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Antisemitism is rising across the world at a pace many never expected. Scripture speaks about Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives becoming the focal point of global tension, and today's headlines are beginning to reflect that pattern. When you look at current events through a biblical lens, the spiritual battle surrounding Israel becomes much clearer. Podcast Episode 2060: The Explosion of Antisemitism and the Prophecy of the Mount of Olives | don't miss this! Listen to more episodes of the Lance Wallnau Show at lancewallnau.com/podcast
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Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Thessoloniki Greece, Part 1 Welcome to the Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide podcast. I returned from a 90-day journey around the world, and I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share experiences for world peace. Here is an FAQ about plane or train travel, Thessoloniki Greece, Part 1, and also about a health issue you don't want when you travel. Give a listen. I guide you to solo travel experiences to bring out your best. The FAQ is: If you could take a plane or a train, which would it be and why? Answer: If I have the choice between a plane and a train, Most of the time… I choose the train. Now let's be practical. If the distance is extreme — say, cross-country or intercontinental — the plane wins on efficiency. At this stage of life, I value my energy. Six hours in the air may beat twenty hours of transfers. But when are both realistic options? Train. Here's why. First, the train allows me to arrive gently. There's no stripping down at security, no liquid anxiety, no rushing to a distant gate. I walk onto the train. I keep my water. I keep my dignity. That matters. Second, the scenery. At 50+, we understand that the journey is not separate from the destination. On a train, I see villages, farmland, people waiting on platforms, laundry on balconies. I watch life unfold. A plane gives me clouds. Third, ease of movement. I can stand up. Walk. Stretch. Visit the café car. Talk to someone if I choose — or not. For solo women, that flexibility feels empowering. Fourth, arrival point. Trains typically drop you in the center of town. Planes drop you 40 minutes away, followed by taxis, shuttles, and more logistics. Simplicity wins. Now — here's where I get skeptical of my own bias. If I'm exhausted… If connections are complicated… If safety or night travel becomes a concern…Going from Oslo to Bergen this past summer, we had a 7-hour delay, stranded in Voss due to the heated tracks. That was not unusual, I later learned. Side note: I did enjoy my time in Voss and learned to slow down. If I anticipate a delay like this, I will absolutely take the plane. Comfort and safety override romance. So my answer? If time is short and distance is long,,,,, fly. If time is flexible and distance is reasonable, take the train and let the world move past your window. At this stage of life, we're not just getting somewhere. We're experiencing how we get there. And that is the difference. 60-second confidence challenge Your challenge today Confidence Challenge in Greece and on trains. If you like today's Confidence Challenge, my book series delves deeper into train travel while walking through the 5 steps to solo travel, from easy to more challenging, with foreign-language communication tips. You can find the series at the link in the description. See Book A for addressing this concern.. Find it on the website at https://www.5stepstosolotravel.com/ or on Amazon. It's a several-part series. Today's destination is Thessaloniki, Greece Part 1 of 2 Greece: my bucket list trip: Arrival, Ancient Echoes, and Modern Reality Welcome to my planned Step 5 travel — the kind where you don't just visit a place… you live inside it. This week and next week, I'm taking you to Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city — layered with Roman ruins, Byzantine churches, Jewish history, and modern-day contradictions.
The Passover feast is transformation through Jesus' sacrifice. We explore the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, from the Last Supper where Jesus institutes the New Covenant, to his prayers of agony at the Mount of Olives, his betrayal by Judas, and his trial before the high priest and Roman governor. Jesus, as the Lamb of God, is about to provide provides the once-and-for-all sacrifice ushering in a new era of the New Covenant.Bible ReadingsMatthew 26:20-75Matthew 27:1-26Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.org Want to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://bibli...
In this message, we move into the New Testament to explore one of the most important end-times passages in all of Scripture: Matthew 24 and the Olivet Discourse. Jesus' teaching on the Mount of Olives is central to understanding biblical prophecy, the timing of the end of the age, and the events that lead up to His glorious return. This session highlights the significance of Daniel's prophecy, especially Daniel chapter 9, and shows how Jesus directly connects Daniel's words to the future. The post The Abomination of Desolation in the Olivet Discourse | Matthew 24 appeared first on Bible Prophecy Answers with Alan Kurschner.
Pastor starts today's class by taking a look at Matthew 24:37-39a "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away." This text is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount of Olives and He is talking about His second coming. Jesus compares what it will be like at the end of time, to what happened at the time of Noah's flood. Noah and his sons built the boat over a long period of time and people could see he was building a huge boat, but they continued doing their regular life things and the flood took them all away. They had not listened to Noah's preaching and warnings. It will be like that at the end when Jesus returns. In 2 Peter 3:3-10 Peter shares another comparison of what the Second Coming of Christ will be like. There will be a time when God keeps His word once again. There's been a warning that there will be an end - the Second Coming of Christ and it will take place. We are called to be alert, listen and respond and not to ignore that He is returning. We are to be ready and waiting. Matthew 24 continues with verses 39b-42 "That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 'Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.'" Pastor zeroes in on the words "one will be taken the other left." The question is taken to where? Believer opinions are: ⁃ Taken for judgement ⁃ Taken to be with Christ Pastor refers back to a recent teaching entitled "What Happens When I Die?" That teaching can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/live/5L41Ufkiq2w?si=xxcv4CNj2FC-y7XD Part of that teaching is on 1 Thessalonians 4:13- 5:6. These verses are Paul's description of the Second Coming of Christ. Paul makes it clear that when Jesus returns the dead believers will be raised first and those still alive will be caught up with them. Pastor takes a deeper look at the original Greek text of the word Jesus uses for our translated word "taken." For the "taken" Jesus uses here, the word is paralambanō which means to be taken to one's side, to receive to one's self. It is a positive and affectionate word. It's the picture of the Bridegroom taking His bride (His people) to Himself. In our day it is like Noah's day and Jesus' day where people are just going on like normal and ignoring God or not paying attention to Him or His Word. But Jesus speaks a word of warning to those not listening and a word of encouragement to believers. In verse 42 He says, "Therefore keep watch!" The greek text for "keep watch" is the word grēgoreō and it means to keep awake! And to be ready for Christ's return! In closing, Pastor shares a saying he once heard: "Live as though Christ died yesterday, arose this morning and is coming again tomorrow!" Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. View live or on demand: https://www.awakeusnow.com/tuesday-bible-class For more check out the series, "What's the Answer" https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.
I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 10th of March, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Gospel of Luke 24:51:”… while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.” Then we go to Acts 1:11:“…Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Then the last scripture is Hebrews 12:1:”Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,…” Jesus is coming back again! Oh Lord, we can't wait. Today would not be soon enough. He's coming back the same way He left. He left from the top of the Mount of Olives just outside Jerusalem. He said He's coming back again to fetch you and me. Oh Granny, keep strong! Oh, Grandad, keep your eyes lifted up! Young man, young lady just keep running the race! That is the way we are going to finish this race.I am what you call a cloud watcher. Every day when I get up, and I look at those magnificent clouds building up, I say, ”Lord, is it today?” He's coming back the same way He left. He's coming back from heaven to earth in the clouds to come and to fetch you and me and to take us home to be with Him in glory, but until that time, you and I have to keep on running this race. Keep on looking up, opening our eyes and thanking Jesus for every single opportunity every day we have to sow good seed because He's coming back, as He promised, to take us home to be with Him in paradise.So today, remember, if Christ is for us, who can possibly stand against us. Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day.Goodbye.
