Podcasts about only god

Only God can condemn a person

Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36What is mercy? How is the Father in Heaven merciful? Suppose someone lived a life contrary to God's will. When that person dies and stands before the Judgment Seat of God, will God, in His mercy, say, “That's okay, you can enter Heaven even though you do not deserve it”? Or in our lives, if someone is living an openly sinful lifestyle that is objectively contrary to God's moral law, should we say, “If living that way makes you happy, then I'm happy for you”? Neither of these depicts authentic mercy.After telling us, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful,” Jesus defines what He means. First, He tells us what not to do: “Stop judging…Stop condemning.” God, and God alone, has the authority to judge and condemn. We do not. Therefore, when we judge and condemn another, we usurp God's authority. Only God sees the heart; therefore, only God can judge a person.However, the command to “Stop judging” and “Stop condemning” must be exercised from two perspectives. On the one hand, we ought not to judge a person as a sinner deserving condemnation. On the other hand, we ought not to declare a person morally righteous, especially when someone's actions contradict God's revealed law. So what are we to do? We limit our judgment to the objective moral actions that God has revealed, leaving it to God to condemn or exonerate the heart. This will free us from anger and enable us to express authentic love.For example, if two people live as husband and wife even though they are not married, we should look for an opportunity to express our hope that they enter into marriage rather than continue living together while unmarried. This is not a condemnation of their souls but a proclamation of God's objective moral law. It's the Gospel, and we must speak it with kindness, patience, and clarity. Furthermore, if we express to these same individuals that we are somehow happy for them and support their living arrangement, we are also wrongly judging them to be in God's good graces, which is just as sinful on our part. Hence, not judging and not condemning means we focus on the objective action, not the heart. This can be difficult, especially with those closest to us, but it is essential in practicing true mercy.What Jesus says next is even more challenging: “Forgive” and “give.” As an added motivation, Jesus explains that we will only be forgiven when we forgive others, and good gifts will be given to us only when we give. Forgiveness and generosity are acts of great mercy. To forgive is to offer pardon to one who has committed some sin against us. Though we never know a person's heart and, therefore, their culpability for an action, there are plenty of times when an offense is committed against us. In this case, there is only one appropriate response: forgive and give kindness, compassion, and mercy. We must never hold a grudge, remain angry, sulk over an injury, or hold a sin against another. Never.The challenge is that human reason alone cannot fully comprehend this. We need divine revelation and God's grace to inform our minds and hearts that this is the right thing to do. By drawing closer to Christ in prayer and the sacraments, we can grow in this supernatural mercy, allowing His grace to transform our hearts. Reflect today on this true meaning of mercy. Beg for God's mercy in your life in superabundance. As you do, choose to offer mercy to others to the same extent that you ask for God's mercy. Give generously, exceeding what your human reason alone comprehends, and God will pour His mercy upon you in the same incomprehensible way.My merciful Lord, there are many times when I judge another, hold a grudge, and am stingy with mercy. Please give me Your Heart so that I can overcome my failures and give of myself with supernatural virtue. I want to be like You, my God. Help me show mercy in superabundance. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

(Zephaniah 3:17) Only God can turn bitterness to blessing. Find out today what makes God sing and how you can have your own song restored!  This episode also reviews Zephaniah's background—his name meaning “hidden of Jehovah,” his heritage as a great-grandson of King Hezekiah, and his role as a contemporary of Jeremiah in the years between King Josiah's outward reforms and the Babylonian captivity. (10048260225) Join our study through Scripture this year. Find resources for every book of the Bible at enjoyingthejourney.org/journey-through-scripture/ Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God. Explore now at EnjoyingTheJourney.org. Extend the Work Enjoying the Journey provides every resource for free worldwide. If you would like to help extend this Bible teaching, you may give at enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

All this week we're looking at how to help our kids see and run from the idol of materialism. We need to teach them that the accumulation of things will never satisfy their deepest yearnings and desires. They need to know that they have been created by God for a relationship with God. Sin has broken that relationship, leaving us all spiritually empty and hungering for redemption and restoration. The Book of Ecclesiastes tells us that we have eternity in our hearts, which means that our yearnings can only be answered and filled by God. Only God can fill the hole in our souls. God cares deeply about our attitudes towards money and wealth. Did you know that more is said in the New Testament about money and wealth than about heaven and hell combined? Five times more is said about money than about prayer. And sixteen of Christ's thirty-eight parables deal with money. All of us need to realize that the love of money and and things can consume us, keeping us from living to God's honor and glory.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Numbers 12-13;Psalm 90; Mark 2 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! On this episode for February 23rd, 2026, join Hunter and Heather as they guide us through day 54 of their journey in the Bible. Today's readings include Numbers 12 and 13, Psalm 90, and Mark chapter 2, highlighting moments of faith, humility, and God's unwavering presence. Together, they reflect on how God's grace transforms our lives—reminding us that forgiveness, belonging, and love are gifts freely given through Christ. The episode wraps up with heartfelt prayers, the Lord's Prayer, and a special anniversary celebration between Hunter and Heather, marking 35 years of faithfully walking together. Tune in for encouragement, spiritual insight, and a reminder that—no matter where you are in your journey—you are truly loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: They had questions in their hearts that stood in the way of them receiving healing and forgiveness. Sometimes our questions are more of an accusation or an indictment than they are real questions. The teachers of religious law saw Jesus extend compassion to this paralytic. They stood there and watched Jesus respond to these four men who had come in faith bringing their friend in need. They watched these men do outrageous things like digging through a roof and lowering their friend right smack dab in front of Jesus. These friends had interrupted all that was going on so that they could get an audience with Jesus. The teachers observed all this take place, and they saw Jesus respond not just with compassion and healing but with forgiveness of sins. And they objected. They accused him. They indicted him. "What is he saying? He's blaspheming. Only God can forgive sins," they said. What was in these religious teachers' hearts was disbelief that God could really make good on his promise in scripture to send his son to heal and restore the world. They were insisting on their own way, a way like all religion that had learned how to leverage sin, to leverage despair, to leverage the frailty of people for their own advantage. But Jesus, he offers us a new way. Not the old wineskin—no, this is new wine. Not the old garment, but something absolutely new. Not us fulfilling the law, not us being faithful, not us being holy. It's not us at all. Rather, it's all God. God has put it all on himself. God is fulfilling the law. God is being faithful. God is being holy. The new way is not to look at our own efforts and our own piety. The new way is simply to look to the One, to Jesus, who has come to fulfill all that was needed for a human race that is paralyzed, unable to stand upright and walk. The Gospel is what God has done. It is already finished. It is not a transactional proposition. It is not, "If you do this, God will do that." It's not quid pro quo. No, the Gospel is all God. What he has already accomplished for the world on the cross. Ours is to awaken to the new reality, the new wine that is right here, right now. It is a declaration of what already is. It's the good news. You already are forgiven. You already belong to him even before you knew it. Today, let us place our hearts before the God who alone has already done all that is needed. Today, let us hear his words spoken to the paralytic: "Your sins are forgiven." That's for you. Now get up, take your mat, and walk. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Why does condemnation feel so automatic?In this episode, John Ortberg invites us to slow down, breathe, and notice something surprising: judgment doesn't just live in our thoughts — it lives in our bodies.Returning to the story of Cain and Abel, John shows how God interrupts Cain with two gentle questions:- Why are you angry?- Why is your face downcast?Those questions open a doorway to freedom.Drawing on neuroscience from Jill Bolte Taylor and Antonio Damasio, John explains how condemnation becomes embodied through stress hormones, muscle tension, and emotional rehearsal. He introduces the difference between decisional non-condemnation (“I choose not to judge”) and emotional non-condemnation (asking God to transform what happens inside your body).You'll learn:• why condemnation feels physical• how the 90-second pause works• what it means to “feed the monster”• how blessing rewires your reactions• why you can disagree without condemningJohn also shares painfully honest examples of everyday judgment (hair gel, Tesla drivers, passive people — we've all been there

Read OnlineJesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…” Matthew 6:7–8Prayer is so essential to our spiritual lives that we should strive to live in a state of constant prayer, all day, every day. However, saying prayers is very different from truly praying. Jesus begins by teaching that prayer is not about “babbling many words.” We do not pray to change God's mind or to convince Him to do our will. That is not the essence of prayer. Jesus is very clear: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”So, how do you pray? Do you come to God with a list of requests, thinking that if you ask enough or in the right way, He will grant your wishes? Consider how a child might plead with a parent until the parent finally gives in. Is this how God wants us to approach Him in prayer? Certainly not.Prayer must be constant—asking, pleading, and even begging—but for what? Should we beg God to conform to what we think is best? No. True prayer is when we ask, plead, and beg that God change us and conform us to His perfect will.The Our Father teaches us both the sentiments and content of true prayer. We begin by acknowledging who God is—our loving and intimate Father who dwells in Heaven. Though He is transcendent and beyond us, He is also near, like a father who lovingly watches over His children.God is holy—wholly other, perfect in every way, the Holy One. For this reason, we adore Him, proclaiming that even His name is holy.What do we ask of God in prayer? Not that He fulfills our will, but that “Thy will be done!” His will is accomplished when His Kingdom is established in our lives—when He governs us and we live in obedience to His every precept. This requires deep trust and surrender.We also ask for our “daily bread,” which includes all that we need materially and spiritually. We must trust that God will never forsake us as long as we remain faithful to Him. He always provides. Those who rely on worldly riches rather than on God's providence may find themselves spiritually impoverished, so we ask God to provide for every need according to His will.One of our greatest needs is for forgiveness. We all sin and are in need of mercy, which only God can provide. However, God's forgiveness comes with a condition—we must forgive others as well. If we do not extend forgiveness to others, we cannot fully receive it ourselves. True forgiveness, once received, transforms us so profoundly that it must overflow to others as freely and abundantly as it was given to us. The Lord's Prayer concludes by acknowledging the reality of the evil one and the temptations that surround us. Only God's grace can protect us from these snares. This truth should lead us to complete dependence on God's grace and on the ministry of His angels to guard and guide us. Reflect today on how you pray, especially when you recite the Our Father. Do you fully understand what you are saying? Do you believe it with all your heart? Your Father in Heaven knows your needs. Trust Him, turn to Him, acknowledge His holiness, worship Him, rely on His providence, seek and extend forgiveness, and allow Him to protect you from evil. If you do, you will pray as Jesus desires. Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Jesus, I trust in You.Image via Adobe StockSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible podcast! On this episode for February 23rd, 2026, join Hunter and Heather as they guide us through day 54 of their journey in the Bible. Today's readings include Numbers 12 and 13, Psalm 90, and Mark chapter 2, highlighting moments of faith, humility, and God's unwavering presence. Together, they reflect on how God's grace transforms our lives—reminding us that forgiveness, belonging, and love are gifts freely given through Christ. The episode wraps up with heartfelt prayers, the Lord's Prayer, and a special anniversary celebration between Hunter and Heather, marking 35 years of faithfully walking together. Tune in for encouragement, spiritual insight, and a reminder that—no matter where you are in your journey—you are truly loved. TODAY'S DEVOTION: They had questions in their hearts that stood in the way of them receiving healing and forgiveness. Sometimes our questions are more of an accusation or an indictment than they are real questions. The teachers of religious law saw Jesus extend compassion to this paralytic. They stood there and watched Jesus respond to these four men who had come in faith bringing their friend in need. They watched these men do outrageous things like digging through a roof and lowering their friend right smack dab in front of Jesus. These friends had interrupted all that was going on so that they could get an audience with Jesus. The teachers observed all this take place, and they saw Jesus respond not just with compassion and healing but with forgiveness of sins. And they objected. They accused him. They indicted him. "What is he saying? He's blaspheming. Only God can forgive sins," they said. What was in these religious teachers' hearts was disbelief that God could really make good on his promise in scripture to send his son to heal and restore the world. They were insisting on their own way, a way like all religion that had learned how to leverage sin, to leverage despair, to leverage the frailty of people for their own advantage. But Jesus, he offers us a new way. Not the old wineskin—no, this is new wine. Not the old garment, but something absolutely new. Not us fulfilling the law, not us being faithful, not us being holy. It's not us at all. Rather, it's all God. God has put it all on himself. God is fulfilling the law. God is being faithful. God is being holy. The new way is not to look at our own efforts and our own piety. The new way is simply to look to the One, to Jesus, who has come to fulfill all that was needed for a human race that is paralyzed, unable to stand upright and walk. The Gospel is what God has done. It is already finished. It is not a transactional proposition. It is not, "If you do this, God will do that." It's not quid pro quo. No, the Gospel is all God. What he has already accomplished for the world on the cross. Ours is to awaken to the new reality, the new wine that is right here, right now. It is a declaration of what already is. It's the good news. You already are forgiven. You already belong to him even before you knew it. Today, let us place our hearts before the God who alone has already done all that is needed. Today, let us hear his words spoken to the paralytic: "Your sins are forgiven." That's for you. Now get up, take your mat, and walk. That's the prayer that I have for my own soul. That's the prayer that I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's a prayer that I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

On this episode, Why Not You: It's Time to Believe Again, Benjamin talks about how people often believe healing, breakthrough, purpose, and miracles are possible for other people - but quietly disqualify themselves. Somewhere along the way, they didn't stop believing in God's power, they stopped believing they were included in the promise. But Scripture makes this clear: God doesn't reserve His best for the perfect, the polished, or the most qualified - He releases it through the willing, the obedient, and the available. Your past doesn't cancel your calling. Your mistakes don't override God's grace. If God did it before, He can do it again and there is no reason it can't be for you. You've spent a lot of your life, believing for other people, and now is the time that you start believing that God's promises are actually for you. Why not you? This episode this teaching has the potential to shift everything.Episode Quote: "Somebody has to be the story people point to and say, “Only God could have done that." Somebody has to be the evidence that prayer still works, obedience still matters, and surrender still unlocks what striving never could. Somebody has to be the reminder that God is still in the business of rewriting stories. Why not you?"This episode, like all Rise and Lead Podcast episodes, is highly practical and motivating. Don't forget to subscribe to the Rise and Lead Podcast to ensure you get notified when new episodes release every month.  When you share about the podcast, make sure and tag @benjaminlundquist, and he'll always try and give you a re-post. Remember, the best time to rise and lead is now!

I. The Setup — Obedience Leads Into a Storm Jesus initiates the journey: “Let's cross to the other side.” They obey—and encounter chaos. Obedience does not exempt us from storms. The storm is real, violent, and life-threatening. II. Understanding Fear Fear activates survival instincts (fight, flight, freeze). Fear bypasses logic and clouds perception. Logically: Jesus said they would reach the other side. Jesus was physically in the boat. Yet fear overrides what they know to be true. Fear is not failure—it is a signal. III. The Question Beneath the Panic “Teacher, don't you care?” The storm triggered survival fear. But the deeper fear was abandonment. When storms arise, we question God's heart. Fear whispers: “You are not safe because you are not in control.” Faith says: “I may not be in control, but He is present.” IV. Question Your Fear Jesus asks: “Why are you afraid?” Not condemnation—diagnosis. Fear reveals misplaced trust. The storm did not create fear; it exposed what was already in them. They trusted the waves more than His presence. V. The Sleeping Christ Jesus sleeping is not indifference. His rest reveals sovereignty. The sleeping Christ is not the absent Christ. VI. Authority Over Chaos Jesus does not pray for the storm to stop—He commands it. In Scripture, the sea represents chaos and disorder. Only God rebukes the sea. Jesus speaks directly to creation—and it obeys. This is divine authority on display. VII. Two Fears in the Passage Survival Fear – panic, loss of control, fear of death. Reverent Fear – awe at divine authority. The first fear leads to frenzy. The second fear leads to worship. When Christ's authority becomes greater than your storm, anxiety shrinks. VIII. The Invitation Jesus never promised a storm-free existence. He revealed Himself as Lord over storms. Peace is not the absence of waves. Peace is the presence of Jesus in the boat. Mature faith is anchored in Him—not in outcomes, control, or calm circumstances. When authority produces awe, fear no longer rules you.

