Podcasts about Pharaoh

What True Worship Looks Like by Autumn Dickson I have been thinking a lot about what it means to worship God lately. It keeps popping up through random little avenues in my life. We've had the opportunity to have the missionaries in our home who taught about the ten commandments and only worshipping the one and true God. I've engaged in a couple of conversations about our beliefs of exaltation and what it means to become like our Heavenly Parents. I also recently saw a post about how celebrating Halloween is worshipping the occult, and so I asked myself, is that the truth? I love Halloween, and so I wanted to speak with the Lord and make sure I wasn't doing anything He didn't want me to do. What does it mean to avoid idolatry and only worship Heavenly Father? Let's read a couple of verses in Abraham to give us some principles to live by. Abraham 1:6 For their hearts were set to do evil, and were wholly turned to the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; “…their hearts were wholly turned to the god of…” Your heart is representative of what you truly love. You can go to church and still have your heart oriented somewhere else. You can profess belief in our Heavenly Father and still not worship Him. You can watch Come Follow Me videos all you want, but if your heart is not engaged, it won't save you. And I believe that's the key here. Only the Lord can save us. There are many ways that He saves us, one of which being an entrance into the kingdom of God, but there are many ways that He holds us and cares for us here on earth. He saves us by bringing true joy and peace. That's what it boils down to. He doesn't save us for the sake of saving us, and though that may seem like a silly nuance, it's really important. He saves us because He wants us to be happy. Part of worshipping the only true God is understanding that. Only the Lord can save us. Only the Lord can bring us true joy and peace. We often ask: Is your heart centered on Jesus Christ? Do you only worship the true and living God? Perhaps a fantastic follow-up litmus test is this: Is your search for joy and peace centered on Jesus Christ? The key word here is “centered.” That doesn't mean you can't have other things that make you happy and bring you joy. I believe that the Lord did what He did in order to give us an opportunity to enjoy other things in the context of eternity. There is a reason we keep hearing about the mansions in heaven. We can enjoy incredible things, but what matters in relation to the word “worship” is where our enjoyment is centered. Let's make it come full circle. Why is it important to center our worship, joy, and peace on the Savior? Because everything else will leave us ultimately empty. Nothing else can save you. Nothing else can truly bring joy and peace. There are many wonderful, incredible things out there that bring deep and lasting joy, but all of it will come to naught unless you have something more solid and capable: namely, Jesus Christ. So I go and have fun and enjoy Halloween, all while keeping an eye on the fact that it doesn't matter without Christ. My joy and peace are anchored in Him. Here is another verse to give us a second litmus test of worship. Abraham 1:8 Now, at this time it was the custom of the priest of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to offer up upon the altar which was built in the land of Chaldea, for the offering unto these strange gods, men, women, and children. Before, we covered, “What is bringing you happiness? Is your peace and joy centered on Christ?” My next question is this: what are you willing to sacrifice for these other things that you love? What are you paying for it? There are more questions we can ask that relate directly back to the experience of Abraham. Namely, are you sacrificing others? Are you sacrificing precious relationships with your family members? Are you sacrificing the needs and wants of others who are depending on you? Look at how you spend time throughout the day. Look at the things that bring you a lot of happiness. What do those things cost in time, energy, and resources? What are you dedicating to it? Are sports taking up so much time that you fail to spend quality time with family? Are you so obsessed with to-do lists that your kids are viewed as obstacles rather than purpose? Are you so caught up in social media that your kids miss you? Are you so caught up in anything else on earth that you're sacrificing true joy? Which leads to another follow-up question. Are you willing to hand what you love over to the Lord should He ask? I think of my love of Halloween. If the prophet came out tomorrow and said that we weren't going to celebrate Halloween anymore, would I listen? It's okay to mourn things you love, but are you willing to hand it over as a sacrifice if the Lord asks? He should stand above all other things in your life. Your peace and joy should be centered on Him to the extent that you're willing to give up other forms of joy should He ask. That's what it means to worship. Only worshipping the true and living God means that your peace and joy are centered on Him. It means a deep and abiding understanding that only Christ can really save you, and your ultimate source of relief comes through Him. It means that you're willing to let go of other forms of happiness should He ask you to. It means that you are weighing the costs of where you are investing yourself. The cost of what you love should never tip the scales dangerously away from the most important things, and it should never come at the cost of your relationship with Christ. I testify that true joy and peace is only found in Christ. I testify that He is worth any sacrifice. I testify that anything He asks us to sacrifice is actually only leading us closer to truth and joy. I testify that there is nothing that is more valuable than a relationship with Christ. He is worth the cost of anything else. Autumn Dickson was born and raised in a small town in Texas. She served a mission in the Indianapolis Indiana mission. She studied elementary education but has found a particular passion in teaching the gospel. Her desire for her content is to inspire people to feel confident, peaceful, and joyful about their relationship with Jesus Christ and to allow that relationship to touch every aspect of their lives. Autumn was the recipient of FAIR's 2024 John Taylor Defender of the Faith Award. The post Come, Follow Me with FAIR – Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2 – Part 1 – Autumn Dickson appeared first on FAIR.