Happy March 9th! (Or whatever day it is, because time is a construct). We kick off the episode by discussing our nighttime routines. Mike shares how he and Sam wind down with Wordle and Connections, while trying to read The Chronicles of Narnia instead of endlessly scrolling TikTok. We also preview an upcoming boys' ski trip where Mike and Dan will try to survive the slopes before the spring weather and Boston Marathon season officially take over.Then, we dive into the high-stakes anxiety of grocery shopping. Erin's fear of doing the "wrong thing" reached new heights when she accidentally left a gourmet jar of olives in her reusable bag.In our massive Winter Paralympics preview, we discuss the badass sport of biathlon (they ski with guns on their backs!), para snowboard drama with Brenna Huckaby. We also check in with our favorite "Dark Horse Dani" (Dani Aravich), who sends us an update from the Italian Dolomites about infuriating the locals by eating daily gelato in the winter just to gain weight for her races.Finally, we break down a bizarre niche internet rabbit hole: a TikTok creator who hires entertainers—like magicians, clowns, and a Tom Cruise impersonator—to perform exclusively for him in his empty house, which recently resulted in an accidental therapy session with a motivational speaker. We wrap it all up with a wholesome "No Bad, No Sad" story about a mystery fan putting up a giant billboard dedicated to Al Roker, and Al's delightfully coy reaction to his very own monument.
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives: Luke 22:39-46 "And He came out, and went, as He was wont, to the mount of Olives; and His disciples also followed Him. And when He was at the place, He said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when He rose up from prayer, and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? Rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."
Welcome to Day 2810 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2810 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 118:1-9 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2810 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2810 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 Eternal Refuge – Stepping into the Wide-Open Spaces In our previous trek, we stood on the mountaintop of Psalm One Hundred Seventeen. We explored the shortest chapter in the entire Bible, and yet, we saw how it held the largest possible stage. It was a cosmic megaphone, calling all the disinherited nations, and all the diverse people groups of the earth, to return to their Creator. It reminded us that God's unfailing love is a prevailing flood, capable of washing over every cultural and geographical boundary. Today, we take our next momentous step. We are crossing the threshold into Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, and we will be focusing our attention on the first movement of this incredible song, covering verses one through nine, in the New Living Translation. This is a milestone moment in our journey. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen is the grand finale, the sweeping crescendo, of the Egyptian Hallel. This is the very last of the Passover psalms. When you picture Jesus and His disciples in the Upper Room, finishing the Last Supper, the Gospel of Matthew tells us that they sang a hymn before heading out to the Mount of Olives. This was that hymn. These were the very words that filled the mind of the Messiah, as He walked deliberately toward the darkness of Gethsemane, and the agony of the cross. As we read this psalm, we hear the sound of a massive, festive procession. We hear a worship leader crying out to the congregation, and we hear a deeply personal testimony of a leader who was surrounded by enemies, yet rescued by the overwhelming power of Yahweh. So, let us join the procession, and listen to the opening chorus. The first segment is: The Chorus of Unfailing Love. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen: verses one through four. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Let all Israel repeat: "His faithful love endures forever." Let Aaron's descendants, the priests, repeat: "His faithful love endures forever." Let all who fear the Lord repeat: "His faithful love endures forever." The psalm erupts with a joyful, booming command: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!" But this is not just a solo performance. The worship leader is actively conducting a massive, multi-part choir, stationed within the temple courts. He calls out to three specific, distinct groups, demanding that they lift their voices and repeat the core thesis of the entire biblical narrative: "His faithful love endures forever." If this grouping sounds familiar, it should! We saw this exact same three-part division back in Psalm One Hundred Fifteen. First, the leader calls out to all Israel. These are the covenant people, the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are the ones who experienced the Exodus, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of manna in the wilderness. They, of all people, have the historical evidence to shout that God's faithful love endures. Next, he turns to Aaron's descendants, the priests. These are the spiritual leaders, the men who mediated between the holy God and the flawed nation. They worked the sacrifices; they saw the blood on the altar. They understood, intimately, the cost of forgiveness. They are commanded to publicly declare that the sacrificial system is upheld not by mechanics, but by God's enduring love. Finally, the leader casts a wide net to all who fear the Lord. This encompasses the Gentile converts, the foreigners, and the strangers from those diverse nations we talked about in Psalm One Hundred Seventeen. God's love is not geographically restricted. If you fear Yahweh, if you revere the Creator of the universe, you are invited into the choir. You are given a voice in the congregation. And what is the lyric they are all singing? It is the Hebrew word Hesed. This is God's loyal, stubborn, covenant-keeping affection. It is a love that does not quit when we fail. It is a love that outlasts empires, survives the darkness of the grave, and, as the psalm says, "endures forever." When Jesus walked toward the cross, He was holding onto this exact promise. The physical pain would be temporary, but the Hesed of the Father would be eternal. The second segment is: The Cry from the Narrow Place. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen: verse five. In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. Suddenly, the perspective shifts. The sweeping, panoramic view of the massive choir fades into the background, and a single, solitary voice steps up to the microphone. The worship leader—perhaps the King, or perhaps a representation of the Messiah—shares a deeply personal testimony. "In my distress, I prayed to the Lord." The Hebrew word translated as "distress" is metsar. It literally means a narrow, tight, or constricted place. It paints a vivid, suffocating picture. Have you ever felt trapped? Have you ever felt like the walls of your life—your finances, your health, your relationships—were closing in on you, squeezing the very breath out of your lungs? That is the metsar. It is the spiritual claustrophobia of a crisis. The psalmist was pushed into a corner with no human escape route. But in that tight, suffocating space, he did the only thing left to do. He prayed. He cried out to Yahweh. And the response of God is breathtaking: "The Lord answered me and set me free." The literal Hebrew translation is incredibly poetic. It says, "The Lord answered me in a broad place," or "in a spacious place." God did not just pluck him out of the tight squeeze; God completely changed his environment. He moved him from the suffocating, narrow gorge of distress, and planted his feet in a wide, expansive, sunlit meadow of freedom. This is what Yahweh does. He takes our claustrophobic anxieties and replaces them with the wide-open spaces of His grace. He gives us room to breathe again. The third segment is: The Fearless Stance of the Redeemed. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen: verses six through seven. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me. Because the psalmist has experienced this miraculous transfer from the narrow place to the spacious place, his entire psychological posture has changed. He stands tall, squares his shoulders, and makes a bold, defiant declaration: "The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear." This is the ultimate antidote to anxiety. If the Maker of heaven and earth, the Commander of the Divine Council, is actively standing on your side, fear becomes logically obsolete. He asks a rhetorical question: "What can mere people do to me?" When we look at this through the lens of the Ancient Israelite worldview, we understand that "mere people" are often pawns. Behind hostile human armies and corrupt human politicians, there are often dark, rebellious spiritual forces at work. The psalmist knows that he is not just fighting flesh and blood. But even so, if the Most High God—the uncreated Creator—is his helper, then the rebel gods and their human puppets are entirely powerless to change his eternal destiny. "What can mere people do to me?" They might insult me. They might steal my property. They might even, as Jesus knew, destroy my physical body. But they cannot touch my soul, and they cannot alter the enduring, forever nature of God's Hesed toward me. He repeats the truth to let it sink in deep: "Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me." The word for "help" here means to actively assist in battle. God is not a passive observer; He is a fellow warrior in the trenches. Because of this divine alliance, the psalmist is certain of the outcome: "I will look in triumph at those who hate me." He doesn't say he will seek bitter, petty revenge. He says he will look in triumph. He will stand in the wide-open space of God's deliverance, and he will see the hostile, chaotic forces of his enemies completely neutralized. The Fourth Segment is: The Superiority of the Divine Refuge. Psalm One Hundred Eighteen: verses eight through nine. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the...