New Testament Sermons / Speaker:Berry Kercheville Freedom! Detachment from Sin Introduction: Romans 12:9 “Abhor what is evil; cleave to what is good.” How are you doing with that command? Please note, Paul's inspired command does not say, “Don't do what is evil,” it says, “Abhor it.” There are many temptations to sin that we try not to do and succeed in not doing, but that does not mean we abhor the sin. You will notice, the text contains an extreme contrast: “abhor” and “cleave” (“glue, weld together, adhere, attach oneself to”).  To the extent that we cleave/hold fast to what is good, the more we are able to abhor what is evil. The word detachment, though not specifically used, is a good description of the verse. The only way to abhor something is to become completely detached from it. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). Jesus admonition is, your love for him is to be so great, that to challenge that love or in any way suggest a competing love, should have a reaction of hate.  Matthew 6:25-33 Even though Jesus is dealing with things we need to live on this earth, notice how he turns our minds away from those needs to concentrate on the Kingdom and righteousness. Again, there is abhorring anxiousness in favor of seeking first the kingdom. The Battle with Our Desires Why are we tempted? Why does the desire seem so strong? We were created to seek inner fulfillment (Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 “And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.”). Satan urges us to seek fulfillment with empty promises. The sin or diversion from God never meets up to the possibilities the mind has created. In fact, every time the sin is committed, it disappoints more than it did previously. We are using a person or a thing to fill an inner void which never can be filled apart from God. Look at it rationally, we can realize that these uncontrolled appetites damage us in two ways: They deprive us of enjoying God and what truly satisfies. These desires torment us and corrupt our minds until we are enslaved by them. The problem is: “It is extremely difficult to deny ourselves what we truly desire.” We may occasionally have success in overcoming our desires, but it is unlikely that we will consistently conquer those desires. What can be done?  What if we could rid ourselves of those appetites? If the appetite is extinguished, there will no longer be a desire to feed on those sinful pleasures. But is that possible? It is not possible to escape all temptation, but it is possible to no longer have an appetite for that which Satan tempts us.  That is exactly what God argues we can do (Colossians 3:1-7; Ephesians 4:17-24). In fact, did Jesus really want to jump off the temple, turn the stones to bread, or fall down and worship the devil? No! He conquers the temptation because his desire for the Father is intensely passionate beyond any other desire. Our problem and humanity's problem is that we think we can overcome by simply refusing a pleasure that our heart desires. We are trying to fix the wrong thing. It is the heart's desires that need fixing, not simply the will-power (Matt. 5:21-28). We will never be successful in fighting a sin if we do not stop the craving. The problem with our present cultural arguments:  Our culture celebrates their attractions/desires and identifies with them as special and so compelling that anything but fulfillment is unfair and cheating them out of a fulfilling life.  In regard to sexuality, regardless of one's sexual attractions, every human has had to deal with sexual sins and fight the desires of the mind.  God made us with desires! He also gave us right and wrong ways to fulfill the desires. All desires can partially be fulfilled now but ultimately fulfilled in eternity with the Lord — “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). God's argument in scripture is not that temptations to sin will go away, but that we are able to conquer those desires through Christ.  Genesis 4:7 “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”  1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”  Every Earthly Desire Disappoints (Isaiah 55:1-3) Only God is a sure thing. Only God can and will provide for our emotional and physical needs. God intentionally made it this way!  But what do we do instead?  We follow the example of Eve. Satan convinced her that the tree could give her something more and better than what God gave her and would give her. That is the nature of every temptation. Subtly, this our default path to all our stresses, desires, and life's trials.  If a friendship, marriage, or family, spouse, child, or parent does not respond to our expectations to fulfill certain emotional or physical needs, we may react by lashing out, withdrawing, demanding, threatening, and in general becoming frustrated and miserable. We desperately need to understand that our demands of things and people ruin relationships, destroy joy and pleasure, and detach us from God. Let's say this plain and simple: When I expect an activity, a recreation, a job/career to fill my emptiness and give me what I believe is denied me in this life, I have created an idol. Whatever these unfulfilled desires are, they have become my Baal and my Asheroth—a substitute god to provide what I believe I deserve that the Lord God will not provide! When I expect my job or career to give me inner fulfillment, I am elevating work to a level never intended. Again, Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 warns us of this through the example of Solomon. He did more than any other in great accomplishments through his labor. He fulfilled every desire of his heart. And yet when it was all done, he said it profited nothing, all was vanity and striving after wind!”  When a man expects his wife, or a woman her husband to fill their inner emptiness and give them the meaning and security they expect for their lives, they have replaced the God with their spouse and have elevated their spouse to be their idol/god. This damages our spouse and puts him/her in an impossible position. She cannot be my god and fulfill my deepest needs and desires any more than the idols of Israel could be for Israel. Can we see the result of this in friendships, in parents with children and children with parents, in churches, careers, and marriages?  Only God can ultimately fill us with what we really need. Through love, we provide for one another, we comfort one another during trials, we stir one another up to be better than what we have been, but none of us can replace God. When a person expects anything from an object, an activity, or a person that only God can supply, they have rejected God and turned to idolatry. Detachment: Freedom from Uncontrolled Appetites When Teresa and I married, we vowed, “…forsaking all others, cleave unto you and you alone until death do we part.” When we marry, we are rejecting the romantic love of all others and all other things because of the intense love for one another. That reminds us of an important biblical principle: Intense love for something, especially God or spouse, leads to the rejection of something else. Seeing this from our earthly marriages, consider an immediate application: Husbands, what does this covenantal promise imply? Proverbs 5:18-21 “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love. Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.”  Wives, what does this promise imply? Proverbs 31:10-12, 28-29 “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life…Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” What then is the key to joy and pleasure in an earthly marriage? What keeps both husband and wife pure and deeply attached to one another? How do they reject any attractions/desires that would compete with their love? Appetites for all else and anyone else are eliminated by pursuing and growing an intense love for each other. With that, every competing desire or appetite is disgusting. Hey Solomon, the Lord proclaimed through you that one wife would fulfill you, while a 1000 wives would empty you. The same is true with God.  Colossians 2:8-10, “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” Cf. Colossians 3:5–6, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.”  How can we be free of the bondage earthly desires and fleshly sins? How can we stop finding our meaning and security in people, things, positions, money, and power? It is by increasing love and adoration for God! Someone says, “But why would I give up my pursuit to fill my emptiness and find contentment and pleasure?” Because when you worship Baal and Asheroth, they aren't real and they won't fulfill you or give you pleasure! It is like saying to a hungry man, “Here, eat this dirt, it will fill your stomach.”  Thus the words of the Messiah's invitation, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” (Isaiah 55:2) Critical Question: Do you trust God? Do you truly believe in him? If we put that to a public response, we would likely hear a resounding “Yes!” I'm sorry, but I have a hard time believing you. Trusting God means, I am willing to wait for him to heal and provide for my needs, my desires, my hurts, and my emptiness. And I am content to know that he will not disappoint me. Now do you trust God?  I know myself well enough to know that is not always the case. Sometimes it may even be rarely the case. Conclusion: You will not grow your love for God by simply assembling with Christian and being at worship, though the more devoted we are to our gatherings to worship and study, the more motivated to pursue an intense love for God. The primary discipline needed for intense, passionate love is your combination of one on one time with God in prayer and study and your sharing that love and joy with fellow Christians. What will not work, and what will never work, is simply telling yourself to not give in to those desires and hound you. If you detach yourself from the desire by pursuing the affections that are above, you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. Colossians 3:1-4 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Berry Kercheville The post Romans 12:9 Freedom! Detachment From Sin appeared first on Woodland Hills Church of Christ.

         George Sweeting wrote, It is a fearful thing that people can be consumed by their own lust. Only God's grace keeps us from the wolf's fate. Only God's grace keeps us from doing to ourselves what that wolf does to himself. I think about the sharks, you know, they go crazy when they get in the water, right? And they attack them. Anybody like to watch Shark Week? I always like to watch that. But those sharks, man, when they smell that blood, they attack anything. And they literally roll their eyelids back and they're blind because they can't see. And they just attack anything and everything around them. Sometimes they hurt themselves or they destroy, they bite other animals or whatever's in their way. Bust up cages or get stuck in cages or who knows what they do. They're so big and powerful they're hard to be hurt. But they bite each other and attack anything that gets in their way. And that's what happens to people when they don't know Christ. When they live for themselves, they attack anything and everything around them.         Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?                John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? He can Save you if You ask Him based on His death, burial, and resurrection for your sins. Believe in Him for forgiveness of your sins today.                 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  -John 8:32             Our mission is to spread the gospel and to go to the least of these with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ; We reach out to those the World has forgotten.              hisloveministries.podbean.com #HLMSocial hisloveministries.net https://www.instagram.com/hisloveministries1/?hl=en His Love Ministries on Itunes Don't go for all the gusto you can get, go for all the God (Jesus Christ) you can get. The gusto will get you, Jesus can save you. https://www.facebook.com/His-Love-Ministries-246606668725869/?tn-str=k*F               The world is trying to solve earthly problems that can only be solved with heavenly solutions