Pharaoh has finally released Israel from captivity after Egypt has been completely ravaged by the plagues that God sent upon the nation. As they begin their journey, Moses instructs the people to present every firstborn male to the Lord. He encourages the people to remember this day and to tell the next generation what the Lord has done. It doesn't take long before the Egyptians regret releasing Israel from serving them, and they mount horses and chariots to pursue them. In a display of power and favor toward Israel, God protects Israel from harm, provides an escape, and punishes Egypt all in one magnificent and miraculous act.Exodus 13 - 1:02 .Exodus 14 - 5:41 .Exodus 15 - 12:26 .Psalm 28 - 17:51 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In the first part of this two-episode series on the tombs of the tomb builders, host Stephanie Rice journeys beyond the iconic monuments of the Giza Plateau to explore the long-overlooked settlement of the pyramid workers.Often overshadowed by the Great Pyramids themselves, the massive wall known as Heit el-Ghurab, aka the “Wall of the Crow”, once concealed the remains of a thriving community. Ongoing excavations have revealed barracks, bakeries, administrative buildings, and, most importantly, carefully constructed cemeteries that challenge long-standing myths about enslaved labor or alien technologies.This episode examines the archaeological evidence for a socially stratified yet respected workforce: laborers buried in modest but well-built tombs, artisans interred higher on the hillside, and even small mastabas and pyramids constructed for workers. Through burial architecture, grave goods, and settlement remains, we uncover a story not of disposable bodies, but of skilled Egyptians who brought their regional traditions with them in life and in death.Offline Sources Cited:David, A. Rosalie (editor). 1996. The Pyramid Builders of Ancient Egypt: A Modern Investigation of Pharaoh's Workforce. Routledge, London New York.Forshaw, Roger. Trauma Care, Surgery and Remedies in Ancient Egypt: A Reassessment.Lehner, Mark. 2015. Labor and the Pyramids: The Heit El-Ghurab “Workers Town” at Giza. In , pp. 397–522.Lehner, Mark. 2023. Combinatorial Evolution and Heterogeneous Cohabitation at the Giant Pyramids. Journal of Urban Archaeology 8:21–46.Steinkeller, Piotr, and Michael Hudson. 2015. Labor in the Ancient World: A Colloquium Held at Hirschbach (Saxony), April 2005. International Scholars Conference on Ancient Near Eastern Economies No. volume 5. ISLET, Dresden.TranscriptsFor transcripts of this episode head over to: https://archpodnet.com/tpm/31LinksThe Past Macabre Research Notes on SubstackSee photos related to episode topics on InstagramLoving the macabre lore? Treat your host to a coffee!Website | The Giza Plateau Mapping ProjectWebsite | Information about the worker's cemetery at Heit al-Ghurab from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and AntiquitiesArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliatesMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Joseph in the Palace (Genesis 41:14–16) In Genesis 41:14–16, we witness one of the most dramatic reversals in Scripture. Joseph is called out of prison and brought into the palace in a single moment. The text says Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and immediately Joseph was taken from the dungeon. What man had forgotten, God suddenly remembered. This reminds us that when God's timing arrives, change can happen faster than we ever imagined. Before Joseph stands before Pharaoh, he shaves and changes his clothes. This is more than personal grooming—it symbolizes preparation for a new season. Joseph could not enter the palace wearing the garments of the prison. Likewise, God often requires us to be ready outwardly and inwardly for where He is taking us. Preparation matters, even when promotion comes unexpectedly. When Pharaoh speaks to Joseph, he says, “I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream to interpret it.” This is Joseph's moment. He could have taken credit. After years of suffering, betrayal, and silence, this was his chance to prove himself. Yet Joseph responds with humility: “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Joseph understood that his gift did not belong to him—it belonged to God. This moment reveals Joseph's character. Prison did not poison him, and promotion did not pride him. His faith remained intact in both suffering and success. Joseph teaches us that true greatness is not found in position, but in dependence on God. He stands before the most powerful ruler of the world, yet boldly declares that only God holds the answer. For us today, this passage reminds us that God can take us from obscurity to opportunity in an instant. However, when the door opens, the question is not where we stand, but who we glorify. Joseph shows us that when God elevates us, our responsibility is to point back to Him. The palace did not change Joseph—his faith had already been settled in the prison.

