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As a Jesus Follower, Go to God in Your Fear and Anxiety Because Jesus Says: “do not be anxious about tomorrow” MESSAGE SUMMARY: Your problems are not too big for God; God is faithful. Your financial issues, your debt, your health issues, and your sins are not too big for God. God is faithful, and He is trustworthy. Why not take, to God, all those things in your life that are creating anxiety? In Psalms 9:9-10, the Psalmist encourages you to put your trust in God: “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.". Also, Jesus tells us, in Mathew. 6:33-34, that you can put our trust in Him and not be anxious about your problems: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”. Our God is a faithful God – reach out to God when fear and anxiety are taking a firm hold on your life. TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, fill me with the simple trust that even out of the most awful evil around me, you are able to bring great good — for me, for others, and for your great glory. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 91). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Heartlessness. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit's fruit of Kindness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Mathew. 6:25-34; Mathew. 10:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Psalms 48:1-14. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Day Is Coming – Part 1” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB
What if a single encounter with God could change everything about how we see ourselves? Graham Cooke explores the nature of epiphanies—those sudden, delightful moments when God opens a door, pushes us gently into a new space, and whispers, "All of this is yours, explore it with me." Through his personal story of inadequacy and stammering, and the journey of Moses at the burning bush, we discover that God doesn't call us to what we can do, but to what only He can do through us. This teaching reveals why God goes strategically deaf when we make excuses, and why the impossible calling is actually the most wonderful invitation.Key Scriptures:+ Exodus 3:10. "I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people out of Egypt..."+ Exodus 4:10. "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past..."+ Exodus 4:12. "Now then go, and I will be with your mouth..."Want to explore more?
There are times in these reflections and topics that we address where the best words we can offer you are that of Scripture. Our words fade away, but God ‘s Word stands forever. Once His Word goes out, it always accomplishes what God desires for it to do. David, before he was king and after, suffered at the hands of many. But the one constant we see in the life of David was no matter how far away he got, he would always return back to the truth he knew of God. No matter how prodigal David got, he always returned back to the Father's arms. Take in some of his words from Psalm 31.(Psalm 31:1-5, 6b-10, 14-15a, 16-17a, 19-21a, 22b-24 NLT) O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God. … I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. … But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. … Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. Don't let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. … How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues. Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love. … But you heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, … So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! What phrase stood out to you? … There is a reason it did. God is speaking to you through His Word. Often in the Psalms, David went from crying out for help to worship. This season, even through any moments of grief and pain, is there something that comes to mind about how God shows you He is with you? Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank You that once we know Heaven is just a matter of time here on earth. That means I am here for a purpose for the time You allow me to accomplish Your will. Please use me, use my circumstances to touch others, to reach others, and glorify You as You are Immanuel, God with me.”
Morning lessons: Psalms 86, 87; Ecclesiasticus 21; Acts 26. Bow down your ear, O Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and in misery.
“Forever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89) Most who read the Bible regularly are probably familiar with these sweeping statements from the Scriptures. ... More...
In my life, I have discovered that when it comes to the choices of fear and faith, it's not always one or the other. Life produces fear, it's an emotion we feel, but with God's help, I can choose faith anyway. Though I may feel fear, I choose to trust God. Main Points:1. As Christians, we acknowledge that fear is a choice. We can also make another choice. It's the decision to live by faith. 2. Having faith doesn't diminish the reality of what we are facing, it doesn't deny it or sweep it under the rug. Faith is not pretending the hard times aren't there. Faith is choosing to believe that God is with us in our battle and that the ultimate outcome is in His hands. He is involved in every detail of our lives.3. Faith brings God into the equation. As I face my fears, I remember what the Bible says about God's character and his power. God is both loving and strong. He is compassionate and powerful.Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 23:4 - “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”Psalm 86:15 - “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”Ephesians 3:20 - “God…is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”Psalm 56:3 - “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group
It's Monday, December 1st, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by yours truly and heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin. (Contact@eanvoiceit.com) Why are Christians in Nigeria Facing Such Violent Attacks? President Donald Trump recently brought the topic of Christian persecution up noting that Nigeria was quote a ‘Country of Particular Concern' for violating religious freedom. This has led to questions over why so many Nigerian Christian communities have faced violent attacks and why the President of the United States would require attention to this issue. Persecution.org examined this question and has found that according to most western media outlets Climate Change is often used to portray the violent attacks over natural resources instead of religious motivation. For example, in 2023 a massacre occurred on Christmas Eve. Over 140 people were killed in Nigeria Plateau state. Vatican News ran an article that said, quote ‘the long-running conflict between nomadic herders and farmers'. Right after a massacre in June of this year in which 200 Christians in Nigeria's Benue state were killed. The BBC ran an article on violence in central Nigeria that said quote ‘It is safe to assume that there are lots of victims on both sides, as any attack usually leads to revenge and then a cycle of violence' Why is that safe to assume? Justice G Danjuma, an evangelist for the Remnant Christian Network in Nigeria's Taraba State, does agree that disputes over resources play a role, just not nearly as big a role as many Media outlets would have you believe. Danjuma says quote ‘Overwhelmingly the attacks are driven by religious animosity.' He also encouraged people to quote ‘Reject the climate change narrative pushed by Western Media' He and added that it is quote, ‘It is deeply offensive and misleading. Why would climate change cause people to burn churches, kill pastors and massacre worshippers during Christmas or Palm Sunday services.' Nigeria is currently number 7 on the Open Doors World Watch List for countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Pray for the believers in Nigeria with the words of Psalm 35:1-3: "Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, I am your salvation!" ADF Releases Report of Christian Victories in the Supreme Court The Alliance Defending Freedom or ADF released a report listing the victories of 2025 so far this year! Among the victories in the US Supreme Court they reported were; A decision in June that pro-life states like South Carolina can now direct Medicaid funds away from abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood. And a landmark victory for children's health and science based medicine. The Court upheld Tennessee law protecting minors from harmful and life-altering gender transition drugs and surgeries. A link to a full list of cases won and still awaiting decisions is in a link in our transcript. Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act Introduced Lifenews.com reports that US Senator John Cornyn from Texas along with Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma and a group of their Senate GOP colleagues, introduced the Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act, which would ensure medical students and residents are never pressured or coerced into abortion training that violates their moral or religious beliefs and established clear federal protections so residents are not forced to choose between their conscience and their careers. Senator Cornyn said quote, ‘The first rule of medicine is to do no harm, yet for many aspiring doctors, coerced abortion training not only contradicts that oath but also violates their moral and religious beliefs. By allowing medical residents to opt-in rather than opt-out of abortion training, this legislation would protect healthcare professionals convictions and give them the freedom to practice medicine without fear of retaliation.' Findings from Abortion Mill Undercover Investigation Released RightNow a not-for-profit organization committed to nominating and electing pro-life candidates along with educating and engaging pro-life Canadians on the political process, recently released the findings of an undercover investigation in which they went into abortion clinics across Canada to find out if it was possible to get a late-term abortion based solely on personal choice. Alissa Golob, Co-Founder and Executive Director of RightNow says quote, ‘Canadians are often told that late-term abortions never happen in Canada and if they do, they are for extreme medical reasons. Yet, I was told numerous times that attaining a late-term abortion in Canada is relatively easy, legal and that I did not need a reason, medical or otherwise, regarding myself or my pregnancy.' Other things exposed in this investigation were things like an abortion clinic counsellor defining late-term abortion in Canada as stillbirth, which calls into question the validity of current statistics around late-term abortions in Canada. And that taxpayer money in Canada has been used to fund travel and accommodations of Canadian women who are being sent to for-profit abortion clinics. You can watch the YouTube video report in a link on our transcript at TheWorldview.com Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday December 1st, 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. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (Contact@eanvoiceit.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
#advent #catholic #sspxAdvent is a holy season of waiting. We learn how to wait for God.Waiting well is an important spiritual skill, because God often moves slowly. When we look at the history of the world and of the human race, we see that God is never in a hurry.God is outside of time. All of time is like a single moment for Him. He sees all of human history from the highest perspective.When we interact with God, we have to be willing for Him to act slowly. We have to be willing to wait. “Show, O Lord, thy ways to me. Teach me thy paths”, we say in today's Introit. His ways are slow.Abraham: God first appears to him when he is 75 years old, and promises that he will make a great nation of him. But his wife is not able to have any children. After 25 years, God appears to Abraham, when he is 100 years old, and promises that he will have a child by Sara, who is 90 years old. She has Isaac and the whole race of the Chosen People comes from him.Moses: the Israelites are being oppressed by the Pharaoh. He is telling the midwives to put their male children to death. Moses is saved from the water and raised by Pharaoh's daughter in the Egyptian court. When he is 40 years old, he flees to the desert. Only after 40 years more does God appear to Moses and ask him to go back to Egypt to deliver the Israelite people. They had been in slavery for 80 years at that point.Coming of Our Lord: God waits a number of centuries after Adam. When Our Lord comes onto this earth, He is not rushed. Rather, He spends 30 years living a hidden and unknown life. Only then does He come out into the public.Bottom line: God often waits a long time before acting. (same will be true of end of world!)We find this characteristic of our God difficult because we are naturally impatient as human beings. We are willful and we want control. We want things to happen when we want them to happen. We find it humbling to be forced to wait.
