Podcasts about lord himself

When we reflect upon the way in which we relate to God as His people, many different verbs come to mind for the Christian. We worship the Lord. We love the Lord. We trust the Lord. But arguably the most biblically-emphasized (by God) yet under-appreciated (by us) of all our responses is to fear the Lord. The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps 111:10), “a fountain of life” (Pr 14:27), and “the whole duty of man” (Ecc 12:13). It tells us God's “mercy” (Lk 1:50) and “friendship” (Ps 25:14) are only for those who fear him. Even Jesus warned us, “do not fear those who kill the body… Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell”, that is, God (Mt 10:28). In this sermon from Sunday in Deuteronomy, the Lord Himself exclaims of His people Israel, “Oh, that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me” (5:29), and He desires the same of us today. Listen now as we grow in our fear (and our worship, love and trust!) of the Lord.

Srimad Bhagavatam [Bhagwat Katha] – Part 26 | Swami Mukundananda  Swamiji narrates the divine first leela of Shree Krishna in Gokul. Nand and Yashoda, known for their simplicity and devotion, had longed for a child. The Brahmins blessed them, and by divine arrangement, the Lord Himself was destined to appear in their home.  On the suspenseful night of Krishna's birth, one by one the prison guards fell asleep, the chains broke, and the doors opened. Vasudeva carried the newborn across the Yamuna, which parted to make way, and placed Him safely in Gokul. At that very moment, Yashoda fainted in divine ecstasy, and Krishna's gentle crying awakened everyone to the miracle.  Soon after, the mukh‑dikhai ceremony was performed, where the villagers gathered to behold the divine child. The celebration in Vraj was filled with joy, music, and devotion, as the community rejoiced at the arrival of their beloved Krishna.  Swamiji emphasizes that these leelas are not ordinary events but spiritual lessons. Krishna's first leela reveals how God binds His devotees with love, awakens prem bhakti, and assures that His presence is tender, loving, and accessible in the simplest forms of affection.  About Swami Mukundananda:    Swami Mukundananda is a renowned spiritual leader, Vedic scholar, Bhakti saint, best‑selling author, and an international authority on the subject of mind management. He is the founder of the unique yogic system called JKYog. Swamiji holds distinguished degrees in Engineering and Management from IIT and IIM. Having taken the renounced order of life (sanyas), he is the senior disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj, and has been sharing Vedic wisdom across the globe for decades. 

Though the enemies of God seek to cut His people off and stop us from serving Him, the LORD Himself always is supporting us to keep us going. The LORD is Always Your Stay.

For His obedient people, the LORD Himself will bring blessings which will overtake the people. What a wonderful description of God's covenant relationship with His people.

The world is loud, life is fast, and wonder is slipping through the cracks. But Jesus gave a simple command—consider the birds. This week on The Land and the Book, you’ll learn how birds illustrate timeless truths found in Philippians. You’ll see birds—and the Lord Himself—in a fresh new light. Here’s your invitation to slow down, look up, and rediscover the Gospel written in the wings of creation. The Land and the Book.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/landandthebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Color: White Old Testament: Isaiah 60:1–6 Psalm: Psalm 24; antiphon: v. 7 Epistle: Ephesians 3:1–12 Gospel: Matthew 2:1–12 Introit: Psalm 72:1–2, 10–11; antiphon: Liturgical Text Gradual: Isaiah 60:6b, 1 Verse: Matthew 2:2b The Lord God Is Manifested in the Incarnate Son   The Feast of the Epiphany centers in the visit of the Magi from the East. In that respect, it is a “Thirteenth Day” of Christmas; and yet, it also marks the beginning of a new liturgical season. While Christmas has focused on the Incarnation of our Lord—that is, on God becoming flesh—the season of Epiphany emphasizes the manifestation or self-revelation of God in that same flesh of Christ. For the Lord Himself has entered our darkness and rises upon us with the brightness of His true light (Is. 60:1–2). He does so chiefly by His Word of the Gospel, which He causes to be preached within His Church on earth—not only to the Jews but also to Gentiles (Eph. 3:8–10). As the Magi were guided by the promises of Holy Scripture to find and worship the Christ Child with His mother in the house (Matt. 2:5–11), so does He call disciples from all nations by the preaching of His Word, to find and worship Him within His Church (Is. 60:3–6). With gold they confess His royalty; with incense, His deity; and with myrrh, His priestly sacrifice (Matt. 2:11). Lectionary summary © 2021 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Used by permission. http://lcms.org/worship

"And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, 'Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered.'" Two silver trumpets are fashioned to summon the congregation and signal the march. Then, after nearly a year at Sinai, the cloud lifts, and Israel begins its journey toward the Promised Land. In this chapter, we witness the people of God finally on the move, led by the LORD Himself. The journey begins with hope and order, though trials lie ahead.  The Rev. Matthew Kusch, pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Numbers 10.  To learn more about King of Glory, visit kogelgin.org. The Book of Numbers is far more than an ancient census report. It is the story of a people learning to trust God in the wilderness, and failing, and finding grace anyway.  In this series, host Pastor Phil Booe and guest pastors walk through the Old Testament book of Numbers chapter by chapter. We follow Israel from Sinai toward the Promised Land, through grumbling and rebellion, fiery serpents and a talking donkey, faithless spies and faithful priests. The journey is hard, the failures are many, and God remains faithful to a faithless people.  These ancient accounts point us to Christ. The bronze serpent lifted on a pole points to the cross. The rock struck for water points to the one struck for us. The high priest whose death frees the manslayer points to the Great High Priest whose death sets us free forever. Join us as we discover that the wilderness has more to teach us than we ever expected.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Friday, 20 February 2026   And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. Matthew 17:6   “And having heard, the disciples, they fell upon their face, and they feared exceedingly” (CG).   In the previous verse, a cloud overshadowed those on the mountain, and a voice came out of the cloud proclaiming Jesus is God's beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. Matthew next records, “And having heard, the disciples, they fell upon their face.”   The terror of the event was overwhelming for the disciples. Elsewhere, John records what a voice from heaven sounded like –   “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” John 12:27-29   As the disciples were enveloped in the brilliant cloud, they would be mentally confused about the source of the voice. The mental overload could have been magnified depending on how the voice spoke. If it were authoritative, it could have been shocking. If it was a bit miffed, as in, “Forget those others. I want you to focus on My Son,” they could have been fearful for having had the wrong attitude, etc.   A natural reaction would be to fall down and lie prostrate in fear. That is confirmed with the next words, “and they feared exceedingly.”   The disciples, knowing there were three there, and having heard the voices as they conversed, the sudden introduction of another voice with nobody else having been present would have been truly shocking. Peter's memory was permanently affected by this event. Many years later, he referred to it in his second epistle –   “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1:16-18   Life application: At some point in human history, the Lord will return for His church. We have no idea when that will be. All the speculation in the world is wasted time that could have been used to do something productive for the Lord.   When He comes, the Bible says this will be how it occurs –   “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17   We will hear the shout of the Lord. Now imagine what that will be like for people under different circumstances. Some may be in church praising Him. Hearing that should be a glorious moment as the joy of those who were praising Him has found its true purpose.   Another group will be working, some in very tedious jobs. That will be a call to rest from their labors. It will be a relief for the weary, toiling souls. Another group might be people on the beach or on a mountain hiking. The majesty or beauty of their surroundings will suddenly mean nothing compared to the glory that lies ahead.   Others, however, might be engaged in stealing from Walmart, cheating with their neighbor's wives, or doing other things that Christians should not be engaged in. Their final acts on this earth before being taken to glory will be a source of embarrassment and shame.   How do you want your last moments before Jesus comes to be remembered? We should focus our minds on Him and honor Him at all times. We should have our eyes directed to Him and our activities in line with what He would find pleasing in His eyes.   The Lord is coming, and we don't know when. Be about your business with that in mind.   Lord God, help us to spend our time wisely as we await Your return for us. We may die before that day and await Your call from the sleep of death, but You may come while we are still alive. Give us wisdom to remember that day, considering it at all times as we contemplate a better life in Your presence forever. Amen.  

Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla for February 19, 2026 reflects on Psalm 46:1–3 and the unshakable refuge we have in God. When life feels like it's collapsing—when relationships strain, diagnoses surface, finances tighten, or the world itself seems unstable—this psalm speaks directly into the chaos.“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” This Christian daily devotion reminds us that our confidence does not come from inner resilience, but from the Lord Himself. Even if the earth gives way and mountains fall into the sea, we will not fear—because God is present in the storm.This devotion also points to Jesus Christ, who entered our broken world, bore our sin, and conquered death. In Him, we have a refuge no disaster can destroy and a peace no crisis can steal.Whatever is shaking in your life today, stand firm in this promise: God is near, God is strong, and God is faithful.Support this ministry at

The early church grew through devotion, worship, and genuine love for one another. When community is rooted in Christ, the Lord Himself adds to our number day by day.

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation explores God's work in forming not isolated individuals, but a corporate people—a family and a royal priesthood. Through devastation, humility, and submission, God is bringing forth a purified company that exists not for personal gain, recognition, or ministry ambition, but to minister to the Lord Himself. The family emphasize that devastation is not meaningless suffering but a divine process that strips away self-interest and prepares God's people to walk as sons, worshipers, and priests. This priesthood is not defined by position or title, but by a spiritual state of being—one that fulfills God's eternal purpose revealed from the foundation of the world. Show Notes God is shifting from individual ministry emphasis to acorporate, family expressionTeaching and ministry flow through thebody, not a single voiceEach believer carries a different aspect of what the Spirit is speakingDevastation humbles the heart and removes pride and self-ambitionGod is raising acompany, not elevating personalitiesWorship is offering ourselves fully to God as living sacrificesPriesthood is aspiritual state, not an individual roleThe motivation of walking with God changes from “what I get” to “what God gets”God is forming a people for His own possessionSons of God walk in the earth as Christ walkedTrue priesthood is formed through submission, not recognitionGod is the potter; we are the clay Key Quotes “The teaching priest is coming through the family, through the body—not one person.”“There is a greater purity in the company God is raising up rather than individuals.”“Devastation is a prelude to the priesthood.”“The motivation of walking with God changes when it's no longer about us.”“God is creating a people for His own possession.”“

On a dark Atlantic night in 1873, Horatio Spafford lost all four of his daughters, and from that unimaginable grief he wrote, “It is well with my soul.” This law homily on the first commandment presses past surface obedience and asks what we truly cannot imagine losing, exposing the small gods we quietly trust. When everything else sinks, only the Lord Himself is a portion that cannot be taken away.

When famine strikes the Promised Land, Abram's faith is tested under pressure. Fear drives him to Egypt, where Abram's Faithlessness is revealed as he relies on deception rather than trust in God's promises. Yet, in God's surprising grace, Abram's Fortune increases even in the midst of failure, showing that God's covenant purposes are not undone by human weakness. Ultimately, the passage points to Abram's Fortress—not his own wisdom or schemes, but the Lord Himself, who intervenes, protects Sarai, and preserves His promise. This account reminds us that while faith may falter, God remains faithful and is our true refuge.

When headlines, social media, and everyday stress collide, anxiety can easily take over. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery and Carol McCracken explore why our minds and bodies respond so strongly to cultural chaos—and how God gently leads us back to peace. Download the free companion guide for this episode here: Finding Peace in a Chaotic World: A Faith-Based Guide to Quieting Anxiety and Re-centering Your Heart You’ll hear: how stress and overstimulation affect the brain why anxious thoughts spiral so quickly practical grounding tools rooted in faith how Jesus modeled withdrawal and reconnection with the Father why joy, Scripture, and community strengthen emotional resilience If you’ve felt overwhelmed lately, this conversation will remind you: you’re not broken—and you’re not alone. God meets us right where we are and leads us toward calm, clarity, and renewed trust. Scripture referenced in this episode: Proverbs 3:5–6“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Isaiah 26:3–4“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You… The Lord Himself is the Rock eternal.” Psalm 46:1–2“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…” Psalm 91:1–4God as refuge, shelter, and covering. Isaiah 41:10“Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Colossians 3:15“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” Gospel accounts of Jesus withdrawing to pray(Mark 1:35-39; Luke 5:15-16; Luke 6:12) Reflective Questions: Use these for journaling, small groups, or personal reflection. When I feel overwhelmed, what tends to trigger my anxiety most—noise, conflict, social media, uncertainty, or something else? What physical signs tell me I’m becoming dysregulated or stressed (sleep disruption, tension, racing thoughts, irritability)? Which grounding practice helps me reconnect with God most easily—breathing, Scripture, silence, journaling, nature, prayer, or community? Where might God be inviting me to “withdraw” from input right now so I can hear His voice more clearly? What truth from Scripture do I need to return to when my thoughts begin to spiral? What is one small step I can take this week to pursue peace intentionally instead of waiting for my circumstances to change? If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who may be feeling overwhelmed. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others find hope and practical help when they need it most. Find Carol McCracken: On her website On Facebook On Instagram Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, Micah Herbster continues the journey through Psalm 119 with verses 101–104, part of the thirteenth stanza—a section centered on pondering and practicing God's Word with both discipline and delight.After reading the passage, Micah walks verse by verse through the Psalmist's testimony, highlighting the clear purpose statements woven throughout the text. Each action is tied to a reason—revealing how obedience to God's Word is never accidental, but intentional.Listeners will explore four defining responses to Scripture:Restrain — learning to hold back from evil in order to obey God's Word, recognizing that true holiness involves a growing hatred for sin.Remain — staying on the path because the Lord Himself is our Instructor, illustrated through the vivid picture of a climber trusting a Sherpa to guide them safely up Mount Everest.Rejoice — discovering the personal sweetness of God's Word, more delightful than honey, savored through meditation and spoken with joy.Repulse — gaining understanding from Scripture that produces discernment and a settled rejection of falsehood and evil.Drawing from rich cross-references and timeless voices like Spurgeon, Matthew Henry, and Thomas Brooks, this episode emphasizes that God's Word does more than inform—it shapes our affections, directs our steps, and trains us to love what God loves and hate what He hates.The episode closes with a prayerful response, “praying the Psalm,” inviting listeners not just to study the Word, but to live it.A thoughtful and practical meditation for anyone seeking to walk wisely, love Scripture deeply, and follow the Lord with understanding and conviction.