Delivered by Evelyn from the Parish of Holy Spirit in the Archdiocese of Singapore. James 1: 12-18; Rs psalm 94: 12-13a.14-15.18-19; Mark 8: 14-21.STRONG IN FACINGTRIALS The title for our meditation today is: Strong inFacing Trials. In the New Testament of the holy scriptures, Jesus Christteaches us to be strong in facing trials. The experience of facing a trial or testcan be seen similar to a judgement, which means to test someone whether he isable to pass the trial or not. For example, in the Gospel of Matthew 26:41,which is the same as Mark 14:38 and Luke 22:40, Jesus reminds us to always bestrong in prayer and vigilant against the danger of falling into temptation.Our flesh or body is weak, so it is easy to become target and tempted byenemies. God Himself also reminded His people in the OldTestament to be strong against the temptations, trials and evil forces in life.When Moses faced Pharaoh in Egypt, he was truly in a severe trial. But he wasalso obedient to God's guidance and commands. By adhering to this principlethat God teaches and strengthens us, it is clear a  mere game or joke to assume that God alsotempts us. There is a presumption or preception among us that God disturbs andtempts us. This is just taken for granted as a kind of temptation that we humannormally face. But this is obviously impossible. How does the Lord strengthenus, however, He also tempts what He Himself ordains, strengthens and protects? Therefore Saint James in the first reading affirmsthat it is impossible for God to tempt us his beloved children. God does nothave a system of operation like any other human and spirit beings who have evildesire to try, to tempt, or to deceive others. The prince of tempters and evilspirits is the devil. This satanic power prioritizes his work on human behaviorthat is against God's way. Naturally humans have freedom, therefore, anybodycan choose to follow the influence of Satan. So man is tried and tempted by hisor her own desire that has been controlled by the evil one. When do we know that we meet a trial or temptation?The accounts in today's Gospel describe a common situation when someone fecestrials. When our minds and hearts begin to understand and consider that God isfar away or not with us. When we worry or presume that our fate will be indifficulty because there are so many challenges, difficulties, and threatsaround us. Moreover, we are deeply haunted by our inability to deal with all thechallenges and problems. So, temptations will reach us when there is only alittle faith, when there is assumption that there are many threats around us,and the view that God is far away. Therefore, this is the advice for us: that wemust be strong!Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Almighty God,fill us with a brave and strong spirit of faith to face all the trials and temptationsin this life. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit... Inthe name of the Father ...

Maybe you're facing something so big, so crushing, or devastating that you're scared and hope seems lost? Today on Abounding Grace we'll turn to Exodus chapter fourteen and see what to do when a crisis strikes. We're going through the book of Exodus right now, and if there was ever a group of people who needed God's provision during a tough stretch it was Moses and the Israelites fleeing from Egypt. In chapter fourteen we see the mighty hand of God continue to protect the people of Israel as they flee the persecution of Pharaoh. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/302/29?v=20251111

In this episode, we dive into Genesis Chapter 41, one of the most powerful turning points in Joseph's life. After years of waiting, suffering, and being forgotten, Joseph is suddenly called before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. In just one moment, his life changes — from prisoner to ruler.This chapter teaches us about God's perfect timing, divine promotion, and how preparation in difficult seasons leads to greater purpose.If you're in a season of waiting, this message will inspire you to trust God's timing and stay faithful.