Hello to you listening in McHenry, Illinois!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.Maybe it's true and maybe it isn't but once there was a corrupt politician in the 1920's named John A. McCarthy; but he was known as Fishhooks McCarthy. He lived and worked on the Lower East Side of New York City. Being a devout man every morning he stopped at a little Catholic Church, St. James Church on Olive Street, to pray. Same prayer every day: “O Lord, give me health and strength. We'll steal the rest.” Fishhooks sounds like one of those politicians you shouldn't trust; but people remembered him as a Robin Hood who used graft and corruption to redistribute money to his unemployed and working class poor constituents.Let me be very clear! I am not advocating for theft, bribery, corruption, immorality, stepping outside the law, and all the rest. We have more than enough of that with the Trump/MAGA Regime. What I am saying is that in these historic times we have once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to examine our core values, our moral code, and ask ourselves: what do I stand for and what won't I stand for?Question: While you have health and strength what can you do to be of good use? You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Services, arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.
"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." Psalm 86:15
The King is Coming. Get Off the Throne! Matthew 21:1–11 | The Triumphant Entry Advent begins with a stunning announcement. The King is coming. Get off your throne. Like Humpty Dumpty, we love to sit on thrones that are not ours, trying to rule our own lives. And like Humpty, we fall. Sin is more than bad behavior. It is the pride of self-rule, the illusion that we are in control, the stubborn belief that we answer to no one. And once we shatter, we cannot put ourselves back together again. Yet Advent begins with hope. The true King comes to restore the broken. In the Collect of the Day we pray, “Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come.” We confess that we cannot save ourselves from the perils of our sins. We ask God to come into our darkness, pride, and fractured lives. And He does. Not by calling us upward, but by coming downward in His Son. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a humble donkey. He comes not with force but with mercy, not to be served but to save. His throne will be a cross. His crown will be thorns. His victory will be His death and resurrection. This is the King who answers our Advent prayer with His suffering and with His life-giving triumph. Christ continues to come to His people even now. In His Word, in Holy Baptism, and in His Supper He gathers the fallen and makes them whole. At His altar, the King gives His own body and blood for forgiveness and strength. The King is coming. Let every heart prepare Him room. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService
The King is Coming. Get Off the Throne! Matthew 21:1–11 | The Triumphant Entry Advent begins with a stunning announcement. The King is coming. Get off your throne. Like Humpty Dumpty, we love to sit on thrones that are not ours, trying to rule our own lives. And like Humpty, we fall. Sin is more than bad behavior. It is the pride of self-rule, the illusion that we are in control, the stubborn belief that we answer to no one. And once we shatter, we cannot put ourselves back together again. Yet Advent begins with hope. The true King comes to restore the broken. In the Collect of the Day we pray, “Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come.” We confess that we cannot save ourselves from the perils of our sins. We ask God to come into our darkness, pride, and fractured lives. And He does. Not by calling us upward, but by coming downward in His Son. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a humble donkey. He comes not with force but with mercy, not to be served but to save. His throne will be a cross. His crown will be thorns. His victory will be His death and resurrection. This is the King who answers our Advent prayer with His suffering and with His life-giving triumph. Christ continues to come to His people even now. In His Word, in Holy Baptism, and in His Supper He gathers the fallen and makes them whole. At His altar, the King gives His own body and blood for forgiveness and strength. The King is coming. Let every heart prepare Him room. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService
Daily Evening Prayer (First Sunday in Advent 2025) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 147-150; Isaiah 2; Hebrews 6; Metrical Psalm 26:1-61 Judge me, O Lord, for I the paths of righteousness have trod; I cannot fail, who all my trust repose on thee, my God. 2,3 Search, prove my heart, whose innocence will shine the more 'tis tried; For I have kept thy grace in view, and made thy truth my guide. 4 I never for companions took the idle or profane; No hypocrite, with all his arts, could e'er my friendship gain. 5 I hate the busy plotting crew, who make distracted times; And shun their wicked company, as I avoid their crimes. 6 I'll wash my hands in innocence, and bring a heart so pure, That when thy altar I approach, my welcome shall secure.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Daily Evening Prayer (First Sunday in Advent 2025) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 147-150; Isaiah 2; Hebrews 6; Metrical Psalm 26:1-61 Judge me, O Lord, for I the paths of righteousness have trod; I cannot fail, who all my trust repose on thee, my God. 2,3 Search, prove my heart, whose innocence will shine the more 'tis tried; For I have kept thy grace in view, and made thy truth my guide. 4 I never for companions took the idle or profane; No hypocrite, with all his arts, could e'er my friendship gain. 5 I hate the busy plotting crew, who make distracted times; And shun their wicked company, as I avoid their crimes. 6 I'll wash my hands in innocence, and bring a heart so pure, That when thy altar I approach, my welcome shall secure.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
O Lord, our God, unwearied is your love for us.St. Helena Ministries is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit. Your donations may be tax-deductibleSupport us at: sthelenaministries.com/supportPresentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975
A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai on the first Sunday of Advent in Lyncroft Centre, Toronto, November 30, 2025.Romans 13, 11: You know ‘the time' has come: you must wake up now: our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted. The urgency of readiness for God's appeal to our soul is the theme of Advent. Its a path that we ask God to teach us about. Psalm 25: Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Vias tuas, Domine, demonstra mihi, et semitas tuas edoce me.Music: "In Dulce Iubilo", choir collection from: Die Schonste Deutsche Weihnachtslieder, ChristmasWorld by Zyx Music.
November 29, 2025Today's Reading: Introit for Advent 1 - Psalm 25:4-5, 21-22; antiphon: Psalm 25:1-3aDaily Lectionary: Isaiah 5:1-25; Amos 1:1-9:15; 1 Peter 2:1-12“Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.” (Psalm 25:22)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Advent strikes a truer chord in the Psalms. We wait for the God who has made great promises. Let me not be put to shame. By the devil, who prowls about like a lion seeking to devour me. By the world, who finds little worth in everything I call precious. By myself, because if I'm being honest, the devil and the world will probably ignore me, except for the fact that I take shelter under a God whose law I make a mockery of. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Even when his troubles are himself. Advent is a season of penitential hope. And we treat those two things like oil and water. Real hope has no shame. The truly penitent are too downcast to dare to hope. To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul anyway. My escape from shame isn't myself. It's my God. It's yours. He advents to take away your sin, to bear your shame, and promises to return in glory at last to put right everything shameful that the devil, the world, and my own sinful flesh can do wrong. So we wait in penitent hope. That's the right kind. We won't be lost to dwelling in our shame. We'll take it to the Jesus who advents to bear it upon a cross, who advents to meet us at the altar with forgiveness for all of our sins, and who advents at last to free us from this vicious cycle of daily dying and rising to sin. On the Last Day, we'll only rise. Instead of a focus only on what's wrong, Advent says God will show up to be what's right. Our Redeemer. He invites everyone with shame. Bring the shame from all you've done. All the shame from what's been done to you. All the shame the world heaps on you, and all the devil can stir up, too. Gather it up and take it to where God advents to join you to Himself at His table, where He feeds you with His Body and Blood and joins you to angelic hosts and all the company of heaven who sing hymns just because they see you with them at the feast. The mark of freedom from shame isn't a perfect life. It's one of waiting for the God who takes shame away. Indeed, none who wait for Christ shall be put to shame.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Come, Thou precious Ransom, come, Only hope for sinful mortals! Come, O Savior of the world! Open are to Thee all portals. Come, Thy beauty let us see; Anxiously we wait for Thee. (LSB 350:1)Author: Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.This new devotional resource by Carl Fickenscher walks you through each week's readings, revealing thematic connections and helping you better understand what is to come in worship each Sunday.
