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Welcome to Day 2657 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2657 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 72:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2657 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2657 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. Today's Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Blueprint of Righteous Reign - A Trek Through Psalm 72:1-5. Today, we begin a new and majestic trek through Psalm 72 in the New Living Translation, starting with its foundational verses, 1-5. Psalm 72 is a unique and magnificent “royal psalm.” It's a prayer for a king, often attributed to Solomon, or perhaps composed for his coronation. It paints a vivid portrait of an ideal king, one whose reign is characterized by justice, righteousness, and profound blessing, especially for the most vulnerable in society. While it speaks directly to an earthly monarch, its vision is so grand and perfect that many scholars also see it as a prophetic psalm, pointing forward to the ultimate, eternal reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies these ideals. In the ancient Israelite worldview, kingship was not just a political office; it was a divinely ordained role with immense moral and spiritual responsibilities. A king was God's representative on earth, tasked with upholding God's justice and righteousness among His people. When the king ruled justly, it was believed that God's blessing would flow, bringing prosperity and peace to the entire nation. So, let's immerse ourselves in this prayer for righteous governance and consider what it reveals about God's heart for justice and His desire for truly benevolent leadership. (Reads Psalm 72:1-2 NLT) Give your justice to the king, O God, and your righteousness to the king's son. May he judge your people with righteousness; may he give justice to the poor. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm opens with a direct appeal to God for the king: “Give your justice to the king, O God, and your righteousness to the king's son.” This immediately establishes that the qualities of good governance do not originate with the king himself, but are gifts from God. “Justice” (mishpat) in the Hebrew worldview refers to fair judgment, upholding moral and legal order, and ensuring equitable treatment, especially for the disadvantaged. “Righteousness” (tsedeq) speaks to moral integrity, adherence to divine standards, and acting justly and fairly in all dealings. For the king to possess “God's justice” and “God's righteousness” meant that his rule would not be based on personal whim, political expediency, or self-interest, but on divine principles. He was to embody God's own character in his leadership. The prayer is specifically for “the king” and “the king's son,” highlighting the dynastic nature of kingship and the hope that these divine qualities would be passed down through generations, ensuring a legacy of righteous rule. This was crucial for stability and long-term blessing in a monarchical system. The purpose of these divine gifts is then clearly articulated: “May he judge your people with righteousness; may he give justice to the...

Grinch: an unpleasant person who spoils other people's ________ or ______________. The Grinch couldn't enjoy the joys of Christmas because his heart was __________________ too small. [Jeremiah 17:9] “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Our heart can cause us to make _________ choices. ______________ will cause your heart to shrink and turn you into a grinch. [Proverbs 18:1 CSB] One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom. [1 John 2:9] If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. You have an enemy who wants to __________ your ________. [John 10:10a] The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. _______________ will steal the joy that Gad has given you. Lasting _________ only comes from Jesus. Jesus needs to be the _____________ of our joy. [Nehemiah 8:10c] Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” The world didn't give you ________ and it can't take it away. Don't look on the _________________ to change something on the ___________________. [Ezekiel 36:26-27] And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. [27] And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. God wants our hearts to __________________. If you have settled for anything other than a _________- ________ life you have settled for something that is too ___________. [Psalm 51:10 ESV] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 1-3; Psalm 82; 1 Timothy 1 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, join Hunter as we journey together through the Bible on this 19th day of June. We'll dive into the dramatic stories of Second Kings chapters 1-3, witness Elijah's fiery encounters and miraculous departure, and see Elisha step into his prophetic calling. We'll also spend time in Psalm 82, where God calls us to justice and compassion, and move into the New Testament with First Timothy chapter 1, where Paul reminds us not to miss the heart of the gospel—a life transformed by love, pure conscience, and genuine faith. Hunter shares encouraging reflections on letting God's Spirit shape us from the inside out, rather than getting lost in meaningless debates or empty rule-keeping. We'll close with heartfelt prayers for peace, gratitude, and strength for the day ahead. So grab your Bible, take a deep breath, and let's immerse ourselves in God's Word and presence together. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Don't Miss the Point We are so prone to miss the point when we misapply the law. It can lead us into a life of pride and arrogance or self-loathing and despair. Engaging with the law in this way, as Hunter reminds us, can become a colossal exercise in missing the point. When we seek to justify ourselves by keeping the law or becoming experts in its letters, we actually miss the underlying message and purpose. That's exactly what Paul points out in his letter to Timothy—some people have veered from the simple truth, spending their days in meaningless discussions that add nothing to a life of faith (see 1 Timothy 1:6). They had turned away from the simple gospel, the good news that is received by faith and fills our hearts with love, cleanses our conscience, and makes us new. Paul reemphasizes this in verse 5: “The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” This, Hunter says, is the real deal—this is the point. This is the work that God alone can do as his Spirit abides in his people. Through the Spirit's presence, God brings about a new heart, a clean conscience, and a new life. And we need to remember: that's a gift. It isn't something we can attain by mastering the law. True change comes not from our proficiency or expertise, but from the Master's presence in our lives. As we surrender, as we let the Master master us, God reclaims that which was lost. That's the power and the gift of the gospel, the very truth Paul is unashamed to proclaim. Living in the reality of Christ in you means you're not missing out on love, generosity, or peace—they are yours. And in receiving them, you'll have something beautiful to offer this world. That's a prayer Hunter has for his own soul, for his family, and for you: that we may not miss the point, but instead receive the love of God, a clean conscience, and a new life in Christ. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us with your mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you. Bring the nations into your fold. Pour out your spirit on all flesh and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. And now, Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Lord, grant that I might not seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Welcome to Day 2655 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2655 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 71:17-24 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2655 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2655 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. Today's Wisdom Nugget is titled: A Lifelong Testament to God's Unending Faithfulness - A Trek Through Psalm 71:17-24. Today, we embark on a profound and deeply personal trek through the concluding verses of Psalm 71 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 17 through 24. Psalm 71 is a remarkable testament to lifelong faith, a prayer from an older individual who has weathered many storms and now, in their twilight years, continues to cling to God as their unshakeable refuge. We've already witnessed the psalmist's raw vulnerability, his desperate pleas against abandonment in old age, and his unwavering trust in God amidst the malicious plots of his enemies. Now, in these final verses, the psalm culminates in a magnificent display of purpose, profound praise, and confident expectation of God's ultimate vindication and restoration. This section beautifully encapsulates the essence of a life lived for God. It speaks to the vital role of passing on a spiritual legacy to future generations, to the unshakeable truth of God's incomparable greatness, and to the triumphant, joyful response of a soul delivered from the deepest troubles. It's a powerful and fitting conclusion to a psalm that began in such anguish, reminding us that God's faithfulness endures through all seasons of life, leading ultimately to resounding praise. So, let's open our hearts and minds to these final words of seasoned faith, allowing their wisdom to inspire our own journey. Psalm 71:17-18 NLT O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I have constantly told others about your wonders. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. The psalmist begins by casting his gaze backward, reflecting on the enduring influence of God in his life: “O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I have constantly told others about your wonders.” This is a profound acknowledgment of God as his lifelong mentor and guide. From his formative years, God has been the source of his wisdom and understanding, shaping his worldview and teaching him through both direct revelation and lived experience. This divine tutelage has not been a private affair. It has driven him to constantly share his experiences: he has “constantly told others about your wonders.” In ancient Israel, the oral tradition was crucial for preserving the nation's spiritual heritage. Elders played a vital role in transmitting the stories of God's mighty acts to the next generation, ensuring that His faithfulness would not be forgotten. The psalmist embodies this calling, living a life that is a continuous narrative of God's miraculous interventions and awe-inspiring deeds. His life has been a living testament, an ongoing witness to God's power...

An honored Roman commander in Tripoli of Phoenicia, he was described as being 'of great physical stature, powerful, strong and bold in battle'. When it was learned that he was a Christian and had given grain to the poor from the imperial storehouse, the governor Hadrian, a great persecutor of Christians, sent Hypatius, a military commander, and Theodoulus, a soldier, along with some others to arrest him. On the way Hypatius fell gravely ill with a fever, and the company had to delay its mission. One night an angel of the Lord appeared to Hypatius and said, 'If you desire to be healed, you and your soldiers must cry to heaven three times: "O God of Leontius, help me!"'. Hypatius told his comrades of his vision, and when they all cried out as instructed Hypatius was instantly healed. Hypatius and Theodoulos then went on ahead of the other soldiers and found Leontius. Leontius received them hospitably and offered them refreshment. As they rested in his house, he proclaimed his faith in Christ and their hearts began to burn within them. While Leontius was still speaking, a bright cloud descended upon the two soldiers and shed dew on them while Leontius said 'In the name of the All-holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.' Thus were they baptized by the Holy Spirit Himself.

Today in History: Moses' sister Miriam was punished with “tzara'at,” biblical leprosy (according to tradition, see Numbers 12). “When the cloud had withdrawn from over the tent, behold,Miriam was leprous, as white as snow … Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, ‘O God, heal her, I pray!'”This week's portion is called Shlach (Send)TORAH PORTION: Numbers 14:26-o15:7GOSPEL PORTION: John 9:1-23Think about: What Scripture spoke to you most today and why? Did you learn something about God, or something you need to do in your life?Daily Bread for Kids is a daily Bible reading podcast where we read through the Torah and the Gospels in one year! Helping young Bible-readers to study God's Word, while also discovering its Jewish context!THE KIDS' JOURNAL is available from ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://arielmedia.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠BUSY MOMS who want to follow the Daily Bread readings on podcast for adults, can go to ⁠⁠https://dailybreadmoms.com⁠⁠The Bible translation we are reading from is the Tree of Life Version (TLV) available from the Tree of Life Bible Society.INSTAGRAM: @dailybreadkids @arielmediabooks @dailybreadmomsTags: #DailyBreadMoms #DailyBreadJournal #BibleJournaling #Messianic #BiblePodcast #BiblicalFeasts #Journal #biblereadingplan #Messiah #JewishRoots #Yeshua #GodIsInControl #OneYearBible #MomLife #MotherCulture #FaithFilledMama #BiblicalWomanhood #Proverbs31woman

108 : Psalms 64 1. Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. 2. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: 3. Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: 4. That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. 5. They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? ; AB church Lausanne

Welcome to Day 2653 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2653 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 71:12-16 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2653 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2653 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. Today's Wisdom Nugget is titled: Hope Amidst Hostility, Praise Without End - A Trek Through Psalm 71:12-16 as we continue our deeply personal trek through Psalm 71 in the New Living Translation. Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your guide for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we continue our deeply personal trek through Psalm 71 in the New Living Translation. We've already heard the psalmist, an older individual, express his lifelong trust in God as his unshakeable refuge, even as he faces the vulnerability of old age and the cruel mockery of his enemies. He shared his deep fear of being abandoned by God when his strength fails, and how his adversaries plot against him, falsely claiming that God has deserted him. Now, as we delve into verses 12 through 16, the psalmist's plea intensifies, explicitly asking God to confront his foes, but then pivots to a renewed and powerful declaration of unending hope and boundless praise for God's righteousness and salvation. This section highlights the dynamic nature of a lament psalm – moving from raw complaint to resolute faith. It underscores the psalmist's conviction that God will indeed act, and that this divine intervention will not only bring justice to his enemies but will also become the very fuel for his continuous, overflowing praise. It's a testament to the power of shifting our focus from the problem to the character of our delivering God. So, let's immerse ourselves in these words, allowing their urgency and their resolute hope to resonate within our own hearts. (Reads Psalm 71:12-13 NLT) O God, do not abandon me now! Come quickly, my God, to help me. May those who slander me and try to destroy me be disgraced and humiliated. May those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and shame. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist opens this section by reiterating his most profound fear and his most urgent request: “O God, do not abandon me now! Come quickly, my God, to help me.” This echoes his earlier plea in verse 9, underscoring the persistent anxiety of being left alone and the immediate danger he faces. The urgency is palpable; he needs God to come swiftly, to act without delay, because his situation is critical. He addresses God intimately as “my God,” emphasizing the personal nature of their relationship and his absolute reliance on Him. This desperate call for help is immediately followed by a fervent prayer for justice against his enemies: “May those who slander me and try to destroy me be disgraced and humiliated. May those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and shame.” This is an imprecatory prayer, a call for divine retribution against those who maliciously seek his ruin. “Slander” here refers to false accusations and...

