Podcasts about northern kingdom

Daily Dose of Hope July 17, 2026   Scripture:  2 Kings 13   Prayer: Lord, We thank you that you are a God of miracles. For the people reading this devotional today, I'm sure that many of them need a miracle of some kind. Give them the courage to ask and the faith to believe that you can do anything. You are all-powerful and totally good. We need you, Lord, and we need your healing power in our lives. May it be so. In Your Name, Amen   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We have been working our way through both 1 & 2 Kings this summer and today's reading was 2 Kings 13, smack dab in the middle of the book.  In this chapter, we are back to the Northern Kingdom.  There is a lot of king drama here.  Over and over again, the kings do evil in the eyes of the Lord.  Truly, it's amazing God didn't just strike them down right there.  But he continued to show grace in so many ways.  The kings and people would worship others gods and do deplorable things in the eyes of the Lord.  But God had compassion on them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  It was because of the faithfulness of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that God did not destroy all the people.  Because he certainly could have.    So, I started thinking about this.  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were far from perfect people.  They were broken, just like us, but they also did their best to stay true to the Lord.  They stayed faithful.  Maybe this sounds strange, but this gave me a lot of encouragement.  We are all sinful, we all mess up, but our desire to remain faithful to God does not go unnoticed.  What difference will our faithfulness have on future generations?  How will God have compassion on future generations because we tried, in our own flawed way, to stay true to Him?  How will our spiritual legacy make a difference?  It's worth spending some time thinking about.    This chapter also discusses the death of Elisha.  This is so fascinating – yes, he has physically died but not even death stops his ministry. His prophecy about Syria obviously plays out but he is still actually doing miracles. When a group of Israelites were burying a corpse, they are interrupted by a group of Moabite raiders. Hastily, they throw the corpse into Elisha's grave, presumably on top of his bones. The dead man is revived. Elisha has continued to give life to Israel, even after death.   More king drama on Monday.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Come Follow Me Kids Podcast - a primary podcast for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (Not officially affiliated in any way.) This week we are studying 2 Kings 17–25“He Trusted in the Lord God of Israel”We will learn about king Hezekiah and king Josiah. Mahershalalhashbaz Isaiah's sonZaphnathpaaneah Joseph when prime minister of EgyptTilgathpilneser king of AssyriaChushanrishathaim king who oppressed IsraelNebuchadnezzar king of BabylonBerodachbaladan king of BabylonMephibosheth. grandson of king SaulHazarmaveth sons of NoahAmmishaddai follower of MosesChedorlaomer king of ElamBashanhavothjair Son of ManassehHezekiah King of IsraelAre you looking for a scripture study church podcast? You are listening to Come Follow Me Kids! A Come Follow Me Podcast For Kids. This is specifically a Primary Podcast or Primary Scripture Study Poscast that studies Come Follow Me. Welcome to Come Follow Me Kids! We are a scripture study podcast that accompanies the Come Follow Me Manual by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We play games, sing songs, and tell stories to go along with the scriptures. This year we are specifically studying the Old Testament. We sometimes use audio clips from the Friend Magazine and other church sources, however we are not officially sponsored by the church in any way. If your children would like a free baptism shout out or to be guests on this podcast, email us at comefollowmekidspodcast@gmail.com. If you like this podcast, please leave us a review. Thank you! Despite the prophet Elisha's powerful ministry, the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel did not repent. Eventually, the Assyrian Empire conquered and scattered the ten tribes of Israel. Meanwhile, the Southern Kingdom of Judah wasn't doing much better: idolatry was also widespread there.Amid all this spiritual decay, the scriptures mention two kings of Judah who, for a time, turned their people back to the Lord. One was Hezekiah. During his reign, the Assyrians conquered much of Judah. But Hezekiah and his people showed faith in the Lord, who saved Jerusalem in a miraculous way. Later, after another period of apostasy, Josiah became king. Inspired in part by a rediscovery of the book of the law of Moses, Josiah brought reforms that revived the religious life of his people.Like Israel and Judah, we all make both good and bad choices. When we sense that our lives need some reforms, we can take encouragement from these two bright spots in the dark years of Judah's history. Perhaps the examples of Hezekiah and Josiah can inspire us to “trust in the Lord our God” (2 Kings 18:22).

Daily Dose of Hope July 9, 2026   Scripture: 2 Kings 7   Prayer:  Lord God Almighty, You have given us everything.  Not only did you create the world, but you created us.  Everything we have is a gift from you.  Forgive us for when we begin to think that things are "ours."  Soften our hearts.  Help us become more generous.  Lord, I give you my whole self.  I want to offer myself as a living sacrifice; may I be pleasing in your sight.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We have been working our way through the Old Testament books of 1 & 2 Kings this summer.  Today, our reading is 2 Kings 7.   At the end of yesterday's chapter, we read about how the king of Aram and his large army laid siege to Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This led to a famine and a great deal of anguish among the people. People were desperate, going so far as to resort to cannibalism.   The king of Israel is horribly distraught and seeks out the prophet Elisha.  At the beginning of today's chapter, we hear the prophet's response.  Elisha says that the Lord has spoken and that by that time tomorrow, there will be fine flour and barley available at affordable prices.  The officer who was present with the king was highly skeptical and you can see his response. He says, "...even if the Lord should open the floodgates of heavens, could this happen?" Elisha declares that it will but that because of his cynicism and lack of faith, he wouldn't get to enjoy any of it.   As we read through the chapter, we begin to see how God takes care of the situation. The Aramean army is scared off and the Israelites get to enjoy the plunder. Food becomes readily available and the siege is over. Once again, the Lord has spoken through Elisha.   Over the next few days, we will continue to see Elisha at work. What's fascinating to me is that Elisha served as prophet of Israel for six decades. His words were often unpopular and not always heeded, but he persevered. It takes a strong person to be a prophet. I wanted to mention that God is still giving people the gift of prophecy; certain people bring a message from God to his people. Just like in Old Testament days, prophets are often ignored, maligned, and/or pushed to the fringes. The reality is that rarely do prophets bring a message of approval. They typically bring a word from God that challenges the faith community and the religious leaders.  I have known several people with the gift of prophecy and they typically have a difficult time finding a church that accepts them.   Have you known someone with this gift? What's been your reaction to it? If you haven't known a prophet, how do you think you might respond? How does reading about Elijah and Elisha affect your view of prophets?   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Today we read about the critical moment when Assyria destroys the Northern Kingdom, and the ten northern tribes are exiled and assimilated among the nations. Fr. Mike explains how this moment and the foreign possession of Samaria is key in order to understand Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4. We also read about how the prophet Micah beautifully foreshadows the birth of Jesus. Today's readings are 2 Kings 17, Micah 5-7, and Psalm 140. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

When we walk with the Lord, we will see His work in our life, but if that work seems to stop, we should seek to figure out why. Today, as we dive into Jeremiah 2, we see the sins of Israel and how they hard caused a rift in their fellowship with the Lord. Join us as we examine this key chapter on ways we break our fellowship with the Lord. DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    Think back to our first study yesterday in Jeremiah 1. What was God's call upon Jeremiah? What kind of message was Jeremiah to bring to the people? What would be the people's reactions? What kind of determination was Jeremiah to have? 2.    In verses 2 & 3, the Lord remembers the early days when Israel was a new nation. How does He describe her devotion to the Lord? In practical terms, what do you think this looked like? 3.    Verses 4 & 5 start to get to the problem. Why does the Lord ask, "What injustice did your fathers find in Me?" What do we know to be the answer? Why, then, did the people turn from God? 4.    How does the Lord describe His care and provision of the people in verses 6 &7?  5.    Despite God's faithfulness, how did the people respond to Him at the end of verse 7? What did the priests fail to do in verse 8? What did they do instead?  6.    What did the podcast suggest that we should do when God seems distant? In these opening verses, what did the people and leadership do instead?  7.    Verses 9-12 ask a question that could be just as relevant today. Think back to the nations of the world, how many can you think of have changed it's "god" or it's religion? If you can think of this ever happening, how central was the Lord to that change (either way)? Why do you think that is? 8.    Verse 13 is a key verse for the entire Book of Jeremiah. What does it say? What does it mean? How were the people going after broken cisterns that could not hold water? Have you ever done this in your life? What was the outcome? 9.    In verses 14 to 19, what is the state of the nation of Israel? Is this referring to just the Northern Kingdom or both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms? What difference does this make in the interpretation of these verses? 10.    What were they doing in verse 18, going down the road to Egypt? According to the podcast, how does the Battle of Carchemish factor into this situation?  11.    In verse 19, what were the people lacking? Why is this so vital to restoring a relationship with the Lord?  12.    In verse 22, how is the people's manmade attempts at righteousness just vain attempts at moral reform? Why is their stain still before the Lord? How does this speak to people's modern-day attempts at personal reform and self-improvement?  13.    In verse 23, what were the people saying about their own sin? Why did they have no shame in verse 26? What did they declare in verse 35? Do this self-evaluations represent people who know God and walk with Him? If not, what do these traits point to in their own spiritual condition?  14.    How do verses 27 & 28 characterize their idolatry? How do people make these same statements today? What are the modern-day "idols" that people say these kinds of things to? 15.    In verse 30, how did the people respond to the Lord's chastening? What does it look like to have a heart that is sensitive to the Lord's rebuke and discipline?  16.    Skim verses 31 to 37. These verses reflect the hard-hearted callousness of people who have turned from God. What are some principles that you can see in these verses? Has any of these principles ever been part of your walk with God? What happened to shake them from you?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Daily Dose of Hope July 1, 2026   Scripture: 2 Kings 1   Prayer:  Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  This summer, we've been working our way through 1 & 2 Kings.  Yesterday, we finished 1 Kings and today, we begin 2 Kings.  I would love to hear your feedback.  What did you learn from the book of 1 Kings?   Our reading for today is 2 Kings 1.  We immediately find that the clash between Elijah, a prophet of Yahweh, and the Israelite monarchy continues.  Despite past warnings, Ahaziah, the king of the Northern Kingdom, is worshiping and consulting with other gods. Thus, Yahweh, the one true God will continue to demonstrate that he is supreme.   In today's chapter, Yahweh demonstrates his power and supremacy through the sending of fire. The king has become injured and wants to see if he will recover from his injury. He sends some messengers to consult the god, Baal-Zebub, to provide guidance on his recovery. One has to stop and wonder what in the world he was thinking. Why is he intentionally snubbing Yahweh to consult a false god?   His messengers are met by Elijah the prophet who expresses God's anger at the situation. Through Elijah, God makes it clear that Ahaziah will not recover but rather will die in his bed. In an attempt to get more clarity (or possibly a new prophecy), the king sends several groups of soldiers to summon Elijah. The first two groups are consumed by fire.   Ahaziah, clearly not learning the lesson, sends a third group. This group pleads for mercy from Elijah, as they know their lives are in danger. They are allowed to live, Elijah addresses the king, and Ahaziah dies shortly after.   What are we to make of this? I don't understand why the king of Israel insisted on consulting Baal rather than Yahweh. But what I do know is that God wants us to always consult him first.  When we are in trouble, instead of trying to figure it out ourselves, God desires that we reach out to him FIRST. God loves us, God truly wants the best for us, and God wants to lead us in his direction. We may think we are so much better than Ahaziah but in many ways, we do exactly the same thing. We may not consult a false god, but we try to do life on our own. Yet, we have a God who is powerful and good. Seek God first. Listen. Obey.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

“If the Lord Be God, Follow Him”1 Kings 12–13; 17–22The prophet Elijah - come follow me Podcast for kids. Following the curriculum from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This week we learn The Holy Ghost speaks to me in a still, small voice. When the Lord asks me to sacrifice, I can obey in faith. I can choose to follow Jesus Christ.The house of Israel was in disarray. The kingdom had divided, with ten tribes forming the Northern Kingdom of Israel and two tribes forming the Southern Kingdom of Judah. But worse than their separation from each other was both kingdoms' separation from their covenants. Wicked kings led the people away from the Lord, and many people wavered in their faith.In this setting, the Lord called Elijah to be a prophet. His life shows that a person can have great faith in the Lord even in bad circumstances. Sometimes the Lord responds to such faith with impressive, public miracles, like fire falling from heaven. But He also works quiet, private miracles, like feeding a faithful widow and her son. And most often the Lord's miracles are so individual that they are known only to one person—for example, when the Lord reveals Himself to you through “a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12).For more about Elijah, see “Elijah” in the Bible Dictionary.Are you looking for a scripture study church podcast? You are listening to Come Follow Me Kids! A Come Follow Me Podcast For Kids. This is specifically a Primary Podcast or Primary Scripture Study Poscast that studies Come Follow Me. Welcome to Come Follow Me Kids! We are a scripture study podcast that accompanies the Come Follow Me Manual by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We play games, sing songs, and tell stories to go along with the scriptures. This year we are specifically studying the Old Testament. We sometimes use audio clips from the Friend Magazine and other church sources, however we are not officially sponsored by the church in any way. If your children would like a free baptism shout out or to be guests on this podcast, email us at comefollowmekidspodcast@gmail.com. If you like this podcast, please leave us a review. Thank you!

The ancient world around Israel was saturated with the idol worship representing gods of sex, money, power, and war. Both the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the Northern Kingdom of Israel succumbed to these temptations, but the worst was the Northern Kingdom of Israel. What happened when God's people confused outward success with spiritual faithfulness? Hear Amos expose the false security of prosperity and the deadly pull of idolatry. Measure justice and righteousness by God's standard, not the changing values of the culture. Listen to the Lion who roars before judgment falls and respond while His grace is still extended. Rest in the hope that the God who warns His people also promises future restoration through the Messiah.

The ancient world around Israel was saturated with the idol worship representing gods of sex, money, power, and war. Both the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the Northern Kingdom of Israel succumbed to these temptations, but the worst was the Northern Kingdom of Israel. What happened when God's people confused outward success with spiritual faithfulness? Hear Amos expose the false security of prosperity and the deadly pull of idolatry. Measure justice and righteousness by God's standard, not the changing values of the culture. Listen to the Lion who roars before judgment falls and respond while His grace is still extended. Rest in the hope that the God who warns His people also promises future restoration through the Messiah.

Hosea is the first of the 12 Minor Prophets and it will not be easy to forget him or his message. God told him to preach against the Northern Kingdom of Israel not only in verbal oracles, but also to symbolize that message through his own marriage — his "wife of harlotry" represents Israel! Enjoy this sample from Lesson 2, "Hosea's Symbolic Marriage (Hos 1-3)" from Dr. Nick's 20 part course, "The Minor Prophets: The Book of the Twelve." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

Daily Scripture Reading and Reflection: The fall of the Northern Kingdom serves as a warning to every generation. Today's reflection examines the consequences of shedding innocent blood and rejecting God's law.