Daily Evening Prayer (11/28/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 136-138; Isaiah 11; Hebrews 4; Metrical Psalm 25:11-1411 Since mercy is the grace that most exalts thy fame, Forgive my heinous sin, O Lord, and so advance thy Name. 12 Who'er with jumble fear to God his duty pays, Shall find the Lord a faithful guide in all his righteous ways. 13 His quiet soul with peace shall be for ever blest, And by his num'rous race the land successively possessed. 14 For God to all his saints his secret will imparts, And does his gracious cov'nant write in their obedient hearts.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Daily Evening Prayer (11/28/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalms 136-138; Isaiah 11; Hebrews 4; Metrical Psalm 25:11-1411 Since mercy is the grace that most exalts thy fame, Forgive my heinous sin, O Lord, and so advance thy Name. 12 Who'er with jumble fear to God his duty pays, Shall find the Lord a faithful guide in all his righteous ways. 13 His quiet soul with peace shall be for ever blest, And by his num'rous race the land successively possessed. 14 For God to all his saints his secret will imparts, And does his gracious cov'nant write in their obedient hearts.If you find this ministry edifying, please consider making a one-time donation or becoming a regular contributor here: https://trinityconnersville.com/give/To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
In this episode's Song of the Week, Justin stumbled into the dark story involving Tommy Dilbeck, the country songwriter behind Eddy Arnold's signature hit "I'll Hold You In My Heart," which Elvis transformed into a bluesy jam at the American Sound 1969 sessions that worked so well it landed on the acclaimed "From Elvis in Memphis." But is the song merely one of romantic longing, or, given what we now know, a hint at a more subtly obsessive message that no one had previously picked up before? Content warning: potentially upsetting descriptions of domestic violence drawn from period news reports between about 03:30-04:45. Then John pulls double-duty, spotlighting two significant home recordings from 1966, "Hide Thou Me" and "Show Me Thy Way, O Lord," during a period in which Elvis was seeking material for his upcoming gospel project - what would become the "How Great Thou Art" album - and returning to the work of one of his favorite gospel groups, The Statesmen Quartet, to consider songs for potential inclusion. John also gives a quick primer on who the Statesmen were, and how they influenced Elvis's choice of gospel material. If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. Your support allows us to continue to provide thoughtful, provocative, challenging and well-researched perspectives on Elvis's career, his peers and influences, and his cultural impact and legacy.
Send us a textThanksgiving Day as a national holiday in America dates back to 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaim the 4th Thursday in November a yearly day of thanks. "It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens."However the tradition of giving thanks to God for his providential care goes back to the Pilgrims who had come over from Holland on the Mayflower. Governor Bradford reports that Plymouth had been stricken with a severe drought. "Upon which," said William Bradford "they set apart a solemn day of humiliation, to seek the Lord by humble and fervent prayer, in this great distress." That same evening it began "to rain with such sweet and gentle showers as gave them cause of rejoicing and blessing God… For which mercy, in time convenient, they also set apart a day of thanksgiving." They had lived for 10 years in Holland to escape religious persecution from King James toward the Separatists. There they had contact with Anabaptist and Sephardic Jews who observed a feast of thanks known as Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles or booths). Our Thanksgiving festival probably goes alway to the Torah indirectly through the Pilgrims having such a feast in 1621. George Webb records a prayer like the one they would have offered on that November 29.O Lord our God and heavenly Father, which of Thy unspeakable mercy towards us, hast provided meate and drinke for the nourishment of our weake bodies. Grant us peace to use them reverently, as from Thy hands, with thankful hearts: let Thy blessing rest upon these Thy good creatures, to our comfort and sustentation: and grant we humbly beseech Thee, good Lord, that as we doe hunger and thirst for this food of our bodies, so our soules may earnestly long after the food of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen. George Webb, "Short direction for the daily exercise of the Christian," London 1625. Courtesy of Plimoth Plantation Bible Insights with Wayne ConradContact: 8441 Hunnicut Rd Dallas, Texas 75228email: Att. Bible Insights Wayne Conradgsccdallas@gmail.com (Good Shepherd Church) Donation https://gsccdallas.orghttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTZX6qasIrPmC1wQpben9ghttps://www.facebook.com/waconrad or gscchttps://www.sermonaudio.com/gsccSpirit, Truth and Grace MinistriesPhone # 214-324-9915 leave message with number for call backPsalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!”- Psalm 118:24-25 ESV
What is the best way to respond to relatives with differing political views at Thanksgiving gatherings? Tom and Josh reveal what they're most grateful for. And the liberal young adults aren't having children, shown in new study from Brad Wilcox. All this and more on today's episode of the LOOPcast!This podcast is sponsored by Charity Mobile! Get your FREE PHONE as a new Charity Mobile user with every new line plus a FREE power bank while supplies last, now through February 2, with promo code LOOPCAST at https://bit.ly/LOOPcast_CharityMobile.Your Alternative to Traditional School Starts Here Tired of rigid schedules and one-size-fits-all classrooms? Discover HomeschoolConnections.com—the flexible, faith-filled alternative to traditional school. With expert Catholic instructors, 100% online courses, and learning that fits your family's pace, you can educate with confidence, freedom, and purpose. https://bit.ly/HomeschoolConnectionsCatholicTimestamps:0:00 - Happy thanksgiving LOOPcast! 3:16 - How to deal with political differences at thanksgiving gatherings?21:37 - Tom and Josh: what are they most grateful for?37:04 - The left has a family problem: new study48:10 - Good News 58:32 - Twilight ZoneEMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.orgSubscribe to the LOOP today!https://catholicvote.org/getloop Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744 FOLLOW LOOPCast: https://x.com/the_LOOPcasthttps://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcasthttps://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcastTom: https://x.com/TPogasic Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2 Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer Daily Prayer: O merciful God, take pity on those souls whohave no particular friends and intercessors torecommend them to Thee, who, either throughthe negligence of those who are alive, or throughlength of time are forgotten by their friends andby all. Spare them, O Lord, and remember Thineown mercy, when others forget to appeal to it.Let not the souls which Thou hast created beparted from Thee, their Creator.May the souls of all the faithful departed, throughthe mercy of God, rest in peace.Amen.All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.
Welcome to Day 2740 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2740 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 94:1-11 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2740 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred forty 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. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: The God Who Hears and Sees – The Argument Against Practical Atheism. Today, we are stepping into the courtroom of the cosmos as we open Psalm Ninety-four, covering the first half of this intense psalm, verses one through eleven, in the New Living Translation. In our previous trek through Psalm Ninety-three, we stood in the royal throne room. We heard the triumphant declaration that "The Lord is king!" We saw that He is robed in majesty, stronger than the chaos waters, and that His reign is established from everlasting. It was a psalm of high theology, celebrating God's absolute sovereignty over the universe. But today, Psalm Ninety-four drags that high theology down into the gritty, often painful reality of life on earth. It asks the hard question: "If God is King, and if He is mightier than the waves, why do the wicked still crush the innocent?" This psalm acts as a bridge. It takes the truth of God's Kingship from Psalm Ninety-three and demands that it be applied to the injustices of the present moment. It is a cry for the King to stop sitting on the throne and to start acting from the throne. It confronts the arrogance of those who live as if God is blind, and it uses profound logic to dismantle their foolishness. So, let us lace up our boots and walk through this powerful plea for divine justice. The first segment is: The Appeal to the Divine Avenger Psalm Ninety-four: verses one through two. O Lord, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth! Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve. The psalmist begins with a title for God that might make modern listeners uncomfortable: "O Lord, the God of vengeance." We often associate "vengeance" with petty retaliation, uncontrolled anger, or getting even. But in the biblical worldview, and specifically within the Ancient Israelite context, vengeance (neqamah) is a legal and royal term. It refers to restorative justice. It is the act of a legitimate authority stepping in to right a wrong, to punish the guilty, and to vindicate the innocent. When the psalmist calls God the "God of vengeance," he is not asking God to lose His temper. He is appealing to God's office as the Supreme Magistrate. He is saying, "God, You are the only one with the authority to fix this broken situation." He repeats it twice for emphasis: "O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth!" The Hebrew phrase here literally asks God to "shine forth" (yapha). This is theophany language—the language of God appearing in radiant glory to intervene in human history, much like He did...