Y'all are not ready for today's conversation with Megan Fate Marshman—in the best way. Megan is a speaker, author, boy mom of two, and recently widowed—and her joy is the kind that stops you in your tracks. She's in awe of God—what He's done, what He's doing, and how He's moving in her life, in Sadie's life, and all around her. Her journey to becoming a speaker? You won't see it coming. It's powerful, unexpected, and the kind of story that leaves you in tears, whispering, “Only God.” Sadie also opens up about a recent insecurity she felt after walking off the stage at Passion 2026 — because even after the big, mountaintop moments, doubt can creep in. She shares how she worked through it within herself and with the Lord. Megan challenges us to rethink anxiety and insecurity in a way that's both freeing and deeply convicting — and we're still thinking about it. And wait ... what does Megan think heaven will actually be like? Also, why is truly listening to someone so rare and so hard in a world that's constantly talking? This conversation is raw, deep, unexpectedly funny, and full of truth that will sit with you long after it ends. You're not ready—but in the best way. This Episode is Sponsored By: https://gominno.com — Get your first month FREE when you use code WHOA at sign up. Take advantage of this web-only exclusive offer today! Get $35 off your first box of wild-caught, sustainable seafood—delivered right to your door. Go to: https://www.wildalaskan.com/WHOA. https://nutrafol.com — Get $10 off your first month's subscription and free shipping when you use promo code WHOA at checkout! - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a theological landscape that often softens sin into "brokenness," Episode 480 re-establishes the biblical category of sin as debt. Jesse Schwamb takes us into the house of Simon the Pharisee to analyze the Parable of the Two Debtors. The central argument is forensic: sin creates an objective liability against God's justice that no amount of human currency—tears, works, or religious heritage—can satisfy. We explore the critical distinction between the cause of justification (God's free grace) and the evidence of justification (love and repentance). This episode dismantles the self-righteous math of the Pharisee and points us to the only currency God accepts: the finished work of Christ. Key Takeaways Sin is Objective Debt: Sin is not merely a relational slight; it is a quantifiable liability on God's ledger that demands clearing. Universal Insolvency: Whether you owe 50 denarii (the moralist) or 500 denarii (the open sinner), the result is the same: total inability to pay. God Names the Claim: The debtor does not get to negotiate the terms of repayment; only the Creditor determines the acceptable currency. Love is Fruit, Not Root: The sinful woman's love was the evidence that she had been forgiven, not the payment to purchase forgiveness. The Danger of Horizontal Math: Simon's error was comparing his debt to the woman's, rather than comparing his assets to God's standard. Justification by Grace: Forgiveness is a free cancellation of the debt, based entirely on the benevolence of the Moneylender (God). Key Concepts The Definition of Money and Grace To understand Luke 7, we must understand money. Money is a system of credit accounts and their clearing. When we apply this to theology, we realize that "religious effort" is a currency that God does not accept. We are like travelers trying to pay a US debt with Zimbabwean dollars. The Gospel is the news that Christ has entered the market with the only currency that satisfies the Father—His own righteousness—and has cleared the accounts of those who are spiritually bankrupt. The Pharisee's Calculation Error Simon the Pharisee wasn't condemned because he wasn't a sinner; he was condemned because he thought his debt was manageable. He believed he had "surplus righteousness." This is the deadly error of legalism. By assuming he owed little, he loved little. He treated Jesus as a guest to be evaluated rather than a Savior to be worshipped. A low view of our own sin inevitably leads to a low view of Christ's glory. Evangelical Obedience The woman in the passage demonstrates what Reformed theologians call "evangelical obedience"—obedience that flows from faith and gratitude, not from a desire to earn merit. Her tears did not wash away her sins; the blood of Christ did that. Her tears were the overflow of a heart that realized the mortgage had been burned. We must never confuse the fruit of salvation with the root of salvation. Quotes Tears don't cancel the ledger. Christ does that. Tears are what debtors do when Mercy lands. Grace received produces love expressed. A creditor doesn't need to be convinced you did harm. The ledger already stands. Transcript [00:01:10] Welcome to The Reformed Brotherhood + Teasing the Parable [00:01:10] Jesse Schwamb: Welcome to episode 480 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast for those with ears to hear. Hey, brothers and sisters, how great is it that we have these incredible teachings of Jesus? Can we talk about that for a second? Tony and I have loved hanging out in these parables with you all, and Tony will be back next week. Don't you worry. But in the meantime, I've got another parable for us to consider, and I figured we would just get. Straight to the points, but I have to let you in in a little secret first, and that is not even Tony knows until he hears this, which parable I've selected for us to chat about. And I knew that there might come a time where I would be able to sneak in with this parable because I love. This parable, and I love it because it's so beautiful in communicating the full breadth and scope of the gospel of God's grace and his mercy for all of his children. And it just makes sense to me, and part of the reason why it makes so much sense to me is. The topic which is embedded in this is something that more or less I've kind of built my career around, and so it just resonates with me. It makes complete sense. I understand it inside and out. I feel a connection to what Jesus is saying here very predominantly because the topic at hand means so much to me, and I've seen it play out in the world over and over and over again. So if that wasn't enough buildup and you're not ready, I have no idea what will get you prepared, but we're going to go hang out in Luke chapter seven, and before I even give you a hint as to what this amazing, the really brief parable is, it does take a little bit of setup, but rather than me doing the setup. What do you say if we just go to the scriptures? Let's just let God's word set up the environment in which this parable is gonna unfold. And like a good movie or a good narrative, even as you hear this, you might be pulled in the direction of the topic that you know is coming. And so I say to you, wait for it. Wait for it is coming.  [00:03:20] Luke 7 Setup: Simon's Dinner & the "Sinful Woman" Arrives [00:03:20] Jesse Schwamb: So this is Luke's book, his gospel chapter seven, beginning in verse 36. Now one of the Pharisees was asking Jesus to eat with him, and Jesus entered the Pharisees house and reclined at the table. And behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner, and when she learned that he was reclining at the table in the Pharisees house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. And standing behind him at his feet crying. She began to wet his feet with her tears, and she kept wiping them with her hair over her head and kissing his feet and anointing them with perfume. Now, in the Pharisee, who had invited him, saw this, he said to himself saying, if this man were, he would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching him, that she is a sinner. Let's stop there for a second. So this incredible dinner party that Jesus attends and here is this woman. Well, all we're told is that she's a woman who's identified as a sinner. Clearly moved by the presence of Jesus clearly wanting to worship him in a very particular way. By the way, loved ones. Can we address the fact that this goes back to something Tony and I have been talking about, I dunno, for like seven episodes now, which is coming outta Luke chapter 15. This idea that sinners, the marginalized, the outcasts, the down and out, they were drawn to Jesus. Something about him, his presence, the power of his teaching drew them in, but in a way that invited vulnerability, this kind of overwhelming response to who he was. And what his mission was. And so here maybe is like any other occurrence that happened in Jesus' day, maybe like a million other accounts that are not recorded in the scriptures. But here's one for us to appreciate that. Here's this woman coming, and her response is to weep before him, and then with these tears, to use them to wash his feet and to anoint him with this precious perfume. Now, there's a lot of people at this dinner party. At least we're led to believe. There's many, and there's one Pharisee in particular whose home this was. It was Simon. And so out of this particular little vignette, there's so much we could probably talk about. But of course what we see here is that the Pharisee who invited him, Simon, he sees this going on. He does not address it verbally, but he has his own opinions, he's got thoughts and he's thinking them. And so out of all of that, then there's a pause. And I, I would imagine that if we were to find ourselves in that situation, maybe we'd be feeling the tension of this. It would be awkward, I think. And so here we have Jesus coming in and giving them this account, this parable, and I wanna read the parable in its entirety. It's very, very short, but it gives us a full sense of both. Like what's happening here? It's both what's happening, what's not happening, what's being. Presented plain for us to see what's below the surface that Jesus is going to reveal, which is both a reflection on Simon and a reflection on us as well. [00:06:18] The Two Debtors Parable (Read in Full) [00:06:18] Jesse Schwamb: So picking up in, in verse 40, and Jesus answered and said to him, Simon, I owe something to say to you. And he replied, say it, teacher a money lender had two debtors, one owned 500 in RI and the other 50. When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more? Simon answered and said, I suppose the one who he graciously forgave more, and he said to him, you have judged correctly and turning toward the woman. He said to Simon, do you see this woman? I entered your house? You gave me no water from my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with perfume. For this reason, I say to you her sins, which are many have been forgiven for. She loved much, but he who is forgiven, little loves little. Then he said to her, your sins have been forgiven, and those were reclining at the table. With him began to say to themselves, who is this man who even forgives sins? And he said to the woman, your faith has saved you. Go in peace.  [00:07:42] What This Scene Teaches: Sin, Forgiveness, Love as Fruit [00:07:42] Jesse Schwamb: What a beautiful, tiny, deep, amazing instruction from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So in this just short 10 verses here, it's we're sitting inside. This dinner at Simon, the Pharisees house, and a woman known publicly only as a sinner, has shown some striking love toward Jesus, and Jesus explains her actions. Then through this mini parable of debt, two debtors, one creditor, neither can pay. Both are freely forgiven. Love flows. Then from that forgiveness. And so there's a lot within the reform theological spectrum here that helps us to really understand. I think the essential principles of what's going on here, and I just wanna hit on some of those and chat with you about those and hopefully encourage you in those as I'm trying to encourage myself. First, we get some sense about what sin really is like. We get a sense of the inability to cope with sin. We get the free forgiveness that's grounded in Christ, in Christ alone, and we get this idea of love and repentance as the fruit or the evidence, not the cause of justification. Now to set this whole thing up. [00:08:50] Why Talk About Money? Defining Money as Credit & Clearing [00:08:50] Jesse Schwamb: I do think it's so important for us to talk about money for a second, not money, like we're gonna have a budget talk, not what you spend on groceries or your vacation, not even what you do in terms of planning for your retirement or what you give to the church in way of tithe than offering none of that. I'm actually more interested to talk to you about money itself. One of the things I love to ask people. Especially when I was teaching students in money and finance is the question, what is money? And I bet you if you and I were hanging out across the kitchen table and I asked you, what is money? I'm guessing you would go in one or two directions. Either you would gimme examples of money, types of money. You might talk about the US dollar or the Zimbabwean dollar, or the Euro or the Yuan. That would be correct in a way, but really that's just symptomatic of money because that's just an example or a type of some money that you might use. And of course those definitions are not ubiquitous because if I take my US dollars and I go travel to see our Scott brothers and sisters, more than likely that money. That currency, those dollars will not be accepted in kind. There'd have to be some kind of translation because they're not acceptable in that parts of the world. That's true of most types of money. Or you might go to talking about precious metals and the price of gold or silver and how somehow these seem to be above and beyond the different types of currency or paper, currency in our communities and around our world. And of course, you'd be right as an example of a type of money, but. Gold itself, if you press on it, is not just money, it's describing as some kind of definition of what money is. The second direction you might take is you might describe for me all the things that money is like its attributes. Well, it must be accepted generally as a form of currency. It might must be used to discharge debt or to pay taxes, or it must have a store of value and be able to be used as a medium of exchange. And you would be correct about all of those things as well because. Probably, whether you know it or not, you're an expert in money because you have to use it in some way to transact in this lifetime. But even those are again, just attributes. It's not what money is in its essential first principle. So this is not like an economics lecture, I promise, but I think it is something that Jesus is actually truly drawing us to, and that is the best definition of money I can give, is money is a system of credit accounts and their clearing. It's a whole system of credit accounts and their clearing. So think of it like this, every time you need something from somebody else. Anytime you wanna buy something or you wanna sell something, what's happening there is somebody is creating a claim. So let's say that I go to the grocery store and I fill up the cart with all kinds of fruits and vegetables and meats, and I'm at the counter to check out. What I've just done is said that I have all of these things I would like to take from the grocery store, and now the grocery store has some kind of claim because they're handing them over to me and I need a way to settle that claim. And the way that I settle that claim is using money. It is the method that allows us to settle those transactions. And in my particular instance, it's going to be the US dollar, or maybe it's just ones and zeros electronically, of course representing US dollars. But in this case, the way I settle it is with money and a particular type of money. But, and I want you to keep this in mind 'cause we're gonna come back to it. This is my whole setup for this whole thing. The reason why this is important is because you have to have the type of money. That will settle the debt or settle the creditor. You have to have the thing itself that the creditor demands so that you can be a hundred percent released from the claim that they have on you. If you do not have exactly a. The type of money that they desire, then the debt will not be released. The creditor will not be satisfied. You will not go free, and that it's so critically important.  [00:12:52] Sin as Objective Debt: God Names the Claim [00:12:52] Jesse Schwamb: I think it's just like this really plain backdrop to what's happening here When Jesus addresses Simon with this whole parable. So he starts this whole idea by saying to Simon that he is something to say to him, which I think in a way is profound anyway, because Simon invites him to speak. But Jesus here is taking the initiative. Simon is the host. He socially, as it were, above this sinful woman. But Jesus becomes the true examiner of the heart in this parable. What we have is. Christ's word interrupts self-justifying narratives, and clearly there was a self-justifying narrative going on in Simon's head. We know this because we're privy to his thoughts in the text here. The gospel does not wait here for the Pharisee to figure it out, the gospel lovingly correct. Always goes in, always initiates, always intervenes as Christ intercedes. And here, before any accounting happens, Jesus sets the terms. God is the one who names the debt, not the debtor. And this really is probably the beating hearts, the center of gravity of this whole exchange. I love that Jesus goes to this parable. Of a money lender, a money lender who had two debtors, one owned, 500, one owned 50. Now of course, I would argue that really, you can put this in any currency, you can translate into modern terms, you can adjust it for inflation. It doesn't really matter. What we have here is one relatively small debt, another debt 10 times the size. So one small, one large, and that's the juxtaposition. That's the whole setup here. And I would submit to you something super important that Jesus does here, which flies in the face of a lot of kind of just general wishy-washy evangelicalism that teaches us somehow that sin is just not doing it quite right, or is just a little brokenness, or is just in some way just slightly suboptimal or missing the mark. It is those things, but it is not the entirety of those things because what's clear here is that Jesus frames sin as debt. In other words, it's an objective liability. A liability is just simply something of value that you owe to somebody else. And I am going to presume that almost everybody within an earshot of my voice here all over the world has at some point incurred debt. And I think there's, there's lots of great and productive reasons to incur debt. Debt itself is not pejorative. That would be a whole nother podcast. We could talk about. Maybe Tony and I sometime, but. What is true is that debt is an objective liability. The amounts differ, but both are genuinely in the red here. And what's critical about this is that because debt is this objective reality, whenever you enter into an arrangement of debt, let's say that you borrow some money to purchase a car or home or simply to make some kind of purchase in your life, that's unsecured debt. In all of those cases, the. The one lending you the money, the creditor now has a claim on you. What's important to understand here is that this kind of thing changes it. It provides way more color and contrast to really the effects of what sin is and what sin does in its natural accountability. And so in this way we have this nuance that there are differences in outward sin and its social consequences. That is for sure that's how life works, but all sin is ultimately against God and makes us debtors to divine justice. That is now God has a claim against us. And this shouldn't make sense because unless we are able to satisfy that claim, all have that claim against them all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And as a result of this, it's not just that we somehow have lived a way that is just slightly off the mark and suboptimal, but instead that we've heaped up or accumulated for ourselves an objective liability, which is truly. Owed to God and because it is truly owed him, he's the one who can only truly satisfy it. This is why the scripture speak of God as being both just and justifier. That is a just creditor ensures that the debt is paid before it is released, and the one who is justifier is the one who pays that debt to ensure it will be released. God does both of these things through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Praise be to his name. So here we have a really true understanding. Of what sin is. There's no mincing of words here. There's a ubiquity in all of our worlds about money lending and borrowing, and Christ leans into that heavily. We know for a fact that the ancient Mesopotamians learned how to calculate interests before they figured out to put wheels on car. And so this idea of lending and borrowing and indebtedness, this whole concept has an ancient pedigree, and Jesus leans into this. And so we have this really lovely and timeless example of drawing in the spiritual state into the very physical or financial state to help us understand truly what it means when we incur sin. Sin is not easily discharged, and just like debt, it stands over us, has a claim on us, and we need somebody to satisfy that claim on our behalf. By the way, this gets me back to this reoccurring theme of we need the right currency, we need the right money, as it were to satisfy this debt only that which is acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Our Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit is what will be acceptable in payment in full for this kind of debt. And so that's again, this whole setup, it's the spiritual realm being immediately kind of dragged into this corporal reality of the balance sheet, assets and liabilities, things of value that we owe to someone else. [00:18:50] Unable to Repay: Free Cancellation, Justification by Grace [00:18:50] Jesse Schwamb: Notice in Luke verse 42, that the reason why it's important to understand the full ferocity, the ferocious of sin and the weight of the debt that it incurs upon us, is that it cannot be repaid no matter what. So look at both of these borrowers. Neither could repay. Neither could repay. So think about that for a second. It doesn't even matter how much they owed. Both were way beyond their ability. It's not merely they didn't want to, but they didn't have the resources in the spiritual state. In other words, there was no surplus righteousness to pay God back and the creditor's action here is free cancellation grace, not a negotiated settlement, but free cancellation. So whether it was 50 or 500, it was irrelevant to the fact that these borrowers just like you and I, have nothing within our means, our wherewithal to actually satisfy the this cosmic debt that we have rightfully incurred against God. And so you should be hearing this align so closely with justification By Grace, God doesn't forgive because we eventually scraped together payment. He forgives because he's gracious and in the full biblical picture because Christ pays and bears that penalty. So this isn't, we have somehow, as you've heard, sometimes in kinda very again, wishy-washy, evangelical ways that we've somehow come forward at the right time. To receive from God some kind of gift or that we've somehow elevated ourself to the place of the deserving poor, or that we come with our own extended arms, empty, but outstretched so that we might receive something from God, in part because we make ourselves present before him, not loved ones. It's far better than that. It's not being able to pay and Christ saying, come and buy. Not being able to put food on the table and him saying, come and eat. It's him saying, you who are thirsty, come and drink from the fountain of life freely and unreservedly. Not because you have some way deserved it, because in fact you desperately do not. And because God has made a way in Christ a way that we could not make for ourselves, he's paid a debt that we just could not repay. It doesn't matter what it is that you think is outstanding against you. The fact of the matter is you cannot repay it. And so of course, that's why Paul writes in Ephesians, it's by grace through faith and not by works that you've been set free in the love of the Kingdom of Christ, that all of these things have been given to you by God because he loves you and because he's made a way for you. You may remember that when Tony and I spent some time in the Lord's Prayer. That we really settled, we sunk down into what we thought was the best translation of that portion where we come to forgiving debts and forgiving debtors, and we settled on that one because we feel it's the most accurate representation of the actual language there in the text. But two, because that language also comports with all this other teaching of Jesus, this teaching that. Emphasizes the debt nature of sin, and that when we think about the fact that we in fact have a giant loan or a lease or an outstanding obligation, something that has been that our souls ourselves in a way have been mortgaged. And we need a freedom that breaks that mortgage, that wants to take that paper and to satisfy the payment and then to throw it into the fire so that it's gone and no more upon us. That because of all of that, it's appropriate for us to pray that we be forgiven our debts, and that, that we, when we understand that there's been a great debt upon us, that we are willing to look at others and forgive our debtors as well. And so you'll see that in, I'd say it looks like verse 43 here, Simon answers. Jesus question appropriately. Jesus basically pegs him with this very simple, straightforward, and probably really only one answer question, which is, which one do you think loved the creditor more? Which of these borrowers was more ecstatic, which appreciated what had been done more? And of course he says, well, the one with the larger debt, that that seems absolutely obvious. And Jesus essentially here gets Simon to pronounce judgment and then turns that judgment into a mirror. This is brilliantly what Jesus often does with these parables, and to be honest, loved ones. I think he still is doing that today with us. Even those of us who are familiar with these parables, they're always being turned into a mirror so that when we look into the, the text we see ourselves, but like maybe whatever the opposite of like the picture of the Dorian Gray is like, well, maybe it's the same as the picture. You know, this idea that we're seeing the ugliness of ourselves in the beauty of Christ as he's presenting the gospel in this passage. And the issue of course here is not whether you and I or Simon can do math. It's whether Simon will accept the implication and you and I as well, that we are a debtor who cannot repay. That. That's just the reality of the situation.  [00:23:44] The Mirror Turns: Simon's Little Love vs Her Overflowing Gratitude [00:23:44] Jesse Schwamb: And so Jesus turns then, and this is remarkable, he turns toward the woman and he compares her actions with Simon's lack of hospitality, speaking to Simon while he stares intently at the woman. I mean, the drama unfolding in this quick small little passage is exceptional. It's extraordinary. And unlike some of the. Other teachings that we've already looked at here, there is something where Jesus is teaching and acting at the same time. That is the scripture is giving us some direct indication of his movements, of his direction, of his attentional focus. And here there's an attentional focus on the woman while he speaks to Simon the Pharisee. And first what we find is Jesus dignifies the woman by addressing Simon about her while looking at her. He makes the sinner central and the respectable man answerable. That's wild. And there's an angle here that still leads us back to debt, which is Simon behaves like someone who thinks that he is little debt. So he offers little love and the woman behaves like someone who knows she's been rescued from insolvency, and so she pours out gratitude. And then there's a whole host, a little list here, a litany of things that Jesus essentially accuses Simon of directly and pulls them back into this proper understanding of the outpouring of affection. That is a fruit of justification exemplified in the woman's behavior. For instance, Simon gave no kiss, and yet here's this woman. She has not stopped kissing Jesus' feet and then wiping her feet, washing his feet with her tears.  [00:25:19] Grace Received, Love Expressed (Not Earned) [00:25:19] Jesse Schwamb: Of course, in that culture, Simon withheld this ordinary honor and the woman lavish is extraordinary affection. You know, we would often call this an reformed theology, evangelical obedience. It's the kind that flows from faith and gratitude, not a plan to earn acceptance. And this is tough for us, loved ones because we want to conflate these two. It's easy to conflate these two, and we're well-meaning sometimes when we do that. But we have to be careful in understanding that there is an appropriate response of loving worship to one who has set you free. While at the same time understanding that that loving worship never should spill over and, and into any kind of self-proclaimed pride or meritorious earning. And this woman apparently does this so exceptionally well that Jesus calls it out, that all of this is flowing from her faith and her gratitude. Jesus says, Simon didn't anoint his head with oil and she anoints his feet with perfume again. Notice some really interesting juxtaposition in terms of the top and the bottom of the body here. Here's this woman's costly act, underscoring a pattern, grace received, produces love expressed. I love thinking of it that way. Grace, perceived, excuse me, grace received produces love expressed.  [00:26:39] Sin as Crushing Debt: Why It Must Be Paid [00:26:39] Jesse Schwamb: That is the point that Jesus is driving to here, that if we understand the gospel and the gospel tells us that there is a law. That we have transgressed and that this law has accumulated in all of this debt that we cannot pay. And so the weight of this means not just that, oh, it's, it's so hard to have debt in our lives. Oh, it's so annoying and inconvenient. No, instead it's oppressive. This debt itself, this grand burden is over our heads, pushing down on our necks, weighting us down in every way, and especially in the spiritual realm. And because of this, we would be without hope, unless there was one who could come and release us from this debt. And the releasing of this debt has to be, again, an A currency acceptable to the debtor, and it has to actually be paid. There's no wiping away. There's no just amnesty for the sake of absolve. Instead, it must be satisfied. And the woman here has received this kind of extraordinary grace has acknowledged, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, through opened eyes and unstopped ears and a clean heart, has been able to understand the severity of the situation. And then this produces in her love expressed, which again is not the means of her justification, but certainly is one of the fruit of it. And Jesus explains then the reason for her response.  [00:27:58] Forgiveness First: Clearing Up Luke 7's Logic [00:27:58] Jesse Schwamb: The reason why Grace received produces love expressed is because she and her many sins have been forgiven. Hence, her love is great, love the one forgiven, little forgives little. I think sometimes that verse is often misunderstood as if. Her love caused her forgiveness. But again, we want to hear clearly from Jesus on this. The logic he gives is forgiveness, leading to love. Love is evidence or fruits. And so her love is the sign that forgiveness has already been granted and is truly possessed, not the purchase price. And Simon's Lovelessness exposes a heart still clinging to self-righteousness, acting like a small debtor who doesn't even need mercy, like one who doesn't understand that they will never, ever be able to repay the thing that is over them. You know, I love that John Val is often quoted along the lines of something like this. Those forgiven much will love much. And in his writing to me, he captures so much of this moral psychology of grace and I think there is a psychology of grace here. There is a reasonable response. That moves us by the power of the Holy Spirit, from deep within this renewal of the man, such that we express our love to God in all kinds of ways. I think especially in our age, on the Lord's day, in acts of singing through worship and meditation, through worship, and listening through worship and application, through worship, all of these means in particular as our expression of what it means to have been received, having received grace, producing a loving response. [00:29:36] "Your Sins Are Forgiven": Jesus' Divine Authority [00:29:36] Jesse Schwamb: I love that all of this ends as it draws to a close. Jesus speaks these incredible words. He tells her that her sins are forgiven. You know, notice here that Christ speaks an authoritative verdict. This is justifying speech. It's God's court declaration. It's not some like mere the therapeutic. Like reassurance here. It's not like whistling in the dark. It's Jesus himself saying This woman has been forgiven. Blessed is the one whose sins are forgiven. And of course, like so many other times in Jesus' ministry, and I have to imagine by the way, loved ones that this question got asked all the time, and not just on the occasion in which it was a court of us in scripture, but the other guests ask the right question and that question is. Who is this? Who even forgives sins, and that is the right question. Only God can forgive sins against God. Jesus is implicitly claiming divine authority. Now, we finally arrived. This is God's currency. This is the currency or the money, so to speak, that is desperately needed, the only one acceptable to discharge the debt, the cosmic treason that has been done against God himself. So because of that, here's Jesus making the claim that the way that you are led out, the way that you are set free is through me. So even here in the course of just this confronting Simon speaking about sin, he's also providing the way he's saying, I am this way, I am this truth. I am this life. Come through me. [00:31:14] Jesus the Greater Moses: The Gospel as Exodus [00:31:14] Jesse Schwamb: What I find amazing about this is in the beginning. With Adam and Eve, they transgress God's law. And from that day in all days forth, we have been building this massive sin, debt that we cannot repay. And part of the, the repercussions of that debt were for Adam and Eve to be driven to be Exodus as it were, out of the garden. And ever since then, the grand narrative of the redemptive history of God's people has been an exodus instead. Not out of what is idyllic, not out of perfection, but instead. Out of sin, out of bondage, out of sin and death and the devil and the deaths that we have incurred. And so here we have Jesus representing. He is the, the new and better Moses, he is the exodus, so to speak, who comes and grabs us by the hand almost as in the same way that the angelic representations in the story of la. And Sonor grabbed his hand to pull him, maybe even kicking him, screaming. Out of that sinful place, into the glorious light, into safety and security out from underneath this grand debt that we cannot repay. I think of Jesus's acal meeting with Moses and Elijah on the mounts of transfiguration. That's also in Luke, right? And Luke tells us that they spoke of his deceased, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. And the word deceased there literally means Exodus. In Jesus, God would affect an infinitely greater deliverance than he had under Moses. And then interestingly, we see that even in all the way back in Psalm 23, you know David, he's writing as a rescue sinner who has been brought out. Brought to the Heavenly Shepherd, into the security and freedom of a sheep hold in love ones I submit to you. That is what Jesus is after here. He's after it in your life and he's after in mind that there is death, and he wants to take us out from underneath that debt by paying it off that he is the rescuer, the one who is just and justifier that he's the greater Moses, and that he leads us into Exodus. So we are transferred into the kingdom of a light. And that kingdom of light is also a kingdom of lightness in the sense that what was once a burden on our back, like it was for Pilgrim, has now been taken off. And so we are free. In that freedom, in that financial freedom, in that spiritual freedom as it were, to use both of the sides of this metaphor. What we find is our response is appropriately one of worship, that we weep and we cry for who we were, that we rejoice for who God is, and that we come proudly into His kingdom because of what he has done. And this changes us. It messes us up. You know, I think we've said before that. The joy of the Christian life of Christian lives is that the transformation process that God undertakes in each of us is very different, and some honestly are more dramatic than others. But what I think is always dramatic is one, the scripture tells us that it is a miracle. That even one would be saved. So hardhearted are we, and again, so great this debt against us that when God intervenes all get what they deserve. But some get mercy. And if we have been the ones who have received mercy, how joyful ought we to be toward the one who has granted it to us? And so here we have Christ, the the one who delivers, the one who leads out, the one who pays off, the one who pays it all.  [00:34:45] Behold the Cross: What Sin Costs, What Love Pays [00:34:45] Jesse Schwamb: I think what's clear is that the cross gives us this sense when we look upon it of just how deep and dark and heavy sin is, and that there is no easy way out of it. That what we find is that sin constantly wants to drag us down. It constantly wants to take us farther than we wanted to go, and it certainly costs us way more than we were willing to pay. So I think if we come and we behold the wood, if we behold the nails, if we look on this crown pressed into the brow that knew no guilt or disobedience, if we, not in our mind's eye, but by faith, behold, the hands that open, the blind eyes now being opened by iron. If we see the feet. Walked toward the hurting, now fixed in place for the healing of the world. If we look at the thirst of the one who is living water and the hunger of the one who is the bread of life, we ought to see the one who here, even in this passage, is just and justifier, and he invites us to say with him, come witness the death of death in the death of Jesus Christ. That is the glorious mission, right? As as, um, Horatio Spafford said, my sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin not in part, but the whole is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Oh my soul of ones. This is the beauty of, I think of what Jesus is, is teaching here. It's the lamb. It's the one promise on the mountain provided in place of Isaac. It's the Passover marked with Crimson death passing over doors that were covered. Here's the suffering. Servant despised and rejected a man of sorrows. Who here is one who is truly well acquainted with grief? When we see Jesus lifted up, lifted up on the cross, lifted up between heaven and earth. Here the instrument of exalted torment but also unexpected triumph, the perfect God man, lifted up between earth and heaven, lifted up in shame so that we might be lifted up in grace, lifted up in cursing. We might be lifted up in blessing lifted up in Forsakenness so that we might be lifted up in divine communion with God the father lifted up to be stared at as he presents himself here, so that we could finally see what sin costs and what love pays. That is everything that he's teaching us in this passage, and I hope that you are as encouraged about this as I am because. When I think about the gospel framed in this way with the full severity of its repercussions, thinking about sin as debt objectively as a liability, that must be satisfied. My heart is instantly warmed, and I think the warming of that is not because this manufactured some kind of sentimentality around this, but there is something about this that's so resonant to me that in my professional career, in my business, I'm intimately familiar with, with debt and understanding how to manage it, but also the dangers of it. And what a liability it truly is. And so when I hear that sin not just is like this, but is this way, it makes complete sense to me and I see that this is really the, the true way that we ought to understand, I think the gospel message.  [00:38:18] Key Takeaways: Debt, Currency, and Canceling the Ledger [00:38:18] Jesse Schwamb: So here's what we should remember. Debt highlights objective guilt. I think I've said that a bunch of times and I just feel like it's, it bears repeating one last time. Sin is not only damage, it is consequences, but it's also a liability. A creditor doesn't need to be convinced you did harm. The ledger already stands and the ledger against us is not on our side. Loved ones. We are deeply in the red, and it really doesn't matter what the balance is because we just cannot repay. So it's really about our lack of ability, our inability, the no, we have no capability to pay this, and so it doesn't matter. We find ourselves in a place of hopelessness no matter what, and this debt highlights that inability none of these particular borrowers could repay. It's devastating to moral pride. We lean on this in our reform theological perspective. Even our best works can't erase guilt or generate merit sufficient to square the accounts. It's impossible. It's impossible with two ways, and this is some, I think really like the beautiful nuance of what Jesus after here in the one way that we are enabled to do this. Is because we just actually cannot earn enough. So in other words, the debt is too big. So think of the biggest number in your head that you could possibly think of, and that's at least minimally the outstanding debt. But then think about this. You don't even have the right currency. So you might find that you spend your entire lifetime working to the bone. It's like finding out that you have a million dollar loan or lien against you, and you work hard all your life, 50, 60, 70 years. And finally, on your deathbed, you've assembled enough cash with all of your savings to put toward and finally satisfy. So you might die in peace with this $1 million free and clear from your account, and you turn over the money and the creditor says, what is this currency? I won't accept this. I can't accept this. How debilitating. So it's not even the size of the debt. It's also that we don't have, we cannot earn the right currency. Only. God. God. I think this debt also highlights grace as cancellation. Forgiveness is not God pretending the debt doesn't exist. It is God releasing the debtor. This is him in triumph, being the greater Moses who walks us out through the waters outside of the city into the glorious light and the broader New Testament explains how God can do that justly. The charge is dealt with through Christ. You can go check out Colossians two. Read the whole thing of Love it. It's fantastic. I think lastly, this debt explains love, as shall we say, like a downstream effect. People love a little when they imagine that they have little needs and people love much when they were spiritually bankrupt and then freely pardoned freely in that it didn't cost you and I anything, but of course it cost our Lord and Savior everything, and so. In this way, our hopes to frame the fact that our love should be an outpouring of gratitude, uh, for the grace that God has given us through Jesus Christ.  [00:41:28] Putting It Into Practice: Don't Compare Debts, Watch for "Simon Symptoms" [00:41:28] Jesse Schwamb: Here's some things I would say that we should all walk away with to help us then both process what we've talked about here, and also put some of this into action. First thing would be, don't measure your need by comparing debts horizontally. That's a fool's errand, whether 50 or 500. The point is we cannot pay. And this levels the Pharisee and the prostitute alike. That is like Tony talked about elsewhere in the previous Luke 15, where we're talking about the PR prodigal of the father, the prodigal of the two lost sons. How there's like a great insult against the Pharisee there. And here's the insult, it's also a little bit cutting to us, and again, that the Pharisee and the prostitute are alike. Can't repay. It Doesn't matter what debt you think you have in the corporal sense, or again in this horizontal means, but you cannot repay it. And so therefore, guess what? We're all like, we need to let forgiveness lead and we need to let love follow. If you reverse that order like I'll love so I can be forgiven. You crush assurance and you turn the gospel into wages and that's again exactly I think what Jesus is against in this. He's making that very clear. The, the beauty of the gospel is this receiving that Christ has done all these things that we, uh, find ourselves by his arresting, by again, his intervening by his coming forward. He does all this on our behalf. You've heard me say before, I always like take that old phrase, what would Jesus do? That question that was on everybody's bracelets and everybody's minds and what, two decades ago? And turn that answer into what would Jesus do? Everything And it's already done. We need to watch for Simon symptoms. That's my clever way of saying this, like low love, high judgment. A chilly heart toward Christ often signals a warm heart towards self justification. And so we wanna be about the kind of people that are closely king, clinging to Jesus Christ as all of our hope and stay that the strength for today and hope for tomorrow comes from what Christ has already accomplished on our behalf. And therefore, there is a dutiful and meaningful and appropriate response for us. But that response again, is not obedience for merit. It is obedience out of warm heartedness for our savior. And for a sincere repentance because a sincere repentance is not payment. It's agreement with God about the debt. Tears, don't cancel the ledger. Christ does that. Tears are what debtors do when Mercy lands, and I think in some way the challenge here is that have we really meditated on the life of this woman and then more personally on our own experiences on what it means to be saved? Well, I'm not asking you to get yourself worked up into an emotional state, but what I am asking all of us to do is. Have we spent enough time recently meditating on what it means that Christ has set us free, that we are incredible debtors, and that Christ in our own ledger in this way hasn't just wiped out the debt, but he's filled up the account with righteousness. And so we can exchange these horrible soiled garments for garments of praise. Now, have we thought about that recently? The call here is to be reminded. That sincere repentance is an agreement with God about the debt, and in that agreement we're sensing that weight. There should be a response.  [00:44:42] Final Charge + Community & Support (Telegram / Patreon) [00:44:42] Jesse Schwamb: So I leave it to you loved ones, you've heard it here, or at least you've heard me talk for a little while about this parable. And maybe one day, maybe there'll be an episode one day about Tony's perspective on this, which I can't imagine will be too much different. But again, I saw my opportunity, loved ones. I said, oh, I'm gonna sneak in hard on this one because this one is particularly meaningful and special to me, and I hope that even though it involved a little bit of economics and maybe a lot of finance, that it didn't lose its resonance with you. I think this is the great weight of the way in which Jesus teaches that he's not just using practical means. But he's using these things to give greater weight and flesh, as it were, to these concepts of a spiritual nature that sometimes feel ephemeral. Instead, he wants them to sink in heaviness upon us. And I wanna be clear that. This whole parable is both law and gospel. It is the weightiness and the sharp edge knife of the law which cuts against us. And Jesus throwing his weight around literally at this dinner party and in this parable, and you and I should feel that weight. It should knock us around a little bit. And then. And then comes the reminder that there is good news and that good news, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ, is that he has made a way that the debt that was incurred against us, that we ourselves added to, that we continue to want to try to borrow against, that Jesus has, in fact paid that debt in full and that he's done so in the currency of his own flesh and blood and his own passive and active obedience so that it may be paid in full. It's true what the hymn says. Jesus paid it all, all to him. I owe. So I hope loved ones that you'll be encouraged with that message that it is both law and gospel, but it ends in this high and elevated state, which is we have been made together alive with Christ for his own sake, for his glory, and for our good. So now that you know that go out into the world and live that way, meditate on that, enjoy that. Talk about it with a family member or a brother and sister, or you can talk about it with us. You didn't think that we'd get this far without me even a plug for telegram, did you? So if you. Haven't listened to us before, or if this is your 480th time, I say welcome and also come hang, hang out with us online. You can do that by going to your browser and putting in there. T me slash reformed brotherhood. T. Dummy slash reformed brotherhood, and that will take you to a little app called Telegram, which is just a messaging app. And we have a closed community in there, which you can preview and then become a part of. And there's lots of lovely brothers, sisters from all over the world interacting, talking about the conversations we're having here, sharing prayer requests, sharing memes, talking about life tasting foods on video. It's really. Absolutely delightful, and I know you want to be a part of it, so come hang out. It's one other thing you can do. If at any point you felt like this podcast, the conversations have been a blessing to you, may I ask a favor, something at least for you to consider, and that is there are all kinds of expenses to make sure that this thing keeps going on. Keeps going strong. And there are brothers and sisters who after they've satisfied their financial obligations, have said, I want to give a little bit to that. So if you've been blessed, I'm what I can I boldly ask that you might consider that it's so many people giving so many tiny little gifts because all of these things compound for God's glory in the kingdom. And if you're interested in giving to us one time or reoccurring, here's a website for you to check out. It's patreon.com. Reform Brotherhood, P-A-T-R-E-O n.com, reform slash reform brotherhood. Go check that out. Alright, that's it. Loved ones, you know what to do. Until next time, honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. 