It's Monday, June 16th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Pakistani Christian acquitted of blasphemy against Islam charge Last Thursday, a Pakistani judge acquitted a 28-year-old Christian named Farhan Masih of blasphemy against Islam and terrorism charges after the prosecution failed to prove its case against him, reports Morningstar News. Masih had developed a mental illness due to excessive use of synthetic drugs and was entrapped in the false accusation by the complainant. According to Open Doors, Pakistan is the eighth most difficult country worldwide in which to live for Christians. Dear God, we thank you for enabling Farhan Masih, this Pakistani Christian, to be acquitted. Amen. Israel attacks Iran over atomic weapon; Iran retaliates Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran's nuclear and military structure Friday, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top generals and scientists, reports the Associated Press. Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu explained. NETANYAHU: “Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat. For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel's destruction. They backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons. “In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs – nine!  In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium. If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months.” Iran retaliated by firing waves of ballistic missiles at Israel, where explosions flared in the skies over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and shook the buildings below. The Israeli military urged civilians to head to shelter, as missiles damaged homes and killed two people. U.S. Senate considers defunding Planned Parenthood In the midst of the U.S. Senate's ongoing debate about the budget, they are determining whether to defund Planned Parenthood, as President Trump has requested, reports Liberty Counsel Action. The situation is fluid and can change at any moment because of the razor-thin margin of votes.  Only  two weeks remain to get the budget on President Trump's desk.  Whether or not your two U.S. Senators are Republicans or Democrats, please call them at 202-224-3121 – any time of the day or night -- and urge them to DEFUND Planned Parenthood. Democratic Minnesota Rep. killed and Minnesota Senator injured in targeted attack A Minnesota Democratic lawmaker and her husband were shot and killed in their home early Saturday by someone posing as a police officer and a second Democratic lawmaker and his wife were wounded in what some have described as  “targeted political violence,” reports the Associated Press. Former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse were killed in their Brooklyn Park home. The other lawmaker, Democratic State Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, were shot multiple times in Champlin, a suburb of Minneapolis. Bob Jacobson, Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety, spoke at a press conference. JACOBSON: “This is a dark day today for Minnesota and for democracy, but we will not allow fear or violence to define who we are or how we move forward.” The gunman has been identified as Vance Luther Boelter, whom Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had previously appointed to the Governor's Workforce Development Council. Christian singer Michael Tait confesses homosexual conduct & drug abuse Last Tuesday, Michael Tait, the former lead singer of the Christian rock band Newsboys and a member of the Grammy-winning group DC Talk, publicly confessed to a history of "reckless and destructive behavior," including drug and alcohol abuse and unwanted sexual conduct involving men, reports The Christian Post. In a written statement on Instagram, the 59-year-old singer acknowledged that the reports  are “sadly, largely true." He wrote, "For some two decades, I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way. I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it — sin. “I was violating everything I was raised to believe by my God-fearing Dad and Mom, about walking with Jesus and was grieving the very God I loved and sang about for most of my life. By His grace, I can say that for the past six months, I have lived a singular life—one of utter brokenness and total dependence on a loving and merciful God." Tait's confession follows an in-depth investigative report published on June 3rd by The Roys Report documenting that three men accused him of sexual assault during separate incidents dating back to 2004. Tait quoted Psalm 51, King David's famous prayer of repentance: "Blot out my transgressions … create in me a new heart, O God." God-haters upset with 10 Commandments displayed in Arkansas schools A group of God-hating organizations has filed a lawsuit against a recently passed law in Arkansas that requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments on the wall in a 16-inch by 20-inch poster with a  font size that makes it easily readable, reports The Christian Post. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a complaint on Wednesday on behalf of a religiously diverse group of parents. At issue is Act 573, a measure signed into law by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in April and is scheduled to take effect in August. The lawsuit argues that "Act 573 is not neutral with respect to religion." Republican State Senator Jim Dotson, one of the bill's primary sponsors, argued in March that the Decalogue displays were not unconstitutional. He said, "From the state to the federal level all throughout our history, it is an historical reference point or historical document that has basic things like you shall not kill, steal, commit adultery -- those basic foundations of life that are good for everybody to keep front of mind so that we are hopefully living good lives," reports KATV. After God revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai, Exodus 20:20 records Moses telling the Jews, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” Worldview listeners in South Dakota, Colorado, and Indiana share their hearts I invited Worldview listeners to share what they enjoy about the newscast in 2-6 sentences by email.  You can share your thoughts -- along with your full name, city and state -- and send it to adam@TheWorldview.com Jason Bollwerk in Rapid City, South Dakota wrote, “I am a homeschooled sophomore in high school, and I listen daily to The Worldview for school. My reason for listening is not only to hear what is happening in the world, but I love hearing about all the good things that God is doing out there. Most media outlets show the dark side of what's going on. But The Worldview really shows what God's doing. Tally ho and pip pip.” Cheryl Ball in Indianapolis, Indiana wrote, “I've been reading the transcript of your newscast every morning since the presidential debates last year. I don't watch the news or read other news. So, this is basically my news input and I'm thankful for it.” And Dennis and Alyssa Guse in Castle Rock, Colorado, said, “Thank you for the faithful work you and The Worldview in 5 Minutes team do for the glory of God!  We are blessed to hear relevant news stories and encouraging Scriptures every day.  Keep up the great work for the Kingdom!”  Dennis asked if I could lead an occasional short prayer for one of the news items. I  called him to say that that was a great idea and I would take him up on the suggestion. 17 Worldview listeners gave $6,821 to fund our annual budget And finally, toward our midpoint goal of $61,750 to fund half of The Worldview newscast's annual budget by this past weekend, 17  listeners stepped up to the plate by 1:00pm Central on Saturday. We were only 3 donors short of our 20-donor goal. Our thanks to Augustine in Auburn, California who gave $25 as well as Elisabeth in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and Karen in Waterford, Wisconsin --  both of whom gave $50, and Daniel in Mayflower, Arkansas who pledged $8 per month for 12 months for a gift of $96. We're grateful to God for Leasa in Simpsonville, South Carolina, George in Edinburgh, Indiana, and Woody in Sparks, Nevada – each of whom gave $100 as well as Laura in Millstadt, Illinois and Kerry and Rosana in San Antonio, Texas – both of whom gave $200. And we were touched by the generosity of Derrick in Evans, Georgia who gave $250, Justin and Oliver in Grover Beach, California who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300, Eric in Warren, Minnesota who also pledged $25 per month for 12 months for a gift of $300, Matt, Amanda, Elijah, Malachi, and Samuel in Greencastle, Indiana who gave $450, Shy in Ingalls, Indiana who pledged $50 per month for 12 months for a total gift of $600, Aaron in Fort Bragg, North Carolina who gave $1,000, Katie in Hutchinson, Kansas who gave $1,000, and Scooter in Naples, Florida who will match those last two $1,000 donations with another $2,000 gift of his own. Those 17 Worldview listeners gave a total of $6,821. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please.  (Drum roll sound effect) $38,892.20 (People clapping and cheering sound effect)   That means we fell $22,857.80 short of our $61,750 mid-point goal to stay on the air and fund our 6-member Worldview newscast team for another fiscal year. Toward this Friday, June 20th's goal of $92,625, we need to raise $53,732.80. Remember, if you are one of the 4 final people who give a one-time gift of $1,000, Scooter in Naples, Florida will match you with a corresponding $1,000 gift.  Now, if that happens today, Monday, June 16th we will have raised an additional $8,000. In order to raise the remaining amount, I need to find 38 Worldview listeners who will pledge $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600. And another 76 listeners to pledge $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300. Has God placed it on your heart to be one of the Christian patriots to fund this unparalleled newscast which unashamedly cites relevant Scripture, includes compelling soundbites, and practical action steps to speak out for Biblical principles? Please, we need your help right now!  Go to TheWorldview.com and click on Give on the top right.   Click on the button that indicates a recurring monthly donation if that's your wish. I'll be honest. In my flesh, I'm getting very nervous indeed!  But, in my spirit, I confidently trust that God will prompt the right people to give generously to cover our annual budget. Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, June 16th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  You can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

107 : Psalms 63 1. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2. To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. 3. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. 4. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. 5. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: ; AB church Lausanne

Acts 13: 1 - 12

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 16; 2 Chron 15-16; Colossians 1 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! On this June 15th episode, Heather invites us to gather around the Scriptures on day 166 of our journey through the Bible. Today's readings include First Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 15 and 16, and Colossians 1. Heather guides us through the turbulent stories of Israel's kings, the challenges and reforms of King Asa, and Paul's powerful words to the Colossians about Christ's reconciling work. With reflection and heartfelt prayers, Heather reminds us that God has found what He's looking for—not in human perfection, but in Christ, and now in us because of His grace. Tune in for encouragement, inspiring prayers, and a reminder that you are holy and blameless before God through Jesus. Let's warm our hearts together around the fire of God's love and be reminded that we are deeply loved and called to live in His joy. TODAY'S DEVOTION: God has finally found what He's looking for. All through today's readings we saw God searching—looking not just at the kings of Israel or Judah, not just at Asa or Baasha or Omri, but looking for hearts fully committed to Him. The Scriptures say, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” Time and again, Israel's history was marked by leaders who missed the mark—who, despite God's faithfulness, turned to idols, alliances, or their own wisdom rather than trusting Him fully. Even Asa, who began so well, faltered in trusting foreign kings, and in the end, sought only human help. But the good news, as Paul announces in the letter to the Colossians, is that God has indeed found what He's been searching for—not in any of those kings, not in us, but in His Son. There is only One who ever truly lived a life fully committed to the Father. And when the Father looked at the Son, He said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” Here's the miracle: by God's grace, you and I are now found in the Son. Christ has reconciled us to Himself through His death on the cross. Paul tells us, “As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault.” The thing God has been searching for—wholehearted devotion, purity, and faithfulness—is now found in Christ, and because you are in Him, it is found in you too. Not by our striving or our record, but by Christ's victory. This is the secret Paul wants us to see: “Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory.” You are not only reconciled, forgiven, and restored, but you are now blameless in God's presence. God's search is over—He finds His heart's desire in you, because you are in His Son. Let the truth of this gospel settle in your heart today: You are loved, accepted, and holy in Christ. Christ has done what no king, no prophet, no human heart on its own ever could. Now let us live from that place—abiding in Him, depending on Christ's power at work within us, and letting His joy be our strength. That is my prayer for you, for those you love, and for my own soul today. May you enter into the joy of being found—completely, eternally—in Christ. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us with your mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations into your fold. Pour out your spirit on all flesh and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. And now, Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love where there is injury, pardon where there is doubt, faith where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light, and where there is sadness, joy. O Lord, grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Seminarian Brian Schneck fills in for deaconess as we discuss the sermon from Pentecost and get an update on seminary life.Preacher: Pastor Adam SteinbrennerSubmit sermon questions by emailing podcast@stjohndublin.orgLink to SermonChurch Website: stjohndublin.orgChurch Center: stjohndublin.churchcenter.comThank you to Higher Things Inc. for permission to use their recording of LSB 834 “O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth”. (leader.higherthings.org)Thank you for listening to the Post-Sermon Podcast.Text Your Questions & Comments Here!

Evening lessons: Psalms 109; Ezekiel 34; Acts 15:22-35.  Hold not your tongue, O God of my praise, for the mouth of the ungodly, the mouth of the deceitful is opened upon me.

Morning lessons: Psalm 108, 110; Joshua 22; Luke 24:13-53.  O God, my heart is fixed, my heart is firmly fixed; I will sing and give praise with best that I have.

105 : Psalms 61 1. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. 4. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. 5. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. ; AB church Lausanne

In a world that often feels unjust, how do we keep trusting a God who promises to be both just and loving? In today’s devotional, we turn to Psalm 17—David’s heartfelt prayer in the face of betrayal and injustice—and uncover a blueprint for trusting God even when life feels unfair. Whether you're facing false accusations, broken promises, or just the weight of injustice around you, this episode offers hope and healing in the hands of a just God.

104 : Psalms 60 1. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. 2. Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. 3. Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. 4. Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. 5. That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me. ; AB church Lausanne

5 ELEMENTS OF AWEHUMILITY & FEARVASTNESS OF CREATIONADMIRATION & ADORATION REVERENCE FOR LOVE AND WRATHPERSPECTIVE HOW SMALL WE ARE & HOW TEMPORARY THIS WORLD ISLORDSHIP WHO & WHOSEJESUS IS THE HINGE & ANCHOR POINTWITNESS & TESTIMONY WHAT HE'S DONE FOR MESTILL A GOD OF MIRACLES “By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might;who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭65‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭“My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name.”‭‭Malachi‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ ‭“And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.””‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭26‬ ‭5 PIECES OF EVIDENCEGRATITUDE AS GRANTED NOT FOR GRANTEDJOYUNSHAKABLE IN CIRCUMSTANCES OBEDIENCE CANT SERVE TWO MASTERS : WORLD OR WORD?LOVE & HONORWAYS PEOPLE KNOW WE ARE DISCIPLES SERVICENOT ABOUT YOU

The Ready Heart: Living Fully Surrendered to God Walter Colace delivers a Spirit-led, heart-searching message about what it means to be ready for God's presence. Drawing from Scripture and a lifetime of faithful ministry, he calls us to examine our hearts, lay down our pride, and allow the Holy Spirit to prepare us for a move of God.

