Podcasts about Mizpah

Make this Lent the most fruitful Lent ever. Join Lisa and Laura as they explore Passionate Discipleship, a nine-week Lenten Bible study series. In these powerful episodes, they'll unpack Paul's wisdom to his closest friend, Timothy, and reflect on how we can apply it to our lives today. As we grow in personal holiness, we will boldly step into our call as true disciples by reaching out to the next generation and passing on all that we've learned. In today's episode, they discuss Lesson 3: Called to Make Disciples and explain what it means to pass on the baton of faith and “make” disciples. If you want to know what to pass on, what it will require, and why it matters, this episode is for you.   Open your Heart to our key Scripture. 2 Timothy 2:2: And what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Open your Bible to other Scriptures referenced in this episode. 2 Timothy 1:12: And therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Isaiah 53:3: He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Matthew 10:16: Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Matthew 10:17—18: Beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles. 1 Samuel 7:12: Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Jesha'nah, and called its name Ebene'zer, for he said, “Hitherto the Lord has helped us.” 2 Corinthians 12:9: My power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Timothy 2:8—9: Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, as preached in my gospel, the gospel for which I am suffering and wearing chains like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 1 Corinthians 15:14: If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:17: If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:20: But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:51—55: We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” 2 Timothy 2:3: Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Invite Him in with this episode's questions for reflection. Do you trust Jesus with the suffering He's entrusted to you? How might He use your pain to lead others to Him? Show mentions. Lisa Brenninkmeyer and Mallory Smyth, Passionate Discipleship: A Study of 2 Timothy Tish Harrison Warren, Prayer in the Night Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Praying From the Heart: Guided Prayer Journal Beth Davis, Blessed Is She Let's stay connected. Don't miss an episode. Subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform.  Want to keep the conversation going? Join our private Facebook community. Stay in the know. Connect with us today.  We are committed to creating content that is free and easily accessible to every woman—especially the one looking for answers but unsure of where to go. If you've enjoyed this podcast, prayerfully consider making a donation to support it and other WWP outreach programs that bring women closer to Christ. Learn more about WWP on our website. Our shop. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12 Brethren, let's declare this prayer in faith. Heavenly Father, I come before You, declaring that there shall be NO MORE TEARS in my life! Your Word promises in Revelation 21:4 that You will wipe away every tear from our eyes. I stand firm in faith, believing that joy will replace my sorrow and laughter will fill my heart again because You, my EBENEZER GOD, are here to comfort and support me.  Lord, I thank You for lifting the heavy stone of limitation and stagnation off my shoulders. Just as You were the rock for David when he faced Goliath, I trust that You will fight my battles and bring down every giant that stands in my way. I declare that the Stone of My Help is rising in my circumstances, bringing hope and restoration where there was once despair. Jeremiah 1:19 says, "They will fight against you but will never overcome you since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD." In the name of Jesus, I pray that every plan to destroy my home, relationships, finances, business, job, career, academics, and ministry be thwarted. As it is written in Psalm 33:10, “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the peoples.” I believe You will disable their backbone and wither their hands, rendering their schemes powerless against Your divine purpose for my life. Just as You protected Job during his trials and restored him double for his trouble, I claim that same restoration over my life. I will rise up stronger and more resilient because You are my refuge and strength. The story of Job reminds me that no matter how deep the pain or loss, Your faithfulness is unwavering, and You will turn my mourning into dancing. I hold onto the promise in Romans 8:31 that if God is for us, who can be against us? With my EBENEZER GOD by my side, I am assured of victory over every challenge. As I step into this new season, I do so with confidence and a heart full of praise, knowing that You are the Stone of My Help who goes before me. In Jesus' name. Amen. Isaiah 54:17 says, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn." 

God calls all of us to trust Him and step out in faith. Today we read the account of when Saul was chosen to be king. We'll build upon the principles yesterday (regarding Saul's reluctance) and see that his reluctance was really about a lack of faith and trust in the Lord. Join us!  DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    What were the circumstances from 1st Samuel 9 that led to the events of 1st Samuel 10?  2.    What did Samuel do to Saul in verse 1? What did this signify?  3.    In verses 2-7, what were the signs that Saul would see? What were these signs intended to confirm? Did they happen? 4.    After these signs occurred, what did the Lord do to Saul's heart in verse 9?  5.    How does Saul answer his uncle in verse 14? What does this indicate about Saul's spiritual condition? How do we understand verses 14 & 9 in light of each other?  6.    What did the people do at Mizpah in 1st Samuel 7? How does that help us understand this gathering here in verse 17? 7.    After Saul was selected in verse 21, where was Saul in verse 22? What does this show us about his character?  8.    How would you characterize Saul's response to his malcontents in verse 27? Was that the right response? Why?  9.    When you read this account about Saul, would you say that he was surrendered to the God and God's will for his life? Why or why not?  10.    How was Saul's fear a sin? How should Saul have responded towards the Lord's plan for him?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Sermon Series: “Be Bold & Courageous: The Gospel According to Joshua” Sermon Text: Joshua 4:1-24 Sermon Title: “Here I Raise My Ebenezer” Sermon Slides: SLIDE 1 – Sermon Title Slide SLIDE 2 – 1 Samuel 7:12 – “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, ‘Till now the Lord has helped us.'” SLIDE 3 – Rev. John Trapp (1601-69) – “This is an ancient practice to propagate and perpetuate the memory of special mercies … that they grow not stale … and excite us to duty.” SLIDE 4 – Today's Big Idea: We Also Must Raise Our Ebenezer … for God is our Helper. For God Has Lifted Us Up … So That We Might Lift Him Up. SLIDE 5 – Point 1: The Purpose of the Ebenezer … Celebrating Inside the Promised Land. (vv. 1-19) SLIDE 6 – Principle 1 (from vv. 1-13): “Fidelity is a Prerequisite for Victory. We won't have spiritual victory … if we fail to follow intentionally.” SLIDE 7 – Principle 2 (from vv. 1-13): “Unity is a Prerequisite for Fidelity. Unity is the foundation … but divisions cause decay.” SLIDE 8 – Insert a Copy of Point #1 of Sermon SLIDE 9 – Galatians 5:15 – “But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” SLIDE 10 – Principle 3 (from vv. 1-13): “We can't win against the enemy if we keep inflicting friendly fire.” SLIDE 11 – Insert a Copy of Point #1 of Sermon SLIDE 12 – Principle 1 (from vv. 14-19): “The Law can't take you into the New Creation, it can only break you. Only the Gospel can bring you in.” SLIDE 13 – Insert a Copy of Point #1 of Sermon SLIDE 14 – Conclusion: “The raising of this Ebenezer is an enduring sermon which celebrates Israel's Obedient Participation, Joshua's Full Elevation, but most importantly, God's Covenant Salvation which led them into Canaan.” SLIDE 15 – Rev. Dale Ralph Davis (1944-Present): “The greatest enemy of faith may be forgetfulness.” SLIDE 16 – Point 2: The Meaning of the Ebenezer … Lifting Up our Promise-Keeping God. (vv. 20-24) SLIDE 17 – Sermon Use 1: We Lift God Up … by Teaching His Truth. SLIDE 18 – The Ebenezer Principle: Truth must be taught to all believers in general, but particular attention must be given to ourselves and our children. SLIDE 19 – Insert a Copy of Sermon Use #1 SLIDE 20 – Sermon Use 2: We Lift God Up … by Showing His Character. SLIDE 21 – The Ebenezer Principle: The Gospel is to be used not only by unbelievers for their salvation, but by believers for their sanctification. SLIDE 22 – Sermon Use 3: We Lift God Up … by Worshipping His Name. SLIDE 23 – The Ebenezer Principle: Our hope is not in lifeless stones, but in the living God.

In this episode, we celebrate eight years of abiding together with you! We want to celebrate what God has done and is doing in not only our lives, but also in yours. We reflect on why we started the podcast and how our hearts still echo with a desire to help women grow closer to our Lord through communion with others. We share why we surrender the podcast to the Holy Spirit, how we've navigated supporting each other through different seasons of life, and what our hopes are for the future of the podcast. Most of all, we want to thank you for how you've received our vulnerability, your openness to us and the Lord, and your steadfastness in journeying with us along the way. Heather's One Thing - Jubilee Spotify Playlist Sister Miriam's One Thing - Our very first episode - Coffee, Unity, and Companionship Michelle's One Thing - Our listeners! We are so grateful for you!   Announcement: Join us for our Lenten Study beginning March 5th, 2025 as we journey through “Jesus and the Jubilee: The Biblical Roots of the Year of God's Favor“ by Dr. John Bergsma. We look forward to sitting at the feet of a leading scholar as we unpack what the Lord has in store for us in the year of Jubilee. Order your copy at the St. Paul Center with promo code “ABIDE15” for 15% off. There are also bulk discounts available. While “Jesus and the Jubilee” is currently backordered, the St. Paul Center expects a new shipment of books later this week and plans to fulfill your orders by late February.   Journal Questions: Have I experienced friendships and relationships that have been anointed by the Lord? How can I steward my relationships, gifts, time, and opportunities well? When have I seen the difference between success and fruitfulness?   Discussion Questions: When did you first start listening to the podcast? Do you have a favorite episode, season, series, or study? How did it bless you? What areas of your life can you surrender to the Lord to give growth?   Quote to Ponder: "To be grateful is to recognize the Love of God in everything He has given us - and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference." (Thomas Merton)   Scripture for Lectio: "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'" (1 Samuel 7:12)   Sponsor - The Little Rose Shop: Discover the beauty of integrating faith into your everyday life with The Little Rose Shop. Our Morning Offering Prayer Mug the perfect companion for your morning routine, allowing you to start each day with a heartfelt prayer, focusing your thoughts on Christ. Plus, explore our Quiet Books collection, including the Mass Quiet Book, Rosary Quiet Book, the Where is Jesus Quiet Book, and Wrapped in Mary's Mantle Quiet Book. These engaging books are designed for babies and toddlers, making it easy to introduce them to the wonders of faith in a quiet and interactive way—perfect for adoration or Mass. As a special treat for Abiding Together listeners, use promo code ABIDING15 for an exclusive 15% discount at checkout. Enrich your spiritual journey and bring the joy of faith into your home with The Little Rose Shop.   Timestamps: 00:00 - The Little Rose Shop 01:17 - Intro 02:09 - Lenten Book Announcement 02:54 - Welcome 04:40 - Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse 05:53 - Born Out of Friendship 09:19 - Surrendering Everything Back 10:39 - Honest Conversations 12:05 - Stewarding Well 15:22 - Thankfulness 18:23 - Hearing from Listeners 20:35 - A Collaboration 22:47 - Your Starting Point 24:26 - Hope for the Future 28:29 - One Things 31:12  - Lenten Book Study Reminder  