Exodus 25:1–2 (ESV) “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.'” In this Old Testament devotional, Pastor David Sumrall shows us the powerful truths found in these two simple verses about offerings and worship. God instructs Moses, as the spiritual leader, to tell the people to bring an offering. Giving does not begin with silence or assumption, but with clear spiritual leadership that communicates God's instruction. The offering is to be brought to God, not to a person. Moses is the messenger, not the recipient. This reminds us that all giving is an act of worship directed to the Lord Himself. The offering is also described as something sacred, set apart for God's purposes, not treated like an ordinary expense or obligation. Finally, God places a clear condition on giving. The contribution is to be accepted only from those whose hearts are moved to give. True offerings are never forced or pressured. They flow from willingness and desire, not compulsion. In this way, God teaches His people that generosity is deeply spiritual, voluntary, and rooted in worship. Through this passage, we are reminded that biblical giving is about obedience, reverence, and a heart that responds freely to God. ---- Discover fundamental truths and the power of Scripture with Pastor David E. Sumrall on Daily Devotions. Pastor Sumrall serves as the Undershepherd of the Cathedral of Praise, a Christian church dedicated to Jesus and His Word, with campuses across Metro Manila and branches around the world.   Don't forget to like, subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV https://www.youtube.com/c/cathedralofpraiseTV/?sub_confirmation=1,and hit the bell icon 