They say Elvis was the King of Rock and Roll, so Gurdip and Justin are joined by John Heath (EAP Society, Atomic Wax) to put forth their picks for the most underrated rockers that Elvis Presley ever recorded: from overlooked singles to forgotten album cuts, 50s to the 70s, in the studio and live, there may just be one in here that you've underrated, too! Although Gurdip has to bow out after this meaty and outrageously fun episode, as a very special Thanksgiving/holiday kickoff treat, a slightly shorter Episode 386 featuring "I'll Hold You In My Heart," "Hide Thou Me" and "Shy Me Thy Ways, O Lord" as Songs of the Week will be dropping into your podcast feed ASAP. If you enjoy TCBCast, please consider supporting us with a donation at Patreon.com/TCBCast. Your support allows us to continue to provide thoughtful, provocative, challenging and well-researched perspectives on Elvis's career, his peers and influences, and his cultural impact and legacy.
Psalm 73:17-20 New Living Translation 17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. 20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 29:1-20 SHOW NOTES: For encouragement on your spiritual journey, we invite you to visit our ministry website, Discover God's Truth, where you can access additional resources to enrich your Walk with God. King David calls the entire assembly to gather in Jerusalem. He contributed from his personal wealth to help build the temple and encouraged others to do the same. "Now with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God, the treasure I have … I give to the house of my God, over and above all that I have already provided for the holy temple." 1 Chronicles 29:2-3 The people gave their gifts wholeheartedly. Their hearts were filled with a genuine spirit of worship. David praises God in response to the people's devotion to the Lord. "O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours. Since I know, O my God, that You try the heart and delight in uprightness, I, in the integrity of my heart, have willingly offered all these things; so now with joy I have seen Your people, who are present here, make their offerings willingly to You." 1 Chronicles 29:16-17 SONG: "The Lord Almighty Reigns" – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TdEZXPuKOo&list=RD2TdEZXPuKOo&start_radio=1
Morning lessons: Psalms 71; Ecclesiasticus 7; Acts 21:37-22:22. In you, O Lord, have I put my trust; let me never be put to shame.
Evening lessons: Psalms 70, 72; Isaiah 39; Luke 7:11-35. Hasten, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O Lord.
The King is Coming. Get Off the Throne! Matthew 21:1–11 | The Triumphant Entry Advent begins with a stunning announcement. The King is coming. Get off your throne. Like Humpty Dumpty, we love to sit on thrones that are not ours, trying to rule our own lives. And like Humpty, we fall. Sin is more than bad behavior. It is the pride of self-rule, the illusion that we are in control, the stubborn belief that we answer to no one. And once we shatter, we cannot put ourselves back together again. Yet Advent begins with hope. The true King comes to restore the broken. In the Collect of the Day we pray, “Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come.” We confess that we cannot save ourselves from the perils of our sins. We ask God to come into our darkness, pride, and fractured lives. And He does. Not by calling us upward, but by coming downward in His Son. Jesus enters Jerusalem on a humble donkey. He comes not with force but with mercy, not to be served but to save. His throne will be a cross. His crown will be thorns. His victory will be His death and resurrection. This is the King who answers our Advent prayer with His suffering and with His life-giving triumph. Christ continues to come to His people even now. In His Word, in Holy Baptism, and in His Supper He gathers the fallen and makes them whole. At His altar, the King gives His own body and blood for forgiveness and strength. The King is coming. Let every heart prepare Him room. ----- Worship Times Sunday – 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. Monday – 6:30 p.m. https://trinitysheboygan.org https://facebook.com/trinitysheboygan We are a congregation of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Join us as we proclaim Christ crucified and risen for the forgiveness of sins. --- Trinity Lutheran Church, School and Child Care have been "Making Known the Love of Christ" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and throughout the world since 1853 as a congregation gathering around God's Word and Sacraments to receive forgiveness and life everlasting. Trinity is located in downtown Sheboygan, only one block from the Mead Public Library and the Weill Center for the Performing Arts. We invite you to visit us in person! Trinity Lutheran Sheboygan is a proud member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit their website: https://www.lcms.org/ Music for this production was obtained through a licensing agreement with One License, LLC. The copyright permission to reprint, podcast, and record hymns and songs is acquired through ID Number: 730195-A #LCMS #Lutheran #DivineService
Daily Evening Prayer (11/26/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 119:145-176; Isaiah 7; Hebrews 2; Metrical Psalm 25:1-61 To God, in whom I trust, I lift my heart and voice; 2 O let me not be put to shame, nor let my foes rejoice. 3 Those who on thee rely, let no disgrace attend; Be that the shameful lot of such as willfully offend. 4,5 To me thy truth impart, and lead me in thy way; For thou art he that brings me help, on thee I wait all day. 6 Thy mercies and thy love, O Lord, recall to mind; And graciously continue still, as thou were ever, kind.To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Daily Evening Prayer (11/26/25) from Trinity Anglican Church (Connersville, IN): Psalm 119:145-176; Isaiah 7; Hebrews 2; Metrical Psalm 25:1-61 To God, in whom I trust, I lift my heart and voice; 2 O let me not be put to shame, nor let my foes rejoice. 3 Those who on thee rely, let no disgrace attend; Be that the shameful lot of such as willfully offend. 4,5 To me thy truth impart, and lead me in thy way; For thou art he that brings me help, on thee I wait all day. 6 Thy mercies and thy love, O Lord, recall to mind; And graciously continue still, as thou were ever, kind.To read along, visit: https://ie.dailyoffice1662.com/To sing along with the Brady and Tate Metrical Psalter, visit: https://www.friendsofsabbath.org/cgmusic.com/workshop/newver_frame.htmTo own a Bible, visit: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/product/kjv-center-column-reference-bible-with-apocrypha/To own a prayer book, visit: https://anglicanway.org/product/the-1662-book-of-common-prayer-international-edition-hardcover-march-2-2021/To own a hymnal, visit: https://anglicanhousepublishers.org/shop/the-book-of-common-praise-of-the-reformed-episcopal-church/
Today, in celebration of the American holiday "Thanksgiving Day," I want to share with you a recording of short story written by Louisa May Alcott, called "An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving." The audio file has no commentary—it's merely an unabridged reading of the story—and is suitable for you to share with your children as a worthwhile story to enjoy this time of year. But this story is filled with financial lessons for those with ears to hear. As you listen to a life of long ago (circa 1830), I'd encourage you to reflect on the life that you and I now live in comparison. For me, this reflection fills me with Thanksgiving, which is the starting point of living a rich life now. You are rich. I am rich. Let's realize it and act appropriately. Joshua If you prefer to read the story to your children yourself, here is the text I read: https://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/alcott/thanksgiving/thanksgiving.html Here are a few poem and prayers of Thanksgiving you may enjoy as well: O Lord, that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness! ~~William Shakespeare 1564-1616 May all who share these gifts today Be blessed by Thee, we humbly pray. What God gives and what we take 'Tis a gift for Christ his sake;
Welcome to Day 2738 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2738 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 93:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2738 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-eight 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. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Lord Reigns Over the Chaos Waters Today, we embark on a journey into the royal courts of the cosmos as we explore Psalm Ninety-three, covering the entire psalm, verses one through five, in the New Living Translation. This short, powerful hymn marks the beginning of a specific collection within the Psalter known as the "Royal Psalms" or "Enthronement Psalms," which generally includes Psalms Ninety-three through Ninety-nine. In our last trek through Psalm Ninety-two, we celebrated the Sabbath, reflecting on the joy of God's works and the ultimate destruction of the wicked. We concluded with the image of the righteous flourishing in the courts of our God, declaring that, "The Lord is just! He is my rock!" Psalm Ninety-three takes that declaration of God's character and elevates it to a declaration of His universal position. It moves from the righteous individual flourishing in the temple to Yahweh reigning over the entire created order. It addresses a fundamental anxiety of the ancient world—and indeed, our world today: Is anyone actually in charge? When we look at the chaos of history, the violence of nature, and the rebellion of spiritual forces, we need to know if the throne is occupied. This psalm answers with a thunderous "Yes." So, let us step into the throne room of the universe and behold the King who is mightier than the roaring waters. The First Segment is: The Coronation of the Eternal King Psalm Ninety-three: verses one through two The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Your throne, O Lord, has stood from time immemorial. You yourself are from the everlasting past. The psalm opens with a proclamation that would have served as a battle cry, a theological manifesto, and a shout of worship: "The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty." The phrase "The Lord is king" (Yahweh malak) is the central thesis of Israelite theology. In the ancient Near East, kingship wasn't just about political administration; it was about maintaining cosmic order. A king's primary job was to hold back chaos. By declaring Yahweh as King, the psalmist is asserting that the God of Israel is the one holding the universe together. The imagery of clothing is vital here: "Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength." God does not put on majesty like a costume; majesty is His intrinsic nature, yet it is displayed visibly to His creation. He is "armed with strength"
Psalm 119:33–37 (NASB)Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,And I shall observe it to the end.Give me understanding, that I may observe Your lawAnd keep it with all my heart.Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,For I delight in it.Incline my heart to Your testimoniesAnd not to dishonest gain.Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,And revive me in Your ways.I remember exactly where I was when I first read these verses and how a melody immediately came to mind. It became a song for Scripture Songs Volume 2 and you'll hear it at the end of this episode.As I read Psalm 119:33–37 in the NASB, the NIV, and the NLT, something caught my attention: two phrases remain unchanged — “all my heart” and “to the end.”James Boice wrote that “to the end” means without time limit, and “with all my heart” means without reservation.Another phrase stood out too: “Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity.” Many translations render it “worthless things.” There really is a war over our eyes—over where we set our gaze. Not every “worthless thing” is sinful, but when comparison or discontent rises in us, those things may be climbing into a place they were never meant to have.Psalm 119:37Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,And revive me in Your ways.May God redirect our gaze, revive our hearts, and help us follow Him—to the end and with all our heart. I'll close with the song, “With All My Heart.”If you would like to support this podcast with a monthly or one-time gift, thank you!https://www.sherriyoungward.com/supportTo find out about upcoming gatherings and new projects, please join my email list at www.sherriyoungward.com
May your kingdom come, O Lord.
