Podcasts about New Testament

In this recent monograph Sarcasm in Paul's Letters (Cambridge University Press 2023, Matthew Pawlak offers the first treatment of sarcasm in New Testament studies. He provides an extensive analysis of sarcastic passages across the undisputed letters of Paul, showing where Paul is sarcastic, and how his sarcasm affects our understanding of his rhetoric and relationships with the Early Christian congregations in Galatia, Rome, and Corinth. Pawlak's identification of sarcasm is supported by a dataset of 400 examples drawn from a broad range of ancient texts, including major case studies on Septuagint Job, the prophets, and Lucian of Samosata. These data enable the determination of the typical linguistic signals of sarcasm in ancient Greek, as well as its rhetorical functions. Pawlak also addresses several ongoing discussions in Pauline scholarship. His volume advances our understanding of the abrupt opening of Galatians, diatribe and Paul's hypothetical interlocutor in Romans, the 'Corinthian slogans' of First Corinthians, and the 'fool's speech' found within Second Corinthians 10-13. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

1 Peter. Originally published as a part of Letters to Young Churches, with an introduction by C.S. Lewis, which sold over 4,000,000 copies.   Read by Peter Croft, youngest grandson of the late J.B. Phillips.

John, who walked with Jesus as one of his disciples, wrote several New Testament books, including the gospel of John. This letter, written to the early church, is full of powerful teachings about doctrine, Scripture, sin, true salvation, how to live a godly life in this world, and what a critical role love plays in the life of the believer.   Join Jerry as he dives into this letter, giving insight along the way about how you can apply it in your every day life.  You can also take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!  -------  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  LINKS:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

In this recent monograph Sarcasm in Paul's Letters (Cambridge University Press 2023, Matthew Pawlak offers the first treatment of sarcasm in New Testament studies. He provides an extensive analysis of sarcastic passages across the undisputed letters of Paul, showing where Paul is sarcastic, and how his sarcasm affects our understanding of his rhetoric and relationships with the Early Christian congregations in Galatia, Rome, and Corinth. Pawlak's identification of sarcasm is supported by a dataset of 400 examples drawn from a broad range of ancient texts, including major case studies on Septuagint Job, the prophets, and Lucian of Samosata. These data enable the determination of the typical linguistic signals of sarcasm in ancient Greek, as well as its rhetorical functions. Pawlak also addresses several ongoing discussions in Pauline scholarship. His volume advances our understanding of the abrupt opening of Galatians, diatribe and Paul's hypothetical interlocutor in Romans, the 'Corinthian slogans' of First Corinthians, and the 'fool's speech' found within Second Corinthians 10-13.