This is part 2 of our sermon series, "Relationships on Lock," at Fusion Christian Church. In this series, we discuss the importance of relationships and how to create and maintain healthy ones. Pastor Zac tackles the issue of conflict resolution in this part of the series, teaching us how to handle it the Christian way.Great relationships are built on great conflict resolution.Wherever you find people you will find problems. Therefore, you must learn how to resolve conflict and to do it in a godly way. If you never learn to resolve conflict, you cannot maintain lasting relationships. Let's take a look at how to deal with conflict like a boss.Always take the high road.It is important to consider others as more significant than ourselves. When we view ourselves as superior, we will not treat others properly. Learn to treat others as more important even when they are not.Don't spill the tea.Gossip destroys relationships. If you have an issue with someone, go to them and talk about it one on one. Too often we go to other people to complain when the situation could be remedied by simply talking to the person. Learn to deal with interpersonal problems head on to succeed.Build a bridge, don't blow up the dam.Patience is a key virtue in maintaining relationships. Rather than blow up a relationship, choose to look over or look past the offense and build a bridge. Be patient with other people, remembering that other people need to be patient for you as well.Choose blessing over bitterness.It is both easy and natural to become bitter when someone wrongs us. God calls us to reject bitterness and choose to bless our enemies instead. Deciding to bless others instead of cursing them will bring greater peace to our hearts and our relationships.Let the Lord be the Mizpah over your relationships.Mizpah means "watchtower." When we let God sit over our relationships and bring everything before him, we set ourselves up for great success. Learning to turn everything over to God and to consider how God views things will take us very far.How can you improve at conflict resolution?

Genesis - The Sons of Jacob. Jacob prospers. Jacob leaves secretly for Canaan. Laban pursues Jacob. The covenant of Mizpah.

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer, explaining, 'The Lord helped us to this very point.' " Ebenezer Night is a special annual tradition for the SparkFam where we REMEMBER God's faithfulness over the past year, respond in WORSHIP, and ADVANCE into His calling and vision for us in the next year! This year's Ebenezer was particularly special--after nearly a decade of planting, we are now ORGANIZED!!! This means we moved from "church plant" to being fully recognized as a "church" by our denomination. However, we have not "arrived"--we will always be on mission with a planting mentality! Rev. Kelcie Exline KS District Superintendent Kendall Franklin January 18th, 2025

Thoughts on the readings for January 18th (Genesis 31, Psalm 35, Matthew 20). In Genesis 31 Jacob feels the antagonism towards him from Laban's sons. So he determines to return home. Jacob plans to do so secretly so that he might protect his family from Laban's hostility. Jacob tells his wives that their father is a dishonest man, who has shown no love for his family. He is, says Jacob, a materialistic covetous selfish man. Without God's providence, Jacob claims, our situation would be hopeless. However the God of Bethel has been faithful to His promise made to Jacob. So let us return to the Land of our LORD. Rachel decided to steal her father's idols, which were likely ancient title deeds. Laban gathered his forces and pursued Jacob. Seven days are spent in hot pursuit of his family. The Almighty warns Laban to take care in his dealings with his son-in-law. Upon overtaking Jacob's troop Laban speaks roughly to his son-in-law; but recounts the angelic warning and says he'll respect this. He expresses anger at the theft of his household gods. Jacob says if you find anyone in possession of these they will be put to death. Rachel uses a ruse of claiming to have menstrual problems and is not able to get to her feet, from off the camel's saddle. The gods were hidden beneath Rachel among the stuff that the camel was carrying. Laban's unsuccessful search was followed by a truce between Jacob and Laban. But not before Jacob vents his disappointment with everything that Laban had done in his harsh dealings with his son-in-law. We note Jacob's reluctance to use the same covenantal terms that Laban had invoked. It is a promise to not go past the altar of witness to harm one another. The term Mizpah,used by Jacob, means“the watchtower” and is of great significance throughout the Bible. Psalm 35 is penned by David to extol the greatness of his Sovereign. Yahweh was his defence and his salvation. The Psalmist was confident that his foes would be put to flight, like the chaff before the wind. They hated David without a cause and had laid a net to ensnare his feet. His enemies would be ensnared in their own net. The Almighty had risen in defence of the poor and needy. David was constantly subjected to their malicious gossip. David, in verse 17, invoked the LORD's loving kindness as his protection. He praises his Helper in verse 18. In verses 19-21 David outlined the evil, deceitful and corrupt behaviour of his enemies. Yahweh had seen it and would repay the evil and vindicate the Psalmist. The LORD's righteousness cannot allow this wrong to persist. When God arose in judgment the upright rise up and respond with praise. The Psalm was written by David in praise of the Almighty and to promote the same approach to worship among all those of devout heart. This Psalm reminds us that God will intervene on behalf of His children because He says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay”.

Thoughts on the readings for January 18th (Genesis 31, Psalm 35, Matthew 20). In Genesis 31 Jacob feels the antagonism towards him from Laban's sons. So he determines to return home. Jacob plans to do so secretly so that he might protect his family from Laban's hostility. Jacob tells his wives that their father is a dishonest man, who has shown no love for his family. He is, says Jacob, a materialistic covetous selfish man. Without God's providence, Jacob claims, our situation would be hopeless. However the God of Bethel has been faithful to His promise made to Jacob. So let us return to the Land of our LORD. Rachel decided to steal her father's idols, which were likely ancient title deeds. Laban gathered his forces and pursued Jacob. Seven days are spent in hot pursuit of his family. The Almighty warns Laban to take care in his dealings with his son-in-law. Upon overtaking Jacob's troop Laban speaks roughly to his son-in-law; but recounts the angelic warning and says he'll respect this. He expresses anger at the theft of his household gods. Jacob says if you find anyone in possession of these they will be put to death. Rachel uses a ruse of claiming to have menstrual problems and is not able to get to her feet, from off the camel's saddle. The gods were hidden beneath Rachel among the stuff that the camel was carrying. Laban's unsuccessful search was followed by a truce between Jacob and Laban. But not before Jacob vents his disappointment with everything that Laban had done in his harsh dealings with his son-in-law. We note Jacob's reluctance to use the same covenantal terms that Laban had invoked. It is a promise to not go past the altar of witness to harm one another. The term Mizpah,used by Jacob, means “the watchtower” and is of great significance throughout the Bible. Psalm 35 is penned by David to extol the greatness of his Sovereign. Yahweh was his defence and his salvation. The Psalmist was confident that his foes would be put to flight, like the chaff before the wind. They hated David without a cause and had laid a net to ensnare his feet. His enemies would be ensnared in their own net. The Almighty had risen in defence of the poor and needy. David was constantly subjected to their malicious gossip. David, in verse 17, invoked the LORD's loving kindness as his protection. He praises his Helper in verse 18. In verses 19-21 David outlined the evil, deceitful and corrupt behaviour of his enemies. Yahweh had seen it and would repay the evil and vindicate the Psalmist. The LORD's righteousness cannot allow this wrong to persist. When God arose in judgment the upright rise up and respond with praise. The Psalm was written by David in praise of the Almighty and to promote the same approach to worship among all those of devout heart. This Psalm reminds us that God will intervene on behalf of His children because He says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay”. Matthew's 20th chapter starts with the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, naturally representing Israel- Isaiah 5; Psalm 80:8-19. The parable is memorable because of its failure to represent sound financial practice. This device deliberately tells us that access to the kingdom is on the basis of grace and not merit. The underlying principle of the parable is that God does not reward us because of the works we have done. We are saved by the mercy and grace of the Almighty. His grace – ie His unmerited favour – is given to those who trust that He will give what He has promised, even if, “We haven't done a full day's work”. Then follows in verses 17-19 Jesus telling the Apostles for a third time of his approaching and imminent demise. Then Salome, the mother of James and John (two of the three foremost Apostles), seeks for them the greatest positions of honour in Messiah's kingdom. All the lessons on humility leading to this point seem to have been forgotten. The section concludes with the healing of two blind men, who became followers of the Master. Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org

Raise An Ebenezer  1 Samuel 7:7-13 (ESV)“Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, ‘Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.' So, Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.” “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer, for he said, ‘Till now, the Lord has helped us.' So, the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.”  Ebenezer Means “Stone of Help”  Joshua 4:21-24 (ESV)“And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?' then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.' For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”  Remembering 2024  What Remembrance Does1.     Remembrance guards you from straying from the Lord. 2.     Remembrance anchors you in the truth about God's character.   Romans 8:28 (ESV)And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called to according to His purposes.  Now it's your turn. What things do you need to take a closer look at, and intentionally remember?  Ways we can set up an “Ebenezer” in our lives:•      Write it down in a Journal.•      Buy a memento and place it in a visible place or a keepsake box.•      Create a video blog and tell the story of his faithfulness. •      Find a relevant scripture and highlight, date, and annotate it with memorable information. •      Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror.•      Print a photo book and keep it out where you can see it. •      Collect songs and make a playlist (Mix Tape) •      Paint a painting or create a piece of art. •      Plant a tree.•      For next year: Set aside a Memory Jar, write down the good and bad things that happen on a regular basis, and review these at the end of the year.  Ultimately, the goal is that we take the time to reflect on God's goodness and his character, highlighting his abundant goodness and desire for the situations we have had to walk through.