Psalm 44 English Standard VersionCome to Our HelpTo the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.44 O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us,what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted;you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them,but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob!5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah9 But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies.10 You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil.11 You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations.12 You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them.13 You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us.14 You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples.15 All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face16 at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.17 All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant.18 Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way;19 yet you have broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death.20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god,21 would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground.26 Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!English Standard Version (ESV)The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.ESV Text Edition: 2025.
As America approaches Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27), Scott Lambert shares a profound yet entertainingly agrarian (and quantitative) reflection on two Biblical episodes that underscore the power of voluntary giving (for both the giver and for the Kingdom of God) and the importance of gratitude for the gifts we receive. "All that have is Thine alone, A trust O Lord from Thee"
A Sermon for the Sunday Next Before Advent Jeremiah 23:5-8 & St. John 6:5-14 by William Klock As we come to the last Sunday in the Church Year, I've been reflecting on the scripture passages we've read these last twenty-two weeks of Trinitytide. The first half of the Church Year walks us through the life and ministry of Jesus. The second half, following Trinity Sunday, walks us through the life and ministry of the church. The lessons remind us who we are and encourage us to be the people and the community that Jesus and the Spirit have made us. Last week we were reminded that just as the old temple was the place where Israel found forgiveness and the presence of God, so the church—the new temple—is also to be the place where the world encounters the presence of God and the forgiveness that flows from the cross. On All Saint's, just a few weeks ago, we heard the Beatitudes and were reminded of the character that Jesus and the Spirit have given us. We are the community that is poor in spirit, that mourns sin and the fallenness of the world, the meek who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers. And thinking of all that, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Sometimes we fail. A lot of the time it just feels like the pushback against us is overwhelming. I feel like Israel in the wilderness with temptation after temptation and enemy after enemy. But then I think, wait a minute. Even in the wilderness, God was with Israel. I think of Moses, reiterating the torah, the law, to Israel as they were on the verge of finally entering the Holy Land, and as he called them to commit to the Lord's covenant—and he knew it seemed like an overwhelming thing to them—he said to them: You can do this. It's not too hard. It's not far off. It's not in heaven that you have to go and bring it down. It's not across the ocean, that you've got to send someone far away to fetch it. God's word is near you. It's in your heart and it's in your mouth so that you can do it.” Even more, there was the Lord, present in a shining cloud of glory right in their midst—always present with them in the tabernacle. Ready to forgive and to purify and to strengthen them to be the people he'd created and called them to be. And if that was true of Israel and of her relationship with God in the Old Covenant—well, maybe I shouldn't be so discouraged. Because, in Jesus, God has established something even better. And so I pore over his word, and I pray, and I look forward to Sundays and his invitation to come feast at his Table. I find hope in the promise in the lesson we read today from Jeremiah. It's a passage I think of a lot. To a people who had failed, to a people broken and being carried off into exile, to a people who had lost his presence, the Lord promised: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.' Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,' but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.' Then they shall dwell in their own land.” (Jeremiah 23:5-8) All of it is important, but the part that really gets me here is that promise that the Messiah would redefine what it meant to be God's people. The Lord's deliverance of Israel from exile was the thing, the event that defined them as a people. It was the event that they could hold onto as proof that the Lord was real and living and active, that he is faithful and worthy of trust. That he makes good on his promises. It was his gracious and loving deliverance of Israel from Egypt that motivated them to return his love and faithfulness with their own devotion and allegiance. And yet, the Lord says, when the Messiah has done his work, it'll no longer be about Egypt and the exodus, but about the deliverance brought by the Messiah. In hindsight, we can say that our existence as the people of God is defined by the cross and the empty tomb—by the body and blood of Jesus the Messiah shed for us. The Passover, the meal that reminded the Jewish people of their identity of God's people, the meal through which each generation participated in that rescue from Pharaoh's bondage, was redefined by Jesus. He took the Passover bread and the Passover wine and redefined them. No longer do they represent deliverance from Egypt, but our deliverance from sin and death by his body broken and his blood poured out. And Brothers and Sisters, in the midst of the wilderness; struggling to keep our baptismal vows to fight the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil; struggling to be faithful stewards of the gospel and the life of the Spirit, it ought to be strengthening to remember both what the Lord has done for us and that he is so closely with us. This is why the church gives us today's Gospel—the familiar story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. For the last six months the lessons have been exhorting us to take up Jesus' yoke, to take up our crosses and to follow him. And when we forget who we are and what the Lord has done for us it's easy to forget that Jesus has promised his yoke is easy and his burden is light, and that in taking up our crosses, he walks alongside us bearing his own. He is with us in the wilderness. And that's what today's Gospel is all about. St. John, in the sixth chapter of his Gospel, writes: “Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming to him. ‘Where are we going to buy bread,' he said to Philip, ‘so that they can have something to eat?' (He said this to test him. He himself knew what he intended to do.) ‘Two hundred denarii,' replied Philip, ‘wouldn't be enough to buy bread for each of them to have just a little!' One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, joined in. ‘There's a boy here,' he said, ‘who's got five barley loaves and to fish. But what use are they with this many people?' ‘Make the men sit down,' said Jesus. There was a lot of grass where they were, so the men sat down, about five thousand in all. So Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and gave them to the people sitting down, and then did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he called the disciples. ‘Gather up the bits and pieces left over,' he said, ‘so that nothing is lost.' So they collected it up and filled twelve baskets with the broken pieces of the five barley loaves left behind by the people who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that Jesus had done, they said, ‘This truly is the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world. (John 6:5-14) Now, the lectionary leaves out the first four verses of the chapter. Because of that we miss two important details. The first is the time and the second is the place. John tells us in verse 4 that “the Passover was at hand”. Remember again what the Passover was all about. Passover was the annual festival in which the Jews recalled the events of the Exodus—those events that Jeremiah points to as defining the very identity of Israel as the people of God. I'll say it again, because it's important to understand: In the Exodus the Lord had delivered them from their Egyptian slavery, he had defeated Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, he had given them his law and the tabernacle and had taken up his dwelling in their midst, and he had led them through the wilderness. Each new generation of Jews, as they took part in the Passover meal, became participants in the events of the Exodus, in the establishing of the Lord's covenant. The Exodus, commemorated by the Passover, was the defining event in Israel's life as the people of God. So it's not just at the Last Supper, but throughout his ministry that Jesus takes the Passover and redefines it in terms of himself: his provision for the people, his body and blood, his cross and his resurrection leading a new people in an exodus from sin and death. The other important detail in those first verses is the place. This took place on the far side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus has led the people into the wilderness and he's taken up his seat on a mountain. Again, John stages the story using the imagery of the Exodus. We have a great crowd of people in the wilderness. John wants us to be thinking about Israel in the wilderness. These people are hungry for supper, but there's no food to be had. The only thing missing is the people grumbling to Moses. But these people were just hungry to hear Jesus. This time it's Jesus who realises the people's need before they realise it themselves. That's something to take comfort in. Jesus is looking after our needs before know them ourselves. Jesus turns to Philip and asks what's to be done to feed all these people. Now, Philip—a good Jew whom I'm sure knew his people's story—should have recalled the manna in the wilderness, but he wasn't thinking of Jesus on that level just yet. Andrew, on the other hand, has met a boy who happens to have brought a sack lunch: a couple of fish and five little loaves of bread. Such a little bit of food might as well have bene nothing if you're thinking about distributing it to five thousand people. But I don't think Andrew would have bothered telling Jesus about this boy and his lunch if he hadn't thought that Jesus could make use of it somehow. What could Jesus possibly do with so little? The situation seemed totally impossible, and yet the Lord had provided for his hungry people in the wilderness all those centuries before. Why not again? And so Andrew gives us a hopeful sign. Brothers and