Have you ever made one too many mistakes? You know, you get to a point where you think, That's it! God must be done with me? Well, Abraham was a man of faith who made plenty of mistakes along the way. Yet God seemed to overlook, even o compensate for them. Why was that?   Life Changing Moments As we travel through life we all kind of experience these moments and often they are seemingly insignificant events that in fact, turn out to change the whole course of our lives. It's amazing when you think about it! We all have a plan for our lives but there are things just around the next corner or just over the next rise that can change everything – good things and bad things, happy things and sad things. Some people think, "Well, it's all a matter of chance." Well, I don't believe in chance. I remember a brochure that changed my life. I was attending a little church – I had not long become a Christian and it was a Sunday service like every other Sunday. At the end of the service I walked to the back of the little church and I saw a brochure for a particular Bible College, Tabor College in Sydney. It wasn't a particularly attractive brochure or a well designed brochure – I picked it up and that was a defining moment – I took it home, I read about this ministry degree, I prayed and I felt this incredibly strong tug in my heart. Now in my mind I am thinking, "There's no way. You know Berni, you have been a Christian for five minutes" but in my heart I knew. So I rang them, I applied, I went to see the Principal, I felt like such a fraud. "They are never going to accept me." They did! And there I learned so much but also, by chance again, I came into contact with my predecessor in this ministry; the former CEO of Christianityworks and one thing led to another. And today I'm doing what I am doing because I picked up that little brochure at the back of the church. Now I had no idea that morning that something would happen that would change the course of my life. This week we are starting a new series on Christianityworks, it's called "Defining Moments". It's really exciting! I want to look at this from a different perspective; from God's perspective. See when we look back on our lives most of us can pick three or four, maybe half a dozen defining moments – those little things that seemed to change the whole course of our lives. Now, sure we can see them from our natural human perspective – after all, we are people; we're human, but if we do that I think we miss the point. I want to look at some defining moments in the lives of four people in the Bible – Abraham, Joseph, David and Josiah over the next four weeks and we are starting today with Abraham. I want to see if we can discover how God reaches into our lives with miracles - great and small to define the very course of our lives because God does have a plan. Psalm 139, verse 16, says: Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In Your book were written all the days that were formed for me when none of them as yet existed. And when we at least expect it, and even despite what you and I do or fail to do, His plan is worked out through His grace for His glory. God brings those defining moments. Let's start with Abraham - the man with whom God's engagement of His chosen people began. He was living comfortably in a place called Ur, east of Israel – of course Israel didn't exist back then. Ur was the land of the Chaldeans, later it was called Babylon – it's just south of modern day Baghdad. And he travelled with his father up to Haran and then God called him to leave his comfort and follow this really crazy, absolutely incredulous promise. Let's pick it up – if you have got a Bible, grab it; open it up at Genesis chapter 12. We are going to look at the story of Abraham – it's too much to look at it all in one programme but we are going to have a look at part of his story. Genesis chapter 12, beginning at verse 1: Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. So Abram when as the Lord had told him and Lot when with him. Abram was seventy five years old when he departed form Haran." Seventy five years old! "He and Sarai his wife and they were childless." You see, you have to remember, in the Old Testament, blessing; God's blessing, you knew you had it when you had lots of land and lots of children. They had neither, so they didn't have God's blessing on their lives. Now the word "Abram" means "exalted father". So even his name was a joke, but still he went, off into the never never, based on what – some intangible, crazy call from God? Remember Abram had no Bible; he had no Scriptures to reveal who God was. He had no church tradition, or Jewish tradition – nothing like that. All the other nations had their gods; idols – they worshipped them, they believed all sorts of weird and wonderful things but Abram put his faith; he put his whole life and all his possessions in this God who came up with this incredulous promise. How did God say this to Abram - through an audible voice, a dream, a vision, a whisper of the Spirit in his heart? We don't know but he just heard the call and he trusted in the promises of God and off he went, into the blue yonder. Now God's plan A, remember, is to bless Abram with land and children – impossible of course! Oozes fantasy, not faith – could never happen. And then begins Abram's comedy of errors – pretty tragic actually. We don't have time to look at them all today but we are going to look at some of them. It's a journey where Abram and Sarai his wife, made plenty of mistakes along the way. Take Lot for instance, his nephew – if you look at Genesis chapter 12 again, did God tell Abram to take Lot with him? Not at all – it was Abram's idea. No doubt, this was plan B for Abram. "Well, if God doesn't come through on this promise of a son, at least I'll have a relative to be my heir" and Lot…..Lot causes him all sorts of grief. Let's have a look – Genesis chapter 13, verse 5: Now Lot who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents so that the land couldn't support both of them living together, for their possessions were so great that they could not live together. And there was strife between the herders of Abram's stock and the herders of Lot's stock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me – between your herders and my herders for we are kindred. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I'll go to the right; of you take the right hand, then I will go to the left." Lot looked about him and saw the plain of the Jordan that was well watered everywhere like this garden of the Lord; like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar - this was before the Lord had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. So Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan and Lot eastward thus he separated from Abram. Gee, plan B worked really well for Abram didn't it? Obviously God didn't know what He was promising Abram and needed a back up! And look how it turned out! Strife, separation and then Abram gave away the best half of the Promised Land. And if you read on in chapter 14, Abram risks his life and God's plan because he has to fight a battle to save Lot's life. Lot was not part of plan A and in chapter 19 of Genesis (we won't go there for now for time reasons) but he ends up sleeping with his own daughters and fathers the Moabites and the Ammonites; both nations that became enemies of Israel. Huh – well done Abram! God obviously needed your help!!   Who Can Blame Him? Well, who can blame Abram? He is in his late seventies now on a journey to nowhere and Sarai is no spring chicken either, I have to tell you. And God gives him this utterly incongruous, impossible promise and Abram is aching inside. "God, what are You doing?"  Can you relate to that? I can! Let's have a look at the defining moment in Abram's journey. It begins in Genesis chapter 15, verse 1: After these things the Word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Abram, I am your shield. Your reward shall be very great." But Abram said, "Lord God, what will You give me for I continue childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer, son of Damascus?" And Abram said, "You have given me no offspring and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir." But the Word of the Lord came to him, "This man shall not be your heir. No one but a son coming from your very own body shall be your heir." God brought him outside and said, "Look toward the heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them." Then the Lord said to him, "So shall your descendants be!" And Abram believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. I reckon this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. Is Abram a man of faith? Absolutely! But he is struggling – he has tried everything he can do in his own strength and he can't make this promise from God happen and time is marching on. So through his doubt, he ends up with plan C or D or whatever he is up to. How does God respond – with rebuke, with punishment, with discipline? God brought him outside and said, "Look toward the heaven and count the start, if you are able to count them." Then God said "So will your descendants be! Isn't it beautiful? You know, the Milky Way when you get away from the smog and the lights of the city is just the most awesome thing – there are so many stars out there – it almost looks like clouds. Trillions of stars – this is the love of God! And he believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. Abram's faith meant that God's righteousness became part of who he was. It's a theme the Apostle Paul picks up in Romans chapter 4 and in Galatians chapter 3 in the New Testament, much later. See I struggle with the rose coloured glasses that Paul and others in the New Testament use to look back on Abraham. They paint him as this paragon of virtue; this great man of faith. Hebrews chapter 11, beginning at verse 8: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he didn't know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country, for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age and Sarah herself was barren, was enabled to become a father. That's great but what about all of Abraham blunders? What about his lack of faith? He goes to God and says to God, "What will You give me? What will You show me? I can't see it – I'm losing hope." See, Abraham was human – Abraham had human failures and he made mistakes just like you and me - but the answer is in what we just read in Genesis. How is it that despite all of Abraham's blunders and doubts, God's plan still came to fruition? Because Abraham: "believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness." Abraham believed – he didn't do it perfectly – but he believed and this was counted by God as righteousness. The righteousness of God when we believe, He forgives our sins – He forgets them. "As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us." You see, that's why in the New Testament it doesn't talk about Abraham's mistakes because God has forgiven them and they are not relevant. That's how God deals with Abraham's human failings. This is the defining moment in Abraham's journey: he believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. This night that was like any other; he was in his tent; he was struggling; he was praying; he was saying, 'God, what are you doing?' And God just touches him and brings him outside and says, "Look up at the stars; as many as are there so numerous will be your descendants." It's not about what Abraham did or didn't do. The defining moment is about God's grace! And come and look with me exactly how imperfectly Abraham believed. Come and see with me how human and frail his faith actually is. He is credited with righteousness – God speaks to him and right on the back of that, just two verses later, in Genesis chapter 15, verse 8, begins this: But he said "O Lord, God, how am I to know I shall possess it?" And God said to him, "Bring Me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle dove and a young pigeon." He brought God all those things and cut them in two, laying each half over against the other but he did not cut the birds in two. And when the birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abraham drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abraham and a deep and terrifying darkness descended upon him. Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Know this for certain that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs and they shall be slaves there and they shall be oppressed there for four hundred years but I will bring judgement on the nation that they serve and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you yourself, you shall go with your ancestors in peace and you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." When the sun had gone down and it was dark, and a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day (listen to this) On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, "To your descendants I give this land – from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates and the land of the Kenites and the Kenizzites and the Kadmonites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Raphaim and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Girgashites and the Jebusites." See, in the face of further doubt from Abraham, God gives him this vision and he makes an unbreakable promise; a covenant; a promise from God Himself to Abraham.   The Last Laugh Just as well, this covenant from God was an unbreakable promise because what happens next, after the stars thing and the vision and the promise, would have been the final straw for me if I had been God. Have a look at the next Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian slave girl whose name was Hagar and Sarai said to Abram, "You see the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go into my slave girl; it may be that I shall obtain children by her." Abram listened to the voice of his wife Sarai, so after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar the Egyptian; her slave girl and gave her to her husband Abraham as a wife. He went into Hagar and she conceived and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. Then Sarai said to Abram, "May the wrong done to me be on you. I gave my slave girl to you to embrace and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me." Ok, men had more than one wife in those days but people haven't changed that much. Wives, how happy would you be with this outcome? Your husband sleeping with a slave girl and then all of a sudden the slave girl is pregnant. Can you see how perverted this is? And the son that Hagar bore was Ishmail and he became the father of the Arab world! Gee, that worked out brilliantly, didn't it? And so Abram, left to his own devices would have lurched from one blunder to the next but now the bit that really gets me about this story, is the ending. Both Abram and Sarai get to the point – I mean this has been going on for years now; decades where they just end up laughing at God's promises. I mean they are so ridiculous; they are so impossible – have a look – Abram first in Genesis chapter 17, verse 15: God said to Abram, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her Sarai anymore but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her and moreover I will give you a son by her. I will bless her and she will give rise to nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah who is ninety years old bear a child?" And Abraham said to God, "O that Ishmail might live in Your sight." And God said, "No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him." And then Sarah's turn next! God appears to Abraham in the form of three men and those men said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one of them said, "I will surely return to you in due season and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance, behind them. Now Abraham and Sarah, they were old and advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, "After I have grown old and my husband is old, shall I have the pleasure?" See, can you blame Abraham and Sarah for laughing at God? I mean if you don't laugh you will cry. It has been twenty five years – they headed away on this fool's errand into the blue yonder. Abraham is over a hundred – Sarah is over ninety – come on God, what do You think You are doing? But let's see how it ends! Genesis chapter 21: The Lord dealt with Sarah just as He had said and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised. Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken. Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah had borne. Do you know what the word "Isaac" means? It means "he laughs" – you see God had the last laugh! They both laughed at God's promises and God gives them a son called Isaac and God has the last laugh! It's the laughter of God's grace. And when you look back on this journey, what was the defining moment? See, what you and I want to look at is say: "What do I have to do….what do I have to do? What do I have to do to get God's favour?" Isn't that what we are always thinking? And you look at all of Abraham's blunders and you see all the mistakes he made but in his heart he believed and it was reckoned unto him by God as righteousness. His faith trumped his failures! Let me say that again ... Abraham's faith trumped his failures! People came to Jesus years later and they said, "What must we do to perform the works of God?" And Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God: that you believe in the One whom He has sent." Do you get it? The defining moment for Abraham was God's gracious, loving, powerful, impossible, unbreakable, ridiculous, only God could ever do it, take it forever….promise. And in his heart Abraham believed. That's the bit that God saw and took and used and blessed Abraham through. That's why the New Testament writers can completely ignore the failures of Abraham because God….God had forgotten them a long time ago. God had decided to overlook them a long time ago. Abraham was not a perfect man – Abraham was human just like you and me. You make blunders in your life; I make blunders in my life. What does God look at? He looks at whether we put our trust in Him through Jesus Christ. God not only forgave Abraham and Sarah but He cleaned up their mess along the way so that His plan would be fulfilled and realised for His glory. Look again at the defining moment in Abraham's life…Genesis chapter 15, verses 5 and 6: God brought Abraham outside and said, "Look up toward the heaven. Count the stars if you are able to count them." Then God said to him, "So shall your descendants be. And Abraham believed the Lord and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. What do I have to do to do the works of God? To believe in the One whom He sent; His Son, Jesus Christ!