Series: Bankrupt the GraveWeek 3 Title: He Forgives FirstText: Mark 2:1–12Big Idea:Jesus addresses the deepest need first. Healing the body is powerful—but forgiveness of the soul is eternal.I. The House Is Full — The Word Comes FirstJesus returns to Capernaum and the crowds pack the house.The yard is full. The street is full. Shoulder to shoulder.And what is Jesus doing? Preaching the Word.Not chasing popularity. Not performing for attention.It is always about the Word. Always about the Kingdom.Every generation must choose: Which kingdom will you live for? II. The Faith of a Friend MattersThe paralyzed man cannot get to Jesus on his own.Four friends carry him, push through obstacles, climb the roof, tear it open, and lower him down.That is determined faith—not casual faith.Jesus sees their faith.Some of us are here because someone carried us in prayer.Question: Do you have friends like that? Are you that kind of friend? III. He Forgives FirstThe man is lowered in front of Jesus. Everyone expects healing.Jesus says: “Son, your sins are forgiven.”Why? Because Jesus always goes deeper.Our biggest problem is not what happened to us—it's what is happening in us.We pray for changed circumstances. Jesus wants changed hearts.Freedom does not begin in your body. It begins in your soul. IV. Only God Can Forgive SinsReligious leaders accuse Jesus of blasphemy.They are right: Only God can forgive sins.Forgiveness belonged to the Temple system—priests, sacrifices, rituals.Jesus bypasses all of it and declares forgiveness directly.He is not pointing to God—He is claiming to be God.No middle ground: evil, insane, or divine. V. Which Is Easier?Jesus proves the invisible with the visible.“So that you may know…” He heals the man.The healing validates the authority to forgive.The real miracle was not “he can walk.”The real miracle was “he is forgiven.” VI. The Eternal PerspectiveBodies fail. Strength fades. Health disappears.Every healed body eventually dies.But a forgiven soul lives forever.Our hope cannot rest in temporary restoration—it must rest in eternal redemption.

Life Changing: Going Deep Speaker: Ronnie Roberts Text: Ephesians 3:14-21 Only God can give us what we need. I. We need strength through His Spirit. II. We need the indwelling of Christ in our hearts. III. God can fill us with His presence.

Wesley Wright Lighthouse Bible Church Sunday, February 15, 2026 Judgment Day 2Co 5:9-12 "Only God can judge me" is a common retort from the unbelieving word. They are correct technically, but often don't know it - God will judge the world via His Son. Jesus Christ is the Judge of the world. Joh 5:17-23; Acts 17:24-31; 2Ti 4:1 We and all people should expect a judgment: Heb 9:24-28 We discussed the believer's fate at the point of death last week. How do we square their entry into heaven with the coming judgment mentioned in 2Co 5:10? The judgment we read about in 2Co 5:10 isn't the judgment of sin. Sin was judged in full at the cross, so we believers have nothing to fear in the... for full notes: http://www.lbible.org/index.php?proc=msg&sf=vw&tid=1776

Firm Foundation x Maverick City Music was in my spirit & I had to really sit with the words.​“Rain came, Wind blew, my house was built on you! And I'm safe with you, I'm going to make it through.”•It was a testimony to my current situation. In a physical aspect it meant something too. ​This is a vulnerable moment with my ABBA of me encouraging myself because all I had was this song and tears. A desperation of wanting to be mended back together!•If you're filled with the Holy Spirit and worship the King of Kings whisper my name in your prayers, please. ​I just want to be loved back whole by God.​Everyone who is dealing with heart break or going through a healing process: you are not alone. It's not easy or a linear process, but run to God! Nobody else is going to let you vent 100 million times about the same thing, nobody is going to give you advice that's meaningful enough to stop the pain, nobody is powerful enough to remove the attachments, or erase the memory to make it like it never happened. Only God can do these things so lean on Him.

Truly I tell you, that you can pray all day, but if you are not praying God's Will, then you are praying outside of God's Will. When we pray outside of God's Will, those prayers are outside of the Kingdom of God. For example, a person prays "Lord, please bless my affair with my mistress. Bless me so I can continue to cheat on my wife." This is outside of God's Will. Another example: "Lord, I don't like my parent. Can you strike them down? The motives of these prayers are not rooted and grounded in the Lord, they are coming from a place not represented by the Heart of the Father. They are coming from those who have fellowship with darkness. This is outside of God's Will.   - Pray, Not my will but Yours be done  - How are we to pray? - God's Will starts with salvation - What does it mean to be born of the flesh and born of the Spirit? - Only God's Word accomplishes and does not return void - God prepares the way for you when you live, pray, study, acknowledge, and do His Will This program covers the following Scriptures from the Amplified Classic version (AMPC): 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 1 John 4:17, John 8:12, Luke 22:42, Romans 8:1-2, Romans 8:5-11, John 1:1-2, Matthew 6:5-15, John 8:31-32, John 8:31-32, John 3:1-8, Romans 8:9-10, 2 Peter 3:9, James 5:1, Matthew 6:33, Isaiah 55:11, Psalms 23:1-6.Support the showClick Here to Send Us Your Prayer Request.

What would you do if you dreamed about someone you'd never met — and then God made the introduction?In January 2022, I had a dream about recording a podcast with prophet and dream interpreter Doug Addison. There were technical difficulties in the dream, but I noted that the joy and revelation outweighed the attack. Months later, that dream became a real conversation — technical difficulties and all. What followed was a mentorship that changed the way I interpret dreams forever.On January 26, 2026, Doug went home to be with Jesus. By 2012 alone, he had documented interpreting over 25,000 dreams. Only God knows the true number over a lifetime of that kind of faithfulness.In this tribute episode, I'm sharing two stories from our original conversation — including a seven-year recurring nightmare that turned out to be destiny knocking — and two principles from Doug's Dream Crash Course that I still carry into every interpretation today: why context changes everything, and why dream interpretation is better caught than taught.This one is personal. And I believe it's prophetic for you too.Scriptures Referenced:↳ 1 Chronicles 12:32 — The Issachar anointing↳ Isaiah 59:19 — When the enemy comes in like a flood↳ James 4:7 — Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee↳ Numbers 21:8–9 — The bronze serpent and context↳ Acts 10:11–15 — Peter's symbolic vision↳ Psalm 126:1 — We were like those who dream (CHALAM)Mentioned in This Episode:↳ Doug Addison — InLight Connection, Dream Crash Course (still available on his website)↳Dreams Unloaded Podcast that featured Doug Addison↳ John Paul Jackson — Streams MinistriesReady to Go Deeper?↳ The Dreamers Collective School of Interpretation is LIVE on Skool ↳ Weekly teaching, community, live coaching, and biblical foundations for dream interpretationSubmit a Dream:↳ Have a dream you'd like interpreted on a future episode? Submit it at www.jayflew.com/podcast

Well, Moses is known as the servant of God. We are also told that he is the most humble man that ever lived. But Moses was not perfect. No one is perfectly righteous. Only God and His only begotten Son, Messiah, Yeshua, that is Jesus of Nazareth. With that said, take out your Bible and look with me, if you would, to the book of Numbers and chapter 20To donate please visit us at:https://loveisrael.org/donate/Checks may be sent to:LoveIsrael.org

Well, Moses is known as the servant of God. We are also told that he is the most humble man that ever lived. But Moses was not perfect. No one is perfectly righteous. Only God and His only begotten Son, Messiah, Yeshua, that is Jesus of Nazareth. With that said, take out your Bible and look with me, if you would, to the book of Numbers and chapter 20To donate please visit us at:https://loveisrael.org/donate/Checks may be sent to:LoveIsrael.org

Judging others can feel instinctive—especially when we think we see someone’s motives clearly. Yet Scripture reminds us that our focus on others often reveals what’s in our own hearts. Matthew 7:3 challenges us to examine ourselves before pointing out the faults of others. This devotional explores how a critical spirit can be transformed into a heart of blessing, freeing us to walk in purity and God’s favor. Intersecting Faith & Life Reflect on these questions: When do you find yourself judging or critiquing others? How might God want you to adjust your heart and your perspective? What would it look like to bless someone who frustrates or challenges you? How can letting go of control over others’ actions deepen your relationship with God? Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: One Tip to Break a Critical SpiritBy Kelly Balarie Bible Reading:"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" – Matthew 7:3 NIV Who does she think she is? She is only on social media because she wants people to see her, not because she really cares about anyone or Jesus... She's really in it for herself, and she wants everyone online to know—where she's traveling, what she is doing, how she is looking. My mind started to go down this critical thinking track again. That is—until I stopped—and then I hung my head down in shame. The hard truth is—I have judged so many. I have sized up people's intent online. I have sized up and surmised people's wrong motives. I made judgments about people's hearts that only God can know. I have hardened my heart towards people who are even doing the will of God... by deciding they are doing it for attention, for public perception, or for their own recognition. I hung my head down, saying, "God, what do I know?" Only God knows. And what I am judging is what I am walking in. Meaning, I think it is about them, but what I am seeing is actually about me. It is worth taking a second to consider. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matt. 7:3) If I spot it, I likely got it. When push comes to shove, or when truth comes to light—I am doing what I am judging. I am seeking attention. I sometimes do things so others can see me. I have wrong motives. No wonder God has shut doors on me; in His grace and love, He wants me to see rightly, so I can then move powerfully with a pure heart. In His saying no, He has created a special room for me to examine my heart. I also see that as I rectify my heart, there is great hope for big, yes opportunities from God. The truth is, other people's motives are not my issue. My motive is. What they do is none of my business. Now I can see that I have been wrong. Dead wrong. But now I turn back to Christ. As I repent of this critical spirit and my wrong motives, they are removed as far as the East is from the West (Ps. 103:12). Here, I can do a new thing to defeat this critical spirit: I can bless rather than distress others... What does this look like? It looks like: Noticing when I am criticizing. Stopping that mental track. Ditching making them my business. Praying a blessing over them instead. Essentially, I can stop, bless, and then progress onward. Their motives are not my business. Me, keeping a pure heart? That's the business I am to be about. Intersecting Faith & Life: When do you find yourself judging or critiquing people? How might God want you to adjust course? What would it look like for you to bless those who curse you? What would it look like for you to let go of things or people you cannot control? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Fathers do not treat speech as a social matter. They treat it as a matter of life and death. Because speech reveals what the heart lives from. A man may fast and remain proud. He may pray and remain full of illusion. He may withdraw outwardly and still remain inhabited by noise. But when he speaks, the truth emerges. The tongue betrays what the heart serves. Christ says with terrifying simplicity, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34 He does not say the mouth creates. He says the mouth reveals. Speech is the manifestation of inner condition. The Evergetinos preserves the fierce sobriety of the Fathers on this point because they knew that speech is not neutral. Speech either dissipates the heart or gathers it into God. Abba Arsenius fled from men not because he hated them but because he feared what his own mouth might do. He had been formed in the courts of emperors. He knew the seduction of words. He knew how easily speech strengthens the illusion of the self. He heard a voice saying, “Flee, be silent, pray always.” Not because silence is virtuous in itself, but because silence exposes the poverty of the heart. When a man falls silent, he encounters himself. He encounters the anxiety that drives speech. The need to affirm himself. The need to be seen. The need to exist in the minds of others. Speech often becomes the way the ego sustains its continuity. Each word reinforces the illusion that the self is real, stable, necessary. This is why idle speech is so dangerous. Not because the words themselves are always evil, but because they feed the false center. St. John Climacus writes that talkativeness is the throne of vainglory, the sign of ignorance, the doorway of slander, and the cooling of compunction. Every unnecessary word strengthens forgetfulness of God. Not dramatically. Quietly. Almost imperceptibly. The heart that was once gathered becomes scattered. The attention that was once turned inward toward repentance becomes turned outward toward managing impressions. A man begins by speaking carelessly. He ends by living carelessly. The Evergetinos recounts how the elders guarded their speech with ferocity. Not because they had nothing to say, but because they feared losing the presence of God. They understood that the more a man speaks, the more he lives outside himself. And the more he lives outside himself, the more he forgets God. Abba Poemen said, “If a man remembers that he must give an account of every idle word, he will choose silence.” Not because silence is safer socially. Because silence is safer spiritually. Christ Himself says, “For every idle word men speak, they will give account on the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36 Every idle word. This is not exaggeration. It is revelation. Because every idle word strengthens a life lived apart from God. Speech gives substance to illusion. It allows the ego to feel real. To feel present. To feel established. This is why men fear silence. Silence removes reinforcement. Silence reveals instability. Silence reveals dependency. Silence reveals that without constant affirmation, the ego begins to tremble. The Fathers did not seek silence as technique. They sought silence as truth. In silence, a man begins to see that he does not yet exist in God. He exists in the reflection of himself in the minds of others. Speech sustains that reflection. Silence destroys it. This destruction feels like death. Because something is dying. The false self that lives from recognition. The Evergetinos shows us elders who would rather appear foolish than speak unnecessarily. Who would rather remain misunderstood than protect themselves with words. Because they had discovered something terrible and liberating. Words cannot save the soul. Only God can save the soul. And God is found not in noise, but in poverty. St. Isaac the Syrian writes that the man who has come to know himself guards his tongue as one standing before fire. Because he knows how easily the heart can be emptied of grace. Speech is not evil. But uncontrolled speech reveals an uncontrolled heart. The man who speaks constantly has not yet learned to stand before God. Because the man who stands before God begins to see himself truthfully. And seeing himself truthfully, he loses the need to speak. Not because he despises others. Because he no longer needs to sustain himself. His life begins to be hidden with Christ in God. And the tongue, once restless and hungry, becomes quiet. Not forced into silence. But stilled by the presence of God. This is the path the Fathers walked. They did not seek eloquence. They sought reality. And reality begins when the mouth stops protecting the self and the heart begins to stand naked before God. --- Text of chat during the group: 00:02:32 Fr. Charbel Abernethy: Page 354 para 4 00:03:51 Angela Bellamy: I apologize for my mic. I didn't realize it had activated. 00:04:01 Angela Bellamy: Reacted to "I apologize for my m..." with