Sisters, this is how the people of God are called to respond in hopeless situations. This how we're to depend on Jesus as he leads us through the wilderness—when our calling, our task, our vocation, when being the people he's made us seems so hard, when you feel like you can't carry your cross another step. Don't grumble like Israel did. Don't give up on God and put your faith in horses, chariots, foreign kings, and pagan gods like Israel did back in the days of Jeremiah. The Lord has always been faithful to provide and he always will. Andrew knew that. I don't know if Andrew was thinking about it, but I think that as John wrote this, he was thinking about one particular event in Israel's past and about King Hezekiah. The way John tells the story seems to deliberately echo the story of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was also in a hopeless situation. The Assyrians had besieged Jerusalem. The messenger of the Assyrian king called up to Hezekiah's men on the walls of the city that he would destroy them and that it would be because Hezekiah had purged Judah of its altars and shrines to the Assyrian gods. The Assyrian king sent a message to Hezekiah, warning him that the Lord would not be able to deliver him. Hezekiah no doubt had advisers who saw the situation as hopeless. Some would have advised him to surrender to the Assyrians and to bow before their gods. Others would have urged him to form an alliance with the Egyptians, which would have involved their gods as well. To many, it would have seemed that Hezekiah was out of options. But he knew better. The King took the message from the Assyrian king and went to the temple. He prayed. Sometimes that's all you can do. And the Lord sent the Prophet Isaiah to Hezekiah with a message of reassurance: The king of Assyria will not enter Jerusalem. “I will defend this city to save it for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David” (Isaiah 19:34). And that very night an angel struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. Andrew now, like Hezekiah taking Sennacherib's letter to the temple and not knowing what to do, only that the Lord would do something, Andrew now brings the boy and his lunch to Jesus. The Lord will provide. Somehow. In some way. And Jesus does just that. He took the bread, gave thanks to God, and started breaking it into pieces and somehow there was still bread in his hands as the baskets began to fill. And the same with the fish. No matter how much Jesus gave out, there was still more in his hands. And everyone—the multiple thousands sitting there on the grass—everyone had their fill. Just like they did in the wilderness after they'd left Egypt. And yet there's an element of the story here that points to this new exodus that's taking shape being even greater than the first. In the first exodus, there was no manna left over. There was always enough to satisfy the needs of the people, but if you tried to gather extra and to keep it, it rotted away and produced worms. In contrast, when Jesus feeds these people in the wilderness, there are twelve basketfuls left over—presumably food the people took home with them to eat and to be reminded the next day of what the Lord had done. But that's not the only Old Testament echo that John works into the story. Andrew faithfully taking the loaves and fishes to Jesus echoes Hezekiah going before the Lord to ask for a miracle. But as John tells us about Jesus dividing up the bread and fish, there's an echo of another story the people would have known very well. John, I think, tells the story to deliberately recall the prophet Elisha and, in particular, the events of 2 Kings 4. There was a famine in the land and Isaiah had a band of followers to provide for. A man brought them twenty loaves of bread and a sack of grain, but it wasn't nearly enough to feed Elisha's men. That didn't concern Elisha. He gave the sack of bread to his servant and commanded him to give it to the men so that they could eat. His servant balked at that. “How can I can set this before a hundred men?” he asked. Elisha commanded him again to take it to the men and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.'” And, somehow, the men ate their fill and, just as the Lord had promised, there were leftovers remaining (2 King 4:42-44). Now, back to our Gospel: The people on that mountain with Jesus put the pieces together: Passover, wilderness, bread from heaven, baskets of leftover bread. And they declare that Jesus is “the prophet who is to come into the world.” Jeremiah's new exodus is somehow underway, with Jesus at its head. Their acclamation is taken straight from the Lord's promise to Moses in Deuteronomy 18: “I will raise up a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I commanded him” (Deuteronomy 18:18-19). The new exodus has begun. Jesus is the prophet who was promised, a prophet like Moses, a prophet like Elisha—and yet a prophet even greater. Verse 15 says: “So when Jesus realised that they were intending to come and seize him to make him king, he withdrew again, by himself, up the mountain.” “King” means “Messiah”. Now, did the people really understand who and what the messiah was to be? I don't think so. Almost no one fully understood that until after the events of Jesus' death and resurrection. But that doesn't mean the people that day, filled miraculously with bread and fish, didn't recognise the Messiah in Jesus. All the pieces were there. Here was the good shepherd who cared for the sheep when no one else would. (It's worth noting that when Mark tells this story, he introduces it saying that when Jesus looked out at the crowd, he saw sheep in desperate need of a shepherd.) Here was the prophet who would lead the people like Moses in the long-awaited exodus. If Jesus was those two things, then he also had to be the long-awaited branch that Jeremiah had prophesied would come from the root of David. Jesus saw the recognition dawn in their eyes and he withdrew. The time wasn't right. This wasn't how the Messiah was to come into his crown or to take his throne. Nevertheless, as we draw the lines that connect the promises of God in Jeremiah to their fulfilment in John's Gospel, you and I should, ourselves, be overwhelmed by the faithfulness of God. He does what he promises. He will feed us in the wilderness. He will go before us to conquer the promised land. Brothers and Sisters, the Lord invites us to his table this morning and here we again recall his faithfulness. Here, like the Jews participating in each new generation in the events of the Exodus and finding their place in the people of God, we find our manna in the wilderness, we recall and participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and are reminded that we are his people and that, just as was promised so long ago, he has delivered us from our bondage to sin and death. The sheep that were scattered, have been drawn together by the God of Israel. You and I have heard the story of God's faithfulness. We have come to Israel's king and submitted ourselves in faith. And now, here at his Table, we experience his faithfulness ourselves as we eat the bread and drink the wine. Here is our new covenant manna in the wilderness. Finally, having known the faithfulness of God, we're summoned ourselves to walk in faith, trusting that the Lord will finish what he has begun, that he will do what he has promised. In our Collect we asked the Lord to “stir up our wills”. We may have come to the end of another Church Year, but the story is hardly over. Advent is almost here and with it the reminder that Jesus is coming and that as we wait for him, he's given his Church a mission and his own Spirit to ensure that mission is fulfilled. He has made us stewards of the good news that he is this world's true Lord. We have our own parts to play in this story. And it's not an easy task. But take heart. The fact that the principalities and powers (as Paul described them in that Ephesians passage we read a couple weeks ago), the fact that they're fighting back means that we're precisely where the Lord wants us to be and doing what he wants us to do and the powers of darkness know it and fear what Jesus and the Spirit will accomplish through the church. So don't give up. Don't be afraid. Don't be weary in well-doing. Petition the Lord in faith, knowing that he is faithful to fulfil his promises. Whether it takes a hundred years or a hundred thousand years for the world to answer the king's royal summons to faithful allegiance, he will be with us and he will equip us for every good work. He will feed us in the wilderness and see us through to the promised land. Let's pray: Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that we may produce abundantly the fruit of good works, and receive your abundant reward, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Study Passage: Exodus 15:1-21Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying,“I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.2 The LORD is my strength and my song,and he has become my salvation;this is my God, and I will praise him,my father's God, and I will exalt him.3 The LORD is a man of war;the LORD is his name.4 “Pharaoh's chariots and his host he cast into the sea,and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.5 The floods covered them;they went down into the depths like a stone.6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power,your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.7 In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries;you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.8 At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up;the floods stood up in a heap;the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake,I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.'10 You blew with your wind; the sea covered them;they sank like lead in the mighty waters.11 “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?Who is like you, majestic in holiness,awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?12 You stretched out your right hand;the earth swallowed them.13 “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed;you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.14 The peoples have heard; they tremble;pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia.15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed;trembling seizes the leaders of Moab;all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.16 Terror and dread fall upon them;because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone,till your people, O LORD, pass by,till the people pass by whom you have purchased.17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode,the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established.18 The LORD will reign forever and ever.”19 For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into thesea, the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israelwalked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sisterof Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her withtambourines and dancing. 21 And Miriam sang to them:“Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
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!