Daily Dose of Hope June 22, 2026   Scripture:  1 Kings 16   Prayer:  Almighty God, We come before you with awe and humility.  We are nothing without you.  We need you desperately, Lord.  Help us gather our scattered thoughts today as we focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, help us remember that we belong to you.  Help us lay our worries and cares on the throne of your grace...We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through 1 Kings.  It's been quite a ride so far!  Let's see what we have in store today.    Our reading on this Monday is 1 Kings 16.  The Northern Kingdom is one, hot sinful mess! King after king, there is disobedience, idolatry, and violence. By the time we get to King Ahab at the end of chapter 16, we think it can't get any worse.  And yet, it really does. Ahab was the worst of the worst. He went above and beyond when it came to deliberately thumbing his nose at God and he took pagan worship to a new level.  Then, there was child sacrifice. To be honest, I wasn't really clear about what verse 34 meant–what does it mean to build the foundations of a city or the gates at the cost of a child? Apparently, infants (alive or dead) would be placed in a container and then literally placed in the masonry of the foundation.  The idea was to ward off evil and please the gods. I have a hard time even typing the words. How absolutely horrific and blatantly against the law of the one true God.   One more aspect of Ahab's total disregard for the Lord–the rebuilding of Jericho. Most of you probably remember the great story of Joshua and the people of God conquering Jericho after circling for seven days. At the time, God warned of death to the person (and their family) who attempted to rebuild the city.  And Ahab rebuilt it.  The author is reminding us that while it might not appear to be so, God's Word still stands. God is still in control. Ahab will not have the final word.  Evil does not win.    And evil does not win today.  It's a good reminder for all of us because there are times when the depravity around the globe can be almost overwhelming.  God will have the final word.  Of course, we live on the other side of the cross.  We know that Jesus has won victory over sin and death.  However, we do live in an in-between time.  Maybe a better way to say it is that the war has been won but there are still some battles remaining.  Until Jesus returns in final victory, evil will still have a place in this world.  When he returns, we can look forward to a time when evil will be vanquished for good.  No more tears, no more violence, no more injustice.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope June 19, 2026   Scripture: 1 Kings 15   Prayer:  Almighty God, As we close this week, we pray that today will be a day that we see glimpses of your glory.  We need you, we yearn for you.  Lord, help us set aside our distractions and settle our scattered thoughts so we can focus on you and you alone.  In the next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers... In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through 1 Kings.  I don't know about you, but some of this is really hard to read.  The kings are leading the people astray in detestable ways.  It's easy to almost have a visceral reaction to it.   Today's reading is 1 Kings 15.  Here, we begin the saga of various kings reigning over both Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom).  In the Northern Kingdom, there is a quick turnover of leadership, which naturally leads to instability.  There is also a blatant disregard for God's laws, including what has become a culture of pagan worship.  We will see God occasionally send a prophet to hold the king accountable, and regardless of whether the king changes his behavior, we can see the Lord attempting to be in relationship with his people and call his people back to him.   In the Southern Kingdom, there were also a number of leaders, some who disobeyed God and others who made an earnest attempt to follow God's law.  In today's chapter, we meet King Asa, who does what was right in the Lord's eyes.  He cleans up the pagan symbols and altars, the shrine prostitutes, and brings the precious articles back to the temple.   What's interesting is that in the Southern Kingdom, even when the kings are disobedient, God extends grace because of David's obedience and devotion.  In some ways, God gives them a pass because he remembered the faithfulness of their forefather David.  Even when the kings were sinful, God kept his promise.  He promised that a descendent of David would sit on the throne forever and he made it so.    Our God is a God who keeps his promises.  How many of you need to hear today that God keeps his promises?  Even when we fall away, God keeps his promises.  Even when life feels hard, God keeps his promises.   Below is a list of just a few of God's promises.  On this day filled with so much uncertainty because of the storm, let's focus on God's promises:   1.         God promises to always be with you.  Matthew 28:20 (and surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age), Hebrews 13:5 (Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  Romans 8:38-39 (For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.)   2.        God promises strength.1 Cor. 10:13 (No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.), 2 Cor. 12:9 (But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me), Phil. 4:13 (I can do all this through him who gives me strength.), Eph. 6:10 (Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.)   3.        God promises peace.  John 14:27 (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.), John 16:33 ("I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.")   4.        God promises to answer prayers.  Luke 11:9 ("So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.), John 16:24 (Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.). Matthew 7:8 (For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.   5.        God promises to take care of your needs. Matthew 6:32-33 (For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.), 2 Cor.9:8 (And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.)   6.        God promises freedom from sin.  John 8:36 (So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.), Romans 6:22 (But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.), Romans 8:1 (Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...)   7.        God promises everlasting life.  John 3:16 (For God so loved the world...), I John 5:13-14 (I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life...) On the podcast, this is when the discussion with Emmy Roberts begins.  Tune in! Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope June 18, 2026   Scripture: 1 Kings 14   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you today with humility and gratefulness.  We praise your powerful name.  Thank you, so much, Lord, that you came to earth to dwell among us and show us a different way of being.  Help us to pay attention to your example.  Help us to be more loving and more merciful in all we do.  Help us to be even but a small reflection of you.  You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Thank you, Jesus.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  Just a reminder, it's VBS week at New Hope.  There are a lot of amazing children and volunteers on our campus.  Please keep them in prayer.   We are currently working our way through 1 Kings.  Today's reading is 1 Kings 14.  It becomes clear that Jeroboam will face the consequences of his sin.  His son gets ill and Jeroboam sends his wife to seek the wisdom of a prophet.  The prophet is clear – because Jeroboam was so sinful, his son will die, and the entire house of Jeroboam will be obliterated.  No matter how important or untouchable someone things they are, sin has consequences.    While Jeroboam ruled in the Northern Kingdom, Rehoboam reigned in the Southern Kingdom, Judah.  Things aren't going well there either.  They also worshiped other gods, set up altars in the high places, had shrines with male prostitutes, and did things absolutely detestable in the eyes of the one true God.  We see God lifting his hand of protection and allowing the king of Egypt to successfully attack Jerusalem and carry off treasures from the temple.    Things are going really bad in the north and the south.  What has happened to God's people?  How did they get to this place?  I think sometimes we can ask ourselves the same questions.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

Daily Dose of Hope June 17, 2026   Scripture: 1 Kings 13   Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, I come before you today with humility.  You are holy, you are perfect, and I am painfully flawed.  Forgive me, Lord, for the way I fall short over and over again.  Forgive me for not being loving, patient, and kind.  Jesus, I want to follow your example.  I want to have a clean and pure heart.  How I need you.  Create in me a pure heart, Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.  I love you.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  We are currently working our way through 1 Kings.  Yesterday, we read about how the divided Kingdom began – with one arrogant, ego-driven king who decided to listen to really poor counsel.    Today's reading is 1 Kings 13.  We read about Jeroboam, the king in the Northern Kingdom yesterday.  Things have gotten really bad.  It seems he has instituted his own cult in Israel. There are pagan gods and altars everywhere.  While the chapter doesn't specifically say this, idolatry usually coincides with other sin too.    We read about a prophet visiting Jeroboam.  He warns him of the consequences of his disobedience.  What are the consequences? Well, a new king, Josiah, will rise up.  And Josiah will clean up the pagan altars, kill the pagan priests, and punish Jeroboam. As a sign of the authenticity of the prophet's message, he says that the altar by which Jeroboam was standing would split in two. Jeroboam isn't thrilled with this message, of course, and attempts to get the man seized but God intervenes. Jeroboam's hand is paralyzed and then, just as the man prophesied, the altar splits and the ashes pour out. Yes, the message is all true; there is no doubt it will come to pass.   This is a bit of an odd chapter. The man of God who visited Jeroboam ends up with an untimely death because of disobedience himself. You see, no matter who you are, there are always consequences to sin. Always. We live on the other side of the cross and while we can repent and receive forgiveness, we still often must face the consequences of our own bad choices: debt, divorce, job loss, relationship issues, and damage to the Kingdom.   Think of an example of when your sin caused consequences you deeply regretted. How did the situation play out? Was there healing and restoration OR are you continuing to deal with the pain of sin? Whatever the situation, submit it to God today.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Introduction to the 5th passuk which starts discussing the Northern Kingdom

By Peter Eddington - Because of King Solomon's sins, God split the nation of Israel into two parts—north and south. Only Judah remained in Jerusalem as the Southern Kingdom. The other tribes became the Northern Kingdom. However, this punishment was not to be forever. God desires for Israel to be united once again—for

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Get your Hosea Scripture Journal now. Listen to our text today, Hosea 5:5: The pride of Israel testifies to his face; Israel and Ephraim shall stumble in his guilt; Judah also shall stumble with them. — Hosea 5:5 What if the strongest evidence against you… is your pride? That's what God says here. "The pride of Israel testifies to his face." No investigation is needed. No external witness is required. Their pride testifies for them. It shows up in how they live, how they respond, and how they refuse to listen. Pride always reveals itself. Pride resists correction. Pride dismisses conviction. Pride assumes, "I'm fine," even when everything is drifting. And that's exactly what was happening. "Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Ephraim (the lead tribe in the North) shall stumble…" This is a predicted collapse. Pride blinded them long enough that when the fall came, they didn't even see it coming. Then Hosea adds: "Judah (the Southern Kingdom) also shall stumble with them." Judah would witness the truth. They saw the warning because they watched Israel fall. And still—they followed them into the fall of pride. That's how pride works in us. We see it in our nation when we believe progress has replaced truth. We see it in churches when conviction is softened to keep people comfortable. We see it in leadership when influence matters more than integrity. We see it in our own lives when we resist correction but justify our choices. Our pride doesn't just oppose God. It pulls us away from God while convincing us that we're still close to God. So don't just look at Israel. Don't just look at Judah. Look at yourself. Where are you resisting God right now? Where have you grown too confident, too comfortable, too unwilling to listen? And then give that pride to God before your predictable fall. DO THIS: Identify one area where you've resisted correction or conviction, and take a step of humility today—listen, confess, or change. ASK THIS: Where has pride shown up in my thinking or decisions? What correction have I resisted recently? Where am I assuming I'm fine instead of asking God to examine me? PRAY THIS: God, expose the pride in me that I cannot see. Humble my heart so I can walk closely with you and not drift away. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Humble And Kind"

In this insightful episode of the Who's Who in the Bible series, Fr. Shiju Mulasseril C.Ss.R., examines the life and leadership of Rehoboam, the son and successor of King Solomon. Set against the backdrop of a kingdom at the height of its power yet burdened by heavy taxation and forced labor, the episode explores the critical decisions that shaped Israel's future.When the northern tribes appealed for relief, Rehoboam rejected the wise counsel of experienced elders and instead followed the advice of his younger companions, choosing a path of greater severity. This fateful decision led to the division of the United Kingdom of Israel into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, fulfilling the prophecy spoken by Ahijah.Beyond the historical narrative, Fr. Shiju draws valuable spiritual lessons about responsible decision-making, the influence of the company we keep, and the importance of listening to the voices of the poor and marginalized. This episode invites viewers to reflect on leadership, humility, and justice, and challenges us to make choices that promote unity, compassion, and faithfulness to God.

In this insightful episode of the Who's Who in the Bible series, Fr. Assisi Saldanha, C.Ss.R., explores the life, leadership, and legacy of Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The video traces Jeroboam's journey from a capable and respected leader under King Solomon to the central figure in Israel's division following Solomon's death. It examines his role in challenging oppressive policies, negotiating with Rehoboam for justice, and leading the northern tribes to independence.Fr. Saldanha highlights how Jeroboam was initially seen as a liberator and even a “new Moses” for his people. However, the episode also reflects on the decisions that ultimately shaped his legacy, particularly the establishment of golden calves at Bethel and Dan, which became a lasting symbol of Israel's religious unfaithfulness. Through a balanced appraisal of his achievements and failures, viewers are invited to consider the challenges of leadership, faith, and responsibility.Watch this fascinating episode and explore the entire Who's Who in the Bible series to discover the lives and lessons of other influential Biblical figures.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Who's Who in the Bible series, Fr. Assisi Saldanha, C.Ss.R., explores the fascinating story of the House of Omri, one of the most powerful and influential dynasties in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Delving into the lives of Kings Omri and Ahab, Queen Jezebel, and Jehu, he uncovers the complex interplay of politics, faith, power, and covenant loyalty that shaped Israel's history.The episode examines the political instability that characterized the Northern Kingdom, contrasting it with the enduring Davidic dynasty in Judah. Viewers will discover how Omri emerged as a strong ruler who established Samaria as Israel's capital and strengthened the kingdom through strategic diplomacy. Fr. Saldanha also offers fresh insights into the often-debated figures of Ahab and Jezebel, exploring the challenges they faced and the religious tensions that arose from foreign influences and the worship of Baal.The story culminates in the dramatic rise of Jehu and the downfall of the House of Omri, raising important questions about leadership, faithfulness, and the consequences of abandoning God's covenant.Join us for this enriching journey into biblical history and spirituality.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Get your Hosea Scripture Journal now. Listen to our text today, Hosea 4:15-19: Though you play the whore, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. Enter not into Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven, and swear not, "As the Lord lives." Like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn; can the Lord now feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture? Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone. When their drink is gone, they give themselves to whoring; their rulers dearly love shame. A wind has wrapped them in its wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices. — Hosea 4:15-19 You don't have to join sin to be shaped by it. Watching it is often enough. That's the warning God gives to Judah (the Southern Kingdom). Israel (the Northern Kingdom) had already drifted into idolatry and compromise, but Judah was told not to follow. In other words, don't go where they go or adopt what they've adopted. Do not follow their example. I have told my kids this numerous times when I see one of their friends walk down a sinful path. And it's a good reminder. Then Hosea says: "Enter not into Gilgal… nor go up to Beth-aven…" These were once sacred places, but they had been corrupted. What used to be holy had become dangerous, so God tells them to stay away. And notice that even their language had become empty. Saying, "As the Lord lives," sounded right, but their lives no longer matched their words. They were no longer men of their word. God describes Israel as stubborn, unwilling to be led, until there comes a point when people cling to sin so tightly that they no longer want freedom. Their pattern is straightforward. When one indulgence ends, they move to another. There is no restraint, only repetition. Even their leaders "love shame," celebrating what should be rejected. This is identical to how "Pride" is celebrated in the month of June. Then come the results of sin and shame. "A wind has wrapped them in its wings." Judgment comes swiftly, and everything they trusted fails them. What they thought would save them only exposes them. Consider your own life today. You may not be doing what the culture is doing, but are you getting too close to it? Watching it. Accepting it. Slowly becoming shaped by it. What you tolerate, you accept. What you accept, you imitate. Don't become what you're watching. DO THIS: Create distance from one influence that is quietly shaping your thinking away from God. ASK THIS: Where are you being influenced more than you realize? What are you tolerating now that you once resisted? Are you setting boundaries or drifting closer? PRAY THIS: Father, help me see clearly what is shaping my life and give me the courage to walk away from anything that pulls me from you. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Run To The Father"

Welcome to Day 2876 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Progressive Christianity and the Northern Kingdom: A Repeated Rebellion. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2876 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2876 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:  Progressive Christianity and the Northern Kingdom: A Repeated Rebellion. After the division of Israel, Jeroboam feared losing his kingdom if the people continued worshiping in Jerusalem. Rather than abolish religion, he reshaped it. He placed golden calves at Dan and Bethel and declared, “Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt” (First Kings 12, verse twenty-eight). He kept the name of Yahweh but changed the worship to fit political and cultural needs. Progressive Christianity walks the same path. It keeps the language of faith while redefining the terms. Jesus becomes a moral teacher rather than the risen Lord. Sin becomes injustice rather than rebellion. Salvation becomes social healing rather than spiritual redemption. Just like the Northern Kingdom, modern progressives offer a god who is familiar in name but foreign in nature. The First Segment is: “Open-Minded” Idolatry The people of Israel did not see themselves as rejecting Yahweh. They simply wanted to be open to other spiritual options. Baal was worshiped for rain, Asherah for fertility, and Molech for prosperity. The land was filled with high places, groves, and alternate shrines. In their minds, it was not apostasy. It was balance. It was maturity. Progressive Christianity mirrors this impulse. Its leaders are often proud to affirm all religions as valid paths to the divine. Jesus is presented as one example among many. Interfaith services blend Scripture with mantras, chakras, and meditation. This “open-mindedness” is not new. It is the same spiritual adultery that the prophets condemned as whoredom. God does not share His throne. The second Segment is: Pagan Intrusion in Sacred Clothing The Israelites introduced forbidden elements into their worship. They practiced divination, consulted mediums, and used cultic rituals they learned from their Canaanite neighbors. They may have justified these things as “spiritual tools,” but the prophets saw clearly what was happening. Paganism was creeping into the house of God. Today, angel cards, energy healing, astrology, aura readings, and manifesting are all being imported into churches, especially those influenced by progressive and New Apostolic Reformation theology. These practices are often wrapped in Christian language. They speak of light, Spirit, and destiny. But they are no different from the forbidden rituals of ancient days. Their power does not come from the Holy Spirit. It comes from the same deceiving spirits that always wait behind the idols. The Third Segment is: The Rise of Prophetic Theater In the Northern Kingdom, the prophets became professional performers. They declared victory and blessing without requiring repentance. They contradicted the true prophets, promising peace while ignoring rebellion. Jeremiah lamented, “They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you'” (Jeremiah 23, verse seventeen). Today's “prophecy schools,” such as Bethel's School of Supernatural Ministry, follow a disturbingly similar pattern. They claim to train individuals to “activate” prophetic gifts, to decree and declare realities into being, and to access heaven's secrets at will. But true prophecy in Scripture was never a skill to be mastered or a sensation to be invoked. It was a calling given by God to speak His Word with fear and trembling. At Bethel and similar movements, prophecy becomes performance. It centers on personal revelation, emotional experience, and “manifesting” outcomes rather than repentance, obedience, and holiness. Like the prophets of the Northern Kingdom, these teachers proclaim peace where there is no peace and glory without the cross. The emphasis on “prophetic activation” closely mirrors the divination condemned by Moses, where the divine is manipulated for human ends rather than received with reverent submission. The Fourth Segment is: Cultural Syncretism Rebranded as Revival Ancient Israel thought it could have both Yahweh and Baal. It thought it could use Canaanite worship styles to honor the God of Abraham. But Yahweh had already spoken at Sinai. His worship was not negotiable. Israel's attempt to blend cultures resulted in divine rejection. Progressive Christianity makes the same mistake. It borrows the language of self-help, the values of humanism, and the practices of mysticism. It attempts to wrap them in Christian terms, calling it “revival” or “awakening.” But Yahweh does not share His glory. He is not worshiped on the high places. He is not accessed through emotion, technique, or personal preference. He demands covenant faithfulness. The fifth segment is: The Prophets Were Never Popular In the Northern Kingdom, the true prophets were persecuted. Elijah was hunted. Amos was silenced. Hosea was scorned. They did not tell people what they wanted to hear. They told them what God said. The people preferred the false prophets who promised peace, affirmation, and national greatness. Today, biblical voices that warn against false spirituality are called judgmental. They are told they are stifling the Spirit. They are accused of division and fear-mongering. But their words match the prophets of old. God does not change, and neither does the nature of rebellion. The sixth segment is: The Consequence of Compromise The Northern Kingdom fell. Assyria crushed it, and its people were scattered. The fall was not just political. It was spiritual. The gods they welcomed could not save them. The prophets they trusted led them into ruin. God gave them over to what they had chosen. Progressive Christianity is on the same path. It trades revelation for reinvention. It welcomes what God forbids. It builds golden calves and calls them Jesus. Its trajectory is not renewal but collapse. A house built on sand will fall. In Conclusion The Northern Kingdom did not fall because it rejected religion. It fell because it redefined it. It kept the name of God while reshaping everything else. It embraced the gods of the age and called it progress. Progressive Christianity is repeating this rebellion. It is time to choose whom we will serve. For further study, consider these Discussion Questions Why do you think Jeroboam chose to redefine Israel's worship rather than abolish it outright? How does this reflect the way progressive Christianity reshapes faith today? What are the dangers of being “open-minded” about spiritual truth? At what point does openness become compromise, and how can we recognize the difference? How do modern practices like angel cards, manifesting, and prophetic activation parallel ancient forbidden rituals? Can these practices ever be redeemed or are they inherently incompatible with biblical faith? Why were the true prophets in Israel often unpopular and rejected? How does this help us evaluate popular spiritual leaders today? If the Northern Kingdom's downfall was theological more than political, what does that suggest about the long-term consequences of doctrinal compromise in the Church today? Join us next Theology Thursday to learn The Bible as a Polemic: Confronting the Powers that Rebelled Kingdom:. If you found this podcast insightful, please subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of  ‘Wisdom-Trek,  Creating a Legacy.'                          Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly,   I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this Trek of life together, let us always:           

Hosea—It’s an Old Testament book written during the fading days of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Hosea describes something of a spiritual dumpster fire. But most remarkable of all, Jesus is mentioned! This week on The Land and the Book, we’ll get to know Hosea—the prophet, AND the book that he wrote. Plus—all the top stories from the Middle East—and a creative idea for sharing your faith with a Jewish friend. All on The Land and the Book.Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/landandthebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From God's view, the Northern Kingdom of Israel isn't just a history lesson—it's 200 years of calf‑worshiping pukes proving what happens when a nation builds its own religion and rides off from the real God. In Part 5 of “The Story of God,” we zoom out and trace the trail from Solomon's drift and the split of the kingdom, to Jeroboam's golden calves at Bethel and Dan, to 19 kings in 9 dynasties who kept the “sin of Jeroboam” alive while prophets like Elijah, Amos, and Hosea shouted for them to turn back. You'll see how false worship, high places, Asherah poles, Baal altars, and partial obedience finally ended with Assyria riding in and wiping the Northern Kingdom off the map. This message is for folks who suspect they've built a comfortable, home‑made religion instead of actually following Jesus, believers who keep winning little battles but won't lay down their favorite “calf,” and top hands who want to make sure their life points at the real God, not just at tradition. Connect with Save the Cowboy Save the Cowboy is a ranch‑based ministry helping ordinary people follow Jesus in the real world—no fluff, no nonsense, just the truth told in a cowboy way. Website: SaveTheCowboy.org Ranch ministry: LXRanch.org Facebook, Instagram: @SaveTheCowboy Please help us reach more cowboys by liking and subscribing!

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Get your Hosea Scripture Journal now. Our shout-out today goes to Charles Donahue from Keene, NH. Thanks for your partnership in Project23. Our text today is Hosea 1:1. The word of the Lord that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. — Hosea 1:1 How does a nation drift away from God? Not all at once. Not in one dramatic moment. It happens slowly. Quietly. Over time. One generation compromises. The next generation forgets. Eventually, a culture that once knew God barely remembers him at all. That's the moment Hosea steps into. This opening verse may read like a simple historical note, but it tells us something important. Hosea ministered during the reigns of several kings in Judah—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—and during the reign of Jeroboam II in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. By this time, the nation had already been divided for nearly two hundred years. The Northern Kingdom kept the name Israel, while the Southern Kingdom became Judah. Hosea's message was directed mainly toward Israel. And at first glance, things looked strong. Under Jeroboam II the nation experienced economic growth and military success. Borders expanded. Trade increased. Life appeared stable. But spiritually, the nation was collapsing. Idolatry filled the land. Baal worship spread through the culture. Religious activity still existed, but true devotion to God had largely disappeared. In that moment, God raised up a prophet. In the Old Testament, prophets were not primarily predictors of the future. They were messengers sent by God to speak truth to God's people—confronting sin, warning of consequences, and calling the nation back to covenant faithfulness. Hosea was that voice. And history shows a pattern: when a nation begins drifting from God, God sends a warning before judgment comes. He sends truth before consequences. He sends a voice before collapse. So pause today and examine your own life. Spiritual drift rarely feels dramatic while it's happening—but small compromises can quietly move our hearts further from God than we realize. Take a moment today to ask God where drift may be happening in your life, and take one small step back toward him. DO THIS: Take five quiet minutes today and ask God to reveal one area where you may be drifting spiritually—and make one intentional step toward him. ASK THIS: Where in your life might spiritual drift be happening without you noticing it? What small compromise today could slowly move your heart away from God? What is one simple step you could take today to move closer to him? PRAY THIS: Father, help me recognize the places where I may be drifting from you. Draw my heart back toward faithfulness and truth. Amen. PLAY THIS: "The King Is Coming"

May 4, 2026Today's Reading: Isaiah 12:1-6Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 21:1-24; Luke 12:1-12“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia! Amen. The people of Judah were in a precarious position. They had watched the Northern Kingdom be completely destroyed by the Assyrian army. Families were separated. The places of worship had been desecrated with idols of false gods. The identity of the Northern Kingdom was gone. King Ahaz refused to listen to God through the prophet Isaiah. King Ahaz had his own plans to protect his people. Ahaz looked to the formidable army of Egypt for protection against Assyria. The very nation that God had freed His people from enslavement, Ahaz cut a deal with and went back to their historic slavemaster. In the previous chapters, Isaiah reminds his hearers of God's attitude towards arrogance and pride. God hates the prideful nature of man. He despises the arrogance of His people and the arrogance of the pagan nations around His people. In their idolatry, they have committed adultery against God. They have had affairs with other gods and lusted after their own hearts' desires. In the worst of times, they still pursued their own hearts and their false gods.In our sin, we fall into the trap of arrogance and pride. We see our accomplishments and what we are capable of achieving. Our electronic advancements and technological advancements give us every answer in the palm of our hands. We can find endless entertainment, both good and bad, with a few swipes of the finger. It can seem as if nothing is out of our reach. Isaiah's words in chapter 12 speak to the remnant that was left behind. The few that remained faithful to God. The epitome of that remnant is found in Jesus Christ. Christ is Israel reduced to one. The final sacrifice, the final King, the final prophet. Christ fulfills all aspects of God's holy law. In faith, you hold fast to the promise that Christ has completed the work for your salvation. Sin, satan, and the world will work tirelessly to turn you away from the work of Christ and point you to your work. In faith, you are held fast to Christ's work and His salvation for you. He has become your salvation. He has completed the work for you. He has paid the price for your sins. He has conquered death for you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Though Satan's wrath Beset our path And worldly scorn assail us, While You are near, We shall not fear; Your strength will never fail us, Your rod and staff will keep us safe And guide our steps forever; Nor shades of death Nor hell beneath Our lives from You will sever. (LSB 714:2)

Are you ready to hear about a prophet of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who not only refused to obey God, but as fast as he could he caught a ship to go as far away from God's instructions as possible? This is Jonah, one of the earlier prophets to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. By refusing to obey God, he had an adventure he would never forget. God had directed him to go east to Israel's most-hated enemy, the Assyrian city of Nineveh. Jonah could not escape God's plan, for God prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah and return him to the shore. In this lesson you will learn that Jonah was an actual historical person and find out the significant themes of this small book. Learn that God loves all people and had a strong evangelistic plan for the world, even in the Old Testament.

Usually, in the Jewish calendar and in the Jewish canon, redemption comes top down. In the Exodus story, God brings about redemption with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, with ten plagues and signs and wonders. In the creation of the State of Israel that we marked with Yom Haatzmaut this week, the Israel Defense Forces brings about the creation and the continued existence of the Jewish state. Tomorrow morning we are going to examine an odd redemption story. Redemption comes not from God, kings, prophets, leaders, or armies, but from four lepers whose names we do not even know. The story, from 2 Kings 7, takes place during war. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was attacked by Aram, that had laid siege to it. There was no food. People were starving. It was as grim as grim could be. In that dark time, four lepers, who are outside the gates of the city, who are not welcome in the city, who have no prospects, bring salvation to Israel. We will do a close textual read of an odd redemption story for what it teaches us about us now.

April 24, 2026Today's Reading: Introit for Easter 4 - Psalm 66:3, 5, 8-9; antiphon: Psalm 66:1-2Daily Lectionary: Exodus 39:32-40:16; Luke 8:22-39“Come and see what God has done.” (Psalm 66:5) In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. King Hezekiah is the best king Judah had since David (2 Kings 18:1-3). Like David, he fights the Philistines. He expands Judah's land and he restores true worship (spelled: F-A-I-T-H) by getting rid of the “high places” forbidden in Deuteronomy 12:10-14. He smashes the Asherah pillars and crushes the bronze serpent of Moses, to which Judah burned incense (2 Kings 18:4).  However, the mighty Assyrians under Sennacherib are on the move. Judah faces the same fate as the Northern Kingdom. In the “fourteenth year” of King Hezekiah (Isaiah 36:1 – a clue that suggests the events of Isaiah 36-39 are similar to Passover – see Leviticus 23:5), the Assyrians taunt the Jerusalemites by contending that they should not expect Hezekiah or the LORD to save them.  Why? Because no gods have been able to stand against Assyria! Sounds like Pharaoh, “Who is the LORD?” (Exodus 5:2). Hezekiah takes the derisive letter into the temple and spreads it before the LORD. He asks God to hear the Assyrian blasphemies Assyrians and defend Himself. “So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone,” (2 Kings 19:19; also Isaiah 36:18-20; 37:1-10). The LORD humbles the gods of Assyria (Isaiah 37:21-29) just as He did with the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12). The “angel of death” passes through the Assyrian camp by night and slaughters 185,000 of them (Isaiah 37:36; cf. Exodus 12:23).  Isaiah 38 tells the story of Hezekiah's illness and recovery. Hezekiah offers a psalm of thanksgiving (38:19-20). The “angel of death” slaughtered the Assyrians but passed over Hezekiah. In a sense, Judah has experienced a new Passover or a Passover 2.0 with the angel of death delivering her – this time from the Assyrians. No wonder Psalm 66, first written because of what we have just reviewed, exhorts the people of the Old Testament or any Christian to “come and see what God has done.” And to give “him glorious praise.” King Hezekiah sure did!  We pray this psalm in response to the greater exodus (Luke 9:31) that the LORD Jesus did for us and for our salvation when He suffered (including all the mockery), died, and rose on the third day. He crushed the enemy Satan's head. He achieved and accomplished our salvation through the shedding of His blood from His crucified body. On the night when He was betrayed, during the context of a Passover meal, Jesus instituted His Supper, by which He gives us His crucified, risen, and ascended Body and Blood to eat and drink, with the promise that all our sins are forgiven (Matthew 26:26-28). Jesus is God FOR YOU! In the Lord's Supper, “come and see what God has done for you” and gives you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. LORD Jesus Christ. Thank you for saving me on the cross. I trust You. Amen. 

April 20, 2026Today's Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16Daily Lectionary: Exodus 33:1-23; Luke 7:1-17“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep.”  (Ezekiel 34:15a) In the Name of Jesus. Shepherds. Israel's history is full of them: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When Jacob moved his family to Egypt, they were segregated to Goshen because Hebrew shepherds were considered an abomination to the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34; cf. 43:32). Moses and David were shepherds (Exodus 3:1; 1 Sam 17:34-36). Joshua would shepherd Israel so that “the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd” (Numbers 27:17; cf. 1 Kings 22:17; Ezekiel 34:5). Additionally, the prophets, particularly Ezekiel, speak of Israel's kings as shepherds. Most of these king-shepherds abused the flock. King Ahab was one of the worst in the Northern Kingdom, and Manasseh was one of the worst in the Southern Kingdom. The children of Israel were like sheep without a shepherd. These king-shepherds did not strengthen, heal, and bind up the weak and sick. Instead, they ruthlessly subjected them. Preyed on them. Exposed them to wild beasts.   Ezekiel correctly makes the case that Judah's shepherds consumed their flock instead of feeding it. Instead of protecting, they slaughtered. Instead of gathering, they scattered. Consequently, the LORD takes His stand. He will “destroy” and “feed” the voracious-feeding-themselves “fat and strong” unfaithful shepherds “in justice.” They will get what they want as their punishment for their stubborn unbelief, corruption, and unrepentance. In addition, the LORD Himself promises to do what Israel's predatory shepherds will not and cannot do. He will be Israel's shepherd. “I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out … I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep.” He will rescue and gather the scattered. He will “feed them with good pasture” – even on the mountain heights. He will “seek the lost … bring back the strayed … bind up the injured, and … strengthen the weak.” Connect the dots. Ezekiel 34 is to the Old Testament what John 10 and Luke 15:3-7 are to the New Testament. Jesus— Immanuel / God with us— is the Good Shepherd of Ezekiel's prophecy! God the Father sends His only-begotten Son “to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). David was both “shepherd” and “prince” of Israel. As such, David prefigures Jesus, who is the greater salvational Shepherd-King! So, when Jesus identifies Himself as “the good shepherd,” He categorically proclaims Himself as the fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy. And in Good Friday sacrificial love for you, His sheep, He “lays down his life” (Jn 10:15) and then takes it up again on Easter Sunday (Jn 10:17-18) to win your salvation by His blood as the sacrificial lamb who “takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Good Shepherd Jesus, continue to shepherd and pasture us in Your kingdom as we live in and from our Baptism as You repent, faith, and lead us in Your Word. Amen.

Join Rod, Janice, Corie, and Ryan in this insightful episode of Bible Discovery as they delve into the historical and spiritual significance of King Hezekiah's reign in 2 Kings 18. Explore the fall of northern Israel to the Assyrians, Hezekiah's faithfulness, and the importance of morality in leadership. Discover archaeological insights about Shebna and uncover the lessons of history that resonate with our lives today.

We serve a Triumphant King! And today we'll dig into 1st Chronicles 17 to see how this passage ties right into Jesus' Triumphal Entry and draws our focus to His ultimate kingdom. Join us as we turn to an encouraging chapter from the life of David! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    The podcast mentions that there are several similarities between the books of Kings and Chronicles, specifically that 1st Chronicles… focuses on David, covers both the Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom, seeks to explain Israel's downfall in terms of how they broke their covenant with God, and was written around the time of the return from exile to remind the people that they were still God's covenant nation. Why do you think these points were needed as God's people returned from exile?  2.    The podcast also mentions that an underlying purpose of the book of 1st Chronicles was to show that just as God was faithful to His promises to bring judgment, He would also be faithful to bring restoration. How would this have given the people hope in their time of exile? 3.    Since we've already discussed the Davidic covenant from 2nd Samuel 7 a few weeks ago, as you have come to today's study in 1st Chronicles 17, what is your understanding of its significance?  4.    In verse 4, what does the Lord tell David regarding His reasons for not having David build a temple? What does this show us about the priority the Lord places on fancy buildings?  5.    In the past, we've explained that a "Covenant" is a formal set of promises that one (or more) people make to another. In this passage, the Lord makes 8 key promises. In the space below, write the gist of each promise for each verse:  a.    Verse 8: b.    Verse 9: c.    Verse 10: d.    Verse 11: e.    Verse 12: f.    Verse 13 (#1):  g.    Verse 13 (#2): h.    Verses 14: 6.    Having just finished our study of 1st and 2nd Kings, how many kings in those books fulfilled these promises (hint: You don't have to look up the reigns of any kings to answer this question)? Who is the only King who fulfilled these 8 promises?  7.    How has Jesus fulfilled some of these promises already? How will the rest be fulfilled?  8.    In light of these promises, how can you praise the Lord today? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

More than likely, you've faced desperate situations. During those times, who did you turn to? Today, we'll read the important account of Hezekiah's faith in the Lord and how the Lord miraculously delivered His people. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    Given the context of this passage, what happened in 2 Kings 18 that would lead to Hezekiah to tearing his clothes here in 2 Kings 19:1? What did this action (tearing his clothes) indicate?  2.    Who did Hezekiah send word for in verse 2? Who was this person and where else is he mentioned in the Bible? What does Hezekiah ask of him in verses 3 &4? How does the fact that Hezekiah sought religious counsel impact the outcome of this passage?  3.    In verse 6, why does Isaiah say that Hezekiah should not be afraid? In verse 7, what does the Lord promise will be the outcome of this altercation with Sennacherib? Given the situation, especially the fact that the Northern Kingdom has already fallen to Assyria, why might this promise have seemed "too good to be true"?  4.    Per our study in 2nd Kings 18, who (or what) is this "Rabshakeh"? In verse 8, how does he accuse the Lord of deceiving the people? What was Assyria's track record in defeating other nations who also trusted in their gods?  5.    In verse 14, what did Hezekiah do? What does Hezekiah pray in verses 15-19? What depth of faith and trust do you see here? How is this depth of faith tied to Hezekiah's overall life pattern of trust and obedience?  6.    What message did the Lord have through Isaiah for Hezekiah in verse 20? What was the Lord's message for Rabshakeh in verses 21ff? What was the Lord's message for the people in verse 29ff?  7.    What happens to the Assyrian army in verse 35? What does Sennacherib have to do in verse 36? How was this clearly by the hand of the Lord?  8.    The podcast mentioned the archeological artifact called "Sennacherib's Prism." How does "Sennacherib's Prism" help shed light on this biblical account?  9.    Based on this passage, what are some principles you can glean for trusting in the Lord, even when everything seems to be going haywire?  10.    As you reflect on this passage, how did Sennacherib and Rabshakeh respond to the Lord's work in their lives? How is this an example of a rebellious response to the clear work of God? What counsel would you give to them about how and why they ought to heed the Lord?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

It's difficult to have faith when we're surrounded by a faithless world, and yet that's not uncommon for God's people. Today we're looking at 1 Kings 17 and the account of Elijah and Ahab. We'll see how Elijah stands for the Lord and how the Lord blesses him and those around him. Join us!  DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    According to the podcast, what happened to the nation of Israel 55 years earlier? Which kingdom did Elijah preach to? 2.    Although King Ahab was a king over the northern kingdom, by his mode of life, which God did He really worship? How did this come about? 3.    The podcast mentions that the name "Baal" meant "master". How might this have been a temptation for God's people who often referred to the Lord as "Adonai" which also meant "Lord, master"?  4.    The podcast mentions that "Baal" was the god of nature and fertility and rain. How important were these elements to the Jewish agrarian economy? Why might this have been tempting for the Jewish people to worship Baal instead of the Lord? 5.    Into this scene came Elijah. Elijah's name meant "The Lord is God". Why was this message so radical in Elijah's day and age? 6.    What does the Lord tell King Ahab in verse 1? What kind of intestinal fortitude did this take, given the situation of the Northern Kingdom at this time? How was this taking on the false god Baal?  7.    What does the Lord have Elijah do after this, in verses 3-7? How does the Lord provide for Elijah in these verses? How do you think that would have strengthened his faith? 8.    Where does the Lord send Elijah in verse 9? Was this a region inhabited by Jews? Whose hometown was this? Why would that have been a problem for Elijah? 9.    What does the widow say to Elijah about the Lord in verse 12? What does this indicate about her faith in the Lord? What miracle does the Lord provide for her an answer to her faith? 10.    What happens to her son in verse 17? What does the Lord do through Elijah in verses 19 to 22? What did the podcast say about why this is a "resuscitation" rather than a "resurrection"? 11.    Look up Malachi 4:5. What does this verse say about Elijah? How did this verse factor into Jesus's ministry in the New Testament? 12.    What does Elijah's life show the people of the Northern Kingdom regarding God's covenant with them during this time? Why is this surprising given the spiritual climate of Elijah's day? 13.    In Luke 4, verses 26 and 27, Jesus refers to the events of this chapter. What was His point in saying what He says about what happened here? 14.    Finally, James 5:17 refers to these events as an example of prayer. What was James's point about Elijah? How does that relate to us today? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Which sin does the Bible emphasize most—and what does it reveal about the dangers of institutionalized disobedience? This article argues that Jeroboam's subtle, respectable-looking idolatry became Israel's most destructive sin and offers striking parallels for Adventist mission and the call to uphold true worship today.

3.8.2026 – Rev. Ben Roberts for Foundry UMC, Washington DC The author has wasted no time being extra scandalous here. It's not just that Jesus is meeting with the Samaritan woman but also that he's doing it at a well. Other biblical narratives of men meeting with women at the well usually ends with some sort of marriage; Isaac and Rebecca.  Jacob and Rachel.  Moses and Zipporah.  These are all encounters at wells. So the overtones for the original audience of this story hint at courtship.  If you've encountered this story before maybe you've heard it sad that this woman social standing should be questioned because of the marriage history that's presented. But Dr. Laura Holmes at Wesley Theological seminary invites us to remember that permission to divorce would have been handed down by male family member it would not have been possible for a poor woman. She couldn't have chosen to get divorced. So the multiple husbands noted in this story likely are “related to tragedies either death or being divorced or both.” So it would be inappropriate to make those sorts of conclusion about here moral or social standing. She also notes for us that we should pay attention to the way that the community responds to this woman's testimony, that many people receive it and believe because of her. If she were ostracized, it is unlikely they would have even listened to what she had to say.  This story also follows closely to that of Nicodemus' the story we heard last week. The contrast being that the Nicodemus story takes place in the middle of the night, but Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well in the middle of the day. Their stories present a series of opposites: “They embody gender, class and status, and ethnic and religious differences. The setup for each encounter also differs: Nicodemus initiates the conversation with Jesus, while Jesus initiates the conversation with the Samaritan woman, and the former is at night (3:2) while the latter is at noon (4:6).”  In both stories, Jesus's answers are interpreted literally causing confusion; when talking of being born again or drinking living water. As Pastor Ginger said last week, very unhelpful answers provided by Jesus. But we see different responses within the confusion. Nicodemus's story somewhat ends after a couple of follow-up questions; he the learned teacher doesn't continue the conversation. While the Samaritan woman asks for the living water and goes and tells others about what she has encountered. So we get some of the feeling that they learned teacher Nicodemus who is inside the community doesn't quite get it what this random Samaritan outsider woman stays engaged and curious.  After the woman asks for the living water, Jesus does something that reveals and points to himself as Messiah. He knows things that haven't be said yet. He tells her about her husbands and current situation, nothing she had shared with him. This, him knowing something that hasn't been reveled,  is enough to begin this revelation and journey for her.  Let's note they have this discussion on worship. Localities are brought up as she says “this mountain” and then says, “but you (y'all) say the place where people MUST worship is Jerusalem.”  We'll talk some more about this, but suffice it to say for the moment the Jewish tradition is telling them that worship must be in Jerusalem, while the Samaritan tradition says it should be on Mt. Gerizim (or this mountain).  She points to this dogmatic divide between their communities and Jesus' response is to say neither Jerusalem nor this mountain. A time is coming when true worship will be in spirit and in truth. Worship that is born not from obligation to ritual but love of heart and active in the world as Jesus was active (mercy, service, justice, compassion). She goes from there and tells others in her community and it's said that many listened to her, came to see Jesus for themselves, and also believed. The woman becomes one of our traditions' first theologians discussing proper worship, first preachers telling her community what Jesus had done, and is every bit a disciple/apostle as those other…guys. And that is lovely.  There are few major stories where the Samaritans were mentioned in the New Testament. We have this story of the Samaritan woman at the well. We have the story of a thankful Samaritan leper. And we have probably the best-known story of the Good Samaritan parable. In each of these cases a person who is Samaritan is held up as an example of someone who did the “right” thing where the more faithful person or the Jewish person in this story does the wrong thing or is just slower at…the thing. For example, in the Good Samaritan parable this is the Samaritan who stops to help the injured person after some priests and Levites had passed by on the other side. Or in the case of the leper the Samaritan is the one who gives thanks and tells the story where the other nine just leave. I'll note that in the other two cases a person is in some ways reduced to being an object lesson, that is they are just held up to teach us something about the ways we're supposed to act. There's not a bunch of character development. We don't learn about the actual people or their communities through these stories. They're just being used to show us something. By comparison, today's story is rather robust for the Samaritan character; despite not being given a name. Last fall (2025) as part of our foundations of sacred resistance series, we did a Bible study that included talking about the Good Samaritan. Someone brought up that it would be helpful for us to expand on who the Samaritans were. Usually we (and the Bible) just note there is animosity between the Jewish community and the Samaritan community. There was one Kingdom and a united monarchy until the time after King Solomon. So we have one Kingdom under David and then under his son Solomon, but after Solomon, the kingdoms and the tribes split. Ten tribes remain in the north, which becomes the Kingdom of Israel, and two remain in the South, which becomes the Kingdom of Judah. The reason for that split is often characterized as a continuation of tax policy and harsh leadership. This would have been around or between 975 and 930 BCE. Whatever the day-to-day on the ground specifics, we end up with two groups where there had previously been one. Differences begin to emerge for a variety of reasons. But we'll start with something that's common, and that is that both groups followed the Torah or the fist 5 books of what we would call the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament (Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy). For portions of this Northern Kingdom that eventually become the Samaritan community, the scriptures stop there without additions of prophetic texts, Psalms or others that Christian circles are familiar with from the Hebrew Bible or Old testament.  And within that holy text of those first five books, there are differences between the Torah used by the Samaritans and the Torah used by the Jews. There are 6,000 differences: half of which are grammatical or small changes for flow, and the other half are larger ones like entire conversations (missing/not included) between characters like Moses and Aaron with Pharaoh and a difference in the 10 commandments. Where we might be familiar with the 10th commandment being “thou shalt not covet,” the Samaritan version has the 10th commandment as an instruction to build and alter at Mount Gerizim (believed to be the place Abraham was going to sacrifice Isacc for this tradition rather than Mount Moriah/The Temple Mount in Jerusalem). So differing scriptures (yet the same), differing instructions, differing locations claiming to be central to the faith if not the center of the world. These realties come together over time. The distinct group of the Samaritans does not really emerge however until after the Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE.  The Assyrians come through and take over the Northern Kingdom (Israel). When the northern Kingdom fell some of the members of the 10 tribes are deported throughout Assyrian territory.  Some remained. But the Assyrians also send colonists and other deported people from other places into the region of the northern Kingdom. And the population that remained from the 10 tribes begins to intermix culturally, religiously, and socially.  Differences are magnified  because of the experience of the Southern Kingdom with the Babylonian exile. Where the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdome sends the people away. The Babylonian conquest takes the people of the southern kingdom in to exile in Babylon (this where books of the prophets come from) but there's an end exile (where there wasn't for the northern kingdom) 200 years later, Persians allow the southern kingdom Judean's to return. This has a big impact on the development of Judaism. And upon their return, while it's said in the book of Ezra, the Samaritans were willing to welcome back these cousins and work with them to rebuild. Those returning did not want to mix because of the ways the Samaritans had mixed with other cultures over the centuries. At some point during the Assyrian conquest and the people being deported. Some lions showed up, killed some people, it was a big mess. It was a whole thing. The Assyrians said, you know, those people we sent into that land don't know how to worship the God of that land. So we need to send a priest back to teach them (2 Kings), because we can't have lions running around killing people. So our tradition, from the start says, those people who remain, those Samaritans who have been mixing, they don't know what they're doing when it comes to worship when it comes to being faithful. They're doing it wrong and need to be fixed. That becomes the one-sided story we inherit. This experience of exile, return and non-return becomes a big divergence for the two groups. The returning Judeans don't want to mix with those people who are doing it wrong. They reject the Samaritan's help. And as the returning Judeans begin to do things like rebuild Jerusalem and the temple after rejecting the Samaritans' help. The Samaritans in turn find ways to oppose its construction by lobbying the Persians.  Laws and prohibitions around mixing and inter-marrying are put in place. The marriage prohibitions persist to this day. Animosity and separation continue to grow over hundreds of years by the time the Jesus story begins. In 128 BCE the Hasmonean's (Judea/Southern Kingdom) destroyed the Samaritan Temple at Mt. Gerizim. Little more than a century later (6-9 AD) around the time of Jesus' birth, the Samaritans dump human bones throughout the temple in Jerusalem, rendering it unclean and unavailable for the Passover celebration. There is long-range tit for tat going on. And at roughly the same time as Jesus' life and ministry and the budding of the early Christian church, the Samaritans were essentially in collaboration with the occupying Romans; collecting taxes and helping keep order compared to the rebellious Jewish community. Samaritan community still exists. By all accounts there are 8-900 people left in the community. The population is mainly split between Tel-Aviv, Israel and Nablus near Mount Gerizim in Palestine/West Bank. There was a NYT article from 2021 called “The World's Last Samaritans – Straddling the Israeli-Palestinian Divide.” So with all of that, recent desecrations and destructions of temples, differing yet the same scripture, vastly differing experiences, prohibitions on marriages and sharing food, and hundreds of years of growing divide; Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. No shortage of old divides on display for us in the world right now. No shortage of one-sided stories about how awful the other side is, right now. No shortage of stories about how awful we are. No shortage of conflict and suffering because of it. I think I very much like the idea today of Jesus stepping into and interrupting old, entrenched conflict. I like the idea that people, like the woman, are still curious and willing not be held by old tropes and dogmas; social, political, or religious. I like Jesus stepping in and saying not your mountain or ours; it's not what matters and they're not worth staying divided over.  If we keep drinking from these old wells; of nationalism, Christian nationalism, Christian Zionism, racism. Drinking from wells of sexism misogyny, racism, or homophobia. Drinking from the wells of ethnic conflict the wells of polarization. Drinking from these old wells of division and violence will just keep us coming back to these old wells of division and violence. Four years from now, 100 years from now, 200, 700, 3000 years from now. Instead, we're invited to the living water that can satisfy and move us into relationship. And for those who would step into that relationship, having experienced the living water, within them a spring would form and other could experience it too. Through that expansion may  we (with God's help) somehow move closer to the days of Spirit and Truth; changed hearts and just action in the world.

2 Chronicles 10 begins the final major section of 1-2 Chronicles which focuses on the Judean Kings of the Davidic Kingdom. The Northern Kingdom is largely ignored because they have rebelled against God. The Chronicler examines the ups and downs of the southern reigns and judges them based on their fidelity to God's covenant and law. Chapters 10-20 focuses on these kings beginning with Jeroboam through Jehoshaphat. Enjoy this sample from Lesson 8, "Royal Infidelity: Jeroboam to Jehoshaphat (2 Chron 10-20)" from Dr. Nick's ten-part course, "1-2 Chronicles: The Kingdom of the Lord." Anyone can join our community of students and stream the entire audio lesson and full course (and other courses too!) whenever they wish.

SHOW NOTES   In Podcast Episode 362, “Please Give Us One Heart to Obey,” Kim discusses the latest invitation King Hezekiah sent out to call, not only the people of the Southern Kingdom, but also anyone left in the Northern Kingdom to come home and worship the Lord. Many laughed at the invitation, but some humbled themselves and came. For those who answered the invitation, the Lord gave “them all one heart to obey” their leaders, who were obeying the Lord. How would our world be changed today if Christ-followers had one heart to obey the Lord?   Our focal passage for this episode is 2 Chronicles 30:1-27, with 12 as the focal verse:   12 At the same time, God's hand was on the people in the land of Judah, giving them all one heart to obey the orders of the king and his officials, who were following the word of the Lord.      WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT FEATURE:   Please pray with me for you and all in your circle to have one heart to obey the Lord.   EDITOR'S NOTE:   Due to multiple technical difficulties, Kim had to perform multiple edits on the recorded material. If a glitch remains, please accept her sincerest apologies.   Additional Resources and Scriptures:   Exodus 12 - The First Passover EMAIL — encouragingothersinlovingjesus@gmail.com Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus X - https://x.com/eoinlovingjesus?s=21&t=YcRjZQUpvP7FrJmm7Pe1hg INSTAGRAM -  https://www.instagram.com/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus” YouTube Channel: Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/@EncouragingOthersInLovingJesus   I WANT TO BEGIN A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST.   RESOURCES USED FOR BOOK OF 1 & 2 Kings (1 & 2 Chronicles) PODCASTS: “The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete Old Testament OT in One Volume” “Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings” by Tony Merida “The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: Advancing God's Kingdom Agenda” “Life Application Study Bible” “The Swindoll Study Bible: NLT” by Charles R. Swindoll Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary “The Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary” by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays (Editors) Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): Old Testament, 2004, by Kenneth L. Barker, John R. Kohlenberger, III. xAI. (2026). Grok [Large language model]. https://x.ai/grok/chat      "Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus" Facebook Group:   Our Facebook Group is devoted to providing a place for us to encourage each other through all the seasons of life. Follow the provided link to request admittance into “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus”—https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ Feel free to invite others who will be good encouragers and/or need encouragement to follow Jesus.   This podcast is hosted by Kim Smith, a small town Country Girl who left her comfort zone to follow Jesus in a big City World. Now, she wants to use God's Word and lessons from her faith journey to encourage others in loving Jesus.   In each episode, Kim will share insights regarding a portion of God's Word and challenge listeners to apply the lessons to their daily lives.   If you want to grow in your faith and learn how to encourage others in loving Jesus, subscribe and commit to prayerfully listening each week.   Remember, “It's Always a Trust & Obey Kinda Day!”   If you have questions or comments or would like to learn more about how to follow Jesus, please email Kim at EncouragingOthersinLovingJesus@gmail.com.     National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline   988   https://988lifeline.org/   Reference: Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Wheaton, Ill: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.   Podcast recorded through Cleanfeed and edited through GarageBand. The soundtrack, entitled “Outlaw John McShane” was obtained from Pixabay.     The HIDDEN Episodes:  If you can't access episodes 1-50 on your podcast app (the podcast was then entitled "A Country Girl in a City World - Loving Jesus"), you can get all the content at my Podbean site at https://acountrygirlinacityworldlovingjesus.podbean.com/  

Warnings of Earthquake Judgments (1) (Audio) David Eells, 1/25/26 I'm going to talk to you today about many warnings about earthquakes that have been prophesied to come to America. Some of these are old, and some are recent, which confirms them because God is still speaking through His prophets. God warns ahead so that many get the warning. If it was immediately fulfilled it wouldn't be a warning. He has been patient and very merciful towards people.  A recent earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 struck off the coast of Oregon at 7:25 p.m. PT on January 15, 2026, according to preliminary data. The quake occurred offshore at a shallow depth of about 7 km, which is why it was widely felt across western Oregon and coastal communities. No tsunami warnings were issued by the National Tsunami Warning Center, which is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Early reports indicate the epicenter was well offshore, but shallow quakes travel far — and fast. If you felt shaking, swaying, or a sudden jolt, you're not alone. The offshore area near the Oregon–California border is part of a seismically active region where earthquakes occur regularly due to the interaction between tectonic plates along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Most earthquakes in this area occur offshore and are often not felt on land, though larger events have the potential to be widely felt along the Pacific Northwest coast. (This 6.0 quake, which happened very near a fault line, is a precursor to a much larger earthquake.) https://x.com/JosetteCaruso_/status/2012012701334024207?s=20 https://x.com/KristyTallman/status/2012057788932112687?s=20 It seems the Lord is blessing America to undo the damage done by liberals, who also have pushed the Land for Peace upon Israel, for which God said He would judge the US with earthquakes. It seems He is judging the liberals' rebellion against law and government. I believe the Lord told me that we are seeing spiritual earthquakes happening. We are certainly seeing spiritual shifts and separations of the earth here, a polarization of left from right. A clear separation of radical left from what is right. The Lord has shown us that He can fulfill prophetic dreams, visions, and prophecies in a physical or spiritual way (and sometimes both), depending on the actions of His people. Considering His mercy and grace being shown toward America, are we still going to see great physical quakes judging America? We are seeing tremendous precursors of earthquakes come and miraculously go as if by God's hand. He is still telling us He is going to judge apostate Christianity in America, bringing them into Babylonish captivity. Are these precursors being put down to show God's mercy once more, or are they a warning to pray against coming quakes? We saw massive riots and demonstrations on the East Coast in DC and the West Coast in Portland during and then following the inauguration. In the last several months, we've seen protests and riots against ICE, the National Guard, and other law enforcement in Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, New York City, Minneapolis, and other cities. These could be symptoms of the spiritual earthquakes. Are the physical quakes still coming, or will both be true? This event has been considered in the past as a potential warning of a POSSIBLE pending large earthquake on the west coast. Now, let me share with you some revelations the Lord has given concerning these earthquakes.     More Shaking and Tsunami to Come for Russia and Japan and then for California     8/3/25 Alison Pound (David's notes in red)   The Lord says: The ring of fire is erupting. One side has gone off. The other side, where California is, will react to the Russian side. Do you remember, I will shake the earth like a cottage. (A cottage has a flat floor, walls and a roof) Think of how big the Earth is. Then think of Me shaking it. One side goes down, the other side goes up. Then it is the turn of the first side to go up, whilst the other side goes down. There was no breakage, no land fell off into the sea on the Russian side. But when the Californian side reacts to the Russian side shaking, the land will break up, and a chunk will fall into the sea. Everyone will be able to see this chunk sticking up at the cracked edge and submerged under the sea at the outer sea edge. Keep watch. The shaking on the Russian side has not ended. There will be more before the other side reacts. On the Japan and Russia coastlines, there will be another tsunami. This will be most devastating. It will happen first, and then the shaking will begin on the US coastline. Alaska will not be devastated at this time. But the Japan tsunami and the Russia shaking will set off the other side of the ring of fire. No, this is not a tribulation quake. These are the birth pangs. They lead up to the tribulation. The tribulation begins in America after WWIII, when she is bombed. Then, in a series of events, the World Order will be brought down hard upon the whole earth. (The present day prosperity of NESARA/GESARA under Trump's administration will be reversed as we can clearly see in Revelation chapters 12 and 13.) A moment of triumph for satan. A moment is all I will grant him. To wear out the saints. The earthquakes will not stop when the tribulation begins. It will not be like that. Volcanic eruptions will continue. Weather events, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, famines, plagues. But in all of this, I Am with you! TO HIS CHOSEN: You are Mine! Psalm 91. It will not come near to you. I will not allow it. I will preserve My beloved. All of My precious ones. Only those who have not prepared themselves by drawing near to the throne of Grace will be taken out of the way in those days. Sleep (death) will be a merciful act of God in those days. Isaiah 24:19 The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.   To Whom it was Given to Hurt the Earth and Sea 01/04/26 Alison Pound Revelation 7:2   Thursday 1st January 2026 I Am about to visit Japan. And then California also. Everything I told you I would do, I will do to them. I Am about to do it. I told you. My true prophets will know because I will tell them. Just before I do it, I will tell them. I will say to them, it is time. I will tell them to brace for impact. Because you, and they, will feel the impact of what I Am going to do. The shaking and the destruction of the earth and the people in those places will be immense. Shocking. It will be all that the survivors around the earth can talk about for a long time. That is, when they start talking. Because when this happens, at first, they will not talk. The shock will hit them. Some will then shake their fists in the air and will no longer follow Me. These ones did not know Me at all well before. But others will turn to Me in a big way. Prepare for this. Many will want to talk about Me suddenly. They will have questions. They will want to get right with Me. And My hand of mercy will be outstretched to these. Be ready to speak. Donald Trump is going. He will go shortly after California goes. And California is about to go. The seabed is in turmoil. Out of California, the underwater volcanoes are coming to life. Angels have been sent to command them to erupt. Angels are My messengers. They put My judgments into action. Remember the scrolls and the decrees? (The Book of Revelation, see below) Keep watching and waiting. When you see that Japan has had a magnitude 8 earthquake, a tsunami will follow. Then you will know California is next. The shaking will shift tectonic plates. I will shake the earth like a cottage. I have not told you this before, but this earthquake, the one that takes out California, will be felt further away than any earthquake before it. Other volcanoes in the vicinity will also erupt. Remember, I told you to keep an eye on the ring of fire? This is the time. This is the time when shipping will be interrupted and new paths will be found for the ships in order to bypass the volcanic activity. [In 2012 the Lord spoke about this, but I just did not understand at the time. He said: Way below the earth's crust, there will be a disturbance far greater than any before. Out upon the waters of the Pacific, there is going to be a disturbance that comes from far below. Shipping will be lost at this time. There will become an area that must now be avoided.] The Earth will never be the same again after this. Many, many sea creatures will die and will be washing up on far shores. This will go on for months. Dear one, this will be a terrible time for the people of the earth. Very trying. But incredibly, the wicked will continue to be wicked. It will be like they think time is short and they must get a whole lot more wickedness in before they go. Their hearts will harden, if that were at all possible. And although I Am in judgment mode and I Am very angry, I will be very controlled and perfect in all My judgments. You will have access to Me at all times. I will not be like the angry father here on earth who does not want to talk to anyone when he is in his angry mode. I do not want you to keep away from Me. But draw near and remain. This is the only way. Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,   California! This is What is Going to Happen 6/23/22 McKana Isaiah 24:20-21(KJV) 20. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. 21. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. Considering the impending grave danger and catastrophe coming shortly, there is not enough warning to alarm and prepare the people in the regions. The imminent danger is not localized to a specific place or region. From what the Lord revealed to many of us, the nature and intensity might vary but the East, the West, the North, the South and the Center are in the same prophesied calamities of the judgment hands of Almighty God. The Lord has shown me in dreams and visions, over eight times, what is coming to California. The revelations given were: 1. Swarms of earthquakes in the ring of fire, two times. 2. A big earthquake in the region of California, many times. 3. Buildings in Los Angeles rattle, give off and crumble to the ground like dust. 4. Buildings all the way down the mountain range of the west coast rattle and crumble like the side of a mountain crumbling and falling off to the ground. 5. The land under the Pacific Ocean moves to the East, Northeast, and towards the East Coast. 6. The land from the floor of the Pacific Ocean moves, climbs over the coastline, and crumbles, bringing total destruction. 7. The land moving from the floor of the ocean, over the coastline, cracks the land along the fault line and breaks off the land to throw it down to the ocean. I have seen this in a vision which looked like “real action.” From these visions, dreams, and revelations, this is what is going to happen to California. There will be wide, big swarms of earthquakes along the ring of fire, under the ocean, on the coastline of North and South America, East of Australia, East of the small islands in the Pacific, East of the Philippines, East of China, Japan, Russia, and South of the land and coast of Alaska. This earthquake will bring about the movements of the floor of the ocean. The land of the floor of the Pacific Ocean, east [she means west] of California and Oregon, will move towards the East Coast. One part of the floor of the Pacific Ocean moves to the East and then to the northeast to be submerged under the land on the floor, subducted. The next part of the land from the floor of the Pacific Ocean, South and adjacent to the first one, will move towards the East Coast. It will climb over the East (West) Coast of California. It will crumble and fall back to the floor and will ultimately break off the East (West) Coast of California along the San Andria fault line. This land movement and the shaking, so big, will bring a big tsunami to go further East and inundate the inland. All, what I have seen.   One of the visions below will give a short glimpse of what is befalling California.   California Earthquake-Last Warning (Vision of October 15, 2017. 1:30 AM and 4:00 AM)  I see chairs and tables being pushed. A few, finely dressed people are pushing a whole set of tables and chairs as they are together, quarter of a football size, all at once, row after row. They are pushing them first to the East, then to the North and push them all to store them in a house, big auditorium-like setting. One group is pushing the set of tables and chairs to the North-East and storing them in the same way. They pushed it over a high cliff like stairs. After they are done, the whole stairs made of stone collapsed and sank to the ground, crumbling. I turned to the right, and a row of high-rise buildings was crumbling like the side of a mountain, falling to the ground with the dust cloud and debris falling to the ground. I looked far to the North. There is a range of mountain buildings. The buildings look resting on a small but very long range of hills. They started crumbling from the North down South. I started screaming loud “Sound the alarm, warn them, tell them!” to the station on the left, but it is too late. No alarm, no warning, no escape. The whole row after row of the buildings along the mountain range collapsed and fell to the ground with so many people in them. No warning, no time to escape, all gone. I held my head and started crying, screaming and shouting, then I woke up. Then at 4:00 AM, I saw another dream, the same region, first a standing metallic pole, a wave from the pole to the West and from the pole to the North. It is an Earthquake with the poll, Epicenter, close to and in the middle of the range of the mountain building I saw above, the fault lines. It is an Earthquake like we have never seen before, a California Earthquake. I have to think, inquire, and ask what it is. It is the land moving like a table Cascadia Subduction zone and the San Andreas fault line. I saw the California Earthquake few years ago. This one is a warning that time has run out and is imminent. Sudden without warning. Lord have mercy.   California  Summary of Visions and Dreams from 2016  1. Thou city who claims to be the City of the Angels, who has exalted yourself into heaven and sent all the dirty, filthy things of fashions and things, till even the foreign countries come here to pick up our filth and send it away, with your fine churches and steeples, and so forth, the way you do, remember, one day you'll be lying in the bottom of this sea The world is falling apart, fifteen hundred mile chunk of it, three to four hundred miles wide, will sink maybe forty miles down into that great fault out yonder. William Branham, 1933. 2. The earthquakes began in the west, around Idaho and Wyoming, and then quickly spread in every direction. I saw a huge earthquake hit Utah and then California. There were earthquakes all over California, but they were especially devastating in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas. San Francisco appeared to turn upside down. Sarah Menet-1979 3. The United States is going to experience in the not-too-distant future the most tragic earthquakes in its history. One day soon this nation will be reeling under the impact of the biggest news story of modern times. It will be coverage of the biggest, most disastrous earthquake in history. It will cause widespread panic and fear. Without a doubt, it will become one of the most completely reported earthquakes ever. Television networks will suspend all programming and carry all day coverage. David Wilkerson Prophecy 1994 4. The shape of the United States is going to change if we do not cry out to God. Whenever man turns away from God it will start to decay. The Earth will not yield itself to you. Earthquakes are not going to strike only the coastal areas of the United States but also the Midwest of the United States. JOHN PAUL JACKSON, 2007 5. A massive Earthquake that seemed to crack off the coast of California. It reminded me of a saltine cracker that just cracks in two. The great cities of the West Coast fall into the ocean all the way from Mexico to Alaska and a giant wave flooded inside, and much of the West Coast was not there. It has disappeared into the Pacific Ocean. Maurice Sklar, March 14, 2014 6. The landscape of America is about to change. There will be many signs I perform as a warning for your nation. The Lord says, the oceans will come as far as the Rockies in some areas on the West Coast. The Grand Canyon will begin to fill with water. Dr Patricia Green, 7/7/2015 7. There is a massive earthquake coming to America, says the Lord. There is a massive earthquake that is about to take place; we have never heard of this kind. Everything will shake, says the Lord. My people are not listening says the Lord. This earthquake will wake up everyone, from the youngest to the oldest. Times are changing, and that means our earth is changing. Be ready for change these days. Everything will happen quickly, says the Lord. When the world is saying peace, peace, then comes a sudden destruction. Dawn Obrien 6/21/2016 8. I saw a very devastating Earthquake in the West Coast of the US, with collapsed buildings and the earth split, from South to North along a fault line, and people scrambling to save the victims. McKana, 5/23/2013   “Redmond #9 – Unforgettable”  Julie Teig - 5/5/2011 (David's notes in red) (First, I want to give a little background: I used to be a volunteer member with a group that helped with wine competitions for charity events, which is why God gave me this dream the way He did. Briefly, wines would be tasted and judged by professional wine makers, writers for wine magazines, and wine distributors, etc.) On or about May 5, 2011, I had the following dream: I was at work and someone had given me a very large bottle of red wine as a gift. I no longer drink much wine, so I decided to re-gift it to my boss, Bill, because I know he and his wife like to entertain and enjoy wine. My boss said, “Wow, this is great! Call Lindsey (his wife) and tell her you are coming over to dinner with this wine.” I felt a little uncomfortable about calling her and inviting myself to dinner, and I didn't really want to go because they had recently moved into a new high-rise condo downtown, and I had visited them previously, but I don't like heights too much. (They are on the 37th floor). The bottle of wine, like I said, was very large and, in my mind, I was thinking “magnum”, but the bottle appeared to be much larger than that. I told my boss, “Let's see what, if any, award the judges gave this wine in the competition!” The label on the wine bottle said, “Redmond #9” so I'm reading over the spreadsheet listing all the wines, searching for it, and I found it listed just as the label reads, “Redmond #9.” I noticed that it did not receive a medal, but in the comments made by the judges, it only said, “Unforgettable”. End of the dream, and I woke up. After playing it over in my mind several times, I knew I was to remember “Redmond #9, Unforgettable” So I started asking the Lord what that meant, and is it “unforgettable good” or unforgettable bad”…? I received a revelation then the following Saturday, May 7, when I was watching a video posted by Glynda Lomax where she was talking about the very strong feelings she was having about a large earthquake coming to America, and she kept saying “8+, 8+ earthquake,” and then I remembered my dream and the wine bottle, “Redmond #9, Unforgettable.” (meaning 8+ 'magnitude' earthquake) http://wingsofprophecy.blogspot.com/p/videos.html So I started searching on Google maps for “cities in the US named Redmond,” and I found in the first few hits Redmond, WA, and Redmond, OR. The two cities are approximately 6 hours and 330 miles apart. This area or location seemed relevant to someone's dream that was recently shared about a possible tsunami hitting the Western part of the US from an earthquake (upper US area). Then, even more recently, the supposed next BIG earthquake to hit at the 188-day interval shows it as the upper Northwest US. (I remember this but we've looked and cannot find it, it's lost from the site now)  In addition, since the wine bottle in my dream appeared to be much larger than a magnum, which holds the equivalent of 2 bottles of wine, I searched for wine bottle sizes. I found this chart very interesting! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_bottle   Volume (litres) Ratio Name Notes 0.1875 0.25 Piccolo "Small" in Italian. Also known as a quarter bottle, pony, snipe or split. 0.25 0.33 Chopine Traditional French unit of volume 0.375 0.5 Demi "Half" in French. Also known as a half bottle or split. 0.378 0.505 Tenth One-tenth of a U.S. gallon* 0.5 0.67 Jennie "White Spirit" in Welsh. Also known as a 50 cl bottle. Used for Tokaj, Sauternes, Jerez, as well as several other types of sweet wines. 0.620 0.83 Clavelin Primarily used for vin jaune. 0.750 1 Standard   0.757 1.01 Fifth One-fifth of a U.S. gallon* 1.5 2 Magnum   2.25 3 Marie Jeanne Also known as a Tregnum or Tappit Hen in the port wine trade. 3.0 4 Jeroboam (a.k.a. Double Magnum) Biblical, First king of Northern Kingdom. "Jeroboam" has different meanings for different regions in France.[5] 4.5 6 4.5 6 Rehoboam Biblical, First king of separate Judea 6.0 8 Imperial   6.0 8 Methuselah Biblical, Oldest Man 9.0 12 Mordechai Biblical, Cousin of Esther Queen of Persia 9.0 12 Salmanazar Biblical, Assyrian King 12.0 16 Balthazar Early Christian folklore, one of the Wise Men 15.0 20 Nebuchadnezzar Biblical, King of Babylon 18.0 24 Melchior Early Christian folklore, one of the Wise Men 20.0 26.66 Solomon Biblical, King of Israel, Son of David 25.0 33.33 Sovereign   27.0 36 Primat   30.0 40 Melchizedek Biblical and other Middle East religions   Then about a week later, a woman who used to work in our office in San Diego, CA, sent an update email telling us she was working in our Seattle, WA office now and that she and her family had finally arrived safely and had found a nice place to live in “Redmond, WA” which reminded me of my dream and prompted me to get this written down and send it to you.   Please Check Out of Hotel California Soon Brian Lake – 3/7/2022 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginning of sorrows.” Mark 13:8 The Lord Jesus gave me a dream during the early morning hours of March 1, 2022. I found myself swimming in the Pacific Ocean somewhere off the coast of Southern California. The water started to churn, and all of the swimmers were being tossed around. After realizing that this was a tsunami, I started shouting for people to get to higher ground. The strength of the swirling waters made it very difficult for them to get back to shore. As I was starting to drown, I woke up. Christian prophetic warnings have gone out to California for nearly 100 years. Because the great earthquake has not yet happened, most Californians now ignore any and all earthquake warnings. Joseph Brandt was shown the great California earthquake in his 1937 dream/vision. He was also shown the collapse of the Boulder (Hoover) Dam. https://444prophecynews.com/dream-earthquake-sink-los-angeles-much-of-california-and-japan-joe-brandt/ Millions have hardened their hearts and refuse to leave the state. They love the good weather and numerous attractions that California provides. They love Hollywood, the Music Center, and their professional sports teams. They love swimming in the ocean and skiing in the mountains. (idolatry) Many of my family and friends do not understand or comprehend the magnitude and extent of this prophesied great earthquake. They remember the Northridge quake (1-17-1994) and the Whittier Narrows quake (10-1-1987). They reason that the next quake could not possibly be any larger than either of those two. Unfortunately, this quake will affect a wide area: from north of San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas. All of the beloved Pastors, Rabbis, and Priests in California have been warned, in one way or another, about this great earthquake. Most of them have chosen not to warn their congregations. As a result, the blood of their sheep will be on their own hands. (Ezekiel 33) All glory to the Lamb and the One who sits on the throne! In Messiah, Brian Lake   West Coast Evacuation Not as an Escape Clause 8/5/25 LaTonya Canada-Christ August 1, 2025 “LaTonya, take a message: “It is My will that My people love Me, truly love Me – not as an escape clause or insurance policy. I desire for them to actually enjoy My ways, right living, and honoring one another in the beauty of holiness. It is not inconceivable to think that I would want My people to want to be with Me, not as a chore or task, but in genuine fondness, service, and requited love. Why is this such a foreign idea? I want love and closeness as much as the next. But I will not accept scraps like a begging dog. For I am a GREAT KING! The offer is still open, but for some, it will be too late. That is all.” Jesus Christ, the Great King of kings.   Evacuate the West Coast 8/5/2025 - LaTonya Canada-Christ Saints, Last week, upon hearing of the earthquakes in Russia, I began to pray for my loved ones and friends. 16 years ago, we were called to warn WA churches and the West Coast state authorities of earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. So, I asked the Lord whether I should warn my family and friends who have refused the warnings previously to evacuate. And the following was His response. “LaTonya, I know you want to warn them, but they have been warned. They don't want Me, so what does it matter to warn them to move? Where can you go from Me? Pray that they discern a need for My salvation of their souls and return to Me.” For those who are not hardened, warn them to evacuate their sin and the West Coast, seeking the Lord's direction. The key is salvation first. When COVID happened, the Lord asked me a question. “Why do the people have to wait to lose everything before they heed My warnings to move?” He said, “When the disasters happen, then people figure out how to move, if they live to do so.” We are praying for all concerned. Jesus gave us free-will. Note: The 5 state authorities warned were Hawaii, CA, OR, WA, and Alaska. Psalms 2:8, Nehemiah 4:14, Deuteronomy 7:9, Ezekiel 36:24-33, Acts 17:30-31   I Will Not Stop It! Earthquake Warning 4/15/2019- Ken Dewey A MESSAGE FROM THE LORD I move at His command now: I AM that I AM and I move now to warn you again of the soon coming storm of Earthquakes coming upon many people. I speak first now of Japan, for I see that in the ground [plates of the Earth below Japan], alignment that is ready for another even greater Earthquake. I move to warn you that you, who have ears to hear, must hear, prepare your hearts and lives for this day is coming, that will be a most terrible time. If you are trusting in Me, I will move My mighty hand to help you, but I CANNOT STOP THE PLATES FROM MOVING because there is so much false worship of Idols in Japan, and men turning to stones to worship, I cannot hold My judgment upon such evil worship. In Japan, so many today are worshipers of themselves, and see themselves in the Light that are led to do all that is both false and evil, saying it is all good. SHAKING WILL COME. I SEE IT COMING. 1,2,3 IT WILL BE, shaking will start… The Shaking will be like a trigger on a gun, that when it happens, it pulls the shaking in the coast of North America. California is in direct hit of the coming shaking. For those who are watching, know that the plates are lining up for the shaking. All know that it is coming, and coming soon. Prepare your hearts for it, for I will NOT STOP IT. The sin is too great, and the door has been opened too wide for the enemy to destroy you. You have chosen him over Me, and walk deliberately away. I speak not just to Japan and California, for the shaking coming which I wrote in my Word will happen, and SHAKE MANY PLACES across America, and the World. But watch Japan, knowing that it triggers even more….. Know it is coming, prepare your hearts because the Shaking will come, even now it is in the ground, working. Thus saith the Lord, open your hearts now to Me and repent and receive My only way to escape. Run to the finished work and see your Savior, for HE HAS DONE ALL TO SAVE YOU. Do not put it off, do not be so deceived to think you will yet have time, because TIME IS SHORT. I have many people whom I love and will help them in their many trials and troubles. I WILL NOT FAIL YOU WHO TRUST ME. I have written this Word as I have heard it in Spirit Speaking. Lord, open your people's eyes to see and hearts to know and be ready for such a time coming. Help, O Lord, remember mercy. Desert Prophet Eve Brast, in a dream, saw 7 large earthquakes that went around the world, disrupting the crust. These first 3 revelations resemble this in magnitude and scope. Bill Weather was shown 8 signs by the Lord for a Mega Japan Quake and tsunami to ruin the U.S. West coastline as a sign of, weeks later, the coming of the California Mega Quake. (Dates are always subject to change due to the Lord's people praying and judgments being delayed, etc. A delay is not necessarily a delete. See: Prophecies, Dreams & Visions: Date setting and delays? How to judge the false.) Below are prophecies by Joe Brandt and William Branham from the 1930's that confirm what the Lord is showing Bill Weather: In 1937, Joe Brandt saw an Earthquake sink Los Angeles, much of California, and Japan. (Many times God lessens the severity of a judgment through prayers of faith.)    The Coming Earthquake Introduction by Jessica Madigan (Mei Ling) On Christmas Eve, in 1965, my husband, my closest friend, Fran Brandt, and her husband, Joe, were celebrating with sandwiches, and coffee, and fruit cake...For some reason, Joe—Fran's husband—ventured to speak of the coming California earthquake. ... Joe was saying that he had an accident—a fall from a horse when he was 17, and for days he had a concussion. During this period, a continuous dream came again and again—as if he were viewing a tremendous earthquake and inundation in California and other parts of the world. I listened—politely—made some comment, and turned to talk to Fran about a new movie—or some equally world-shaking event. I was vaguely aware that Joe had brought in a sheaf of papers—and he said he would put it in my downstairs desk [in 1965] until I had time to read the "dream". That time did not arrive until, by accident, I came across them this last week [in 1967]—pages upon pages—written in a boy's handwriting, about the coming California earthquake. It would take weeks to research all this material—but I phoned my former geology professor and read portions to him. COULD THIS HAPPEN? COULD CALIFORNIA GO DOWN IN JUST THIS WAY? WOULD OTHER AREAS BE AFFECTED IN A MATTER OF HOURS? He answered in the affirmative. Joe had written (sleeping and dreaming—and in drowsy awakening—about positions of various FAULTS, strata of rock, earth movements, so much material that a geologist of many years would scarcely attempt such a work [this geological data was omitted from Jessica's book]. Yet—here it was—waiting for me to find it for two years. ... Consciously, he knew nothing of geology or of the possibility of a coming earthquake. The notes are 30 years old—yellowed with age—and yet there is a clarity and an unbelievable reality in them. Some of the highlights must be given—because, I am certain now, as I was not certain on Christmas Eve of 1965, that the California earthquake WILL come . . . and its coming is close at hand. Since Joe covered the AREAS AROUND THE WORLD WHICH WOULD BE AFFECTED, not all of these can be given, ... but for those of us in THIS LAND . . . especially CALIFORNIA, these are the highlights of that vision.    Dream of an Earthquake Sinking Los Angeles, Much of California and Japan Joe Brandt - 1937 (Link) I woke up in the hospital room with a terrific headache—as if the whole world was revolving inside my brain. I remember, vaguely, the fall from my horse—Blackie. As I lay there, pictures began to form in my mind—pictures that stood still. I seemed to be in another world. Whether it was the future or it was some ancient land, I could not say. Then slowly, like the silver screen of the "talkies," but with color and smell and sound, I seemed to find myself in Los Angeles—but I swear it was much bigger, and buses and odd-shaped cars crowded the city streets. I thought about Hollywood Boulevard, and I found myself there. Whether this is true, I do not know, but there were a lot of guys my age with beards and wearing, some of them, earrings. All the girls, some of them keen-o, wore real short skirts. . . and they slouched along—moving like a dance. Yet they seemed familiar. I wondered if I could talk to them, and I said, "Hello," but they didn't see or hear me. I decided I would look as funny to them as they looked to me. I guess it is something you have to learn. I couldn't do it. I noticed there was a quietness about the air, a kind of stillness. Something else was missing, something that should be there. At first, I couldn't figure it out, I didn't know what it was—then I did. There were no birds. I listened. I walked two blocks north of the Boulevard—all houses—no birds. I wondered what had happened to them. Had they gone away? Again, I could hear the stillness. Then I knew something was going to happen. I wondered what year it was. It certainly was not 1937. I saw a newspaper on the corner with a picture of the President. It surely wasn't Mr. Roosevelt. He was bigger, heavier, big ears. If it wasn't 1937, I wondered what year it was. . . My eyes weren't working right. Someone was coming—someone in 1937—it was that darned, fat nurse ready to take my temperature. I woke up. Crazy dream. The next day: Gosh, my headache is worse. It is a wonder I didn't get killed on that horse. I've had another crazy dream, back in Hollywood. Those people. Why do they dress like that, I wonder? Funny glow about them. It is a shine around their heads—something shining. I remember it now. I found myself back on the Boulevard. I was waiting for something to happen and I was going to be there. I looked up at the clock down by that big theater. It was ten minutes to four. Something big was going to happen. I wondered if I went into a movie (since nobody could see me) if I'd like it. Some cardboard blond was draped over the marquee with her leg six feet long. I started to go in, but it wasn't inside. I was waiting for something to happen outside. I walked down the street. In the concrete they have names of stars. I just recognized a few of them. The other names I had never heard. I was getting bored, I wanted to get back to the hospital in Fresno, and I wanted to stay there on the Boulevard, even if nobody could see me. Those crazy kids. Why are they dressed like that? Maybe it is some big Halloween doings, but it don't seem like Halloween. More like early spring. There was that sound again, that lack of sound. Stillness, stillness, stillness. The quiet is getting bigger and bigger. I know it is going to happen. Something is going to happen. It is happening now! It sure did. She woke me up, grinning and smiling, that fat one again. "It's time for your milk, kiddo," she says. Gosh, old women of thirty acting like the cat's pajamas. Next time maybe she'll bring hot chocolate. Where have I been? Where haven't I been? I've been to the ends of the earth and back. I've been to the end of the world—there isn't anything left. Not even Fresno, even though I'm lying here right this minute. If only my eyes would get a little clearer so I can write all this down. Nobody will believe me, anyway. I'm going back to that last moment on the Boulevard. Some sweet kid went past, dragging little boys (twins, I guess) by each hand. Her skirt was up—well, pretty high—and she had a tired look. I thought for a minute I could ask her about the birds, what had happened to them, and then I remembered she hadn't seen me. Her hair was all frowzy, way out all over her head. A lot of them looked like that, but she looked so tired and like she was sorry about something. I guess she was sorry before it happened—because it surely did happen. There was a funny smell. I don't know where it came from. I didn't like it. A smell like Sulphur, sulfuric acid, a smell like death. For a minute I thought I was back in chem. [Chemistry class]. When I looked around for the girl, she was gone. I wanted to find her for some reason. It was as if I knew something was going to happen and I could stay with her, help her. She was gone, and I walked half a block, then I saw the clock again. My eyes seemed glued to that clock. I couldn't move. I just waited. It was five minutes to four on a sunny afternoon. I thought I would stand there looking at that clock forever waiting for something to come. Then, when it came, it was nothing. It was just nothing. It wasn't nearly as hard as the earthquake we had two years ago. The ground shook, just an instant. People looked at each other, surprised. Then they laughed. I laughed, too. So this was what I had been waiting for. This funny little shake. It meant nothing. I was relieved and I was disappointed. What had I been waiting for? I started back up the Boulevard, moving my legs like those kids. How do they do it? I never found out. I felt as if the ground wasn't solid under me, knew I was dreaming, and yet I wasn't dreaming. There was that smell again, coming up from the ocean. I was getting to the 5 and 10 store and I saw the look on the kids' faces. Two of them were right in front of me, coming my way. "Let's get out of this place. Let's go back East." He seemed scared. It wasn't as if the sidewalks were trembling—but you couldn't seem to see them. Not with your eyes you couldn't. An old lady had a dog, a little white dog, and she stopped and looked scared, and grabbed him in her arms and said: "Let's go home, Frou, Frou. Mama is going to take you home." That poor lady, hanging on to her dog. I got scared. Really scared. I remembered the girl. She was way down the block, probably. I ran and ran, and the ground kept trembling. I couldn't see it. I couldn't see it. But I knew it was trembling. Everybody looked scared. They looked terrible. One young lady just sat down on the sidewalk all doubled up. She kept saying, "earthquake, it's the earthquake," over and over. But I couldn't see that anything was different. Then, when it came, how it came. Like nothing in God's world. Like nothing. It was like the scream of a siren, long and low, or the scream of a woman I heard having a baby when I was a kid. It was awful. It was as if something—some monster—was pushing up the sidewalks. You felt it long before you saw it, as if the sidewalks wouldn't hold you anymore. I looked out at the cars. They were honking, but not scared. They just kept moving. They didn't seem to know yet that anything was happening. Then, that white car, that baby-sized one, came sprawling from the inside lane right against the curb. The girl who was driving just sat there. She sat there with her eyes staring, as if she couldn't move, but I could hear her. She made funny noises. I watched her, thinking of the other girl. I said that it was a dream and I would wake up. But I didn't wake up. The shaking had started again, but this time was different. It was a nice shaking, like a cradle being rocked for a minute, and then I saw the middle of the Boulevard seem to be breaking in two. The concrete looked as if it were being pushed straight up by some giant shovel. It was breaking in two. That is why the girl's car went out of control. And then a loud sound again, like I've never heard before—then hundreds of sounds—all kinds of sounds; children, and women, and those crazy guys with earrings. They were all moving, some of them above the sidewalk. I can't describe it. They were lifted up. And the waters kept oozing—oozing. The cries. God, it was awful. I woke up. I never want to have that dream again. It came again. Like the first time, which was a preview and all I could remember was that it was the end of the world. I was right back there—all that crying. Right in the middle of it. My eardrums felt as if they were going to burst. Noise everywhere. People are falling down, some of them are hurt badly. Pieces of buildings, chips, flying in the air. One hit me hard on the side of the face, but I didn't seem to feel it. I wanted to wake up, to get away from this place. It had been fun in the beginning, the first dream, when I kind of knew I was going to dream the end of the world or something. This was terrible. There were older people in cars. Most of the kids were on the street. But those old guys were yelling bloody murder, as if anybody could help them. Nobody could help anybody. It was then I felt myself lifted up. Maybe I had died. I don't know. But I was over the city. It was tilting toward the ocean—like a picnic table. The buildings were holding, better than you could believe. They were holding. They were holding. They were holding. The people saw they were holding and they tried to cling to them or get inside. It was fantastic. Like a building had a will of its own. Everything else breaking around them, and they were holding, holding. I was up over them—looking down. I started to root for them. "Hold that line," I said. "Hold that line. Hold that line. Hold that line." I wanted to cheer, to shout, to scream. If the buildings held, those buildings on the Boulevard, maybe the girl—the girl with the two kids—maybe she could get inside. It looked that way for a long time, maybe three minutes, and three minutes was like forever. You knew they were going to hold, even if the waters kept coming up. Only they didn't. I've never imagined what it would be like for a building to die. A building dies just like a person. It gives way, some of the bigger ones did just that. They began to crumble, like an old man with palsy, who couldn't take it anymore. They crumbled right down to nothing. And the little ones screamed like mad—over and above the roar of the people. They were mad about dying. But buildings die. I couldn't look anymore at the people. I kept wanting to get higher. Then I seemed to be out of it all, but I could see. I seemed to be up on Big Bear near San Bernardino, but the funny thing was that I could see everywhere. I knew what was happening. The earth seemed to start to tremble again. I could feel it even though I was high up. This time it lasted maybe twelve seconds, and it was gentle. You couldn't believe anything so gentle could cause so much damage. But then I saw the streets of Los Angeles—and everything between the San Bernardino mountains and Los Angeles. It was still tilting towards the ocean, houses, everything that was left. I could see the big lanes—dozens of big lanes still loaded with cars sliding the same way. Now the ocean was coming in, moving like a huge snake across the land. I wondered how long it was, and I could see the clock, even though I wasn't there on the Boulevard. It was 4:29. It had been half an hour. I was glad I couldn't hear the crying anymore. But I could see everything. I could see everything. Then, like looking at a huge map of the world, I could see what was happening on the land and with the people. San Francisco was feeling it, but she was not in any way like Hollywood or Los Angeles. It was moving just like that earthquake movie with Jeanette McDonald and Gable. I could see all those mountains coming together. . . I knew it was going to happen to San Francisco—it was going to turn over—it would turn upside down. It went quickly, because of the twisting, I guess. It seemed much faster than Hollywood, but then I wasn't exactly there. I was a long way off. I was a long, long way off. I shut my eyes for a long time—I guess ten minutes—and when I opened them I saw the Grand Canyon. When I looked at the Grand Canyon, that great big gap was closing in, and Boulder Dam was being pushed, from underneath. And then, Nevada, and on up to Reno. Way down south, way down. Baja, California. Mexico too. It looked like some volcano down there was erupting, along with everything else. I saw the map of South America, especially Colombia. Another volcano—eruption—shaking violently. I seemed to be seeing a movie of three months before—before the Hollywood earthquake. Venezuela seemed to be having some kind of volcanic activity. Away off in the distance, I could see Japan, on a fault, too. It was so far off—not easy to see because I was still on Big Bear Mountain, but it started to go into the sea. I couldn't hear screaming, but I could see the surprised look on their faces. They looked so surprised. Japanese girls are made well, supple, easy, muscles that move well. Pretty, too. But they were all like dolls. It was so far away I could hardly see it. In a minute or two, it seemed over. Everybody was gone. There was nobody left. [Brother Branham said: "Japan . . . she's ready to rock to pieces right now. And there's no way you can stop it, because they have neglected to do exactly what God told them to do. Instead of preach Gospel, they have built buildings, and had fine scholarships, and educations" (Uncertain Sound, #61-0415E)]. I didn't know time now. I couldn't see a clock. I tried to see the island of Hawaii. I could see huge tidal waves beating against it. The people on the streets were getting wet, and they were scared. But I didn't see anybody go into the sea. I seemed way around the globe. More flooding. Is the world going to be drenched? Constantinople. Black Sea rising. Suez Canal, for some reason seemed to be drying up. Sicily—she doesn't hold. I could see a map. Mt. Etna. Mt. Etna is shaking. A lot of area seemed to go, but it seemed to be earlier or later. I wasn't sure of time, now. England—huge floods—but no tidal waves. Water, water everywhere, but no one was going into the sea. People were frightened and crying. Some places they fell to the streets on their knees and started to pray for the world. I didn't know the English were emotional. Ireland, Scotland—all kinds of churches were crowded—it seemed night and day. People were carrying candles and everybody was crying for California, Nevada, parts of Colorado—maybe even all of it, even Utah. Everybody was crying—most of them didn't even know anybody in California, Nevada, Utah, but they were crying as if they were blood kin. Like one family. Like it happened to them. New York was coming into view—she was still there, nothing had happened, yet the water level was way up. Here, things were different. People were running in the streets yelling, "end of the world." Kids ran into restaurants and ate everything in sight. I saw a shoe store with all the shoes gone in about five minutes. 5th Avenue—everybody running. Some radio blasting—bigger—a loudspeaker—that in a few minutes, power might be shut off. They must control themselves. Five girls were running like mad toward the YMCA, that place on Lexington or somewhere. But nothing was happening in New York. I saw an old lady with garbage cans, filling them with water. Everybody seemed scared to death. Some people looked dazed. The streets seemed filled with loudspeakers. It wasn't daylight. It was night. I saw, like the next day, and everything was topsy-turvy. Loudspeakers again about fuel tanks broken in areas—shortage of oil. People seemed to be looting markets. I saw a lot of places that seemed safe, and people were not so scared. Especially the rural areas. Here, everything was almost as if nothing had happened. People seemed headed to these places, some on foot, some in cars that still had fuel. I heard—or somehow I knew—that somewhere in the Atlantic land had come up. A lot of land. I was getting awfully tired. I wanted to wake up. I wanted to go back to the girl—to know where she was—and those two kids. I found myself back in Hollywood—and it was still 4:29. I wasn't up on Big Bear at all, I was perched over Hollywood. I was just there. It seemed perfectly natural in my dream. I could hear now. I could hear, someplace, a radio station blasting out—telling people not to panic. They were dying in the streets. There were picture stations with movies—some right in Hollywood—these were carrying on with all the shaking. One fellow in the picture station was a little short guy who should have been scared to death. But he wasn't. He kept shouting and reading instructions. Something about helicopters or planes would go over—some kind of planes—but I knew they couldn't. Things were happening in the atmosphere. The waves were rushing up now. Waves. Such waves. Nightmare waves. Then, I saw again. Boulder Dam, going down—pushing together, pushing together breaking apart—no, Grand Canyon was pushing together, and Boulder Dam was breaking apart. It was still daylight. All these radio stations went off at the same time—Boulder Dam had broken. I wondered how everybody would know about it—people back East. That was when I saw the "ham radio operators." I saw them in the darndest places, as if I were right there with them. Like the little guy with glasses, they kept sounding the alarm. One kept saying: "This is California. We are going into the sea. This is California. We are going into the sea. Get to high places. Get to the mountains. All states west—this is California. We are going into the. . . we are going into the. . ." I thought he was going to say "sea," but I could see him. He was inland, but the waters had come in. His hand was still clinging to the table; he was trying to get up, so that once again he could say: "This is California. We are going into the sea. This is California. We are going into the sea." I seemed to hear this, over and over, for what seemed hours—just those words—they kept it up until the last minute—all of them calling out, "Get to the mountains—this is California. We are going into the sea." I woke up. It didn't seem as if I had been dreaming. I have never been so tired. For a minute or two, I thought it had happened. I wondered about two things. I hadn't seen what happened to Fresno and I hadn't found out what happened to that girl. I've been thinking about it all morning. I'm going home tomorrow. It was just a dream. It was nothing more. Nobody in the future on Hollywood Boulevard is going to be wearing earrings—and those beards. Nothing like that is ever going to happen. That girl was so real to me—that girl with those kids. It won't ever happen—but if it did, how could I tell her (maybe she isn't even born yet) to move away from California when she has her twins—and she can't be on the Boulevard that day. She was so gosh-darned real. The other thing—those ham operators—hanging on like that—over and over—saying the same thing: "This is California. We are going into the sea. This is California. We are going into the sea. Get to the mountains. Get to the hilltops. California, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Utah. This is California. We are going into the sea." I guess I'll hear that for days.    Confirming Prophecies of William Branham A prophecy that I made about 1935 or something like that, said: "The time would come that the sea would weep its way into the desert." Look what'll take place. If those thousands of square miles fall down into the lava of the earth and slide in, there'll be millions who die at one time. And that'll cause such a tidal wave. . . Remember, plumb up into the Salton Sea is a hundred or two hundred feet lower than the sea level. That water will probably come almost to Tucson with that tidal wave coming across there. And the sea shall weep its way into the desert (William Branham, Trying to do God a Service without being in the Will of God, p. 6:25). [The Spirit of the Lord came upon the Prophet as he was preaching in Los Angeles]: "We don't know what time. And you don't know what time that this city one day is going to be lying out here in the bottom of this ocean." "O, Capernaum," said Jesus, "Thou who exalted into heaven will be brought down into hell, for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom and Gomorrah, it'd have been standing till this day." And Sodom and Gomorrah lays at the bottom of the Dead Sea, and Capernaum's in the bottom of the sea. Thou city, who claims to be the city of the Angels, who's exalted yourself into heaven and sent all the dirty filthy things of fashions and things, till even the foreign countries come here to pick up our filth and send it away, with your fine churches and steeples, and so forth the way you do; remember, one day you'll be laying in the bottom of this sea. There's a great cavernous honeycomb under you right now. The wrath of God is belching right beneath you. How much longer will He hold together this sandbar hanging over that? That ocean out yonder, a mile deep, will slide plumb back to the Salton Sea. It'll be worse than the last day of Pompeii. Repent, Los Angeles. Repent the rest of you and turn to God. The hour of His wrath is upon the earth. Flee while there's time to flee and come into Christ." Let us pray." (Choosing a Bride, p. 35:3-5). [And again]: "The last meeting I had in California, while speaking, and didn't know nothing happened till I got on the street, It told California, I said, "Capernaum, Capernaum, the city that's called by the name of the angels (that's Los Angeles), you've exalted yourself into heaven, but you'll be brought down into hell. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom that's been done in you, it would've been standing till this day." "Now, the last few days, the great roaring and popping. Then, here come out a paper of science that said, "It's all honeycombed; it's got to go under." They just know it." "And you watch, the water will come plumb back into the Salton Sea. Los Angeles is doomed for judgment. I tell you before it happened, that you might know when it does happen. I never spoke that by myself. And I've never had Him to tell me one thing but what happened. And you can bear record of that. That's right. When? I don't know." "I went out, and they told me what I said. And I listened, went back and searched the Scripture. You know, Jesus said, almost in the same words about Capernaum; and Sodom and Gomorrah was in the bottom of the Dead Sea, I suppose was then. And later, about a hundred years later, Capernaum slid into the sea, and it's in the sea. The same God that put Sodom in the sea for its sins, the same God that put Capernaum in the sea for its sins, the same God will put Los Angeles in the sea for its sins, that city of corruption." (Works is Faith Expressed, p. 8:61-64).

In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally continue their chronological journey through the Old Testament, reading from 2 Kings 17:15,18:9 and Isaiah 28. Together, these passages reveal the downfall of Samaria, the consequences of misplaced trust, and God's patient, persistent call to His people. As Assyria lays siege to Samaria, Isaiah's prophetic imagery exposes a nation meant to be a "glorious crown" but now marked by pride, excess, and spiritual blindness. The hosts reflect on striking images from the text—fading flowers, crumbling refuges, and tables covered in filth—contrasted with God's promise to become the true crown and refuge for a faithful remnant. Curtis and Sally explore the tenderness of God's communication with His people, described as teaching "one line at a time, a little here and a little there." Rather than overwhelming demands, God offers rest—a place for the weary to stop striving and trust Him. The discussion highlights the human tendency to rush, to build false security, and to believe we can "cheat death" apart from God. At the heart of the episode is the promise of the tested cornerstone—a firm foundation that cannot be shaken. Pointing forward to the Messiah, this cornerstone stands in contrast to every refuge built on pride, lies, or self-reliance. This episode invites listeners to examine where they have built false refuges, to release the need for control, and to rediscover true rest in the Lord—ultimately pointing to the promised cornerstone fulfilled in Jesus, the only foundation that will never be shaken.

Torah parsha ‘Vayechi’ (Genesis/Bereshiet 47:28 – End) this week is the final reading in the Book of Genesis, and not only concludes the stories of the life of Yakov, and his son Joseph in particular, but sets the stage for the Exodus to come. The Erev Shabbat reading lays out the story, and also the final adoption – literally – of Ephraim and Manasseh, and the structure of the ‘twelve tribes’ that underlie the rest of Scripture, both historically and prophetically: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SSM-1-2-26-VaYechi-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3 The Sabbath Day midrash this week addresses the ‘elephant in the room,’ that follows so many of the aspects of this story of Genesis as it concludes: – Yakov/Jacob “adopts” the two sons of Joseph, not only giving him their ‘double-portion’ in the inheritance, and replacing Reuben in that place, but setting up the second (after Judah) in what will be the line of kings, in this case of the Northern Kingdom, and so much of what seems to follow in later history. – After the death of Jacob, the brothers STILL don’t seem to “get it,” and understand that Joseph did not intend to punish them for their treachery so many years earlier. But that theme also resonates later – in that “there arose another king in Egypt,” who “did not know Joseph.” And Mark Call, of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship, outlines why THAT is still ever so true! VaYechi: They STILL Don’t ‘Know Him’ https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WT-CooH-1-3-26-VaYechi-They-STILL-Dont-Know-Him-podcast-xxx.mp3 ADDENDUM: The normal Q&A that largely follows the midrash is a bit different this week, since the stunning attack on Venezuela and capture of the communist dictator Maduro happened overnight, and was largely complete by the time the Sabbath session took place. It doesn’t ‘flow’ with the majority of the Torah reading, but is important, and will be of interest, as it was to those in the room, and so is included here. There are also MAJOR aspects most Americans have NOT been informed about: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SSM-1-3-26-VaYechi-QnA-Venezuela-attack-Maduro-Smartmatic-special-podcast-addendum-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:

Read OnlineWhen the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Luke 2:22–24Forty days after a firstborn male was born, the law of Moses required that the mother participate in a purification ritual and that the parents were to “redeem” the child by offering a ritual sacrifice. As faithful Jews, Mary and Joseph took these obligations seriously. When they entered the Temple, they were met by a holy man named Simeon, who was among the faithful Jews “awaiting the consolation of Israel.”From its founding, the Kingdom of Israel had endured many troubled times. The last time the Kingdom of Israel had been united was under the reign of King David and his son Solomon in the tenth century B.C. After Solomon's death, the kingdom split into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The Northern Kingdom was captured by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and the Southern Kingdom was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., leading to the destruction of the First Temple and the exile of many Jews to Babylon for about seventy years. In the centuries that followed, Greek culture was imposed upon the region after the conquest of Alexander the Great, and the Romans finally captured Judah in 63 BC, maintaining control beyond the birth of Christ.This history of oppression and division created various responses among the Jewish people. Many prophets had foretold the coming of the Messiah, the one who would bring consolation to Israel. Some Jews expected the Messiah to be a political leader who would reunite and restore the Kingdom. Others were indifferent to the prophecies. But a faithful remnant, like Simeon, awaited the Messiah who would bring about a profound spiritual renewal.Simeon was not a Pharisee, Sadducee, or scribe, but an ordinary devout Jew filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit Who revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah. On the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, Simeon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, came to the Temple and recognized the Christ Child. He took Jesus in his arms and rejoiced, saying, “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled…”We should all strive to be like Simeon. Like the people of Israel and Judah, we are living in a world where God's Kingdom is often divided or overshadowed by immorality, wars, divisions, and a lack of faith. We might be tempted to address these challenges in various ways, but the best way is to become part of the faithful remnant who, like Simeon, trust in God's promises and eagerly anticipate His transforming action in our lives and in the world. Reflect today on the state of the world. In some places, the Kingdom of God is vibrant and alive; in others, it seems distant or absent. No matter where you find yourself, turn your gaze to the all-powerful Messiah, Who is capable of renewing His Kingdom on Earth as we await its fullness at the end of time. Devote yourself to His mission, and allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you to be an active participant in bringing about the reign of God. My Lord and Messiah, as I see the challenges and divisions in the world around me, help me to trust in Your promises. May I, like Simeon, be filled with faith and hope as I await Your Kingdom. Inspire me to be an instrument of Your grace, helping to build Your Kingdom here on Earth. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Janmad, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Feeling pulled in a hundred directions? In this message, Pastor Eric Robertson will be sharing how the Wonderful Counselor can cut through all of the noise. King Ahaz (2 Kings 16:1-20) became the King of Judah at 20 years old. The nation of Israel was fractured after Solomon's reign. The Northern Kingdom and their alliances made Judah unstable. Isaiah tells Ahaz and the nation to repent and return to God, then God will deal with the Northern Kingdom (Isaiah 7:8–9). Ahaz refuses and instead creates an unholy alliance with Assyria, using the temple's gold and silver as payment. Assyria helps Ahaz defeat the North, but Ahaz began worshipping Assyrian gods (1 Kings 16:15–19.What does this have to do with Christmas?After Ahaz rejects God's counsel, Isaiah prophesies again:Isaiah 9:6–7For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace... He will reign on David's throne... with justice and righteousness... The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.God will solve not only Israel's problems but the world's problems... with a child. In this series, we will look at the four names of this child and see how the names of Jesus can still save the world and save you.God's Got a PlanWe hear Wonderful Counselor and think Jesus is simply someone we vent to, but what if He is your strategist? "Wonderful Counselor" in Hebrew is:peleʾ—divine, miraculous, beyond comprehensionyoʿetz—counselor or strategistWhy the Confusion?We don't have a handful of trusted voices—we have many, and we're faithful to none.We don't want to get things wrong.We want to control outcomes without owning failures. Result... analysis paralysis. Jesus becomes a voice among many.What are we missing?The issue isn't a lack of strategies but too many, and we aren't committed to the one that matters. Our spiritual lives aren't led by King Jesus but by worldly advisors. The names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9 are names of God. Ahaz's willingness to adopt any counsel made him unable to live out his calling. The way of Jesus is not one way among many—it is the ONLY way.Jesus is not just an Advisor; He is The Advisor. His way works only when we fully commit.Matthew 13:44–45 — We don't add the Gospel; we sell the farm and buy the field.Matthew 16:24–26 — We need single-hearted obedience. God's wisdom often contradicts the world's.When we are faithful to God's counsel, we receive God's outcome.Next Steps: One Way, One Voice, One CounselorPick ONE thing God is dealing with you about and obey.Remove ONE voice that weakens your walk.Give God ONE moment of undivided attention daily.Are you following the Wonderful Counsel of Jesus?

There is ample archaeological and genetic evidence to confirm what became of the tribes of the Northern Kingdom after they were deported by the Assyrians.  As nomads, they were broadly known as Scythians, and they spread continuously over a large area.  These many nations would eventually become heralders of the gospel and will one day be reunited with Judah.  VF-2353 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

We explore the reign of King Hezekiah, a righteous ruler who brought revival to the kingdom of Judah. Discover how Hezekiah, following in the footsteps of King David, restored true worship of Yahweh and celebrated Passover in Jerusalem. Learn about the threat posed by the Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib. Uncover the historical context of the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom and the subsequent challenge to Judah.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out ou...

Fr. Mike explains the relationship between idolatry and adultery, and how one can easily lead to another, especially in our relationship with God. He also talks about the difference between discipline and abuse, as we cover some tough topics today. Today's readings are Isaiah 65, Ezekiel 23-24, and Proverbs 13:21-25. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Today we read about the critical moment when Assyria destroys the Northern Kingdom, and the ten northern tribes are exiled and assimilated among the nations. Fr. Mike explains how this moment and the foreign possession of Samaria is key in order to understand Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4. We also read about how the prophet Micah beautifully foreshadows the birth of Jesus. Today's readings are 2 Kings 17, Micah 5-7, and Psalm 140. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.