Like many fruiting orchard crops, olives benefit from boron fertilization. Elizabeth Fichtner (UCCE Tulare County) goes over how olives benefit from fertilization, as well as how to manage boron in olive orchards. You can sign up for the Rice Production Workshop here. Find out more about upcoming meetings in the San Joaquin Valley (scroll to the bottom) and the Sacramento Valley. Mention of pesticide use does not constitute a pesticide recommendation. Always follow the pesticide label. Find out more at ipm.ucanr.edu/. Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music.The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
Islington Baptist is a church for the Islington and wider Newcastle community sharing the life-changing message of Jesus. Our sermon / Bible teaching is a central part of our gatherings.Matt24:1-351 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!' or, ‘There he is!' do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,' do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.29 “Immediately after the distress of those days“‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'30 “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. 31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Luke 22:31-34, 39-46, 54-6231“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”39And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”54Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62And he went out and wept bitterly.
This Sunday, as we continue in Mark 14:27–42, we explore Jesus and His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. After the Last Supper, where Jesus established the New Covenant meal and predicted His betrayal, they travel to the Mount of Olives. There, Jesus openly states that all His disciples will fall away when He, the Good Shepherd, is struck—fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy—but He quickly promises that after His resurrection, He will go ahead of them to Galilee. Their weakness and failure cannot prevent the coming Kingdom. Still, Peter and the other disciples deny Jesus' words. First Peter, then all the disciples, insist they will never abandon Him, though Jesus knows their weakness better than they do. In the garden, Jesus is deeply distressed, facing the cup of divine wrath for sin that no one else could bear. Meanwhile, the disciples repeatedly fall asleep, unable to watch and pray for even an hour. Jesus returns to them three times, gently revealing their weakness and urging them to watch and pray to avoid temptation. Jesus teaches a vital gospel truth often forgotten: our complete dependence on Christ for salvation is also essential for living the Christian life. We are not strong enough to obey, resist temptation, or grow in holiness on our own. Jesus alone obeyed perfectly through dependent submission to the Father, drinking the cup we deserved, so we can daily rely on Him with cries of “Not my will, but Yours be done.” The growing Christian life is not the one with the greatest resolve or determination; it is the one that is most dependent. His command to watch and pray acknowledges that, although our spirit may be willing, our flesh is weak. I. Jesus Knows Our Weakness Better Than We (27-31) II. Jesus Suffered In Dependent Obedience in Our Place (32-36) III. Jesus Commands Dependence In Our Weakness (37-41)
Three middle-aged, gay men, each with their reasons for starting over, share a house in a small, rural town in Andalucia.Learning to adjust and adapt to new housemates is a hard trick for these old dogs to learn, and things do not go smoothly. But a sensational murder in their adopted town soon brings the men together.The death of a migrant worker in the olive fields has the whole town on tenterhooks, and our three heroes become consumed with the desire to solve the mystery.“Death Among the Olives,” is a comic play set in a picturesque region of Southern Spain, renowned for its undulating olive groves and medieval castles.It's like "The Golden Girls" meets "Murder, She Wrote", but with men; and set in SpainCASTJohn Kennard as ColinPavel Douglas as JackIvan Wilkinson as VictorJudit Cebollada Val as Nazaret/RemediosLuis Alberto Martin as Juan Antonio, the shop keeper, waiterLorenzo Simpson as Babacar/Moussa-OumarOlajide Popoola as Abdou and Buba SowNaomi Rohatyn as Doña LourdesStephanie Terrero as the mother superiorMUSICNaranjas en diciembre by VendlaRumblas de Rambla by Los Principes del FlamencoA Sombre View - Andres CantuSpanish Heat by Jonathan BondessonWritten and produced by Olivier BosmanAudio Mystery Theatre websiteko-fi.com/audiomysterytheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Photo: I took this photo standing on the Mount of Olives year 2011 under is it Jewish graves.
This week's sermon from Mark 13 is unpacked by Mark Carey with Mark Francis and guest Drew Sanford, as they discuss how we can have confident hope in the Lord by knowing what Jesus shared with his disciples on the Mount of Olives just before His death and resurrection. Listen to the sermon we're talking about: fbcva.org/current-sermon-series or fbcva.org/podcastsBe a part of the conversation by submitting your thoughts and questions: fbcva.org/sermon-spotlight-podcastWatch this episode and subscribe on YouTube: @fellowshipbiblechurchvaFind out more about Fellowship Bible Church: fbcva.orgSubscribe to emails from Fellowship: fbcva.org/subscribeEngage with us:Facebook: facebook.com/groups/fellowshipfamInstagram: instagram.com/fellowshipbiblechurch/ #SermonSpotlight #FellowshipBibleChurch #FBCVA #Mark13 #BibleTeaching #ChristianPodcast #FaithInEverydayLife #Discipleship #FollowingJesus
Photo: standing on The Mount of Olives and took picture of Jerusalem in year 2011, never knew I should come back 3 times more
Luke 23:26-34 The Crucifixion 26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. 27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. 28 But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,' and to the hills, ‘Cover us.' 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Signs of the End of the Age 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.10 And then many will fall away[a] and betray one another and hate one another.11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Introduction: A Series on The Seven Sayings from the Cross Text Background The Depth of Human Sin The Intercessory Heart of Christ The Theology of Forgiveness The Personal Application The Ongoing Intercession of Christ Conclusion
Three middle-aged, gay men, each with their reasons for starting over, share a house in a small, rural town in Andalucia.Learning to adjust and adapt to new housemates is a hard trick for these old dogs to learn, and things do not go smoothly. But a sensational murder in their adopted town soon brings the men together.The death of a migrant worker in the olive fields has the whole town on tenterhooks, and our three heroes become consumed with the desire to solve the mystery.“Death Among the Olives,” is a comic play set in a picturesque region of Southern Spain, renowned for its undulating olive groves and medieval castles.It's like "The Golden Girls" meets "Murder, She Wrote", but with men; and set in SpainCASTJohn Kennard as ColinPavel Douglas as JackIvan Wilkinson as VictorNaomi Rohatyn as Doña LourdesLuis Alberto Martin as DomingoJudit Cebollada Val as LuciaMUSICNaranjas en diciembre by VendlaFor Chamela by Will HarrisonI'm on the Move by John Runefelt featuring Sybill ShanellWritten and produced by Olivier BosmanAudio Mystery Theatre websiteko-fi.com/audiomysterytheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Trial Begins – Today is the first Sunday of Lent, and through these 40 days we move toward the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus and Easter. The scripture for today is from Luke and is a scene after the last Passover meal Jesus had with his disciples, and he has gone to the Mount of Olives to pray. Knowing what was to come (trial, conviction, crucifixion), he was in fear, and he prayed that it be lifted from him, but also that God's will be done. That he was fearful demonstrated his humanity. In the scene, after his prayer, an angel appears to him to strengthen him. Carol wonders if the angel doesn't represent the Holy Spirit. After this, Jesus warns his disciples to prepare for what is coming. We, too, in times of stress and pressure need to follow the directions of Jesus and remember that the third day will come.