By Mary Lindow  I am by far not an expert on the subject of plumblines and righteousness, so take what I say in the light of one who at time gropes like a child in the dark, ever reaching for the hand of the ONE to lead me into a safe place filled with His Hope, His Mercy, His Light and Life. WE LIVE IN A CORRUPT WORLD and therefore, have the “effects and affects” of that corruption ever influencing, ever tainting and ever wooing the flesh.  Plumbline: a tool that consists of a small, heavy object attached to a string or rope and that is used especially to see if something (such as a wall) is perfectly vertical or in alignment)   A plumbline is a simple but accurate tool used for determining whether or not something is perfectly vertical or upright. The Lord also used, and uses, a "plumbline," His Word, to determine how upright His people truly are in His sight. How upright they think they are, or how upright they proclaim themselves to be, means nothing to God. "Behold, I WILL set a plumbline in the midst of My people".  -Amos 7:7  A PLUMBLINE SET OUT BY THE HAND OF GOD IS ONE THAT WE CAN ANCHOR OUR HEARTS TO. It will always, always, ALWAYS, direct us to the truth in a matter; even if it requires pain, loss, persecution and perhaps death in areas we feel we may well have rights to.  It will also be a shield, a balm, a comfort and a teacher to those who will yield to the directive positioning of the Master.  “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumbline.” -Isaiah 28:17  LIFE – DISTRESS - AND PERSECUTION  I have found that in my life, distress and persecution do not feel like God's care being poured out on me. My heart is not immediately drawn to thanksgiving and gratefulness for the faithfulness of God on display as I cling to the battered pieces that look like potential “rafts” of hope, only to find out that many of them have gaping holes or slow leaks in them.  Rather, it feels like yet another hurt is being permanently woven into my tattered and war-torn soul. It seems as if another mound of questions are piling up and just waiting for an answer and a true solid REAL anchor of hope.  I CAN REALLY CONNECT TO THE WRITER OF PSALM 42  He said “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” It's at those very times that the words of the Savior are so important. When we are down and in turmoil.  But, how do we connect the dots between what we know is true about God's faithfulness and what our hearts feel? When flipped and flung around by the waves, weary from crying and when no answer seems at hand, what is the answer?  When my circumstances show many foes and tyrants rising up against me and my heart is prone to wander and fear, what hope is there of peace?  When my feelings start controlling my thoughts, how can I rest in God's promises?  AT THIS POINT… I HEAR THE “GASPS” …  …And perhaps shocked comments of a few who are amazed that someone who appears to walk so fervently and intimately with the Lord would have such difficulties!  Well! Guess what? I do struggle, I do hurt, and yes I do doubt when I have been side swiped or “rammed” by skilled cons and those who, although may have the appearance of godliness and offered friendship or fellowship, end up having private and evil agendas behind their well placed and planned schemes. And boy oh boy! Those skilled players know the wicked art of wounding the heart and causing people to reel in pain!  BUT, THERE IS ONE WHO FULLY SEES IT ALL  The main skill in the issue of dealing with life as a spiritual person, is to know how to handle yourself when things not only crush and grind your heart, but what to do with the anguish and toll of their aftermath.  We have to get ourselves into a place where we hear clearly again.  We need have to address ourselves, preach to ourselves, and ask questions about ourselves.  We must say to our soul: "Why are you cast down –Why are you so anxious and lacking in peace?"  We must urge ourselves, and say ‘Hope in God'–instead of remaining in this paralyzed, aching state!”  AND THEN WE MUST TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER We must go on to remind ourselves just “Who “God is, and what God is and what God has done, and what God has promised that he Himself said that He would do.  Having done that we can stand up and sing out strongly, defying the torment of the soul, and resist other people's wicked tongues and arrogance, and refuse to go along with the devil and the whole world, and say: ‘Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”  The hope and promise of the fairness of God's justice when dealing with the hurtful things and presumptions of others gives me the confidence to know that God will never turn away from me in my need. No matter how they seem to prosper in the short term, wicked men and women will ultimately pay for their sins, in this life or the next. Jesus died to meet my greatest hardships and sorrows for me, and I need to preach this to myself every day. His power is greater than my weariness and suffering.  The comforting and instruction that comes from simply running to feed upon His word instead of the toxic poison of the replaying of trauma reminds me that what Jesus has done is strong enough for my soul to rejoice in and to be set into a place where it can rest and regroup, gaining a healthy perspective about what to give out to others and what is simply… …. To be enjoyed by the Lord Himself.  THE NATURAL IMPULSES OF MANKIND ARE SINFUL AND DECEITFUL!  Human willpower alone will never be able to change this.  We need God's help to truly change our hearts.  REMEMBER. You cannot change the heart of anyone else either.  If you try to, you will feel the bite of stinging venom or be laughed out of a room. Only the power of the conviction of the Holy Spirit can permeate and get around the jam-packed hardhearted egos of the self sufficient and bitter.  Jeremiah 17:9 says that the human heart is deceitful in all things and is even beyond cure! We must be cautious and wise in reproving and warning such types of people about their bad behaviors and wicked actions where there seems to be no appearance or hope of change and where there is danger of experiencing great and heart wrecking retaliation and slander.  These types trample the warnings and urging for repentance and humbling of the heart under their feet, and turn again and slash at you, despising the warnings that are “tearfully and fearfully” given, and often hurt the persons who give them, either by words or deeds.  "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy.  Don't throw your pearls to pigs!  They will trample the pearls,  then turn and attack you.”  -Matthew 7:6    "GIVE ME THE FACTS MA'AM JUST THE FACTS”  I remember that phrase from a TV show called “Dragnet”. The detective would not allow the details of the case to be skewed by any assumptions or pontificating from those he interviewed. He stoically and firmly demanded only the facts.  And so, here are the “facts” about the heart of a good man or woman. 1.) The good man or woman: Brings good things out of the good stored up in his/her heart. And the facts about an evil man or woman.  2.) The evil man/woman brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his/her heart. For out of the overflow of his or her heart his or her mouth speaks. Luke 6:45    THE FRAILTY, BRIEFNESS, AND INSECURITY OF LIFE  The frailty, briefness, and insecurity of life should hold down the vanity and presumptuous confidence of all of our projects and boasting about future greatness and bragging rights! We are always to depend on the will and leading of God.  OUR TIMES ARE NOT IN OUR OWN HANDS, BUT ARE INSTEAD IN THE TIMING OF GOD. Our heads may be filled with cares and plans for ourselves, or our families, or our friends; but Divine intervention often throws our plans into bewilderment. All we have in mind, and all we do, should be with a humble and deep dependence on God. It is foolish, and it is hurtful, to boast of trendy “latest happening” things and prospective projects, and it will bring great disappointment and will prove destructive to relationships and meaningful help to others in the end.  “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”  -1 John 2:16 LISTEN KINDLY - BEFORE SPEAKING YOUR THOUGHTS  People don't need a lecture on the meaning of suffering or to have a barrage of scriptures “machine-gunned” at them as a reprimand for sharing their moment of grief or struggle! (Especially when their hearts are breaking, weary of the battle and if they are fatigued.) Job could have done without some of the self-righteous answers that came from his “well-meaning” friends. All of the answers could have even been true, but Job didn't need to hear any of them.  He needed their love, not their value judgments.  In fact, it appears as if God judged THEM for trying to offer simple solutions to things that were beyond their comprehension. They had never walked in the loss he was in anguish over.  WHEN WE SUFFER UNJUSTLY WE HAVE A MAJOR CHOICE TO MAKE How will we respond? We can feel sorry for ourselves (and understandably so, for a while), become bitter and cynical, get drawn into a war of words, or even become mixed up in a major conflict. On the other hand, we can take our suffering to the cross and allow our pain to draw us into a deeper place of understanding of what Jesus went though in his sufferings. This does not remove the pain, but does help us to know what to do with our hurt.  This is the 'fellowship of his sufferings' (Philippians 3:10), one of the gateways to closeness with God and the release of his power in our lives. The weight of heartbreak shared with a loving friend cuts it in half. When the burden is shared with many friends, we can cope with almost anything. We never feel more revitalized than when a friend loves us enough to walk with us in our pain. Not lecture us.  The apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Corinth:  "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 have received from God". -1 Corinthians 1.3-4  SOMETIMES GOD GETS INVOLVED WITH DIRECT MIRACLES, Giving supernatural strength to those in need. But for the most part, he depends on us, his people, to do his work in the world. We love each other, work for healing, and suffer with those who suffer.  The next time you see a friend who is suffering, Jesus may just invite you to be the warm embrace! We comfort each other with the comfort we have received in Christ. And when we do, we become the Body of Christ and he receives the glory!  THE BIBLE IS CLEAR!  We are to bear one another's burdens.  We are to comfort others as Christ has given comfort to us.  Your hard time becomes my hard time.  We join hands in the journey.  When you succeed, I succeed.  When you suffer, I suffer. But we do it together. We share it together.  And we do it, not so much in our wisdom or our words, but in our availability, our understanding, and through our presence.  THAT'S WHAT FELLOWSHIP IS ALL ABOUT!  But not “bland” fellowship. It is CHRISTIAN fellowship. It is the business of burden bearing. Authentic CHRISTIAN fellowship says that when you need me . . . I'll be there. Support in suffering is at the core of what it means to share life together in Christ. The word for "comfort” is the same root word as the name Jesus used to describe one of the functions of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Paraclete). “I will be a comforter, one who comes alongside to give help.” And so as God comes alongside you, now you are able to come alongside another. As the Comforter is at work within you, so you also can be of comfort to those around you.  WE ARE CALLED TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS.  To mourn with those who mourn. To be a follower of Jesus means to come alongside people who are hurting and find ways to help them walk even through the valley of the shadow of death. We are called to do this, as the word of God and care of God is shared with the intention of stirring, plowing up hardened hearts, creating a place for repentance and challenging saints to hope again, I know and believe that as we learn again as believers, to care, to truly listen and to hope fully again, that the sweet and heavy weight of HIS Glory will be made known and will manifest in unfettered and uncontrolled waves of worship and spontaneous adoration of the King of Heaven.  HE REALLY DOES KNOW WHAT HE WANTS Let's focus on bowing low and seeking His heart and plans in what matters to Him. Indeed, HE is the Plumbline.  Prayer  God, I ask in Jesus' name, that you comfort, strengthen and encourage all who are hurting deeply right now and are going through so much pain and heartache.  Don't allow them to give up in the heat of the battle.  Let them feel your arms wrapping around them and your love overflowing and filling them up. Lord, I will pray often and I know that you will hear my voice, even when I speak to You in my silent thoughts.  To You, I am crying out and my prayers are now before You.  Father, I give to You my problems, I do not want them.  Father, please restore them to You. I know that you have compassion for your children. Father, show them your ways and teach them your paths. Lead them in your truth and teach them you are the God of our salvation and on you we will wait.  Protect them from the evils of this life and guide them through all of their days. Father, thank You for hearing my prayer Father and for considering and for having compassion on all who hear and read these words, and all who hurt, in this troubled world we live in.  Keep them in the center of Your love.  In Jesus' Name ~ Amen  Duplication and sharing of this message is welcomed provided that complete article, podcast link and website information for Mary Lindow is included.  Thank You Copyright © 2026 " THE MESSENGER " ~ Mary Lindow www.marylindow.com https://marylindow.podbean.com Your Gracious Support and Donations Are So Very Helpful And Assist Mary In Publishing Her Teaching Podcasts and Audio Messages. THANK YOU! Please go to PAYPAL to donate  or support this blog:  Donate to the tax-deductible ministry name of:  paypal.me/mlindow    (His Beloved Ministries Inc.)  Or  You Can Mail a Check or Cashiers Check to:  His Beloved Ministries INC  PO Box 1253  Eastlake CO 80614  United States    