Bram and Sandi take a moment to pause and consider the year past and the year to come. When we look to the future, how do we decide what's worth taking along for the journey? How should we process the experiences we've had as we consider new ones? Well, in this case, the answers might […]

Join us for Part 3 of the series, 'Developing the Priest Within You' with Prophet Hari Rao, where we explore the profound stewardship and teaching role of a priest. Discover how Samuel, an able steward, prophet, and judge, exemplified managing God-given resources with excellence while leading others in the ways of the Lord. Learn why stewardship in the natural qualifies you for the supernatural and how prioritising God's presence unlocks your destiny. A Priest is an excellent Steward: Samuel was an excellent steward of the territory God entrusted to him. As seen in 1 Samuel 7:16–17, each year he traveled to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah—establishing centers of power, teaching, preaching, and imparting the understanding of the Lord. He returned to Ramah, his home, where he continued to judge Israel and built an altar to the Lord. Just as God holds us accountable for what He entrusted to us, Samuel exemplified wise and diligent stewardship. Why does an almighty God, with an endless supply of resources, choose to manage them with such care? If He, who lacks nothing, values stewardship, how much more should we, who have limited resources, strive to steward them well? Jesus cursed the fig tree that bore no fruit, reminding us that every child of God must eventually outgrow the tendency of solely depending on miraculous provision. In doing so, we risk becoming poor managers of the resources God has entrusted to us. In the Old Testament, the people brought their sacrifices only once a year, but the priest had to offer sacrifices daily. He was required to manage his resources carefully to ensure the lamp remained burning every day—there was no miraculous provision of oil. Could it be that in areas where God calls us to stewardship, we are instead waiting for the supernatural? To develop the priest within you, you must grow into an excellent steward of your resources. Your ability to manage the natural is what qualifies you to manage the supernatural. A Priest is a Teacher of the Word:  Every child of God is called to function as a priest within the boundaries God has assigned to them, carrying the holy responsibility to nurture and instruct their household in the ways of the Lord. Families are the smallest yet most significant jurisdiction God has established. A place saturated with the Word becomes potent, leaving no room for the enemy to enter. The distortion of the Word allows the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy. 1 Samuel 8:3 speaks of Samuel's sons, who grew up not walking in the ways of the Lord. They bore the title of their father but failed to follow the ways of the father. If you learn the ways of the father, you will build what the father has built. Every child of God is a living letter, constantly demonstrating to the world whether they should follow the Lord. A priest watches, manages, and teaches! Most of us approach the presence of God driven by a need, but when you come to Him, He always has something far greater prepared for you. In His presence, you never leave with just what you sought after. You come as a man but return as a king. In 1 Samuel 9:20-21, Saul came searching for his lost donkeys but left with his destiny.  What he thought was a simple search led him to his anointing as king over a nation. In your pursuit of what's lost, if you shift your focus to seeking the presence of God, you will return with far more. God has a way of taking that which is lost and maneuvering you into His presence. You come seeking provision and leave stepping into purpose. In finding Jesus, you find everything.

Today we get into some brilliant visions of God depicting the arrival of the KINGDOM! Also the continuing saga of David vs Saul! HALLELUJAH!!!1SA.22:1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him.1SA.22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.1SA.22:3 And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me.GET NOTIFIED WHEN WE GO LIVE HERE AND DOWNLOAD THE APP!fringeradionetwork.comBLESSINGS!WOULD YOU LIKE TO BLESS US? THANK YOU!VENMO:@faithbucksCASHAPP:$spiritforcebucksPAYPAL:spiritforce01@gmail.comPATREON:Michael BashamFAITHBUCKS.COM

The Ezer Kenegdo   Genesis 2:18 NASB   18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.”       Genesis 1:26 NASB   26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness;   Merriam Webster : one that helps; especially : a relatively unskilled worker who assists a skilled worker usually by manual labor. Ex. The carpenter measured the wall while one of his helpers brought in the tools.           Merriam Webster :  one that helps; especially :  a relatively unskilled worker who assists a skilled worker usually by manual labor.  Ex. The carpenter measured the wall while one of his helpers brought in the tools.                    Exodus 18:4 NASB   4 And the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”       Psalm 70:5 NASB   But I am afflicted and needy;   Hurry to me, God!   You are my help and my savior;   Lord, do not delay.       Psalm 115:9-11 NASB   Israel, trust in the Lord;   He is their help and their shield.   10 House of Aaron, trust in the Lord;   He is their help and their shield.   11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;   He is their help and their shield.       Psalm 121:1-2 NASB   I will raise my eyes to the mountains;   From where will my help come?   2 My help comes from the Lord,   Who made heaven and earth.       Proverbs 27:6 NASB   Faithful are the wounds of a friend,   But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.       Proverbs 27:17 NASB   As iron sharpens iron,   So one person sharpens another.       Colossians 1:28-29 ESV   28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.       Ephesians 4:13-15 ESV   13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,       1 Samuel 7:10-12 ESV    10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.”          

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Opening Words:“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”Psalm 19:14 (ESV) Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. The PsalterPsalm 101Misericordiam et judicium1I will sing of mercy and justice; *to you, O Lord, will I sing praises.2I will strive to follow a blameless course;oh, when will you come to me? *I will walk with sincerity of heart within my house.3I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; *I hate the doers of evil deeds;they shall not remain with me.4A crooked heart shall be far from me; *I will not know evil.5Those who in secret slander their neighbors I will destroy; *those who have a haughty look and a proud heart I cannot abide.6My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me, *and only those who lead a blameless life shall be my servants.7Those who act deceitfully shall not dwell in my house, *and those who tell lies shall not continue in my sight.8I will soon destroy all the wicked in the land, *that I may root out all evildoers from the city of the Lord.Psalm 109Deus, laudem1Hold not your tongue, O God of my praise; *for the mouth of the wicked,the mouth of the deceitful, is opened against me.2They speak to me with a lying tongue; *they encompass me with hateful wordsand fight against me without a cause.3Despite my love, they accuse me; *but as for me, I pray for them.4They repay evil for good, *and hatred for my love.20But you, O Lord my God,oh, deal with me according to your Name; *for your tender mercy's sake, deliver me.21For I am poor and needy, *and my heart is wounded within me.22I have faded away like a shadow when it lengthens; *I am shaken off like a locust.23My knees are weak through fasting, *and my flesh is wasted and gaunt.24I have become a reproach to them; *they see and shake their heads.25Help me, O Lord my God; *save me for your mercy's sake.26Let them know that this is your hand, *that you, O Lord, have done it.27They may curse, but you will bless; *let those who rise up against me be put to shame,and your servant will rejoice.28Let my accusers be clothed with disgrace *and wrap themselves in their shame as in a cloak.29I will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth; *in the midst of the multitude will I praise him;30Because he stands at the right hand of the needy, *to save his life from those who would condemn him. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Lessons1 Maccabees 3:42-60New Revised Standard Version Updated EditionNow Judas and his brothers saw that misfortunes had increased and that the forces were encamped in their territory. They also learned what the king had commanded to do to the people to cause their final destruction. But they said to one another, “Let us restore the ruins of our people and fight for our people and the sanctuary.” So the congregation assembled to be ready for battle and to pray and ask for mercy and compassion.Jerusalem was uninhabited like a wilderness;    not one of her children went in or out.The sanctuary was trampled down,    and strangers held the citadel;    it was a lodging place for the nations.Joy was taken from Jacob;    the flute and the harp ceased to play.Then they gathered together and went to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in Mizpah. They fasted that day, put on sackcloth, and sprinkled ashes on their heads, and tore their clothes. And they opened the book of the law to inquire into those matters about which the nations consulted the likenesses of their gods. They also brought the vestments of the priesthood and the first fruits and the tithes, and they stirred up the nazirites who had completed their days, and they cried aloud to heaven, saying,“What shall we do with these?    Where shall we take them?Your sanctuary is trampled down and profaned,    and your priests mourn in humiliation.Here the nations are assembled against us to destroy us;    you know what they plot against us.How will we be able to withstand them,    if you do not help us?”Then they sounded the trumpets and gave a loud shout. After this Judas appointed leaders of the people in charge of thousands and hundreds and fifties and tens. Those who were building houses or were about to be married or were planting a vineyard or were fainthearted, he told to go home, according to the law. Then the army marched out and encamped to the south of Emmaus.And Judas said, “Arm yourselves and be courageous. Be ready early in the morning to fight with these nations who have assembled against us to destroy us and our sanctuary. It is better for us to die in battle than to see the misfortunes of our nation and of the sanctuary. But as his will in heaven may be, so shall he do.”Revelation 21:9-21English Standard VersionThen came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersLord, have mercy.Christ, have mercyLord, have mercyOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. The SuffragesO Lord, show your mercy upon us;And grant us your salvation.O Lord, guide those who govern usAnd lead us in the way of justice and truth.Clothe your ministers with righteousnessAnd let your people sing with joy.O Lord, save your peopleAnd bless your inheritance.Give peace in our time, O LordAnd defend us by your mighty power.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgottenNor the hope of the poor be taken away.Create in us clean hearts, O GodAnd take not your Holy Spirit from us. Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. The CollectsProper 28Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God!Alleluia, Alleluia! BenedictionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

Join the Putas as they rewatch Season 6, Episode 2 of Ghost Adventures, titled "Mizpah Hotel" its an episode full of facts, facts, and more facts...and a couple spookies! 

Once the tallest building in the state and a glittering hub for mining magnates, the Mizpah Hotel is now famous for its supernatural residents. Guests have encountered the glamorous Lady in Red, a ghost with a thing for jewelry—just not the women wearing it. The innocent laughter of unseen children fills the third floor while the shadows of old-time miners roam the hallways. And the basement? Even the bravest staff members avoid it, with its mysterious figures and secrets best left undisturbed. On this episode, we share stories from this very haunted hotel If you have a real ghost story or supernatural event to report, please write into our show or call 1-855-853-4802! If you like the show, please help keep us on the air and support the show by becoming a Premium Subscriber.  Subscribe here: http://www.ghostpodcast.com/?page_id=118 or at or at http://www.patreon.com/realghoststories Watch more at: http://www.realghoststoriesonline.com/ Follow Tony: Instagram: HTTP://www.instagram.com/tonybrueski TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@tonybrueski Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tony.brueski   

Welcome to the Mizpah Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in Nevada, where Victorian luxury mingles with restless spirits. Once the tallest building in the state and a glittering hub for mining magnates, the Mizpah Hotel is now famous for its supernatural residents. Guests have encountered the glamorous Lady in Red, a ghost with a thing for jewelry—just not the women wearing it. The innocent laughter of unseen children fills the third floor while the shadows of old-time miners roam the hallways. And the basement? Even the bravest staff members avoid it, with its mysterious figures and secrets best left undisturbed. Today on "The Grave Talks," we delve into the haunted history of the Mizpah Hotel and uncover the legends that refuse to fade with Chavonn Smith, Jessie DiMaggio, and Heather Ingalls. This is Part Two of our conversation. For more information, visit their website at themizpahhotel.com. Become a GRAVE KEEPER and get access to ALL of our EPISODES - AD FREE, BONUS EPISODES & ADVANCE EPISODES!!! Sign up through Apple Podcast Channel or Patreon.

Welcome to the Mizpah Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in Nevada, where Victorian luxury mingles with restless spirits. Once the tallest building in the state and a glittering hub for mining magnates, the Mizpah Hotel is now famous for its supernatural residents. Guests have encountered the glamorous Lady in Red, a ghost with a thing for jewelry—just not the women wearing it. The innocent laughter of unseen children fills the third floor while the shadows of old-time miners roam the hallways. And the basement? Even the bravest staff members avoid it, with its mysterious figures and secrets best left undisturbed. Today on "The Grave Talks," we delve into the haunted history of the Mizpah Hotel and uncover the legends that refuse to fade with Chavonn Smith, Jessie DiMaggio, and Heather Ingalls. For more information, visit their website at themizpahhotel.com. Become a GRAVE KEEPER and get access to ALL of our EPISODES - AD FREE, BONUS EPISODES & ADVANCE EPISODES!!! Sign up through Apple Podcast Channel or Patreon.