Devotion Ecclesiastes 4:1-6   Announcements No Podcast Next Week Delegates' Conference Mission Festival Voters' Meeting Ambassadors Book Club Midweek Bible Study Church Council Men's Breakfast Ladies Bible Study Third Sunday Communion Pastoral Conference Christian Family Weekend Outdoor Service VBS Registration   Prayer List  Pastor John Hein Pastor Tim Wheaton Jim Lien Ethan Kranz Mark Stelter Bev Menton Rick Mariner Pastoral Conference Mission in Nigeria   Hymn: TLH 402 “O God, Forsake Me Not” 

“O God, let all the nations praise you.”

Psalm 42v1-2 "As a deer pants for flowing streams,so pants my soul for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God,for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God"

101 : Psalms 57 1. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. 2. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. 3. He shall send from heaven, and save from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. 4. My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth. ; AB church Lausanne

Get access to Daily Prayer: Become a Patron on Patreon----------------------Opening Words:“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”Psalm 19:14 (ESV)Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him.Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him.The PsalterPsalm 56Miserere mei, Deus1Have mercy on me, O God,for my enemies are hounding me; *all day long they assault and oppress me.2They hound me all the day long; *truly there are many who fight against me, O Most High.3Whenever I am afraid, *I will put my trust in you.4In God, whose word I praise,in God I trust and will not be afraid, *for what can flesh do to me?5All day long they damage my cause; *their only thought is to do me evil.6They band together; they lie in wait; *they spy upon my footsteps;because they seek my life.7Shall they escape despite their wickedness? *O God, in your anger, cast down the peoples.8You have noted my lamentation;put my tears into your bottle; *are they not recorded in your book?9Whenever I call upon you, my enemies will be put to flight; *this I know, for God is on my side.10In God the Lord, whose word I praise,in God I trust and will not be afraid, *for what can mortals do to me?11I am bound by the vow I made to you, O God; *I will present to you thank-offerings;12For you have rescued my soul from death and my feet from stumbling, *that I may walk before God in the light of the living.Psalm 57Miserere mei, Deus1Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful,for I have taken refuge in you; *in the shadow of your wings will I take refugeuntil this time of trouble has gone by.2I will call upon the Most High God, *the God who maintains my cause.3He will send from heaven and save me;he will confound those who trample upon me; *God will send forth his love and his faithfulness.4I lie in the midst of lions that devour the people; *their teeth are spears and arrows,their tongue a sharp sword.5They have laid a net for my feet,and I am bowed low; *they have dug a pit before me,but have fallen into it themselves.6Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *and your glory over all the earth.7My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; *I will sing and make melody.8Wake up, my spirit;awake, lute and harp; *I myself will waken the dawn.9I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord; *I will sing praise to you among the nations.10For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, *and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.11Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *and your glory over all the earth.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.LessonsDeuteronomy 30:1-1030 “And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, 2 and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. 5 And the Lord your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. 7 And the Lord your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you. 8 And you shall again obey the voice of the Lord and keep all his commandments that I command you today. 9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, 10 when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.2 Corinthians 1010 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.7 Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we. 8 For even if I boast a little too much of our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I will not be ashamed. 9 I do not want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present. 12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.13 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. 17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God.Luke 18:31-4331 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God.Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.The PrayersLord, have mercy.Christ, have mercyLord, have mercyOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.The SuffragesO Lord, show your mercy upon us;And grant us your salvation.O Lord, guide those who govern usAnd lead us in the way of justice and truth.Clothe your ministers with righteousnessAnd let your people sing with joy.O Lord, save your peopleAnd bless your inheritance.Give peace in our time, O LordAnd defend us by your mighty power.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgottenNor the hope of the poor be taken away.Create in us clean hearts, O GodAnd take not your Holy Spirit from us.Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others.The CollectsProper 5O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God!Alleluia, Alleluia!BenedictionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen*

God's Mercy & ForgivenessPsalm 51:10-12 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”These verses come within a series of verses addressing God.  The person talking to God in this psalm is David.  This psalm takes place after David had been visited by the prophet Nathan.  Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.  This psalm includes a lot of David asking God to forgive him for his sins.  One thing I love about David is that he is so good at realizing he did something wrong and then turning back to the Lord.  He messed up pretty badly sometimes.  It was not as if he was anointed, and so he always followed the Lord and never strayed.  He broke some pretty big commandments.  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, thou shalt not commit adultery, and thou shalt not kill, being a few of them.No matter how big the sin was, David never seemed to feel too ashamed to turn back to the Lord.  This is so great.  This shows such a deep level of understanding or trust, or both.  I think he was never afraid to turn back because he knew how much he was loved by God.  I wish we all knew and could trust God's love like David did.  How great would it be to know with every fiber of our body that no matter what we did, God would still love us and welcome us back?Have you ever done something and then not turned back to the Lord because you didn't think you deserved forgiveness?  Have you ever thought that you did something so bad that there was no way that God would forgive you?  I think that most people have probably thought this at one time or another.  I wonder if we would still think it if we remembered in that moment all the things that God has forgiven over the years?  David saw a woman bathing on the roof of another house in his town and called for her to be brought to him.  Then he had relations with her.  I doubt she had much to say about it, as that was not really the culture back then.  After he did this, she was pregnant, and he was worried her husband would find out what he had done.  He tried to trick her husband, and when that didn't work, he sent him to the front lines to be killed in the war.  Then he took Bathsheba for his wife.Take a moment and think of the thing that you have been trying to hide from God because you think there is no way he will forgive it.  Is it worse than what David did?  If God could forgive David, He will forgive you.  What if it is worse than what David did?  What do you do then?  Is it worse than what Saul did when he was going around stoning to death those who believed in Jesus?  Was it worse than what the soldiers did when they whipped Jesus and hung Him on a cross?  Because if Jesus can forgive them, He will forgive you.Why is it that we worry so much about God forgiving us?  We know He loves us, and yet we don't want to turn to Him when we mess up because… why?  Maybe we are ashamed and we don't want Him to see that we messed up?  Guess what, he has already seen your mess-ups and already loved you through them.  Maybe we don't want to bother Him with our mess-ups because we feel we should have known better in the first place.  Guess what?  He loves it when we turn to Him and ask Him for help to clean up our messes.  Maybe we don't feel like we are good enough to turn back to the Lord.  Guess what?  He is your Heavenly Father, and He made you in His likeness and image.  You are better than good enough; you are perfect just as you are.In the verse, David asks the Lord to create a pure heart in him.  He knows what he did was wrong, and he wants to do what is right. I think we all want to do what is right.  I don't think that any of us walk around all day wondering how we can sin against God.  I don't believe it is our intent to damage our relationship with God in any way.  If we want to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, we can all pray for the Lord to create a pure heart in us.  God knows what is in our hearts.  As much as we may try to purify our own hearts, God is the one who can help us with this.It goes on to say, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”  I think this statement can be an example of David's humility.  It shows us that even though David was brave enough and trusted God enough to turn back to the Lord, even after David did some pretty awful things, David was humble enough not to assume God would forgive him.  In this verse, David is asking the Lord to please not cast him away or take the Holy Spirit from him.  God loves humility.  It says in James 4:10, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”  This is what David was doing.  He was humbling himself and asking the Lord not to depart from him.After David asks the Lord not to abandon him, he goes on to say, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”  David knows that he is doing the things he does not want to do and not doing the things that God wants him to do.  This is why he is asking the Lord for a willing spirit to sustain him.  He knows that following the Lord's word is the way to go, and he also knows that he can get off track sometimes.  David did a lot of good things, and he spent a lot of his time following the Lord; however, when he veered off course, he did it in a big way.  If you feel like this is you, I hope that David's story can bring you a little bit of comfort.  I hope that if you are feeling like you did something wrong and that it was so bad you can't turn back to the Lord, that you will remember David and how he was able to turn back to the Lord even after he did some truly terrible things.  And you know what, God always forgave him and kept loving Him.  He does this for you, too.  God will always love you, no matter what it is you do.  He will always be hoping, no matter how much you think that you messed up, that you will turn back to him. He is your Heavenly Father, and you mean the world to Him!Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless all those listening to this episode today.  Lord, we ask that you help us to remember to turn back to you every time we mess up.  No matter how bad a thing we think we did, help us to know that you still love us and forgive us.  Help us to know that you are always there for us.  Lord, create a clean heart in us and grant us a willing spirit.  Lord, we want to follow you, and we don't know why we get off course sometimes.  If you create a willing spirit in us, we hope to use that spirit to follow you more closely.  Lord Jesus, you are amazing, and we are so thankful that you always forgive us and that you continue to love us, even with all of our faults.  We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus' holy name, Amen.Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. Tomorrow night will be week #2 of mentoring. This week we are address this very topic, God's Mercy & Forgiveness. I hope you will join us! I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in November / December 2024 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Come to me. I have given you a gift, spirit to spirit. You use it less and less. I want you to be strong in my love. Use your gifts.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Send us a textThe devotion for today, Monday, June 09, 2025 was written by Jan Nunn  and is narrated by Judithann Anderson. Today's Words of Inspiration come from Psalm 48:9-10 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. Support the show

June 9, 2025Today's Reading: John 3:16-21Daily Lectionary: Numbers 22:1-20; Luke 22:1-23“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. If you unpack the Bible verse everyone already knows, you find a religion nobody can fathom. It's nothing but Jesus on the cross for sinners. It binds us together without distinction, without exception, and leaves us with a different vocabulary. All the world talks about what's wrong. All the world condemns. But Christ did not come into the world to condemn it, but in order that it would be saved through His cross. You don't need to make the world better or even make it seem that way. You can call darkness dark because you see the light that conquers it. Forgives you who walk in it. Brings light that darkness would not overcome it. Which means the only reason there's darkness left is because folks want it that way. The light came into the world, but the people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. It's easy to sort through now, especially with that cross. Shine light on everything. What is light reflects light. What is dark flees the light. Not just because Christians are good and the world is evil. That's the lie the devil would have us believe, so we won't know what to make of our sins and would flee from the God who'd crucify them, even if it means running back to darkness. But whoever comes to the light shows what light does. It forgives. This is the work carried out in God. Christians take their sins to the light. To the cross, so they're not afraid to call their sins darkness. They know where light conquered darkness. And they know it was for them. It was for you. The darkness that flees the light is the darkness that doesn't want to become light. That doesn't want forgiveness. Shine light on everything and watch Christians rejoice in the forgiveness of sins, and there is no greater light, for this is the work of God. This is the peace we have. To not worry so much about the darkness anymore. Don't be afraid of it. Don't worry about outrunning it or outfighting it. You are brought to the light. This is the work God carries out over and over for you. So you won't have to measure your light; you can look to His cross. You can know that it's yours every single day for every single dark thing.   In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.O God, who gave Your Holy Spirit to the apostles, grant us that same Spirit that we may live in faith and abide in peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. - Rev. Harrison Goodman, Higher Things Executive Director of Mission and Theology.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.In Clarifying the Great Commission, Rev. Daniel Christian Voth identifies common omissions from our collective understanding of Jesus' farewell discourse—omissions that turn Christ's promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation into a legalistic command. Come and discover a richer understanding of The Great Commission.

In this sermon, Nolan Maples explores the concept of spiritual decay by comparing the lives of Saul and David. He identifies three stages of decay in Saul's life: tolerating a loss of intimacy with God, accepting poisoned relationships, and betraying core values. Maples uses Scripture, particularly from 1 Samuel, to illustrate these points, showing how Saul's spiritual decline led to his tragic end. Conversely, Maples presents David as a model of spiritual formation, emphasizing his repentant heart and desire for a clean heart from God. He references Psalm 51:10, where David prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Maples encourages listeners to examine their own lives for signs of spiritual decay and to seek God's cleansing and renewal, emphasizing the importance of community and honest self-reflection in this process. https://bwaychurch.org  

100 : Psalms 56 1. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. 3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 5. Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. ; AB church Lausanne