Episode Description: How quickly do you judge someone when you first meet them?
Matthew 24:1-14 24 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”Signs of the End of the Age3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.10 And then many will fall away[a] and betray one another and hate one another.11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Introduction: Why This Passage Matters TodayHistorical Background (Matthew 24:1–3)The First and Greatest Warning: Do Not Be Deceived (Matthew 24:4–5)Wars and Rumors of Wars: Do Not Be Alarmed (Matthew 24:6–7)Famines and Earthquakes: The Meaning of Birth Pains (Matthew 24:7–8)Pressure on Believers (Matthew 24:9–10)Gospel Advance in the Midst of Chaos (Matthew 24:14) Endurance, Not Panic (Matthew 24:13) Application: How Jesus Calls Us to Live Conclusion
The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021526.cfmFresh from a visit to the Holy Land, Fr. Chris Alar, MIC reflects on standing atop the Mount of Olives, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, walking the Via Dolorosa, and entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—the very places where Christ taught, suffered, and redeemed us.Looking out over Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, he recalls how Jesus wept over the city. Why? Because people would not receive His teaching.The Sermon on the Mount is not a suggestion. It is a way of life. Jesus, the New Moses, does not merely interpret the law—He fulfills and perfects it. When He says to “cut off” what leads you to sin, He speaks in holy urgency. Sin has consequences. Grace is free—but it must be received and cooperated with.Father Chris tackles misunderstood teachings head-on: • Why Catholics read Scripture as literally true—but not literalist. • What Jesus' words reveal about purgatory and accountability. • Why annulment is not a “Catholic divorce,” but a declaration about sacramental validity. • Why the Sacraments are our sure path to grace and salvation.He also pleads for prayers—prayers for persecuted Christians in the Holy Land, and for his dear friend Giuseppe recovering from a stroke. When the Church teaches clearly, it is not to restrict us, but to save us.Christ wept over Jerusalem. May we not ignore His voice today. ★ Support this podcast ★
Three middle-aged, gay men, each with their reasons for starting over, share a house in a small, rural town in Andalucia.Learning to adjust and adapt to new housemates is a hard trick for these old dogs to learn, and things do not go smoothly. But a sensational murder in their adopted town soon brings the men together.The death of a migrant worker in the olive fields has the whole town on tenterhooks, and our three heroes become consumed with the desire to solve the mystery.“Death Among the Olives,” is a comic play set in a picturesque region of Southern Spain, renowned for its undulating olive groves and medieval castles.It's like "The Golden Girls" meets "Murder, She Wrote", but with men; and set in SpainCASTJohn Kennard as ColinPavel Douglas as JackIvan Wilkinson as VictorJudit Cebollada Val as the nurseLuis Alberto Martin as the policemanLorenzo Simpson as Babacar/MoussaOlajide Popoola as AbdouNaomi Rohatyn as Doña LourdesJudit Cebollada Val and Stephanie Terrero as the women in the shopMUSICNaranjas en diciembre by VendlaRumblas de Rambla by Los Principes del FlamencoThey Run by Jose BarriosSpanish Heat by Jonathan BondessonWritten and produced by Olivier BosmanAudio Mystery Theatre websiteko-fi.com/audiomysterytheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode explores the laws of extracting liquids on Shabbos, focusing on the distinction between different food categories. Olives and grapes are most restricted because they are primarily grown for juice, while most other fruits are generally permitted to squeeze unless commonly used for juicing in a given locale. A key principle is the difference between a food's natural internal moisture (considered part of the food) and externally absorbed liquids from cooking or pickling, which are more restricted.The discussion then shifts from fruits and vegetables to fish, where squeezing out absorbed external liquid is prohibited, but natural internal moisture may be permitted. The podcast continues with the laws of crushing snow and ice: actively crushing to produce water is rabbinically prohibited, but allowing ice or snow to melt on its own—especially when placed into an existing drink—is permitted. Practical extensions include hand-washing with soap, use of liquid soap, breaking surface ice to access water, walking on snow, and handling salt water mixtures. The episode emphasizes intent, direct action versus indirect results, and rabbinic safeguards designed to prevent squeezing produce for drinkable juice.
