Podcasts about mighty fortress is our god

Ever wonder why God doesn't just fix your problems for you?In this Psalms 42-49 Bible study, we kick off Book 2 of Psalms by diving into the powerful redemption story of the Sons of Korah, a family literally swallowed by the earth for rebelling against God.Whether you are dealing with unanswered prayers, emotional distress, or wondering why God allows suffering, these chapters offer profound comfort and timeless prayers. We explore a lament that echoes Job's struggles, a prophetic royal wedding song about Jesus, and the exact scripture that inspired Martin Luther's famous hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."In our Psalms 42-49 Bible study, we cover:[4:48] Psalm 42: Family Redemption — How the Sons of Korah went from disgraced rebels to Israel's worship leaders.[12:12] Psalm 43: Reacting to Sorrow — How to pull yourself out of the haze of grief, hardship, loss, and stress.[18:07] Psalm 44: Unanswered Prayer — Why God sometimes seems asleep when His people are suffering.[22:36] Psalm 45-46: Messianic Prophecy — How a royal wedding song perfectly foreshadows Christ and the church (as quoted in Hebrews) and the inspiration behind Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."[33:27] Psalm 47 & 48: The City of Zion — Why God's dwelling place is more than a place on a map.[36:41] Psalm 49: Money and Mortality — Why wealth can't buy life, but Jesus already paid the ransom you couldn't afford.Psalms Show Notes:Psalms RoadmapPsalms Prayer ListPsalms Playlist on Apple MusicPsalms Playlist on SpotifyPhil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video]ACTS Prayer GuideGroup Discussion Questions for Psalms 42-49:[12:24] When you're downcast or disturbed, Psalms 42 suggests you intentionally turn your attention to all the good God has done for you. What's one thing you could do right now to help you remember to do that? For example, memorize a prayer or Bible verse you can turn to that focuses your attention on God's gifts or protection, put a sign on your bathroom mirror, hang pictures of your loved ones, etc.[18:11] Can you relate to Psalm 44 when the psalmist did not feel rescued despite his faithfulness? How do you respond when you don't get the outcome you hoped for?[36:48] Psalm 49 reminds us that wealth cannot buy life. Is there an area of your life where you feel tempted to chase "more" than you need or are called to, even though we can't take anything with us when we die? Ex. cars, the latest technology, respect, work titles, etc.Contact Bible Book Club!Social: Instagram or FacebookWebsite: Bible Book ClubReview Us: Apple Podcast or SpotifyJoin the Fun: DONATE or Buy merchThis episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!

A song can be more than a melody. Sometimes it is a shelter. Today we share the story behind “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” one of the oldest Christian hymns still sung around the world, and we connect it to the one line that keeps showing up when people feel squeezed by life: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).We walk through the life of Martin Luther, the German theologian and leader of the Protestant Reformation, and why his love for worship music pushed him to revive congregational singing. Luther saw music as a God-given force that shapes the mind and the heart, and he wanted ordinary people to carry theology on their lips, not just in a book. That mission even led him to borrow familiar tunes from everyday culture, including melodies heard in taverns, because he cared more about getting truth into the church than keeping music at a distance from real life.From there we step into the pressure that forged the hymn: persecution, hardship, and threats that made Psalm 46 feel personal. We also talk about why the original German is so difficult to translate into English, why there are dozens of versions, and how the core message never changes: God is strong, God is near, and God is the place we run when trouble hits.Here is the YouTube link for Mighty Fortresshttps://youtu.be/T0132OxXRdA?si=uwskd6CV2tQ2HFAeWe would love to hear your comments. Send us a Text MessageSupport the show

024.พระเจ้าผู้ทรงเป็นป้อมปราการ(A Mighty Fortress Is Our God) by คริสตจักรตรัง

Guest speaker David White continues the "Kingdom Now" series in Matthew 8, showing that wherever God's kingdom arrives, chaos is confronted—but comfort is challenged.He examines two powerful encounters: Jesus calming a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, where panicked disciples question His care despite His presence, and Jesus casting demons from two violent men into a herd of pigs in Gentile territory. The restored men return to community, but the townspeople—upset by the economic loss—beg Jesus to leave, preferring familiar chaos to costly change.David stresses Jesus' absolute authority over external storms and internal oppression, yet following Him requires denying self and embracing discomfort rather than seeking ease. He contrasts “Couch Jesus” (comfort-focused) with “Coach Jesus” (growth-focused), urging the dangerous prayer: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”—inviting God to confront chaos in marriages, families, finances, and mental health, while trusting Him through the inevitable challenges.Core truth: The kingdom is now—actively confronting chaos and challenging comfort—because Jesus loves us too much to leave us unchanged.Watch all our sermons on our youtube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

SCRIPTURE- Ephesians 6:13"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."REFLECTION- Sr. KathleenMUSIC- "Aurora" by Gjeilo- "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" by Tiffany Cardenas ZunigaNOTES- Click HERE for the article about St. Elizabeth of HungaryPRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You. 

Fear is everywhere—war, disaster, division, disease, loss. But the greatest fear is living without God, because without Him, every other fear is final. Psalm 46 proclaims, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Martin Luther knew fear well. He once trembled before God's judgment, trying to earn His favor. But when he discovered the Gospel in Romans 3—“all have sinned and are justified by His grace as a gift”—his fear turned to faith. The God who could condemn instead gives Himself to save. That's the heart of the Reformation: God doesn't just give blessings; He gives Himself—Christ crucified and risen for you. Through Word and Sacrament, this same Christ gives Himself still. In Baptism He claims you. In Absolution He forgives you. In the Supper He feeds you with His own Body and Blood. In the Divine Service, God serves His people, driving out fear and filling hearts with peace. The angel's cry in Revelation 14—“Fear God and give Him glory”—is not a threat but comfort. It announces the fall of Satan and the victory of the Lamb. True worship is not what we do for God, but what we receive from Him in faith. Luther's hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God confesses the same truth: the devil rages, the world trembles, but Christ's Word stands firm. Because Jesus has conquered death, we are free—free to live without fear. So when the world shakes, when judgment seems near, you can say with confidence: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” No fear. Just faith. Just Jesus. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Fear is everywhere—war, disaster, division, disease, loss. But the greatest fear is living without God, because without Him, every other fear is final. Psalm 46 proclaims, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Martin Luther knew fear well. He once trembled before God's judgment, trying to earn His favor. But when he discovered the Gospel in Romans 3—“all have sinned and are justified by His grace as a gift”—his fear turned to faith. The God who could condemn instead gives Himself to save. That's the heart of the Reformation: God doesn't just give blessings; He gives Himself—Christ crucified and risen for you. Through Word and Sacrament, this same Christ gives Himself still. In Baptism He claims you. In Absolution He forgives you. In the Supper He feeds you with His own Body and Blood. In the Divine Service, God serves His people, driving out fear and filling hearts with peace. The angel's cry in Revelation 14—“Fear God and give Him glory”—is not a threat but comfort. It announces the fall of Satan and the victory of the Lamb. True worship is not what we do for God, but what we receive from Him in faith. Luther's hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God confesses the same truth: the devil rages, the world trembles, but Christ's Word stands firm. Because Jesus has conquered death, we are free—free to live without fear. So when the world shakes, when judgment seems near, you can say with confidence: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” No fear. Just faith. Just Jesus. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