Welcome to the Mizpah Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in Nevada, where Victorian luxury mingles with restless spirits. Once the tallest building in the state and a glittering hub for mining magnates, the Mizpah Hotel is now famous for its supernatural residents. Guests have encountered the glamorous Lady in Red, a ghost with a thing for jewelry—just not the women wearing it. The innocent laughter of unseen children fills the third floor while the shadows of old-time miners roam the hallways. And the basement? Even the bravest staff members avoid it, with its mysterious figures and secrets best left undisturbed. Today on "The Grave Talks," we delve into the haunted history of the Mizpah Hotel and uncover the legends that refuse to fade with Chavonn Smith, Jessie DiMaggio, and Heather Ingalls. This is Part Two of our conversation. For more information, visit their website at themizpahhotel.com. Become a GRAVE KEEPER and get access to ALL of our EPISODES - AD FREE, BONUS EPISODES & ADVANCE EPISODES!!! Sign up through Apple Podcast Channel or Patreon. Sign up through Apple Podcasts or Patreon http://www.patreon.com/thegravetalks

Welcome to the Mizpah Hotel, one of the most haunted hotels in Nevada, where Victorian luxury mingles with restless spirits. Once the tallest building in the state and a glittering hub for mining magnates, the Mizpah Hotel is now famous for its supernatural residents. Guests have encountered the glamorous Lady in Red, a ghost with a thing for jewelry—just not the women wearing it. The innocent laughter of unseen children fills the third floor while the shadows of old-time miners roam the hallways. And the basement? Even the bravest staff members avoid it, with its mysterious figures and secrets best left undisturbed. Today on "The Grave Talks," we delve into the haunted history of the Mizpah Hotel and uncover the legends that refuse to fade with Chavonn Smith, Jessie DiMaggio, and Heather Ingalls. For more information, visit their website at themizpahhotel.com. Become a GRAVE KEEPER and get access to ALL of our EPISODES - AD FREE, BONUS EPISODES & ADVANCE EPISODES!!! Sign up through Apple Podcast Channel or Patreon. Sign up through Apple Podcasts or Patreon http://www.patreon.com/thegravetalks

Judges 11 verses 29 to 40. At that time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah in Gilead, and from there he led an army against the Ammonites. And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord. He said, “If you give me victory over the Ammonites, I will give to the Lord whatever comes out of my house to meet me when I return in triumph. I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” So Jephthah led his army against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave him victory. He crushed the Ammonites, devastating about twenty towns from Aroer to an area near Minnith and as far away as Abel-keramim. In this way Israel defeated the Ammonites. When Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter came out to meet him, playing on a tambourine and dancing for joy. She was his one and only child; he had no other sons or daughters. When he saw her, he tore his clothes in anguish. “Oh, my daughter!” he cried out. “You have completely destroyed me! You've brought disaster on me! For I have made a vow to the Lord, and I cannot take it back.” And she said, “Father, if you have made a vow to the Lord, you must do to me what you have vowed, for the Lord has given you a great victory over your enemies, the Ammonites. But first let me do this one thing: Let me go up and roam in the hills and weep with my friends for two months, because I will die a virgin.” “You may go,” Jephthah said. And he sent her away for two months. She and her friends went into the hills and wept because she would never have children. When she returned home, her father kept the vow he had made, and she died a virgin. So it has become a custom in Israel for young Israelite women to go away for four days each year to lament the fate of Jephthah's daughter.

A town of many pronunciations, welcome to Tonopah, Nevada and the Mizpah Hotel. We've encountered a lot of ladies in our line of work, and this location is no different as we encounter The Red Lady, a color we've come across surprisingly only a few times. The Red Lady seems to have a lot to say, and some of it may be a warning of who else is there with her.   Donate monthly here: https://www.patreon.com/orsotheysaypod Or a once off here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=T22PHA8NAUTPN  And don't forget to swing by here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/orsotheysaypod/shop

Pastor Seth Wetter Teaches us that we Need Jesus Now More than Ever for He is our "Mizpah," Watchtower. In the 10th Chapter of Judges. On August 7, 2024 God's Word is Truth!

Ebenezer Stones A Sermon by Pastor Richard Sfameni, Lead Pastor of Victory Church in Providence, RI.   I Samuel 7:5-12 NKJV 5 And Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” 6 So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah. 7 Now when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 So the children of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. Then Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the Lord thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”    

Daily Dose of Hope July 21, 2024 Day 1 of Week 17   Scripture:  I Samuel 9-10; Acts 8   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church Bible reading plan.  Let's get right to our Scripture for today.   Our Old Testament Scripture comes from I Samuel, beginning with chapter 9.  God has chosen a king for the people and his name is Saul.  At this point, we don't know much about Saul, except that his father was wealthy, he was from the tribe of Benjamin, he was quite tall, and he had lost his donkeys.  Thus, he goes on a journey to find them and almost gives up.  His servant suggested they go see a man of God he had heard about, for this "seer" might be able to lead them in the right direction.  As we know from the reading, the man of God was Samuel.  God had just revealed to Samuel who the king would be and we get this beautiful interaction between God and Samuel.  We can surmise that the lost donkeys were simply a way to get Saul to Samuel.  God had orchestrated the whole thing.   There are times in our lives when we can certainly see God leading us in a certain direction.  It may even be that specific events are woven together in such a way that we know God had his hand in it.  Now, I don't believe that every little thing we do is orchestrated by God.  After all, we have free will and God allows us to make our own choices. But there are times, as we see in today's Scripture, that God has a specific purpose to achieve and he makes sure it gets done.  That was true for Samuel and Saul and it is certainly true for us as well.   In chapter 10, we see Samuel anoint Saul as king of Israel.  Possibly in order to reassure Saul that this was indeed his calling, Samuel goes through a long list of things that would occur before Saul reaches home.  Everything Samuel said would happen does come to pass almost immediately.  What's interesting to me is that God changes Saul's heart; God's Spirit comes over him and Saul begins to prophecy, something that must have been very uncharacteristic of the young man.  Clearly, God was making a point to Saul–God had chosen him.   Samuel gathers all of Israel at Mizpah, where Saul will be instituted as king.  He explains the rights and duties of kingship.  This seems to indicate that this monarchy would be different.  Saul was not to be an oppressive autocrat, as the kings around him.  Israel's monarchy would fall under its covenant with God.  There would obviously be privileges as king but the people also had rights.  The ultimate law of the land was still God's law.    It doesn't take long for some people to dislike Saul.  They don't know him, they haven't seen him govern, and they already hate him.  It doesn't matter to them that Saul is God's choice.  They want what they want and it wasn't Saul.  But I love how Saul handles it–he remains silent!  Friends, there will always be detractors.  There will always be people that dislike you before they know you, especially if you are in a leadership position.  I think something to remember is that it isn't about you, your abilities, your calling, or your character.  It's about them.  For those who hated Saul at this point in our story, it wasn't about Saul at all.  It was about something within them–insecurity, anger, bitterness, separation from God, sin.   Maybe someone simply needs to hear that today.  Trust what God has called you to do.  Stay faithful.  There will always be objectors.  I've certainly had and have my fair share.  And sometimes, the best way to respond is simply to stay silent.   Okay, let's move on to Acts 8.  After Stephen's killing, the new Christians are forced to scatter around the area.  Saul (not the Saul we are talking about in the I Samuel – this is a different Saul who will become Paul) is going door to door to question people and throw Christians into prison.  This is serious stuff.  I want you to just imagine what that would be like.  We live in a place where we can worship freely but what those new Christians experience isn't too different from many parts of the world today.  Just keep that in mind.    What's interesting to me is that wherever they go, the believers spread the Gospel.  They aren't deterred by their experience in Jerusalem.  Rather, the opposite seems to be true.  They are bold and tell the story of Jesus wherever they go.  Think of your own life.  How do you share the story of Jesus?  Do you?   I also want to highlight Philip's experience at the end of the chapter.  The Holy Spirit tells him to head down the road to Gaza and when he does, he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch reading the book of Isaiah.  Philip knows this is his purpose and this is a beautiful opening that God has provided.  He does not hesitate.  Philip asks the Ethiopian if he understands what he is reading; the man responds, “How can I unless someone explains it to me?”  Okay, perfect opening.  Philip takes the opportunity to explain how the prophecy points to Jesus.  He shares the Gospel and the man believes and is baptized.    I want to reiterate a point here.  Philip does not hesitate.  He sees an opening and he takes it.  Again, we need to think of our own circumstances.  How often do we have an opening or we feel the nudge to share about Jesus and we chicken out?  How often do we hesitate?  What are we afraid of?   Okay, more tomorrow, friends.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Your strategies are never as good as God's plan. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 10. I've titled this chapter "The Appointed But Reluctant Leader." Today, we continue the story. Samuel is going to gather the nation again at Mizpah as he did in Chapter 7 after the Ark of Covenant was recovered from the Philistines. But on this day, Samuel is going to anoint Saul, the first king of Israel, in verses 17-27: Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah. And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.' But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.' Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.” Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. So they inquired again of the Lord, “Is there a man still to come?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace. — 1 Samuel 10:17-27 When they gather on this day, no one but Saul and Samuel know about God's selection of Saul as king. This was hidden from everyone. With this in mind, the people are probably a little concerned that this gathering is going to be a talk-down. And they are right. It is a talk down, but it results in them getting what they want. They will get a king. There are three teachable moments in this text: The Lord Is The Deliverer The first thing Samuel does after gathering the nation is communicate a message that has come directly from God. Samuel begins with, “Thus says the Lord," which is a declaration of a divine message to God's people. Samuel understood he was only a messenger between God and his people. In this instance, Samuel's initial exhortation was the reminder that God has always been their deliverer. As we know, they have a short memory and they need this reminder. In fact, believers in every generation have a short memory of what God has done. I know I, too, can get caught in a cycle of self-centered reasoning, forgetting what God has done in the past and how that parallels my present challenge. This is another reason why it is so important to read Scripture. It reminds us of all the things God has done that we so easily forget. Which leads to the next point. In their forgetfulness: The People Reject The Lord As Their Deliverer Because they fail to remember what the Lord has done for them, they turn to a human strategy and a human representative. They want a king “like all the other nations," so they petition God to "set a king over them." The sad irony is that the people insist even though their petition is a blatant rejection of God as their King. They no longer want to be a nation under God. They want to be a nation led by their own king, a struggle we still endure to this day. The present election cycle is evidence of this yet again. As disappointing as this is, each generation thinks it has a better plan than God does. From one generation to the next, we pedal our ideas on how companies, the church, and the country would best be led, how to structure it, how to reach lost people, how to train and disciple, how to build leaders, and the like. Every generation thinks that they have a strategy that is better than the last, and yet, most of the time, these strategies end up distracting attention from the King, who deserves the glory. God Gives Them What They Want In the end, God gives the people what they want. The selection process was by lots, which would, in modern terms, be selection by "rolls of sacred dice" (or two stones). But we really don't know how they did this here since Scripture is silent on the exact method Samuel used. This process probably took a while, but you will notice that in the end, the people trust the process. Samuel and Saul knew ahead of time who the lot would fall to, as do we, but the people of Israel did not. They wrongly want a king but they rightly trust the divine process (or at least most of them do). There is a profound lesson in this text. Sometimes, God gives us our solutions even when they are not what we need. He does this because our solutions never thwart his plan. But he will use our solutions and strategies to teach us a hard lesson about his plan and drive us back to faith in God and away from trusting our strategies. Today, take time to consider areas in your life where you might be relying more on human solutions rather than having faith in God's guidance. Are you seeking solutions and security through career strategies, relationship plans, or financial tactics more than through God? Once you recognize these misplaced priorities, set them aside and put your faith in God, trusting in His provision and protection over your plans. If you do, the provision and protection you get from God will be better than any provision and protection you can provide for yourself. #GodsPlan #FaithOverStrategy #TrustInGod Ask This: How can you actively remind yourself of God's past faithfulness in times when you're tempted to rely solely on your own plans and strategies? Reflecting on your current challenges, what steps can you take today to align more closely with God's plan for your life, trusting His provision and guidance over your own understanding? Do This: Stop leading with your strategies. Pray This: Father, help me remember Your faithfulness in all circumstances. Guide me to trust Your plan over my own strategies. Lead me closer to You, where true peace and fulfillment are found. Amen. Play This: Famous For (I Believe).