Megyn Kelley reaction to Bad Bunny show // Storytime ft. Jacob! // SCENARIOS
February 9, 2026 Hello and Happy Day! This is Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, Novelist and Life Coach, welcoming you to another episode of Winning with the Word. Today is Monday, February 9, 2026, and this is episode #2 in Series 2026. This episode is titled, “The Great Deception.” Some of you may know that I am an author as well as a blogger. Recently in the publishing world, writers have reported a phenomenal increase in fraudulent offers promising wealth and fame for varying amounts of money. I myself have received several of these offers. All of them were generated by people using Artificial Intelligence. All of these offers were deceptive. Deception has taken over the world. But to the Christ-follower, this is not a surprise. Jesus Himself predicted that deception would abound in the last days. While Jesus was on the Mount of Olives with His disciples one day, they asked Him what would be the signs of the last days. Listen to His reply, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 24, verse 4. Jesus said, “Take heed that no one deceives you.” I find it quite interesting that the very first sign of the last days that Jesus mentioned was deception. He warned His disciples not to be deceived. In other words, Jesus foretold that deception would be the major signpost of the closing age of human history. In case you don’t know, my friend, we are living in that closing age today, and, just as Jesus predicted, deception is rampant. Fake videos depict fake images of celebrities speaking things they never said. These fakes, called deepfakes, clone human voices, alter human faces, and change written content to serve purposes that are deceptive, if not downright sinister. It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between the truth and the lie. So, what are we to do? Let me answer by telling you a story. Years ago, I spoke with a friend of the family who was an executive at a local bank. I asked him how bank tellers recognize counterfeit money. His response surprised me. He said that in their training program, bank tellers never handle counterfeit money. They handle only real money. And they handle real money so well and so thoroughly that when a counterfeit bill passes through their hands, they immediately recognize it as counterfeit. Bottomline, the bank tellers first had to recognize real money in order to recognize counterfeit money. They had to know the truth in order to recognize the lie. The same principle applies regarding deception. In order for us to recognize deception—or the counterfeit to the truth—we first need to be able to know and recognize the truth. The problem is that today, few people know the truth, although most think they do. You may be asking, “So, Dr. MaryAnn, what is the truth?” Contrary to popular opinion, the truth is a Person, and His Name is Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 6, Jesus made this profound statement: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus identified Himself as the Truth. From this it logically follows that to know the Truth, one must know Jesus, and unless one knows Jesus, one cannot know the Truth. Sadly, most of the world today does not know Jesus. Hence, they do not know the Truth. When one does not know the Truth, one ends up, by default, believing and embracing the Lie. The Lie is what Satan peddles in order to steal, kill, and destroy you. When one believes the Lie, one loses his ability to think straight. The Bible tells us as much in Romans 1: 28: “. . . since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind . . . .” A debased mind is a mind that has lost its ability to think logically and truthfully. A mind that easily succumbs to deception. “Well,” you might say, “I have my truth. You have yours. What’s the problem?” Consider this. Suppose you hired two men to build you a tool shed. One man believed that a foot was twelve inches long while the other man believed that a foot was nine inches long. Each man was adamant that he was right. Do you think they’d get very far in building your shed? Moreover, logically speaking, both of the men could not be right. If you yourself did not know for sure that a foot consists of twelve inches, you wouldn’t know which man was right. You would not be able to determine who was telling the truth and who was not. Building a shed may not be a life-or-death matter, but knowing the truth is a life-or-death matter when it comes to your eternal destiny. For if you do not know the truth about what happens after death, you could spend forever in Hell instead of Heaven. So, “What is the Truth?” Simply put, the Truth is what God has said it is. And what God has said is the Truth is found in the Bible. Plain and simple. Because God alone is God, He alone has the right, the authority, and the wisdom to determine what is true and what is not true. We humans do not have that right. Nor do we have the authority and the wisdom to determine what is true and what is not true because we are not as smart as God. He is the Creator; we are the created ones. The created ones are not smarter than the One who created them. Now, most people don’t want to hear this. Why? Because they don’t want to be subject to a higher authority than themselves. Most people don’t want anyone telling them what truth is because most people don’t want anyone telling them what to do. Most people want to make up their own rules and live by them. Why? Because they want to continue in their sin. They want to set their own standards for right and wrong so that when they do wrong, they won’t feel guilty and condemned. But God has set the standards for right and wrong, and those standards will never change, no matter how much man tampers with them. Why won’t they ever change? Because they are the Truth, and Truth never changes. You see, my friend, we can reject the Truth, we can rebel against the Truth, we can mock the Truth, but we can never change the Truth. A foot will always equal twelve inches. Two plus two will always equal four. Good will always win out over evil. And Truth will always overcome the Lie. You can try to change this until you are blue in the face, but it will never work. Oh, it may look as though it’s working for a while, but in the end, Truth will overpower the Lie because God, Who is Truth, is more powerful than Satan, who is the Lie. Perhaps you’ve been living in your own self-made concept of truth. How is that working for you? You may say, “It’s working great.” But, friend, I will tell you that one day, you will discover it no longer works. At some point, the foundation of your life will crumble because it is built on a lie. Only a life built on the Truth will last. Only a life built on Jesus Christ will bring you true life. If you have never had an encounter with Jesus Christ, Truth Himself, I invite you to meet Him now. Pray this simple prayer with me: Lord Jesus, I want to know You because I want to know Truth. I’ve been living a lie, and it has gotten me into places where I don’t want to be. So I choose now to turn away from the lie and to embrace You. I invite You into my life and receive You as Truth, as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Thank You for revealing to me that You are Truth. In Your Name I pray. Amen. If you sincerely prayed this prayer from your heart, you are now a born-again child of God. Welcome to the Family of God! Write to me at drmaryann@maryanndiorio.com, and I will send you a free PDF e-booklet titled After You're Born Again. In case you are not aware, I write heart-mending fiction that deals with the deepest issues of life. In my stories, you will find characters just like you who struggle with what seem like impossible problems and situations. Check out my books at my online bookstore at https://maryanndiorio.com/bookstore. That's https://maryanndiorio.com/bookstore.My featured book for this week is a story about the overcoming power of truth titled In Black and White. It is the love story of a young white woman and a young black man trying to sustain their love in the whirlwind of racism, prejudice, and family tradition. First Place Winner in Historical Fiction in the 2020 Christian Indie Book Awards Contest, In Black and White reveals the power of truth in overcoming the lie. Get your copy at one of the links in the show notes. Winning with the Word is available on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast venues as well as on YouTube. Check out my YouTube channel at youtube.com/drmaryanndiorio. Until next time, remember that God loves you just as you are and just where you are. Yet He doesn't want to keep you there. As you live in Him, He will help you to keep on winning with the Word.________________________________ Copyright 2026 by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD. All Rights Reserved. Featured Book for This Week:IN BLACK AND WHITE – A Gripping Christian Historical Romance First Place Winner in Historical Fiction – 2020 Christian Indie Awards A Forbidden Love. A Divided World. A Redeeming God. In Black and White is a poignant and powerful Christian historical romance that dares to explore the depth of love between two souls separated by culture, color, and the crushing weight of racial prejudice. Set against the backdrop of academic life and ancestral heritage, this award-winning novel weaves faith, endurance, and restoration into a story that transcends time and speaks to the heart of humanity's greatest struggles—and God's greatest triumphs. 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Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? ...Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know, (Jeremiah 32.27, 33.3, NKJV). The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah whilst he was shut up in prison, ‘Thus saith the Lord, the Maker – that formed Heaven and earth – to establish it, “Call unto Me and I will answer!”' Come on! So many pray in doubt… Remember how amazed the disciples were when Jesus cursed the fig tree and it died from the root? Jesus explained to them in Mark 11.22-24, “If you will speak to this mountain (the Mount of Olives) and command it to be cast down into the sea (the Dead Sea), if you speak it and believe in your heart without doubt, what you say will be done!” It's time today, in the 21st century that we believed that God will honour His Word and do what He says!
