Podcasts about My Father

There was a time you could just stroll in a big box store in the United States and just buy a miniatures skirmish game that was actually pretty good. Sure, it didn't have analog movement or anything, but it used true line of sight and had amazing plastic terrain. So much plastic. Like, a whole lot. One the one hand, Hasbro says they're bringing HeroScape back, but on the other, ain't no way it's coming back the same as it was. They're going to bleed us dry for those little pre-painted dolls--even assuming they're still pre-painted, that is.Games Played Last Week:02:22 -My Father's Work (T.C. Petty III, Renegade Game Studios, 2022)04:20 -Kleos (Jim Kavanagh, Azure Horizon Games, 2021)08:14 -Meeple War (Max Valembois, Blue Cocker Games, 2016)10:23 -Imperium: The Contention (Gary Dworetsky, Contention Games, 2021)12:24 -Neuroshima Hex! 3.0: Beasts (Joanna Kijanka, Portal Games, 2021)13:48 -Catch the Moon (Fabien Riffaud & Juan Rodriguez, Bombyx, 2017)15:09 -A Feast for Odin: The Norwegians (Gernot Köpke & Uwe Rosenberg, Feuerland Spiele, 2018)16:45 -Zeppelin Attack! (Eric B. Vogel, Evil Hat Productions, 2014)19:22 -Arctic Scavengers (Robert K. Gabhart, Rio Grande Games, 2009)20:43 -Capital Lux 2: Generations (Eilif Svensson & Kristian Amundsen Østby, Aporta Games, 2021)23:04 -Wonderland's War (Tim Eisner, Ben Eisner, & Ian Moss, Druid City Games, 2022)26:53 -Flourish (James A. Wilson & Clarissa A. Wilson, Starling Games, 2021)News (and why it doesn't matter):29:37 Everdell digital on Steam by Dire Wolf30:37 www.patreon.com/svwag31:39 HeroScape: Age of Annihilation announced at GenCon34:35 Imperium: Horizons expandalone for Classics/Legends with 14 new civilizations37:05 SVWAG at the Shut Up & Sit Down Expo: SHUX! September 30 - October 237:19 Feature Game: Carnegie (Xavier Georges, Quined Games, 2022)

We share about the amazing gift and promise of our Heavenly Father, being filled with the Holy Spirit! Jesus told His disciples, "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." Peter then tells us, "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." So the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to be a witness, is for every believer!We share our own very different stories of how we received the gift of the Holy Spirit and began to speak in our heavenly prayer language (i.e. tongues).Enjoy and be encouraged. We plan to post a new episode every other Tuesday, so be sure to subscribe or follow if you want to be notified when new episodes come out. :) You can also find LOVE'S FIRE on YouTube as a video podcast series.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2MD4sH-ICoWFBeGdYMynxwMusic: Jimmy Kotter   

The final episode in a three-part discussion between Kimberly Hahn and her father Jerry Kirk. He shares personal stories and the small but meaningful ways that couples can live out Christian marriage. Subscribe to Beloved and Blessed at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To have your question answered on the show, email Kimberly at kimberly@belovedandblessed.com. Learn More Hear part one and part two of one Lessons from My Father in Faith and Family. Read Kimberly Hahn's book Beloved and Blessed: Biblical Wisdom for Family Life for a holistic approach to strengthening marriage and family life.

Morning: Romans 6:4; Romans 6:19; Romans 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15–16; Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 4:20–21; Ephesians 4:24 Walk in newness of life. Just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.—I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.—Neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them.—Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds…. But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus…. Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Romans 6:4 (Listen) 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (ESV) Romans 6:19 (Listen) 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. (ESV) Romans 12:1–2 (Listen) A Living Sacrifice 12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,1 by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.2 2 Do not be conformed to this world,3 but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.4 Footnotes [1] 12:1 Or brothers and sisters [2] 12:1 Or your rational service [3] 12:2 Greek age [4] 12:2 Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (ESV) 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Listen) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.1 The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Footnotes [1] 5:17 Or creature (ESV) Galatians 6:15–16 (Listen) 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. (ESV) Ephesians 4:17 (Listen) The New Life 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. (ESV) Ephesians 4:20–21 (Listen) 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, (ESV) Ephesians 4:24 (Listen) 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (ESV) Evening: Psalm 106:15; Psalm 131:2; Isaiah 26:3; Jeremiah 10:23; Matthew 20:22; Matthew 26:39; Matthew 26:42; Romans 8:26–27; 1 Corinthians 7:32; 1 Corinthians 10:6 “Your will be done.” I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.—“Not as I will, but as you will.”—But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. “You do not know what you are asking.”—He gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.—Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. I want you to be free from anxieties.—You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Psalm 106:15 (Listen) 15   he gave them what they asked,    but sent a wasting disease among them. (ESV) Psalm 131:2 (Listen) 2   But I have calmed and quieted my soul,    like a weaned child with its mother;    like a weaned child is my soul within me. (ESV) Isaiah 26:3 (Listen) 3   You keep him in perfect peace    whose mind is stayed on you,    because he trusts in you. (ESV) Jeremiah 10:23 (Listen) 23   I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself,    that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. (ESV) Matthew 20:22 (Listen) 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” (ESV) Matthew 26:39 (Listen) 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (ESV) Matthew 26:42 (Listen) 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” (ESV) Romans 8:26–27 (Listen) 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because1 the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Footnotes [1] 8:27 Or that (ESV) 1 Corinthians 7:32 (Listen) 32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 10:6 (Listen) 6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. (ESV)

Author Gary E. Kerr is coming to the Kewanee Public Library on Saturday August 6th for a book signing. Mr. Kerr, a well known lawyer in the Peoria area, authored a book about his father, Roy Kerr, from Kewanee, Illinois was a veteran of War War 2. Late in his life, his son, Gary, had him record his World War 2 stories and those stories, along with stories from Roy's life before and after the war, back in Kewanee, comprise the book "World War 2 My Father's Journey: Friendship War Romance." Gary E. Kerr will be signing copies of his book on Saturday, August 6th beginning at 10:30 Am.

This week it's all about being intentional and finding true fulfillment with Tom Conway. Margo sits down in person with Tom in his 1888 farmhouse located on Vashon Island, the same one where he pens a blog called Tall Clover Farm. Tom shares projects, island life, farm duties, and the joy of growing fruit, flowers, and good food. He embraces the beauty of the bulldog, succumbs to the power of pie, worships the peach, contends summer is never long enough, and has never met a hammock he didn't like. His home and property are his canvas where he paints with words and photography to share putting in a good day and keeping life neighborly.   Margo and Tom discuss: Life before moving to Vashon Island and his experience living in just about every neighborhood in Seattle prior The character and stories behind his 1888 farmhouse and how he's gone about renovating it All things baking pies and why it's actually more simple than you'd think Growing flowers for floral trade and wedding events The power of a blog and why he chose that particular medium for sharing The importance of of having systems and structure in place before the ‘pretty stuff' Being able to learn along the way and allowing yourself to try new things Being intentional with your involvement in just about anything Standing for your own values while also being able to listen and hear someone else How to find true fulfillment in life   Mentioned in this episode: Tom's favorite roses: Compassion, Eddie's Jewel, Nootka Rose, Alchymist Christianson's Nursery  My Father's Glory (movie) My Mother's Castle (movie)   Connect with Tom: www.tallcloverfarm.com www.instagram.com/tall.clover.farm

And on the 3rd day, Mary and the disciples went to the grave only to find that the stone is rolled away for them to have access as stated in "Matthew 28:2 - And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it". This is amazing as the angel sat on the stone making sure that it does not close or go back. Beloved, the Life of Christ is a life of dominion, authority, rulership, and power-assisted by angels at work 24/7 so it is with you. Jesus made a bold statement when He was arrested in "Matthew 26:53 - Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels"? This means He also recognizes the office of Angels and they respond at the command of the Christ man.

Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. O you who hear prayer, to you all people will come. When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.…You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it” (Psalm 65:1-4,9). Reading through the psalms can feel like riding a rollercoaster. Yesterday, Psalm 64 led us to a deep introspection of the cunningness of our own hearts. Such things are never fun, even though under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the work can be profitable. From the darkness of the human heart, Psalm 65 ushers us into the glories of God's movements in the cosmos. Yet the distance between the two is but the blink of an eye. This psalm does not ignore the realities of human sinfulness. Rather, it recognizes that the disasters we create are overwhelming. We get buried under the chaos our own cunningness creates. The only way to get ‘unburied' is to turn to God and God alone. In his goodness, God comes to the rescue. That is what this psalm is about. If we are still stuck in the darkness of the misery we have caused, or others have caused for us, this psalm offers us profound hope. It plays two melodies. The first is the praise that describes the power of God. Those who are near him are blessed. He is the God of salvation, whose power controls the raging of nature and of human affairs. It is our Lord who gives the land fertility and brings about the joy of its great productivity. His awe-inspiring deeds bring about the reverential fear of all who dwell in it. For Israel, God's presence was centred in Jerusalem, His holy city. But His works extended out to immense horizons of creation and history. He is the Hearer of Prayer unto whom all people may come. For Christians, we believe that, through Jesus, everyone is invited to come before God in prayer (Hebrews 10:19-22) and receive his grace. God visits the earth and moves through it like a conqueror, but unlike human conquerors he does not leave it desolate. His trail through the land leaves fertility and abundance behind, unlike armies of old and today who leave destruction and famine and starvation in their wake. Fatness drips from the tracks of the great Hearer of Prayer. This is the first melody of Psalm 65. The second are the petitions which ask God to pour forth His blessings. In God's rule of the universe, He does not need our prayers, yet He desires them. The strong word of Scripture is that we don't receive if we don't ask. Thus, we turn to the great Hearer of Prayer for forgiveness of our transgressions. And he forgives, true. But the word translated ‘forgave' has a richer meaning. It says, “you make atonement for”. God not only forgives, he also sets things right. That is what this psalm leans into. We wreck relationships, we devastate the planet, we refuse to give justice, but God does not do these things. He is the God of redemption. The strongest impact of the psalm is surely in the joy over the gift of rain and the flourishing which results from God's coming. He sustains His creation with active involvement in its mountains and oceans, its water supply, and its harvests, bringing life amid human devastation. His work is to undo all the damage we bring. Surely, this is what Jesus meant when he said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working”. This comment after he enabled a lame man to walk (John 5:17). The melodies of this Psalm sing of His saving power throughout creation and of our prayers for complete redemption. They are in captioned in the yearning of the Bible's closing prayer, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Reddit rSlash Storytime maliciouscompliance where Apply Internally and Externally… okay? Why Didn't I Use Amazon? THIS Is Why! My Father vs. the Home Owners' Association Sure, I'll say something... Manager told us to consider other places to work See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sam Vincent was a twenty-something writer working in Canberra when he gets a call from his mother – his father has got his hand caught in a wood chipper. When Sam returns to the family farm to help out, it is the beginning of a process that leads him to think differently about the farm, his father and his relationship with both. Sam's farming apprenticeship is an education in grit and shit but gradually Sam moves from farmhand to custodian of the land, and along the way he finds himself embracing the idea of regenerative farming. The result is a not only the introduction of new methods of farming but a continuation and development of his father's ideas about how a farm should operate. 'My Father And Other Animals' is an affectionate, funny and surprising memoir, deeply rooted in the notion of regeneration – of land, family and culture. In this episode Gregory Dobbs chats to Sam Vincent about how his father didn't quite fit the profile of the archetypal Australian farmer, the moment when Sam's life took a new and unexpected direction, and how learning to work with the land and the idea regenerative farming became a passion.

Meet award-winning author Janet Raye Stevens – mom, reader, tea-drinker (okay, tea guzzler), and weaver of smart, stealthily romantic tales. A Derringer Award finalist, Janet's work has been recognized multiple times, including winning the Daphne du Maurier award for the WWII-set paranormal A Moment After Dark and RWA's Golden Heart® award for the fun and flirty holiday romance Cole for Christmas. Janet writes mystery, time travel, paranormal, and the occasional Christmas romance with humor, heart, and a dash of suspense. She lives in New England with her husband, who's practically perfect in every way, and their various family members, all geniuses and good-looking to boot. janetrayestevens.com Readings: To the Rooming House from Beryl Blue, Time Cop – 14:04 At the Nightclub with the Soldiers from Beryl Blue, Time Cop – 27:18 A Moment After Dark – 44:18 Michael's Beer Pairings: Northern Standard, Fulton Beer (paired to To the Rooming House) – 11:41 Coors Banquet, Coors Brewing Company (paired to At the Nightclub with the Soldiers) – 24:40 Saporro Premium Beer, Sapporo (paired to A Moment After Dark) – 41:30 Interview Highlights: A childhood immersed in WWII – 18:52 What was good about the 1940s? – 19:39 The Day My Teacher Wore a Miniskirt to School – 32:18 Why do some wars get more fictional attention than others? – 38:22 Why a mortician with paranormal gifts? – 49:43 Getting into the minds of others – 53:35 COMING NEXT MONTH: Nancie Laird Young, Author of Tea with Dad: Finding Myself in My Father's Life UPCOMING EVENTS: Gabriel's Horn is accepting submissions for its anthology Release of Saint in the Cellar by Laura Vosika and Chris R. Powell, available in print, ebook, and hard cover. Our theme music is from www.bensound.com.

Kimberly Hahn sits down with her father as he reflects on the beauty of Christian marriage, and a life lived for Christ.  Subscribe to Beloved and Blessed at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. To have your question answered on the show, email Kimberly at kimberly@belovedandblessed.com. Learn More  Hear part one of one Lessons from My Father in Faith and Family. Read Kimberly Hahn's book Beloved and Blessed: Biblical Wisdom for Family Life for a holistic approach to strengthening marriage and family life.

Glory be to God! **

Pastor Jeremy shares Sunday in Glendive. Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 2 Cor 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. We deceive ourselves if we do not “Do the Word” 1. To “Do the Word” you must REMEMBER the Word 2. To “Do the Word” you must PRACTICE the Word a. James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does You can know about: ● Living right ● Tithing ● Walking in love ● Living by faith ● Healing ● Witnessing Ez 33:30-32 "As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, 'Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.' 31 So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 32 Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. 1. People want to “Hear” the words from the Lord...but they do not want to “Do” them. 2. I am going to do...I need to do...I have to start doing...God's been dealing w/ me about doing...The Lord knows my heart... 3. We will be judged by our “Works” not our intentions. 4. We will be held accountable for the Light/Revelation that has been given to us. 5. Just because we know something doesn't mean we are doing something. Matt 7:20-27 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' 24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." Luke 6:46-49 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great." John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Why would someone build their house w/o a foundation...they are deceived You can know about: ● Living right ● Tithing ● Walking in love ● Living by faith ● Healing ● Witnessing Luke 19:20-22 Then another came, saying, 'Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. 21 For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.' 22 And he said to him, 'Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.

  Obedience ensures your destination Obedience is the Christian's crown.   - Shiller Obedience to the cross ensures the Victor's crown. Obedience is to hear God's word and act accordingly. By Pastor George Lehman Once again, we impress the absolute importance of “obedience” on the hearts of God's children. There are many Christians who believe in the doctrine of eternal security. I.E. “Once saved, always saved”. When you begin to look at scripture it becomes clear and evident that this is not so and gives people who continue to live habitually in an ungodly lifestyle after being saved false hope! 2 Peter 1:9-11 (Amp) – For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [spiritually] shortsighted, seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins.  10 Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and  eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or  fall.  11 Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This passage of scripture is difficult to dispute because it exposes the idea of once saved, always saved. It states a simple command that God asks us to obediently carry out. The opposite is also true – if we fail to do what Peter advises then our calling and election may not be sure. If we stumble, an entrance will not be supplied to us into the Kingdom of God. Consider this - God has done His part. - He called or elected us out of all the billions on this planet. - He forgave us – granted us repentance - Gave us His Holy Spirit. - He opened up the truth to us. - Revealed Himself and His way of life to us. - He made a new covenant with us. - Took us out of darkness and brought us into the light. There is no end to what God has done for us. Nevertheless, if we do not reciprocate [wederkerig] the relationship He begun will fall apart. Our calling and election are not certain without us doing our part. The bible is very clear that we can fall away and not make it into the Kingdom of God. Please consider this: Tell those faithful committed obedient people who gave up their lives for Jesus. Hebrews 11:37-38 (NIV) – 37They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated – 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. Tell them it's okay to live a disobedient, careless compromising life of sin. Tell them you can live just the way you want to and you're on your way to heaven. Without Holiness we won't see God Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) -  Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Why did Peter write this to the church? Because the church was experiencing various false teachings, turning people away from an obedience to God. 2 Peter 1:12 (Amp) – So I intend always to remind you about these things, although indeed you know them and are firm in the truth that [you] now [hold]. Why would Satan put false teachers in the church if there was no chance for the people to fall away? Question: Why would Peter have to remind the church of their calling and election to make it sure? When something is acceptable and valid[van krag], it is determined to be genuine, true, real, authentic, or legitimate. How do Christians show themselves to be valid to their calling and election? The answer is simple:  Jesus describes it in: Matthew 7:16-21 (Amp) – You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?  17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit.  18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration].  19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.  20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.  21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. We show our true, genuine, legitimate life by the fruit we produce. Jesus also said in: John 15:1-2 (Amp) – I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.  2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit. *God has called us to an obedient fruit-full growing life.   John 15:4-6 (Amp) – Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.  5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.  6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. This destroys the “once saved, always saved” teaching.   Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV) – Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Jesus wants to present us holy, blameless and irreproachable to the Father in His Kingdom. But we have a part to play too! - If we uphold our part of the covenant! Paul says… Philippians 2:12 (NKJV) –  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; The point is, if a Christian commits sin, he is guilty even though God's grace has covered him in the past (unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin). If a Christian continues in the sin until it becomes a habitual way of life, he is in danger of losing his salvation promised to him. Paul makes this very clear statement… Hebrews 10:26-29 (NIV) – If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? Jesus warned us… Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV) –  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Lukewarm Jesus spits you out) Peter says… 2 Peter 2:20-22 (NIV) – If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” “Obedience determines our end destination”. John 8:51 (Amp) – Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death. That's why John wrote… 1 John 1:9 (Amp) -  If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. James gives the path to restoration. James 4:7-10 (Amp) – So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.  8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].  9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].  10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]. May we be found every day being teachable, changeable, moldable and walking in OBEDIENCE. I don't believe there is anyone listening to me now, who wants to be disobedient on purpose. Who wants to just scrape into heaven by the skin of your teeth? No, we want to finish strong and hear the words of Jesus say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” *****