Fear is everywhere—war, disaster, division, disease, loss. But the greatest fear is living without God, because without Him, every other fear is final. Psalm 46 proclaims, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Martin Luther knew fear well. He once trembled before God's judgment, trying to earn His favor. But when he discovered the Gospel in Romans 3—“all have sinned and are justified by His grace as a gift”—his fear turned to faith. The God who could condemn instead gives Himself to save. That's the heart of the Reformation: God doesn't just give blessings; He gives Himself—Christ crucified and risen for you. Through Word and Sacrament, this same Christ gives Himself still. In Baptism He claims you. In Absolution He forgives you. In the Supper He feeds you with His own Body and Blood. In the Divine Service, God serves His people, driving out fear and filling hearts with peace. The angel's cry in Revelation 14—“Fear God and give Him glory”—is not a threat but comfort. It announces the fall of Satan and the victory of the Lamb. True worship is not what we do for God, but what we receive from Him in faith. Luther's hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God confesses the same truth: the devil rages, the world trembles, but Christ's Word stands firm. Because Jesus has conquered death, we are free—free to live without fear. So when the world shakes, when judgment seems near, you can say with confidence: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” No fear. Just faith. Just Jesus. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/​​​​ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService

In this first installment of Antifascist Christianity: Black Jesus, Matthew revisits Dietrich Bonhoeffer's journey from the theological classrooms of Berlin to the Black churches of Harlem — where he encountered a Jesus entirely unlike the imperial figure of his upbringing. Bonhoeffer arrived in New York a servant of white European Christendom, and left transformed by the radical, suffering, and liberatory presence of Black Jesus. Matthew connects Bonhoeffer's awakening to today's spectacle of white nationalism in worship — from the triumphalist religion on display at Charlie Kirk's memorial to the enduring cultural power of “white Jesus” as theology for empire. Drawing on Reggie Williams's Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus, Cedric Robinson's Black Marxism, and Jeanelle Hope and Bill Mullen's The Black Antifascist Tradition, the episode traces how colonialism created a Christ built to bless domination, and how the Black church reclaimed him through solidarity, suffering, and resistance. The contrast between the fortress hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God and the spiritual Were You There becomes the turning point in Bonhoeffer's faith — from triumph to trembling, from power to empathy. Part 2, out Monday on Patreon, explores how liberal Christianity tried to stand between these poles, and why it failed. Show Notes Hope, Jeanelle K., and Bill V. Mullen. The Black Antifascist Tradition. Chicago, IL: Haymarket Books, 2023. Robinson, Cedric J. Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition. Revised and Updated Third Edition. Foreword by Robin D. G. Kelley. Preface by Damien Sojoyner and Tiffany Willoughby-Herard. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 2020. Williams, Reggie L. Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus: Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2014. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Times have become turbulent it appears once again in our nation. With a recent school shooting in Minneapolis, some politicians and pundits once again hurled anger at those who pray for people in deep distress after tragedy in our country. This is an unhealthy and unhelpful response from leaders, who really should consider that this nation has been driven to prayer in times of national emergency throughout its history from the Pilgrims, the Colonies,  times of war throughout our history, to present. On this episode of 2Days Denarius, Ron Thomas gives some response to those who dismiss God and those who call out to Him in times of distress. He also provides a prayer for the nation, along with encouraging words from a well-known politician with a much more positive and correct approach as to why people reach out to an Almighty God in disaster and/or distress. It concludes with a small presentation of a couple of verses from Martin Luther's famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."Theme Song "Holy Is the Lord" is used by permission of song writer/performing artist, Pastor Steve Hereford, of the Changed By Grace Church in Jacksonville, FL. His inspirational Scripture songs may be found on Spotify and many other streaming apps. Search “Steve Hereford.”Your comments are welcome! Send a text my way!2Days Denarius is a Bible believing teaching ministry devoted to the inerrancy, infallibility, and authority of Scripture as our only rule of faith and practice. It also holds to the doctrinal tenets of the London Baptist confession of 1689. This ministry may be reached at 2daysdenarius@gmail.com Material used in this podcast are provided under the educational and commentary provisions of Section 207 of the Fair Use Act of 1976.

Included Music: You Are Holy, The Way of the Cross Leads Home, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, He Is Here, Who Can Satisfy My Soul, Abide, and Just As I Am Message Title: Redrawing Boundaries  Text: Luke 5:27-32  Take Home Point: The gospel is shared most effectively through relationships. 

Closing music: Dr Ming Wang plays A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, recorded at Steinway Piano Gallery by iPhone, used with permission. Requiring voter ID is not intimidation — it's following the law as expressed by SCOTUS in their famous decision.In the 1964 Wesberry v. Sanders decision, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that equality of voting—one person, one vote.FYI/It was a majority decision, 6 - 3Knowing the sensibilities of those non-English speakers in my audience, I will remind you that the decision is usually quoted in the press as “one man-one vote”, but according to Wikipedia, the justices did it fact use the phrase “person”.In 2020, the blizzard of paper ballots mailed winnily nilly to persons unknown was a problem, and the antics of Dominion software in the state of Georgia have been documented. 

The letter of Romans strengthened the ancient church, brought reformation to the dark ages, has brought hope for 2000 years, and can change your life!This week Pastor Joel continues Part 2 of his message series in the book of the Bible called Romans, “Bold Faith That Wins”. In chapter 10, verses 1-13, we are reminded that the message of the gospel can change anyone's life! God doesn't want part of us, He wants all of us - our knowledge, passion, and obedience. Is this gospel message exclusive? Is it inclusive? This is a special four part series that will span the year of 2025. LINKS + RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:• Richard Lovelace's “Dynamics of Spiritual Life” and other recommended reading for this series• The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones (Author), Jago (Illustrator)• John Piper, ; St. Augustine; Dietrich Bonhoeffer; Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” - hymn• Download the free study guide by visiting and clicking on the button "Download Study Guide"⁠• Find a complete transcript here• Scripture References: Romans 10, verses 1-13; Proverbs; Galatians 2; Leviticus; Deuteronomy; Genesis 4, verse 26; 1 Kings 18; Psalm 116• Find out more about Covenant Church at ⁠covenantexperience.com

This Sunday's Inspirational Message is: One Body, Many Parts You are not in the body of Christ by accident. God has placed you exactly where He wants you, with gifts and abilities uniquely suited for your role. Maybe you're a teacher, a prayer warrior, an encourager, or someone who serves quietly behind the scenes. Whatever your role, it matters deeply. Without you, the church is missing something vital. It also means we need to celebrate our unity. Unity doesn't mean we all look or act the same—it means we're moving in the same direction, guided by the Spirit, to accomplish God's purpose. It's about valuing others' contributions and recognizing that we're better together than we could ever be on our own. Finally, it means committing to serve. Being part of the body of Christ isn't a spectator sport. It's an active calling to use the gifts God has given us for His glory and the good of His people. If you've been holding back or doubting your role, today is the day to step forward in faith. Trust that God has designed you for this moment, and commit to playing your part * * * * * Once again, thanks for joining us in our time of worshiping the Lord through His Word! If you enjoyed this episode and want to help support this ministry, please share it with others and post about it on social media. “Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible: New American Standard Bible. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation. The music "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" and "O For A Thousand Tongues We Sing" arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission. 

This is a special musical presentation of A Mighty Fortress Is Our God with the Chancel Choir at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

Our fourth season was the best year yet for our downloads. Thank you for your listenership! And we still welcome your listener "moments" of Bach as ideas for future episodes.  For this season closer, we invite Reverend Eric Clausen, a Lutheran pastor, to help us unpack the background of BWV 80 (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God). The bold and powerful text of the source hymn comes directly from Martin Luther. Bach's cantata incorporates the four hymn stanzas plus poetry by Salomon Franck. Two aMoB listeners suggested moments from BWV 80; we discuss the specific moment requested for the second movement.  PATREON for A Moment of Bach - always optional, always appreciated. Huge thanks as always to the Netherlands Bach Society for allowing us to use their audio examples on our podcast. BWV 80 Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, as performed by Netherlands Bach Society under the leadership of Shunske Sato, Artistic Director

What is your image of God? How do you picture him in your mind and heart? Is God a bookkeeper watching your actions very closely? Or is he like the picture that once surprised me of the laughing christ. Old Testament: Ezekiel 1: 25-28 New Testament: John 14:6-11 Piano: 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God' arranged by Mark HayesRev. Raymond G. CoffmanPodcast HostZachary SmithPianist Audio Engineer Clark CoffmanLog Cabin Community ChurchVinings Georgia

James and Jonathan spend time reflecting on Psalm 46 today. Martin Luther claimed this was “his psalm,” it is the basis for one of our most well-known hymns, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” This beautiful psalm starts with the comforting words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Written for all of us who will at some point face troubles that seem to shake the ground beneath us, Psalm 46 has been a source of strength and comfort to countless people through the ages by focusing our attention on heaven.  We need to train our minds and train our hearts to be attentive to heaven precisely because that's the anchor for our souls in many respects when we face these times of great troubles. – Jonathan Master “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Be encouraged by this reflection of Psalm 46, a balm for our souls.  Enter here for the opportunity to win a copy of Learning to Love the Psalms by Robert Godfrey, generously provided by Ligonier Ministries. 