Daily Dose of Hope July 18, 2024 Day 5 of Week 16   Scripture:  I Samuel 6-8; Acts 7   Welcome back everyone!  We are finishing up week 16 of the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements New Hope's Bible reading plan.  Let's get to our Scripture for today.   We will begin with our Old Testament reading in I Samuel.  Let's start with chapter 6.  The Ark of the Covenant had become a liability to the Philistines and they knew it had to be returned.  They return it to Israel, sending a guilt offering of golden tumors and golden rats along with it, to "appease" the God of Israel.  The Ark is met with much joy by the people of Beth Shemesh, the town to which the Philistines sent the Ark.  They make offerings to the Lord and the Levites set the Ark on a large rock for all to see.    But there were problems here too.  Some of the inhabitants were bold enough to look into the Ark and God struck them down.  To us, this seems kind of harsh but God had given his people strict rules about handling the Ark of the Covenant.  This is where the presence of God dwelt among his people.  It wasn't to be taken lightly.  It wasn't simply a curiosity; it was the presence of the living God and thus, there should be reverence and even fear.  The people seem a bit shocked.  They ask, "Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?"    I am quite relieved that we live on the other side of the cross.  Because of Jesus' death on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn.  We no longer have to be fearful about being in the presence of a holy God as the Israelites once did.  As Hebrews 4:16 states, we can go boldly to the throne of grace and receive his mercy.  Jesus has made a way for us to be reconciled to God; no more barriers and no more fear.  At the same time, I think there is still a place for reverence.  We don't need to be hesitant or fearful of God but we should still have a deep respect that God is God and we are not.   In chapter 7, we see the Ark of the Covenant being taken to its proper place and the whole of Israel repenting before the Lord.  Under Samuel's leadership, the Hebrew people put away their false gods and turned back to the one true God.  As a sign of repentance, Samuel called the people to gather at a place called Mizpah, where he sacrificed a lamb as an offering to the Lord.  The Philistines heard about this, all of Israel gathering together, and they decide this would be a good time to attack.  In response, Samuel pleads to God on behalf of the Israelites.  God takes care of things and the Philistines are easily defeated.   Samuel places a stone, called an Ebenezer, to mark the significant event when God interceded on behalf of the Israelites.  In Hebrew, the word Ebenezer actually means stone of help.  The purpose of an Ebenezer, as we see in I Samuel, is to remember what God has done for his people.   When I read this passage, I was reminded of one of my favorite hymns, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, which was written by Robert Robinson in 1758.  In one of the verses, we sing, "Here I raise my Ebenezer, Here by Thy great help I've come,  And I hope by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home."  Robinson grew up in a difficult home.  After his father's death, his mother sent him to London to learn a trade but he fell in with a bad crowd.  But God's hand was at work.  Robinson is led one night to a gathering in which George Whitefield preached and Robert Robinson gave his life to Jesus Christ.  At age 23, Robinson begins to pastor a Methodist Chapel and writes the hymn.  To him, raising an Ebenezer meant very intentionally remembering the good work God had done in him, pulling him out of a terrible situation and demonstrating his power and grace.    Think of the good works that God has done in your life.  How has God demonstrated his power and grace?  I'm wondering if we all might go get a large stone and raise an Ebenezer as a way to remember what God has done.   In chapter 8, Samuel is coming to the end of his life.  We read that he wants to appoint his sons to lead Israel but the people are opposed.  His sons, like Eli's sons before him, are more interested in getting rich than caring for the people.  It is a strange thing that we see throughout Scripture, some of the most faithful, strong leaders raise children who have no integrity.  Are they too busy leading the people to lead their own families?  That may need to be a discussion for another day.   In this situation, the people recognize the weaknesses of Samuel's sons and don't want to be led by them.  They request a king.  Samuel is distressed by this and goes to God.  God tells Samuel to warn the people what having a king will mean.  The king will force their sons to fight in wars and their daughters to work as domestic servants.  The king will tax them and take a portion of their crops and livestock.  But the people insisted.  From the earliest of days, God had been the one to direct Israel and choose its leaders. But now the people are demanding something else.  They think a human king will bring stability and safety, as well as a certain status among the nations around them.  And while God knew this was not what was best for Israel (the ideal way was for God to remain the one providing direct guidance and instruction to the people), he granted their request anyway.  God would now achieve his purposes in a new way, through a human king and all his frailties.  God will achieve his purposes.   Acts 7 covers the stoning of Stephen.  When he is dragged in front of the Sanhedrin, Stephen gives a long, eloquent history of how God worked through his people, leading up to Jesus.  The Jewish leaders are offended by his directness and they get really worked up when he looks up at heaven and declares that he sees Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father.  Keep in mind, this would have been blasphemy to the strict Jews who sat on the council.  There was no real trial, no real discussion.  They simply drag Stephen out and start throwing stones.   Stephen was the first Christian martyr.  This was, of course, a sign of what was to come.  But Stephen also offers all Christians a beautiful model of how to live and die, trusting fully and completely in Jesus Christ.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Jeremiah 41:1 Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah. 41:2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land. 41:3 Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war. 41:4 And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it, 41:5 That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD. 41:6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.FAITHBUCKS.COM

Jeremiah 41:1 Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah. 41:2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land. 41:3 Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war. 41:4 And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it, 41:5 That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD. 41:6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.Faithbucks.com

Judges 10 verse 17 through to chapter 11 verse 3. At that time the armies of Ammon had gathered for war and were camped in Gilead, and the people of Israel assembled and camped at Mizpah. The leaders of Gilead said to each other, “Whoever attacks the Ammonites first will become ruler over all the people of Gilead.” Now Jephthah of Gilead was a great warrior. He was the son of Gilead, but his mother was a prostitute. Gilead's wife also had several sons, and when these half brothers grew up, they chased Jephthah off the land. “You will not get any of our father's inheritance,” they said, “for you are the son of a prostitute.” So Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob. Soon he had a band of worthless rebels following him.

Judges 11 verse 4 to 29 At about this time, the Ammonites began their war against Israel. When the Ammonites attacked, the elders of Gilead sent for Jephthah in the land of Tob. The elders said, “Come and be our commander! Help us fight the Ammonites!” But Jephthah said to them, “Aren't you the ones who hated me and drove me from my father's house? Why do you come to me now when you're in trouble?” “Because we need you,” the elders replied. “If you lead us in battle against the Ammonites, we will make you ruler over all the people of Gilead.” Jephthah said to the elders, “Let me get this straight. If I come with you and if the Lord gives me victory over the Ammonites, will you really make me ruler over all the people?” “The Lord is our witness,” the elders replied. “We promise to do whatever you say.” So Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him their ruler and commander of the army. At Mizpah, in the presence of the Lord, Jephthah repeated what he had said to the elders. Then Jephthah sent messengers to the king of Ammon, asking, “Why have you come out to fight against my land?” The king of Ammon answered Jephthah's messengers, “When the Israelites came out of Egypt, they stole my land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River and all the way to the Jordan. Now then, give back the land peaceably.” Jephthah sent this message back to the Ammonite king: “This is what Jephthah says: Israel did not steal any land from Moab or Ammon. When the people of Israel arrived at Kadesh on their journey from Egypt after crossing the Red Sea, they sent messengers to the king of Edom asking for permission to pass through his land. But their request was denied. Then they asked the king of Moab for similar permission, but he wouldn't let them pass through either. So the people of Israel stayed in Kadesh. “Finally, they went around Edom and Moab through the wilderness. They traveled along Moab's eastern border and camped on the other side of the Arnon River. But they never once crossed the Arnon River into Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab. “Then Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites, who ruled from Heshbon, asking for permission to cross through his land to get to their destination. But King Sihon didn't trust Israel to pass through his land. Instead, he mobilized his army at Jahaz and attacked them. But the Lord, the God of Israel, gave his people victory over King Sihon. So Israel took control of all the land of the Amorites, who lived in that region, from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River, and from the eastern wilderness to the Jordan. “So you see, it was the Lord, the God of Israel, who took away the land from the Amorites and gave it to Israel. Why, then, should we give it back to you? You keep whatever your god Chemosh gives you, and we will keep whatever the Lord our God gives us. Are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he try to make a case against Israel for disputed land? Did he go to war against them? “Israel has been living here for 300 years, inhabiting Heshbon and its surrounding settlements, all the way to Aroer and its settlements, and in all the towns along the Arnon River. Why have you made no effort to recover it before now? Therefore, I have not sinned against you. Rather, you have wronged me by attacking me. Let the Lord, who is judge, decide today which of us is right—Israel or Ammon.” But the king of Ammon paid no attention to Jephthah's message. At that time the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah, and he went throughout the land of Gilead and Manasseh, including Mizpah in Gilead, and from there he led an army against the Ammonites.