Your Part Matters - Open Hearts & Hands THEME - The Gospel accounts that tell us the story of Jesus also include imperfect people (like us) who are used by God because they have hearts for Him and hands that are willing to serve Him. Bad reality #1 = We think that the universe should center on us Bad reality #2 = We think we are insignificant and meaningless Different reality = We are not the center of the universe but we are significant Luke 23:50-53 There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed. Matthew 27:57 - 57 When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. What we know about Joseph of Arimathea He was an important person in Jerusalem He was wealthy He followed Jesus Joseph's heart was changed by Jesus Ezekiel 36:26 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. As our heart is miraculously softened by Jesus we ask… How do I live for God? Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. John 19:38 - After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus' body. Matthew 10:32-33 - Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. What did a step of faith look like for Joseph? Using what God had given him Getting his hands dirty Luke 23:53 - Taking it [the body] down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed. Matthew 27:​​59-60 - So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. Do you have a heart open to God? (That has been changed by God?) Are your hands willing to serve Him? If so, what does that look like?

It's our special GenCon 2022 preview episode! Jason and I have combed the Board Game Geek preview page and pulled out several games that caught our eye, so have a listen and find out if any of them are worth your attention and time at the show! Games discussed during this show include: Warhammer, Castles By the Sea, Vampire the Masquerade, Marvel Champions: Mutant Genesis, Twilight Inscription, My Father's Work, Dice Hunters of Therion, Akropolis, CoraQuest, Wormholes, Planet Unknown, Lords of Vaala: Dragonbond, Legends of Sleepy Hollow, Spaceship Unity, A Battle Through History, Evergreen, Maui, Forgotten Depths, Terracotta Army, and Distant Suns.

Hey Everyone! Welcome back to The Freedom Podcast, we have a great episode for you all today. We are looking into Psalms 23 and how the Lord promises to meet our every need, even when we are in the most difficult times in our lives. Make sure to share this one with a friend! Show Notes Psalms 23: God Meets Our Emotional Needs “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalms 23:1-4 NKJV We try to distract ourselves from the disappointment that life can bring. How does this manifest in todays society? Anxiety, depression, anger, jealousy, no margin in our lives, “busyness”, etc. How does the Lord restore our soul? “He makes us lie down…” Have you ever truly been quiet and still with God? When I go through the valley who/what am I putting my trust in? In what ways do I try to distract myself from my fears & failures instead of running to the Lord & resting in his presence? Do I only lean on God when times are hard? -The temptation in the valley is to quit. But David says even when he's in the valley he will NOT fear. God gives us a gift even when we're in the valley. He gives us his presence. -When we run out of human options we will discover His supernatural presence. -God doesn't give us what we want - he gives us what we NEED. What fruit may come from this valley or difficulty that you are going through? -In the shadows we get to see who God really is. We must not only trust God in the mountain tops but in the valleys. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.” John 10:27-29 NKJV --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thefreedompodcast/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thefreedompodcast/support

Tom Vasel takes a look at My Father's Work!

Get one man's perspective on homeshooling high school AND hear about an amazing curriculum option that does it all for you. David Hazell is the CEO of My Father's World books, and in this episode we discuss homeschooling high school in general and My Father's World in particular.  My Father's World is a Christian literature-based curriculum for all levels, and this interview contains a large amount of Christian content. Listen to be encouraged and inspired about your homeschool high school journey, regardless of which curriculum you use. But maybe you'll decide to take a look at My Father's World after hearing about how unique it is!  SHOW NOTES

Pastor Lowell Nelson teaches on the John 5: 31-47 on 7/27/2022 for our Wednesday Bible Study. John 5:31-47 Witnesses to Jesus 31 "If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. 32 "There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the witness which He witnesses of Me is true. 33 "You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 "Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved. 35 "He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. 36 "But I have a greater witness than John's; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish - the very works that I do - bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 "But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. 41 "I do not receive honor from men. 42 "But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 "I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? 45 "Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you - Moses, in whom you trust. 46 "For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 "But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?"

Author Ada Calhoun talks with Liz DiNovella about her most recent book, “Also a Poet: Frank O'Hara, My Father, and Me“, giving personal insight into her father, “New York School” […] The post Also a Poet: Frank O'Hara, My Father, and Me appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Caring for a sick or aging loved one can be an uncertain journey filled with every emotion—from love and devotion to anger and frustration.  Dave Iverson pulls back the curtain on the decade he spent caring for his elderly mother to offer a modern love story with insights and meaning for anyone who is a caregiver or anyone who has ever loved. Iverson is a writer, documentary film producer, director and retired broadcast journalist.  He was 59, he moved in with his 95-year-old mother who could no longer care for herself.  His new memoir, “Winter Stars: An Elderly Mother, an Aging Son and Life's Final Journey,” tells the story of the 10-year caregiving odyssey they shared until her passing at the age of 105.  Iverson has produced and reported more than 20 documentary specials for PBS, including the Frontline film, “My Father, My Brother and Me” which explored his family saga with Parkinson's disease.  He has served as a special correspondent to the PBS NewsHour and hosted local PBS and NPR programs for 35 years at Wisconsin Public Broadcasting and at KQED San Francisco.  Iverson is also a founding member of The Michael J. Fox Foundation's Patient Council.  He is the recipient of a national Emmy, four regional Emmys and numerous film festival citations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Dan, Mitch, Adrian and Def as the crew chalks up episode 200. In Sizzling Games: Dan has been desperately digging dangerous dungeons, Adrian has been creating crazy concoctions and conniving contraptions, Def has been appreciating artwork and acting aloof, and finally Mitch has been selecting sets of stuff for slaying. In the Board Game Bracket Battle - it's all come down to this: Quacks of Quedlinburg vs Brass: Birmingham. To make sure your favourite goes through to the Grand Final make sure you vote on our socials. Finally, in Swear An Oath, Dan played On Mars (with the assistance of Ian O'Toole), Mitch beat back the Arkham cultists in Pandemic: Reign of Cthulu, Def is holding back the On Mars Alien Invasion while he waits for Adrian to lend a hand, and Adrian got Star Realms to the table. New oaths include Great Western Trail (Dan), Marvel Dice Throne (Mitch), Undaunted: North Africa (Def), and Hues & Cues (Adrian)   Sizzling Games: Delve (16:15), My Father's Work (27:10), The Gallerist (42:25), Here To Slay (53:52) Board Game Bracket: (1:00:05) Swear An Oath: (1:15:20)   Check out our Eventbrite page for all of our upcoming Game Days: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/board-game-bbq-32833304483   Has this episode left you with a thirst for more? Here are all of the games that we discussed: Clans of Caledonia (2017)  The Transcontinental (2022)  Fort (2020)  Xia: Legends of a Drift System (2014)  Delve (2020)  My Father's Work (2022)  The Gallerist (2015)  Ghost Blitz (2010)  Here To Slay (2020)  Architects of the West Kingdom (2018)  Brass: Birmingham (2018)  The Quacks of Quedlinburg (2018)  On Mars (2020)  Great Western Trail: 2nd Ed (2021)  Pandemic: Reign of Cthulu (2016)  Marvel Dice Throne (2022) Undaunted: North Africa (2020)  Star Realms (2014)  Hues & Cues (2020)    **SPONSORS** Our podcast is proudly sponsored by Advent Games. Advent Games (http://www.adventgames.com.au/) are an Australian online board game store based in Sydney, NSW. Their core values are integrity, customer satisfaction, and providing a wide range of products including those hard-to-find board games. Our Board Game Bracket 2.0 is proudly sponsored by Game Toppers LLC. They have joined the BBQ, and are even providing us with one of their Game Toppers for our Game Days! Check out their Kickstarter now! These Game Toppers are amazing, and can transform any old table into an A1 quality Game Table! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/burky/game-toppers-30-upgrading-every-game-you-play?ref=discovery&term=game%20toppers **PATREON** Yes, that's right. We have a Patreon. By becoming a Patreon member you will receive exclusive content, have access to a members only section of our discord where you can contribute to the content of the show, and much more. Your Patreon support will also allow us to expand the podcast and deliver some exciting upcoming projects that we have planned for 2022. Our team at the Board Game BBQ Podcast love what we do and will continue to deliver the same shenanigans that you have come to expect from us, and we are already incredibly grateful and humbled by all of your support. Being a member of the Patreon is by no means an obligation and please do not support the Patreon if it will it cause you financial hardship in any way. But if you would like to support us from as little as USD$5 a month please click the link and head to the Patreon page. Thanks again for all of your continued support. We work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive community and you are all awesome. See you at the BBQ!! Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/BoardGameBBQ **SOCIALS** Support the podcast and join the community! https://linktr.ee/BoardGameBBQ