Welcome to Day 2737 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2737 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 92:8-15 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2737 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-seven 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. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Exaltation and the Flourishing Righteous Today, we conclude our journey through Psalm Ninety-two, the beautiful Song for the Sabbath Day. We are covering the final, triumphant verses, eight through fifteen, in the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we affirmed that it is "good to give thanks to the Lord," proclaiming His Unfailing Love in the morning and His Faithfulness in the evening (Psalm Ninety-two, verses one through four). We wrestled with the temporary flourishing of the wicked—who "sprout like grass"—but concluded that they are destined to be "destroyed forever," for God's thoughts are simply "deeper than anyone can comprehend" (Psalm Ninety-two, verses five through seven). Now, the psalm moves to its magnificent climax. It declares the eternal nature of God's sovereignty, contrasts the certain ruin of His foes with the flourishing destiny of the righteous, and celebrates the lifelong vitality of those who trust in the Most High. This final section is a powerful declaration of vindication and blessing, a perfect capstone to the Sabbath celebration. So, let us open our hearts to this triumphant assurance, embracing the destiny of the righteous and the certainty of God's eternal rule. The first segment is: The Eternal Judgment and the Exaltation of the Righteous Psalm Ninety-two: verses eight through eleven But you, O Lord, will remain supreme forever. Your enemies, Lord, will be destroyed; all evil doers will be scattered. But you have made me as strong as a wild ox; you have poured olive oil on my head. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked foes. After acknowledging the fleeting power of the wicked, the psalmist immediately shifts focus to the unchanging reality of God's reign: "But you, O Lord, will remain supreme forever." The "But" is the most important word in the psalm, signaling the ultimate pivot from the temporary to the eternal. The wicked are ephemeral, but God "will remain supreme forever." This affirms His sovereignty over all time and space, including His supreme position over the Divine Council, guaranteeing that His justice will prevail. Because God is eternally supreme, the fate of His enemies is sealed: "Your enemies, Lord, will be destroyed; all evil doers will be scattered." This is a prophetic certainty, a final judgment that will
Jonah 4:1-11 ESV1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?” 5 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. 6 Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” 10 And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” • • •1. Anger can result in justifying sin. • • •Jonah 4:1-2 ESV1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. • • •Luke 6:45 ESV45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. • • •Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. • • •2. Anger can cause us to question God's character. • • •Jonah 4:2-3 ESV2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” • • •Exodus 34:6-7 ESV6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” • • •Matthew 18:32-33 ESV32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' • • •3. Anger can lead us to believe dying is better than living. • • •Jonah 4:3-4 ESV3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?” • • •Luke 15:25-32 ESV25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'” • • •Application:The same love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness we receive from God, we should willingly give to others!
What happens when a 17-year-old's dive into the Chesapeake Bay changes everything—and the healing never comes? Watch the full conversation on YouTube. Fifty-seven years later, Joni Eareckson Tada sits across from me with an answer that might undo everything you think you know about strength, suffering, and the strange mercy of God. In this conversation marking the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we go where few dare: into the raw, daily reality of quadriplegia, chronic pain that would break most of us by breakfast, and a two-time battle with breast cancer. But this isn't inspiration porn. This is Joni—unflinching, funny, and fiercely honest about what it means when "I can do all things through Christ" meets 4 a.m. despair. We talk about the crushing loneliness of being the only wheelchair in a room full of chairs. The rage when well-meaning Christians promise healing that doesn't come. The particular exhaustion of advocating for your own existence. And why she tells God some mornings, "I have no strength for today. Can I borrow yours?" But we also discover something unexpected: how limitation becomes liberation. Why the disabled community might be the most honest place in America. And what happens when churches stop trying to "fix" people and start making room for them. Fair warning: Joni doesn't do platitudes. She'll tell you exactly what not to say to someone in chronic pain (spoiler: "everything happens for a reason" isn't it). She'll explain why she's terrified of a world that's editing out Down syndrome. And she'll make you rethink whether your church's "all are welcome" sign means anything if there's no ramp to the door. This is for anyone who's ever wondered where God is when the miracle doesn't come. For those caring for someone who's suffering and don't know what to say. For all of us who suspect our obsession with optimization and control might be making us miss the point entirely. Come for the practical wisdom. Stay for the kind of hope that only comes from someone who's been asking "How long, O Lord?" for nearly six decades—and still believes the answer matters. Keep up with Joni's work through Joni and Friends, here. Keep up with Russell: Sign up for the weekly newsletter where Russell shares thoughtful takes on big questions, offers a Christian perspective on life, and recommends books and music he's enjoying. Submit a question for the show at questions@russellmoore.com Subscribe to the Christianity Today Magazine: Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Welcome to Day 2735 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2735 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 92:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2735 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-five 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. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: A Sabbath Song, The Joy of Proclaiming God's Faithfulness Today, we embark on a journey into Psalm Ninety-two, covering its opening, foundational verses, one through seven, in the New Living Translation. This psalm carries the unique superscription, "A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath Day." It is a deliberate, joyful declaration of praise and thanksgiving, written specifically for the day of rest. We transition here from the high assurance of Psalm Ninety-one, where we learned that God's faithful promises are our armor and that His angels are ordered to protect us. Psalm Ninety-two is the natural response to that security: because God is a faithful protector, our lives should overflow with joyful, continuous worship. This psalm invites us to make our lives a perpetual Sabbath, a dedicated time of celebrating God's Unfailing Love and His Faithfulness. It challenges us to look beyond the temporary flourishing of the wicked and to rest in the wisdom of God's eternal plan. So, let us open our hearts to this song of rest and worship, learning the wisdom of perpetual thanksgiving. The first segment is: The Command and Content of Perpetual Praise Psalm Ninety-two: verses one through four It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, and your faithfulness in the evening. Praise him with the ten-stringed harp, with the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me joyful by your deeds; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. The psalm begins with a simple, profound statement of spiritual fact: "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High." "Good" (ṭôḇ) here means more than merely pleasant; it signifies morally and spiritually excellent, the right and proper thing to do. The focus is squarely on the Most High (‘Elyōn), the supreme, sovereign God, whose power transcends all earthly and celestial authority, ensuring that our praise is directed to the one true source of all blessing. This praise is meant to be continuous and all-encompassing: "It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, and your faithfulness in the evening." The psalmist delineates the ideal spiritual rhythm of the day, moving from dawn to dusk. In the morning, when hope is renewed, we proclaim God's Unfailing Love (ḥesed), His steadfast,
Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com What Separates Us From the Animals Do you know how biologists evaluate life? It is in terms of the capacity to experience pain, the more the pain, the higher the life form. A worm experiences little pain, but a dog can actually experience moods. Have you ever noticed that? Haven't you ever seen a dog pout. Dogs can actually grieve over people, and I understand that over at the tracts in West Memphis there are some people who grieve over dogs. I'm not sure. Scientist say that man is at the top of the biological scale because he has the keenest ability to experience pain. What separates us from the animals, I would suggest, is not only our ability to feel pain; rather, it is our ability to feel pain vicariously for others. But not only that but feel the possibility of pain if we do not change our ways. Have you ever seen an obese parent sitting there at a restaurant and their child is pounding down cookies, soda and ice cream. And you feel sorry for them… The question is not “do you know then well enough to speak into their life… even if you felt tremendous pain for them… the question is would they be willing to listen to you? Psalm 144:Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly. 4 Do not incline my heart to [consent to or tolerate] any evil thing, Or to practice deeds of wickedness With men who plan and do evil; And let me not eat of their delicacies (be tempted by their gain). 5 Let the righteous [thoughtfully] strike (correct) me—it is a kindness [done to encourage my spiritual maturity]. It is [the choicest anointing] oil on the head; Let my head not refuse [to accept and acknowledge and learn from] it; Crazy that David would ask God to send people into his life that would be willing to speak into his life things that he may not want to hear. But don't miss the point… he sees this verse in comparison to the previous verses… i.e. God make sure there is someone who speak boldly and bluntly into my life so that I do not end up like the wicked. Maybe the ultimate betrayal is someone who sees the trail of pain and regret you are starting out on and they say nothing, they do nothing they just let you walk off into emptiness… And if that could be true, why wouldn't you pray a prayer like David and ask for Godly voices in your life. It would be a great prayer… think about it.