Pastor Baker discusses theological distinctions between Law & Gospel. Today's topic of discussion is Sunday's Hymn of the Day for Series B, LSB 656/657 "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" with guest Rev. Mark Smith. Law and Gospel is independently produced by Pastor Tom Baker. Views and opinions expressed on this program may not represent the official position of the management or ownership of KFUO Radio, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To contact Pastor Tom Baker, email tombaker@brick.net.

The internet, and the plethora of access it provides, is influencing young people's engagement with music, specifically with choir and corporate singing. Find out how you can contribute your thoughts on the evolution of choir music and the seeming disinterest among today's church generation. We also delve into the pressing issue of an apparent lack of new and innovative music specifically for choirs. The round-up of this segment is highlighted by our hymn of the week, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, a timeless piece by Martin Luther.Join us as we unravel this conundrum in an engaging conversation with a globally renowned modern hymn writer. Keith Getty's songs have traversed continents and continue to inspire choirs and congregations worldwide. We're undeniably excited to share Keith Getty's journey into music with you, a narrative punctuated by profound insights into hymn writing and the importance of creating great hymns for the church. The power of singing - it's truly transformative, both as a spiritual tool and an expression of community. We share experiences from our times in Times Square NYC and at the Sing an Irish Christmas concert at Carnegie Hall, moments that underscored the beauty and power of communal singing. Our discussion traverses different musical styles and how they uniquely influence choir sound. We emphasize singing's role in scripture, the impact of the internet on choir communities, and of course, the importance of congregational singing. So plug in, share your experiences, and let's collectively rediscover the wonder and joy of singing together.www.gettymusic.comhttps://www.instagram.com/gettymusic/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpe110ZiUikhttps://thechoirroom.buzzsprout.comPerpetuating and Promoting the Christian and Positive Idea Through the Medium of Music and Other Arts.

Martin Luther was facing giants. What did he do for courage? He wrote the hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” with the timely words, "Christ Jesus...must win the battle." Has God ever encouraged your heart with a special worship song at just the right time? Ron Maxwell, Founder of the Christian Music Preservation Project, shares how Christian music supports your mental health. That's why they are working to preserve your favorite worship songs for future generations.

Pastor Baker discusses theological distinctions between Law & Gospel. Today's topic of discussion is Sunday's Hymn of the Day for Series A, LSB 656/657 "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" with guest Rev. Mark Smith. This is a rebroadcast from October 25, 2016. Law and Gospel is independently produced by Pastor Tom Baker. Views and opinions expressed on this program may not represent the official position of the management or ownership of KFUO Radio, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. To contact Pastor Tom Baker, email tombaker@brick.net.

We confront and crucify our temptation to fear, which causes us to avoid suffering and thereby hinders our courageous confession of Christ and Him crucified. Suffering aided the early church's evangelism efforts, and it will improve ours as we suffer minor annoyances or even martyrdom. Robert Lockett encourages us to drive to the truth in a new segment on the show, demonstrating that Christians don't give up when mocked for Christ, and that you don't have to be a pastor to be in the fray. Oh, and Kirk Cameron sings A Mighty Fortress Is Our God!   Resources mentioned in this episode: Evangelism in the Early Church: https://bookshop.org/a/94255/9780802827685  Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents: https://bookshop.org/a/94255/9780593541807  Robert Lockett: Driving to the Truth: https://stmarksferndale.com/drivingtothetruth/  Host Rev. Tyrel Bramwell, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Ferndale, California, and author of the book Come in, We are Closed, talks about curious topics to excite the imagination, equip the mind, and comfort the soul with God's ordering of the world in the Law and Gospel. Send him your questions at stmarksferndale.com. You can find his videos at youtube.com/c/tyrelbramwell.

July 8, 2023Today's Reading: Introit for Pentecost 6: Psalm 91:2, 9-10; antiphon Psalm 91:1Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 22:22-28:12, John 18:15-40He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. (Psalm 91:1–2 ESV)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You live in occupied territory. You live behind enemy lines. You are a citizen of a great kingdom, but you live in a place that does not recognize you or  your king. You live in a place that seems to be permanently at war with your king. Things are not as they appear. The great battle is over, the war is won, you king now rules over all but the victory parade has not yet reached you. This is the reality of being a Christian. You live in the now and the not yet. Jesus is king  now, eternal life is yours now but His reign and your place in it  has not yet fully manifested itself. The world you live in continues on a day to day basis as if Jesus does not reign, as if the battle was still going on. Even worse it is engaged in an active disinformation campaign telling all who would listen that there is no kingdom and no king.  In the face of the constant onslaught of the already defeated sin, death, and the devil you have a place to take refuge in. God himself is your fortress. Your local congregation gives you sanctuary from the forces arrayed against you and God himself is present there with His gifts that give a glimpse of what will be at the full coming of His kingdom. This is what the Word and Sacrament ministry of the church is. Every time the Gospel is proclaimed it is a declaration of God's victory. Every Baptism is a little more new creation taking over the old. Every celebration of the Lord's Supper is a foretaste of the feast to come. Every worship service is a manifestation of the kingdom that is coming, a kingdom that you already belong to, a kingdom that this world cannot and will not stop. The very king who is coming is the very king who is your fortress and your refuge. He is here now and He will guard you and keep you until the full coming of His kingdom.   In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.A mighty fortress is our God, A sword and shield victorious; He breaks the cruel oppressor's rod And wins salvation glorious. The old satanic foe Has sworn to work us woe. With craft and dreadful might He arms himself to fight. On earth he has no equal.( A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, LSB 657:1) -Pastor Grant Knepper is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Modesto, California.Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.

We struggle in this world. It is a world that is darkened and filled with turmoil. Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther struggled similarly. The world was dark and filled with turmoil at that time as well. In the midst of all that, Luther composed a hymn based on Psalm 46 that has become a […] The post A Mighty Fortress Is Our God appeared first on Rockpointe Community Church.

We struggle in this world. It is a world that is darkened and filled with turmoil. Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther struggled similarly. The world was dark and filled with turmoil at that time as well. In the midst of all that, Luther composed a hymn based on Psalm 46 that has become a […] The post A Mighty Fortress Is Our God appeared first on Rockpointe Community Church.

Psalm 46 “A Mighty Fortress is our God” 1. God is a refuge for us during disasters in Creation (1-3) 2. God of Jacob is a fortress during combat with enemies (4-7) 3. God of Jacob is a fortress and gives us VICTORY! (8-11)

In this episode of Hear the Voice and Prayer, Elyse discusses her research into hymn writing and the role of music during the 16th century, specifically related to the Protestant Reformation and the bold songs of Martin Luther. The role of melody and lyrics are analyzed as Dr. Robinson and Elyse survey songs that were contemporaries of Luther's famous A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. They also discuss the varied uses of these hymns, the role of the printing press in distributing these hymns, and how hymns themselves were assertions of Protestant rebellion against Catholicism. 