In this recent monograph Sarcasm in Paul's Letters (Cambridge University Press 2023, Matthew Pawlak offers the first treatment of sarcasm in New Testament studies. He provides an extensive analysis of sarcastic passages across the undisputed letters of Paul, showing where Paul is sarcastic, and how his sarcasm affects our understanding of his rhetoric and relationships with the Early Christian congregations in Galatia, Rome, and Corinth. Pawlak's identification of sarcasm is supported by a dataset of 400 examples drawn from a broad range of ancient texts, including major case studies on Septuagint Job, the prophets, and Lucian of Samosata. These data enable the determination of the typical linguistic signals of sarcasm in ancient Greek, as well as its rhetorical functions. Pawlak also addresses several ongoing discussions in Pauline scholarship. His volume advances our understanding of the abrupt opening of Galatians, diatribe and Paul's hypothetical interlocutor in Romans, the 'Corinthian slogans' of First Corinthians, and the 'fool's speech' found within Second Corinthians 10-13. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/christian-studies

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we see Jesus and the Apostles on the Sabbath of the Unleavened Bread.Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament

The 1 Timothy 4:13 Project is a daily journey through Scripture, inspired by the biblical instruction: "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13). Join Pastor David Sumrall as he reads through the entire New Testament in 2025, accompanied by his wife and co-pastor, Sister Beverley Sumrall, who will share the timeless beauty of the Psalms. Together, Pastor David and Sister Beverley serve as the undershepherds of the Cathedral of Praise, a Christian church dedicated to Jesus and His Word, with campuses across Metro Manila and branches worldwide. Today's Scripture Reading: [Psalm 148:1-6] by Sister Beverley Sumrall[Revelation 19:11-21] by Pastor David E. Sumrall Subscribe to the 1 Timothy 4:13 Project now: https://cathedralofpraisemanila.com.ph/1-timothy-413-project/ Learn more about Pastor David Sumrall: https://linktr.ee/davidsumrall Subscribe to Pastor Beverley Sumrall's Podcast: Praise Moments Get to know Cathedral of Praise: https://linktr.ee/cathedralofpraise Subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV: Cathedral of Praise TV Visit our website: https://cathedralofpraisemanila.com.ph Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cop.manila Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathedralofpraiseph Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/COPmanila 2025 1 Timothy 4:13 Project

The 1 Timothy 4:13 Project is a daily journey through Scripture, inspired by the biblical instruction: "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13). Join Pastor David Sumrall as he reads through the entire New Testament in 2025, accompanied by his wife and co-pastor, Sister Beverley Sumrall, who will share the timeless beauty of the Psalms. Together, Pastor David and Sister Beverley serve as the undershepherds of the Cathedral of Praise, a Christian church dedicated to Jesus and His Word, with campuses across Metro Manila and branches worldwide. Today's Scripture Reading: [Psalm 147:12-20] by Sister Beverley Sumrall[Revelation 19:1-10] by Pastor David E. Sumrall Subscribe to the 1 Timothy 4:13 Project now: https://cathedralofpraisemanila.com.ph/1-timothy-413-project/ Learn more about Pastor David Sumrall: https://linktr.ee/davidsumrall Subscribe to Pastor Beverley Sumrall's Podcast: Praise Moments Get to know Cathedral of Praise: https://linktr.ee/cathedralofpraise Subscribe to Cathedral of Praise TV: Cathedral of Praise TV Visit our website: https://cathedralofpraisemanila.com.ph Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cop.manila Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cathedralofpraiseph Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/COPmanila 2025 1 Timothy 4:13 Project

Preached on Sunday the 28th of Sunday, 2025.‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭23‬ ‭“In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel, and he reigned nine years. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, yet not as the kings of Israel who were before him. Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria. And Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute. But the king of Assyria found treachery in Hoshea, for he had sent messengers to So, king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore the king of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison. Then the king of Assyria invaded all the land and came to Samaria, and for three years he besieged it. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria, and he carried the Israelites away to Assyria and placed them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel, and in the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced. And the people of Israel did secretly against the Lord their God things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. They set up for themselves pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree, and there they made offerings on all the high places, as the nations did whom the Lord carried away before them. And they did wicked things, provoking the Lord to anger, and they served idols, of which the Lord had said to them, “You shall not do this.” Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.” But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God. They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the Lord had commanded them that they should not do like them. And they abandoned all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves; and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal. And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger. Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only. Judah also did not keep the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the customs that Israel had introduced. And the Lord rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them and gave them into the hand of plunderers, until he had cast them out of his sight. When he had torn Israel from the Intro Music by Julius H. from Pixabay Outro Music by PianoAmor from Pixabay

Preached on Thursday the 25th of December, Christmas morning, 2025.Intro Music by Julius H. from Pixabay Outro Music by PianoAmor from Pixabay

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Morning Prayer for today with a reading from the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospel, with meditation music from ”Inner Voices” and ”In Beauty We Return,” by R. Carlos Nakai. Courtesy Canyon Records, Phoenix, AZ (800)-268-1141. All rights reserved.

Officiant: Fr. Wiley Ammons, Psalm(s): Psalm 145, Fr. Wiley Ammons, Old Testament: Isaiah 44:1-8, Erin Jean Warde, First Canticle: 15, New Testament: 1 John 5:1-12, Corey Sees, Second Canticle: 17. Logo image by Laura Ammons, used by permission.

John, who walked with Jesus as one of his disciples, wrote several New Testament books, including the gospel of John. This letter, written to the early church, is full of powerful teachings about doctrine, Scripture, sin, true salvation, how to live a godly life in this world, and what a critical role love plays in the life of the believer.   Join Jerry as he dives into this letter, giving insight along the way about how you can apply it in your every day life.  You can also take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!  -------  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  LINKS:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

1 Peter. Originally published as a part of Letters to Young Churches, with an introduction by C.S. Lewis, which sold over 4,000,000 copies.   Read by Peter Croft, youngest grandson of the late J.B. Phillips.

Psalm 148:1–2, Nehemiah 8:3-6, Revelation 18:21-24,19:1-9. The word ‘Hallelujah' is an invitation to worship – it literally means ‘Praise (Hallal) the Lord' (Yahweh) It occurs twenty-four times in the Old Testament (mainly in the Psalms) and it occurs four times in the New Testament – each of them in our passage for today