According to Amazon, Bruce Jenvey was raised in rural Michigan with a great interest in history, popular culture and the paranormal. After twenty years in advertising, he spent the next ten years traveling the Great Lakes Region as a journalist before turning to fiction.Along the way, Bruce had unique access to untold incidents and documentation of the unexplained. Today, he is pleased to share with you so very many of these real-world experiences and accounts, all pulled together and retold in the fictionalized saga of his Cabbottown Witches: Angela's Coven (2011), The Great Northern Coven (2012), The Ragtime Coven (2015) and the main stream fiction best seller, My Father's Ashes (2016).Bruce is now retired and has returned to Western Michigan.BooksHeroes and Haunts of the Great LakesMy Father's Ashes: A Young Man's Journey Through His Father's Life

In this episode, we discuss recordings of “Paul Wranitzky: Symphonies” by The Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin / Bernhard Forck, “Einojuhani Rautavaara: Lost Landscapes” by Simone Lamsma & The Malmö Symphony Orchestra / Robert Trevino, “Mozart & Birchall: Clarinet Concertos” by Michael Collins, The Philharmonia Orchestra, Wigmore Soloists & Robin O'Neill, “Trios: Chapel” by Charles Lloyd, “My Father's Hands” by Cyrus Chestnut, and “Oak Tree” by Tom Harrell.   The Adult Music Podcast is featured in: Feedspot's Best 60 Jazz Podcasts   Episode 73 Deezer Playlist   “Paul Wranitzky: Symphonies” (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi) Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin / Bernhard Forck https://open.spotify.com/artist/1R1hwKrqqLqYiD53NtXEBJ/discography/album?pageUri=spotify:album:5rBtcOg7G3zwG7EKIUQC75 https://music.apple.com/us/album/paul-wranitzky-symphonies/1612818411   “Einojuhani Rautavaara: Lost Landscapes” (Ondine) Works For Violin and Orchestra Simone Lamsma (violin), Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Robert Trevino https://open.spotify.com/artist/33lOYsbRwHN4yiX8F8Bqbo/discography/all?pageUri=spotify:album:2DKRz5CmzeXpLre1RwgzMQ https://music.apple.com/us/album/rautavaara-works-for-violin-orchestra/1613577994   “Mozart & Birchall: Clarinet Concertos” (BIS) Michael Collins (basset clarinet) Philharmonia Orchestra, Wigmore Soloists, Robin O'Neill https://open.spotify.com/album/7qgrY2g4o5gam7i9lZHQSd https://music.apple.com/us/album/mozart-birchall-clarinet-concertos/1613577181   “Trios: Chapel” (Blue Note) Charles Lloyd https://open.spotify.com/artist/0GC1oqEWpiAjfE7jm5LQO5/discography/all?pageUri=spotify:album:32MrVAtvTckqDaxfomNQ5T https://music.apple.com/us/album/trios-chapel-live-feat-bill-frisell-thomas-morgan/1623224880   “My Father's Hands” (Highnote) Cyrus Chestnut https://open.spotify.com/artist/319U6LVt3j3iT9oAEzrpRO/discography/all?pageUri=spotify:album:7kiKrduG08XVXYeVIB7n5g https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-fathers-hands/1626147227   “Oak Tree” (Highnote) Tom Harrell https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YO63Be7QxrxqBQtgKc4Oc/discography/all?pageUri=spotify:album:5Cu82tv24KrXK43kyjH2dr https://music.apple.com/us/album/oak-tree/1625809415

We don't just want the Holy Spirit to visit us. We want the Holy Spirit to be a welcomed guest who finds His home in us. How do we position ourselves to become the resting place of the Most High? In John 14:23, Jesus said, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." In the greatest commandment (Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength - Mark 12:29-30) is the key to position ourselves to be the resting place of the Holy Spirit. But what does it really mean to love God will all your heart, mind and strength? Find out in today's message.

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 16–18 2 Chronicles 16–18 (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. Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah 17 Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured. 3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. 6 His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8 and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 And they taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the LORD with them. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. 10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute, and the Arabians also brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats. 12 And Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities, 13 and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. 14 This was the muster of them by fathers' houses: Of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, with 300,000 mighty men of valor; 15 and next to him Jehohanan the commander, with 280,000; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, a volunteer for the service of the LORD, with 200,000 mighty men of valor. 17 Of Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, with 200,000 men armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad with 180,000 armed for war. 19 These were in the service of the king, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab 18 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He answered him, “I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.” 4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the LORD.” 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.” 6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the LORD of whom we may inquire?” 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 8 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.” 9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes. And they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them. 10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.'” 11 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph. The LORD will give it into the hand of the king.” 12 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 13 But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what my God says, that I will speak.” 14 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And he answered, “Go up and triumph; they will be given into your hand.” 15 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” 16 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.'” 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” 18 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left. 19 And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?' And one said one thing, and another said another. 20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, ‘I will entice him.' And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?' 21 And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.' 22 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The LORD has declared disaster concerning you.” 23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go from me to speak to you?” 24 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 25 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king's son, 26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him with meager rations of bread and water until I return in peace.'” 27 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!” The Defeat and Death of Ahab 28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. 30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.” 31 As soon as the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God drew them away from him. 32 For as soon as the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 33 But a certain man drew his bow at random3 and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 34 And the battle continued that day, and the king of Israel was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians until evening. Then at sunset he died. Footnotes [1] 16:3 Or treaty; twice in this verse [2] 16:9 Or whole [3] 18:33 Hebrew in his innocence (ESV) Psalm: Psalm 21 Psalm 21 (Listen) The King Rejoices in the Lord's Strength To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 21   O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices,    and in your salvation how greatly he exults!2   You have given him his heart's desire    and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah3   For you meet him with rich blessings;    you set a crown of fine gold upon his head.4   He asked life of you; you gave it to him,    length of days forever and ever.5   His glory is great through your salvation;    splendor and majesty you bestow on him.6   For you make him most blessed forever;1    you make him glad with the joy of your presence.7   For the king trusts in the LORD,    and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved. 8   Your hand will find out all your enemies;    your right hand will find out those who hate you.9   You will make them as a blazing oven    when you appear.  The LORD will swallow them up in his wrath,    and fire will consume them.10   You will destroy their descendants from the earth,    and their offspring from among the children of man.11   Though they plan evil against you,    though they devise mischief, they will not succeed.12   For you will put them to flight;    you will aim at their faces with your bows. 13   Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength!    We will sing and praise your power. Footnotes [1] 21:6 Or make him a source of blessing forever (ESV) New Testament: Matthew 26 Matthew 26 (Listen) The Plot to Kill Jesus 26 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, 2 “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” 3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. 5 But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.” Jesus Anointed at Bethany 6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper,1 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” Judas to Betray Jesus 14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. The Passover with the Disciples 17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. 20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.2 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” Institution of the Lord's Supper 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the3 covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. Jesus Prays in Gethsemane 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch4 with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.5 See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus 47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”6 Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant7 of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council 57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council8 were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”9 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” Peter Denies Jesus 69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Footnotes [1] 26:6 Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 [2] 26:20 Some manuscripts add disciples [3] 26:28 Some manuscripts insert new [4] 26:38 Or keep awake; also verses 40, 41 [5] 26:45 Or Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? [6] 26:50 Or Friend, why are you here? [7] 26:51 Or bondservant [8] 26:59 Greek Sanhedrin [9] 26:62 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you? (ESV)