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Eccl 7-9: Ephesians 4 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, guest host Heather invites us to join her on June 8th for Day 159 of our journey through the Scriptures. Together, we reflect on the wisdom found in Ecclesiastes chapters 7 through 9 and Ephesians chapter 4. Heather thoughtfully reads through these passages, exploring profound truths about the fleeting nature of life, the value of wisdom, and our calling to unity and love as followers of Christ. She reminds us that while effort is required in our walk with God, it is always a response to His love, not something we earn. The episode concludes with heartfelt prayers, encouraging us to rely on God's strength, seek His peace, and step forward renewed in our identity as His beloved children. Join listeners around the world as we gather to warm our hearts around the Scriptures and discover fresh hope for the future. TODAY'S DEVOTION: Work at it. God may be opposed to trying to earn something, but he's not opposed to our effort. So let's work at it. We have to work at it because effort is what it's going to take, and our work is an active participation with God. It's a testimony of our inclusion into the life and love of God. It's not done in exchange for his favor or love. No, he has already included us and loved us. Our work is a response to what we have become, what he has made us—his children. So we work. We participate, we respond. We share in the ministry of Christ in this world now. And we all get to do this. Not just the hired folks, the pastors and teachers, the people who speak for a living. No, we are all a part of God's kingdom work. In Ephesians 4:3, we're told that we are to make every effort to keep ourselves unified in the Spirit. Make the effort by throwing off those old attitudes and behaviors that lead to hopelessness. Instead, work at stepping into and training your heart in new attitudes that lead to life and hope and a future. Ephesians 4:4 says that you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. We are to make every effort to renew our mind and thoughts and attitudes. We do that by hearing and applying the gospel to our daily lives. We have to work at that. We have to receive the good news of Christ's sufficiency. We have to remind our hearts daily that his grace is sufficient for all that we face. We need to rest in his love and care for us every day. That is a worthy effort that God honors. Jesus says, for everyone who asks, receives; everyone who seeks, finds; and to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. That will require effort, but the strength will be his. The spirit of Christ living in and through us will be the strength that enables us to work at it. The good news of Christ will be the thing that renews our heart, mind, and attitude. Then we can begin to experience that glorious hope for the future that we have in him. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us with your mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations into your fold. Pour out your spirit on all flesh and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. And now, Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Lord, grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen. And now, as our Lord has taught us, we are bold to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“I've tried to hate myself,Thinking that's how things will change,But it never helps, piling up the blame.Fighting fire with fire, hurt with more hurt,Breaking my own heart makes everything worse.”~“Kind to Myself” by Tenth Avenue North “That is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy burden; but get it off myself, I cannot; nor is there any man in our country that can take it off my shoulders; therefore am I going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden.” “I went but a little further, and I saw one, as I thought in my mind, hang bleeding upon the tree; and the very sight of him made my burden fall off my back, (for I groaned under a very heavy burden,) but then it fell down from off me.”~The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan “The only way that the disciplines strengthen the Christian life is when we view them as bread, not barter. They are not trading chips to exchange for God's grace but, rather, divine manna, providing the nutrition by which our love for Christ thrives. As we meditate upon the lavishness of grace across Scripture, commune with our God in prayer, and experience many dimensions of his mercy among his people, we grow in our understanding of his love. As a consequence, our love for him grows, displacing lesser loves that attack us even as they attract us.”~Unlimited Grace by Bryan ChapellSERMON PASSAGEHebrews 10:1-18 (ESV)1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,  but a body have you prepared for me;6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings  you have taken no pleasure.7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God,  as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'”8 When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them   after those days, declares the Lord:   I will put my laws on their hearts,   and write them on their minds,”17 then he adds,   “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Evening lessons: Psalms 94; Ezekiel 13; Acts 11:19-30.  O Lord God to whom  vengeance belongs, O God to whom vengeance belongs, show yourself.