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Sermon Notes: John 1:19-34 (I Am Not, but He Is) Please turn to the Gospel of John, chapter 1. We'll be considering verses 19-34 this morning. As you are turning there, let me say that the Gospel of John is a beautiful literary work. Greek scholars marvel at its elegance. Its words are simple, yet it has a depth of poetic beauty in how its themes are interwoven. And because of that, the Gospel of John speaks to both those with little or no background in the Christian faith as well as to those who have studied the Scriptures their whole lives. · On one level, the apostle John makes clear who Jesus is, what he has done, and why it matters. · And on another level, we are given profound theological insights in a rich literary form. We'll continue to see that as we work our way through the book. As I read, you will hear about John in these verses. This is referring to John the Baptist, not the apostle. Reading of John 1:19-34. Back in first grade, I was asked to give the opening comments for our first-grade play. That involved standing in front of the big curtain. I had a script which welcomed everyone, thanked the teachers, and gave a brief highlight of what they were about to see. The drama teacher told me multiple times to talk slowly and to keep my hands out of my pockets. Which of course, I forgot to do. But nonetheless, I did my part, and then the curtain opened and the play began. Well, the opening 18 verses of John's Gospel are like the prologue to a play. They set the stage for what is to come. We're given the book's background and themes and we're introduced to the main character. As we've studied, verses 1-18 speak of Christ's divine nature as creator and as the light of the world. We were also introduced to John the Baptist who bore witness to the light. We were told of what it means to believe. And then last week, we learned that the Word of God has come to us in the flesh, in the person of Jesus. And when he came, God displayed his glory and grace. All of that was introductory. And as we now get to verse 19, the curtain opens. We don't just hear about Jesus, but we are given story after story of his life and ministry. To say it in another way, verses 1-18 are the theological treatise for the book… and verses 19 to the very end are the historical witness of the book. John makes the upfront argument that Jesus is God in the flesh and that salvation is found in him, and then from verse 19 on, he shows us that this is true by showing us Jesus' life and ministry. Speaking of a prologue, that was my prologue for this sermon. Two points this morning. You can see them in your bulletin. Point number 1: I am not …and point number 2: But he is I am not, but he is. John the Baptist very clearly states that he is not the Christ, but he, that is Jesus, is. 1. I Am Not So, #1. I am not. Let me begin with a little context. It mentions here that John the Baptist was in the town of Bethany… specifically it's just beyond the Jordan River. This is a different town than the other Bethany which was near Jerusalem just over the Mount of Olives. This one was much farther away. It would have taken a day or two to travel there by foot. And in Bethany, John had attracted a crowd and a following. And one of the things he was doing was baptizing. Well, despite the distance, that caused a stir in Jerusalem. News reached the ears of the Jewish leaders, and so, as we read, they sent a delegate. They had two main questions: who are you? (verse 19) and why are you baptizing (verse 25)? John does answer both questions, but he does it in a way that redirects them away from himself and to Christ. I learned something interesting this week. There are people today who believe that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet. They not only venerate John the Baptist, you know, worship him in a way… but they also reject Jesus as the Messiah. Now, it's a relatively small group, several thousand. They live on the border of modern day Iraq and Iran. Their recorded history goes back to the 300s, so they've been around a while. And it's very possible that their roots go all the way back to the 1st century when this book was written. You see, one reason why the apostle John writes these things, is to make absolutely clear (1) who John the Baptist was and wasn't and (2) who Jesus is. And he quotes John the Baptist's words. · He was not the prophet Elijah. Yes, he came in the spirit of Elijah – but he was not Elijah in the flesh. The Jews expected Elijah to return. · He also makes clear that he was not “the prophet.” That is likely a reference to Moses or even the greater Prophet who was to come after Moses, namely Christ. John denies that as well. But most importantly, in verse 20 – he states unequivocally that he is not the Christ. He is not the promised Savior who was to come. In the Greek, it's the phrase “ἐγὼ οὐκ εἰμὶ ὁ χριστός.” I am not the Christ. By the way, “ἐγὼ εἰμὶ” in the Greek is the phrase “I am.” It's the same Greek words that Jesus used in his “I am” statements throughout the book. I am the light of the world. I am the vine. I am the great shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, etc. And so when John the Baptist says he is not the Christ, it is in part setting up the rest of the narrative in the book. Who is Jesus? He is the Christ - the promised Savior. A few years ago, a friend of mine passed away. He had a sudden heart attack. He was a single guy in his 40s, so he wasn't that old. Vocationally he was a nurse, but interestingly he had also been to seminary. He was a great guy. He loved to participate in ministry and mission work including medical missions. He also had a great Scottish accent. He was originally from the Isle of Skye. As one of his pastors I went to the funeral home shortly after they received his body. I was there with a close friend of his. And I learned something about him that I didn't know before. On his chest, he had a tatoo. It was a Greek phrase. “ἐγὼ οὐκ εἰμὶ ὁ χριστός.” I am not the Christ. You see, he had been so moved by this verse in John 1, that he wanted to remind himself each day in the mirror who he was not and to whom he should direct people. He was not the Christ… he was not his own savior nor a savior for others, but he had a savior who has come. That is what John the Baptist was doing in these verses. He was redirecting people away from himself and to Jesus. I count 6 times in these verses where John redirects people away from himself and to Christ. No, I am not him but let me tell you and show you who he is. A couple of examples are found in his further answers to the delegation. By the way, they were very persistent, as we read. They asked him, ok, then if you are not Elijah nor the prophet nor Christ, then who are you and why are you baptizing? · First, John answers who he was. He quotes the prophet Isaiah. He says, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,'” You see, Isaiah had prophesied that one would come. This prophet's very purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah. John was saying that he is that one. His whole ministry was to direct people to Christ. It was to prepare the people for the arrival of the Lord. · And second, John answered why he was baptizing. His answer also revealed Christ. Verse 31 makes that clear. John said, “I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed to Israel.” Here's what that means. John's baptism was about calling people to repentance and warning them about judgment. The water symbolized the cleansing that they needed. It showed them that they needed God to truly cleanse them… and it reminded them that a Savior was promised who would bear their judgment. By the way, this is why we don't connect John's baptism with the baptism that Jesus established. · #1, John's baptism was a ceremonial cleansings from the old covenant. That's why the delegate was asking him why he was baptizing since he was not Elijah nor the prophet. · #2. John's baptism was not done in the name of Jesus nor the Trinity as Jesus directed. It was very different. · #3 …perhaps the clearest reason. In the book of Acts, chapter 19, some of John the Baptists disciples were living in Ephesus. They had only been baptized into John's baptism. The apostle Paul explained to them that John's baptism was only a baptism of repentance. So, John's disciples were then baptized into Jesus' baptism – that is, into the new covenant baptism in Jesus' name. To say it again, John's baptism was to prepare the people's hearts for the coming of Christ. They needed to see their need for a Savior and repent. Ok, to summarize main point #1: John's identity in these verses is directly related to Christ, both in the negative and the positive. The negative - I am not him. And the positive - the very purpose of my life is to point people to him. And point to him, he does. 2. But He Is Which bring us to #2. But He Is John is not the Christ, as he says, and implicit in that statement is that the one to whom John directs people is the Christ. Look at verse 29. This is a new subsection. We read that it's now the very next day. The previous day, John had been answering the delegation about who he was not and that his purpose was to direct people to the Lord. But now, Jesus has come to John. And with absolute clarity, John gives witness to who Jesus is. Look how John describes Jesus in 29. He says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Remember, the apostle John's primary audience was Jewish. When they read or heard this, they would have no questions about its meaning. Jesus is identified as the sacrificial lamb, whom God sent to atone for the sin of the world. Sacrificing lambs had been part of their annual Passover