When Anxiety Feels Louder Than God   There are times in the Christian life when anxiety seems to shout louder than the voice of God. The pressures of daily living—the demands of school or work, the pull of peers in the wrong direction, the subtle temptations of the enemy to sin, and the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring—can create a clamor in the soul that drowns out the quiet assurance of God's presence. Yet the Scriptures speak directly to these very struggles, offering not mere human advice, but divine remedies that bring peace and victory. We will focus our attention on three key passages that address the heart of this matter: Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, and Psalm 34:4. These verses, taken from the Authorized King James Version, provide a clear pathway from anxiety to the peace that only God can give. First, let us read Philippians 4:6-7 in full: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote these words from a Roman prison, where anxiety could easily have overwhelmed him. Chains clanked around his wrists, the future was uncertain, and yet he penned one of the most triumphant letters in the New Testament. His secret? He refused to be "careful"—that is, anxious—about anything. Instead, he turned every concern into a conversation with God. Notice the comprehensive nature of Paul's instruction: "in every thing." No worry is too small or too large to bring before the throne of grace. Whether it is the stress of examinations and deadlines in school, the pressure from classmates to conform to worldly standards, the temptation whispered by Satan to compromise holiness, or the fear of what lies ahead in an unpredictable world—every thing qualifies for prayer. Paul specifies three elements in this prayer: prayer itself (general communion with God), supplication (specific requests), and thanksgiving (gratitude even in the midst of trial). Thanksgiving is the key that keeps prayer from becoming mere complaining. When we thank God for His past faithfulness, we remind ourselves that He is still in control. The result is breathtaking: "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding." This is not the absence of problems, but the presence of God in the midst of them. It is a peace that defies human explanation—a garrison, as the word "keep" suggests, stationed around the heart and mind like a Roman guard around a priceless treasure. Through Christ Jesus, this peace stands sentinel, preventing anxiety from storming the citadel of the soul. Consider the young student facing overwhelming school pressures—exams that seem insurmountable, projects that pile up, grades that determine future opportunities. The enemy whispers, "You can't handle this; you'll fail." Peers add their voices: "Everyone else is cheating—just this once." The future looms dark: "What if you don't get into the right college? What if your plans fall apart?" In such moments, anxiety roars. But when that student obeys Philippians 4:6-7, turning those burdens into thankful prayer, the peace of God descends like a quiet shield. The problems may remain, but they no longer dominate the heart. Now turn with me to 1 Peter 5:7: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Peter, who once sank in the waves because he focused on the storm rather than on Christ, now writes with pastoral tenderness to suffering believers. The word "casting" pictures a deliberate act—throwing the entire weight of our cares onto the Lord, as one might hurl a heavy burden onto a strong beast of burden. "All your care"—not some, not the large ones only, but all. The everyday stresses, the relational tensions from peer pressure, the spiritual battles against Satan's temptations to sin, the nagging fears about tomorrow—all are to be cast upon Him. Why can we do this? Because "he careth for you." This is not indifferent deity, but personal, tender concern. The same God who numbers the hairs of our heads and feeds the sparrows knows every detail of our anxieties. He cares more deeply than the most loving parent. Think of the believer facing peer pressure—the subtle (or not so subtle) invitations to join in activities that dishonor God, the ridicule for standing firm, the loneliness of being different. Satan uses these moments to create anxiety: "If you don't go along, you'll lose your friends; you'll be isolated." But when we cast that care upon the Lord, remembering His personal love, the pressure loses its grip. We realize that pleasing Him is worth far more than temporary acceptance. Or consider the fear of the future—job uncertainty, health concerns, world events that unsettle the heart. The enemy loves to paint bleak pictures: "What if the worst happens? God has forgotten you." Yet Peter's simple command cuts through the noise: Cast it on Him. He cares. The One who guided Peter through denial, restoration, and martyrdom cares for us in our smaller storms. Finally, let us examine Psalm 34:4: I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. This psalm comes from David's experience when he fled from Saul and feigned madness before Abimelech (1 Samuel 21). Surrounded by danger, David turned to the Lord in desperate seeking. The result? God heard and delivered him from all his fears. Not some fears, but all. The fear of death at Saul's hand, the fear of humiliation, the fear of failure—all were removed. How? By seeking the Lord—turning the eyes of faith upward instead of inward or outward. In our context, this verse speaks powerfully to every form of anxiety. The student overwhelmed by academic stress seeks the Lord in prayer and Scripture, and fears of failure diminish. The young person battling peer pressure seeks the Lord for strength to stand alone if necessary, and the fear of rejection fades. The believer tempted by Satan seeks the Lord's deliverance, and the fear of falling into sin is replaced by confidence in God's keeping power. The one anxious about the future seeks the Lord who holds tomorrow, and fear gives way to trust. David's testimony is personal: "I sought...he heard me...delivered me." This is not theory but experience. Thousands of believers through the centuries have echoed these words. When anxiety threatens to overwhelm, seeking the Lord brings deliverance. These three passages form a beautiful harmony. Philippians teaches us how to pray about our anxieties; 1 Peter encourages us to cast them upon a caring God; Psalm 34 assures us that seeking Him brings deliverance from fear itself. But Scripture does not leave us with these three verses alone. The Bible is rich with encouragement for the anxious heart. Consider Matthew 6:25-34, where our Lord Jesus repeatedly commands, "Take no thought" for life's necessities. The birds of the air and lilies of the field are cared for—how much more His children? Worry about tomorrow accomplishes nothing but robs today of its strength. Or Psalm 55:22: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Parallel to Peter's words, this promise assures sustaining grace. Isaiah 41:10 offers strength: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Joshua 1:9 reminds us: "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." And in the storms of spiritual pressure, remember 1 Corinthians 10:13: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Satan's temptations to sin often come wrapped in anxiety: "If you don't yield, something terrible will happen." But God always provides a way of escape. When peer pressure intensifies, recall Proverbs 1:10-15—wisdom's warning against enticement by sinners. Standing firm may cost friends, but it gains the smile of God. For school and life stresses, Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." The fear of the future finds its antidote in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." And when anxiety peaks, Psalm 46:1 declares: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." These truths are not distant doctrines but practical helps for daily living. The young person facing exams can pray specifically, cast the burden, and seek the Lord—experiencing peace that guards the mind during study and testing. The one pressured by peers can cast the fear of rejection upon God, remembering He cares, and find deliverance from the fear that drives compromise. In spiritual warfare against temptation, seeking the Lord brings deliverance from the fear of falling. And for future uncertainties—graduation, career, marriage, family—casting cares upon Him who holds the future brings sustaining peace. Anxiety feels loud because it speaks in the voice of circumstances, peers, and the enemy. But God's voice, though often quiet, is infinitely more powerful. When we obey these Scriptures—praying with thanksgiving, casting every care, seeking Him earnestly—anxiety's volume decreases, and God's peace becomes the dominant sound in the soul. The world offers temporary fixes: distraction, medication, denial. But only Christ offers permanent peace—the peace that passes understanding, the care of a loving Father, deliverance from all fears. May we, like Paul in prison, like Peter in persecution, like David in flight, turn anxiety into prayer, burdens into casting, fears into seeking. And may the God of peace Himself garrison our hearts and minds until that day when faith becomes sight, and anxiety is silenced forever in His presence.

Everything you wanted to know about 1st Century Palestine, but were afraid to ask… The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians By: N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird Published: 2019 992 Pages Briefly, what is this book about? An deep dive on the New Testament covering (as the subtitle suggests) the history: Second Temple Judaism against a Greco-Roman background; the literature: the New Testament's genesis, structure, authors and audience; and theology: the religious claims of the book, the doctrine, miracles, and contentions. What's the author's angle? Despite me saying that this is a deep dive, it is also something of a sampler for Wright's other, even more expansive books. Also it's important to note that Wright is very much a believing Christian and while the book is exceptionally scholarly, it's also backgrounded by the idea that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who died for the sins of the world and was gloriously resurrected.  Who should read this book? This is a long book, and I ended up deciding to read it, rather than listen to it. As such, it honestly took me several months to get through, so you should certainly take that into account. This should not be construed as saying the book is difficult. It's very accessible, and reads easily. I will say that I learned a lot, but I'm not sure that will be true for everyone. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) don't generally focus on straight down the line Bible scholarship. To the extent that we do deep scholarship in this area it's in search of parallels between early Christianity and LDS Christianity. (For example in 1 Corinthians 15:29 when Paul mentions baptisms for the dead. Something no major denomination does, other than us.) This is all to say that I think LDS individuals might find this book particularly enjoyable, as being somewhat outside of our normal wheelhouse. Specific thoughts: It's both shocking how much New Testament we have and how little we have of everything else

The Poem of the Man God is a retelling of the Gospel story of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the private revelations of Maria Valtorta. In this episode, we see Jesus and the Apostles on Preparation Day:the Evening Original music by Angela Marie (Mohammed). Messiah. Savior. Passion of Christ. Religion. Wisdom. Miracles. Catholic Christian Theology. Apostles. Disciples. Believers. Followers. Early Church. Communion. Healing. Suffering Sacrifice. New Testament

Welcome to Episode 253 of The Burning Bush Podcast, where we share the message of the Bible while enjoying a good cigar. In this episode we're reading the New Testament book of 2 Corinthians Chapter 6 with commentary from the notes in the Charles Spurgeon Study Bible, and I'm smoking the Drew Estate Smoking Monk IPA Toro 6x54.Listen and subscribe here.Download episode here.