Audio Transcript: This media has been made available by Mosaic Boston Church. If you'd like to check out more resources, learn about Mosaic Boston and our neighborhood churches, or donate to this ministry, please visit mosaicboston.com Father, we just want to thank you for adopting us into your family. We thank you for the family that we have in Christ, and we thank you that you are a good Father. That you are a father who loves to speak to us as your children, and I pray right now that you would speak to us through your Word. That Holy Spirit, you would use this time to communicate to us all that you would have us to know from this amazing passages of Scripture that we have before us today. Lord, I pray that you would bless our time in your Word. And I pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. All right. Title of today's sermon is Overcome Your Fear of the Future. How do you think about the future? How much do you think about the future? I'd be willing to guess that most of us probably spend more time thinking about what might happen in the future than we do about what has happened in the past, or even what is happening in the present. We are Bostonians. We are very goal-oriented people. We have education goals and career goals and finance goals and health goals and personal goals and family goals. And there's nothing wrong with setting goals, but how do you think about the future? Does the future when you look and you think about the next year ahead of you, the next five years, maybe 10, 20, 50 plus years of your life ahead, does that bring you a sense of peace and excitement and contentment and joy? Or like many of us, does the future stress you out? You're thinking about what's coming. You're thinking about what's ahead. You're thinking about what might happen. And maybe that leads to worry, concern, anxiety, and stress, because we're all tempted to ask this question, what if? Like what if something goes wrong? What if things don't go as I'm planning? What if I don't have enough? What if I fail? What if I let down the people that I care about? What if things keep getting worse? What if the government gets worse? What if the economy gets worse? What if I can't find a job? What if I lose my job? What if I hate my job? What if I hate my boss? What if I get a bad roommate? What if I can't afford my rent? What if the people I care about move away from the city? What if I get sick? What if my child gets sick? What if they struggle with school? What if they struggle with their faith? What if a loved one dies? What if my relationship falls apart? There's just no end to the what ifs that we could ask and it is always there. What if things never get any better than they are right now? Or what if tomorrow is worse than today? The thing is, that's a question that we've actually been commanded not to ask. Not literally word for word, but what did Jesus tell us in Matthew chapter 6 in the Sermon on the Mount? Jesus told his disciples... There're three things he says. "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What do we eat? What shall we drink? What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles, they seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." There's an old motivational speaker who used to say that, "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow. It only saps today of its joy." That's true, but it doesn't really go far enough. The problem with worry is not just that it's ineffective, it's unproductive. It's that it's inappropriate, at least for the Christian, because worry denies the power and love of our Father who provides and for protects. Now when the world worries, it worries because it should, it's rational for the world to worry. There's no reason not to, but for the Christian, worry, it is against the new nature that we have been given in Christ. It is irrational. It is uncharacteristic of the children of God. And ultimately it's inappropriate because for the Christian to worry about the future, it's kind of like saying, "God, I know that you forgave me. I just not so sure that you can save me. I don't know if you're really going to take care of me." Now, we might not think that, we might not say it out loud, but when we worry, when we're anxious, it shows that deep in our hearts, part of us still believes that it's true. And so how do we overcome our doubts and our fears of the future? That's what we're talking about for the last few weeks. The Apostle Paul has been expanding on this idea that he introduced to us way back in verse 15 if you were here a few weeks ago. In Romans 8:15, he tells us this, that you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" And that the Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs. Heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. If God is our Father, can we really trust that he is a good Father, a strong Father, that he is going to take care of us? If you have your Bibles, open up to Romans chapter 8. We are looking at verse 16 through 30 today. And in our passage today, the Apostle Paul, he's going to describe three blessings. You can think of these as tools or weapons in our arsenal. Three things that Jesus Christ gives us in order to overcome the spirit of fear in our lives and replace it with a spirit of faith so that we, as God's children, can face our future with confidence and peace and joy and courage and hope, because we know that we have a Father in heaven, and we know that we are safe in the Father's hands. So if you have your Bibles, this is Romans chapter 8, beginning in verse 26. The Apostle Paul writes this. He says: "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." That is the reading of God's Word for us today. And the big idea of the sermon today, it could really be summed up in one sentence. That's this. That in Christ we have provision, purpose, and perspective to persevere unto perfection. And I know you're all tired of hearing how much pastors love alliteration, but it's just it's there, but hopefully it's sticky. Hopefully it helps you to remember this. Memorize this sentence, memorize this passage, memorize this chapter, because if you can get this thing... The things that we are going to talk about today, if you can get them into your mind so that they grip your heart, this will completely transform the way you live your life. In Christ, we have all the provision, purpose, and perspective we need in order to persevere unto perfection. By perfection, I mean our glorification, the final eternal state that we are destined to arrive at if we are in Christ, where we will be perfected and live in the perfect presence of our God for all of eternity. And so, first of all, point number one today is that in Christ we have provision. I want you to think about your life as a journey and the kind of journey that you're on is really going to depend on a number of things. Maybe right now, your life feels like a journey that is filled with fear and confusion and anxiety like you've just been dropped in the wilderness. You don't know which direction to go, and you're trying to somehow search and find your way back to civilization. And what if I told you that your journey in life could be less like an episode of Survivorman, and more like you're getting ready for a grand adventure. You're going on a journey. You're heading towards a vacation, a place that's going to fill you with peace and joy and excitement and anticipation along the way. The thing that sets those two types of journeys apart are provision and purpose and perspective. If you're thinking about planning a journey, you're going on vacation, you have a good purpose, you have a goal. You know where you're going, what you're working toward. You also have perspective. You know where you are, you know where you're going, and you've got a map. You know how you're going to get there. And then thirdly, you have provisions. You take the time to pack your supplies, to get your plane tickets, your rental car, your accommodations. You've made sure that you're going to have everything you need to get there and back again. So if we want to overcome our fear of the future, the first thing that we need to know and we need to, not just know but believe, is that in Christ, you have a Father in heaven who will provide everything that you need to make this journey. Now, that doesn't mean that he's going to give you everything that you want, but he is going to give you everything that you need. And Paul tells us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness in verse 26, but we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Did you that God the Father always answers all the prayers of all of his children? Now, he doesn't always answer yes, but he does always answer best. And he does this through the intercession of the Holy Spirit. Back in verse 9 of chapter 8, Paul told us, "You're not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you." So first of all, we need to understand what a big deal this is. That if you are in Christ, the Holy Spirit of God dwells in you. Jesus actually told his disciples that this is better for us than if he were to be here physically in the room with us right now. This is John 16:5. He said, "I'm going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' But because I've said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts." Jesus tells his disciples that he's going to leave them and they're obviously filled with sorrow, but he says, "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." He'll send us the Spirit to help us. Luke chapter 11, one of Jesus's disciples comes to him and he asks him to teach them how to pray. And Jesus says something in response that should blow your mind. This blew my mind the first time someone helped me connect these dots. Luke chapter 11, look at verse 1. "Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he'd finished one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.' And he said to them, 'When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread.'" Remember that. Ask this. Ask every day for your daily bread. "And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who's indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation." And then he immediately begins to tell them a parable. He says, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of what? Of bread.' He told us to ask for our daily bread. Now he's telling us this parable about a friend who's asking for bread. And he says, "For a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; and he will answer him from within, 'Don't bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are in bed and I can't get up to give you anything.' But I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he's his friend, yet because of his impudence, he will rise and give him whatever he wants. 'Just take whatever you need. Just leave me alone. Let me go back to sleep.' "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly father give what? Give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.'" That when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," we're not just asking for God to meet our physical needs. We are. And he does. We're asking him also to meet our spiritual needs, our deepest, our greatest needs, and our greatest needs is the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And the point of this parable. It's not that God is this sleepy friend who shouldn't be bothered. It's that he is actually nothing like that. He is a good Father and it is his good joy and his delight to give good gifts to his children and he wants to give us everything we need. He wants to give us his Holy Spirit. And so God gives us his Spirit joyfully, freely. And what does the Spirit do? Paul puts it simply. He helps us. He helps us in our weakness. Jesus actually called the Holy Spirit the helper. And it's this idea of something that gives strength and support, like the pillars of a bridge that hold the weight. They hold it up. They hold it together. The Holy Spirit, he holds us up. He holds us steady. He holds us fast. He holds us secure. And the Holy Spirit does this in a lot of different ways, but one of the most important ways he does this is what we see in our text today. He does this by interceding in our prayers. Back in verse 26, "For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." You understand what Paul's saying here. In our weakness, we are susceptible to sin. We are susceptible to suffering. And even when we go to God in prayer, we don't always know what we want, what we need, what to ask for, what to say. We work with limited insight. We pray with limited information. And so if we don't know what to ask for, and if God already knows what we need before we do, then what's the point of prayer? Is prayer just a waste of time? And the answer is no. That even when we don't know what to ask for or what to say, the Holy Spirit of God intercedes on our behalf. And this is what this means. That the Spirit who is omniscience, who is God, who knows all, who is without weakness, without sin, will always pray the right thing on our behalf. And therefore God will always answer our prayers. And even if we don't know what to say, and even if God already knows what he needs, like a good Father, he still wants his children to run to him. When things are good, when things are bad, he just wants us to come and to pray. And so I said this earlier, this doesn't mean that he's always going to answer yes to all of our prayers, but he is going to answer with what's best in all of our prayers. And the application is just, it's simple. It's that you have a Father in heaven who cares for you, who wants to hear from you. You have the Holy Spirit of God within you groaning, praying, interceding on your behalf. And so therefore pray. Don't let weakness keep you from prayer. When you don't know what to say, when you don't know what you need in your moments of greatest weakness, that's the most important time for you to go to your Father because you know that you will never be praying in vain. Now, we might not always be able to see or understand why God answers our prayers in the ways that he does, but what this is showing us is that we can have faith. That however he does answer us, he's always doing what is best for us. He's always going to give you exactly what you need to become the person that he created you to be. This brings us to point two, that in Christ we have purpose. See, what we need and what we may think we need, or what we want are not always going to be the same thing. When our son Owen was three or four years old, he fell down on the playground and he got a big gash on the top of his head. And he ran to mom and dad and he cried out and he knew that he needed something. As it turns out, what he needed were stitches. I don't know if you've ever been with a three-year-old thing who needs stitches. It's traumatic. I knew what he needed, the doctor knew what he needed, but do you think he understood the purpose of what we were doing as he was being stitched up in that moment? He didn't understand anything but the pain. And yet I basically had to bearhug him, pin his arms down, hold him in a headlock as he's screaming at the top of his lungs, while the doctor tries to do her best to stitch up his wounds. It was extremely painful for him. It was more painful for me I'm pretty sure. It wasn't fun, but it was necessary and it was good to make him whole, to heal him, to give him what he truly needed. There was a good purpose in the pain, even if he couldn't understand it at the time. And see, our problem is that we often we care so much about our immediate comfort. Sometimes it's hard for us to see or understand how much God cares about our spiritual health and maturity and healing and growth. He wants what's best for us, even when we do not know or want what is best for ourselves. And because of this, we can have faith in those moments of pain that God is working out a good purpose. We saw this earlier in Romans chapter 5. It tells us in verse 1, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." But then he says, "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who's been given to us." That we see there's purpose here. That our pain is not pointless. Our pain is not in vain. Our pain is actually productive. It is producing something of eternal value. There is significance even in our deepest suffering. And knowing this, knowing that pain has a purpose, this is vital to our perseverance and the faith. Without purpose, it is difficult to endure even the most trivial of inconveniences. Have you ever left something in your car and you're like, "I have to get up, to put on pants, tie my shoes, find my keys, go down there. Maybe I'll just order a new one on Amazon." It's not worth it. Without purpose, we are exceptionally weak and lazy creatures, but with the right purpose, it becomes possible to endure virtually anything that we can conceive of. And this is what brings us to verse 28 of our text today. This is one of the most profound and encouraging statements in all of Scripture. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." You notice he doesn't say that we think, or we kind of hope, and he doesn't say that some things or maybe a few things or certain things work together. He says, "No, we know that all things work together for good." And he says this in the context of talking about suffering. This week, our kids were learning about the story of Joseph down in Kids Summer Nights. If he had kids there, hopefully they shared a little bit about that with you. And if you're familiar with the story of Joseph, you probably noticed some similarities to what Paul says in Romans 8:28 and to what Joseph says to his brothers near the end of that story. If you're not familiar with it, I'll just summarize it real quick. There's this man named Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. And Jacob had a son named Joseph, and Scripture tells us that he loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because Joseph was the son of his old age, that he was the baby. He doted on him. He spoiled him. You know the whole story of Joseph and the coat of many colors. He poured gifts out onto him. And obviously this caused problems because Joseph's brothers, they grew jealous. They grew bitter. Actually their hatred for this brother of theirs got so bad that when Joseph was around 17 years old, his brothers, they come up with this evil scheme where they are going to fake Joseph's death and sell him into slavery in Egypt. So at around 17 years old, Joseph loses everything he loves. He is taken from his family. He's taken from his home. And for 13 years, he is held captive, first as a slave, then later as a prisoner accused of a crime that he didn't commit. Finally, after 13 years in captivity, we see God's providential grace has actually been working behind the scenes this entire time to bring Joseph to where he is. That he raises Joseph up out of slavery or raises him out of prison. He raises him up and gives him favor with the people of power. And so eventually Joseph becomes the most powerful man in all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. And it is in this position that God then uses Joseph to save the world from a devastating famine. Now, near the end of the story, you remember Joseph's brothers, they're living in Canaan, they're running out of food. And so they resolve to travel, to take a trip to Egypt to see if maybe they can find food there. And of course, this is where they are reunited with their long lost brother. And when they realize who Joseph is, obviously their reaction is dread. It's fear, is terror, that surely Joseph is going to take his revenge, he's going to have us all put to death. But then there's a shocking twist in the story. Instead, Joseph chooses to forgive his brothers and he saves his family. And then some time goes by and eventually their father dies. Jacob dies. And once again, Joseph's brothers, they're fearful. They think, "Maybe Joseph was only sparing us on account of our dad. And now surely he's going to come and have his revenge." And this is in Genesis 50:15. "When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead they said, 'It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.' But Joseph said to them, 'Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.'" This is the God that Paul believed in, is the God of Providence and of purpose. A God who picks up broken pieces and turns them into something even more beautiful than they were before. And notice. It doesn't just say that what you intended for evil God used for good. So what you meant for evil, God actually meant it for good, that he had been working behind the scenes this entire time, orchestrating this entire thing to bring this about for the salvation of many people. God was sovereign over all of it. Even in the real choices that were being made by people along the way. Jacob was making real choices. Joseph was making real choices. His brothers, Potiphar, Potiphar, the Pharaoh, they were all making real choices. And yet we see that God was still sovereign, working providentially through all of it to bring about his plan. Paul believed in a God who does no evil, but is able to use even evil things and ordain them to be... to work them together for his own good pleasure, his own good purposes. Now, Joseph, of course, Joseph is just a type of Christ, that God was able to take the greatest evil in Joseph's life and use it for good. But ultimately this is meant to point us forward to the reality that God took the absolute greatest evil in all of human history, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and used that for the greatest, absolute, greatest good, the redemption of his people and the glorification of his Son. And now we see examples of this all throughout Scripture, but what I hope for you today is that can you see examples of this in your life? Because in Christ we should be able to look back on our lives and see glimpses of God's glory at work, bringing about his purposes, even through the painful seasons that we've experienced. Now, sometimes we'll be able to look back and it's going to be crystal clear. Like I can see what God was doing through that situation and I'm thankful that he did now. Other times it's not going to be that way. Sometimes we're going to look back and the purpose is going to be harder to see. But even when the purpose is not clear, the promise is clear. The promise remains that God is working all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. He used the suffering of Joseph, he used the suffering of Christ, so that by faith, we can now have assurance that he is working both the good and the bad together for our good. Romans 8, we saw this verse last week, Roman 8:18 says, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." And so in Christ we have provision to persevere. We have a Father who is always faithful and will give us everything that we need to make this journey. In Christ, we have the purpose to persevere. We don't lose heart because we have assurance that nothing we suffer, nothing that we sacrifice in this life will be in vain. And then finally, most importantly, we are able to persevere because in Christ we have perspective. This points through... Romans 8:28 continues, "And I know that for those who love God all things worked together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order to make him the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." When I was in college, I worked in a chain factory making big industrial chains for construction equipment and farm equipment. And I worked in a factory. It was hot, it was loud. It was hard work. Some of the jobs were fun. I got to drive a fork truck for a while. That was a super fun job. Most of the time though, I was a press operator. So I would sit at this large, massive press and I would just do the same thing over and over and over thousands of times for some eight, 10 hours in a day. It was tedious. It was monotonous. It was hard work. Now imagine if at the beginning of my time there, my boss had come to me and said, "Hey, here's what you're going to do. And if you work this press for us, then at the end of the week, there's a pretty good chance we might pay you." You'd say, "Well, that's a pretty good chance I'm quitting right now. I'll I will see you later. I'm not taking that chance." But that is not the perspective that I had. What I saw from my perspective was that I was going to be paid fairly to do the job that they asked me to do, that this money was going to help pay for my future, pay for my education. That these chains were going to be installed in equipment that would build great things and go into tractors that would help farmers be more efficient. And they would help produce crops, which would feed people. And so that there was dignity in this work and what I was doing, it mattered and it was going to pay off. And that was guaranteed. That perspective helped me to get through and keep on going even when the job was hard. And this is the point. As Christians, we have the privilege of perspective that God shows us the end from the beginning, that we already know the outcome of our faith. And so we can trust that all of our suffering, all of our sacrifice in this life is not a loss. It's actually in an investment. It's an investment into eternity. And it's one that we know the return on that investment, it is not just going to be potentially parabolic. It is already guaranteed. That in Christ, God is giving us every provision for our journey. In Christ, God is using every obstacle along the way for our good. And in Christ, God is guaranteeing our safe arrival at the final destination. This verse has been referred to by theologians as the golden chain. After working in a chain factory, that doesn't really make a lot of sense to me because gold would be a terrible material to build chains out of. But my son Owen was here in the first service, so I said I'd rather call this the vibranium chain, like straight out of Wakanda. He's really into the Marvel movies right now. The point is not just that these truths are beautiful. The reason that it's beautiful is because the chain is indestructible, that this chain is unbreakable and there's not a single link in this chain that is weakened. And so let's just walk through this link by link. Verse 29 says that, "For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. For a long time when I was first a Christian, I had a hard time reconciling these first two links. And the reason for that was I didn't understand the meaning of God's foreknowledge. Because most of us, when we think of foreknowledge, we think of it in terms of information, cognitive awareness that you know certain facts or details ahead of time. And with that definition, you can understand why some would conclude that, well, therefore this must mean that God looked into the future and he saw those people who would choose to repent and submit their lives to Christ. And then based on that information, he must have chosen to save those people. And if that's what foreknowledge means, then that interpretation might make sense, but there's at least three significant problems that we face with that interpretation. First of all, this would obviously contradict just so many verses of Scripture that make it abundantly clear that we did not choose God, but he first chose us. That we did not love God until he first extended his love to us. And if God chose us based on something we did, then salvation isn't really based on grace. The Scripture says is based on at least some degree of merit. And so clearly that can't be what Paul means. Secondly, if this is true, if God chose people based on seeing what they would choose, then ultimately this means that we really have no hope that anyone will ever be saved. Because Scripture again, makes it clear in the doctrines of sin that we... Scripture says we are lost and we are dead in our sins. That we are so sinful that none of us would ever choose God. And that if we somehow were able to earn our salvation, if there was any chance of us losing it, then we absolutely would. Like every day, most of you would lose your salvation before your morning cup of coffee, like every single day, but that's not what Scripture says. Romans 3:10-11 says that, "No one is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God on their own." Ephesians 2:1 says that, "You were dead in the trespasses and sins, but God, being rich in mercy, because of what? Because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. By grace, you have been saved." Thirdly, and most importantly, this interpretation of foreknowledge, it presupposes the way that this word would've commonly been understood to Greek thinkers. And it doesn't really take into account the way that it was often used by Hebrew thinkers, especially in the Old Testament in relationship to God. Because in Hebrew, the word know is oftentimes used, and we use it in our language the same way to describe personal relationship. Like there's things you can know, and that's something different than saying, "I know you." When the Bible says that Adam knew his wife, it's not talking about information. It's talking about intimacy. That he didn't just learn something new about Eve when he knew her. What this is telling us is that he related to her in a deeply personal, intimate, exclusive, and covenantal way. This is why sometimes it's even used as a euphemism for marriage and for sex. The Bible tells us that God knew Abraham. Actually in Amos chapter 3, God says to Israel that, "Israel, you only have I known." Now, obviously God knows everything. He's omniscient. He knows everyone. But what this is saying, what God was saying was, "I chose you for a special covenantal relationship and I set you apart." This is why R. C. Sproul in his commentary on Romans, he actually says that you could paraphrase the meaning of Romans 8:29, not just as those who God foreknew, but as those whom for God foreloved. Which kind of makes sense, because remember, we're talking about the context of a Father who's adopting a son. And it also makes sense because the very next thing that Paul tells us in verse 29 is that those whom he foreknew he predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. That God chose to love you. He chose to adopt you as his own. And because he chose to adopt you, he chose to predestine you to be conformed to the image of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. And so off of those first two links in the chain, all the others fall into place. That those whom he predestined he also called; those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. That if God foreloved you and chose to adopt you as his own, then he will sanctify you. He will make you like his Son, Jesus Christ. And if he is going to make you like Jesus, then he is going to call you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. And if he is going to call you out of darkness, he's going to justify you. And up to this point, all of these things that we've talked about are things that for the Christian have already happened in the past. We have been predestined. We have been called. We have been justified. But then Paul gets to the final link of the chain and he puts that in the past tense as well. That those whom he justified, he also glorified as if it's already been done, because in God's mind it has. In God's mind, from God's perspective, this is as good as done. Nothing can stop it. Nothing can thwart his purpose or his plan. Nothing can rip us from his hands. And the hope of the Christian is that you have been saved, but also that you will be saved. You didn't adopt yourself, God chose you, and he chose to put his love on you and his love for you will never fail. And yeah, God is a good Father and sometimes he may need to discipline us as his children, but he's not going to give up on us as his children. He is not taking any of his kids back to the orphanage. Once he's adopted you, you are his, and you are safe and his own in his hands. So your ultimate security as a Christian in Christ, your hope, your peace, your salvation, it's not dependent on your ability to hold onto God. It's dependent on the Father's ability to hold on to you. That if he has you, he is going to give you everything you need to persevere and to prove yourself a child of God until Christ returns. Ephesians 1:3-6, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the beloved." Philippians 1:6 says, "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." And Jesus told us in John chapter 10 that, "I am the good shepherd and the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. And I and the Father are one." And if you are in Christ, then God is your Father. If you are in Christ, then Christ is your shepherd and he will not let you go. He lays down his life to make you his own. And then he gives you his Spirit as a promise, as a guarantee that you will have what you need, that you will have the provision and the purpose and the perspective that you need to continue in perseverance until he returns. Listen, I know that this passage, it's "can be controversial". I know that it's easy to look at this passage and get hung up with a lot of questions about God's sovereignty and human responsibility and election and predestination, things like that. And Paul is going to address some of those questions and concerns in the next few chapters when we get there. But if we walk away from this text right now, primarily focused on those objections, then we've already missed the point because there is a question that Paul wants us to ask, and he tells it to us in the very next verse. And it's a question that is just so much bigger, so much better. He simply says this, "What then shall we say to these things?" If all of this is true, then what is the appropriate response on our behalf? And he tells us that if we really understand this, and if it's really gripped to our hearts, then the only appropriate response is to simply say, "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" If God is for you, you've already won, you have overcome this world. You have nothing in your future that you need to fear. And so in Christ you can persevere. This means is that whatever goodness God shows us right now is only a small glimpse of the glory that is to come. Whatever badness God has allowed to enter your path, he is ultimately using for your good. And no matter how good, no matter how bad things may seem or may feel right now, we have hope and we have assurance that the best is yet to come. That being said, would you just please join me in prayer and then we will continue by responding in worship together. God, I pray that you would just cause our hearts to marvel at your mercy, that we would stand in awe of your amazing grace, confident and secure in your hands. But every moment, every breath is a gift that we don't deserve, and yet you give us so much more. You freely gave us your Spirit. You gave us your Son. God, all we can do is say thank you. All we can do is live our lives with grateful hearts as a response to how good you are. And so we love you. We praise you. We give you all glory and we just want to spend time worshiping you together. In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Many cigar companies love to embrace anniversary milestones, and My Father Cigars is no exception. This year the company has two milestones among two of its most celebrated cigars, My Father Le Bijou 1922 and Flor de las Antillas. At this year's 2022 PCA Trade Show, My Father introduced two blends the My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años Limited Edition and the My Father Cigars to Release Flor de Las Antillas 10th Anniversary Limited Edition. The My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años celebrates what would have been the 100th birthday of Don Pepin Garcia's father José Garcia Alayón. Meanwhile as the name indicates, the Flor de Las Antillas 10th Anniversary commemorates ten years since the Flor de las Antillas made its debut. In this video, Yosef Joudeh talks us through the new offerings. Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-naw