Our Redemption (1) (audio) David Eells – 6/8/25 I want to encourage you today with a teaching on Redemption because it's so important we understand what Jesus has paid to give us, and it helps us in our faith and our spiritual growth. When we consider what God has given us through knowledge of the promises and then being tried to see if we're going to really be faithful to what they provide. We are tried to see if we will act on what the redemption provides. Let's start in 1Co 6:19-20 Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body. And some of you know that the KJV adds there, ‘and in your spirit, which are gods'.  You have nothing to do with the glorifying God in your spirit. God himself lives in your spirit. But you do have something to do, and it's a in that speaks that we should glorify God therefore in our body. This has the numeric pattern  but the added part has no numeric pattern, and it has no place in the Bible; it was added by men. He said you were bought with a price and the word bought there is agorazō and it means redeemed. You were redeemed with a price. And the word agorazō is translated in various ways in the Bible. One way is “bought”. It's translated bought because it actually means that, however, “bought” doesn't cover the whole meaning of the word agorazō or redeemed; it means to purchase a slave with an eye towards setting them free. Well, obviously from that little type and shadow, you can tell that we were all slaves. And we were slaves to sin, slaves to corruption, and slaves to the curse. We were slaves to the devil and slaves to the flesh. And redemption is all about God paying the price for us to be set free from that slavery. And so this word “bought” is the word redeemed. It's mentioned again a little further down in Chapter 7. Let's read 1Co 7:22 For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant (or a slave), is the Lord's freedman: That's interesting. So that's a really good description of what redemption is all about. “Purchasing a slave in order to set him free.” We were a slave to the world, to the flesh, to the devil, to sin on and on and on. So, when the Lord buys you, He buys you out, and you're no longer a slave to these things. You are free in Christ! This redemption was accomplished at the cross already. It doesn't matter what you're in slavery to; whether it has to do with this world in regards to sin or the curse, or the devil, or anything else, the Lord set you free! That's what redemption was all about. He already accomplished this redemption. And of course, if you apply faith to this, it is the solution and he goes on to say in this text …likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant. Meaning, you were free in regard to righteousness. You were free in regard to serving God. You were free in regard to walking in the spirit, but now you're a slave to Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul called himself a slave to Jesus Christ. We are called to serve Him, and as we know, obedience to His word is how we build this house upon the Rock. Everything else is going to get wiped out. Every Christian who hears His Words and disobeys them is building his house on the shifting sands of man's ideas, and it just won't last, because everything that can be shaken is about to be shaken. It's all going to get wiped out. You know, there are so many churches out there that put no premium on obedience. But the Lord saved us so we could obey. In fact, they think for some reason that's works. And of course, it's the work of God. Obedience to Him is the work of God. I mean, we are walking in the steps of Jesus, and He gave us those commands so we could follow in His steps, and He redeemed us so we would have the ability to walk in His steps. And verse 23 says 1Co 7:23 Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men. There's the same word agorazō also, and it means we've been delivered from slavery now. … become not bondservants of men. Does this still happen? Of course, there are many Christians who are bondservants of men. They won't obey the Word, because men told them they didn't have to, or men gave them convenient doctrines so they didn't have to obey. So this redemption is the price that has been paid. We can look in Hebrews Chapter 9 and see that the price has been paid by Jesus Christ. And it is paid through His blood. Let's read that. Heb 9:11 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. Now this word redemption comes from the Greek word lutrōsis. There's also a word apolutrōsis, which is a strengthened form of lutrōsis, and it's slightly different, but it has a really neat meaning. It means “the release on receipt of a ransom.” Well, you say, a ransom; we had to be ransomed? Yes, the devil was holding us captive legally, because of our sins. Why is that? Because God made statements all through the Bible, and the Bible says God cannot lie, and the devil holds Him to that. It's not that God wants to lie, He can't, but the devil holds Him to what He says. The Bible says, when you do such and such a sin, this is going to happen to you. This is the penalty that you pay for. Then God has spoken a legal word there that the devil will hold it up in His face. And so we had all these penalties stacked up against us for our sins. And we were being held ransom, and the Lord paid the ransom in full. He paid the price for us to be set free from the penalty for our sins. And you know, the devil loves to make sure that we pay the penalty for our sins. But the great thing is, the Lord ransomed us; He delivered us out of the power of darkness. So as we read on here, we'll see this. I'm going to back up just a little bit so you can catch this word, redemption again, verse 12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? This is awesome! You know you can actually walk without sin and walk without a consciousness of sin. You couldn't do that under the law. You had to keep searching out these rules and regulations and see where you did this wrong and did that wrong. But God redeemed us from the law too. And that's what the scripture says, and we'll look at that. So look, He cleanses your conscience from dead works. You are able to have fellowship with God because you don't have a consciousness of sin. But you know, even if you do sin, you go to Him as it says in 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And you believe the Word of God, so you know you're cleansed and you know you can have fellowship with God. So in that way, God has given us a covering and He has redeemed us. And in this case, lutrōsis; meaning, God has released us on receipt of the ransom. Jesus paid the ransom with His blood. Praise God! And Galatians chapter 4:4-5 is just awesome, like all the rest of God's words; Don't you love God's Word? Gal 4:4 but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. So redemption has also provided for us adoption. We are adopted sons of God, and it also set us free from the law, or here, it set the Galatians free from the law. And you know, we don't have to go back under the law because the law was made with the Jews; it wasn't made with the Gentiles. He made the New Covenant with the Gentiles. But to know that you're not under that law is awesome because the law itself is a curse, and you can't convince a lot of people of that because they love self-righteousness. Because the righteousness that comes from the law is self-righteousness. It says, “Look what I'm doing.” “I can do this and I can do that, therefore I'm holy.” No, you're only holy because of what Jesus did when He bought you at the cross. But He says in Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them. So if you want to be justified by the law, you've got to keep them all, and nobody's ever been able to do it. First of all, you would have to be a pretty sharp lawyer and you have to have an awfully good memory to remember all those rules and regulations. Thank God we don't have to live like that! Saints, we can live freely by trusting in what Jesus did as far as paying that penalty, and verse 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. That is the penalty for being contrary to the law. He redeemed us. Now this is the word exagorazō is a strengthened form of Agorazo, and it means, to buy out a slave with an eye to set him free. Exagorazō is translated redeemed. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. That is the penalty for not keeping the law and here is what God did about it. …having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Are you in Christ Jesus? We've talked about that; are you abiding in Jesus Christ through faith in His shed blood? Well, then you're not under the law, and that's great, because if you go back and read Deuteronomy 28 and you look at the penalties for breaking the law, these are the curses that are upon the whole world. All over the world, this curse is upon mankind, and actually the only way you can come out from under that is to exercise faith in the redemption that Jesus accomplished. This is an awesome thing, Saints! Now look, you can't get out from under a curse if you're walking in willful disobedience. There's nothing you can do about the curse because there's no sacrifice for a person who walks in willful disobedience as it says in Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. In other words, if you're willfully rebellious, you need a whipping, and God will give it to you. But if you're not willfully in rebellion and you're walking by faith in Christ, then He's got a blood covering, and He has redeemed you from the curse that comes from breaking all that law. Praise God that we're under grace and not under the law! And if you, as a Christian, go back under the law, then He tells you in Gal 4:30 Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. That is, you don't inherit the same blessings, the same eternal life, and everything that goes with that. And Gal 5:1 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. Speaking about going under certain parts of the law, and keeping the Feasts, somebody asked me, “Do we have to keep these Feasts?” No, they're a parable, and we do have to fulfill the feasts. For instance, we keep the Feast of the Passover by eating the Lamb, Jesus Christ and the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 5 that our Passover has already been sacrificed. It's all over. All you need to do is eat the Lamb now. And no, it doesn't make any difference whether you eat physical lamb or not. It means you have to eat the Word of God who is Jesus the Lamb of God. So we're told here in Gal 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, or you can add these other things in there too; all these commands of the law, such as the tithe, the Sabbath, and so forth, we have to fulfill those. These are spiritual types, and they're fulfilled spiritually. But if you go back under the law, you are going to be separated from Christ. He continues to say, Christ will profit you nothing. That's if you go back under these laws in the letter. 3 Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. You are righteous by faith in your redemption and cannot be justified by keeping the law. See if you break the law in just one point, you are a sinner. If you just break it in one point, you have broken the law. Now you are a sinner and now you cannot go to heaven. Do you understand that? So no matter what you do, you must have a redemption, and that's been accomplished by the Lord if you won't seek to be self-justified by keeping some work of the law so you can say, “Hey, I made it! I've attained to it”. No, it won't work. It's a stench in God's nostrils. Again, Paul says, 3 Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. You're not seeking it by grace, you're seeking it by works and it won't work. God won't accept it, and you'll find nothing but failure in your life if you try it. Now let's go to Rom 6:17 But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; (There's that obedience to the teaching, building your house on the Rock.) whereunto ye were delivered; You were servants of sin. The word there is bondservants. You were a slave; you were a slave to sin. But you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were delivered and being made free from sin. This is the redemption right here. 18 And being made free from sin, you became servants of righteousness. So now you are a servant of righteousness. You're a bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ. This faith will give you power from God by grace, which is unmerited favor. Now let's go down to verse 22 But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end eternal life. Notice that not everybody who says unto the Lord, “Lord, Lord”, is going to have eternal life. It's those who are being made free from sin. They're bearing the fruit of their redemption that was given to them in Christ. When you walk by faith in Jesus, He's going to set you free. He is going to fulfill the redemption in you. You're going to be set free. There's no two ways about it. If it's not faith, it won't work. But if it is faith in Christ, it will work. Faith has fruit, right? And another good example is in Psa 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; For he will receive me. Now here He's talking only about of redemption of the soul from the power of death. He's not talking about the body, but it says “he will receive me”. The Lord receives all of those who die in Christ. And He has redeemed their soul. That means He has bought their soul from the penalty of the curse. They will be in the rapture or resurrection. Both of these fulfill the redemption that Jesus spoke about the deliverance from the curse. And Psa 56:13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: Hast thou not delivered my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living? Psa 25:22 Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all of his troubles. That sounds good, doesn't it? That kind of covers an awful lot, doesn't it? I like these kinds of promises. The Lord is going to redeem us from all of our troubles. How does He do that? Well, we believe that He bought us as slaves, as we were in the beginning; we were slaves to sin, slaves to the curse, slaves to the devil, and slaves to the flesh. He bought us out of all of our troubles from the curse that stems from that. But He redeemed us from all of our troubles. And Psa 130:8 And he will redeem Israel From all his iniquities. Now, the way He's speaking of Israel here, He's speaking of Israel the man, but also Israel, the body. He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Do we really want that? Obviously, we do have a part to play here. If we do confess our sins, we're forgiven and cleansed. If we justify our sins, we don't have any of this and there's nothing promised to us. But if we confess our sins, He says He's faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us of unrighteousness. (1Jn1:9) But He wants to deliver us from all iniquity. He wants to redeem us from being a slave to iniquities or to sin. In other words, He accomplished this at the cross. We have been redeemed at the cross, but there is also a manifestation of that redemption when we walk by faith in it. Do you really believe that the Lord took away all of your sins, all of your iniquities? Do you really believe that? How about the ones you're doing right now? You know the ones you're failing in right now; the Lord redeemed you from that. He bought you as a slave to sin, in order to set you free from all that. That's His plan and that's what He's going to do. Now let's look at Tit 2:11-14 For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,… Well, that's not quite right. You know why? Because in Greek, you can get some words in front of others rather easily, and there is a perfect sequence here according to the Numerics. And what this verse actually says is, …he hath appeared to all men bringing salvation. He didn't appear, bringing salvation to all men, because then all men would have salvation, but he did appear to all men bringing salvation. That's not to say that every one of them accepts it, or can they accept it because they can't. Only those who have a gift of faith and repentance can accept it. So in other words, He's offered it and the people who can partake of it are the people who have that gift of repentance and faith. Tit 2:12 instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; Wow! So we can really live godly or godlike. He's making a statement here that I would say most of Christianity doesn't consider possible. According to these people, “We're always going to be sinners saved by grace”, but that's not according to God's plan and not according to His redemption. His redemption has no power in the minds of these people; it has no power to save. He redeemed us! He bought us as slaves and He paid the price. He paid the ransom so that we could be set free from bondage to the devil and the curse! And His purpose was so that we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world. Not in the next world; in this present world. Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; You know it's Christ in you, the hope of glory, (Col.1:27). So we're looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory. Where is this ‘appearing of the glory'? Well, the word there appearing is the word epiphania, and it means “a shining forth, or upon, to shine forth, the shining forth” of the glory out of God's people is what he's talking about. So we're looking for this epiphany of the glory of the great God in our savior Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Praise the Lord! What replaces “all iniquity”? The glory of God! Iniquity is your old nature, the nature of the old man, and the glory is the nature of the new man, Jesus Christ; Christ in you, the hope of glory. So, you looking for the epiphany of Jesus shining in you and from you. This is a result of the redemption that He has worked for you. Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity. And I guess some people think that God is rather foolish, that He makes a promise that He never really plans to bring to pass. That's ridiculous. He is speaking the truth here about His plan for Christians. This is the truth and what you've heard about people being “a sinner saved by grace the rest of their life” is a lie. That's an “Antichrist gospel.” This is the “Christ Gospel” here; that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works. How about that? In other words, the people who are redeemed will be zealous of good works. They're going to love to do the works of Jesus. And no, they're not working their way to heaven. This is the fruit of their redemption. Our faith in this redemption has good works, right? This is what people who are redeemed look like. They love good works and they love to walk in righteousness. Just like it's a sport for a fool to do wrong, it's a sport for God's people to do right. They love to do right. They love to be pleasing unto God. They love the feeling they get when they're pleasing unto God. They desire to please their Father as they serve Him in His kingdom. They're not trying to earn their way to heaven. The Lord already did that. They just love to be obedient, and they love to hear the Words of God and act on those Words to build their house on the solid Rock of Jesus Christ. So His redemption was so that we would be delivered of all iniquity and if you believe it, God is big enough to do it. It's not as though we have to do it, He's already done it. And we're just believing Him. Praise God! That's the Good News! Praise God! Thank you, Father! Thank you, Jesus, for what You've done for us in delivering us and giving us your glory. And I think a good example of this is Genesis 48, where we read how Jacob is blessing Joseph and his sons. In verse Gen 48:16 the angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them,... Think about all the stuff that Jacob went through with Laban; who plundered him and was trying to rip him off. And how he kept changing his wages time after time. Then later, when Jacob saw Esau, he was so worried. He was thinking that he was going to wipe him and his whole family out when he saw all the abundance he had gained when he had gone and worked for Leban. And just think about what he said, the angel who hath redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads… Have we been redeemed from all evil? Yes, absolutely. We are like Jacob; we were all like a supplanter. We were unsavory, really, to say the least, but he was shown the salvation of God. He was the Israel of God, and Israel means, “he shall rule as God.” Isn't that neat? He went from Jacob to Israel. “He shall rule as God” because God lives in the person who is redeemed. And He does His works through the person who is redeemed. And we are the body of Christ, Who is God. So God lives in us, and He can do His will in a person who has a renewed mind and has been redeemed from the curse. We can praise the Lord for His great plan. Now, let's go to 1Pe 1:15 but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; 16 because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy. Now, if we are His seed through the Word in us we are to be holy too. That is, if the Word is being manifested in us, we also should be holy. Verse 17 And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: 18 knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers… Let's go back and look at verse 15, he says, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; So we were redeemed from that vain manner of life that was handed down from our fathers. A worthless and useless life. You can see how the world acts; there's no real eternal value in things that people think and do. The Lord is very practical; if we follow Him as disciples, we're going to be very practical too, because the things we are doing will be most valuable in that they have an eternal result. Now we're here for a very good purpose that ends up in eternal life and perfect holiness, which is separation from the world unto God. And yet we know there are a lot of fruitless things people do. For one thing, they don't redeem the time. They don't act like we have only a certain amount of time here to bear the fruit of Jesus Christ. We're running against the clock here; there is a race going on, as the apostle Paul said, and so he buffeted his body, and he brought it under submission as he served God. He was a bondservant of the Lord. He was a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is quite a happy thing to be! As a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ, you receive fruit and have the joy and the peace of serving Him. So again, you're redeemed from a vain manner of life, that is, a fruitless life. It's a life of just pleasing “self”. It's a life that really doesn't have any eternal reward. You remember the things that you used to do in the world just to please yourself, to entertain yourself, to make yourself happy and to keep your mind occupied with things that have no reward. Perhaps you're caught up in sports or caught up in fishing. Now I'm not making a law that you can't do this. But I'm trying to make a point here that if these things aren't an end in themselves, and they're a big habit and distract you from serving the Lord, then you probably need to break them because there are so many more important things to do. Yeah, and a lot of this “vain manner of life” is a life that has no eternal foundation, and you receive no eternal reward for it. If you look at the life of the disciples, the apostles, and Jesus, you will see a self-sacrificial life, not a life of materialism and pleasing “self”. They lived lives of sacrifice joyfully for others. This was anything but a “vain manner of life.” Most people live, whether in peace and prosperity or not, a “vain manner of life,” given over to the corruption of the world. They strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel (Mat.23:24), making little things big and big things little. The truly important things are not important to them. Going on in verse 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ: So we were redeemed with something that is totally and perfectly valuable. And what God is saying is, don't waste it. The Lord has redeemed us from a fruitless life, a worthless life which is quite common even for many Christians. You know, they ‘accept Jesus as a personal Savior' and then they carry on with their vain life ignoring the Great Commission that was so important to Jesus. Their life doesn't reflect being a bondservant of the Lord, serving Him in the important things. Look at Psa 106:10 And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 And the waters covered their adversaries; There was not one of them left. So, you can see here that the enemy that He has redeemed us from is the old man of the flesh that went down in the waters of the Red Sea representing our baptism. We are redeemed from the flesh and the demons that use it, and the people who make themselves our enemy. How we hate serving the flesh when we would really enjoy serving God. Well, He redeemed us out of the hand of the old man when we went down in baptism. And guess what? That old man doesn't exist anymore. You were crucified with Christ, and now the One Who lives in you is Jesus Christ. The new man is the only one left. Gal 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.  