December 28 - In just 15-20 minutes a day, you can listen to the entire Bible read through in a year, and/or watch the Bible verses on the screen. Each day, you will hear some of the New Testament, some of the Old Testament, and some of Psalms or Proverbs. You will read through Psalms and Proverbs twice in the year. Today's reading is Revelation 20; Nehemiah 10-11; and Proverbs 29. You can get through the entire Bible in a year listening to it on the way to and from work each day. The elderly with bad eyesight can now see the Bible verses in large print right on the screen. Little children, just learning how to read, can now read along by seeing and hearing each word pronounced. Imagine little children accomplishing something that many adults never do even once in their lifetimes--reading through the entire Bible. Get a free printed copy of the Bible Reading Schedule at LibertyGospelTracts.com. The Books are read in chronological order, which really helps you to understand the order that things happened. We offer free certificates at the end of the year, for those who read through the entire Bible. Just write to us to request one. May God bless you as you read through all that God has written for us.

SHOW 12-25-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT THE MODERN STORY OF MARY AND HER FAMILY. 1868 NAZARETH SEPPHORIS AND THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF MARY'S LIFE Colleague James Tabor. Tabor identifies Sepphoris, a Roman capital near Nazareth, as Mary's birthplace. He reimagines Jesus and Joseph as "tektons" (builders) working in this urban center rather than simple carpenters. This proximity meant Mary witnessed Romanbrutality and the city's destruction, influencing her family's spiritual views on the Kingdom of God. NUMBER 1 INVESTIGATING THE NAME PANTERA Colleague James Tabor. Tabor explores the name "Pantera," found in rabbinic texts and on a Roman soldier's tombstone. He suggests this might be a family name rather than a slur, investigating the possibility that Jesus's father was a relative or soldier, which challenges the theological narrative of a virgin birth. NUMBER 2 RECLAIMING THE HISTORICAL JEWISH FAMILY Colleague James Tabor. Highlighting the Protoevangelium of James, Tabor contrasts its depiction of a perpetual virgin Mary with historical evidence of a large Jewish family. He argues Mary had numerous children and that her parents were likely wealthy property owners in Sepphoris, integrating Jesus into a close-knit extended family. NUMBER 3 JAMES THE JUST AS TRUE SUCCESSOR Colleague James Tabor. Tabor asserts James, Jesus's brother, was the movement's true successor, not Peter. Citing Acts and the Gospel of Thomas, he notes James led the Jerusalem council and stood at the cross. Tabor argues the "beloved disciple" entrusted with Mary's care was this blood brother, not Johnthe fisherman. NUMBER 4 THE HEADQUARTERS ON MOUNT ZION Colleague James Tabor. Tabor describes excavations on Mount Zion, identifying a first-century house foundation as the "upper room" and headquarters of the early movement. He visualizes Mary as the matriarch in this courtyard, welcoming pilgrims and apostles like Paul, and establishes James as the leader of this house synagogue. NUMBER 5 THE FLIGHT TO PELLA AND MARY'S DEATH Colleague James Tabor. Tabor discusses the Christian flight to Pella during the Roman revolt. He speculates Mary died before this event, likely around 49–63 CE, and was buried on Mount Zion. Consequently, she disappears from the New Testament record, which shifts focus to Peter and Paul after the Jerusalem church's dispersal. NUMBER 6 THE TALPIOT TOMB AND DNA EVIDENCE Colleague James Tabor. Discussing the Talpiot tomb, Tabor details ossuaries bearing names like "Jesus son of Joseph" and "Mariamne." He argues statistical clusters and potential DNA evidence suggest this is the Jesus family tomb, positing that physical remains support historical existence without necessarily negating the concept of spiritual resurrection. NUMBER 7 THE Q SOURCE AND MARY'S TEACHINGS Colleague James Tabor. Tabor identifies the "Q" source as a collection of ethical teachings shared by Matthew and Luke. He attributes these core values—such as charity and humility—to a family tradition taught by Mary to Jesus, James, and John the Baptizer, aiming to restore Mary'shistorical influence as a teacher. NUMBER 8 VIRGIL'S RURAL ORIGINS AND AUGUSTAN CONNECTION Colleagues Scott McGill and Susanna Wright. The guests discuss Virgil's birth in 70 BCE near Mantua and his rural upbringing, which influenced his poetry. They trace his move to Rome during civil war and his eventual connection to Augustus, noting that Virgil promised a grand epic for the emperor in his earlier work, the Georgics. NUMBER 9 TRANSLATING THE SOUND AND METER OF VIRGIL Colleagues Scott McGill and Susanna Wright. The translators explain choosing iambic pentameter over dactylic hexameter to provide an English cultural equivalent to the original's epic feel. They describe their efforts to replicate Virgil's auditory effects, such as alliteration and assonance, and preserve specific line repetitions that connect characters like Turnus and Camilla. NUMBER 10 THE AENEID'S PLOT AND HOMERIC INFLUENCES Colleagues Scott McGill and Susanna Wright. McGill and Wright summarize the plot, from Troy's destruction to the war in Italy. They analyze Virgil's dialogue with Homer, noting how the poem's opening words invoke both the Iliad's warfare and the Odyssey's wanderings. They also highlight the terrifying, visual nature of Virgil's depiction of the underworld. NUMBER 11 ROMAN EXCEPTIONALISM VS. HUMAN TRAGEDY Colleagues Scott McGill and Susanna Wright. They discuss whether the Aeneid justifies Roman empire or tells a human story. McGill argues the poem survives because it creates sympathy for antagonists like Dido and Turnus. They explore how Virgil portrays the costs of empire and Aeneas's rage, complicating the narrative of Augustan propaganda. NUMBER 12 CLODIA'S PRIVILEGE AND CICERO'S AMBITION Colleague Douglas Boin. Boin introduces Clodia, a privileged woman from an ancient Roman family on Palatine Hill. He contrasts her aristocratic, independent nature—manifested in her name spelling—with the rise of Cicero, a talented outsider. Boin frames their eventual conflict as a clash between established power and ambitious newcomers. NUMBER 13 THE POLITICS OF TRIBUNES AND REFORM Colleague Douglas Boin. Boin details the divide between the Optimates and Populares. He explains how Clodia and her brother Clodius used the office of Tribune—the "people's protector" with veto power—to enact reforms. This strategy allowed them to challenge the Senate's authority and set the stage for Clodius's political dominance. NUMBER 14 THE TRIAL OF RUFUS AND CICERO'S MISOGYNY Colleague Douglas Boin. Boin describes a trial where Clodia accused her ex-lover Rufus of poisoning. Cicero defended Rufus by launching misogynistic attacks on Clodia, calling her "cow-eyed" and alleging incest. Boin argues this famous speech unfairly solidified Clodia's negative historical reputation while obscuring the political power she wielded. NUMBER 15 THE DEATH OF CLODIUS AND THE REPUBLIC'S END Colleague Douglas Boin. Boin recounts the violent death of Clodius by rival gangs, marking a turning point toward the Republic's collapse. He views Clodia's subsequent disappearance from history as a symbol of the loss of women's influence and civic rights, framing her story as a cautionary tale about political violence. NUMBER 16

THE FLIGHT TO PELLA AND MARY'S DEATH Colleague James Tabor. Tabor discusses the Christian flight to Pella during the Roman revolt. He speculates Mary died before this event, likely around 49–63 CE, and was buried on Mount Zion. Consequently, she disappears from the New Testament record, which shifts focus to Peter and Paul after the Jerusalem church's dispersal. NUMBER 6