celebration. Back when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, the very last command that God gave them was to sacrifice a lamb. They were to put its blood over their doorpost. And if they did that, the angel of death would pass over them and spare their firstborn. And the angel did spare them. But the Egyptians were not spared. And so Pharaoh released the Israelites from their bondage. Every year they were to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt by sacrificing a lamb. It was both a remembrance of God's deliverance out of Egypt, and a foreshadowing of the deliverance from sin that God would accomplish for them through the Messiah. So here, John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is that sacrificial Lamb – He's the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world… Now, you may be asking, Why is a Lamb of God needed? Why a sacrifice? That is a critical question. As we work our way through the book, the answer will become clear. But in the meantime, let me try to briefly answer. You see, in the heart of each and every human is a rebellion against God and against our fellow man. We see and experience this every day. We see and experience deceit, and anger, and betrayal. Evil exists in many forms – oppression, rape, and murder. And truthfully, if we just search our own hearts, we know our own selfishness and bitterness and desires for that which is not ours. All of those things fall under Scripture's category of sin. Over the years, I've had conversations with friends and family about the truth of Christianity. They've brought up good questions. For example, they've asked, if God really exists or if Christianity is really true, then why is there so much evil in the world. It's a very important question. I've usually respond that Christianity's view of the world includes a very clear understanding of evil and sin. I believe Christianity is true, in part, because it answers the questions of evil… it answers other life questions as well like meaning and morality and existence… including the difficult things in life and our rebellious hearts. Sometimes that will be followed up with the question. But if God is as you say he is, then why doesn't he do anything about it? About the evil and sin… He has. He's sent a Lamb. And that Lamb is Christ, and as John the Baptist says in verse 34, he is the Son of God. He sacrificed himself to deliver us not from the bondage of Egypt, but from the bondage of sin and the corruption of the world. The reason that a sacrifice was necessary goes all the way back to the beginning of the Bible. The very first command that God gave was to not eat of that which was forbidden. And the consequence of doing so was death. We cannot escape the consequences of sin. Those consequences include death and separation from God and his judgment. But God sent his Lamb to be sacrificed on our behalf. As the author of Hebrews puts it, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. And so, when John sees Jesus, he calls him the Lamb of God and as the Son of God. John furthermore testifies that even though he came before Jesus, yet Jesus ranked before him because Jesus was before him. John had said earlier that he was not even worthy to untie Jesus' sandals. That was one of the most lowly of jobs reserved for a servant. John was saying that he wasn't even worthy to do that. Jesus' worthiness so far exceeds our unworthiness. Yet he has come to us. Let me note one more thing about John's testimony. These verses say that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, but Jesus' baptism is a baptism of the heart. By the way, this is talking about true baptism – not the outward sign like you saw earlier this morning, but baptism of the heart when we receive the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ. And the reason that we can receive the Spirit of God from Christ, is because God's Spirit remains on Christ. Did you notice that phrase used twice? The Holy Spirit descended and remained on him. It indicates God the Father anointing Jesus as King. In the Old Testament, God's Spirit would rest upon God's anointed kings. But God's Spirt would leave when that King departed from God's way, like he did for King Saul. That is why King David prayed in Psalm 51, Lord, take not your Holy Spirit from me. In other words, do not remove your hand of Spiritual blessing on my kingship. May your Spirit remain on me as king of your people despite my sin. By the way, this Holy Spirit anointing of kings is different from the Spirit's work in the hearts of believers… old and new. I just want to be clear about that. What John the Baptist was witnessing in verses 32-34 was God the Father anointing his Son through his Spirit. When it says that God's Spirit remained on Jesus, it was indicating Jesus' eternal kingship. Next week we'll see that title King given to him. And let me mention one more thing about chapter 1. Every single title for Jesus in the entire book of John is introduced in chapter 1. Jesus is the Word of God. He is Christ, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Messiah, He is Rabbi (which means Teacher), King of Israel, and the Son of Man. Some of those we'll come across next week. In other words, this whole chapter bears witness to who Jesus is. Besides John the Baptist and the apostle John, God the Father and the Holy Spirit also bear witness to him. He is the Christ - Lamb of God and Son of God who takes away the sin of the world. I am not, but he Is. Application and Conclusion In Southern California, there's a very interesting solar power facility. It's in the Mojave Desert. It's different because it does not use a single solar panel. No, instead, this facility uses mirrors that direct the rays of the sun to central boilers. The boilers are super-heated by the sunlight reflected off of the mirrors. That causes the water boil, which creates steam, which then turns turbines, and which then generates power. There are 347,000 mirrors there. And as the sun moves across the sky, they all reposition themselves to keep the light shining on one place. Friends, you and I are not the Christ. No, but we are to reflect him and direct others to him. Like John the Baptist, we are to believe the Lamb of God for others to see. We are to testify that he has come to take away the sin of the world. We are to exalt Christ, witnessing to him in all the ways highlighted here. We are in a sense to be like mirrors that direct others to Jesus. And when we all work in concert, God is glorified and Christ is exalted. When people see us individually, they see him. And when people see a church whose members reflect Christ, they will see him. I would argue that our number one responsibility is to show forth Christ. It's tempting to have our number one focus be on other things. I am not saying that we should not have careers or serve our communities in different ways or have opinions about important matters. But if any of that puts the spotlight on us rather than Christ or if it overshadows our witness to him, then we are not fulfilling our responsibility to reveal him. So, May we each recognize that we are not our own savior, nor the savior of others. We are not the Christ… but Jesus is. May we, like John, direct others to him, the Lamb of God, who is the Son of God and Savior of the world. Amen
Three middle-aged, gay men, each with their reasons for starting over, share a house in a small, rural town in Andalucia.Learning to adjust and adapt to new housemates is a hard trick for these old dogs to learn, and things do not go smoothly. But a sensational murder in their adopted town soon brings the men together.The death of a migrant worker in the olive fields has the whole town on tenterhooks, and our three heroes become consumed with the desire to solve the mystery.“Death Among the Olives,” is a comic play set in a picturesque region of Southern Spain, renowned for its undulating olive groves and medieval castles.It's like "The Golden Girls" meets "Murder, She Wrote", but with men; and set in SpainCASTJohn Kennard as ColinPavel Douglas as JackIvan Wilkinson as VictorNaomi Rohatyn as Doña LourdesLuis Alberto Martin as IsmaelJudit Cebollada Val and Stephanie Terrero as the women in the shopMUSICNaranjas en diciembre by VendlaA Spmber View by Andres CantuHighway to Spain by Jonathan BondessonWritten and produced by Olivier BosmanAudio Mystery Theatre websiteSupport Audio Mystery Theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode continues to examine the halachic rules of squeezing fruit on Shabbos. Olives and grapes remain strictly prohibited to squeeze for juice under all circumstances. Strawberries and pomegranates are treated more leniently if they are primarily for eating and juice emerges on its own, but actively squeezing them for drinking is still forbidden.For other fruits, local custom is decisive—if a fruit is commonly juiced in a given place (such as apples today or pears in certain regions), squeezing it is prohibited; if not, there may be room for leniency. The discussion also addresses sucking juice directly from fruit, which many authorities permit since it is not the normal method of extraction, though some opinions are stricter, especially regarding olives and grapes.Using expressed juice as a dip rather than as a beverage can be more lenient for most fruits, but not for olives and grapes due to their primary designation for liquids and concerns of appearance. The episode highlights differing rabbinic views and concludes with the importance of consulting one's own halachic authority for practical application.
Ashley and Roberto share a devotion on the Mount of Olives and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, today on the 700 Club Interactive.