One of the earliest protestant songs in history, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was recently updated by the Gettys and Tommy Bailey. Tyler and Colin review this song lyric by lyric. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/worship-review/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/worship-review/support

We just finished singing Martin Luther's most famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. During communion we will sing another of Luther's hymns, also very appropriate for Reformation Day: Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word. In this hymn we ask God, “Curb those who by deceit or sword would wrest the…

We just finished singing Martin Luther's most famous hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. During communion we will sing another of Luther's hymns, also very appropriate for Reformation Day: Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word. In this hymn we ask God, “Curb those who by deceit or sword would wrest the…

In the midst of a world where evidence of sin surrounds us and we experience all sorts of problems, perils and pains, our Heavenly Father proves to be a mighty fortress for us with Jesus' death and resurrection.

Have you ever had a time in your life that you would call “a crisis”? Some in this room might be in a time of crisis right now.I suspect that most of us — if we've lived long enough — can look back on some moment in our lives, some time, some season (if not many!) that we would identify as a crisis. We might say that it felt like the very ground beneath our feet was shaking. We might describe it as our world being turned upside down. We reach for catastrophic language, as Psalm 46 does (in verses 2–3), to put words, and concrete images, to the tumult in our own souls.It could be a national crisis. That can indeed whip up our anxieties. It may have been a national crisis that inspired Psalm 46. But a national crisis in the modern world — playing out far away, in the news and on our screens — can be a far cry from a personal crisis.Psalm 46 was composed in a time of crisis, and preserved for us today for our crises. This psalm gives us a crisis-ready vision of God. The particular crisis that gave rise to these verses is left unidentified. Which may not satisfy our curiosities, but it does show us the timelessness of our God. These words were not written for only one crisis, but many. And they are readymade for our crises today.Psalm 46 casts the crisis in two life-or-death threats: the first and perhaps original threat is hostile nations, threatening Jerusalem: -verse 6: the nations rage, the kingdoms totter-verse 9, we hear of war, bows, spears, and war chariots — or perhaps carts for making siegeworks against the city.The second threat is nature. The earth and mountains, typically images of stability, are shifting. Verses 2–3:-the earth gives way, -the mountains [are] moved into the heart of the sea [and] its waters roar and foam, -the mountains tremble at [the sea's] swelling.The stable, secure earth and mountains are being overtaken by the restless, raging, unstable, dangerous sea. It's a picture natural cataclysm, perhaps even end-times catastrophe.And into this particular chaos, this crisis, this life-or-death threat to the city of Jerusalem, verse 2 says, amazingly, “we will not fear.” That's how God means to help us with this psalm. To displace fear, with confidence. To give us stable ground under our feet, even in crisis. If God's people can be without panic when the ground shifts, and the seas rage, and the nations rage, then we can face any crisis with confidence.Whatever trouble comes, Psalm 46 tells us, with its first word, where to turn. Not to a change in circumstances. Not to our best efforts to fix the problem. Not to our anxious strategies to avoid pain and loss. But rather, to God.God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.The psalm rings with the name of God. Verse 4, “the city of God.” Verse 5: “God is in her midst.” Verse 5: “God will help.” Verses 7 and 11: the “God of Jacob.” And his covenant name, the Lord (verses 7, 8, 11). And verse 10: “Be still and know that I am God.” That's where we're headed: Stop raging and scurrying and plotting. Cease your frantic efforts. Be still, and bow to God. But don't just bow; know. Know him. Know for the first time, or know again, learn afresh, that he is God, and that as Jacob had him as his covenant God, so do we, and all the more, in Christ.If God can handle the world's ultimate undoing, and the nations raging against his own chosen people, he can handle your crisis, he can help in your trouble, however catastrophic it seems. This psalm will always be ready, because our God is always ready — which leads to what specifically this psalm tell us about our God. The power in this psalm is in its vision of God. It gives us God, so that we might not fear, but have real peace of soul in crisis by knowing him.Three main pillars uphold this vision of God in Psalm 46.1) He is infinitely strong.One of the overwhelming effects of Psalm 46, perhaps the chief effect of the psalm, is that it communicates to our souls: your God is strong, with infinite strength. Some call this a “psalm of confidence.” By rehearsing God's strength, his people displace their fears, based on lies, with confidence in him, based on remembering who he is.Which is why Martin Luther loved this psalm, and took this psalm as the inspiration for his great “battle hymn” of the Reformation, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” In the face of proverbial raging seas, and literal raging enemies outside the gates, God's people have Strength himself on our side, however quick we can be to forget that.If you were to try depict God's infinite strength and power to a weary soul, how would you do it? It's one thing to say “God is strong”; it's another to show it, to make it concrete and tangible. How do you quantify divine strength? How do you provide glimpses of infinite power? I see at least four here.The first two are verse 1: “God is our refuge and strength.” That is, he both protects and empowers his people. “Refuge” is defensive, a place of protection and safety. Like Helm's Deep in The Two Towers, a refuge is a place to flee to for protection when an enemy is approaching. “Strength,” then, is God's providing his people with the inner power to keep going. Energy and hope to keep breathing, keep walking, keep fighting. So “refuge and strength,” are outward and inward, defensive and offensive, the first two depictions of God's strength, to help his people.Third, then, is the last part of verse 6: “He utters his voice, the earth melts.” God doesn't need fire to melt the earth. He doesn't even need hands and arms. He doesn't need a tool or laser. He only needs his voice. He only says the word, and the earth melts. The power of our God is seen in the power of his word. All he has to do is say it and it happens. Just as he spoke the world into being, and then into order, so he can dissolve it into chaos and out of existence, simply with his voice, if he so chooses. And with his voice, with his word, he can dispel fear from the hearts of his people and give them confidence in him.Fourth, and related, is verse 9: “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.” In other words, God defeats the enemies of his people. No matter how fierce and strong and weaponized and terrible the army, when he's ready, he says, “Enough.” And in the end, even as he now endures war and evil with patience, war will cease. There will be a full and enduring final peace. God, in his infinite strength, will see to it — and do it with his word.So the first pillar that upholds this crisis-ready vision of God is his strength.2) He is attentively present.Which is amazing, given his strength. That is, amazing if you're on his side, if he's your God — and it is horrifying if you're against him.This is the second part of verse 1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” He is not only strong, with infinite strength, but he's present to help in trouble. And not just present, but “very present,” attentively present. In other words, he is ready and eager to help. He is not only able to help, when he chooses; he is eager to help. And he's near, he's present, he's accessible. Verses 4–5 expand for us what it means that God is “a very present help”:There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.The river in verse 4 is not the first mention of water in Psalm 46. What was the other water? The sea — the restless, raging, unstable, dangerous sea. The sea is threatening water. But now we have very different water: a river. That is, water that is predictable and life-giving. Water that keeps a city alive when cut off from the outside by the siege of a foreign army. This river, in the city of God, while it's in crisis, is so precious that it doesn't just keep the city alive, it “makes [the people] glad.” Even in the midst of crisis, there is gladness. There is joy, even in pain and threat. Because this life-giving river, who is God himself, is present with his people to sustain them in their crisis. Our God, as our refuge and strength, doesn't only get us through crisis, but even gives us joy in crisis.But this river and city raises an important question: where? This is a particular city which God makes glad with the water of life and the river of his presence. This is not any city. It's Zion, the city of Jerusalem. The place God chose, to “be in the midst of her,” so that she shall not be moved. Which is significant for us reading Psalm 46 as Christians. No longer is there a particular physical place where God has pledged his special favor and presence. Now, there is a particular person, God's own Son. Christians do not rally to a particular city; we rally to a particular person for refuge, strength, and very present help in trouble. And we do so together — to form a people. Which means the church is a critical context for finding joy in crisis. And this place, where God chooses to be present, in all his strength — once in ancient Jerusalem, and now in Jesus Christ, and his body — verse 5 says “shall not be moved.” Verse 2 spoke of mountains being moved into the sea. Verse 6 speaks of kingdoms tottering, that is, literally, being moved. Nature is moved, nations are moved, and verse 5 says God's people, then in his chosen city, and now in his beloved Son, by faith, “shall not be moved."Which doesn't mean that God's people never enter into any trouble. This psalm, with all its confidence in the strength and nearness and eagerness of God, never promises that we will be spared crisis. In fact, it assumes crisis. It readies us for crisis. And in the crisis, it promises God's help but not on our timetable. Verse 5: “God will help her when morning dawns.”When Morning DawnsIn Exodus 14, as God's people seek to escape from slavery in Egypt, with their backs against the Red Sea (!), and the Egyptians bearing down on them with “six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt” (14:7), the people panic. This is a crisis indeed, with no walled city, and no river of fresh water. And into this crisis, Moses, prompted by God, speaks these words his people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today” (14:13). Then he lifts his staff, the sea parts, and God's people walk through on dry land. The Egyptians follow, and so, at God's command, “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea” (Exodus 14:27).For every crisis we face in Christ, and all its darkness, God has a dawn designed. He will help when morning dawns. Your dawn will come. God's help does not mean that his people are kept from crisis, but that he keeps us through crisis. In his perfect timing, when the appointed morning dawns, he rescues his people from their trouble, having preserved them through the long night.Which leads to a third and final pillar of this passage.3) He will be exalted.Which might be surprising. If God's infinitely strong, and attentively present and ready to help, isn't that enough? What does God's being exalted have to do with the help we need in crisis? Why, at the very height of Psalm 46, in verse 10, the climactic verse — the famous “be still and know” verse —why does God say here, “I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”? How does God's own declaration that he himself will be exalted feed our confidence?To answer that, let's get verse 10 in context. Verse 8 issues an invitation to the raging nations, those setting themselves up as enemies against God and his people. It's almost a taunt. And also an invitation to any among God's people who might be fearful. Verse 8:Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.Remember, all God has to do is say the word. As we saw in verse 9, when he chooses, in his perfect timing, he makes wars cease, breaks bows, shatters shields, burns chariots and siege works with fire. In other words, it is a lost cause to set yourself against the living God.Verse 10, then, issues another word of invitation, again both to raging nations and God's fearful people, and this is the climactic statement of the psalm. Raging nations, fearful people, “Be still, and know that I am God.”Did you catch that change of voice? The first invitation, verse 8, is from the psalmist: “Come, behold the works of the Lord.” But now, in verse 10, God himself speaks. He issues the invitation. He utters his voice, to the raging nations and tottering kingdoms — and oh do we still know tottering kingdoms and raging nations.And he speaks into the chaos, into the raging and tottering, Be still. Lay down your weapons. Cease your warring and deconstruction. Cease your rage and disorder. Be still. Which is first a rebuke to the raging nations, to our turbulent world.However, it is also a word to God's people, who hear him say it to their foes, and read it in their Bibles. Be still, church. You need not be anxious. You need not fear. You don't need to go into a frenzy to help yourself and save your family and take your country back to the 1950s. Be still, and look to me. Rest from all your horizontal diversions and distractions and discouragement, and look up. Be still, and in that stillness, own that you are not God, and can be happy about it. You are not infinitely strong. You are not attentively present. You dare not be self-exalting. But know that I am God.And then follows the two great declarations from the mouth of God himself, of his own certain exaltation. As surely as he is God, “I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth!”For God's covenant people in Israel back then, and for his covenant people today in Christ, our God's exaltation is our salvation. His exaltation is our refuge and strength — and very present help in trouble The surety of his exaltation is precious beyond words and gives us a place to stand when all around us seems unsure. The certainty that he will exalted is granite under our feet. It is the guarantee of our help. It is our fortress.Psalm 46 ends with a powerful word. The word “fortress” in verse 7, and in the refrain in verse 11, the final word on which the psalm ends is an even stronger image of security that “refuse” in verse 1. This “fortress” is a picture of inaccessible height. Helm's Deep is a refuge. Heaven in a fortress. Not just a strong bulwark but one never failing.The refrain is beautiful in verse 7, but it comes with added force in verse 11, on the heels of God's promise that he will be exalted. Not only is he infinitely strong, and attentively present, but he will be exalted. As surely as he is God, he will be exalted. And for his people, we have in this God, and his exaltation, an impenetrable fortress, come what may.Stillness at the TableAs we come to the Table, we remember that Psalm 46 is not the last time the voice of the Lord uttered, “Be still.” God himself, in human flesh, slept in the middle of a raging storm. His disciples panicked. This seemed to be a life-or-death crisis. And when they woke him, Jesus was not frantic but spoke stillness into the crisis: “Peace. Be still.” And so the calm of his own spirit settled over the raging sea: “the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39).In Jesus Christ, we know the God of Psalm 46. And in him come together the saving strength and presence and exaltation of the one to whom we turn in crisis, and who speaks, “Peace, be still” into the raging storm of our soul.