What will Israel do in the face of adversity? God had warned Moses that He would harden Pharaoh's heart, and there would be a confrontation between God and Pharaoh. The clash of rivals plays out in chapter five as Pharaoh shows his unwillingness to surrender his authority to the “God of the Hebrews.” The great question in this chapter is what the people of God will do when facing hardship after initially believing God's promise to deliver them from their burdens. Whom will they serve?

Greater Than the G.O.A.T.Hebrews 3:1–6Who's the Greatest of All Time?In football, fans argue over quarterbacks. In basketball, it's Jordan or LeBron. In soccer, Messi or Ronaldo. Every generation debates its heroes. Today we're asking that same question—but for the Bible.If you had asked a first-century Jewish believer, the answer would have been simple: Moses. He wasn't just a leader. He was the prophet, the lawgiver, the deliverer, the mediator. If you had Moses, you had everything.But Hebrews chapter 3 makes a bold claim: Jesus is greater.The Pressure to Go BackThe book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians under intense pressure. They were facing persecution and social rejection. Following Jesus wasn't easy. Going back to Judaism—to Moses—looked safer.Can you relate? Sometimes faith costs something. Maybe it's awkward conversations at work. Maybe it's tension in your family. In those moments, the “old life” can look comfortable.That's why the author writes:Hebrews 3:1–6 (NLT)“And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God… think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God's messenger and High Priest… Moses was certainly faithful in God's house as a servant… But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God's entire house. And we are God's house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.”Moses was faithful. But Jesus is greater.Why Moses? Because to understand how great Jesus is, you have to understand how great Moses was.1. The Prophet: The Mouthpiece vs. The MessageMoses was the great prophet of Israel—Moshe Rabbenu, “Moses our Teacher.” When God spoke, Moses delivered the mail.At the burning bush, God said:Exodus 3:10 (NLT)“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”Moses went up the mountain and came down with God's words. He was the mediator. The messenger.But Hebrews tells us something bigger.Hebrews 1:1–2 (NLT)“Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.”Moses delivered a message. Jesus is the message.Moses told us what God said. Jesus showed us who God is. The difference isn't subtle—it's seismic.2. The Architect: The Snapshot vs. The Whole PictureMoses didn't just speak for God. He shaped a nation.At Sinai, he brought down the Ten Commandments. In a world ruled by tyrants, this was revolutionary. Authority answered to a higher authority. Justice wasn't based on mood; it was rooted in God's character.Even the Sabbath command was radical:“Six days you shall labor… but the seventh day is a sabbath.”In a world of slavery and subsistence farming, rest was unheard of. God declared that human worth wasn't measured by productivity.But even this was just a snapshot.Fifteen hundred years later, Jesus revealed the whole picture:Matthew 22:37–40 (NLT)“‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'… ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”Moses gave structure. Jesus gave fulfillment.The law was never the final word—it was the frame around a greater portrait. Jesus didn't abolish the law; He completed it.3. The Servant: The Old House vs. The New HouseHebrews 3:5 says:“Moses was certainly faithful in God's house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later.”An illustration. A preview. A shadow.For centuries, God worked primarily through Israel. Kings like David. Prophets like Elijah and...