Jesus' Lineage; Our Lineage by Autumn Dickson I opened up the New Testament this week to study the birth of Christ. I ended up down a bit of a rabbit hole, and I'm going to take you to part of it with me. My rabbit hole took me all over the place, but I'm going to try and simplify it into some basic ideas. It's going to be very technical at first and there are some nice enough implications, but then I want to more broadly apply it to the rest of us. The thing that really got me started down this rabbit hole is the fact that the very first verses we read in the New Testament are the lineage of Joseph. Funny enough, I had never noticed it consciously before because I usually just skip over that part. As I thought about it a bit further, I realized that it was odd. Why are we sharing Joseph's lineage when Jesus isn't of that lineage? Wouldn't it be more effective and helpful to share Mary's lineage (Yes, I know that wasn't the tradition then; it just seems like it would make more sense considering the fact that she's his biological mother). I then learned that many biblical scholars believe that we do have Christ's lineage through Mary. In Luke's account, we receive another account of lineage. This listed lineage lists Joseph, but scholars believe that it's Mary's line anyway. It just mentioned Joseph because of social norms. There are some other theories surrounding Luke's account of lineage, but the most widespread theory is that it really is Mary's line. We're going to go with that theory for all intents and purposes in this particular post. Why is lineage important? Well, it's important for a few reasons. We'll talk about its significance in the life of Christ, and then we'll talk about its significance in our own lives. It had been prophesied that Christ would come off of the Davidic line. Beyond that, He wasn't going to be just some random descendant but heir to the throne (if the Romans hadn't been in charge at the time). Christ's lineage through Mary and Joseph was really important for this particular prophecy. Christ comes off of the Davidic line biologically through Mary. This biological portion of being from the Davidic line is important for obvious reasons. However, Joseph's line is important too. Through Joseph, Christ is able to be known as an heir to the throne of David because that kind of thing always legally passed through males. I spent some time learning about Jewish customs and laws surrounding adoption, and I'll give you a couple of short facts. There wasn't much of a legal proceeding with official records and paperwork when it came to adoption. Rather, if a man stepped up to the role of father in a child's life, that child was legally adopted. If the father treated the child as his own, then the child held claim to everything that the other children held claim to. Inheritances, the family name, all of it. This was actually really important in a society where it mattered who your family was. Christ was of the Davidic line in all the ways that mattered. And this is absolutely amazing. It's cool to think about how God orchestrated every single detail to come together for Christ to fulfill prophecy. It's amazing. Even with His human side coming through His mother, He was still legally adopted and considered an heir through Joseph's line. But I actually want to take this further to allusions surrounding our own heritage, inheritances, and legality in terms of God's family. Like Christ, there are two parts that play into our inheritance. Biologically (not sure if that's the right word but we're going to run with it because I don't have a better word), we are spirit sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. Because of our divine parentage, we were always meant to inherit a throne. It's within our “blood,” so to speak. But there's another portion of this. Through divine authority known as the priesthood, we are “legally” adopted into the family of God. There are three parts to this next thing I was to talk about. Christ could have stepped into His kingship if the Jews had been RIGHTEOUS enough to hold on to their kingdom. Joseph SACRIFICED and LEGALLY ADOPTED Christ and because of that, Christ would have been able to step into His kingship. If Israel had been righteous, Christ would have been king. If we are RIGHTEOUS and lay claim upon Christ's power to LEGALLY ADOPT us into the House of Israel, the because of Christ's SACRIFICE, we are to be divine heirs. As another detail in inheritance that is rich in meaning, primogeniture (firstborn son's claim to the throne over other children) was overwhelmingly common but not the absolute rule. Through wickedness or directly through the decisions of God, the older could be deemed unfit to inherit such power. Heavenly Father truly is the Master. All of the details are laid out so beautifully. There are a million parallels in the gospel that add layer upon rich layer to our understanding. I testify that God is in the details. The more I learn about the gospel, the more I am filled with a sense of awe at all of His orchestration. I testify that we come from a divine family, and I testify that Christ made a sacrifice and gave us the power we needed to adopt us into His family as well. All of these combine to an astounding truth; we have been set up to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, to inherit a divine throne. There is so much we were born into. God has so much in store for us. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Christmas – Part 2 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

Romans 9:17-18 — Does God purposefully harden people's hearts? This statement causes great offense. In this sermon on Romans 9:17–18 titled “Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains the meaning behind Paul's statements and the conclusions that can be drawn from it. Paul says that God raised up Pharaoh into this situation for His specific purposes and then God hardened Pharaoh's heart. God did this so that he could display His power through Pharaoh. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that when one comes across a difficult passage, they should compare it with other similar passages. He then gives several examples in the Old and New Testaments that show God hardening people's hearts. So how does God do this? Several factors that result in a hardening of the heart include God removing his restraining influence, by showing His mercy, by initiating desires that were already in a person, and by using Satan. God never creates sin or causes an evil position of the heart; He only aggravates what is already inside of a person. In this passage of Romans, Paul speaks of how God used Pharaoh to create the result of his plan. In this, Pharaoh chose to harden his own heart in addition to God also hardening his heart. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29?v=20251111

When looking for an individual sitting on the throne of David, we automatically think it must be the Pharez line which is recorded in the New Testament genealogies.  However, we must read the prophecy out of Jeremiah 33:17 carefully.  When we look at the Zara line as well, the promise is still ongoing, and we can see God's hand in History making all of this come to pass.  The same can be seen when we look at Benjamin, and the Levites. Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2025 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved

Send us a text****Read the New Testament in a Year with me in 2025 right here on the podcast!***Bible Verses of the Week: Matthew 7:28-29Welcome to the podcast Move Forth With Grace!  We will be reading the New Testament in a year.  This is such a perfect way to get into God's Word each day and to develop your own relationship with God our Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I am your host Angela and want to first of all say that I am not an expert in Theology or Church History or a Minister and I never will claim to be.  I am a  wife and mother who has been reborn and want to be of service to God in gratitude for calling me back home. Welcome to the Podcast! The Bible that I will be reading from is the English Standard Version Study Bible.  You can find one at www.crossway.org.Thank you for being here....thank you for becoming less like you and more like Jesus.May you Move Forth with Grace today!Love, Angela One of the most important things that we can be doing is teaching our children about the Bible and helping them to develop a Biblical Worldview.  The way that we are doing this in our family is by using My Father's World Curriculum in our homeschool.  For more information on that, please go to https://www.mfwbooks.comTo learn more about my story and the products that I love to use daily, please go to my website:www.move-forth.comThe Holy Roast Coffee  Pro Life Blend: https://theholyroastco.com/products/pro-life-blendPlease donate today to save unborn souls!https://preborn.comI am reading the ESV Study Bible in 2025: Get your copy today if you would like to read along...this is not required of coursehttps://www.crossway.org/bibles/Connect with me on social media or send a prayer request to me on my website here:https://campsite.bio/moveforthBible Teachers that I recommend:Mike Winger on https://biblethinker.org/meet-mike/Dr. Chuck Missler on www.khouse.orgNancy Missler on www.kingshighway.orgDale Partridge on www.relearn.orgChuck Smith on http://www.pastorchuck.org/RC Sproul Eschatology Playlist:https://youtu.be/n22MRa0P6_I?si=Aw53nQLSteu6T3-ASupport the show

The book of James was written by none other than James, the half-brother of Jesus. After Jesus' resurrection, James writes to Jewish believers about topics from perseverance, to true faith, controlling your tongue, submitting to God, patience, and living a wisdom-filled Christian life.   Join Jerry as he dives into this letter to the Church, the book of James, and shares how you can apply the truths it contains to your every day life.   You can also take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!  -------  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  LINKS:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

1 Peter. Originally published as a part of Letters to Young Churches, with an introduction by C.S. Lewis, which sold over 4,000,000 copies.   Read by Peter Croft, youngest grandson of the late J.B. Phillips.