Ashley and Roberto share a devotion on the Mount of Olives and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, today on the 700 Club Interactive.
Ashley and Roberto share a devotion on the Mount of Olives and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, today on the 700 Club Interactive.
Ashley and Roberto share a devotion on the Mount of Olives and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, today on the 700 Club Interactive.
In this powerful teaching from the Mount of Olives, Rabbi Schneider unpacks a profound truth from James 2. Discover why James, the half-brother of Jesus, calls believers to walk in authentic faith, a faith proven by works and marked by compassion.
This Morning, Maury blesses you with Olives, we try to find you a date on Missed Connections, and comedian Bert Kreischer joins us to talk about coming back to Buffalo March 1st for his Permission to Party Tour. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X. Listen to past episodes on 97Rock. Follow the Show on Apple, Spotify or Amazon MusicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Patrick's camera is set super low, and Rust went to the Garden of Olives. Seahawks beat Rams in instant classic to advance to Super Bowl, and they're being led by their defense. But the Rams came to play.
The second Pretrib Problem is related to the Olivet Discourse which is the name for the teaching about the end times that Jesus gave on the Mount of Olives recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Christians throughout the ages have believed this passage to be speaking of the signs leading up to … Continue reading "The Olivet Discourse Problem- 7 Pretrib Problems- Ep 2"
Fr. Eric Nicolai preached this meditation on retreat to priests at the Manoir de Beaujeu, in Coteau du lac, near Montreal, Canada.At his most urgent hour, when the apostles are on retreat with their Lord in the garden, a place far away from the hubbub of the crowds, the Lord lets go a searing complaint to his priests:“What! Could none of you stay awake with me one hour?” (Matt 26, 40) We have to stay awake with him in this retreat. The word hour is present 7 times in John. Fulton Sheen refers to each hour in detail. The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. (Jn 12, 23). The hour for us has now come to respond to his demands, to examine all the layers in which we can be his priests, and truly embrace our mission. Thumbnail: Andrea Mantegna, Christ in the Garden of Olives 1455, egg tempera, National Gallery, London.Music: Angelic, by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, with license.
This is a discussion of the disciples returning from the Mount of Olives and beginning to choose a replacement for Judas.
Everything is fine. Except the guy hiding behind the shower curtain and the rat in the toilet. This week we're talking irrational fears, phobias, and the things that make zero sense but still ruin our peace. If you weren't worried about “piss hand” before you may be now. You're welcome.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Reading Acts 1:12-13 where the apostles return from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem and gather in the upper room where they have been staying to discuss and to pray. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!
What is it like to travel through Israel with more than 1,000 pastors, youth pastors, Christian educators, and ministry leaders as part of the Ambassadors Summit 2025? In this special episode of Youth Worker on Fire, Doug Edwards shares a behind-the-scenes look at an extraordinary leadership journey through Israel—an experience designed to educate, equip, and inspire Christian leaders to better understand the current issues Israel is facing, its people, and its spiritual significance. Doug walks listeners through the vision behind the Ambassadors Summit, the months of preparation leading up to the trip, and the powerful experiences that took place throughout the week—from worship gatherings and leadership briefings to visits to historic biblical sites like Golgotha, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, and the empty tomb. In this episode, you'll hear about: ✅ The vision behind bringing 1,000 Christian leaders together for this journey ✅ What the Ambassadors Summit 2025 was designed to accomplish ✅ Worship gatherings, leadership panels, and special ceremonies ✅ Visiting key biblical locations throughout Jerusalem and Israel ✅ A remarkable experience with a blind tour guide at Golgotha and the empty tomb ✅ Why it took time after returning home to fully process the impact of the trip ✅ How this journey will lead to upcoming interviews and conversations on the podcast Doug also explains that this episode sets the stage for a series of upcoming interviews with Israeli guides, Jewish leaders, and participants from the summit—conversations that will be especially helpful for youth pastors, ministry leaders, Christian educators, parents, and anyone discipling the next generation. This episode is for: • Youth pastors and youth ministry volunteers • Christian educators and student leaders • Parents who want to deepen their own biblical understanding • Ministry leaders who want to grow in vision and perspective ✨ Sometimes a journey doesn't just teach you new information — it reshapes how you see Scripture, leadership, and calling. _________________________________________________________________________________
“The moment people are disconnected from their land and from the plants around them, it's easier to control them because they don't feel the spiritual connection to the land.” —Aya Gazawi Faour, Olive Odyssey Co-FounderIn For The Wild's new series in collaboration with Olive Odyssey, we hear from their co-founder, Aya Gazawi Faour, who shares about plants indigenous to the Palestinian landscape and their deep ties to culture, resistance, and enduring lifeways. In this opening episode, Aya shares how olive trees shape Palestinian life through everyday routines and long-held traditions. Families structure their seasons around trips to the groves and the olive press, gathering to harvest, share meals, and pass down knowledge. Even in dense urban areas, many keep a single olive tree on a crowded balcony as a living reminder of home. Olives are rooted in memory, community, and resilience and remain deeply defining across the region. This powerful aspect of culture goes far beyond the material. It is a sacred connection to the land and its abundance, a means of making community both with neighbors and with the world, and a crucial reminder of resistance and resilience. Let this conversation be an invitation to look more closely at the lands and living beings of Palestine. If Aya's stories moved you, take the next step: learn from the farmers and stewards keeping these lifeways alive. Explore the work of Palestinian growers, deepen your understanding of their traditions, and support their harvests through Olive Odyssey. Every gesture of connection helps nourish a culture, a landscape, and a people rooted in resilience.Olive Odyssey brings together farmers from across Palestine with a shared purpose: to tell the story of the Palestinian people through olive oil. Their mission is simple yet powerful — each bottle reflects a deep connection to the land and a commitment to sustainable, community-centered practices. To learn more about the farmers, their methods, and to source olive oil and recipes, visit https://oliveodyssey.com.Plants Are Political is based on Olive Odyssey's series by the same name.Learn more at https://www.forthewild.worldCreditsMusic for this episode was composed by Doe Paoro from her album “Living Through Collapse.” For The Wild is created by Ayana Young, Erica, Ekrem, Julia Jackson, and Victoria Pham. Support the show
What is the significance of the Mount of Olives, the Temple Mount, and Israel? What are the signs of Jesus' return? Rabbi Schneider shares how connected God is to Israel, how the signs of Jesus' return are already happening, and how Jesus confirmed the signs of the end of the age. Learn what our response should be and what it means to us today as the rabbi unpacks biblical prophecy spoken by Jesus himself. **** BECOME A MONTHLY PARTNER - https://djj.show/YTAPartner **** DONATE - https://djj.show/YTADonate **** TEACHING NOTES - https://djj.show/2z9
"Wow! What is going on?" The Heat's offense looks better than ever, and Mike Ryan thinks he knows the reason why. Tony capitulates on a QB take for the first time in his life. And despite the Dolphins big win, Zaslow is still somehow frustrated with their offense. Also, those Canes uniforms...woof. Today's cast: Sad Bunny, Zaslow, Greg, Chris, Jeremy, Mike, and Tony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices