and gather his people.  Was he referring to events that would happen soon or events at the end times?    The general consensus is that Jesus is speaking of both.  This is an example of apocalyptic literature but it is also speaking of things to come in the lifetime of the disciples.  They would be tortured, arrested, and killed, for their faith in Jesus.  There would be wars.  In fact, the siege of Jerusalem took place in 70 AD, just less than forty years after Jesus spoke these words.  It was then that the Temple was destroyed by the Romans, just as Jesus mentioned.  And over the centuries, we have seen many wars, earthquakes, and famines.  The earth has no shortage of catastrophes to list.    At the same time, there is a warning by Jesus to be ready.  The Messiah is coming and we don't know when that will occur.  Jesus is returning to judge the living and the dead.  The disciples thought his return would be in their lifetime but it wasn't.  Many people have predicted when it will happen and they have all been wrong.  Jesus himself is quite clear that the day and the hour are unknown.    I find it fascinating how people have been trying to predict the end of time for hundreds, possibly thousands of years.  Around the world, people have pointed to various geographical and sociological signs and said, “This day will be doomsday!” I've been around many people in Christian circles who want to point to this event or that event and say, “The end times must be near.” And yet, Jesus clearly warns us against doing this in today's reading.  As Christians, there is not anything for which we need to fear.  We simply have to be ready.  Are you ready for when Jesus returns?    Take some time today and think about this.  Spend time with Jesus in prayer.   Let's close today's devotional with Psalm 24, which points to Jesus' second coming as the King of Glory...   The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,    the world, and all who live in it; 2 for he founded it on the seas    and established it on the waters. 3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?    Who may stand in his holy place? 4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,    who does not trust in an idol    or swear by a false god. 5 They will receive blessing from the Lord    and vindication from God their Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,    who seek your face, God of Jacob. 7 Lift up your heads, you gates;    be lifted up, you ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in. 8 Who is this King of glory?    The Lord strong and mighty,    the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates;    lift them up, you ancient doors,    that the King of glory may come in. 10 Who is he, this King of glory?    The Lord Almighty—     he is the King of glory. Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

SERMON NOTES4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “Jeremiah 29:4-134 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Jeremiah 29:46 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. John 17:65 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.Jeremiah 29:5-917 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.Philippians 3:17-20 NLTFor I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord,"Jeremiah 29:11-141. Living In A Foreign Land.2. IN the world, not OF the world.3. You will find God when you seek him 

Jenn Schmidt from Intimate Covenant joins us to overcoming sexual abuse and building a healthy, intimate sex life with your husband. NOTE: J totally got the episode number wrong! Not the first time she's been wrong. ~wink~ Sponsor Visit Better Help to get matched with a therapist who shares your values and can address your issues. Use code 4CW to get 10% off your first month. From the Bible Praise the Lord, my soul,     and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins     and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit     and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things     so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.The Lord works righteousness     and justice for all the oppressed. Psalm 103:2-6 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. John 5:2-9a For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Resources Intimate Covenant Podcast Intimate Covenant Retreat Trapped by Trauma | The Forgiven Wife Mending the Remnants of Brokenness | The Forgiven Wife For My Sister Sexual Assault Survivors | The Forgiven Wife Your Wife Has Been Sexually Harassed - Hot, Holy & Humorous Episode 64: Healing from Sexual Abuse, with Mary DeMuth - Sex Chat for Christian Wives My Larry Nassar Testimony Went Viral. But There's More to the Gospel Than Forgiveness. - Christianity Today Triggers: What They Are, How They Form, and What to Do Box Breathing for Stress - CHI Health About EMDR Therapy - EMDR International Association The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. Is Your Wife a Survivor? - Knowing Her Sexually Thanks for joining us at the virtual kitchen table for another great chat! If you could, we'd appreciate you leaving a rating and/or review so that others can find the show. Please be sure to check out our website and webinars at forchristianwives.com. And visit our individual ministry pages for more resources as well: Strong Wives - Bonny Burns Honeycomb & Spice - Chris Taylor Hot, Holy & Humorous - J. Parker