Host Lois Matson explores the difference between a guide and a guard, and the Battle at Helm's Deep. Is God our guide or our guard? She contemplates Martin Luther's fight hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" and Jesus the Fortress to Whom we flee.Please send your comments, suggestions, and ideas for future shows to diceystuffpodcast@gmail.com. Do you have an idea for a Dicey Bible Story? Send it on in! Intro and outro vocals created with the voices from LOVO @ www.lovo.ai.

We think of Martin Luther as a great reformed, Bible translator, political leader, fiery preacher, and theologian. But he was also a musician, having been born in an area of Germany known for its music. Luther's most famous hymn is “Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott,”—“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” The resources used for the podcast include, but not limited to; “How Great Thou Art” written by Robert J. Morgan and Hymnary.org

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, conveys another eloquent and convicting message from his sister Jobje, who is battling pancreatic cancer. Before her many missionary trips and travels, she would, of course, need to pack—and then unpack afterward. But now she is going on a journey that requires no packing. Jobje writes, “This time, I find myself unpacking for the greatest journey of my life—for my eternal home. In church this Sunday we sang one of the greatest hymns of our faith. ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.' One verse hit me anew: ‘Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also.' It was a very sobering thought because that is exactly what I am doing. I'm letting my goods go even as in time I will have to let my kindred go. As I was packing my boxes for a Christian thrift store, I was struck with the thought for the first time that I would not need to pack a suitcase. I would not have to pack boxes ever again for my journey heavenward. Just me. Just me with my soul flying toward heaven at the moment of death, unencumbered by the things of this world—not even encumbered by my body. My body to be placed into the cold ground waiting the resurrection. That body can't even accompany me on this particular journey. But this I know—that a special white robe of His righteousness will clothe me. Even my earthly name will be changed to a new one. ‘Nothing in my hand I bring'—no suitcase, no boxes—‘simply to Thy cross I cling.' ‘Naked come to Thee for dress; helpless, I look to thee for grace.' Yes, Lord, my Savior, the ensured ‘cloak of salvation' is all I need to adorn me in Your home. I look forward to that.”