Have you had enough and want a change in our church and country? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration." After two decades had passed, Samuel called the nation to repent. He gathered them at Mizpah for national repentance. As they do, the Philistines surround to attack, and God responds with a mighty sound, and then the Israelites follow suit and drive the Philistines away. Let's listen to how they respond and God's reward for their return in 1 Samuel 7:12-17: Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites. Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord. — 1 Samuel 7:12-17 Repentance Effects Everyone The effect of this call to repentance is profound. It has a long-lasting impact on three groups of people. First, on the Philistines, who were subdued and restrained for the rest of Samuel's life. Second, on the Amorites (a.k.a. the Canaanites), who ceased to be a threat because of Israel's victory over their common enemy, the Philistines. Third, on the Israelites, who witnessed firsthand the deliverance by God in the most vulnerable of moments. Don't forget that Israel was about to be wiped out. The entire nation was gathered in a valley unarmed, fasted, and emotionally vulnerable. Their enemy was armed and ready on every side. Their only hope was divine intervention, and God did intervene. Repentance Is Personal & Corporate I talk to many people in our time who want to see change happen in the church and our country. Based on what we have read in this chapter, I am convinced we think about the path to this change all wrong. The path to change is not with a better preacher, policy, politician, or president. The path to change is repentance, both personal and corporate. This means: If you want change in your family, you need to repent and call your family to repentance. If you want change in your church, your pastor needs to repent and call the church to repentance. If you want change in your denomination, the head of your denomination needs to repent and then call the churches to repentance. What happened in this moment can still happen today. It can happen right now with you. Make Is Personal I know someone reading this today who feels just like Israel felt here in the middle of Chapter 7. You feel hopeless. You feel alone. You feel surrounded by an enemy who is perched to annihilate you. If that is you, I am telling you, there is hope. Turn or return to God. Reject the meaningless ideologies and idols that have let you down and call upon the only God who saves. Repentance is when we bring our sinful motivations, thoughts, and actions to God and ask God to take a stand. We are not taking a stand—we are going low—but asking God to take a stand. The benefits are great because those who repent will be rescued, freed from fear, and established in the Lord's territory. Eventually, you will see that your repentance will impact everyone around you. #RepentanceAndRestoration #DivineIntervention #EbenezerStone Ask This: How can you personally apply the principle of repentance, both individually and within your community or family, to seek God's intervention in areas where you need His help? Reflecting on Samuel's leadership and the Israelites' response to God's deliverance, what steps can you take to establish "Ebenezer stones" in your own life—symbols of God's faithfulness and deliverance—to remind you of His ongoing work and presence? Do This: Repent. Pray This: Father, I come before you with a humble heart, seeking your forgiveness and guidance. Help me embrace repentance, trusting in your mercy and power to restore and bring peace to my life and community. Amen. Play This: Nothing Else.

Are you surrounded by challenges with no way out? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration." Let's recap the story a bit. Israel, having lost and regained the Ark of God, defiled the Tabernacle and found themselves in a 20-year hiatus from worship and sacrifice. But after two decades had passed, Samuel called the nation to repent. He gathered them at Mizpah for national declaration and spiritual restoration. But right at this moment, the plot thickens. Let's listen to 1 Samuel 7:7-11: Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.  — 1 Samuel 7:7-11 An Intense Battle This is quite an intense moment. Imagine for a moment you are the people of Israel. You and your entire family are gathered with the rest of the nation. You are unarmed, fasted, and in a vulnerable emotional state. In the middle of this event, word spreads that the five lords of the Philistines with their armies are gathered around you. You look up to the surrounding territory to see they have you surrounded. Logically, you face destruction. Surrounded & Vulnerable Completely vulnerable, there is only one possibility—salvation by the Lord. Therefore, the people beg Samuel to pray for their salvation, so he does. With the enemy within sight, Samuel responds with prayer and sacrifice, something he has not done in twenty years. Then God makes a mighty thundering sound that throws the Philistines into confusion. I should stop and make a note here. The people of this time had a unique understanding of military combat. They believed every military conflict (victory or defeat) played out on two planes: the natural and the supernatural. Therefore, any unusual phenomenon during a military operation would be interpreted as evidence of a deity at work (Joshua 10:11; Judges 5:4, 20–21). In this case, the loud and unexpected thunder, whatever it was, was immediately understood by the Philistines as a bad omen, which was supported by the fact they were attacking them in the middle of the worship of their God, causing mass panic. Israel immediately understood this as an answer from the Lord from Samuel's prayer and sacrifice and took advantage of the mass hysteria. So let me make three points of application. One | Grasp The Battle First, the enemy always strikes when you are weakest and most vulnerable. This is what he always does in my life. The enemy loves to wear down believers; he is relentless. He knows your weaknesses, vulnerable moments, fears, and failures. If he sees you are about to turn to God, he will send the full force of his armies against you to defeat you. Two | Gird Your Mind Second, when the enemy strikes at these vulnerable moments, you get to make a strategic choice. You can look at the situation from a natural or supernatural perspective. This mindset you adopt will change how you view this situation and will impact your next decision. The choice is either the enemy and natural forces are in control, or God and his supernatural force are in control. Three | Get Out And Fight Third, when you surrender to God, assuming you do, you still need to listen for God and join him in the fight. Surrendering to God does not mean we surrender the fight. We need to fight, but we need to fight the right enemy in the right way. The only way to do this is to get behind the God who fights ahead of us in every battle. Today, you might feel just like Israel, surrounded and vulnerable. If so, grasp the battle, gird your mind, and get out and fight. #DivineVictory #SpiritualWarfare #PrayerPower Ask This: How can you identify and prepare for moments of vulnerability in your spiritual journey, knowing that the enemy often strikes in those times Reflecting on Samuel's response of prayer and sacrifice, what practical steps can you take to deepen your reliance on God during challenging circumstances, aligning your actions with faith rather than fear?

Is it time for us to gather for a day of repentance? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration." As I have been reading Chapter 7, the thought has been gnawing at me. Is it time for the church to usher in a day of repentance? Listen as I read 1 Samuel 7:3-6: And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only. Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah.  — 1 Samuel 7:3-6 If you've followed me through this book, you've witnessed a narrative unfold. It's the tale of a nation liberated by God from Egypt, who meandered through the desert and was guided into the Promised Land. However, God's nation gradually strays over the next 400 years. The religious leaders become so corrupt and wicked that they lose the Ark and drift far from God. The nation, enduring a twenty-year lament, finds itself without a means to worship or offer sacrifices to God. But in this moment of national despair, a beacon of hope emerges. Samuel, the final judge of Israel, steps forward. It's important to note that a man of God will guide Israel back, not a policy, president, power, or politician. It's a righteous man with a righteous plan, ready to rally the nation to repentance. I have read these verses many times this week, and they stir something in me: a desire to call believers in our time to repentance. But before you and I go and get too excited about this, the message that must be delivered is not easy. It's a stern message. It's a divisive message. It's a clarifying message. It's a personal message. It's a message that requires us to declare we stand against the idols of our time, like the: Idol of Relativism: that rejects absolute truth and exchanges the truth of God for a lie. Idol of Gender Fluidity: that rejects biblical views of God's created order and gender as (binary) male and female. Idol of Critical Race Theory: that rejects biblical reconciliation by resurrecting past sins against races, promoting division. Idol of Abortion: that rejects the sanctity of life at conception and elevates our rights and us as a god. Idol of LGBTQ+ Rights: that rejects biblical teachings on sexuality and marriage. Idol of Secularism: that rejects biblical faith and values and marginalizes believers in the marketplace. But here is the problem with all these idols and ideologies. It's more than just the culture that has welcomed them. It's the church. All of these idols have found their way into the church. Therefore, what Samuel does here is not only courageous but also hard, divisive, clarifying, and personal. It's a call to reject and rid themselves of specific idols, repent, and return to the Lord. Spiritual change can happen. But it will only occur when a righteous man leads the way. This means we have to repent first and lead the way. It means we must draw some defining lines for ourselves, our families, and the church. #RepentanceRevival, #ReturnToGod, #SpiritualAwakening Ask This: How can we identify and confront the idols in our own lives and in our church community? What practical steps can we take today to initiate a personal or communal day of repentance and spiritual renewal? Do This: Repent and rid yourselves of idols. Pray This: Father, I humbly come before You, seeking Your guidance and strength to identify and remove any idols that have crept into my heart and community so that we may fully turn back to You in repentance and renewal. Amen. Play This: Coming Back.

1 Samuel 8 starts by telling us “when Samuel became old …” and the next few chapters tell us of all the drama that happened in his old age.  The first problem was that Samuel's sons whom he had made judges “did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after gain.  They took bribes and perverted justice.” [v.3]. There is no record of Samuel's wife.  How important it is for a wife to support her husband in the spiritual training of their children especially one as busy as Samuel for “he judged Israel all the days of his life.  And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah.  And he judged Israel in all these places. Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel …” [7 v.15-17] We live in a world where few if any of those in authority have any real Bible based principles, everyone is “after gain” in some way to some degree.  Those who seek to serve the Almighty and his Son must be after a different kind of “gain” – treasure that they can lay up in heaven! See Luke 12 v.21,33,34.       When Jesus returns those who have done this will be “judges” – reigning with him in his kingdom. Maybe Samuel's role as a judge is an example – but they will have divine power, which the Apostles experienced as a foretaste of “the powers of the age to come.” [Heb. 6 v.4]  In those days the whole world will be taught righteousness and what a wonderful word picture we read today in Isaiah of this time!  “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says in Zion, ‘Your God reigns.' … The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” [52 v.7,10]  To talk of beautiful feet is a poetic expression of the joys of doing the Lord's work.  What a challenge it is to “walk” in that way now. As a final passage look at Hebrews 13, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he (Jesus) has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'  So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'” [v.5,6]  Let us confidently say that! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christadelphians-talk/message