This exploration of Romans 9 tackles the profound tension between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Through Pharaoh and Moses, we see a difficult truth: God hardened Pharaoh's heart, yet gave him ten chances to choose differently. This isn't about unfairness; it's about a God who is just by His standards, not ours. Like clay in the Potter's hands, we are crafted for His purposes. Most strikingly, we see God's mercy—from clothing Adam and Eve to protecting Cain. His patience is intended to lead us to repentance, proving we are never too far gone.---## **SERMON NOTES: Romans 9 – Sovereignty & Mercy**### **1. The Big Idea**God is absolutely sovereign and unimaginably merciful. His sovereignty does not erase our choices; He repeatedly offers mercy and calls us to respond.### **2. Pharaoh's Hardened Heart (Exodus 7–12)*** **The Tension:** Romans 9:15–18 says God hardens whom He wills, yet Exodus shows Pharaoh hardening his own heart.* **The Reality:** God gave Pharaoh 10 real opportunities to obey. Pharaoh's repeated refusal led to Egypt's devastation, proving God's purposes never fail.### **3. Sovereignty & Responsibility*** **The Potter & Clay:** Romans 9:19–21 explains that the Potter has the right to shape vessels for different purposes.* **Justice vs. Fairness:** God is not "fair" by human standards; He is just. He owes mercy to no one; when He gives it, it is pure grace.* **Patience:** He endures "vessels of wrath" with great patience to make His glory known to "vessels of mercy" (Rom. 9:22–24).### **4. OT Pictures of Mercy*** **Cain (Gen. 4):** Despite murder and defiance, God spared Cain and marked him for protection.* **Adam & Eve (Gen. 2–3):** God didn't strike them dead instantly. He sacrificed animals to cover them, acting for their ultimate good even in judgment.### **5. Identity as Clay*** **Unique Design:** You are shaped for His purposes, not mass-produced for comparison (Isa. 64:8).* **Divine Empowerment:** Philippians 2:13 reminds us that God gives us both the *desire* and the *power* to please Him.### **6. The Two Sons (Luke 15)*** **The Prodigal:** Wastes everything but is restored to sonship, not just servanthood.* **The Older Brother:** Resentful and entitled. He refuses to celebrate his brother's return.* **The Call:** God's mercy calls both the rebellious and the self-righteous home.---## **PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS**1. **Respond Now:** Don't presume on God's patience. Repent before hardness sets in.2. **Rest in Sovereignty:** Release the illusion of control. Pray: "Your will, not mine."3. **Stop Comparing:** Embrace your design as clay in the Potter's hands.4. **Check Your Heart:** Reject "Older Brother" resentment when others are blessed.5. **Come Home:** If you've wandered, return. God restores you fully.---## **DISCUSSION QUESTIONS**1. How do you see both God's sovereignty and Pharaoh's responsibility in Exodus?2. Where have you experienced God's patience while you were resisting Him?3. In what area are you tempted to demand "fairness" from God instead of trusting His justice?4. Do you relate more to the prodigal or the older brother right now?5. What practical step of repentance do you need to take today?6. How does being "clay" change how you view your current limitations?

This sermon on Hebrews 11:23 examines how Moses's parents defied Pharaoh's death decree by trusting God with their son's life.

The book of Exodus, continues the story of God’s sovereign control over all things, especially the plan to save His people, Israel. It begins in Exodus 1:1-2:10 with the people of Israel in slavery in Egypt, struggling under the weight of the burdens laid upon them by Pharaoh, whose evil designs were to bring the […]

Hymn “Jesus, Your Boundless Love So True” LW 280 Order of Divine Service, p.7   The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal Readings:  Isaiah 35:3-7, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, St. Luke 18:31-43 Hymn of the Day: “If Thy Beloved Son, O God” (The Augustana Service Book and Hymnal #18, TLH 375) Sermon Offertory: “Create in Me…”         p.18 General Prayer………                    p.19-20 Hymn: “Lord Jesus Christ, My Savior Blest” TLH 353 Exhortation                                    p.21 Communion Service, p.144 (Lutheran Worship) Communion Hymns: “Jesus, I Will Ponder Now” LW 109 “Entrust Your Days and Burdens” LW 427 “Savior, Thy Dying Love” LW 374 Closing Hymn: “Blest the Children of Our God” LW 370 –Michael D. Henson, Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church (Herrin, IL). Service Bulletin: Quinquagesima-Cover-2-15-2026-Online.pdf https://vimeo.com/1163039936?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Picture: Illustrated German Bible of 1483 (I:50, Genesis 41), Pharaoh's Dreams