In this episode of Hymns Illustrated,  we'll finish looking closer at "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"  -- our November Hymn of the Month -- and explore possible interpretations of that "one little word" referred to in stanzas three and four -- the word  that Luther says will fell Satan. - KristenMentioned Resources:Sign up for the Hymn of the Month Newsletter here.Support the podcast by shopping Hymns Illustrated Resources.***Intro and outro music: Josh Snodgrass (used with permission)Support the show

Using the recent celebrations of Reformation Day and All Saints Day, I discuss why the church (especially the Protestant evangelical church) needs to be more attuned to its history and cultural patrimony.  This includes things like the great English language hymns, but also simply a greater awareness of the incredible legacy of faithfulness and sacrifice that previous generations made to bring us into being and enable us to be Christians today.Links:American Reformer: Evangelicalism's Second-Class Status in Conservatism - https://americanreformer.org/evangelicalisms-second-class-status-in-conservatism/A Mighty Fortress Is Our God: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9uGNb8ZficFor All the Saints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPjCQ_SRGqMThe Lion King: "You Don't Even Know Who You Are" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmWKvvXzlyg

You're listening to the Hymns Illustrated Podcast where hymns are explored, appreciated and illustrated through stories, testimonies and conversation.In this episode of Hymns Illustrated, you'll hear five more reasons why hymns are so important to God's people, continuing last week's topic. Also, our Hymn of the Month for November is A Mighty Fortress Is Our God and I share not just the hymn story with you but the "rest of the story."- KristenMentioned Resources:Sign up for the Hymn of the Month Newsletter here.Support the podcast by shopping Hymns Illustrated Resources.***Intro and outro music: Josh Snodgrass (used with permission)Support the show

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. We are in a series looking at the Psalms, and this week, we'll be spending some time in Psalm 46. This incredible psalm has inspired many different songs over the years, including "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." It's been a source of hope and confidence for believers over the last few millennia, and we're looking at it once again to stir up our faith.