Welcome to Day 2761 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Coequality of the Trinity: An exploration through Biblical Verse and Early Church Writings. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2761 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2761 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled The Coequality of the Trinity: An exploration through Biblical Verse and Early Church Writings.   The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the central tenets of Christian theology, establishing the belief in God as three-in-one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This mystery, at its core, asserts that these three Persons are coequal. This belief has not been accepted without contention. However, by studying the Bible and the writings of the Early Church Fathers, a clear thread of supporting evidence emerges. To begin with, let's explore the Scriptural evidence for the co-equality of the Trinity. The first segment is: THE HOLY BIBLE. In the New Testament, the Gospel of John provides substantial support for the Trinitarian concept. In John one, verse one, it states: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This verse speaks to the preexistence and divinity of the Word, or the Son (Jesus Christ). The Word is not a creation of God, but God himself. In the same vein, John ten, verse thirty quotes Jesus as saying, “I and the Father are one.” This not only illustrates the unity of the Father and the Son, but also their equality, as Jesus identifies himself on the same level as the Father. Matthew twenty-eight, verse nineteen is a critical verse: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Here, Jesus himself authorizes baptisms in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, emphasizing their co-equality and unified nature. In 2 Corinthians thirteen, verse fourteen, Paul gives a blessing in the name of all three Persons of the Trinity: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” Paul's blessing highlights the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but also their inseparable unity and co-equality. Colossians two, verse nines ays, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” The ‘fullness of Deity' indicates Christ's full and equal participation in Godhood. For the Holy Spirit, we see in 1 Corinthians two, verses ten and eleven, “these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” This verse highlights the Holy Spirit's intimate knowledge and participation in the Divine, further emphasizing His co-equality in the Trinity. Finally, in Acts five, verses three and four, when Peter accuses Ananias of lying to the Holy Spirit, he states, “You have not lied just to human...

ICYMI: This episode is one of our earliest episodes, and originally aired on 5/14/2020   In this introductory conversation, Dr. Jonathan Pennington joins the Center for Hebraic Thought as its newest fellow and shares how his journey through philosophy and biblical scholarship led him to see the New Testament as part of a deeply sophisticated intellectual tradition. Pennington discusses how early Christianity, though written in Greek and shaped within a Hellenistic world, did not abandon its Jewish roots but rather translated its robust metaphysic across cultural lines. Drawing from his work on Jesus as a philosopher, Pennington explains that the New Testament doesn't reject or capitulate to Greco-Roman philosophy—it stands alongside it, often outthinking and outlasting it. In contrast to Stoicism's emotional detachment and denial of suffering's reality, the Bible presents a profoundly realistic vision: a God who enters the world, values the body, and promises the restoration of creation through Shalom. Pennington argues that Jesus—especially in Matthew's Gospel—functions as a public philosopher. In moments like the Sermon on the Mount or debates with religious elites, Jesus offers strikingly rational, ethical, and metaphysical responses to life's biggest questions. This episode introduces not only a new CHT fellow, but a vision of Scripture as intellectually vibrant, emotionally honest, and endlessly translatable. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org

Officiant: Mtr. Lisa Meirow, Psalm(s): Psalm 2, 85, Fr. Wiley Ammons, Old Testament: Micah 4:1-5, 5:2-4, Judy Jackson, First Canticle: 16, New Testament: 1 John 4:7-16, Corey Sees, Second Canticle: 21, Gospel: John 3:31-36, Mtr. Lisa Meirow. Logo image by Antonio Allegretti, used by permission.

In this season finale, Drew points to the importance of following the pattern God has set forth in the New Testament. He looks to the examine of the early church making the point that “if we do what they did, we will be what they were” to the glory of God! Visit our linktree: https://linktr.ee/scatteredabroadnetwork Visit our website, www.scatteredabroad.org, and subscribe to our email list. "Like" and "share" our Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/sapodcastnetwork Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ the_scattered_abroad_network/ Subscribe to our Substack: https://scatteredabroad.substack.com/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: The Scattered Abroad Network Contact us through email at san@msop.org. If you would like to consider supporting us in any way, don't hesitate to contact us through this email.

Officiant: Fr. Wiley Ammons, Psalm(s): Psalm 110:1-7, 132, Laura Ammons, Old Testament: Micah 4:1-5, 5:2-4, Judy Jackson, First Canticle: 15, New Testament: 1 John 4:7-16, Corey Sees, Second Canticle: 17, Gospel: John 3:31-36, Mtr. Lisa Meirow. Logo image by Laura Ammons, used by permission.

Send us a text****Read the New Testament in a Year with me in 2025 right here on the podcast!***Bible Verses of the Week: Matthew 7:28-29Welcome to the podcast Move Forth With Grace!  We will be reading the New Testament in a year.  This is such a perfect way to get into God's Word each day and to develop your own relationship with God our Father through His Son Jesus Christ. I am your host Angela and want to first of all say that I am not an expert in Theology or Church History or a Minister and I never will claim to be.  I am a  wife and mother who has been reborn and want to be of service to God in gratitude for calling me back home. Welcome to the Podcast! The Bible that I will be reading from is the English Standard Version Study Bible.  You can find one at www.crossway.org.Thank you for being here....thank you for becoming less like you and more like Jesus.May you Move Forth with Grace today!Love, Angela One of the most important things that we can be doing is teaching our children about the Bible and helping them to develop a Biblical Worldview.  The way that we are doing this in our family is by using My Father's World Curriculum in our homeschool.  For more information on that, please go to https://www.mfwbooks.comTo learn more about my story and the products that I love to use daily, please go to my website:www.move-forth.comThe Holy Roast Coffee  Pro Life Blend: https://theholyroastco.com/products/pro-life-blendPlease donate today to save unborn souls!https://preborn.comI am reading the ESV Study Bible in 2025: Get your copy today if you would like to read along...this is not required of coursehttps://www.crossway.org/bibles/Connect with me on social media or send a prayer request to me on my website here:https://campsite.bio/moveforthBible Teachers that I recommend:Mike Winger on https://biblethinker.org/meet-mike/Dr. Chuck Missler on www.khouse.orgNancy Missler on www.kingshighway.orgDale Partridge on www.relearn.orgChuck Smith on http://www.pastorchuck.org/RC Sproul Eschatology Playlist:https://youtu.be/n22MRa0P6_I?si=Aw53nQLSteu6T3-ASupport the show

1 Peter. Originally published as a part of Letters to Young Churches, with an introduction by C.S. Lewis, which sold over 4,000,000 copies.   Read by Peter Croft, youngest grandson of the late J.B. Phillips.

The book of James was written by none other than James, the half-brother of Jesus. After Jesus' resurrection, James writes to Jewish believers about topics from perseverance, to true faith, controlling your tongue, submitting to God, patience, and living a wisdom-filled Christian life.   Join Jerry as he dives into this letter to the Church, the book of James, and shares how you can apply the truths it contains to your every day life.   You can also take your daily Bible reading to another level with The New Testament Daily with Jerry Dirmann—so grab your Bible and let's get started!  -------  Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below:  LINKS:  « FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » To listen to or download more teachings from Jerry and others from Solid Lives ministries, visit our new media library at: https://app.jesusdisciple.com/jesus-way/media-library « THE NEW TESTAMENT DAILY PODCAST » https://thenewtestamentdailywithjerrydirmann.buzzsprout.com « SOLID LIVES » Find out more about the ministries of Jerry Dirmann and Solid Lives at https://www.solidlives.com/  « SUPPORT » You can help us get free resources like this out to more people. Visit https://pushpay.com/g/jdglobal Thank you for joining us today! For more resources like this, or to support the ministry of Solid Lives, visit one of the links below: FREE MEDIA LIBRARY » Download or listen at https://SolidLivesMedia.com/ ABOUT SOLID LIVES » Find out more at https://www.solidlives.com/ SUPPORT » Help us get the word out at https://solidlives.com/give/

Now that Christian has his armor will he need to use it? Let's find out today!Here are the scriptures we will be looking at today:We've made it to the New Testament!Matthew 1:21Matthew 1:22–23Mark 1:1Mark 1:2–3Mark 10:45Luke 1:26-38Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-truth-talks-podcast/exclusive-content

In this season finale, Drew points to the importance of following the pattern God has set forth in the New Testament. He looks to the examine of the early church making the point that “if we do what they did, we will be what they were” to the glory of God! Visit our linktree: https://linktr.ee/scatteredabroadnetwork Visit our website, www.scatteredabroad.org, and subscribe to our email list. "Like" and "share" our Facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/sapodcastnetwork Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ the_scattered_abroad_network/ Subscribe to our Substack: https://scatteredabroad.substack.com/Subscribe to our YouTube channel: The Scattered Abroad Network Contact us through email at san@msop.org. If you would like to consider supporting us in any way, don't hesitate to contact us through this email.