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.’” (Exodus 14:15–16 NLT) Ecclesiastes 3 identifies various seasons of life: “A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance” (verses 2–4 NLT), to name just a few. In Exodus 14:15–16, we find two more: a time to wait and a time to move. When the Israelites found themselves between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, Moses seems to have misread that particular season of life. He believed it was a time to wait. He continued to cry out to the Lord. God helped him understand that it was a time to move. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground’” (Exodus 14:15–16 NLT). Knowing when to wait and when to move is one of the key aspects of discipleship. Waiting is essential. Waiting involves praying. And the apostle Paul wrote, “Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT). But there comes a point when we don’t need to pray about something anymore. There comes a time when we need to act—that is, in the way that God would have us move. Let’s say a couple is having trouble in their marriage. The husband is praying for his wife to change. But maybe he should change his prayer instead. Maybe he should say, “Lord, help me to be the godly person you want me to be. Help me to do my part.” His wife, of course, needs to pray the same thing. Maybe someone has wronged you or offended you. Maybe they’ve wounded you or insulted you. You want to forgive them. You’ve prayed about it. Now it’s time to do it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re feeling it. Just do it. The emotions most likely will follow when you take that step of obedience. Maybe you’ve been praying for the salvation of a friend or a loved one. You’ve prayed for them for years and years. But have you shared the gospel with them? Maybe it’s their moment to come to Christ. Keep praying but do your part. God was saying to Moses, “Stop crying to me. Stop praying about it. Get moving. The miracle is coming.” When you’re led by the Lord, make your move. There’s a time to pray, and there’s a time to move. Reflection question: What would “making your move” look like in your life right now? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PREstige in it's original TV formatted version. LIWstudios.com

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NLT) The apparent dead-end at the Red Sea must have seemed especially cruel to the people of Israel. Moses had led them out of slavery in Egypt, according to God’s instructions. They had tasted freedom, and they were on their way to the land God had promised their ancestors. But for a moment it looked as though they would get no further than the water’s edge. The Red Sea blocked their forward progress, and the pursuing Egyptian army blocked any hope of retreat. Fighting their way out was out of the question. Pharaoh’s army was the mightiest military on the face of the earth. Imagine the terror and devastation the Israelites must have experienced when they saw that mighty force—with its chariots, horses, shields, swords, and spears—bearing down on them in the distance. The Israelites thought they were dead. “But Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm’” (Exodus 14:13–14 NLT). Just stay calm. That’s a mighty tall order to cram into three small words. But the wisdom served the people of Israel well. God parted the waters of the Red Sea so that they could walk across on dry land. And when Pharaoh and his army tried to pursue, God closed the waters and drowned them. Just stay calm. Those words will also serve us well as disciples of Christ. Like the people of Israel, we are being pursued by our enemy after being set free. When the devil senses that he has us in a vulnerable position, he will come at us with everything he has, including temptations and deception. And they can be intimidating. We may start to question whether we can withstand his barrage. Spoiler alert: We can. The apostle John wrote, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4 NLT). If you are a believer, the Spirit of God lives in you. You belong to the Lord. Yes, the devil can tempt you. He can hassle you. But he cannot overcome you, because you are under God’s protection. In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul talks about the believer’s spiritual armor: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit, and so forth. But before he describes the armor, he writes, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10 NLT). In other words, just stay calm. Stand still and watch the Lord rescue you. Reflection question: How can you stay calm when troubles come? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hardcore legend Man Mountain Rock / Maxx Payne storms back into the spotlight with an explosive return to Monte & The Pharaoh — the Howard Stern of Pro Wrestling. No filters. No corporate spin. Just raw stories, wild memories, and brutal honesty as Maxx Payne talks his career, controversies, and why his name still echoes through wrestling history. If you think you've heard it all… think again. This is the kind of interview no one else will touch — and that's exactly why it belongs on Monte & The Pharaoh. Buckle up. This one gets real. HASHTAGS #MaxxPayne #ManMountainRock #MonteAndThePharaoh #HowardSternOfProWrestling #HardcoreWrestling #ProWrestlingLegends #WrestlingShoot #WrestlingPodcast #ECW #WrestlingHistory #NoFilterWrestling Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Howard Sterns of Pro Wrestling are back and pulling no punches! Monte & The Pharaoh break down WrestleMania 42, going deep on the explosive main event showdown: CM Punk vs Roman Reigns. Is this the biggest clash of eras WWE has ever booked? Who truly walked out the face of the company? Plus, the guys give major love to a women's division that's hotter than it's ever been—from star power to match quality, this isn't an afterthought anymore, it's a takeover. No corporate spin. No watered-down takes. Just real talk, real heat, and real wrestling opinions. ️ Love it or hate it — you're gonna feel it. #MonteAndThePharaoh #HowardSternOfProWrestling #WrestleMania42 #CMPunk #RomanReigns #PunkVsReigns #WWE #WrestlingTalk #ProWrestling #WrestlingPodcast #NoFilterWrestling #ShootInterview #WomensDivision #WomensWrestling #WrestlingCommunity Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant include preservation, protection, priesthood, power, a place, and posterity.(09:20) The responsibility of the Abrahamic Covenant is to make Christ's name known to the world and help all to obtain priesthood and temple blessings.(19:29) The Lord places Abraham and his posterity, Israel, in the center of the world. Our challenge is to influence the world without being influenced by the world.(29:51) Abraham and Sarah experience “The Hero's Journey.” Sarah's combat with Pharaoh is similar to Eve's battle with the serpent.(39:01) Abraham grants the superior land to Lot. We should be generous with others as was Abraham.(40:32) Anachronisms in Genesis 14 are clues as to when it was written.(43:20) Melchizedek has largely been removed from the Hebrew Bible, but was on the Brass Plates. Melchizedek is a type of Jesus Christ.(49:57) Abraham and Sarah both gave God the benefit of the doubt in regard to his promise of having seed. Like them, we should do all we can to ensure the Lord's promises are fulfilled.(52:49) The ritual cutting of sacrificial animals in Genesis 15 relates to ancient covenant making.(57:53) Abraham's visionary experience included both light and darkness.(1:01:04) The Lord tells Sarai to choose Hagar to bring forth Ishmael. The word used for bringing forth children relates to the idea of “building.”(1:05:40) Circumcision is a token or sign of the covenant given to Abraham.(1:07:04) How El Shaddai (the Almighty God) can be read as a representation of our Divine Mother in Heaven, with blessings connected to children and life. The historical evolution of Israel's view of the nature of God. → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 359 | Genesis 12-17; Abraham 1-2, Come Follow Me 2026 (February 16-22) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