Click Here to Listen to the other parts in the seriesHe is the Stability of Our Times (Part 1) - Keeping Your FocusHe is the Stability of Our Times (Part 2) - Teaching Your Kids to Handle LossHe is the Stability of Our Times (Part 3) - The Unchanging ChristFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Teaching Your Kids to Handle Loss Guests:                      Dennis and Barbara Rainey           From the series:       Unshaken: He Is the Stability of Our Times (Day 2 of 3)Air date:                     October 18, 2016  Bob: As a parent, do you want your children to grow up full of faith and courage?  Then, your children need to see a mom and a dad who are full of faith and are courageous. Here's Barbara Rainey.  Barbara: I think that that's our call as parents—is to model a relationship with Jesus Christ that's authentic, and strong, and rooted in the Rock. That's what our kids will notice, and they will follow that. That's what we want—we want our children to grow a faith too, but we have to remember that we are modeling that in what we say and in what we do because our kids are paying attention.  Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Tuesday, October 18th. Our host is the President of FamilyLife®, Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. In times of instability, are you modeling for your children what it looks like to walk by faith and be full of courage?  We'll talk more about that today. Stay with us.  1:00 And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us on the Tuesday edition. I have some counsel for those who might be trying to decide on a church home. If you should show up at a local church and the worship pastor says, “Let's sing the great hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and let's sing verses one, two, and four,” you should leave that church immediately; and you should never consider joining that church.  Now, there are some hymns—first of all, I just— Dennis: The one, two, and four—counsel of Bob Lepine. [Laughter] You heard it first here on FamilyLife Today.  Bob: There are some hymns where it's fine to skip a verse if you want to; okay?  I don't prefer it—I like to sing all of the verses of all of the hymns— Barbara: I do too. I agree Bob: —but I'm also aware that Charles Wesley did write some hymns that had 20 verses to them. So, I get narrowing it down to the best ones. But when it comes to Martin Luther's A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, this is based on Psalm 46.  2:00 You can't go from verse two to verse four without skipping a big, important part in the middle. Barbara: A big chunk of Psalm 46.  Bob: Exactly right. And Psalm 46 is that Psalm that says, “God is our Rock, our fortress, our ever present help in time of need.”  I was thinking about the hymn and thinking about that Psalm—with what we've been talking about this week—because a fortress is a place that you go into to feel safe from an enemy that might be attacking you. And there are times in our culture today, where we look around and go, “It feels like I need a fortress just to rest for a little bit.”    Dennis: And fortunately, I'm married to a great woman who recognizes that, not only do we need a fortress—and reminds me of that in our marriage / in our family— 3:00 —but also pinned both Bob and me underneath her foot and said, “I've got to go into the studio and share with our listeners the need for stability today.”  [Laughter]  Bob: Let me just say—it was not a hostile takeover.  Dennis: It wasn't.  Barbara: Thank you.  Bob: We were very happy.  Barbara: Thank you.  Dennis: Semi—semi-hostile. [Laughter]  But she is all about a new plaque that she has developed. Interestingly, when she created it, she said, “You know, we haven't even talked about it on FamilyLife Today, and these things are flying out of the warehouse,” —it is Isaiah 33:6: “And He shall be the stability of your times.”  Share why you have created this, Sweetheart.  Barbara: Well, I think everyone is aware that we live in a very uncertain world, and it's not just in America; but it's all around the world. People are feeling the sand underneath their feet shifting, and people don't know quite what to do with economic changes. They don't know what to do with political changes. They don't know how to respond to changes in their family.  4:00 Life is an uncertain adventure. And when uncertainty comes or when instability is felt, we need to know what to do—we need to know how to respond and what to do next.  The idea of putting this verse on a plaque—in a really pretty frame too—is so that we can be reminded every day in our homes that Jesus is our stability: He is the One who never changes; He is the One who is the Rock; He is the One who is our fortress. So, no matter what's happening personally or no matter what's happening in our world around us, He will never change; and that's what gives me my security.  Dennis: Uncertain adventures demand leadership. What Barbara's talking about demands leadership of men and women in all walks of life—whether you live in an apartment, inner city, suburban America, smaller towns across the country. These are days when individual followers of Christ need to know who they are and why they are here.  5:00 Barbara and I were talking about just the whole need for leadership in the family in the midst of uncertain times. I was reminded of a story that I told in my book, Stepping Up. It's a story about Sir Ernest Shackleton who, at the age of 40, recruited men to go with him to the South Pole, the Antarctic. He took 27 men on December 5, 1914. After 45 days at sea, ran into what was called heavy pack ice that trapped his ship in the pack ice and they couldn't get loose. They tried for three weeks—couldn't get out of the pack ice. I want to read you what leadership sounds like in uncertain times.  This was written by the ship surgeon, Alexander Macklin, in his diary.  6:00 He said this about Shackleton: “Shackleton, at this time, showed one of his sparks of real greatness. He did not rage at all or show outwardly the slightest sign of disappointment. He told us simply and calmly that we must winter in the pack, explained its dangers and possibilities, never lost his optimism, and prepared for winter.”   I think that's a picture, Bob, of the family today.  Bob: Do you think we are headed into a long winter season where— Dennis: I think we are in the winter—I feel it. We're no longer the majority / no longer feel welcome, necessarily, in the market place with our opinions as we have in the past. So, therefore, what are we going to do?  How are we going to view ourselves in the midst of this?  I think we were put here for such a time as this.  Bob: Let me just recite through, if I can, the lyrics to A Mighty Fortress because I think it's instructive— 7:00 Barbara: Okay. Bob: —in the day in which we live. Here's Luther, who was living in a turbulent time, and he wrote:  A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: No matter what's going on, God is going to prevail above that flood of mortal ills. For still our ancient foe—and that's the devil—doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, On earth, is not his equal.  You get there, and that's kind of depressing.  Dennis: That's why you've got to sing the rest of the hymn.  Bob: That's right.  Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;   In other words, if we thought, “I'll take care of this,”—our striving would be losing; Were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing: Dost ask who that may be?  Christ Jesus, it is He;  Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same, 8:00 And He must win the battle.  So, you don't fight this on your own; right?   Barbara: Right.  Bob: And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,One little word—I love that—One little word— Barbara: I know.  Bob: —shall fell him. And what's the word?  Well—That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth:  Then, it says—you come to the end here.   Let goods and kindred go,—don't hang onto your stuff. Don't even hang onto people if they're keeping you from Him; right?— 9:00 —this mortal life also;  Dennis: Death to self.  Bob: The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever.  I mean, I get chills just reading it. When I'm in unstable times—when I'm thinking, “Okay; where do you find help and hope?—Psalm 46 / that's the Psalm that this was built around—that hymn is a great reminder of where our stability / where our anchor is.  Barbara: I think it's a great reminder that, throughout the ages, what has been the Rock for Christians in the past is the Rock for us today. And that Rock is Jesus Christ. Luther taught us in that hymn that that is where our dependence needs to be—not on people—but only on God and on His Word.  Bob: How do we help kids get a sense of that—not just get it up here / just in their heads— 10:00 —but how do we teach our kids how to be anxious for nothing and how not to fear?  What do we do?   Barbara: We have—as moms and dads, we have to have lots of conversations with our kids about these things because they are going to encounter difficulties in school, and with neighborhood kids, and in their life as they grow up, regardless of what's happening in the world around them. Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble.”  And moms and dads who aren't teaching their children how to handle trouble are setting their kids up for great disappointment, because those kids are going to trust in their circumstances and not trust in Christ.  Dennis: And I just want to insert here—Barbara and I give each other permission to be sad about circumstances / to be grieved about what's happening— Barbara: Right.  Dennis: —to spill out, maybe, discouragement around what we're seeing, as individuals, both in our marriage but also in our family.  11:00 I think something that's really healthy here is to give your kids permission to articulate what they're feeling and experiencing, too, because it's real. If the family is a safe place for kids to go: “You know, I'm kind of scared. This is kind of unsettling to me as a boy,”—I think those are great moments in that young man's life or a young lady's life, where you can come in and say: “Thanks for sharing that. Loss is real.”  We need to talk about how we are grieving certain losses in our lives, but we need to move from that loss back to stability and how God is our refuge.  Bob: During times of war or conflict, kids can often be afraid, wondering how close the war is— Barbara: Yes.  Bob: —to where they live. And in some cases, there's reason to be alert to danger; but there is a difference between being alert to danger and being full of fear; isn't there?   Barbara: Yes, and being overtaken by it. I think that's the job of parents— 12:00 —is to listen to your kids' fears, talk to them about them, pray with them, hug them, love them, comfort them, and try to help correct the situations that they find themselves in. Parents are supposed to be protectors. We're supposed to take care of our kids, but there will come points in which Mom and Dad can't fix everything. And even in the midst of the things that we can, the hope is always to point our children back to Jesus.  And it reminds me of a story that I read, probably, 20 years ago. I read a little tiny piece of an article that was about the Armenian genocide that happened in the early 1900s—1914 and ‘15. It was the story of what one mother said to her daughters in the midst of that. I—just a few years ago, I found the book that was written by this same family that told the details of that story. I felt like—when I ordered it, and found it, and it came in the mail, I felt like I had this treasure chest of pearls.  13:00 It just felt like this exquisite gift that I had just gotten.  It was a used copy / paperback copy of this book, but it was written by the woman who was the little girl at the time. She tells the story of how her family was a Christian family. They had great friendships in their community, and they did things together. She grew up singing all these Christian songs and playing safely in their backyard, climbing trees, and doing all the things that normal children do.  And then, one day—she was about 11—and World War I broke out. When the war began, things changed in their country.  Armenia is a portion of the country of Turkey. The political and governmental climate in the country of Turkey changed dramatically. All of a sudden, her Christian family was not safe anymore. Her mom and dad were not safe anymore, and neither were the other Christian families that they were friends with either. Her parents were talking to her and her little sister.  14:00 They were also preparing them that: “This might not turn out well for us; but no matter what, we're going to believe in Jesus. I want you to remember that.”   One day, the soldiers came to the village. Soldiers arrested her father and took him away. She watched—as the oldest of the two children, she watched where they took her dad. She ran over there later in the evening and found where he was. He had been beaten badly, and he was tied up and chained. She got down on the ground and put her little head next to his and started talking to him.  This is what her daddy said to her—he said: “Elizabeth, never give up Christ no matter how much suffering might come. Christ died for us, and we can be as brave as His name.”  That was the last time she ever saw her father.  I was so struck by the fact that that father had the presence of mind to tell his little girl— 15:00 —whom he wanted to protect, whom he wanted to rescue, whom he wanted to save from all that was coming, and he couldn't do it. So, he did the next best thing—really, the very best thing—but he put her hand in the hand of Jesus. He took her heart and turned it toward God who was over all.  Then, the story goes on to say that not long after—I can't remember now if it was months or a year later—she, and her little sister, and her mother were rounded up again by the soldiers. They were all shipped off to another part of the country. There, they—all three of them—began to work for different families as a way to survive and a way to hopefully endure throughout the war.  One day, her mother managed to get away. She found Elizabeth, who was still 11 or, maybe, 12 by then at the time. She said: “My time of suffering has come. Tomorrow, they are taking everyone who does not renounce Christ and claim allegiance to Mohammed—they are taking all of us away.”   16:00 And this is what she said—so, the mother, now, had her moment with her daughter.  She said, “I cannot give up Christ no matter how much you girls will need me.”  When I read that, as a mom, it just broke my heart; because the last thing a mom wants to do is to let her kids be taken / to let her kids suffer. We would rather be killed than watch our children suffer. Yet, she clung to Christ. She said, “I cannot give up Christ no matter how much you girls will need me.”  She said, “I cannot give Him up. I know that He will watch over both of you.”  “After crying together,”—Elizabeth writes—“my mother ran back to her Turkish home. The next day, the soldiers came and took all the adults and marched them away into exile, and they all died.”   So, now, Elizabeth is an orphan—she and her sister. The rest of the book goes on to tell how God did, indeed, rescue the two of them and kept them safe through the end of the war.  17:00 At the end of the war, they were able to immigrate to the United States, and they both lived normal lives from then on.  I just couldn't get over the depth of faith of these two parents—of this mom and this dad—who, when they wanted with every fiber of their being to take care of their two precious girls that they loved dearly, clung to Christ and trusted that God was big enough to take care of them. I wondered, when I read that 20 years ago—I thought: “Could I do that?  Could I trust God with my children?”  And yet, it's the question that I think all parents have to look to—we all have to answer that question: “Is God big enough to take care of my children?”   As we look at the uncertain times that we're living in—it's nothing like that—but we feel that same anxiety. We feel that same instability. We feel that same fear, and the answer is still the same: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is still on His throne.  18:00 “He can still be trusted. He can still take care of us.”  That's the message we need to teach our children so that they will grow up and they will be able to do the same—they will be able to put their faith in Christ and trust in Him.  Bob: You tell that story that you've shared with us today in a book you wrote, Growing Together in Truth. It's a collection of stories designed to be read, as a family, to help encourage and strengthen faith. I think the main thing—as I heard you telling the story—the main thing that came home to me is: “If our kids are anxious and fearful, they are probably picking it up from us. And if our kids are going to be full of faith— Barbara: They are picking it up from us.  Bob: They really do take their cues— Barbara: Absolutely.  Bob: —from how they see us responding to human events.  Barbara: And that's what is so stunning to me about this story—is that this mother and this father portrayed a really strong faith to those girls, and those girls picked up on that.  19:00 And I think that that's the real question for moms and dads: “Do you really believe that God is big enough, and will you grow your faith so that you can pass on that kind of faith to your children?”   Dennis: As Barbara was reading that story, I thought: “As parents, we have two assignments. One, we are to be spiritual commentators on the times. A commentator is providing context for what is taking place. As a parent, we need to be providing spiritual commentary. We need to be talking about it from the Bible—looking at life / talking about: ‘What's happening here?  What's going on?'  These are days that are ripe with opportunity.  “A second aspect of being a parent, that we dare not miss is—parents are to be spiritual priests. They are to direct faith. They are not to be ashamed of what they believe.  20:00 “As you just said, Bob, they need to have a faith / be living it out, but directing their children at knowing how to process this.”   In a time of crisis like this father was facing, as he was dying, he was just doing what he had always done naturally. He was placing his faith in Christ. As he took his daughter's hand and put it in the hand of Christ—as you said, Barbara—he was just doing what he'd always done with his little girl. In a time of crisis, you don't do something extraordinary if you haven't been doing it before.  Barbara: And he was modeling for her what authentic faith looks like. I think that that's our call as parents—is to model a relationship with Jesus Christ that's authentic, and strong, and rooted in the Rock. That's what our kids will notice, and they will follow that. That's what we want. We want our children to grow a faith, too; but we have to remember that we are modeling that in what we say and in what we do, because our kids are paying attention.  21:00 Bob: I know you have been involved in helping to put together the devotions that we have created—a series of ten devotions for families to read through / interact around—all related to this issue of how we cultivate stability in our lives / where our security comes from.  If you've got the FamilyLife app on your smartphone or your device, you can pull it up and hit where it says, “Help and Hope.” You can get these ten devotions available so you can use them with your family at a meal time—or just together as a couple—go through these devotions. If you don't have the FamilyLife app, it's available from your app store. Just look for it and download it so that you have access to more of our content and access to this daily radio program as well.  You can also download the ten devotions when you go to our website, FamilyLifeToday.com; and that's where you can see the Isaiah 33:6 stability plaque that Barbara has created that is available for order.  22:00 You can order it online so it can hang in your home, or you can call 1-800-FL-TODAY to order the plaque. Again, the website is FamilyLifeToday.com; and our toll-free number to order is 1-800-358-6329. That's 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then the word, “TODAY.”   You know, our goal, here at FamilyLife, is to see every home become a godly home. We think that ultimately the solution for what ails us, as a nation / in our world, is that there would be a return to a biblical understanding of what it means to live in harmony in your home. It starts with your marriage; and then, it continues as you raise children who know and love Christ. The mission of this ministry is to effectively develop godly marriages and families who change the world one home at a time.  23:00 In a very real sense, when you invest in the ministry of FamilyLife Today, the funds that you're entrusting to us are being used to help grow stronger, healthier, more biblically-anchored marriages and families. We just want to say, “Thank you,” to those of you who partner with us in this endeavor. You're helping cover the cost of producing and syndicating this radio program, articles that are being written and distributed online, our events, and our resources. It's all because folks, like you, care about marriages and families in our country and in our world.  If you are able to help with a donation today, we'd love to say, “Thank you,” by sending you a banner that reminds you that your home is an embassy for the kingdom of heaven. It's a banner Barbara has created. You can request yours when you make a donation to FamilyLife Today online at FamilyLifeToday.com; or when you call 1-800-FL-TODAY and donate over the phone; or you can request the banner and mail your donation to FamilyLife Today at PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; our zip code is 72223.  24:00 Now, tomorrow, we want to talk more about how we can cultivate in our own heart a sense of peace and a sense of stability even when the 24-hour news channels are telling us that our world is in trouble and that there is no hope. We'll talk more about that tomorrow. I hope you can be with us for that.  I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.  Copyright © FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com    