How does Scripture point to Christ? Together, we are studying Old and New Testament passages over the course of the year, learning how all of Scripture speaks to Jesus. Join us as we dive deep into the Old and New Testament and marvel at the ways Jesus is on every page of the Bible.   Today, we are discussing week 52 day 3 of the CIAOS study. You can follow along with us in Christ in All of Scripture| A 52-Week Journey of Discovering Jesus on Every Page of the Bible vol. 2   Visit The Daily Grace Co. for the Christ in All of Scripture bundle and for beautiful products that will equip you on your journey to knowing and loving God more.   Follow @dailygracepodcast on Instagram for exclusive podcast content and @thedailygraceco for all things The Daily Grace Co. Subscribe to the Daily Grace Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and Read the Bible in a year with us in the Bible App.

Have you memorized all of the 12 Days of Christmas song? Did you know that these themes in the song had a deeper Catholic meaning? Prepare to get the song stuck in your head as you dive deep into some catechetical truths! Timmerie unveils the song's potential role as a secret catechism tool during times of Catholic persecution in England (1558-1829). This joyous melody might have served as a covert means for Catholic children to learn and remember their faith. Here's a breakdown of the hidden Catholic meanings in each verse: Partridge in a Pear Tree: Jesus Christ, the self-sacrificing savior. Two Turtle Doves: The Old and New Testaments, symbolizing the continuity and revelation of God’s word. Three French Hens: The theological virtues - Faith, Hope, and Charity. Four Calling Birds: The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Five Golden Rings: The Torah (first five books of the Bible.) Six Geese A-Laying: The six days of creation. Seven Swans A-Swimming: The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Eight Maids A-Milking: The Beatitudes Nine Ladies Dancing: The fruits of the Holy Spirit, condensed for memorability. Ten Lords A-Leaping: The Ten Commandments Eleven Pipers Piping: The eleven faithful Apostles (excluding Judas who betrayed the Lord. Twelve Drummers Drumming: The twelve articles of faith in the Apostles' Creed. Timmerie challenges you to not just enjoy the melody, but to delve into the rich tapestry of faith these verses represent. Try to work on memorizing all of these important aspects of our faith! It's an invitation to rediscover the depth and joy of the Catholic Church, especially in times of trial.

Share a commentThe hush before the first carol was not empty—it was charged. We step into the holy place with Zacharias, incense curling upward, when Gabriel appears and declares that the long night is ending. This is where Christmas begins: with a promise spoken into fear, a calling placed on an aging couple, and the first shockwave of good news that will roll from a quiet temple to a manger and beyond.We walk through the world of Herod's Judea and the deep ache of barrenness that marked Zacharias and Elizabeth, showing how faith endures when culture misreads suffering. Then the scene opens: a once-in-a-lifetime priestly duty, a famous messenger blazing with authority, and a message rooted in Malachi's prophecy. Their son will prepare the people, turn hearts, and ready a nation for the Messiah. Along the way, we explore why angels matter without making them the main act—how Scripture positions them as servants of God's redemptive plan and why the first New Testament use of “good news” comes from an angelic voice.Doubt doesn't disqualify; it gets refined. Zacharias asks for proof, and Gabriel answers with presence: I stand in the presence of God. The sign is silence—hard, humbling, and holy—until promise becomes reality. When John is born, the sunrise from on high is named and the dawn truly breaks. If you've wrestled with unanswered prayers, wondered about angelic ministry, or wanted to see how the Christmas story actually starts, this journey through Luke 1 will steady your hope and sharpen your vision.If this story stirred your faith, share it with a friend, subscribe for part two on Gabriel's message to Mary, and leave a review so others can find the good news that still breaks the dark.Support the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8 NLT) When you’re a child, Christmas is all about receiving gifts. In December, your head is swimming with nothing but images of your favorite toys. But the true message of Christmas is not the presents we give to one another. The true meaning is the gift that God gave to us, His Son Jesus Christ. One of the most remarkable aspects of God’s perfect gift to us is that it came in simple wrapping. Some people will go to great lengths to wrap presents beautifully. But God’s gift came to us not in beautiful, ornate wrapping, but in a dirty manger found in a cold cave in a little-known town called Bethlehem. That’s the beauty of the Christmas event. Jesus took His place in a manger so that we might have a home in Heaven. The Savior was not wrapped in satin sheets, but in common rags. There in a manger rested the greatest gift in the plainest of wrapping. Isaiah 53:2–3 says, “My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (NLT). The New Testament reveals much about Jesus. But the one thing it doesn’t tell us is what He looked like. Luke 2:52 says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (nlt). But that’s about all we know. All indications suggest that Jesus’ appearance was plain and unremarkable. His words and actions, on the other hand, changed the world. An even more remarkable aspect of God’s gift to us is that we don’t deserve it. Consider this: God gave us the ultimate gift of His Son Jesus Christ while we were still sinning against Him. The apostle Paul put it this way: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve His gift. That’s the amazing truth of Christmas. Despite who we are and what we’ve done, God sent His Son so “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). Christmas is one day away. Prepare your heart for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. He came in an unremarkable form. And He came even though we don’t deserve Him. So, today let’s meditate on the fact that Jesus was born to die so that we might live. Reflection question: How can you show God your gratitude for a gift you don’t deserve? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advent E4 — We're ending our short Advent series with a reflection on love. In the Hebrew Bible, the word “ahavah” involves faithfulness to God and living by his wisdom, but it also means showing practical care to others—especially the vulnerable. Jesus views this love for God and neighbor as the greatest command, and he expands it to be indiscriminate, radical kindness and generosity even toward our enemies. The New Testament authors were so blown away by this kind of love that they adopted an obscure Greek word for love, “agape,” and redefined it to be a self-giving, sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrates in his life, teaching, death, and resurrection. In this episode, Jon and Tim explore the main biblical words for love, showing how the story of Advent characterizes agape as God's own essence and our calling. FULL SHOW NOTESFor chapter-by-chapter notes including summaries, referenced Scriptures, biblical words, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.CHAPTERSThe Hebrew Bible's Understanding of Love (0:00–13:17)Agape and Jesus' Redefinition of Love (13:17–21:25)God Is Love (21:25–31:10)Reflections on Love With JoDee (31:10-36:12)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCESThe Affections of Christ Jesus: Love at the Heart of Paul's Theology by Nijay GuptaAhavah / Love: Though not referenced directly in the episode, this 2017 video explores the same biblical word ahavah.Agape / Love: Also not referenced directly in the episode, this 2017 video explores the same biblical word, agape.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“Clouds ft. ahmo” by Lofi Sunday“Warm Hugs” by Lofi Sunday & Cassidy Godwin“Snowflakes” by AvesBibleProject theme song by TENTS SHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who also edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Special thanks to our guest JoDee Atherton.Powered and distributed by Simplecast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.