Today's Promise:  Every day you wake up in a spiritual battlefield. Fear, doubt, shame, and relentless accusations bombard your mind. Today's episode speaks directly into that spiritual fight with a powerful promise from Isaiah 54:17: "No weapon formed against you will prosper."   In today's episode, you'll be reminded that while the enemy may try to come at you from every angle and through circumstances or cutting words, none of his weapons have the power to destroy you. Satan may accuse, discourage, and dredge up your past, but the blood of Jesus has already silenced every charge against you.   This episode gives you four confessions you can make that reaffirm God's protection over your life and family. This episode is a call to stand firm, lift your head, and walk in confidence, knowing the Lord Himself stands between you and the enemy.   You are not defenseless. You are covered. And today, every weapon aimed at you will fail.

Proverbs 20:10–12 reveals the Lord's concern for justice, integrity, and spiritual awareness. Dishonest weights and measures are an abomination to God, exposing how corruption often hides behind everyday transactions. Yet the passage also reminds us that the Lord Himself fashioned the hearing ear and the seeing eye—nothing escapes His notice. In today's Morning Manna, Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart examine how God measures fairness, why integrity matters in both public and private life, and how living wisely begins with remembering that the God who gave us eyes and ears also sees and hears all. Lesson 17-2026 Teachers: Rick Wiles and Doc Burkhart You can partner with us by visiting MannaNation.com, calling 1-888-519-4935, or by mail at PO Box 399 Vero Beach, FL 32961. MEGA FIRE reveals the ancient recurring cycles of war and economic collapse that have shaped history for 600 years. These patterns predict America is now entering its most dangerous period since World War II. Get your copy today! www.megafire.world Get high-quality emergency preparedness food today from American Reserves! www.AmericanReserves.com It's the Final Day! The day Jesus Christ bursts into our dimension of time, space, and matter. Now available in eBook and audio formats! Order Final Day from Amazon today! www.Amazon.com/Final-Day Apple users, you can download the audio version on Apple Books! www.books.apple.com/final-day Purchase the 4-part DVD set or start streaming Sacrificing Liberty today. www.Sacrificingliberty.com

When Jesus comes, there will be no delay. In this devotion, Pastor Roderick Webster continues the Lamps With Oil / Lamps Without Oil series from Matthew 25:1–13 (KJV) and explains a sobering truth: when the Bridegroom arrives, those who are ready will enter immediately.Jesus' parable shows that all ten virgins had lamps and were waiting, but only those with oil were prepared when the moment came. Pastor reminds us that the oil represents the Holy Spirit—to have oil is to have Christ, and to lack oil is to lack Him.This message connects Matthew 25 with the clear teaching of Scripture concerning Christ's return. Paul declares that believers will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:51–52) and that the Lord Himself will descend, the dead in Christ will rise first, and living believers will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).Pastor also points ahead to the joy awaiting the redeemed—the marriage supper of the Lamb—where Christ receives His bride, the church. Those who are ready will go in with Him. When the door is shut, it will be final.The question is not how long we've been around church, but whether we are truly ready. If you are ready, help someone else get ready. If you are not ready, today is the time.

Will I see my loved ones again? In today's Words From The Word devotion, Pastor Roderick Webster opens 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (KJV) to answer a question that touches every family at some point—especially in seasons of grief.Paul writes so believers won't be ignorant and won't sorrow like those who have no hope. Pastor explains that Scripture doesn't say we should not sorrow. It teaches us the difference between sorrowing without hope and sorrowing with hope—because in Christ, death is not the end.This passage also gives the order of events when the Lord returns: the Lord Himself will descend, the dead in Christ shall rise first, and then living believers will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. That word “together” matters—because it points to reunion, comfort, and an eternal future with Christ.Pastor also highlights why Paul says God will “bring with Him” those who have died in Jesus—showing that believers who die are with the Lord, and their bodies will be raised at Christ's coming.If you're grieving today, this devotion is meant to steady your heart and strengthen your hope. And it also includes a personal call: make sure you are truly in Christ, because only those in Christ share this comfort.#WordsFromTheWord #GriefWithHope #1Thessalonians4 #BibleAnswer #PastorRoderickWebster

Moses chapter 7 centers on the rise of the City of Enoch, a people who learned to build Zion by becoming “of one heart and one mind,” dwelling in righteousness, and caring deeply for one another. Under Enoch's prophetic leadership, the people rejected violence, pride, and inequality, choosing instead to live the law of consecration so fully that there were “no poor among them.” Their society was marked not only by moral purity but by profound compassion—so much so that the Lord Himself wept over the suffering and wickedness of the world. In contrast to the surrounding nations, Zion stood as a covenant community defined by love, justice, and unity with God. The chapter also teaches that Zion is not merely a place, but a condition of the heart that any people can strive to achieve. Moses 7 makes clear that Zion is built through repentance, obedience, humility, and collective commitment to God's ways. As Enoch's people aligned their lives with heaven, they became sanctified and were ultimately taken into God's presence, symbolizing the destiny of a truly Zion-like society. For modern readers, the City of Enoch becomes both a model and an invitation: Zion is achieved when individuals and communities choose righteousness, unity, and selfless care for the vulnerable, preparing the world—and themselves—for the return of the Lord.