Many cigar companies love to embrace anniversary milestones, and My Father Cigars is no exception. This year the company has two milestones among two of its most celebrated cigars, My Father Le Bijou 1922 and Flor de las Antillas. At this year's 2022 PCA Trade Show, My Father introduced two blends the My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años Limited Edition and the My Father Cigars to Release Flor de Las Antillas 10th Anniversary Limited Edition. The My Father Le Bijou 1922 100 Años celebrates what would have been the 100th birthday of Don Pepin Garcia's father José Garcia Alayón. Meanwhile as the name indicates, the Flor de Las Antillas 10th Anniversary commemorates ten years since the Flor de las Antillas made its debut. In this video, Yosef Joudeh talks us through the new offerings. Full PCA Report: https://wp.me/p6h1n1-naw

- Press the PLAY button to listen to the catechesis of the day and share if you like -+ A reading from the holy Gospel, according to John +‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.The Gospel of the Lord.

Jaxson Jordan Dugger, born on 6/28 at 1:05AM via c section at 38 weeks 5 days, after 72 hours of labor/barely even reaching "active labor" and I can't wait to tell you the story. Everything from the very beginning of my pregnancy, handling my dad's heart attack and sudden passing, and seeing Jordan's eyes as he gazed on Jaxson for the very first time...   Time Stamps:   (0:30) Erin's Back! (1:10) Very Beginning of My Pregnancy (6:10) My Father's Heart Attack and Passing (9:00) Water Breaking Isn't Like the Movies (18:30) Getting Assistance (22:00) First Talks of C-Section (27:20) Pulling Jaxson Out (35:00) Instantly Became Parents  ---------- IF you're a current online fitness coach, personal trainer, nutritionist, or registered dietitian…  I just recorded a 20-minute training, on how I went from a struggling gym owner and personal trainer barely being able to pay my gym lease…..  To grow my online business to 350k in my first year, 500k in the second, and now my online coaching company generates consistent 7+ figures annually since.    Plus, inside of this training, you'll learn the 4 secrets to building a profitable full-time fitness business that generates consistent 10-30k+ months, all in 90 days or less.   While also unlocking the time + location freedom you DESERVE.    All without sleazy sales tactics, cold DM's, or wasting money on paid advertising.    P.S. It doesn't matter if you have 500 followers, or 100k, this system will WORK for you, as long as you're willing to take action.  Starting RIGHT NOW.    Click the link below, and I'll see you soon.  https://www.impactcoachacademy.com/exclusive-free-training-1 ---------- Imagine Being Able To Walk Away From a 3-Day Mastermind Weekend With the Exact Steps to Start, or Scale Your Fitness Coaching Business + Meet Your New Tribe Who Actually “Get It”   If this sounds interesting… Join Us at the Next Fit Biz Mastermind Weekend - The ONLY live event for fitness coaches that not only teaches you how to increase your income + impact but also will help you eliminate imposter syndrome.  P.S. Use Code FITBIZ2022 For 50% Off Tickets (Limited Time)  To Learn More + Get Your Ticket Before They Sell Out! → CLICK HERE  ---------- Learn More About Impact Fitness Coaching Academy,   To Learn More About I.F.C.A. - And How We've Helped More Than 1,700 Fitness Coaches, Experts, and Influencers Grow a 5-35k+ Month Online Fitness Business Without Paid Ads, Complicated Funnels, or Even Having a Large Social Media Following    Click Here→ to VISIT THE IFCA PAGE  ---------- GIVEAWAY!  Leave a rating + review on iTunes, and Have a Chance To Win a $200 Amazon Gift Card + Special Prizes! Winners Announced Monthly on The Episode. Simply leave a review, and send a screenshot to the Fit Biz Podcast Instagram Page!