Are you ready to make a declaration? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration." For me, this chapter underscores the importance of personal commitments that are publicly declared to God. In the early 1800s, a preacher named Charles Finney revolutionized the way we publicly declare our faith with what he dubbed the "Altar Call." This call, absent from many churches today, was an invitation to step forward in a service and. proclaim Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Influential figures like Billy Graham and ministries like Promise Keepers adopted it as a. The narrative in 1 Samuel 7 will read and feel like this. It's an "Altar Call" given by Samuel to the entire nation of Israel. It's a monumental day in their history, with interesting details and occurrences that I will let unfold naturally. But at the conclusion of the day, Samuel sets up a monument. They stand up a stone to commemorate and remember the commitments that they have publicly made to God. This leads us to the key verse of this chapter. 1 Samuel 7:12 reads: Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” — 1 Samuel 7:12 Of course, some of you know this verse because it was popularized by a well-known Hymn, "Come Thou Fount." One of the verses sings: Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by thy help I've come; This moment of this song recalls this moment in Israel's history. It's a song that calls us to reflect on a great day of repentance in Israel's history. All believers need moments like this. We need standing-stone moments to remind us. There is nothing special about the markers or the monuments—all they are meant to do is remind us of the commitments and covenants we have made personally and publicly with God. Today, look back on some of those moments when you stood up a stone in your relationship with God. Reflect on two questions. Where were you when you stood up a stone, and what change did you commit to make with God? Share them in the comments below, and let's celebrate the Ebenezers we have stood up in our lives. And if you are ready to make a declaration to God, you can take this moment to stand up a new stone. #DailyDevo, #DeclareYourFaith, #StandUpForGod Ask This: When was the last time you publicly declared your faith in God, either through words or actions? How did that moment impact your relationship with Him?   Reflecting on your spiritual journey, what "stones" or markers can you identify where God has shown His faithfulness and helped you overcome challenges? How can these reminders encourage you to continue growing in your faith today? Do This: Share a standing stone moment below. Pray This: Father, thank you for moments of declaration and commitment in my journey with You. Help me to continually raise my Ebenezer, acknowledging Your faithfulness and seeking deeper intimacy with You each day. Amen. Play This: Come Thou Fount.

In this episode Beaker and Ghosty talk about the most haunted hotel in America rated by USA today in 2018. The "Watchtower" of  Tonapah, NV Have an interesting story to share? Please tell us about it, email: evp.pod@gmail.com Follow us on social media (@evp.pod) and check out all the ways to listen and watch the podcast:  https://linktr.ee/evp.pod Looking for the best shop to find paranormal investigating equipment, check out Ghost Stop:  https://ghoststop.com/?rfsn=6873776.882712

Big Idea: They don't erect statues to the critics.  In the Beginning: Jacob Genesis 31: 22-55 I. You don't have to defend yourself when you're living for Jesus 22-30 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled. So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night. “Watch yourself!” God warned him. “Don't say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” When Laban overtook Jacob, Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban and his relatives also pitched their tents in the hill country of Gilead. Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me and taken my daughters away like prisoners of war! Why did you secretly flee from me, deceive me, and not tell me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and lyres, but you didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters. You have acted foolishly. I could do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Watch yourself! Don't say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.' Now you have gone off because you long for your father's family—but why have you stolen my gods?” II. Turn the relationship over to Jesus 31-42 Jacob answered, “I was afraid, for I thought you would take your daughters from me by force. If you find your gods with anyone here, he will not live! Before our relatives, point out anything that is yours and take it.” Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols. So Laban went into Jacob's tent, Leah's tent, and the tents of the two concubines, but he found nothing. When he left Leah's tent, he went into Rachel's tent. Now Rachel had taken Laban's household idols, put them in the saddlebag of the camel, and sat on them. Laban searched the whole tent but found nothing. She said to her father, “Don't be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I am having my period.” So Laban searched, but could not find the household idols. Then Jacob became incensed and brought charges against Laban. “What is my crime?” he said to Laban. “What is my sin, that you have pursued me? You've searched all my possessions! Have you found anything of yours? Put it here before my relatives and yours, and let them decide between the two of us. I've been with you these twenty years. Your ewes and female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams from your flock. I did not bring you any of the flock torn by wild beasts; I myself bore the loss. You demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or by night. There I was—the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. For twenty years in your household I served you—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times! If the God of my father, the God of Abraham, the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, certainly now you would have sent me off empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and my hard work, and he issued his verdict last night.” III. Let God be the Judge 43-55 Then Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters; the children, my children; and the flocks, my flocks! Everything you see is mine! But what can I do today for these daughters of mine or for the children they have borne? Come now, let's make a covenant, you and I. Let it be a witness between the two of us.” So Jacob picked out a stone and set it up as a marker. Then Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a mound, then ate there by the mound. Laban named the mound Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob named it Galeed. Then Laban said, “This mound is a witness between you and me today.” Therefore the place was called Galeed and also Mizpah, for he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are out of each other's sight. If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives, though no one is with us, understand that God will be a witness between you and me.” Laban also said to Jacob, “Look at this mound and the marker I have set up between you and me. This mound is a witness and the marker is a witness that I will not pass beyond this mound to you, and you will not pass beyond this mound and this marker to do me harm. The God of Abraham, and the gods of Nahor—the gods of their father—will judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac. Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. So they ate a meal and spent the night on the mountain. Laban got up early in the morning, kissed his grandchildren and daughters, and blessed them. Then Laban left to return home. Next Steps:  Believe: I need Jesus to change my heart today Become: I need the Holy Spirit to help me overcome a critical spirit. Be Sent: I will live out my faith for others to see (and criticize) this week. Growth Group Questions:  1. What percentage of your speech is positive this week?  What percentage was negative?  2. Would your family agree with your percentages? 3. Why does criticism from a close relationship hurt more than from a stranger? 4. Read Numbers 16:41-50.   A. Why was God angry when people criticized Moses and Aaron? B. Would you act so quickly to spare the people who criticized you? C. What does 14,700 dead say about how seriously God takes our critical attitude? 5. Why is it easy to give ourselves grace for the same things we criticize of others? 6. Pray for the Holy Spirit to give us words that represent the heart of Jesus toward others this week.

Judges 11:29–32  29 Now the Spirit of Yahweh came upon Jephthah, so that he passed through Gilead and Manasseh; then he passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead he went on to the sons of Ammon. 30 Then Jephthah made a vow to Yahweh and said, “If You will indeed give the sons of Ammon into my hand, 31 then it shall be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be Yahweh's, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” 32 So Jephthah crossed over to the sons of Ammon to fight against them; and Yahweh gave them into his hand.

Happy Spooky Wednesday, friends! We've got special guest Breanne Marie of Breanne Marie and the Front Porch Sinners with us this week! First up, Kala talks about The Mizpah Hotel and The Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada. The Mizpah is a historic hotel that got its start during a mining boom, and has continued for over a hundred years to provide people with excellent service, a fun experience, and ghosts. Each floor from the fifth down to the basement holds the potential for the paranormal including a Lady in Red, giggling ghostly children, and menacing miners. And what better way to celebrate having one of Duluth's queens of country in the studio than to talk about an outlaw! Brittany talks about Jesse James and his family's farm. Jesse and his family, it turns out, were not great people. And their ghosts have stuck around to remind us of that.  ***Make sure to listen for the Homegrown Code Word and send us a message!! We are giving away two week-long wristbands to this year's Duluth Homegrown Music Festival! Each episode in April, we will have special guests that are involved in the festival, we will be sharing a special code word in the episode. All you have to do is DM us the code word on Facebook or Instagram, and you will be entered in for the drawing, and we will announce the two lucky winners on Friday, April 26th! Each listener can enter once per episode, up to a total of four entries for the contest!  We will message the winners on whichever platform they used to enter, and we will work out the details on how to get you your wristband, cozy, and patch!

God calls all of us to trust Him and step out in faith. Today we read the account of when Saul was chosen to be king. We'll build upon the principles yesterday (regarding Saul's reluctance) and see that his reluctance was really about a lack of faith and trust in the Lord. Join us!  DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    What were the circumstances from 1st Samuel 9 that led to the events of 1st Samuel 10?  2.    What did Samuel do to Saul in verse 1? What did this signify?  3.    In verses 2-7, what were the signs that Saul would see? What were these signs intended to confirm? Did they happen? 4.    After these signs occurred, what did the Lord do to Saul's heart in verse 9?  5.    How does Saul answer his uncle in verse 14? What does this indicate about Saul's spiritual condition? How do we understand verses 14 & 9 in light of each other?  6.    What did the people do at Mizpah in 1st Samuel 7? How does that help us understand this gathering here in verse 17? 7.    After Saul was selected in verse 21, where was Saul in verse 22? What does this show us about his character?  8.    How would you characterize Saul's response to his malcontents in verse 27? Was that the right response? Why?  9.    When you read this account about Saul, would you say that he was surrendered to the God and God's will for his life? Why or why not?  10.    How was Saul's fear a sin? How should Saul have responded towards the Lord's plan for him?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

1 Samuel 10:1-27 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, “Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel? And you shall reign over the people of the Lord and you will save them from the hand of their sur-rounding enemies. And this shall be the sign to you that the Lord has anointed you to be prince over his heritage. 2 When you depart from me today, you will meet two men by Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah, and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys that you went to seek are found, and now your father has ceased to care about the donkeys and is anxious about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”' 3 Then you shall go on from there farther and come to the oak of Tabor. Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another car-rying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine. 4 And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall accept from their hand. 5 After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. And there, as soon as you come to the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre before them, prophe-sying. 6 Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 7 Now when these signs meet you, do what your hand finds to do, for God is with you. 8 Then go down before me to Gilgal. And behold, I am coming down to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Sev-en days you shall wait, until I come to you and show you what you shall do.” 9 When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day. 10 When they came to Gibeah, behold, a group of prophets met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them. 11 And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 12 And a man of the place answered, “And who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 13 When he had fin-ished prophesying, he came to the high place. 14 Saul's uncle said to him and to his servant, “Where did you go?” And he said, “To seek the donkeys. And when we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel.” 15 And Saul's uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.” 16 And Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.” But about the matter of the kingdom, of which Samuel had spoken, he did not tell him anything. 17 Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah. 18 And he said to the people of Israel, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.' 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, ‘Set a king over us.' Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.” 20 Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was tak-en by lot. 21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot; and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 So they inquired again of the Lord, “Is there a man still to come?” and the Lord said, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the bag-gage.” 23 Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the peo-ple, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. 24 And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” 25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.

1 Samuel 7:3-17 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and di-rect your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only. 5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” 6 So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. 7 Now when the Philistines heard that the peo-ple of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pur-sued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car. 12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 14 The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their terri-tory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites. 15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. 17 Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord.