Today on Anchored By the Sword Podcast, I'm honored to welcome my friend Nikita Koloff—and y'all, this conversation is powerful, redemptive, and deeply encouraging.I first met Nikita back in 2022 at the NRB Convention in Nashville, and it feels wild how fast the years fly by. What hasn't changed is the impact of his testimony and the way God has completely transformed his life.Nikita grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, raised by a single mom after his father left when he was just three years old. He went on to become a standout football player, earning academic All-American honors, before stepping into the world of professional wrestling—where many know him as “The Russian Nightmare.” He had a wildly successful career, retiring early at just 33 years old… but success didn't equal fulfillment.In this episode, Nikita shares:How fame and success still left him emptyThe divine appointment that led him to church on October 17, 1993Surrendering his life to Christ at the altar—and never being the sameLearning to serve through missions and discipleshipLaunching Koloff for Christ Ministries and preaching in over 1,500 churchesMinistering in 36 countries and to crowds of over 70,000 peopleHis heart for men's ministry, discipleship, and calling men higherOne of the most moving parts of this conversation is Nikita's story of redemption and reconciliation with his father. After decades of distance, God restored their relationship—to the point where his father eventually said, “I love you, son,” for the first time at age 84. Nikita was with him when he went home to be with the Lord, and his father's final words to him were once again, “I love you, son.” Only God can write stories like that.Nikita also shares the verse that continues to anchor his life and ministry:Colossians 1:10 — a prayer to live a life worthy of the Lord, please Him in every way, bear fruit, and grow in the knowledge of God.This episode is a reminder that:Success without Christ will always fall shortGod is working behind the scenes long before we say “yes”Redemption is never too lateSaying yes to Jesus can change generationsWhether you're a wrestling fan, a leader, a parent, or someone searching for purpose—this conversation will meet you right where you are.

Fear doesn’t disappear because life gets easier—it loosens its grip when we learn to rest in a love that cannot be taken away. This Crosswalk Devotional, Held by a Love Stronger Than Fear by Sarah Frazer, centers on 1 John 4:17–18 and reveals how God’s perfect, unconditional love drives out fear at its root. For anyone shaped by fragile or conditional relationships, this devotion offers reassurance that God’s love is steady, secure, and permanent. Highlights God’s love is not fragile, conditional, or temporary Perfect love drives out fear rooted in punishment and loss God’s love can be known and fully relied upon Fear grows when we doubt the security of God’s love Confidence replaces anxiety when we rest in who God is God’s love is part of His unchanging nature We are held by a love stronger than rejection, doubt, and fear Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Held by a Love Stronger Than FearBy Sarah Frazer Bible Reading:And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. - 1 John 4:17-18 Many of us carry a fear we rarely name: the fear that love can leave. The only love we see is often a love that is distant and disappointing. For me, sometimes love feels fragile. That’s because the love we often experience is a conditional love. It is a love that depends on how we act, perform, or even our moods. How many relationships have been broken and lost because love was withdrawn, withheld, or just abandoned? Human relationships are indeed fragile, weak, and easily broken. Even if we experience a love that lasts, we still distrust the true kind of love we see in the Bible. Friend, God’s love is not fragile. The apostle John gives us a picture of God’s love here. He says, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:16-18 The book of 1 John was a letter written to Christians in the first century. The new church was experiencing intense persecution and suffering. When we face hardships, we question God’s love for us. John spends so much time in this letter explaining God’s love to them, so they would rest in a love that was strong, eternal, and not rooted in fear. John uses the word know here. We do not guess or hope in God’s love. We can know it! We also rely on it. This word means to rest our entire weight on it. We can sit down, rest, and be confident in this type of love. Human love can waver, disappear, or get lost. Fear grips our hearts when we think about the loves that have left. Whether by death or choice, human love will always be vulnerable. Only God loves us fully, completely, and without condition. God’s love is something we are invited here, in John’s letter, to depend upon! John also says that “God is love.” That means that God is more than just loving, but His very nature is one of love. What makes God who He is has to include love. There is a permanence here. His love cannot leave because it is woven into the fabric of who He is. God would not be God unless He loved us. That means that this love is never revoked; nor is it ever threatened by our weakness, doubt, or fear. Fear grows when we lose sight of God’s love for us. If we continually see our inadequacies as a measure of God’s love for us, we will always fear. We will always be afraid that we will lose God’s love. But when we begin to see how secure God’s love for us is - that’s when fear begins to shrink! Fear is tied to punishment and loss. In 1 John 4:17-18, he makes it clear that love has “made us complete.” This type of love leads to confidence, not anxiety. Fear whispers: What if I lose love? God’s love answers: You are held. This is the power of God’s love over fear. We are held by a love that is stronger than fear. I’ll admit, fear feels very strong in my life. It seems to start small, but then grow if I allow the worries and doubts to take over my mind. If I ever encounter a love that is uncertain, or when I face the sting of rejection by someone else, I have to guard against fear. Fear likes to settle into our hearts. If we allow that to happen, we lose sight of God’s love and begin to guard ourselves away. John reminds us that as Christians, we are shaped by a love that is beyond all fear. As we learn to rest in the love God offers us, we can feel our fears give way to faith. We can find ourselves confident, grounded, in a love that is steady, secure, and strong enough to hold us. Intersecting Faith & Life: Our experiences with people often shape how we expect love to behave. If love has been inconsistent or even withheld, fear can quickly influence the way we relate to God as well. But God’s love is something we can rely on. How have your past or present relationships shaped the way you expect love to behave? In what area of your life might God be inviting you to replace fear-driven striving with deeper reliance on His love? Further Reading:Psalm 27:1Isaiah 54:10John 14:27Romans 8:15 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Our Election in Christ (5)  (audio) David Eells – 2/4/26 I'm going to pick up where we left off about being predestined in Christ and its connection to Election. There are some very important principles here about God's dealings with man. (Exo.33:20) And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live. Remember that Moses put a veil upon his face so the children of Israel couldn't look upon him to know that which was passing away (Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18). Moses represented the Law, and he never got to see the face of God, but we just read a verse in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 13:12) about those who are going to come to know God face-to-face. So, how did Moses come to know God? (Exo.33:21) And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock (There's only one way to get to know God. You have to stand by the Lord, and you have to stand on the Rock.): (22) and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand until I have passed by: (23) and I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back; but my face shall not be seen. The difference in the relationship between the Old Testament and New Testament people is that what Moses saw in a shadow, we see in manifestation. We can come to know God face-to-face. Moses only saw types and shadows, not the real face of God, because Moses represented the Law. The children of Israel knew the Law, but they didn't understand the Law, which is what the veil symbolized. (2Co.3:13) And [are] not as Moses, [who] put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away: (14) but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ. (15) But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. (16) But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (17) Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty. (18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. In the New Testament, we are looking at the spirit of the Law (2Co.3:6) … as ministers of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. Moses received grace because he was known by God, and then he came to know God. That's our relationship with the Lord, too. We have to stand by the Lord, and we have to stand on the Rock in order to see the Lord. It's sanctification, but it's unto obedience. Christians who are not obedient are not known by God. (Joh.10:2) But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. (3) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name (“I know thee by name.”), and leadeth them out. (4) When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. (5) And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. God's people have to come out of Babylon (Isaiah 48:20; 52:11; Jeremiah 48:20; 50:8; 51:6; Revelation 18:4) because being in Babylon is following the voice of strangers. Jesus was speaking to a group of people who were following Babylonish Judaism, but the ones God knew, He called by name, and He led them out. (Joh.10:27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. The ones whom He knows are going to come out of the apostate sheepfold. They are going to come out of Babylon and be delivered from apostate religion because they are not going to hear the voice of strangers. There's a good explanation of this in Romans, where Paul just got through telling the people that only a remnant of Israel was going to be saved (Romans 9:27-29) and how God decided to call them His people who were not His people (Romans 9:23-26; 10:11-13, 20). Paul asks, (Rom.11:1) I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. If you're thinking, “Weren't they broken off, David? (Romans 11:17-24)” Well, God did break off some people, but let's keep reading, and we'll find out who those people were. (2) God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel: (3) Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. (4) But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. All Israel had turned against God, except for 7,000 people in the time of Elijah, because they were the ones God foreknew. When the two witnesses, whom we discovered are not just two men (Revelation 11:3-12), were called up to the throne, there were “names of men seven thousand” that perished. (Rev.11:13) And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons (The Greek there is literally “names of men seven thousand.”): and the rest were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Why would “names of men” perish? That's because God is going to give us a new name (Revelation 2:17). When you die and then are resurrected, you are no longer the person you once were, the old man. You have totally put to death the old man and he's finally gone. So God is giving us a key there when He says “the names of men seven thousand” to show us that He's talking about the elect. When they were resurrected, all of the elect were resurrected. The ones who hadn't “bowed the knee to Baal,” these 7,000 were foreknown. God didn't cast off these 7,000, but He did cast off the rest of Israel. (Rom.11:5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. In other words, spiritually speaking, in our day there are still 7,000 who haven't “bowed the knee” to the Beast. There are still 7,000 who haven't worshipped the Beast. (6) But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. The reason these 7,000 stand is because of grace. Remember that God gives grace to the ones He knew by name, just as Moses received grace from God because God knew him by name. (7) What then? that which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened. The “seven thousand” obtained it and the rest lost out. The called who were not the elect lost out, but the called who were the elect obtained it. The rest of Israel was like the foolish virgins: (Mat.25:11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. (12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. They didn't have enough “oil.” The Bible says there is coming a time when the lukewarm are going to be spewed out (Revelation 3:16). You see, there has to come a point where God draws the line, and then those who have not born any fruit will never bear fruit. Even though the five foolish virgins sought to enter in, they sought to do so too late to do what they should have been doing all along. They should have been seeking more oil for their lamps. They were invited to partake of the wedding feast, which, spiritually, is partaking of the body and the blood of Christ. Jesus said, (Joh.6:54) He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The carnal Christians among the called are not doing this because they are not part of the elect. We need to be seeking God for all of His grace now. How do we prove, how do we show forth, who it is that God foreknew? It's very simple. The people who are disciples of Christ are listening to Him. Are you following Him? Are you seeking His will or are you just seeking this life? You can't have both. You have to give up your life. “The election obtained it, and the rest were hardened.” And Paul said, “Even so then at this present time.” Yes, even at this time, the election will obtain it, and the rest will be hardened. There's a great falling away coming, and the lukewarm are going to be spewed out. What is the “falling away”? It's the hardening of people's hearts. (Rom.11:8) According as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day. (9) And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: (10) Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their back always. God does harden hearts, and in this case, He was hardening the hearts of the people who would not bear fruit. They were calling Him “Lord, Lord,” but they were not doing the will of God. (Rom.9:17) For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power (God raised up Pharaoh to show His power to save His people.), and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. (18) So then he hath mercy on whom He will, and whom He will, He hardeneth. (19) Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? (20) Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? (21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? God has the right. Some people protest, “That would make God dishonest!” No, God can make anything He wants with His clay. The Bible tells us that God has this right and so He hardened Pharaoh's heart. You know, everything in the Old Testament symbolizes something and Pharaoh symbolizes the “god of this world,” the devil. The title “Pharaoh” means “the great temple of the sun god” and he was the manifestation of god on earth to the Egyptians. Pharaoh ruled all of Egypt and in many types and shadows, Egypt represents the world. God hardened Pharaoh's heart to not let His people go, and the Bible says this in Exodus 4. Not until we get to chapter 8 does it say that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. Time and time again, I've heard people say, “No, first Pharaoh hardened his own heart.” They say that because they are trying to get God “off the hook,” so to speak. They want to bring God down to man's level. God is not a man. He can do anything He wants to do. In Exodus, we see God hardening the heart of Pharaoh and the hearts of Pharaoh's people. Do you know who the Egyptians, the people of Pharaoh, symbolize? The Egyptian represents your flesh. (1Co.10:1) For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. In the Red Sea, the Egyptian died, the old man died. When we get baptized, the old man is put to death, and the new man comes up out of the water by faith. The devil represents the god of the flesh. Some people think that God wants to get rid of the devil. No, God doesn't want to get rid of the devil; God wants to harden his heart. God hardened his heart to not let His people go to show that only by His power is anyone saved and delivered. (Exo.4:21) And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest back into Egypt, see that thou do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in thy hand: but I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go. (22) And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, my first-born: (23) and I have said unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and thou hast refused to let him go: behold, I will slay thy son, thy first-born. The firstborn of the devil is the flesh, and the firstborn of God is Israel. (7:1) And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee as God to Pharaoh.... Do you know that we've been given authority over all the power of the enemy (Matthew 28:18-19)? Do you know that we are as God to the devil? What we bind and loose is going to be bound and loosed (Matthew 18:18), but we are too often guilty of disagreeing with God and losing the devil to do his works, instead. We are supposed to be commanding the devil to set God's people free. (Exo.7:1) And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee as God to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. (2) Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. (3) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart (there it is again), and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. God hardened Pharaoh. God didn't make it easy for His people to be set free because then anyone could have done it. God wanted to prove the strength of His salvation, so He hardened Pharaoh's heart, and it's the same with the devil and the flesh. (2Co.4:7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. He's saying that God put us in bondage to this old man; God put us in bondage to this Egyptian. And God did that so His great power would be proven to set them free from the flesh and the devil. I know that sometimes we see this as an impossible deliverance, and the preachers tell us its impossible, but God made it look that way on purpose. God made the devil mean and hard, and He did it so that His power would have to be manifested to deliver us. This is His plan. We see the types and shadows being fulfilled here. (Exo.7:4) But Pharaoh will not hearken unto you, and I will lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. (5) And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth my hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. (13) And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken. God spoke it before Pharaoh's heart was hardened. (8:15) But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them, as the Lord had spoken. Now it says, “Pharaoh hardened his heart.” Well, Pharaoh did harden his heart because the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart. Notice it says, “as the Lord had spoken.” It's very clear; you can see what we call the “free” will of man, and behind that you can see the truth, which is that God uses the “free” will of man. If man had a “free” will he could set himself free. In this case, God hardened Pharaoh's heart so he wouldn't set them free, and He didn't stop there. (Exo.10:1) And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I may show these my signs in the midst of them, (2) and that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought upon Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know that I am the Lord. (14:4) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he shall follow after them (He's talking about the children of Israel.); and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host: and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord. And they did so. (5) And it was told the king of Egypt that the people were fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people (They had just driven the people of Israel out of their land because of the misery that had come upon them and then, all of a sudden, God changed Pharaoh's mind again.), and they said, What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us? This is a very unlikely place for a person to change their mind. We read this and we think, “These are pretty schizophrenic people.” (17) And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. (18) And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honor upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. Your flesh doesn't want to let you go, saints, but it makes the miracle just that much greater when you get set free and it proves that God is doing it because to you, the flesh looks like a giant in the Promised Land (Numbers 13:28,33; Deuteronomy 1:28; 9:2). To you, the flesh looks like someone you can't conquer and God meant for it to look that way. So the devil is not going to let you go and the flesh isn't going to let you go, but God is going to make them let you go. They don't have a choice. When you are too chummy with the ways of the world and the thinking of the world, God will give you some enemies. (Psa.105:25) He turned their heart to hate his people, To deal subtly with his servants. God sent Moses and Aaron to manifest His signs among His people, but don't forget that God brought the children of Israel down into Egypt in the time of Joseph in the first place. (Gen.50:20) And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Whatever trial you may be going through, folks, you are not there by accident. No, we were put here, and not only were we put here by God, but God is again turning the world to hate His people. In the next few years, we are going to see more of this than we have ever seen. God is going to turn the world to hate His people because His people are so worldly, and this is what's going to separate God's people from the world. God caused the Egyptians to hate His people and drive them into the wilderness, and the wilderness is where they came to really know God because He was their Savior out there, which is what's going to happen again in our day. (Psa.106:10) And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them (First, God is going to cause them to hate you, and then He is going to save you from them.), And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. This is God's plan. This proves God's salvation. This proves God's power. God turned the Egyptians to hate His people because He wanted His people out of Egypt. God wants us out of Egypt, so what's going to happen? The world is going to hate you, and they are going to chase you into the wilderness. That's how God is going to do it, but God is faithful, and He's going to deliver you from your enemies. This is one way God uses hardening; He uses it for the sake of the maturity of His people. Let me show you an instance where God hardens the hearts of His people. Read this riddle and see if you know who God is talking about here: (Isa.63:16) For thou art our Father, though Abraham knoweth us not, and Israel doth not acknowledge us (Who can that be? These are Gentiles. Israel didn't acknowledge the Gentiles and Abraham didn't know them either.): thou, O Lord, art our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is thy name. (17) O Lord, why dost thou make us to err from thy ways, and hardenest our heart from thy fear? This is talking about the elect among the Gentiles. As we read earlier, (Rom.11:7) What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened. The elect entered into God and the rest were hardened. The people who will not bear fruit are the people who are not faithful; they're not running after the Lord. They're serving themselves instead of being obedient and their hearts will be hardened. (Rev.3:16) So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. There is constantly a spewing out of the lukewarm and this happens by reprobation. Those who are called but do not bear fruit will have their hearts hardened because they don't love God. All of the called have the ability to seek God because they have a born-again spirit. The elect are the ones who take responsibility and seek God. (Php.2:12) … Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. The called who don't seek God will have their hearts hardened, and they will fall away. The same thing happened to Old Testament natural Israel. If the called don't humble themselves to God when He speaks, He will turn them over to corruption. He will harden their hearts, and He will put them in bondage to their flesh, so that they are clearly identified to decent people. This example will cause others to say “yes” to God and be obedient. The Israelites went through this; they rebelled against God and He hardened their hearts. And they went through much tribulation until some repented and God gave them an opportunity to obey. God can put people in such bondage that the next time they're free, they have the fear of God. (Isa.63:17) O Lord, why dost thou make us to err from thy ways, and hardenest our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance. (18) Thy holy people possessed [it] but a little while (The Jews possessed it for only a little while.): our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary. (19) We are become as they over whom thou never barest rule, as they that were not called by thy name. Here is a type for some Gentiles who became as if they had never been born-again, as if they had never been called by the name of the Lord. You see, God gives grace to all of the called, but only some take advantage of this grace to be overcomers. Let me show you another verse in this hardening process because, not only will God harden those who will not bear fruit and refuse to walk in the grace that He has given them, but He will harden us sometimes, if we rebel. And then He will bring us into a place of bondage where we just can't get free. Jesus told us in (Mat.5:25) Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. (26) Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing. That jail is not a physical jail; this is talking about a spiritual jail. Jesus said, (18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. (35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. If you don't forgive your brother from the heart, God will turn you over to the tormentors. People go into places where they are in bondage because of rebellion, but when they come out, they have more fear of God, and they are quicker to repent. You see, the ministry of hardening of hearts was designed by God for our benefit. Another place we find this is in the Book of Lamentations, which is written as though Jeremiah was writing about himself, but he was really writing about Israel. God sent His people into bondage back around 586 BC, when the King of Babylon was destroying Jerusalem and conquering the Jewish people. (Lam.3:1) I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. (2) He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness, and not in light. (3) Surely against me he turneth his hand again and again all the day. (4) My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. (5) He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. (6) He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead. (7) He hath walled me about, that I cannot go forth; he hath made my chain heavy. Israel was in rebellion, and so God sent them into bondage. There's no place where you appreciate freedom more than when you are in bondage. That's when you realize how much you took for granted the freedom that you had in God. (8) Yea, when I cry, and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer. (9) He hath walled up my ways with hewn stone; he hath made my paths crooked. If you rebel against God and you don't listen to Him, He will make your paths crooked so you will appreciate and pray for His grace. He will make your paths crooked so you will appreciate and pray for the fear of God. I'm not saying everyone will do this but many who are called won't turn because they are not elect. (Lam.3:10) He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places. (11) He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate. In 1Co. 5 Paul turned a man in sin over to satan for the destruction of his flesh so he would repent and be saved. You know, this reminds me of what Solomon said in (Ecc.7:13) Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? Only God can straighten out what God has made crooked. If you have relatives or loved ones or other people for whom you are praying who are “crooked,” there's no one who can straighten them out but God. You can try, try, try, but you'll fail, fail, fail every time, unless you first put all your trust in God because He wants you to know He is the only one who has the power to deliver us from our crooked ways. We go to God for His grace and we ask Him to make that straight which is crooked in our lives. We should continually be asking God to do this. (Psa.33:12) Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (13) The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men; (14) From the place of his habitation he looketh forth Upon all the inhabitants of the earth, (15) He that fashioneth the hearts of them all, That considereth all their works. It's God who fashions the hearts of all people. (Ecc.3:11) He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. Yes, everything is beautiful in its time. Everything that God has made has a good purpose and that includes the evil. Now, let me ask you a question here. If God predestined some to life from the beginning of creation, what is He doing with everybody else? Remember we read, (Rom.9:21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? Of course God does! (22) What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering (God has endured suffering in order to show His power.) vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction (Or, in other words, “made to be destroyed,” and here's the reason.): (23) that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory. I don't know about you, but when I look out at the lost multitudes in the world, it makes me appreciate grace and mercy. How can you know grace and mercy, except you look out over the world and see all of the people who don't have grace and mercy? That should make you feel blessed: “There but for the grace of God, go I.” The multitudes, the masses who are going down the broad road (Matthew 7:13), should make you appreciate the grace and the mercy of God, who said (Rom.9:15) … I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. Well, God had mercy upon us, and we can appreciate His compassion when we look at the lost multitudes. God made Jesus in (1Pe.2:8) … A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. The Scripture says these people were “appointed,” or “designated,” or “preordained,” to stumble at the Word and be disobedient. (9) But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God's] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. You were chosen to be obedient to the Word. You were chosen not to stumble at the Rock of Christ. (2Pe.2:12) But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed (They were born to be destroyed.), railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed. Their lives are a warning to us. These are vessels who have been raised up to put us on our cross and also to show us God's mercy and grace. You ask, “How so, David?” When you tell them about Christ, and they totally can't understand, they show that what God has done for us is mercy and grace. God gave you a revelation and opened your understanding. Why would God do this for you and not for them? He did it for you only because of election.