Now, there's no doubt you can use Psa 106:10-11 and apply it to our spiritual enemies who use the old man; the principalities and powers and the rulers of darkness, or even the physical enemies that are used by the devil to tempt us, and to try to bring us back into bondage to fleshly principles. There's no doubt you can use this verse to mean that too. And Psa 107:2 Let the redeemed of Jehovah say [so], Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary, Sometimes we lose track, or we forget to claim this redemption from the adversary. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! We need to confess our redemption. We need to confess it before men. We need to confess it before the principalities and powers, otherwise they're going to take total advantage of you. We were redeemed from all of our enemies! We were set free! We need to confess that we have all of Christ. He was given to us as a gift. He now lives in us and we no longer live as in Galatians 2:20. And the devil takes on flesh sometimes. He's not just a spirit, he takes on the flesh of people around us to persecute us and to try us in our faith, and to try to drag us back into the world and do the things of the world. But the Lord has redeemed us from all of our enemies, spiritual and physical; He has set us free! (Psa.107:2) Let the redeemed of the Lord say [so]…. When we get into a situation involving a curse (something which most of Christianity considers to be quite normal), we know that the normal Christian life is a life delivered from the power of the curse of sin. The Gospel says that the Lord paid for our sins, we've been forgiven; therefore, we are no longer under the curse. Jesus bore that curse for us. We're not supposed to bear it, and it doesn't please the Father that we bear it, yet we will bear it, if we do not confess our redemption. Gal 3:13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:  Gal 3:14  that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  Now let's go to Luke chapter 1. One of my favorite verses is so encouraging, where he speaks about our redemption. Verse 68 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, It's a past tense thing; it's already accomplished. You don't even have to talk God into it, and you don't have to beg Him. He's already redeemed you from the enemy, whether it's the flesh, whether it's the devil, or whether it's sin, it makes no difference. He's redeemed you from all of your enemies, and He goes on to say, 69 And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David. This is primarily Jesus Christ. And 70 (As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old), 71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; Redemption brings salvation from our enemies. We're saved from our enemies already. 72 To show mercy towards our fathers, And to remember his holy covenant; 73 The oath which he sware unto Abraham our father, 74 To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him all our days. So we're redeemed so that we can have a good life. Jesus said in Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. We can serve Him without fear of our enemies because of our redemption. This is what God paid for! Oh, glory to God! Now, let's go to Hos 13:11 I have given thee a king in mine anger, and have taken him away in my wrath. 12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is laid up in store. God is holding something against Ephraim here. I've shared before that the Lord showed me that Ephraim is a type of the church because Ephraim was the second-born son of Joseph, whom Israel laid his right hand upon to impart the double portion inheritance. And Ephraim was called “the fullness of nations,” so Ephraim represents the church, and the church is in big trouble right now. That is, the overwhelming majority of the church are going on about their business, just like they're serving God and they're not. And they don't even know what Christianity is all about. But God is going to show mercy in these days. 12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is laid up in store. In other words, you don't want to reap what Ephraim has sown. You know what the church has sown; if they reap it, they're in big trouble. Well, the thing is, the Lord's going to reap it. Verse 13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: (You recognize that from Revelation 12?) … he is an unwise son; for it is time he should not tarry in the place of the breaking forth of children. In other words, they should have already been bearing fruit, but instead they've had a fruitless life, and they've already come up to the tribulation period, and the Man-child is born, and thank God for that, because the Man-child reformer ministries are going to lead them through the wilderness to learn faith. And he says in verse 14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; You've heard about their covenant with death, that God said He was going to break their covenant with death? So much of the church has a covenant with death because they're in agreement with something besides God. They've made covenants, but it's the wrong covenant and it's not under the Lord. But He says I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death: O death, where are thy plagues? O Sheol, where is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. So the Lord is not going to change His mind. He is going to redeem His people. He is going to lead that woman through the wilderness and He's going to bear fruit through them. They are going to bring forth fruit in the days ahead and that is wonderful news! Oh, thank You, Father. And Psalm 103:3 and 4. You probably know it by heart. Psa 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; The Lord's benefits are obviously His method of redeeming our life from destruction. God will bring to pass this redemption in our lives! This is great news! And another one of my favorite texts is in Isa 35:8-10 And a highway shall be there, (He's talking about a highway through the wilderness in verse 6, the Tribulation that's coming upon us.) and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but is shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up thereon (God is showing us here that the only safe way to avoid the beast and fools is to walk in holiness to Zion. Holiness means separation from the world unto God.); they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 10 and the ransomed (That is, those who believe their debt has been paid so that they can be free of their captors so..) The ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; This reminds you of Ephraim. God's mercy that He gave to Ephraim so that they could find this redemption. They didn't find it in religion, and now they're facing the tribulation. And it won't be as they thought and hoped, because they didn't fly away in the rapture. So basically, God is going to have mercy. Well, I'm not saying some of them won't fall away because the Bible says that many will fall away. But the Lord is going to have mercy upon His true Church, His “called out ones.”) and the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. More good news! Hallelujah! Let me go on with some more scriptures of our redemption in Christ. (Col.1:14) In whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. The word “redemption” as we've seen, means “a release on payment of a ransom.” We owed a debt we couldn't pay, and Jesus paid a debt He didn't owe. A ransom is a price that is paid to release someone who is in bondage. We've been in bondage to the curse, the old man, the devil, the world, sickness and all the bad things that go along with the curse. Yet, Jesus paid the price to set us free; He paid a ransom so the devil would no longer have authority over us because we have the forgiveness of our sins. Praise God! Eph 1:5 having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: (Notice our grace is in Christ, where we are to abide by faith in the blood.) 7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 12 to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: 13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,--in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (All should be sealed by receiving the Holy Spirit) 14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory. The Holy Spirit is the down payment of the eternal Spirit filled life. God will redeem from earth those who have born His fruit. Eph 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. Pro 23:10-11 Remove not the ancient landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless: 11 For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their cause against thee. Those who remove the boundaries will be judged. Isa 43:14-17 Thus saith Jehovah, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: (The true Church, the Israel of God.) For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring down all of them as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their rejoicing. (He is doing it.) 15 I am Jehovah, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King. 16 Thus saith Jehovah, who maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; 17 who bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty man (they lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched as a wick): (DS Babylon) Isa 44:21-28 Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. 22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. 23 Sing, O ye heavens, for Jehovah hath done it; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for Jehovah hath redeemed Jacob, and will glorify himself in Israel. 24 Thus saith Jehovah, thy Redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb: I am Jehovah, that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth (who is with me?). 25 that frustrateth the signs of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; 26 that confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith of Jerusalem, She shall be inhabited; and of the cities of Judah, They shall be built, and I will raise up the waste places thereof; 27 that saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers; 28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying of Jerusalem, She shall be built; and of the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (I was told our Cyrus would be Trump before he became president the first time. He is helping to restore the people of God's Kingdom at the expense of DS Babylon just as Cyrus did. He discovered the hidden treasures of darkness just as Cyrus did.) Isa 59:14-21 And justice is turned away backward, and righteousness standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. 15 Yea, truth is lacking; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. (A good description of the rule of DS Babylon.) And Jehovah saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. 16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it upheld him. 17 And he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle. 18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense. (Yes, He has brought down these Edomites.) 19 So shall they fear the name of Jehovah from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the breath of Jehovah driveth. 20 And a Redeemer will come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, (His redemption is moving among His Man-child reformers and His Bride.) saith Jehovah. 21 And as for me, this is my covenant with them, saith Jehovah: my Spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed, saith Jehovah, from henceforth and for ever. (The Word will go forth from these reformers.) Mic 4:6 In that day, saith Jehovah, will I assemble that which is lame, and I will gather that which is driven away, and that which I have afflicted; 7 and I will make that which was lame a remnant, and that which was cast far off a strong nation: and Jehovah will reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth even for ever. 8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, yea, the former dominion shall come, (The spiritual Bride city and her David Man-childs will be redeemed.)  the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. 9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? Is there no king in thee, is thy counsellor perished, that pangs have taken hold of thee as of a woman in travail? (With the Man-child ministries of Rev.12.)  10 Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and shalt dwell in the field, and shalt come even unto Babylon: there shalt thou be rescued; there will Jehovah redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. (And it will be so.) Luk 21:28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh. Now I'd like to share a few testimonies from our site about how God is faithful to answer whatever need we may have because of the redeeming work of Christ.     A Leap of Faith Peter - 10/03/2009 For the past couple of months, I have been weighed down by many things. Through ignorance and confusion, I had neglected a lot of matters that I believe the Lord was placing in my heart. Of primary concern, one of these matters was unconfessed willful sin that I had committed at the end of July; the confusion and my passivity held me in bondage to much reasoning. For months, the conviction lingered in the background and refused to subside. I didn't know how to deal with it; praying and reading dwindled tremendously. I was depressed and discouraged to the point where I began to think I was reprobated. However, I still had the unquenchable desire to serve the Lord. After speaking with a couple of brethren and listening to some UBM teachings on authority and dealing with the cause, I came to the conclusion that the conviction in my heart was coming from the Spirit. On September 30th, I confessed my sin to the Lord and to some brethren. On that same day, I saw the Lord's “unbelievable” grace and mercy upon my grandmother and me. While listening to the Bible study, I was interrupted by my grandmother's cry for help. She had her hands clenched against her chest, trying to bear an extremely sharp, throbbing pain (the pain was coming from the right side of her stomach). The pain had travelled to the right side of her face and head, causing a lack of sensation or numbness. At this point, I didn't “feel” any power or authority to command a healing upon her. Thoughts of condemnation, for my forgiven willful sin, flooded my mind. Yet, all I could rely on was God and His Word; it's all I knew. I remember what I had recently learned about authority over the curse and demons. Having reminded my grandmother about the Gospel, I laid my hands on her chest and thanked God for forgiving me for my unconfessed sin earlier in the day. I confessed the good report and reminded my grandmother of Philippians 4:4-8 and Mark 11:24. (Php.4:4) Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice (5) Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Mar.11:24) Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. After commanding the pain to leave, I continued to praise and thank the Lord for His grace, coming against doubtful and fearful thoughts. I eventually reached a point of complete boldness. Only a few minutes later, the pain left. God is faithful and His Word is always true. All the glory to Him! I would like to mention that my grandmother has been disturbed by arthritis pain, a few times, in the middle of the night. She has called out to the Lord and every time she's been comforted.     From Death to Life Gary and Robin Florence 11/2/23 I wanted to share with you a power of prayer story. On August 3, 2022, my wife, Robin, suffered a brain aneurysm, while in the ER she fell into a coma and was flown by helicopter 62 miles away. As I was driving there I received a phone call that said, “We are in a fatal situation and are doing everything we can to keep your wife alive on the OR table.” I still had about a 45-minute drive, when something, or should I say someone (Holy Spirit) rose up on the inside of me and this authority came over me and I said out loud, “In the name of Jesus I command the spirit of death to leave that OR room now.” Through prayer and the grace of God my wife survived. The surgeon said they go by a severity chart of 1-5 with 5 being the most severe. He said your wife was at the top of a 5. The next day one of the team members came in and said, “That lady should not be lying there, it was that bad. It truly is a miracle.” She spent the next 42 days in hospitals, 23 in ICU, on and off life support, in and out of comas. I did not sit at my wife's bedside begging, pleading and making deals with God. I sat as a son co-laboring, partnering with my Father, calling those things that be not as if they are. I watched with my own eyes, my wife go from death to life. I saw miracle after miracle take place in her body. I watched all the “But God” moments, the “suddenly of God” take place in her throughout her journey. November 7th she went back to work part-time and even drove herself and then on December 1st she went back full-time. I am so proud of my wife. She never bellyached, ‘Woe is me', or ‘Why did God allow this to happen to me?' Her faith grew stronger and became more resolved. Not only is she my wife and companion but she is my best friend, and I am honored to be her husband. So we know the power of prayer. Thank you for reading this email; may it encourage everyone and lift you and stir your faith to believe in the supernatural interventions of God. Also the 700 Club did a taping that aired 7/14/2023. She had a follow-up visit with her surgeon in May and he said as bad as she was, the death rate is 90%, and in most cases, he is transitioning the individual from life to death, basically making them as comfortable as he can till they pass. He said in Robin's case it was nothing short of miraculous.     Jesus Heals the Mute I am writing to share the story that eventually led to this wonderful testimony for my son, Romeo. The backstory: Romeo had been showing “signs” of autism from around 18 months of age. He had essentially regressed in his speech, and all the words he had learnt, he slowly stopped speaking. Romeo had no understanding of social cues, was not responding to his name and from the frustration of being unable to communicate, was throwing a multitude of tantrums throughout the day. When I first noticed the speech regression, I contacted speech therapists and was quoted an awful amount of money to start him so that he could catch up and decided I would wait it out to allow him time to do his own thing. But not too long after, my close friends and in-laws began to notice and began to observe him and make comments regarding his inability to speak. Calling him a mute etc. On the same day I had spoken to my sister-in-law who had been “observing” my son since he was only sixteen months old. I received a call back from a speech therapist whom I had left a message for weeks prior. Her prices were much cheaper, and she had availability, she was very close to home, and could start Romeo immediately. I took up the opportunity, and he began his speech therapy, which he loves! In the interim, Romeo was going back and forth with hearing tests for fluid that was building up and clearing constantly for a few months straight, which was inhibiting him from hearing properly. We made the decision to book him in to have grommets inserted to clear the fluid. The date was set for 19 November 2024. On to the good news! Eventually, my husband and I decided to go down the path of obtaining a diagnosis, where Romeo received a diagnosis of level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder, requiring “substantial support” (weekly speech therapy and occupational therapy to catch up). The night we received the diagnosis, I woke around 2:00 am to feed my baby girl, Grace and felt very strongly that the Holy Spirit was prompting me to find stories in the New Testament regarding deliverances. I spent an hour reading up on the stories where Jesus removed demons who made people mute (Mark 9:14-29 and Luke 11:14), scripture where Paul had cast out a demon (Acts 16:18), scripture about being unable to cast out a demon, where Jesus advised the disciples the demon could only be cast out by prayer and fasting (Mark 9:28-29), and also the story of where the disciples were trying to stop a person who was not in the group from casting down spirits, but Jesus advised them to leave the man alone etc. (Mark 9:38-41). After reading, I prayed, and I immediately fell into a deep sleep where the Lord gave me a prophetic dream. In the dream, it was Romeo and I looking directly into each other's eyes. I could see that behind his eyes, there was something that was not entirely him. He had been spiritually oppressed by a demon. I immediately quoted Paul and said to my son, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out!” In that moment, my son, for the first time in his life, spoke a full sentence. He said, “Mummy can you help me? There is ringing in my ears!” I knew there was more to do to help my son, and the Lord woke me from my sleep. I called my mum, Josie, after I had woken to tell her of what the Lord had shown me through the scriptures and the dream. Mum said the best thing to do was to have elders David and Michael deliver Romeo, and praise the Lord, we booked the deliverance date, which occurred around early to mid-October 2024. From there, we all stood in faith for the miracle waiting to happen. A reversal of this diagnosis. A son who was no longer mute. At the end of October/start of November, I came across a video on Instagram from a prophetess that really stuck out to me. She was discussing a 25-day fast she was doing with the ministry to remove bloodline curses, and discussed the scripture I had read about where Jesus advised that particular demons could only come out through prayer and fasting. I immediately decided to join this fast and speak to my husband about it. My husband, who is yet to commit himself fully to God, instantly agreed and stuck out the fast in its entirety (6:00 am to 3:00 pm, no food, only water, for 25 days). We began this fast on 2 November 2024. From here, it felt like everything had kicked into gear. My son began saying a few words here and there, and he began responding to his name more, and his tantrums were reducing. Here it was! Our miracle made manifest! Praise the Lord for the process!! We did decide to go ahead with the grommet insertion, which was based on my husband's decision from hearing about my dream where Romeo had said, “Mummy can you help me? There is ringing in my ears!” Romeo is saying not only one word, but up to three or four words at a time. He is responding at all times to his name. He can hear and he can speak! Before he would just stare at people, but now, even if he doesn't have the right words, he will babble nonstop. He is ALWAYS speaking, even if it doesn't make sense to us. No one will be able to call this boy of ours a mute again. He outspeaks even my niece, of the sister-in-law who made the comments regarding his development. Romeo has excelled exceptionally, and we know it will only get better from here. We stand in faith and in gratitude. Romeo is the head, and not the tail. He is ahead and never behind, in Jesus' name. Praise the Lord! Thank you for your faith and encouragement. We are grateful that where we fail, we have committed elders and a faithful God to help us along the way. Our family is very grateful.     Our Heart's Desires Doris Zambrano - April 2007 I had been telling my daughters that we were so blessed indeed, as we all had been noticing that our prayers were being answered recently, often times with just a thought and not actually praying and making a formal request to our wonderful Father. We were just so awestruck and happy that He was so faithful and loved us so much. These prayers were often just little thoughts but big in our hearts. As I was fellowshipping with the brethren in the UBBS room on Paltalk (Paltalk was an interactive platform we used at that time for the brethren to join the UBBS “live”) after communion on a Sunday in April, I felt saddened that I would not be able to spend as much time as I would like with my sisters and brothers. I look forward to communion on Sundays and to spending time with everyone in fellowship! I had so much to do since I have 3 acres of grass, with only a regular lawn mower to mow, and much glorious rain had made tall, beautiful grass everywhere. I knew that if I did not get it done that weekend, it would be even harder with the rain forecast for the whole next six days. As I walked away from the computer for a drink, I thought, “Father, do angels mow grass?” Well, I just smiled and went on about fellowshipping for a bit. Not 30 minutes passed, and I heard a knock on my door, which does not seem so strange except that my 16 acres sat 6 miles from one town and 11 from the other, and there standing at my door were three boys. I opened the door and the tallest one asked, “Would you want us to mow your grass?” “YES!” I exclaimed. I hired them on the spot. Offering praise to our wonderful Father, I ran back to my computer to tell the brethren of this awesome miracle! Everyone joined me in praising our Lord, who loves us so much that He would make a way for us to spend time with one another, just because it was a desire of the heart! YAY! I praise you, Abba, thank you soooooo much! Amen!