“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said, ‘I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me! You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. Then I said, “O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.”'” Jonah 2:1-4The book of Jonah is without a doubt the most known book of the prophets and perhaps one of the most well known of the Old Testament. That is to say, most of the story is well known. From the earliest ages the story of Jonah and the fish or Jonah and the whale is taught in church classrooms around the world. But usually that story ends in chapter 2 . . . but there are still two more chapters to the book of Jonah and, you know what, the conversation today spends most of its time in chapter 4. To help us navigate the book of Jonah is Dr. T. Desmond Alexander, Senior Research Fellow in Biblical Studies at Union Theological College. So let's leave what you think you know about Jonah behind and strap in as Desi Alexander takes us on a really fun and thought-provoking journey into the book of Jonah. Doable Discipleship is a Saddleback Church podcast produced and hosted by Jason Wieland. It premiered in 2017 and now offers more than 450 episodes. Episodes release every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app and on the Saddleback Church YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/saddleback).Resources Related to This Episode:https://www.amazon.com/Obadiah-Jonah-Micah-Introduction-Commentaries/dp/0877842752Subscribe to the Doable Discipleship podcast at Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doable-discipleship/id1240966935) or Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zc9nuwQZOLadbFCZCmZ1V)Related Doable Discipleship Episodes: Navigating the Bible: Obadiah - https://youtu.be/jB6W-TM5Y-oNavigating the Bible: Amos - https://youtu.be/8DqVHu7leDUNavigating the Bible: Joel - https://youtu.be/Ilg6r300q4UNavigating the Bible: Hosea - https://youtu.be/nWZ4TuAUSRQNavigating the Bible: Daniel - https://youtu.be/bnQ-PioWxfgNavigating the Bible: Ezekiel - https://youtu.be/hlg6gBYxqsgNavigating the Bible: Lamentations - https://youtu.be/6rrizlXeYXENavigating the Bible: Jeremiah - https://youtu.be/lXPjWl8PdRkNavigating the Bible: Isaiah - https://youtu.be/NZJLaPkgEgsNavigating the Bible: Song of Songs - https://youtu.be/Sg0CYlNBVMgNavigating the Bible: Ecclesiastes - https://youtu.be/-Wr7LCh8F9ENavigating the Bible: Proverbs - https://youtu.be/DytRT5AsZg8Navigating the Bible: Psalms - https://youtu.be/oZeesooAYUINavigating the Bible: Job - https://youtu.be/14jaf2T1eCQNavigating the Bible: Esther - https://youtu.be/7RZ7ATWQZucNavigating the Bible: Nehemiah - https://youtu.be/Gok4WDgwn5INavigating the Bible: Ezra - https://youtu.be/aBC0nEjYeyoNavigating the Bible: 2 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/OG3rHTgMgEINavigating the Bible: 1 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/lQ_Qc4zbfgANavigating the Bible: 2 Kings - https://youtu.be/04q9gDhBKTkNavigating the Bible: 1 Kings - https://youtu.be/aS-KoeQXl2kNavigating the Bible: 2 Samuel - https://youtu.be/ZbpafGgOW7cNavigating the Bible: 1 Samuel - https://youtu.be/lY8wPElSFMYNavigating the Bible: Rute - https://youtu.be/YaH-t-ZzTaMNavigating the Bible: Judges - https://youtu.be/qNGcOf2o0NUNavigating the Bible: Joshua - https://youtu.be/hF28aThBtFsNavigating the Bible: Deuteronomy - https://youtu.be/HzmNgPOM4zUNavigating the Bible: Numbers - https://youtu.be/H1HO6V9HDxsNavigating the Bible: Leviticus - https://youtu.be/08RhDCXYex4Navigating the Bible: Exodus - https://youtu.be/NB9UTpS1F3MNavigating the Bible: Genesis - https://youtu.be/ddhjMfOoasAInspiring Dreams by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoonMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Praise is not just a worship song or a Sunday morning routine—praise is a lifestyle. As our daily prayer and devotional remind us, Scripture tells us to “pray without ceasing,” and in the same way, we can cultivate a posture of continual praise. God gives abundantly, consistently, and generously. Even in difficult seasons, even in uncertainty, He remains the One who provides every good and perfect gift. Keneesha Saunders-Liddie reminds us that the greatest gift God ever gave was His Son. Christ came to earth, bore our sin, and secured our salvation—a gift precious beyond measure. But God’s generosity did not stop at the cross. He continues to sustain us daily with strength, breath, provision, relationships, and opportunities. James 1:17 emphasizes that God does not change. Unlike people who can be fickle or inconsistent, the Lord is steady and faithful. He does not give gifts only to take them back. He does not shift like shadows. His character is constant, and because of that, our praise should be constant too. Every blessing—big or small—flows from His good hand. Every moment of comfort, peace, joy, and strength is evidence of His loving provision. And even when we walk through trials, His presence and sustaining grace are gifts worth praising Him for. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, and the ultimate source of all goodness. Bible Reading:“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17 Takeaway Truths: God is the source of every good and perfect gift. His character is unchanging, providing stability in an unstable world. Praise is a lifestyle that grows from recognizing God’s constant provision. Let’s Pray Oh Heavenly Father, You are the giver of all good and perfect gifts. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. What a comfort that is to my weary soul. There is evil all around. There are trials and temptations that I have to go through, but You don’t tempt believers with evil. You are the One who gives perfect gifts to Your children. You lead us through temptation, and Jesus has walked the path that we now must walk. There is no temptation that Jesus hasn’t experienced and overcome while He was here on earth. Thank You for being the giver of good gifts. My soul praises and extols Your matchless name because You are Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. You give gifts to me that are wonderful, and even when I have to walk through trials, Your constant presence is there with me. You are unchanging, O God, so that I can depend on You. I will continue to praise and magnify You, O Lord. Let my praises always be on the tip of my tongue. I praise You with my body, with my finances, with my lifestyle, and with everything that You have blessed me with. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Related Scriptures Psalm 103:2 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Psalm 145:7 Hebrews 13:8 Related Resources What Does It Mean That Every Good Gift Comes From God? – Crosswalk.com Understanding God’s Unchanging Character – BibleStudyTools.com More daily prayer devotionals at LifeAudio.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
When we see all God has created, simply by speaking a word, we recognize his existence, his majesty, and his power. I believe there is a natural curiosity in our hearts that cannot be completely satisfied by anything else but a belief in the existence of God.Main Points:1. Listen again to those powerful words: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God.” David looked to the heavens – not the spiritual heaven where God is enthroned, but the heavens of the blue sky and the night sky – and he clearly saw the glory of God declared.2. I think you have I have experienced what David saw and felt. When you see the serenity of a sunrise or the beauty of a sunset, when we see a sky filled with millions of stars, when we see the radiance of the sun and moon, and when we think of the multitude of galaxies God has created, it all reveals the glory of God.3. The word glory here means that which gives the honor to God - his wisdom, power, skill, faithfulness, benevolence, as seen in the starry worlds above us, and even the silent, movements by day and by night. The idea is, that these convey to the mind a true impression of the greatness and majesty of God. Everyone with physical eyesight can see the glory of God.Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 19:1-2 - “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.”Psalm 8:1,3-4 - “O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”Romans 1:20 - “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group