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Mistakes are endemic to the human condition. All humans make mistakes. Even the titans of our history like Moshe, Aaron, and Joshua made mistakes. Only God is error-free. In this interesting – and maybe a tad controversial – podcast, we take a look at the unusual path of ascent of Moshe's successor, Joshua. Joshua was […]

Mistakes are endemic to the human condition. All humans make mistakes. Even the titans of our history like Moshe, Aaron, and Joshua made mistakes. Only God is error-free. In this interesting - and maybe a tad controversial - podcast, we take a look at the unusual path of ascent of Moshe's successor, Joshua. Joshua was not a flawless wunderkind who could do no wrong. In fact, in each one of the narratives surrounding Joshua in the Torah, we can find some sort of misstep that Joshua did. Evidently, Joshua's path to ascent relied on those missteps, and his story shows us a different way to achieve transcendental greatness. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –DONATE: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –NEW TORCH Mailing Address POBox:TORCHPO BOX 310246HOUSTON, TX 77231-0246– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Email me with questions, comments, and feedback: rabbiwolbe@gmail.com– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to my Newsletterrabbiwolbe.com/newsletter– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –SUBSCRIBE to Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe's PodcastsThe Parsha PodcastThe Jewish History PodcastThe Mitzvah Podcast This Jewish LifeThe Ethics PodcastTORAH 101 ★ Support this podcast ★

Winter weather has swept across WNC, covering everything in ice and snow—and it brings to mind a powerful spiritual truth: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” In this episode, we look at the contrast between the purity God offers and the deep brokenness happening in our world.We acknowledge the heavy realities around us—exploitation, lawlessness, human suffering, and the destructive paths created by those who prey on others. These acts are not small missteps or harmless mistakes; they are real violations before a holy God. Scripture teaches that sin has consequences, and God cannot lie—He will judge rightly.But the heart of this conversation is not condemnation. It is hope. We explore the truth that there are no “little sins” or “white lies” when it comes to our standing before God. All sin separates—but all sin can be forgiven through genuine repentance.This episode is a call back to what truly matters: not preferences, not excuses, but repentance. Only God can wash us clean… as white as snow.The Voice in the Wilderness does not endorse any link or other material found at buzzsprout.More at https://www.thevoiceinthewilderness.org/

Winter weather has swept across WNC, covering everything in ice and snow—and it brings to mind a powerful spiritual truth: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” In this episode, we look at the contrast between the purity God offers and the deep brokenness happening in our world.We acknowledge the heavy realities around us—exploitation, lawlessness, human suffering, and the destructive paths created by those who prey on others. These acts are not small missteps or harmless mistakes; they are real violations before a holy God. Scripture teaches that sin has consequences, and God cannot lie—He will judge rightly.But the heart of this conversation is not condemnation. It is hope. We explore the truth that there are no “little sins” or “white lies” when it comes to our standing before God. All sin separates—but all sin can be forgiven through genuine repentance.This episode is a call back to what truly matters: not preferences, not excuses, but repentance. Only God can wash us clean… as white as snow.The Voice in the Wilderness does not endorse any link or other material found at buzzsprout.More at https://www.thevoiceinthewilderness.org/