A Sermon for Whitsunday Acts 2:1-11 by William Klock In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  And so the great story began.  Six day.  God speaks.  And creation takes shape.  On the first day…on the second day…on the third day…and so on…like a liturgy.  In fact, there's a theory that Genesis 1 was written to be used at the dedication of the second temple.  Because it describes God creating the heavens and the earth as his own temple.  In Genesis 2 we even see that this temple has a holy of holies: a garden called Eden.  There he carefully crafts a man from the dust of the earth, breathes his own life into him, and places him in the garden, in that holy of holies, to act as his priest, to care for his temple, and to live in his presence. And then we humans sinned and it all went wrong.  But Genesis stands as a reminder of what the Lord intended and how it's supposed to be.  The pagans tried to get it back.  They built temples for their gods and in them, to represent the gods' rule, they placed idols carved of wood or stone.  And attempt to recover Eden, to re-enter that fellowship with God, but on our terms, not his.  But Genesis reminds us that God has built his own temple by the power of his creative word and that he created us to be his image, to tend and to keep his temple, and to steward his rule on earth. And Genesis…and the whole story that follows…reminds us that the Lord will not leave us forever cast out.  Into the midst of the darkness God spoke again and called forth Abraham and with Abraham and his family, God launched a new heaven-and-earth project.  Over and over he showed his faithfulness to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob, and to the whole people of Israel.  When they were slaves in Egypt he heard their cry and he rescued them.  He defeated Pharaoh and the Egyptians and led his beloved people through the Red Sea and into the wilderness.  At Mount Sinai the Lord gave the gift of the torah, the law, to Moses and the people.  And with the torah he gave them instructions, think of them as blueprints, for the tabernacle.  The Lord promised: I will be your God and you will be my people.  Once again, the Lord would take up his dwelling in their midst.  The tabernacle was a portable temple full of the symbols of the garden of Eden.  Wherever the people stopped to camp, they set up the tabernacle, and the glory cloud, the shekinah representing the Lord's presence, would descend to fill the holy of holies.  And the torah set the people apart from the nations and taught them how to be holy so that they might be the people who lived with the Lord in their midst.  Israel, camped around the tabernacle and the Lord's glory cloud, were a sort of new creation in miniature—heaven and earth, God and human beings back together, even if imperfectly.  It gave the people hope.  A hope that one day the Lord would truly and fully set this broken world to rights—to make things the way they're supposed to be.  And it wasn't just hope for Israel.  The Lord intended the watching nations to see his people and take note. That's the climax of the Exodus.  Not the Passover or the Red Sea.  Those are important—vitally important—parts of the story.  But it's Exodus 40, the last chapter of the book, where the Lord's glory clouds descends to dwell in the tabernacle—that's the climax.  The Lord once again dwelling with his people. We see it happen again when the Israelites are settled in the land of Canaan.  King Solomon builds a permanent temple for the Lord and, once again, at its dedication the glory cloud descends to fill the holy of holies. It was all there as part of the story to point the people in hope to God's restoration of heaven and earth—to the day when the Lord's promises would be fulfilled.  Because the Lord didn't just come to Israel and manifest himself in a cloud of glory; he spoke.  Israel's prophetic tradition was full of promises looking forward to that day. King David knew the Lord's promises and sang out in prophetic hope of that future day in Psalm 72: May he have dominion from sea to sea…May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him…Blessed by the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.  Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!  Isaiah sang of the coming Messiah who would set creation to rights: There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.  And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.  And when God has done his work through the Messiah, Isaiah sings, the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.  Habakkuk similarly would sing out in hope: For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.   When the Lord's cloud of glory descended to fill the temple, it pointed forward to that day when he would—when he will—fill all of creation with his glorious presence. Think about this hope that Israel had and how great it was and I think it helps give a sense of just how tragic it then was when Israel failed to keep her end of the covenant and the Lord allowed the Babylonian army to capture Jerusalem and to destroy the temple—his temple.  Israel sinned, Israel showed disregard for the law the Lord had given to keep her holy.  And worst of all—over and over and over—Israel prostituted herself to the gods of the pagans.  It was a deep, deep tragedy.  As the Psalmist laments in Psalm 137: By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept.  Not just for what was lost, but like Adam and Eve, cast out and weeping over their own disobedience.  But even then, in those dark, dark days of exile the Lord still spoke.  Through Isaiah and Ezekiel, through Zechariah and Malachi the Lord promised that he would come back to dwell with his people. And yet, as the Gospels begin, hundreds of years had passed and the Lord had yet to return.  Israel had returned from her exile.  The temple had been rebuilt.  The people and the priests went through all the motions.  The smoke went up from the great altar.  But the cloud of glory had never come down and returned to the temple.  And pagan kings still ruled with Israel under their heels. Again, this is where the Gospels begin.  St. John describes the darkness, the hopelessness, the absence and then he says that the word became flesh and lived among us…The light shone in the darkness.  Brothers and Sisters, the Gospels are about the return of God to his people in fulfilment of his promises.  The word—the embodiment of God's creative power—the word took on our flesh and was born of Mary.  In Jesus God not only returned to his people, he brought heaven and earth, God and humanity back together in his person.  Jesus is the manifestation of the hope of creation set to rights, of the breach between us and God healed.  Matthew puts it in terms of Isaiah's prophecy: Jesus is the promised Immanuel: God with us. And as the church has led us through the story of Jesus these last months, we've followed him to the cross where he took on himself the role of the Passover lamb.  He died for the sins of his people.  And just when sin and death thought they'd done their worst and defeated God once and for all, God raised Jesus from death.  It was like the Passover and the Red Sea all over again, only this time it wasn't an Egyptian king and his army that were defeated, it was evil itself. And then, last week, we stood with the disciples and watched as Jesus ascended to take his throne in heaven.  And if you know the story of Israel, if you know the Old Testament like Luke's readers did, you can't help but draw the connection.  If Jesus' death was a new Passover, then his ascension isn't just his going to heaven to take his throne as king.  It's definitely very much that and that's significant, but it also parallels Moses going up Mount Sinai to meet with the Lord.  And when Moses came down, he had the gift of the torah, the law, with him. And so now, in today's Gospel, from Acts 2 Luke writes: When the day of Pentecost had finally arrived, they were all together in the same place.   I'm sure Jesus' disciples were expecting something.  I don't think they knew exactly what.  As we heard in last week's Gospel, Jesus said that he had to leave, to take his throne—and the disciples would be sorry to see him go—but that it had to be that way, because Jesus would send the Holy Spirit to empower them.  At the last supper he'd said that with his blood he was making a new covenant.  They knew that a new covenant would need a new law—a new torah—because the law was what taught the people how to live out their end of the covenant, how to live as the people in whose midst the Lord dwelled. But what that would like was anyone's guess.  But when Jesus told them to go and wait in Jerusalem and that he would send the Spirit in a few days, I fully expect they made the connection with Pentecost, because Pentecost—which is just Greek for “fiftieth” because it's fifty days after Passover—because Pentecost was the great feast when Israel remembered and celebrate the giving of the law at Mount Sinai.  I think that by this time, the disciples were finally putting things together.  They were waiting those ten days with baited breath.  Jesus was alive.  Jesus was king.  Everything was happening just as he promised.  So they knew the Spirit would come.  But how?  And what would happen when he did?  And how would the Spirit be a new torah for this new covenant.  And so they obeyed Jesus.  They waited all together in Jerusalem—probably in that same “upper room” where they'd eaten the Passover.  And Luke goes on: Suddenly there came from heaven a noise like the sound of a mighty, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.   So many parts of the story come together here.  It helps to understand that wind and breath are the same word in both Hebrew and Greek.  And so this divine wind sweeps in to the room to breathe the breath of God into the disciples, reminding them of the way God gave life to Adam in the beginning—taking that lifeless lump of moulded clay and animating it, making it as we say, a soul—a living being.  But this time it's God breathing life into his new Israel.  There's a reason that the one thing the disciples made sure they did during those days of waiting was to appoint Matthias as a successor to Judas.  If they were to be the new Israel, they had to be twelve.  And now the Spirit comes and breathes the life of God into this new people. But, too, the imagery of the wind filling the house.  It doesn't just recall God breathing life into Adam.  It also recalls God's presence filling the tabernacle in Exodus 40 and the temple in 1 Kings 8.  The way God gives his Spirit is a reminder that Jesus people aren't just a people full of the Spirit.  Brothers and Sisters, being full of the Spirit makes us God's temple.  Jesus and us—together we're the beginning of God's new creation, the beginning of his restoration of heaven and earth.  Jesus has ascended to heaven bearing our human flesh.  And in the Spirit, God has come to earth to dwell with us.  In us, in Jesus' people, the restoration of Eden has begun.  That's why at the head of Jesus' prayer are is that powerful petition: Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. I think this is why all through the rest of Acts, stuff keeps happening at temples, whether it's the next couple of chapters as we follow the events of Pentecost and Peter preaching and thousands being baptised or later as Paul confronts the pagans in their temples in Athens and Ephesus.  All because in Jesus and his people God's real temple is being built—brick by brick, stone by stone, with each baptism…all laid on the foundation of the death and resurrection of Jesus. So the disciples already knew when Jesus rose from death that new creation had begun.  Jesus was the first part of it.  And they were so excited to go out and tell everyone that Jesus had to calm them down and tell them to wait.  Enthusiasm is never enough.  They needed to be made part of that new creation too.  And that's what the Spirit does here.  One day, when the church's work is done and Jesus returns to finally cast death itself into the lake of fire, God will raise us as he raised Jesus and we will know fully the life he intends for us.  But the time for that hasn't yet come.  The gift of the Spirit is the downpayment on that life—or to use an Old Testament term for it: the Spirit is the firstfruits of God's new creation. And that's the other part of the feast of Pentecost that comes into this.  Pentecost wasn't just the celebration of God's giving of the law to Israel.  It was also the festival where the people brought their firstfruits to God.  They brought the first of their crops—like a sheaf of wheat—not just to give thanks for the harvest, but in expectant hope of his provision—trusting him for a plentiful harvest.  From now on, for Jesus' people, Pentecost is just that: a reminder that the harvest has begun and that the Spirit is sure to make it a plentiful one. But it wasn't just the wind.  Luke goes on in verse 3: Then tongues, seemingly of fire, appeared to them, moving apart and coming to rest on each one of them.  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the words to say.   The wind from heaven fills them and the Spirit manifests himself as flame and then they start to speak in other languages.  Again, the big story tells us why the Spirit came this way.  Genesis explains the origin of different languages and people groups with the story of Babel.  It's the low point in human history.  Adam and Eve sin in Chapter 3, Cain murders his brother in Chapter 4, and humanity goes downhill from there until, in Chapter11, we've lost all knowledge of God.  In their hubris, the men of Babel built a tower to reach heaven and in response, the Lord confused their languages and scattered them.  It's a bit like Psalm 2 and Daniel 7 that I mentioned last week.  The nations rage, but God laughs.  But all the while he has a plan to set us to rights.  In Psalm 2 it's the son of David who will reign as king.  In Daniel 7 it's the son of man who will be enthroned by the Ancient of Days.  And here at Pentecost, the son of David who is also the son of man takes his throne and sends the Spirit who creates a people ready to undo Babel. Luke goes on in verse 5: There were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem at that time.  [Remember, because it was Pentecost.]  When they heard this noise they came together in a crowd.  They were deeply puzzled, because every single one of them could hear them speaking in his or her own native language.  They were astonished and amazed.  “These men who are doing the speaking are all Galileans, aren't they?” they said.  “So how is it that each of us can hear them in our own mother tongues?   Luke goes on to list people from countries across the whole Roman empire and some from even beyond that.  And the men hearing this go on with the most important detail, “We can hear them telling us about the mighty things God has done—in our own languages.”   What does it mean?  Brothers and Sisters, this gift of tongues to the disciples was a sign.  It was a sign that Jesus truly had ascended to his throne and he now rules over a global dominion.  And it means that through his people, through his church, Jesus has inaugurated God's new creation and has begun the work of setting everything to rights—starting with the confusion of Babel. And that's where today's Epistle ends, which is a bit disappointing.  I wish we had a Pentecost season where we could at least work through the next couple of chapters.  “What does all this mean?” they ask, and in response Peter begins to preach and he explains to the gathered men how this was all in fulfilment of God's promises.  These first eleven verses will have to be enough for today. Brothers and Sisters, Pentecost reminds us who we are.  Again, think of Israel, rescued from Egypt and then formed as a people in the wilderness—a people defined by the law and by God dwelling in their midst.  Pentecost is a reminder to us that in Jesus, God has delivered us from our bondage to sin and death and that he has made us a people defined by his new law: the life of the Spirit.  And we don't just have God in our midst; we are indwelt by God himself in the Spirit.  Pentecost is a reminder that in making us this Spirit-filled people, God has made us his temple.  We are the place where the world meets God.  But our calling isn't simply to sit here like the temple on Mount Zion and wait for people to come.  Our calling is to be a temple on the move and a temple dispersed—a temple that goes out and meets the world with God and with the gospel—with the good news that Jesus, crucified and risen, is the world's true Lord.  You and I have been entrusted with the story.  Go out and proclaim the mighty deeds of God and the Spirit will use that proclamation to change hearts and to grow the kingdom.  And, finally, Pentecost is a reminder that as God's temple, we are also the firstfruits of God's new creation.  We as a people are called to live out the life of God—not just to steward his word and to proclaim his gospel, but to truly be light in the darkness: living out and working for mercy and love and justice, showing the world the value of goodness, truth, and beauty, teaching reconciliation, bringing healing.  In other words, Brothers and Sisters, pulling God's future into the present.  Not just praying “on earth as in heaven”, but living out that prayer so that all the world will see and doing so in trusting hope that God's promise is true.  One day, when the church has done her job declaring the mighty deeds of God, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of his glory as the waters cover the sea.  That is what it means to be a “Pentecostal” people. Let's pray: O GOD, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. 5For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my Son,today I have begotten you? Or again, I will be to him a father,and he shall be to me a son? 6And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God's angels worship him. 7Of the angels he says, He makes his angels winds,and his ministers a flame of fire. 8But of the Son he says, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.9You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;therefore God, your God, has anointed youwith the oil of gladness beyond your companions. 10And, You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,and the heavens are the work of your hands;11they will perish, but you remain;they will all wear out like a garment,12like a robe you will roll them up,like a garment they will be changed.[a]But you are the same,and your years will have no end. 13And to which of the angels has he ever said, Sit at my right handuntil I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?