Old Testament: Hosea 2–5 Hosea 2–5 (Listen) Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished 2 1 Say to your brothers, “You are my people,”2 and to your sisters, “You have received mercy.”3 2   “Plead with your mother, plead—    for she is not my wife,    and I am not her husband—  that she put away her whoring from her face,    and her adultery from between her breasts;3   lest I strip her naked    and make her as in the day she was born,  and make her like a wilderness,    and make her like a parched land,    and kill her with thirst.4   Upon her children also I will have no mercy,    because they are children of whoredom.5   For their mother has played the whore;    she who conceived them has acted shamefully.  For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers,    who give me my bread and my water,    my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.'6   Therefore I will hedge up her4 way with thorns,    and I will build a wall against her,    so that she cannot find her paths.7   She shall pursue her lovers    but not overtake them,  and she shall seek them    but shall not find them.  Then she shall say,    ‘I will go and return to my first husband,    for it was better for me then than now.'8   And she did not know    that it was I who gave her    the grain, the wine, and the oil,  and who lavished on her silver and gold,    which they used for Baal.9   Therefore I will take back    my grain in its time,    and my wine in its season,  and I will take away my wool and my flax,    which were to cover her nakedness.10   Now I will uncover her lewdness    in the sight of her lovers,    and no one shall rescue her out of my hand.11   And I will put an end to all her mirth,    her feasts, her new moons, her Sabbaths,    and all her appointed feasts.12   And I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees,    of which she said,  ‘These are my wages,    which my lovers have given me.'  I will make them a forest,    and the beasts of the field shall devour them.13   And I will punish her for the feast days of the Baals    when she burned offerings to them  and adorned herself with her ring and jewelry,    and went after her lovers    and forgot me, declares the LORD. The Lord's Mercy on Israel 14   “Therefore, behold, I will allure her,    and bring her into the wilderness,    and speak tenderly to her.15   And there I will give her her vineyards    and make the Valley of Achor5 a door of hope.  And there she shall answer as in the days of her youth,    as at the time when she came out of the land of Egypt. 16 “And in that day, declares the LORD, you will call me ‘My Husband,' and no longer will you call me ‘My Baal.' 17 For I will remove the names of the Baals from her mouth, and they shall be remembered by name no more. 18 And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish6 the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety. 19 And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD. 21   “And in that day I will answer, declares the LORD,    I will answer the heavens,    and they shall answer the earth,22   and the earth shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil,    and they shall answer Jezreel,723     and I will sow her for myself in the land.  And I will have mercy on No Mercy,8    and I will say to Not My People,9 ‘You are my people';    and he shall say, ‘You are my God.'” Hosea Redeems His Wife 3 And the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” 2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech10 of barley. 3 And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” 4 For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days. The Lord Accuses Israel 4   Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel,    for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.  There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,    and no knowledge of God in the land;2   there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery;    they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.3   Therefore the land mourns,    and all who dwell in it languish,  and also the beasts of the field    and the birds of the heavens,    and even the fish of the sea are taken away. 4   Yet let no one contend,    and let none accuse,    for with you is my contention, O priest.115   You shall stumble by day;    the prophet also shall stumble with you by night;    and I will destroy your mother.6   My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;    because you have rejected knowledge,    I reject you from being a priest to me.  And since you have forgotten the law of your God,    I also will forget your children. 7   The more they increased,    the more they sinned against me;    I will change their glory into shame.8   They feed on the sin12 of my people;    they are greedy for their iniquity.9   And it shall be like people, like priest;    I will punish them for their ways    and repay them for their deeds.10   They shall eat, but not be satisfied;    they shall play the whore, but not multiply,  because they have forsaken the LORD    to cherish 11 whoredom, wine, and new wine,    which take away the understanding.12   My people inquire of a piece of wood,    and their walking staff gives them oracles.  For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray,    and they have left their God to play the whore.13   They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains    and burn offerings on the hills,  under oak, poplar, and terebinth,    because their shade is good.  Therefore your daughters play the whore,    and your brides commit adultery.14   I will not punish your daughters when they play the whore,    nor your brides when they commit adultery;  for the men themselves go aside with prostitutes    and sacrifice with cult prostitutes,  and a people without understanding shall come to ruin. 15   Though you play the whore, O Israel,    let not Judah become guilty.  Enter not into Gilgal,    nor go up to Beth-aven,    and swear not, “As the LORD lives.”16   Like a stubborn heifer,    Israel is stubborn;  can the LORD now feed them    like a lamb in a broad pasture? 17   Ephraim is joined to idols;    leave him alone.18   When their drink is gone, they give themselves to whoring;    their rulers13 dearly love shame.19   A wind has wrapped them14 in its wings,    and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices. Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah 5   Hear this, O priests!    Pay attention, O house of Israel!  Give ear, O house of the king!    For the judgment is for you;  for you have been a snare at Mizpah    and a net spread upon Tabor.2   And the revolters have gone deep into slaughter,    but I will discipline all of them. 3   I know Ephraim,    and Israel is not hidden from me;  for now, O Ephraim, you have played the whore;    Israel is defiled.4   Their deeds do not permit them    to return to their God.  For the spirit of whoredom is within them,    and they know not the LORD. 5   The pride of Israel testifies to his face;15    Israel and Ephraim shall stumble in his guilt;    Judah also shall stumble with them.6   With their flocks and herds they shall go    to seek the LORD,  but they will not find him;    he has withdrawn from them.7   They have dealt faithlessly with the LORD;    for they have borne alien children.    Now the new moon shall devour them with their fields. 8   Blow the horn in Gibeah,    the trumpet in Ramah.  Sound the alarm at Beth-aven;    we follow you,16 O Benjamin!9   Ephraim shall become a desolation    in the day of punishment;  among the tribes of Israel    I make known what is sure.10   The princes of Judah have become    like those who move the landmark;  upon them I will pour out    my wrath like water.11   Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment,    because he was determined to go after filth.1712   But I am like a moth to Ephraim,    and like dry rot to the house of Judah. 13   When Ephraim saw his sickness,    and Judah his wound,  then Ephraim went to Assyria,    and sent to the great king.18  But he is not able to cure you    or heal your wound.14   For I will be like a lion to Ephraim,    and like a young lion to the house of Judah.  I, even I, will tear and go away;    I will carry off, and no one shall rescue. 15   I will return again to my place,    until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face,    and in their distress earnestly seek me. Footnotes [1] 2:1 Ch 2:3 in Hebrew [2] 2:1 Hebrew ammi, which means my people [3] 2:1 Hebrew ruhama, which means she has received mercy [4] 2:6 Hebrew your [5] 2:15 Achor means trouble; compare Joshua 7:26 [6] 2:18 Hebrew break [7] 2:22 Jezreel means God will sow [8] 2:23 Hebrew Lo-ruhama [9] 2:23 Hebrew Lo-ammi [10] 3:2 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams; a homer was about 6 bushels or 220 liters; a lethech was about 3 bushels or 110 liters [11] 4:4 Or for your people are like those who contend with the priest [12] 4:8 Or sin offering [13] 4:18 Hebrew shields [14] 4:19 Hebrew her [15] 5:5 Or in his presence [16] 5:8 Or after you [17] 5:11 Or to follow human precepts [18] 5:13 Or to King Jareb (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 136 Psalm 136 (Listen) His Steadfast Love Endures Forever 136   Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,    for his steadfast love endures forever.2   Give thanks to the God of gods,    for his steadfast love endures forever.3   Give thanks to the Lord of lords,    for his steadfast love endures forever; 4   to him who alone does great wonders,    for his steadfast love endures forever;5   to him who by understanding made the heavens,    for his steadfast love endures forever;6   to him who spread out the earth above the waters,    for his steadfast love endures forever;7   to him who made the great lights,    for his steadfast love endures forever;8   the sun to rule over the day,    for his steadfast love endures forever;9   the moon and stars to rule over the night,    for his steadfast love endures forever; 10   to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,    for his steadfast love endures forever;11   and brought Israel out from among them,    for his steadfast love endures forever;12   with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,    for his steadfast love endures forever;13   to him who divided the Red Sea in two,

With family: 2 Chronicles 16; Revelation 5 2 Chronicles 16 (Listen) Asa's Last Years 16 In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 2 Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures of the house of the LORD and the king's house and sent them to Ben-hadad king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying, 3 “There is a covenant1 between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you silver and gold. Go, break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.” 4 And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. 5 And when Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah and let his work cease. 6 Then King Asa took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Baasha had been building, and with them he built Geba and Mizpah. 7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. 8 Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, he gave them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless2 toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer and put him in the stocks in prison, for he was in a rage with him because of this. And Asa inflicted cruelties upon some of the people at the same time. 11 The acts of Asa, from first to last, are written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians. 13 And Asa slept with his fathers, dying in the forty-first year of his reign. 14 They buried him in the tomb that he had cut for himself in the city of David. They laid him on a bier that had been filled with various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumer's art, and they made a very great fire in his honor. Footnotes [1] 16:3 Or treaty; twice in this verse [2] 16:9 Or whole (ESV) Revelation 5 (Listen) The Scroll and the Lamb 5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying,   “Worthy are you to take the scroll    and to open its seals,  for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God    from every tribe and language and people and nation,10   and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,    and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,   “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,  to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might  and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,   “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb  be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (ESV) In private: Zechariah 1; John 4 Zechariah 1 (Listen) A Call to Return to the Lord 1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, 2 “The LORD was very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. 4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.' But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. 5 Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever? 6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.'” A Vision of a Horseman 7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, saying, 8 “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. 9 Then I said, ‘What are these, my lord?' The angel who talked with me said to me, ‘I will show you what they are.' 10 So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, ‘These are they whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.' 11 And they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, and said, ‘We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest.' 12 Then the angel of the LORD said, ‘O LORD of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which you have been angry these seventy years?' 13 And the LORD answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. 14 So the angel who talked with me said to me, ‘Cry out, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. 15 And I am exceedingly angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little, they furthered the disaster. 16 Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. 17 Cry out again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.'” A Vision of Horns and Craftsmen 18 1 And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns! 19 And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?” And he said to me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” 20 Then the LORD showed me four craftsmen. 21 And I said, “What are these coming to do?” He said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one raised his head. And these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it.” Footnotes [1] 1:18 Ch 2:1 in Hebrew (ESV) John 4 (Listen) Jesus and the Woman of Samaria 4 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.1 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.2 The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.” 27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him. 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.' 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” 39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” 43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast. Jesus Heals an Official's Son 46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Capernaum there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 So Jesus said to him, “Unless you3 see signs and wonders you will not believe.” 49 The official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants4 met him and told him that his son was recovering. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour5 the fever left him.” 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. Footnotes [1] 4:6 That is, about noon [2] 4:14 Greek forever [3] 4:48 The Greek for you is plural; twice in this verse [4] 4:51 Or bondservants [5] 4:52 That is, at 1 p.m. (ESV)