Episode 275-Pretti’s Law  Also Available OnSearchable Podcast Transcript Gun Lawyer — Episode Transcript Gun Lawyer — Episode 275 Transcript SUMMARY KEYWORDS Second Amendment, Minnesota protest, Firearm Policy Coalition, natural rights, government officials, political opportunity, federal law, carry rights, red flag laws, gun rights, law enforcement, public carry, constitutional rights, gun policy, political reaction. SPEAKERS Speaker 2, Speaker 1, Evan Nappen, Teddy Nappen Evan Nappen 00:18 I’m Evan Nappen. Teddy Nappen 00:20 And I’m Teddy Nappen. Evan Nappen 00:21 And welcome to Gun Lawyer. So, we’ve been following the events in Minnesota, and I’m sure you have as well. And, you know, this is troubling. It’s created quite an interesting political situation, and it’s kind of strange to see sides shifting. Yet, it appears that this may, in fact, be a political opportunity to help the Second Amendment get strengthened. Let me tell you where I’m going with this. Take a look here at the Firearm Policy Coalition’s recent statement. (https://www.firearmspolicy.org/fpc-statement-rights-are-not-privileges) I don’t know if you’re familiar with the FPC, but they do a lot of great work in litigating through the court system, Second Amendment challenges. As a national group, they do good work, and they put out a statement that I thought was very interesting. It’ll lay the groundwork as we get a little bit more into depth about where I see some potential here that should be taken, frankly, advantage of in this interesting moment in time. Evan Nappen 01:50 So, what the FPC wrote in their statement is this. “Recent events in Minnesota underscore a recurring and deeply troubling theme: Government officials and commentators treating natural rights as privileges.” Now that’s an important statement right there about treating rights as privileges. As they mentioned in the article, the Second Amendment, like the First and Fourth, is merely codification of pre-existing rights. They don’t create the rights. The Supreme Court has long recognized that the right to keep and bear arms is not a right granted by the Constitution. The Constitution simply is a guarantee of those rights and puts limits on Government, not the people. That’s why, if someone ever asked you, what rights are you given by the Constitution? The answer is none! Because those rights pre-exist the Constitution. The Constitution is there as a guarantor, guaranteeing those rights against the Government. And it puts limits on the Government to ensure that our rights stay respected. It doesn’t grant us rights. Only God granted us our rights, or natural law has granted those rights. Fundamental, fundamental natural laws. That’s what we’re talking about when it comes to actual rights. Page – 2 – of 9 Evan Nappen 03:18 So, this gets distorted politically by politicians who apparently seem to forget that. And here we end up in Minnesota, where this individual, (Alex) Pretti, came to this protest with a gun. The FPC points out that the mere presence of a firearm does not erase a person’s rights. It doesn’t turn lawful conduct into wrongdoing. It does not make someone fair game to be arrested or killed for the Government’s convenience. The Government does not get to flip the legal or moral burden. The fact that one is armed is not a license for the Government to shoot you! Nor is a right to bear arms a license for any person to use unjust force. And that is very strong and very true. This is where this situation now where Pretti ended up getting shot and killed by ICE for essentially bringing his gun to the protest. There’s a lot of dispute now over whether he used it, drew it, or whether he’s being disarmed, whether there was, I mean, there. All that’s out there. Evan Nappen 04:43 But my point isn’t whether Pretti, as a matter of fact, I don’t even support Pretti’s political view here. I’m all for ICE. I’m not. I don’t want to see our country with illegal immigrants but that’s my view. That’s my opinion. Okay, that’s fine. And Pretti had his opinion. He has a First Amendment right, and he has a Second Amendment right. The problem is reaction to the exercise of his Second Amendment right. When you take a look at what happened here, it’s somewhat disturbing that those folks that are supposed to be understanding what the Second Amendment means take an anti-Second Amendment group’s view. So, Politico had an article. It’s “Gun Rights groups blast Trump over Minnesota response”. (https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/27/gun-rights-groups-blast-trump-over-minnesota-response-00748217) And in fact, they did. Evan Nappen 05:47 Let me show you what has happened, where the tables and the issue has turned here. It’s very interesting, because I think it presents an opportunity that we’ll get to in a moment. So, for example, this is right from the Politico article. “FBI Director Kash Patel said Sunday on Fox News. ‘You cannot bring a firearm, loaded, with multiple magazines to any sort of protest that you want. It’s that simple. You don’t have a right to break the law.’ DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Saturday that she didn’t ‘know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign.’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that ‘any gun owner knows’ that carrying a gun raises ‘the assumption of risk and the risk of force being used against you,’ during interactions with law enforcement.” I mean, come on. What the hell is with these people there? They are feeding into the Second Amendment oppressionists with this, with this stuff. Evan Nappen 07:05 So, gun rights groups pushed back, and a number of them were particularly enraged by Bill Essayli. He’s the acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, who posted, “If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there is a high likelihood they will be legally justified in shooting you.” What the “f” is he saying? Are you kidding me? If you approach law enforcement with a gun, there’s a high likelihood that they’ll be “legally justified in shooting you”. The NRA, okay? The NRA said that Essayli’s remarks were “dangerous and wrong” and called for a full investigation, instead of “making generalizations and demonizing law-abiding citizens”. That’s the NRA folks saying that now to this Page – 3 – of 9 character. Aidan Johnston, the Director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, called Essayli’s remarks, “absolutely unacceptable”. That’s GOA. I mean, listen this quote from Johnston. “Federal prosecutors should know better than to comment on a situation when he didn’t know all the facts, to make a judgment in a case like this, and then also, just to make a blanket statement, threatening gun owners in that way.” And Johnston is absolutely right. It’s outrageous. And yet, yeah, Teddy. Teddy Nappen 08:48 I will say, just taking a step back and looking at what they’ve kind of just put out of their reaction. You brought a gun and all the other and there’s stupid comments. What they could have said, which would have been a very easy play, is the Second Amendment isn’t your right to attack law enforcement officers. All right.? It has nothing to do with the carry. It had to do with the fact that it is agitators obstructing and attacking ICE. That would have been the very easy statement, but no. Evan Nappen 09:21 They focused just on the action and not the carry. But instead they focus on, oh, you come up to a law officer with a gun, they’re legally justified at shooting you. No, they’re not. They’re not. Unless you’re going to use it wrongly. Okay, we can all. And then the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus chair Bryan Strawser, he said, “We can all see what is on the video” what happened, and he’s not on the side of what the Trump administration is putting out. As a matter of fact, it says, an analysis done by the Washington Post that federal agents appear to have secured Pretti’s gun moments before an agent shot him. Teddy Nappen 10:18 So, just to break it down, a little more from that which they’re ignoring. I love the mainstream media loves to ignore. They take away the first 30 seconds where it’s him getting into it with the officers, where they’re blocking traffic, where he’d been doing that all day, and the woman was also blocking traffic. The officer shoves her out of the way because they’re blocking traffic, obstruction, you know, a crime. And then he tries to be the white knight and gets in it with the officer. They’re trying to pin him down to arrest him. He’s still fighting. He’s still fighting. One of the guys sees a gun and yells, gun. He pulls the gun away. And during it’s like, I didn’t know the timing of that. It’s like only a second or so split, and you hear them shout, gun. And the guy draws his pistol and he fires, because it’s a split second. I think there is a Supreme Court case where you have to look at it from the officer’s perspective, from there. Evan Nappen 11:13 And I can understand that. But what is disturbing is the key administration officials focusing on guns and gun owners and carry, instead of on the behavior of this person, which, arguably, is the real issue, and is what is the problem. Not having the gun. And then you combine that with, for example, Gavin Newsom, who, let’s face it, you know, he’s a Second Amendment oppressionist, right? I mean, he is. But what does he say? He says, “The Trump administration does not believe in the 2nd Amendment. Good to know.” So, okay, granted, he’s an opportunist here. But he’s actually seeing, even though we don’t believe he’s sincere, of course, but who knows? He’s seeing what’s wrong with what they’re saying. Even Newsom sees what’s wrong with their saying and then takes advantage of it in that way. Look, Representative Dave Min and Rep. Mary Peltola, one is a Democrat from California and the other Page – 4 – of 9 is a Democrat from Alaska. This is from the Politico article. They also used the moment to highlight the right to carry. Here’s their quote. “Joining the gun lobby to condemn Bill Essayli was not on my bingo card but here we are, Min said on X. “Lawfully carrying a firearm is not grounds for being killed.” So, there, look at that. A Democrat, Democrat, saying that, and Newsome even pointing out the hypocrisy of it. And here we have them really taking a terrible view of gun owners and carry. Evan Nappen 13:27 If you step back from all this, I see political opportunity, and I’ll tell you why. Because what I think would be very, very good would be to propose what we would call Pretti’s law. It’d be Pretti’s law. And what Pretti’s law would do would be to create a federal, pre-emptive right to carry in public. Going directly at the legal issue, by the way, in the Woolford case, the so-called vampire rule and other forms of public carry. We need a federal law that preempts, preempts, any state from putting forward so-called “sensitive place” laws that interfere with the right to carry that the Left has acknowledged, the Left is acknowledging in their defense of Pretti. This presents an opportunity to tie in with that national reciprocity so that you have your right to keep and bear arms respected, and we push this with the Pretti situation. Evan Nappen 14:52 In other words, why is it the Left always gets to take the situation and turn it to their advantage? Well, this is an opportunity for us to use this situation to our advantage, because you can see from what we just discussed that the Left is putting out that message. The Left is putting out the pro-Second Amendment message. The Left is seeing that carry was a right, that carry was fine for this, believe it or not, white male to be carrying. I mean, we should all be in shock that the Left is defending armed white males. Wow. But here they are. So, instead of letting this moment pass, let’s grab onto it. Let’s get a federal law that can go at and preempt, wiping out, sensitive place restrictions and getting through national reciprocity. We can do both of those things in this bill, because that is a solid focus federally on carry. That’s what we’re talking about here, and that’s what this situation highlights. Now is a chance to do federal protection of our carry rights, and it’s also a chance for the Trump administration to make clear their position in support of it as well. Here’s the common ground, folks. Here’s the common ground that this demonstrated, and I hope that someone takes advantage of it. Teddy Nappen 16:40 Also, just taking a step back on the whole situation here. The one good thing about this administration that everyone can agree on is that they listen. The one thing that they, anyone can just stop and say, like you can have disagreements on different things, but they listen. They hear what the issue is. And I get the sense that Kristi Noem and Kash Patel are not 2A. They never had the 2A mindset. They never had that. You know, people always say, oh, I’m for the Second Amendment. What does that mean? What do they actually believe and stand for, for that? And I think this is a moment for them to realize and learn what that actually stands for, for the people, for us, for what that means for us. The ability to carry and defend ourselves. Where we don’t have security teams. We don’t have, you know, the full backing of the U.S. Government to protect us every single day. So, I think this is a chance for the administration to learn, and heck, they should appoint like a gun czar, a 2A Czar. Someone to advise them on these issues. If they don’t know, don’t just go to X or Truth and post it. Ask and learn, and then you can have be more informed on the issue. Page – 5 – of 9 Evan Nappen 17:55 That’s a great idea, Teddy. It would be really good for them to do it, and I’d be happy to have that role. Speaker 1 18:01 Ha, ha, ha. Wow, yeah, man. Evan Nappen 18:07 Yep, that’s good. Well. Teddy Nappen 18:09 Yeah, he’s saying, like, all right. And then also legalize all machine guns. We’re closing down the ATF. Here’s a lot of recommendations. Evan Nappen 18:17 I’ve got them, but here is one where politically, we are seeing the other side, actually seeing it our way. And that’s an opportunity that we shouldn’t lose. That’s the point of this. Well, let me tell you about our friends at WeShoot. WeShoot is a range in Lakewood. An indoor range where both Teddy and I shoot, and we love it there. WeShoot is conveniently located right off the Parkway, and they have some cool specials I want to tell you about. They have a Smith M&P 9 M2.0 Compact ready to roll. They have that. They’re also offering the M&P 9 2.0 in Metal. So, you can have your choice in metal or polymer. They have the Vortex Triumph, which is an all new optic, right? It’s pretty cool. Vortex makes some good stuff. I have some Vortex on my guns. They also have the Rost Martin RM1C, which is a striker-fired compact pistol that is really taking the gun world by storm. You should check out the Rost Martin. It’s a really good gun. Evan Nappen 19:37 And, of course, you want to check out the WeShoot girls there. They’re featuring a number of folks, including Kristina Fernicola. Go to their website. Go to weshootusa.com. You can see all these wonderful guns, and the models posing with wonderful guns. And you will be glad that you went to look at all of that. I’m sure of it. Then make sure you check out the range at WeShoot. Go down to the range there. You can get some fantastic training. They have a great pro shop right there in Lakewood, New Jersey. weshootusa.com Evan Nappen 20:26 Also, I want to mention our friends at the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs. They’ve been quite busy fighting in the courts and in the legislature in Trenton. Murphy’s gone, and we did get some new laws, of course. This is a very tough environment, but they also were able to get some changes that are critical. And I was glad to see modifications, although completely stopping when the folks have all the power, is tough, but they made a big difference. We are thankful. Because without the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, we would have no unified voice of umbrella organization of our clubs and organizations. You need to be a member of the Association. Go to ANJRPC.org and join today. You’ll get the newsletters that are the best newsletter in the state on guns. Page – 6 – of 9 You’ll see the email alerts. You’ll know everything that’s going on when it comes to our gun rights in New Jersey. anjrpc.org Evan Nappen 21:45 This is also when I shamelessly promote my book, which is New Jersey Gun Law, the Bible of New Jersey gun law. It’s over 500 pages, 120 topics, all question and answer. It’s your guidebook to not becoming a GOFU in New Jersey. And man, let me tell you, so many times people call me and it’s after the fact. I’m like if they had only read my book, oy vey. We’ll still fight and defend you, but it would have been a lot better if you never had the problem to begin with. And most of my clients would agree with that, I’m afraid. So, get your copy of my book today. Go to EvanNappen.com, EvanNappen.com, and get your copy of New Jersey Gun Law. At this moment, we have Teddy who’s going to tell us about Press Checks. What have you got for us Teddy? Teddy Nappen 22:45 Well, as you know, Press Checks are always free. One of the things I always, I am always astounded by on the Left, because they try to act like they have knowledge and understanding of guns. We know, of course, the closeted hoplosexuals like (Josh) Sugarmann, who actually does know guns, but the vast majority of them do not know guns. I always think back, Dad, to your what was the quote, unquote “firearms expert” on fixed ammunition. Evan Nappen 23:23 Oh, gosh, yeah. Experts testifying under oath that are just flat out lying. Flat out lying. Teddy Nappen 23:32 So, yeah. And here is their new term that they’re trying to push. As I always believe in going to the, going to the gun right suppressors and see what’s their latest message? What are they pushing for? The new term that they have invented is “safeguarding”. That’s their new push. This comes out of The Trace, everyone’s favorite gun rights suppressor organization, written by Fairriona Magee. (https://www.thetrace.org/2026/01/safeguard-gun-barber-red-flag-law-suicide/) Safeguarding. “Violence prevention groups and researchers have spent years working on initiatives to get firearms out of the hands of people who may pose a danger to themselves or others.” Hmm, through the risk, through extremist protection laws, known as Red Flag. Oh, yes. So, they’ve been getting so much flack about the legalized swatting that they have created. That they’ve been pushing through these insane Red Flag laws. So, I love this. While these laws have bipartisan support, oh, from a bunch of RINOs that are anti-gun and don’t believe in Second Amendment rights, but now the Second Amendment groups have launched a concerted attack on Red Flag laws in the court system. Gee, I wonder why. Evan Nappen 24:52 No due process. Teddy Nappen 24:53 Yeah, no due process. You get put in, you get locked up, you get labeled and all. Robbed. Firearms stolen and your rights and your life destroyed. Other than that. Page – 7 – of 9 Evan Nappen 25:03 Yeah. Teddy Nappen 25:04 So, in this supercharged political climate, what are the other options? Well, we have it for you. Safeguarding. The process of taking, temporarily taking, control of someone else’s guns, if they have risk of suicide or harming someone else without involving the criminal justice system. So, what does that mean? That means, okay, if you think your friend may want to hurt themselves or hurt others, just simply say, hey, man, why don’t I take your guns? Let me just keep them in my house. I think you’re going through a rough patch. I’m going to take your guns. These ideas are somewhat analogous with laws that allow people to temporarily ban themselves from buying guns. So, Dad, I’m pretty sure they just advocated for someone to commit a crime in New Jersey. Evan Nappen 25:59 In New Jersey that would be absolutely unlawful because of the other anti-gun laws that they helped push, such as Universal Background Check. So, how do you temporarily give guns to somebody when there’s no transfer of guns allowed unless you go through a dealer and go through the permitting system and go through the entire process? You can’t just say to your buddy in New Jersey, hey, let me just take your guns. No, you can’t do it. It’s got to go through a dealer. You’ve got to do all the paperwork, the NICS check, the whole bit. So, good luck with that. Good luck with that. Because if you listen to what they are telling you to do, you will be committing a felony level offense, multiple felony level offenses, in New Jersey. There is no temporary transfer. This is, in fact, officially, this week’s GOFU, Teddy. Evan Nappen 27:03 As far as I’m concerned, that’s the GOFU. Do not ever temporarily give your guns to somebody else in New Jersey, except under two very narrow circumstances. If you’re at the range, there is a law in New Jersey that allows you, only while the person’s in your presence, to let them try your gun at the range. Or if you’re hunting, and everybody’s legal and licensed and they’re there in your presence while hunting. That’s it. But that’s it. That’s the only temporary transfers allowed to adults legally. There is no provision in New Jersey that allows you to temporarily transfer your firearms or to take somebody else’s firearms temporarily because somebody might want to harm themselves, or you perceive that they’re thinking about harming themselves, or they tell you, hey, I’m thinking about harming myself. Or I would just feel better if you had my gun. Again, none of that flies in New Jersey. None of it. It is completely a violation of New Jersey gun laws. A violation of many of the laws that the gun rights oppressors have pushed to put in place in New Jersey. The reason you cannot do what they’re suggesting in New Jersey is because of their anti-Second Amendment gun laws themselves. So they pass and force the passage of these laws through their fellow comrades in the legislature and then give advice on how to violate the very laws, because they’re so clueless as to what they are doing in terms of the actual effect, the actual effect, it has on real people and the real situation. Teddy Nappen 28:59 So, I love how they end this article too. They get this expert, because they always have to. They always lean on the logical fallacy of, oh, I’m an expert, so trust me on this. Catherine Barber out of the Harvard Page – 8 – of 9 Injury Control Research Center, gee, that doesn’t sound biased. She makes this long winded argument, making it so this sounds like if you’re a gun owner, oh, you’re mentally ill, even though gun owners are more than twice at the risk of non gun owners from taking their own lives. And they equated where we should treat Red Flag like suicide prevention. Just this long winded expression, trying to make it seem like, oh, that’s right, if you own a gun, you probably have mental illness. That is the level of disgusting nature that these people are. And they try to argue that. Evan Nappen 29:56 Right. So they, so that. So, this person’s saying, if you own a gun, you’re mentally ill, and we have these administration folks and this U.S. attorney saying, essentially, if you have a gun, you’re a threat immediately to law enforcement. I mean, they’re just making these assumptions on both sides that are just strictly out of bounds when we’re talking about a Constitutional right, a Constitutional right. I mean, just make believe it’s the First Amendment instead of the Second Amendment. Anyone that freely speaks their mind is mentally ill. Anybody who freely talks to police is justified in being shot, and that doesn’t. Neither those statements make any sense, right? Evan Nappen 30:44 Well, we’re talking the Second Amendment. That’s a Constitutional right. It’s not a second class right, either. Just like the First Amendment is a right, and this right is supposed to be guaranteed by the Government. Guaranteed by the Government. Not given by the Government. It needs to get respected and put in the proper perspective of being treated as a right. It’s not a mental illness. It’s not a threat to law enforcement, intrinsically a threat. This all is based on the individual’s behavior. That’s the point, and that’s what the focus has to be on. But yet it’s so easy to just look at it as a symbol, the symbol. Americans always had this thing about going after the symbols. I mean, why were switchblades banned in the ’50s? Well, they were the symbol of juvenile delinquency, right? I mean, what? Why were machine guns banned, oh, the symbol. It was symbolism. It’s just this constant moral crusade by picking an item, an item to go after. We need to look at actions of people. What is not malum prohibitums, where a legislative body just decides this should be banned or that should be banned. But instead, we focus on the malum and say things that are wrong within themselves, and those things are the actions and wrongdoings by people. That’s where laws have to focus. Teddy Nappen 32:41 I think it definitely needs to be a wake up call. Because, look, I understand, and hopefully we do get common ground. And you know what, if Pretti’s law comes into play and we get enough the Democrats to jump on because they want to, you know, look like they’re 2A affiliates or whatever, which, by the way, anytime you hear the news, the CNN, MSNBC, use the words 2A or democracy. You look at the little end, it’ll say, TM, trademark. It’s their version of the Second Amendment, their version of democracy. That is what they always argue. It’s rules for thee, not from rules for thee, not for me. That is how the Left operate. So, just remember that every time they’re trying to coax the Left, the right against the administration. Evan Nappen 33:30 Well, Pretti’s law will have an interesting effect, because it’ll put the Left on the spot, on the vote. Do you support being able to carry a firearm in public the way he did, where you’re claiming to? Well now Page – 9 – of 9 you’re going to have to put your money where your mouth is. So, to speak, you have to vote. You better vote, I think. And within the same question, wait gets made to the other side. Do you support the Second Amendment or not? So, this is why, politically, it’s an opportunity. Teddy Nappen 34:05 I think we joked that Trump should come out against carry, which would force the Left. Like, I think we joked about that exact thing there. You’re right. He should come out against machine guns. Evan Nappen 34:19 Yeah, absolutely. Okay, because actually, the next thing you know, you’ve got Newsom putting out and Democrat Congresspersons putting out, pro-gun statements, pro-Second Amendment statements. I mean, it’s well, that’s why it’s opportunity time, and hopefully someone will take advantage of it. Evan Nappen 34:48 Well, this is Evan Nappen and Teddy Nappen reminding you that gun laws don’t protect honest citizens from criminals. They protect criminals from honest citizens. Speaker 2 35:01 Gun Lawyer is a CounterThink Media production. The music used in this broadcast was managed by Cosmo Music, New York, New York. Reach us by emailing Evan@gun.lawyer. The information and opinions in this broadcast do not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state. Downloadable PDF TranscriptGun Lawyer S5 E275_Transcript About The HostEvan Nappen, Esq.Known as “America's Gun Lawyer,” Evan Nappen is above all a tireless defender of justice. Author of eight bestselling books and countless articles on firearms, knives, and weapons history and the law, a certified Firearms Instructor, and avid weapons collector and historian with a vast collection that spans almost five decades — it's no wonder he's become the trusted, go-to expert for local, industry and national media outlets. Regularly called on by radio, television and online news media for his commentary and expertise on breaking news Evan has appeared countless shows including Fox News – Judge Jeanine, CNN – Lou Dobbs, Court TV, Real Talk on WOR, It's Your Call with Lyn Doyle, Tom Gresham's Gun Talk, and Cam & Company/NRA News. As a creative arts consultant, he also lends his weapons law and historical expertise to an elite, discerning cadre of movie and television producers and directors, and novelists. He also provides expert testimony and consultations for defense attorneys across America. Email Evan Your Comments and Questions  talkback@gun.lawyer Join Evan's InnerCircleHere's your chance to join an elite group of the Savviest gun and knife owners in America.  Membership is totally FREE and Strictly CONFIDENTIAL.  Just enter your email to start receiving insider news, tips, and other valuable membership benefits.   Email (required) *First Name *Select list(s) to subscribe toInnerCircle Membership Yes, I would like to receive emails from Gun Lawyer Podcast. (You can unsubscribe anytime)Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.var ajaxurl = "https://gun.lawyer/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php";

The power of God- Our responsibility is to bring Christ to men. Only God can bring men to Christ. Paul was determined to deliver the message of Christ crucified to the world by the leading of the Spirit. The power is in the message, not the persuasiveness of the messenger.

Psalm 127 has something to say about whether you should have children and how many children you should have.Only God creates life.  We are blessed to be inheritors and stewards of the life He makes in children.I so admire the courage of young families. They are doing a nobel, God-ordained, God-rewarded, future-enhancing, self-protecting, generationally-supportive, fruit-making activity.Like and share. Come back tomorrow:https://youtu.be/0A5G-pI-DrY

Kristin’s son had died from cancer when he was just seven. Now, three years later, her older son was being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Friends who were not believers in Jesus grieved with her, but they couldn’t understand why she continued to trust Christ. “How could your God allow this? Why keep believing in Him?” they asked. For Kristin, however, it was an even stronger reason to keep believing. “I don’t understand why this is happening,” she said, “but I know God will help us through this. Only God can give me hope to keep going.” Such a hope and trust kept King David going when he found himself in overwhelming circumstances. Surrounded by enemies seeking his destruction, he probably couldn’t understand why all this was happening to him. Yet he knew he was following a God he could trust to deliver and bless him in His time (Psalm 31:14-16). This certain hope enabled him to keep submitting to God and to say, “My times are in your hands” (v. 15). And it uplifted him, such that he could also say: “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (v. 24). In times when we feel overwhelmed and there seems little to look forward to, we know we can hang on even more tightly to God and the life-giving hope He alone provides.

This sermon covers harlotry. We often don't think of this word when it comes to people of faith, but it is significant in what happens when everything else in life is more of a priority than our relationship with God. Thank You for listening and sharing this sermon! #LetGodWorkSermon Notes:[Deuteronomy 31:16]1. We all have an Appetite.If we are not care, God will not be enough for us.2. We Serve a Jealous God.[Exodus 34:14-17]Deception is tricky because it has a drop of truth mixed with enough poison/false information/bad intention/negativity/ spite/slander to take you out.[Deuteronomy 32:16] | [2 Corinthians 11:2-3]3. There is No Replacement for God[Romans 6:23]Only God can save us. On Jesus paid the price for all people and all sins.Deception makes us feel needed and in the moment like we are a "good" decision-maker.We must seek God's Word and be accountable.-I know God's Word because I am reading & studying it.-I ask for help (Biblical community is for strength & correction).-God knows what's best for me and I want what God has for me.-God accepts me and that's enough (we can't follow God & not be changed).-My feelings are not decision-makers in my life, God's Word and His will for my life are.Beware! [Proverbs 7] Wiles of a Harlot

Today's episode isn't about making you comfortable. It's about breaking you free—from the golden calf of confidence in yourself to the unshakable foundation of Godfidence. Paul M. Neuberger doesn't hold back. He exposes the counterfeit gospel of self-reliance that saturates our boardrooms, churches, and social feeds. He draws a hard line between the world's applause and the Lord's approval.Want the easy road? This message isn't for you. Want a faith that can stand the storm—not because of who you are, but because of who God is? Then lean in.Will you keep trusting yourself… or will you surrender, obey, and lead with Godfidence when your trial comes?Buckle up. This one's raw, real, and rooted in truth."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." –Proverbs 3:5Episode Highlights:01:29 – But Scripture tells a very different story. The Bible never tells us to believe in ourselves. It tells us to die to ourselves. It never tells us to trust our hearts. It warns us that our hearts deceive us. And it never presents self confidence as the solution to a broken world. It presents surrender to a sovereign God.07:32 – And until we confront this counterfeit gospel head on, we're going to continue producing confident Christians who are spiritually ineffective, emotionally fragile, and easily shaken when God calls them to do something that they can't control. Confidence makes us impressive. Godfidence makes us obedient. And obedience, not confidence, is what heaven responds to.41:42 – Confidence will never be enough. It may get you noticed, it may get you promoted, it may get you applause, but it will never sustain you when obedience costs you something. Only God confidence can do that.Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite 

Listen to Only God with Pastor Shindoll from Wednesday, December 10, 2025.Love is our Why. Join Us Online at 10/11 AM on Sundays and 7:30 PM on Wednesdays. To give online, visit wayoflife.church/give or text the word GIVE to 817-382-3270, click the link, and follow the prompts. If you need prayer, visit wayoflife.church/connect so we can pray for you.