TODAY'S TREASUREO Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! SelahPsalm 84:8Send us a comment!Support the show

Saturday, 7 June 2025   Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31   “Therefore, not you should fear, many sparrows you excel – you!” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus noted that the very hairs of one's head are numbered. Next, He says to the apostles, “Therefore, not you should fear.” These words take the reader back to verse 28, where Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”   If God so minutely knows the number of hairs on one's head, and if a person is proclaiming the words of Christ, then that person, who is known in such minute detail, is being carefully considered as he proclaims his message. There will be caring for and tending for that person. Jesus explains this next, saying, “many sparrows you excel – you!”   One can see the emphatic nature of His words. God is aware of the falling of a single sparrow. God is aware of the number of hairs on the head of man. Therefore, God is aware of the threats against those who proclaim His word. If one of them falls to the ground because of the proclamation of His words, it will not have been in vain. God will remember him and raise him according to His promises.   The emphatic nature of the word “you” is telling His apostles that because of their trust in Jesus and their continued proclamation of the gospel, the matter is so. This cannot mean that it is a universal statement applying to all men.   The very people who would oppose them have already been seen to have a fate worse than Sodom and Gomorrah (verse 10:15). Therefore, the words now are not inclusive of those who stand opposed to the gospel, but they would logically include those who received them and accepted their words.   In other words, the state of man is one that is at enmity with God. It is the acceptance of the gospel that changes that state. God would have all come to a saving knowledge of the gospel, changing their default position and bringing them back to Himself. But those who reject the gospel remain separated from Him.   Worse, however, is the fact that they voluntarily did so. When one rejects the higher revelation, their condemnation must therefore be greater.   Understanding this, we see that the words of this verse can only apply to those who belong to God because of the gospel, not humanity in general.   Life application: One of the great problems found in churches with a social gospel is that the focus is on the “love” side of God, without any consideration for His just and righteous character. Without leading someone to Christ, all the feeding ministries on the planet are worthless.   It is pointless to feed someone into hell. It is ridiculous to tend to a marginalized community, taking care of their needs and being close friends with them, if you are not going to share with them the only news that can restore them to God.   However, this is what social gospel ministries do. Those conducting them think they are gaining God's favor for doing good stuff for others, even if they don't have a heart for the Lord. Those they minister to will die apart from God without the gospel. In the end, everyone connected to such a “giving” ministry will wind up in hell unless Jesus is in the equation.   It is better to be a person on the side of the street handing out tracts with the saving message of Jesus than it is to be catering to sinners in a feeding ministry without telling them of the consequences of their sin and their need for Jesus to cleanse them.   Keep things in the proper perspective. Any deed done in faith will receive its reward, no matter how small. Any deed not done in faith will receive no reward, no matter how great and expansive it is.   Lord God, may our faith in You and love for You stir in us the desire to share the good news with others. Help us in this, O God. People need Jesus. Without Him, there is no hope. But with Him, there is eternal surety and security. Thank You for Jesus! Amen.

rwh7june Ep.367 – Run With Horses Podcast –  Honoring others Podcast: rwh.podbean.com Website: www.runwithhorses.net Youtube:  https://youtube.com/@rwhpodcast Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RWHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwh_podcast Twitter:  https://twitter.com/RWH_podcast Author pages with links to all books on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCSDDVLB – James Norman Smith https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BMGW51FW – Susan Jane Smith **(24:00)** At our core, most of us are selfish and really struggle to consider others and their spiritual life. But the call of a disciple of Jesus is a call to place a high value on everyone we meet. God challenges us to lay aside our own wants and desires and to really honor others. That's the topic, and the challenge, for today. Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is simple in many ways, but potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to grow, to live intentionally and to join in His mission. It's very cool that we can do that together! Thank you for joining me today! “If you're new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!” **(23:00 – 0:00)* *  PART 1 Run With Horses is on the radio! If you are enjoying Run With Horses, would you let someone know? Contact the radio station or leave a review on your favorite app. We want to hear from you! Honoring Others: The Mark of A Disciple A good, basic definition of honor—especially in a biblical and discipleship context—is: Honor is the act of recognizing and treating others with the dignity, value, and respect they deserve as image-bearers of God, regardless of their status or behavior. To honor someone means to esteem them highly, to give weight to their worth, and to treat them in a way that reflects God's view of them—not just your personal opinion. 1. The Biblical Command to Honor Others

Deaconess Dehlia gets us caught up as she reflects on the last three sermons from the Easter season.Preacher: Pastor Adam SteinbrennerSubmit sermon questions by emailing podcast@stjohndublin.orgEaster 6Easter 7Church Website: stjohndublin.orgChurch Center: stjohndublin.churchcenter.comThank you to Higher Things Inc. for permission to use their recording of LSB 834 “O God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth”. (leader.higherthings.org)Thank you for listening to the Post-Sermon Podcast.Text Your Questions & Comments Here!

What do a car inspection, an Apple Watch, and a report card have in common? They all provide an evaluation. Car inspections check for safety and function, Apple Watches track fitness and health, and report cards show academic progress. Evaluations like these matter—but what about evaluating our spiritual health? Earlier this year, nearly 400 of us completed a Spiritual Health Survey. Starting this Sunday, we'll begin walking through what we learned—about ourselves and about our church. And we'll do it with the same posture David expressed in Psalm 139: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

TODAY'S TREASUREO Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah.Psalm 84:8O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! Psalm 84:12Send us a comment!Support the show

Welcome to Day 2645 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2645 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 69:29-33 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2645 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2645 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. In today's Wisdom Nugget, today, we're witnessing a remarkable turning point in our trek through Psalm 69 in the New Living Translation. We've navigated the turbulent waters of the psalmist's despair, heard his cries of being overwhelmed, unjustly accused, and deeply mocked. We've even explored the challenging territory of his imprecatory prayers for God's justice upon his enemies. Now, as we arrive at verses 29 through 33, a profound shift occurs. Amidst his continued suffering, the psalmist's spirit turns, and a note of confident hope and triumphant praise begins to emerge. This transformation from intense lament to declarations of praise is a common and powerful characteristic of many psalms. It's a testament to the resilience of faith, the power of persistent prayer, and the unwavering conviction that God ultimately hears and responds to the cries of His people. This section also offers a profound insight into what truly pleases God – not merely ritual, but heartfelt worship, especially from a place of genuine need. Let's allow the spirit of praise to uplift us as we delve into Psalm 69, starting with verses 29 through 30: (Reads Psalm 69:29-30 NLT) I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power. Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist begins by clearly stating his current reality, not sugarcoating it: “I am suffering and in pain.” He doesn't deny his ongoing anguish, despite the turn towards hope. The depths of his distress are still very real. This authenticity is a hallmark of the psalms and a vital component of genuine faith. We don't have to pretend everything is fine when it isn't. God knows our pain, and the psalmist affirms that openly. Yet, immediately following this acknowledgment of pain, comes a renewed, direct plea for divine intervention: “Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.” He isn't asking for just any help; he's specifically appealing to God's “saving power”—that same mighty power that delivered Israel from Egypt, that brought them through the wilderness, and that conquers all enemies. This shows his unshakable belief in God's ability to deliver him, no matter how dire his circumstances. And then comes the incredible declaration of what his response will be once God acts: “Then I will praise God's name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.” This is a vow of praise. It's a promise to publicly celebrate God's deliverance. It's not just an intellectual acknowledgment, but an emotional and communal expression. In the ancient Israelite context, singing was a fundamental expression of joy, praise, and corporate worship. To “praise God's name with singing” means to celebrate His very character, His identity, His reputation. To “honor him with...

Our oldest son just celebrated his 37th birthday and told us over dinner what he considers the two most important and impactful things his dad and I did for him growing up, so I'm unpacking both this week's episode. I hope you'll listen in. Show Notes VERSES CITED James 1:23-25 -“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who ....” Psalms 1:3 - “...his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Matthew 5:20 - “Unless your righteousness surpasses the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees....” Matthew 23:27 - “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs....” Romans 8:26 - "...the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words." Deuteronomy 11:18-21 - “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and....” Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Psalm 51:10 - “Create in me a clean heart, O God!" Romans 8:28 - "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God...." 1 Corinthians 3:6 - "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth." Matthew 25:23 - "Well done, my good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Master.” RELATED LINKS: Lies Women Believe by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth EP 28: Bible Memory Tips & Tricks EP 85: Memorize Proverbs 3 with Me EP 55: Smoothing Your Child's Passage to Adulthood 31 Verses to Pray over Your Child Praying for Your Unborn Child Praying for Your Children from Head to Toe Our Teens Need Prayer Praying for Your Adult Child STAY CONNECTED: Subscribe: Flanders Family Freebies -weekly themed link lists of free resources Instagram: @flanders_family - follow for more great content Family Blog: Flanders Family Home Life - parenting tips, homeschool help, lprintables Marriage Blog: Loving Life at Home- encouragement for wives, mothers, believers

For Jesus Followers, Who Would Follow Him – “whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” MESSAGE SUMMARY: You need to submit our life preferences to the God. By submitting your life preferences to the Lord, He can help you to understand the life path that your preferences will lead. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:24, tells us that our Life Preferences need an overarching focus: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.". Life preferences are not, necessarily, sins; but they can close doors in your life. In Matthew 10:37-39, Jesus provides a context from which we can assess life preference choices: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, My citizenship is in Heaven. (Philippians 3:20f). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 10:37-39; 1 Corinthians 9:12-27; James 3:13-18; Psalms 135:12-21. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Are You Filled with the Holy Spirit?”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Wednesday morning, the 4th of June, 2025, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Philippians 4:11. Paul says: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…” I looked up the word “contentment” in the Oxford Dictionary. It is a state of peaceful happiness or satisfaction. Are you content today? Am I content today? I want to ask you a question, and the Lord has asked me the same question this very morning - how much is enough? As a young man, my dream was to own my own farm, and I thought that would bring me total contentment in life. Well, I worked myself to a standstill and eventually I owned my own farm. But I have got news for you young man. That did not bring contentment to me. I was still not satisfied! You know that King David had everything that he needed. He was the hero of Israel. As a young teenager, he slaughtered a giant with one stone. Oh yes! When he went to war, he came back with victories, the people used to worship him, praise him, sing songs to him. He had as many wives as he needed and he was still not content. If you look at Psalm 51:10, he says: “Create in me a clean heart, O God,And renew a steadfast spirit within me.Do not cast me away from Your presence,And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”So David had everything, but he still was not content, then he went back to the Lord and he said, “Oh Lord, renew in me a clean heart”. I received a beautiful letter from a wife who is so grateful, sent to me just last night. Her husband was very sick and went into a coma. When he was in that coma, he heard a conversation with God, and God says he was never content with what he had, but God would give him one more chance, not because of anything that he had done but because of people who had prayed for him. That young man, I can tell you right now, has been given a second chance and he is totally content with his lot in life. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6Be content with what you have, God will take care of everything else.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day,Goodbye.

Psa 4:1  For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.Psa 4:2  O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.Psa 4:3  But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.

Sermon by Noel Scott Search Me, O God Midwest Pilgrim Holiness Camp 1983 www.ihconvention.com