In week three of The Church Imagined series, we explored another identity-shaping image of the church in the New Testament: the Royal Priesthood. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that the church is not a building or an organization, but a holy people chosen by God, called out of darkness, and set apart to proclaim His praises.By looking back the role of the Jewish priesthood in the Old Testament, we saw how Jesus fulfilled the priestly system once and for all as our Great High Priest. Because of His death, resurrection, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, God has now made the church itself His royal and holy priesthood.The sermon focused on three key aspects of this calling: priestly clothing, priestly duties, and priestly portion. From Colossians 3, we were challenged to “put on” spiritual clothing such as compassion, humility, forgiveness, and love. We were also reminded  that just as the priests of old had duties, we too as a royal priesthood have responsibilities today: praying and interceding for others, caring for God's temple by loving one another and using our spiritual gifts, and teaching the Word of Christ through both instruction and example. Finally, we reflected on our greatest inheritance as God's priests: the Lord Himself, our portion now and for eternity.As Christ's church, we are a royal priesthood so that we may proclaim the praises of the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. May this truth shape how we live and serve together!

ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਤੁਧੁ ਨੋ ਸਦਾ ਸਾਲਾਹੀ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਜਿਚਰੁ ਘਟ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹੈ ਸਾਸਾ ॥ ਇਕੁ ਪਲੁ ਖਿਨੁ ਵਿਸਰਹਿ ਤੂ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਜਾਣਉ ਬਰਸ ਪਚਾਸਾ ॥ ਹਮ ਮੂੜ ਮੁਗਧ ਸਦਾ ਸੇ ਭਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਕੈ ਸਬਦਿ ਪ੍ਰਗਾਸਾ ॥੧॥ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਤੁਮ ਆਪੇ ਦੇਹੁ ਬੁਝਾਈ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਜੀਉ ਤੁਧੁ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਵਾਰਿਆ ਸਦ ਹੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਟਹੁ ਬਲਿ ਜਾਈ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਹਮ ਸਬਦਿ ਮੁਏ ਸਬਦਿ ਮਾਰਿ ਜੀਵਾਲੇ ਭਾਈ ਸਬਦੇ ਹੀ ਮੁਕਤਿ ਪਾਈ ॥ ਸਬਦੇ ਮਨੁ ਤਨੁ ਨਿਰਮਲੁ ਹੋਆ ਹਰਿ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਨਿ ਆਈ ॥ ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰ ਦਾਤਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਮਨੁ ਰਾਤਾ ਹਰਿ ਸਿਉ ਰਹਿਆ ਸਮਾਈ ॥੨॥ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਜਾਣਹਿ ਸੇ ਅੰਨੇ ਬੋਲੇ ਸੇ ਕਿਤੁ ਆਏ ਸੰਸਾਰਾ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਰਸੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਆ ਬਿਰਥਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਗਵਾਇਆ ਜੰਮਹਿ ਵਾਰੋ ਵਾਰਾ ॥ ਬਿਸਟਾ ਕੇ ਕੀੜੇ ਬਿਸਟਾ ਮਾਹਿ ਸਮਾਣੇ ਮਨਮੁਖ ਮੁਗਧ ਗੁਬਾਰਾ ॥੩॥ ਆਪੇ ਕਰਿ ਵੇਖੈ ਮਾਰਗਿ ਲਾਏ ਭਾਈ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਕੋਈ ॥ ਜੋ ਧੁਰਿ ਲਿਖਿਆ ਸੁ ਕੋਇ ਨ ਮੇਟੈ ਭਾਈ ਕਰਤਾ ਕਰੇ ਸੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਨਾਮੁ ਵਸਿਆ ਮਨ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਭਾਈ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ॥੪॥੪॥ਅਰਥ: ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਜੀ! ਤੂੰ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਆਪਣਾ ਨਾਮ ਜਪਣ ਦੀ ਮੈਨੂੰ) ਸਮਝ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼। ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਮੈਂ ਤੈਥੋਂ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਕੇ ਜਾਵਾਂ, ਮੈਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਜਾਵਾਂ।ਰਹਾਉ।ਹੇ ਪਿਆਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਜੀ! ਮੇਹਰ ਕਰ) ਜਿਤਨਾ ਚਿਰ ਮੇਰੇ ਸਰੀਰ ਵਿਚ ਜਿੰਦ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਤਿ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਕਰਦਾ ਰਹਾਂ। ਹੇ ਮਾਲਕ-ਪ੍ਰਭੂ! ਜਦੋਂ ਤੂੰ ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇਕ ਪਲ-ਭਰ ਇਕ ਛਿਨ-ਭਰ ਵਿੱਸਰਦਾ ਹੈਂ, ਮੈਂ ਪੰਜਾਹ ਸਾਲ ਬੀਤ ਗਏ ਸਮਝਦਾ ਹਾਂ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਅਸੀ ਸਦਾ ਤੋਂ ਮੂਰਖ ਅੰਞਾਣ ਤੁਰੇ ਆ ਰਹੇ ਸਾਂ, ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦੀ ਬਰਕਤਿ ਨਾਲ (ਸਾਡੇ ਅੰਦਰ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦਾ) ਚਾਨਣ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ।੧।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਅਸੀ (ਜੀਵ) ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ (ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਵਲੋਂ) ਮਰ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਾਂ, ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਹੀ (ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਵਲੋਂ) ਮਾਰ ਕੇ (ਗੁਰੂ) ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਵਿਚ ਜੁੜਿਆਂ ਹੀ ਵਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਵਲੋਂ ਖ਼ਲਾਸੀ ਹਾਸਲ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਹੈ। ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਦੀ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਹੀ ਮਨ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਸਰੀਰ ਪਵਿਤ੍ਰ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਵੱਸਦਾ ਹੈ। ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਗੁਰੂ ਦਾ ਸ਼ਬਦ (ਹੀ ਨਾਮ ਦੀ ਦਾਤਿ) ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੈ, ਜਦੋਂ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਵਿਚ ਮਨ ਰੰਗਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ ਵਿਚ ਲੀਨ ਹੋ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ।੨।ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜੇਹੜੇ ਮਨੁੱਖ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨਾਲ ਸਾਂਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਾਂਦੇ ਉਹ (ਮਾਇਆ ਦੇ ਮੋਹ ਵਿਚ ਆਤਮਕ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਲੋਂ) ਅੰਨ੍ਹੇ ਬੋਲੇ ਹੋਏ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਸੰਸਾਰ ਵਿਚ ਆ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਕੁਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਖੱਟਦੇ। ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਦਾ ਸੁਆਦ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਉਂਦਾ, ਉਹ ਆਪਣਾ ਜੀਵਨ ਵਿਅਰਥ ਗਵਾ ਜਾਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਮੁੜ ਮੁੜ ਜੰਮਦੇ ਮਰਦੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਜਿਵੇਂ ਗੰਦ ਦੇ ਕੀੜੇ ਗੰਦ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ ਟਿਕੇ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਮਨ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਤੁਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਮੂਰਖ ਮਨੁੱਖ (ਅਗਿਆਨਤਾ ਦੇ) ਹਨੇਰੇ ਵਿਚ ਹੀ (ਮਸਤ ਰਹਿੰਦੇ ਹਨ) ।੩।ਪਰ, ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਭੀ ਕੀਹ ਵੱਸ?) ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ) ਪੈਦਾ ਕਰ ਕੇ ਸੰਭਾਲ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਆਪ ਹੀ (ਜੀਵਨ ਦੇ ਸਹੀ) ਰਸਤੇ ਪਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਨਾ ਹੋਰ ਕੋਈ ਨਹੀਂ (ਜੋ ਜੀਵਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰਾਹ ਦੱਸ ਸਕੇ) । ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਕਰਤਾਰ ਜੋ ਕੁਝ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ ਉਹੀ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਧੁਰ ਦਰਗਾਹ ਤੋਂ (ਜੀਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੱਥੇ ਤੇ ਲੇਖ) ਲਿਖ ਦੇਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ (ਹੋਰ) ਮਿਟਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਸਕਦਾ। ਹੇ ਨਾਨਕ! ਆਖ-) ਹੇ ਭਾਈ! ਉਸ ਪ੍ਰਭੂ ਦੀ ਮੇਹਰ ਨਾਲ ਹੀ ਉਸ ਦਾ) ਨਾਮ (ਮਨੁੱਖ ਦੇ) ਮਨ ਵਿਚ ਵੱਸ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ, ਕੋਈ ਹੋਰ ਇਹ ਦਾਤਿ ਦੇਣ ਜੋਗਾ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ।੪।੪।SORAT'H, THIRD MEHL:Dear Beloved Lord, I praise You continually, as long as there is the breath within my body. If I were to forget You, for a moment, even for an instant, O Lord Master, it would be like fifty years for me. I was always such a fool and an idiot, O Siblings of Destiny, but now, through the Word of the Guru's Shabad, my mind is enlightened. || 1 || Dear Lord, You Yourself bestow understanding. Dear Lord, I am forever a sacrifice to You; I am dedicated and devoted to Your Name. || Pause || I have died in the Word of the Shabad, and through the Shabad, I am dead while yet alive, O Siblings of Destiny; through the Shabad, I have been liberated. Through the Shabad, my mind and body have been purified, and the Lord has come to dwell within my mind. The Guru is the Giver of the Shabad; my mind is imbued with it, and I remain absorbed in the Lord. || 2 || Those who do not know the Shabad are blind and deaf; why did they even bother to come into the world? They do not obtain the subtle essence of the Lord's elixir; they waste away their lives, and are reincarnated over and over again. The blind, idiotic, self-willed manmukhs are like maggots in manure, and in manure they rot away. || 3 || The Lord Himself creates us, watches over us, and places us on the Path, O Siblings of Destiny; there is no one other than Him. No one can erase that which is pre-ordained, O Siblings of Destiny; whatever the Creator wills, comes to pass. O Nanak, the Naam, the Name of the Lord, abides deep within the mind; O Siblings of Destiny, there is no other at all. || 4 || 4 ||

The Lord Himself will guide us through all our dark and discouraging days. The LORD is Your Light.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

The Book of Esther is more than a heroic tale—it's divine satire revealing God's faithfulness through imperfect people. From King Xerxes' pompous vanity to Queen Vashti's principled defiance, the story exposes human weakness while highlighting God's sovereign control. Even in exile, when His people compromise and stumble, God orchestrates events to fulfill His promises, demonstrating that true deliverance comes not from human heroes, but from the Lord Himself.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

In this message, we explore Psalm 91:11–12 and the biblical ministry of angels as a reflection of God's design for His Church. Scripture reveals how God used archangels to deliver messages, engage in spiritual warfare, and minister in worship. From Gabriel the messenger, to Michael the warrior, to Lucifer before the fall as a worshipper, we see clear roles that ultimately find their fulfillment in Christ and His Church today. Even as Michael relied on the Lord, we are reminded that we must always rely on Him, for we can do nothing without His presence and His Spirit. This sermon walks through key passages in Daniel, Luke, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jude to show that while angels are ministering spirits, our faith is not in angels but in the Lord Himself. The ministry once carried out by angels now reflects the calling of the Church through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are called to declare the truth, stand firm in spiritual battle, and worship God with our whole lives. The plans of the enemy are no match for the Lord, and through His presence, protection, and power, the Church advances the Kingdom of God. Jesus is Lord, and it is all about Him.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

The Feast of the Epiphany centers in the visit of the Magi from the East. While Christmas has focused on the incarnation of our Lord … that is, on God becoming flesh … the season of Epiphany emphasizes the manifestation or self-revelation of God in that same flesh of Christ. The Lord Himself has entered our darkness and rises upon us with the brightness of His true light (Is. 60:1–2). He does so chiefly by His Word of the Gospel, which He causes to be preached within His Church on earth … not only to the Jews but also to Gentiles (Eph. 3:8–10). As the Magi were guided by the promises of Holy Scripture to find and worship the Christ Child with His mother in the house (Matt. 2:5–11), so does He call disciples from all nations by the preaching of His Word to find and worship Him within His Church (Is. 60:3–6). With gold, they confess His royalty; with incense, His deity; and with myrrh, His priestly sacrifice (Matt. 2:11).

Sermon Summary: Joshua – Session 11 (Ending the Year Right)   God Calls His People to Possess What He Has Given As the land is divided in Joshua 17–18, God reminds Israel that the inheritance already belongs to them—but they must rise up and take possession. Delayed obedience, fear of opposition, or spiritual passivity keeps believers from fully walking in God's promises. Incomplete Obedience Leads to Future Struggles Some tribes failed to fully drive out the Canaanites, choosing compromise instead of obedience. What is tolerated today often becomes a snare tomorrow. God calls His people to remove what competes with devotion, not manage it. Faith Requires Action, Not Excuses When tribes complained about limited territory, Joshua challenged them to get up and do the work. God had already given them power, but they had to act in faith. Blessing follows obedience, diligence, and courage—not passivity. The Lord Is Our True Inheritance The Levites received no land because the Lord Himself was their inheritance. This points to a greater truth for believers today: our ultimate reward is not earthly security but life with God. Like Abraham, believers are called to live as pilgrims, prioritizing spiritual inheritance over temporary comfort. God Is a Refuge for the Guilty and Broken The cities of refuge reveal God's mercy. Long before sin occurred, God provided a place of safety. These cities foreshadow Jesus Christ as our refuge, where sinners can flee for forgiveness, protection, and restoration. Salvation Must Be Received, Not Ignored A refuge only saves those who run to it. Jesus is God's provision for sin, but each person must choose to enter. Trusting in goodness, effort, or delay is dangerous—Christ alone is the safe place. A Call to Renewed Commitment As the year closes, the sermon challenges believers to: Be honest with themselves Reject spiritual sluggishness Recommit to disciplined faith Place God first without reservation The message closes with hope: when all hope seems lost, the Lord shows up. God remains faithful, and those who trust Him will find safety, purpose, and victory in Him.  

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

Isaiah 7:10-17 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 "Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." 12 But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test." 13 And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? 14Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when He knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!"   Key Words: Ask, Sign, House, David, Virgin, Bear, Immanuel Keystone Verses: Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)     DOWNLOAD BULLETIN

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

“Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 The book of Joshua stands at a hinge in Israel's history. The wilderness years end, the promises to Abraham begin to unfold in full view, and the people of God cross a boundary that is both geographical and spiritual. Joshua teaches us that the living God is not an abstraction, a fairy tale or myth. He guides, commands, judges, and saves. Human action is sometimes God's means to achieve His will, but human strength is never the source. The story moves forward because God keeps His word. Again and again Joshua confronts us with this truth. The Jordan does not part until the priests step into the waters. Jericho's walls fall by obedience rather than force. Israel's presumption at Ai yields defeat, and humility restores what pride had lost. Each scene presses the same lesson into the heart. Trust in God is not passive. It is a posture of obedience and submission, taken in the confidence that the Lord Himself goes before His people. Nowhere is this clearer than at the threshold of Jericho. Joshua encounters a mysterious warrior with drawn sword, who identifies Himself as Captain of the Lord's armies. Joshua falls on his face. He removes his sandals. The ground is holy. The One who spoke to Moses from the burning bush now stands before Joshua as Commander. The battle that follows is not Israel's achievement. It is the Lord's, just as he promised. This moment reveals the true theme of the book. The comes through God's presence. He is not simply giving Israel a land. He is forming a people who know Him, follow Him, and entrust their future to His faithfulness. They were to be God's messenger (malak) to the nations, the means to return exiled humanity to Himself. Near the end Joshua gathers the tribes at Shechem and places the decision before them with absolute clarity. “Choose this day whom you will serve.” That call is not merely ancient. It is perennial. Every generation must decide whether to trust the Lord who keeps His promises or to follow the idols of its age. Joshua concludes on a quiet and triumphant note. The Lord gave Israel rest. Not one of His promises failed. May this reading help us see the same God at work in our own lives, faithful in every generation, leading His people into the inheritance He has prepared.

St. Paul teaches concerning the resurrection of the body so that the Thessalonians will be able to mourn with hope for those who have fallen asleep in Christ. The foundation of this certainty is the death and resurrection of Jesus, through whom God will raise the dead. The apostolic teaching on the matter comes from the Lord Himself who will return visibly and publicly on the Last Day. On that Day, those who have already died will not be forgotten, but raised to life before those who are alive at the time meet the Lord together in the air. In this way, the Church will always be with the Lord, and through these words, the Church encourages its members as we wait for that glorious Day.  Rev. Jeremy Swem, pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  To learn more about Our Savior in Grand Rapids, visit oursavior-gr.org. “Yearning for the Day of Christ's Returning” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that studies St. Paul's two epistles to the Thessalonians. Although Paul's time in Thessalonica was brief, he had great affection for the Christians there. His two letters to the Thessalonians show us the joy that God gives us together in the Church and encourage us to live faithfully in expectation of Jesus' coming on the Last Day.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

In this episode of Spirit Connection, Doug Addison is answering questions, praying with his Partners and interpreting a dream. Tune in for this rare opportunity to hear a valued conversation—Questions, Prayer and a Dream! I’m so sorry for anybody who’s walking through the loss of a job. Stay in the Word and continue to be encouraged. Have prayer with others, especially if you have a pastor or someone that you can come into agreement with. Just keep receiving encouragement through this tough time. The Lord Himself is coming in with a super order to help us get out of our situation—to provide a breakthrough, to get healing, repayment, restoration of all things, including financial and personal. So, the order of the Lord is simply that He is releasing provision right now, as well as the angels to battle. Watch Now Listen Now https://dougaddison.com/wp-content/themes/dougaddison/podcast/Podcast_031225-questions-prayer-and-a-dream-episode-418.mp3    Find Out: How to stay encouraged during tough times About the new super order being released from Heaven The meaning of two buckets in a well   Links Mentioned in This Episode: Workshop: Understanding Your Dreams and Visions! Join Doug's Monthly Mentoring Sessions, via Zoom, by becoming a Partner!The post Questions, Prayer and a Dream [Episode 418] first appeared on Doug Addison.