It is comforting to know that when difficult circumstances come our way they have a beginning and thankfully an ending. Today we look at the Genesis passage and the words, "In the beginning, God." We remind ourselves that God has been walking on life's journey with us since the very beginning.Documentary: When We Left EarthJune 2008Discovery ChannelPoem: Endings and BeginningsEdna Champion Rev. Raymond G. CoffmanPastorZachary SmithMusic DirectorPiano: 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God'Arr. Mark HayesAudio Engineer Clark CoffmanLog Cabin Community ChurchVinings GA

Acts 4:13-20 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” The Apostles were teaching contrary to the law, at least the law as having been interpreted by the Sanhedrin. The religious leaders of the time of the Apostles saw most of them as uneducated fishermen who were starting to teach that Jesus who had been killed not only had been raised from the dead but was also the Messiah and therefore outranked the religious leaders. How should the apostles have treated the religious leaders? Should they have been obedient to their rule over them or should they have disobeyed their command in order to get their message out? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

This is a continuation of our discussion on Possessions, reflecting on Acts 2, 4, and 5. Acts 2:42-47 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. This is the beginning of the New Covenant Church. The people of God, the true Israel, were made up mostly of travelers who had come for a feast as Old Covenant Israelites and had found the Messiah and the Kingdom of God. Are the examples we are given of church life? are these examples that we should be emulating today? Should the church be structured to resemble a commune? Should Christians today be pushing for socialism? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Acts 2:42-47 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. This is the beginning of the New Covenant Church. The people of God, the true Israel, were made up mostly of travelers who had come for a feast as Old Covenant Israelites and had found the Messiah and the Kingdom of God. Are the examples we are given of church life? are these examples that we should be emulating today? Should the church be structured to resemble a commune? Should Christians today be pushing for socialism? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

The Heidelberg Catechism asks in question 69: How does holy baptism signify and seal to you that the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross benefits you? Answer: In this way: Christ instituted this outward washing[1] and with it gave the promise that, as surely as water washes away the dirt from the body, so certainly His blood and Spirit wash away the impurity of my soul, that is, all my sins.[2] [1] Matt. 28:19. [2] Matt. 3:11; Mark 16:16; John 1:33; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3, 4; I Pet. 3:21. The significance of this sign is the assuredly that the promises made by Christ in salvation will be assured to be accomplished in the life of the believer. But what does that mean? Can a baby understand that, and how does that help the believer later in life? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

When I was born my mom who was not attending church and had me baptized…Anglican. My grandmother volunteered, (and I am using air quotes here) to babysit me. Her real goal was to have me baptized again…as a Catholic. When I was 10 I made a public witness in my church by being baptized…well as a Baptist. So whoever is correct about this I'm covered. But what is baptism anyway? Why do we do it and just who should receive it? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

In Hebrews 8 we hear the words of the writer examining the prophecy made by Jeremiah. But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. 8 For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away” So how does this affect us today? Does this mean that everyone in the Church is saved? Is there still a future time for the fulfillment of this Covenant or has it all come already? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

Can you imagine having been one of the people who took off their coat to lay it in front of the colt just so the King's horse would not have to touch the ground. To have shouted Hosanna, a word that means Save now! To watch as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords came into Jerusalem to consummate the Kingdom. If we were one of these people a week later we would have been standing in front of Pilot in the dark of night yelling; “Crucify Him Crucify Him.” What tales we would have had to tell when we returned home. Several weeks later when we returned to Jerusalem for another Feast it would have only been natural to have those memories fresh in our mind and to have spoken about it with others who had been there as well. Would we have felt guilt or wonder? Would we have pondered the meaning of these events? Would we have thought back to who we had once believed Jesus had been? Would we have thought the disciples were drunk? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo

How does a person determine the will of God? This question was the subject in one form or another in many of the sermons that I had growing up, especially when I was a teen. We all knew that God had a special plan for our lives and that He wanted us to have a specific job, marry a certain spouse and go to a certain college, although perhaps not in that order. So we prayed for guidance from the Holy Spirit to determine the answer to these questions. Unfortunately sometimes we ended up treating the Holy Spirit as a magic eight ball. But isn't that what the disciples did in the opening chapters of Acts. They cast lots to determine who would replace Judas. Shouldn't we be doing that today? Why did Judas have to be replaced and do we have a different relationship with the Holy Spirit than Moses and David did? Theology Simply Profound is a podcast of Westminster Presbyterian Church, an Orthodox Presbyterian Church, serving the western suburbs of Chicago, where God powerfully speaks through his means of grace. Also, check out the work of the OPC in Chicagoland at Chicago Reformed. Music credit: pamelayork.com. Thank you, Pamela York, for the use of your beautiful jazzy rendition of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” We encourage our listeners to check out her website and consider purchasing some of her music. Participants: Rob McKenzie, Robert Tarullo