In the scope of eternity Jesus has the bigger picture and He understands how our eternal welfare is dependent on our relationship with the creator God. The Bible tells us we have broken that relationship through our disobedience, sin, and guilt.It is no wonder that Satan capitalizes upon our guilt to keep us at distance with God, but, Jesus has the authority to forgive our sin, and bring us back to God. This month, Gene Appel, Senior Pastor with the East Side Christian Church in Anaheim, California has been unpacking some ways where “Only God” can make the difference in our lives and how this week: “Only God Can Forgive Our Past.” Listen as Gene show's us how to erase the guilt, and find reconciliation to our heavenly Father, through perfect, eternal, forgiveness To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/326/29?v=20251111

Episode Notes:Key Takeaways:Jesus is 100% God and 100% human—two complete natures in one personJesus had to be fully God to bear the weight of our sin and fully human to represent us before GodThe incarnation isn't a problem to solve—it's a mystery to worshipScripture References:John 1:1, 14 - "The Word was God... and the Word became flesh"Colossians 2:9 - "In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily"Hebrews 2:17 - Jesus "had to be made like his brothers in every respect"Philippians 2:6-8 - Jesus took on the form of a servantKey Concepts:The Hypostatic Union: The theological term for Jesus' two natures united in one personWhy Fully God? Only God can bear infinite sin and offer infinite salvationWhy Fully Human? Only a human can represent humanity and be our substituteJesus as Mediator: He bridges the gap between holy God and sinful humanityThis Week's Question to Consider: Do you worship Jesus as fully God? Do you trust him as fully human? Both truths matter for your salvation.Challenge: Thank Jesus this week for being the perfect mediator—fully God to save you, fully human to represent you.Next Week: Why did Jesus have to die? Couldn't God just forgive us?

Feeling overwhelmed when you don’t know what to do? This devotional reflection centers on 2 Chronicles 20:12, where King Jehoshaphat faces an impossible battle and responds with humility, prayer, and complete dependence on God. When fear rises and answers feel out of reach, Scripture reminds us that fixing our eyes on God invites His power, peace, and deliverance into our circumstances. Through Judah’s story, we see how seeking the Lord first, admitting weakness, and trusting God’s sovereignty transforms fear into faith—and reminds us that the battle ultimately belongs to Him. Highlights Fear is often the moment God invites us to deeper dependence Jehoshaphat chose prayer and fasting instead of panic Admitting “we don’t know what to do” is an act of faith, not failure God responds when His people seek Him with honesty and humility Worship came before victory, not after Faith fixes our eyes on God, even when fear is present The battle is God’s, but obedience is ours Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: When We Don’t Know What to Do By Hannah Benson Bible Reading: “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” - 2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV One afternoon, as I flipped open my Bible, my eyes landed on 2 Chronicles 20:12. As I reread the entire chapter, I was struck by what I uncovered in that passage. Picture this. The tribe of Judah receives word that three different armies, the Ammonites, Moabites, and those from Mount Seir, are plotting to attack them. When God’s people first entered the land, He had not allowed them to conquer Ammon, Moab, or Mount Seir (see Deut. 2). And now? The enemy was coming for God’s people. Not one. Or two. But three powerful armies. King Jehoshaphat, the king reigning over Judah at the time, was afraid. He was the leader. Perhaps he was even expected to have all the answers to protect Judah from this threat. But you know what struck me the most? As we read the passage, we notice the Scripture says, “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord” (v. 3). In addition, he proclaimed a fast throughout all of Judah. In the midst of fear, he turned to God and encouraged others to do the same. As I read that, I was instantly convicted. If a nation’s king could lead with such humility and grace, should not each of us respond the same? Yes, when Jehoshaphat saw that these armies were coming, he was afraid. How many of us can say the same? How many of us see something, are afraid, but then set our face to seek the Lord? How many times have I done that? Not as much as I wish. Think about it. Usually, so many of us are afraid and run to numb that fear. We often numb fear - whether through distractions or endless scrolling - instead of seeking God. It doesn’t really matter how we numb our fear. The fact is, we all have all been tempted to turn to something other than God when we are afraid. If we try to numb our fear with anything other than God, we will come away dissatisfied. Only God can truly satisfy us and give us peace. Turn to God. Not only did Jehoshaphat set his face to seek the Lord in his fear, but he chose honesty instead of what made him look good. He was upfront and honest with all of Judah, sharing in his prayer to God, “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12). He could’ve tried to appear strong, like he had all the answers. But he openly and freely admitted he didn’t. This was a fix only God could get them out of. In essence, he was saying, “God needs to do this. God needs to work because I can’t.” And then, he sought the Lord in prayer and encouraged all of Judah to seek the Lord with him. His dependence on God is what defined his leadership and set an example for the people. In addition, I noticed that Jehoshaphat recognized God’s sovereignty. In the beginning of his prayer in verse 6, he says, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you." He recognized that God was sovereign and the only one who could save them. Second, he clung to God’s promises, recalling how the Lord had given them the land (v. 7-9) and trusting He could deliver them again. But even though God already knows everything, the Lord loves it when we share our hearts with Him. Finally, Jehoshaphat begged God to execute judgment on their enemies. “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12). Guess what happened next? The Spirit of the Lord came upon a man named Jehaziel, and he said (v. 15). “Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s'”. He goes on to give 3 specific instructions. Stand firm. Hold your position. See the salvation of the Lord on your behalf. Sometimes, the Lord allows us to go through difficult trials and drives us to our knees so that we can recognize and realize that we are powerless against whatever we are facing. Immediately after the Lord spoke to Jehaziel, Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and worshipped the Lord. It is so inspiring to me that this is the first thing he did. His act of surrender and glory to God led Judah and Jerusalem to fall down on their faces, worshipping the Lord. But they didn’t stop there. Intersecting Faith & Life: The Scriptures tell us that they rose early in the morning and went out. Not only that, but they sang to the Lord and praised Him as they went out to battle. "And when they had begun to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed" (v. 22). I’m sure they still struggled with fear. But imagine if the men of Judah had allowed their fear to stop them from following God. Thank God they didn’t. This passage reminds me that fear may come, but faith fixes our eyes on God — and He fights for us. Pray with me: Dear Father God, please help me to walk in faith even when I’m afraid. To always seek Your face first instead of caving into my fears. I trust You to work everything out for my good and your glory and to make me even more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-31). In Jesus’s Name, Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode 93 - Murdock and Marvel: 2019 In 2019 Marvel Studios completed the most ambitious movie cycle in history with its 2 billion dollar Avengers: Endgame masterpiece, even as comic stores wondered about the future and politics made deeper and deeper inroads into comics and comics fandom. The Year in Comics  Comics in Other Media Comic Sales Notable Comics Top Comic News Notable Passings Marvel Eisner Awards Dan's Favorite The Year in Daredevil  Appearances: Daredevil v5 #611-612, Man Without Fear #1-5, Daredevil v6 1-12, Marvel Knights 20th #2, Guardians of the Galaxy #1, Spider-Man / Deadpool #47-48, Avengers: No Road Home #10, War of the Realms #1-6, War of the Realms: War Scrolls #1-3, Avengers #20 True Believers: Spider-Man – The New Spider-Man! #1, War of the Realms Omega #1, History of the Marvel Universe #3    Writer: Charles Soule (#611-612), Chip Zdarsky (#1-12)  Pencils: Phil Noto (#611-612), Marco Checchetto (#1-5 and #11-12), Lalit Kumar Sharma (#6-9), Jorge Fornes (#10)  Inks: Phil Noto (#611-612), Marco Checchetto (#1-5 and #11-12), Jay Leisten (#6-9), Jorge Fornes (#10) In the final storyline of volume 5, “The Death of Daredevil”, We open with Matt Murdock on the brink of death—lying in an ER after being hit by a truck while saving a child, eerily echoing the childhood accident that made him Daredevil in the first place. And as the doctors fight to keep him alive, Matt mentally resets his mission. He decides this is war with Wilson Fisk, and war requires honesty. So he tells his entire team the truth: he's Daredevil. No more secrets.  When he gets back out on the streets in his mind's version of events, he barely has time to breathe before a bone-knife-throwing assassin attacks him. And when he limps home afterward, who's waiting in his apartment? Elektra. They fall back into old patterns, but when Matt asks her to stay and join the team.  From there, Matt and his crew move aggressively—they decide to kidnap John Wesley, Fisk's right-hand man, to force him to spill how the election was rigged. The plan blows up in their faces, but somehow, they still manage to grab Wesley. They lose his guards, get attacked by more bone knives, and end up scrambling into a church for cover…where Fisk's assassin, Vigil, is already waiting. Daredevil and Elektra take him on in a brutal fight. Elektra almost kills him, Daredevil stops her, and in that split second, Vigil drives a bone knife straight into Wesley's back. The only man who could presumably tell them how Fisk did it is now dead—Elektra walks out.  While out on patrol he's ambushed by a swarm of Stilt-Men, forced into an arena, and dropped into a who's-who gauntlet of enemies—Klaw, Ikari, Electro, Gladiator, Typhoid Mary. But Matt turns the tables, manipulating the villains into fighting each other for the “honor” of killing him. It works. At least until he reaches the roof, hoping to catch his breath, and is immediately shot by Bullseye. Matt's seconds from dying again when he's unexpectedly saved…by his magically created, now-fully-real brother, Mike Murdock, who claims he can help end all of this.  Mike's intel leads Matt straight to the truth: the Mad Thinker helped Fisk rig the mayoral election. With that, Matt convinces the DA to prosecute the mayor and put Daredevil himself on the witness stand. A parade of heroes testify. Fisk slips up under questioning, admits to “adjustments,” and Fisk loses the court case and he's recalled as mayor. It's a victory…until Vigil returns. Daredevil unmasks him—and sees his own face staring back.  And that's when the illusion cracks. We realize the entire story, every moment, every battle, every twist, has been in Matt's head while he lies unconscious in the hospital. He's still fighting for his life. In the quiet between heartbeats, he sees Karen Page beside him. She tells him gently that it isn't his time. The panels go dark…until a single heartbeat rises from the silence. Daredevil isn't dead. He's choosing to fight.  In March we get the Man Without Fear limited series from writer Jed Mackay and artists Danilo Beyruth, Stefano Landini, Iban Coello, and Paolo Villanelli. It's a haunting bridge between Daredevil's fall and whatever comes next. It's a really interesting story – deserving our spotlight for this week.  In April, Volume 6 starts with a new creative team – Writer Chip Zdarsky and art by Marco Checchetto. The opening storyline is titled “Know Fear”. In it we see Matt Murdock back on the streets as Daredevil—too early, too shaky, and already in over his head. Between flashbacks of young Matt talking to a priest, we watch him struggle through patrols, botch a robbery takedown, and accidentally kill one of the thieves due to head trauma. New-to-NYC Detective Cole North zeroes in on him immediately, refusing to play the usual “look the other way” game, and soon Daredevil is shot, chased, cornered, and nearly arrested as Wilson Fisk—now Mayor—watches from a distance, thrilled to see his old enemy unraveling.  Things spiral further as Daredevil finds himself rescued—and judged—by the one man he never wants to owe anything to: the Punisher. Frank Castle drags Matt to his hideout and brutally challenges the idea that Daredevil is still a hero. A prisoner dies, blows are exchanged, and Matt ultimately escapes, injured and ashamed, just as the NYPD begins questioning Cole North's escalating methods… even while Fisk quietly rewards him for keeping the pressure on.  The breaking point comes when Matt is rescued from the Owl's men by Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Danny Rand—street-level peers who've been watching him self-destruct in real time. After Matt admits he accidentally killed the robber, the others acknowledge they've made mistakes too… but they also agree he's too unstable to keep wearing the mask. Matt slips away, heads home, and meets Spider-Man waiting for him on the rooftop—delivering the final gut punch: Matt's done. No more Daredevil. And if he suits up again? His own friends will stop him.  In the final full story arch of 2019, “No Devils, Only God”, Eight weeks after Daredevil “died,” Matt Murdock is trying hard to live a normal life—working as a probation officer, meeting ex-cons, even starting a romance with Mindy from the local bookstore—but the shadows keep tugging at him. NYC is shifting: Fisk is secretly beating inmates to a pulp while publicly claiming he's going legitimate, and Cole North—now targeted by dirty cops and nearly killed—is the lone detective trying to clean up a precinct drowning in corruption. As Matt finds himself drawn into Mindy's family dinner, he realizes her in-laws are the Libris crime family… just moments before a sniper attack (courtesy of the Owl) leaves one man wounded and Matt forced to intervene without revealing who he once was.  The city whispers that Daredevil is back, but Matt insists he's not—at least, not fully. He shadows crimes with his senses and quietly calls them in, plays tortured theology chess with Reed Richards, and wrestles with whether God expects him to rise again. He slips into a makeshift costume to save a runaway boy from gang life, and that taste of heroism only deepens his conflict. Meanwhile, Matt's relationship with Mindy crosses into an affair, complicating everything just as the Owl escalates his war, burning down her bookstore and pulling Matt in deeper.  When Cole North is targeted again—his partner beaten so badly he later dies—Matt can't stay retired. He joins North in the police station brawl, stopping the detective from killing corrupt officers and telling him to pin the chaos on Daredevil. As Matt slips away into the night, bleeding and conflicted, he finds Elektra waiting on a rooftop… it seems on a matter of time until Matt Murdock is putting the mask back on for real.  This Week's Spotlight: Man Without Fear Limited Series issues #1-5 from March 2019 Recap Why We Picked This Story Daredevil Rapid Fire Questions The Takeaway The Billion dollar question: Is the comic world just too small for both the Joker and Captain Marvel? Questions or comments We'd love to hear from you!  Email us at questions@comicsovertime.com or find us on Twitter @comicsoftime. ------------------ THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING CREATORS AND RESOURCES  Music: Our theme music is by the very talented Lesfm.  You can find more about them and their music at https://pixabay.com/users/lesfm-22579021/.  The Grand Comics Database: Dan uses custom queries against a downloadable copy of the GCD to construct his publisher, title and creator charts.  Comichron: Our source for comic book sales data.  Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History  DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_based_on_English-language_comics  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Marvel_Comics_superhero_debuts  https://comicbookreadingorders.com/marvel/event-timeline/  https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards/past-recipients/past-recipients-1990s/ 

Welcome to the Christian's Hour. Thanks for joining us! A recent documentary proposed that social media is engineered to be addictive.I think it would be safe to say that never before in all of history has there been more opportunity to become trapped into the bonds, the chains of addiction. In today's message, Mike Breaux, teaching minister at East Side Christian Church in Anaheim California, continues our series “Only God” in his message “Only God can break my Chains”. Mike contends that Chains can be anything that has a firm grip on a person's life; keeping us stuck, keeping us from experiencing Godly freedom. The good news is Jesus offers a way to break the “spin cycle of doing what we don't want to do”. Here's Mike to point us to Jesus, the chain breaker… To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/326/29?v=20251111

This week we're in John 1, looking at why the Incarnation matters, not just as a seasonal truth, but as the foundation of our salvation. Jesus didn't just come, He came as fully God and fully man. Only God could redeem us. Only a man could succeed where Adam and Israel failed. Christmas means more than a manger scene; it means the eternal Word stepped into history to save us. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” – John 1:14

(Exodus 12:23) As we journey through Exodus we discover the power of divine redemption. Only God is able, and willing, to bring us out of the bondage of sin and into true liberty and life.  (10007260108) To download our supplementary resources for free, visit https://enjoyingthejourney.org/journey-through-scripture/ . Join our study through Scripture this year. Find resources for every book of the Bible at enjoyingthejourney.org/journey-through-scripture/ Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God. Explore now at EnjoyingTheJourney.org. Extend the Work Enjoying the Journey provides every resource for free worldwide. If you would like to help extend this Bible teaching, you may give at enjoyingthejourney.org/donations/

What does 2026 hold for you? Only God knows, however, here are three things that can help you walk confidently into this new year. 

Today is day 5 and we are continuing the section on Salvation with question 5. 4. Can you save yourself from the way of sin and death? No. I have no power to save myself, for sin has corrupted my conscience, confused my mind, and captured my will. Only God can save me. (Psalm 33:13–19; Isaiah 43:8–13; John 3:1–8; Ephesians 2:1–9) Our daily collect comes from the Seventh Sunday of Epiphany found on page 603 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Welcome Graham fam! We are so glad you could watch Sunday morning online with us. Sermon Title:Possession – 1 – Created to be Possessed We are vessels—fragile clay jars, temples of the Holy Spirit. God designed us to be constantly filled, yet nothing in this world truly satisfies. We eat, drink, learn, seek entertainment, chase purpose, and crave gratification—but the hunger remains. Why? Because we were created to be possessed. That word might sound unsettling because we often associate it with demonic possession, but in reality, God intended for us to be possessed by Him. ScriptureEphesians 3:16-191 Peter 2:91 Corinthians 6:19-20John 4:10, 13-14Ephesians 5:15-18 – Be filled with the Spirit Sermon Points1. God wants to possess you2. There is a black hole in us3. Only God can fill it4. We will be possessed by something5. The solution: Be filled with the SpiritClosingPossession is real. Satan works subtly, often through anonymity, waiting for an opening. Don't make yourself available to the enemy. You have nothing to fear when you are possessed by God. But when God is rejected, the void is left for the enemy to fill. Choose to be filled with the Holy Spirit—because you were created to be possessed. Watch past services: https://www.gcwesleyan.org/teaching/ Subscribe to Graham Chapel Youth: https://is.gd/grahamyouth Give to Graham Chapel: https://www.gcwesleyan.org/give/ Graham Chapel Wesleyan Church is in Mayo, SC near Cowpens and Chesnee in Spartanburg County. We'd love to have you join us in person on Sundays or Wednesdays for youth! Visit our website to learn more.

Segment 1 • “Thus Sayeth the Lord” is the Christian's true weapon in cultural and spiritual battles. • AI porn is on the rise, possibly replacing real people in 20 years, challenging Christian arguments based on human dignity. • Only God's Word offers unchanging authority. Segment 2 • AI-fueled depravity is coming fast, with the power to generate any sinful fantasy imaginable. • Christians must return to quoting Scripture, not merely offering moral objections. • God's Word is the power, not our persuasiveness. “Thus Sayeth the Lord” still turns worlds upside down. Segment 3 • Tim Challies reflects on losing his son Nick, facing the tension of tragedy and God's control. • In suffering, we must separate what God does from how He uses it. • God is good, able, and faithful—and that truth holds us. Segment 4 • Tragedy often brings anger and doubt about God's love. • If you don't know God's character, you'll misinterpret His providence. • God isn't distant—He desires deep relationship, even in our pain. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!