Pastor Lowell Nelson teaches on the John 5: 17-30 on 7/20/2022 for our Wednesday Bible Study. John 5:17-30 The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath 17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." Jesus Is Equal with God 18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. The Authority of the Son 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. 20 "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. 21 "For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 "For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 "that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. 24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 "and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 "and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Psalms and Wisdom: Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8 Ecclesiastes 11:9–12:8 (Listen) 9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. 10 Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain1 from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. Remember Your Creator in Your Youth 12 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low—5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along,2 and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets—6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. 8 Vanity3 of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. Footnotes [1] 11:10 Or evil [2] 12:5 Or is a burden [3] 12:8 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (three times in this verse); see note on 1:2 (ESV) Pentateuch and History: Joshua 21 Joshua 21 (Listen) Cities and Pasturelands Allotted to Levi 21 Then the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel. 2 And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to dwell in, along with their pasturelands for our livestock.” 3 So by command of the LORD the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance. 4 The lot came out for the clans of the Kohathites. So those Levites who were descendants of Aaron the priest received by lot from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin, thirteen cities. 5 And the rest of the Kohathites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan and the half-tribe of Manasseh, ten cities. 6 The Gershonites received by lot from the clans of the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities. 7 The Merarites according to their clans received from the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities. 8 These cities and their pasturelands the people of Israel gave by lot to the Levites, as the LORD had commanded through Moses. 9 Out of the tribe of the people of Judah and the tribe of the people of Simeon they gave the following cities mentioned by name, 10 which went to the descendants of Aaron, one of the clans of the Kohathites who belonged to the people of Levi; since the lot fell to them first. 11 They gave them Kiriath-arba (Arba being the father of Anak), that is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, along with the pasturelands around it. 12 But the fields of the city and its villages had been given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as his possession. 13 And to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands, Libnah with its pasturelands, 14 Jattir with its pasturelands, Eshtemoa with its pasturelands, 15 Holon with its pasturelands, Debir with its pasturelands, 16 Ain with its pasturelands, Juttah with its pasturelands, Beth-shemesh with its pasturelands—nine cities out of these two tribes; 17 then out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with its pasturelands, Geba with its pasturelands, 18 Anathoth with its pasturelands, and Almon with its pasturelands—four cities. 19 The cities of the descendants of Aaron, the priests, were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands. 20 As to the rest of the Kohathites belonging to the Kohathite clans of the Levites, the cities allotted to them were out of the tribe of Ephraim. 21 To them were given Shechem, the city of refuge for the manslayer, with its pasturelands in the hill country of Ephraim, Gezer with its pasturelands, 22 Kibzaim with its pasturelands, Beth-horon with its pasturelands—four cities; 23 and out of the tribe of Dan, Elteke with its pasturelands, Gibbethon with its pasturelands, 24 Aijalon with its pasturelands, Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands—four cities; 25 and out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Taanach with its pasturelands, and Gath-rimmon with its pasturelands—two cities. 26 The cities of the clans of the rest of the Kohathites were ten in all with their pasturelands. 27 And to the Gershonites, one of the clans of the Levites, were given out of the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, and Beeshterah with its pasturelands—two cities; 28 and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishion with its pasturelands, Daberath with its pasturelands, 29 Jarmuth with its pasturelands, En-gannim with its pasturelands—four cities; 30 and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with its pasturelands, Abdon with its pasturelands, 31 Helkath with its pasturelands, and Rehob with its pasturelands—four cities; 32 and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Hammoth-dor with its pasturelands, and Kartan with its pasturelands—three cities. 33 The cities of the several clans of the Gershonites were in all thirteen cities with their pasturelands. 34 And to the rest of the Levites, the Merarite clans, were given out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with its pasturelands, Kartah with its pasturelands, 35 Dimnah with its pasturelands, Nahalal with its pasturelands—four cities; 36 and out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with its pasturelands, Jahaz with its pasturelands, 37 Kedemoth with its pasturelands, and Mephaath with its pasturelands—four cities; 38 and out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with its pasturelands, the city of refuge for the manslayer, Mahanaim with its pasturelands, 39 Heshbon with its pasturelands, Jazer with its pasturelands—four cities in all. 40 As for the cities of the several Merarite clans, that is, the remainder of the clans of the Levites, those allotted to them were in all twelve cities. 41 The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasturelands. 42 These cities each had its pasturelands around it. So it was with all these cities. 43 Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. 44 And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. 45 Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass. (ESV) Chronicles and Prophets: Jeremiah 13 Jeremiah 13 (Listen) The Ruined Loincloth 13 Thus says the LORD to me, “Go and buy a linen loincloth and put it around your waist, and do not dip it in water.” 2 So I bought a loincloth according to the word of the LORD, and put it around my waist. 3 And the word of the LORD came to me a second time, 4 “Take the loincloth that you have bought, which is around your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates and hide it there in a cleft of the rock.” 5 So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me. 6 And after many days the LORD said to me, “Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from there the loincloth that I commanded you to hide there.” 7 Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and I took the loincloth from the place where I had hidden it. And behold, the loincloth was spoiled; it was good for nothing. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 9 “Thus says the LORD: Even so will I spoil the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is good for nothing. 11 For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the LORD, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen. The Jars Filled with Wine 12 “You shall speak to them this word: ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “Every jar shall be filled with wine.”' And they will say to you, ‘Do we not indeed know that every jar will be filled with wine?' 13 Then you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD: Behold, I will fill with drunkenness all the inhabitants of this land: the kings who sit on David's throne, the priests, the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 14 And I will dash them one against another, fathers and sons together, declares the LORD. I will not pity or spare or have compassion, that I should not destroy them.'” Exile Threatened 15   Hear and give ear; be not proud,    for the LORD has spoken.16   Give glory to the LORD your God    before he brings darkness,  before your feet stumble    on the twilight mountains,  and while you look for light    he turns it into gloom    and makes it deep darkness.17   But if you will not listen,    my soul will weep in secret for your pride;  my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears,    because the LORD's flock has been taken captive. 18   Say to the king and the queen mother:    “Take a lowly seat,  for your beautiful crown    has come down from your head.”19   The cities of the Negeb are shut up,    with none to open them;  all Judah is taken into exile,    wholly taken into exile. 20   “Lift up your eyes and see    those who come from the north.  Where is the flock that was given you,    your beautiful flock?21   What will you say when they set as head over you    those whom you yourself have taught to be friends to you?  Will not pangs take hold of you    like those of a woman in labor?22   And if you say in your heart,    ‘Why have these things come upon me?'  it is for the greatness of your iniquity    that your skirts are lifted up    and you suffer violence.23   Can the Ethiopian change his skin    or the leopard his spots?  Then also you can do good    who are accustomed to do evil.24   I will scatter you1 like chaff    driven by the wind from the desert.25   This is your lot,    the portion I have measured out to you, declares the LORD,  because you have forgotten me    and trusted in lies.26   I myself will lift up your skirts over your face,    and your shame will be seen.27   I have seen your abominations,    your adulteries and neighings, your lewd whorings,    on the hills in the field.  Woe to you, O Jerusalem!    How long will it be before you are made clean?” Footnotes [1] 13:24 Hebrew them (ESV) Gospels and Epistles: Matthew 26:30–75 Matthew 26:30–75 (Listen) Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. Jesus Prays in Gethsemane 36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch1 with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.2 See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus 47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”3 Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant4 of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” 55 At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council 57 Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council5 were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”6 63 But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” 67 Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?” Peter Denies Jesus 69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. Footnotes [1] 26:38 Or keep awake; also verses 40, 41 [2] 26:45 Or Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? [3] 26:50 Or Friend, why are you here? [4] 26:51 Or bondservant [5] 26:59 Greek Sanhedrin [6] 26:62 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you? (ESV)