In this Bible Story, the Israelites expand in numbers, and Pharaoh fears that they would overtake him and orders all the newborn boys to be thrown into the Nile river, yet one was able to survive, Moses. This story is inspired by Exodus 1-2:10. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Exodus 2:5 from the King James Version.Episode 32: What started as a group of 70 people developed into a nation. A new Pharaoh had arisen who neither knew nor cared about what Joseph had done for his people. All he knew was that this nation of foreigners was growing, and he felt threatened. And so he schemed and devised laws to stop these people from growing. But in the middle of his cruelest edict yet, throwing the firstborn sons into the river, one floated. Carried by a basket right into his own household, Moses was saved and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we begin to examine the ten plagues sent upon Egypt that testify to the power of the great I AM. It has been suggested that each plague is designed to show pharaoh, and all of Egypt along with him, that their so-called-gods are no match for the God of Israel, systematically robbing them of any power they claimed to have. When Pharaoh refuses to let Israel go into the wilderness to worship the Lord, God sends plagues of blood, frogs, gnats, flies, death of livestock, boils, and hail, but the king of Egypt will not back down. While he is bested by God Almighty over and over again, and His own people beg him to relent of his stubborn opposition, Pharaoh's heart remains hardened.Exodus 7 - 1:01 .Exodus 8 - 5:32 .Exodus 9 - 11:26 .Psalm 26 - 18:08 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

ust when the story seems to be moving toward confrontation with Pharaoh, Exodus gives us one of its most shocking moments.Exodus 4:24 (ESV): “At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met [Moses] and sought to put him to death.”What? Join us this week as we look at this rather odd portion of the Exodus story!

February 12, 2026

Send a textStart with the ache: mass graves in history, abuse scandals in headlines, and courts that seem to sleep. Now ask the question beneath the outrage—on what ground do we call any of it truly evil? We dive straight into the heart of the problem of evil and trace a path that is honest about pain and clear about hope. Together we unpack why moral outrage presumes a real standard, why the image of God gives victims unshakable worth, and why denying God dissolves justice into noise. From Romans 12 and 13, we explore how personal vengeance gives way to trust in God's final judgment while still insisting that the state punish wrongdoers. That confidence is not a sedative; it's the spine that resists vigilante chaos and fuels patient, courageous pursuit of the good.We also talk about what sovereignty actually means for daily life. Think of common grace as the guardrails that keep human depravity from racing off the cliff—and of hardening as the fearful moment those restraints are lifted. Pharaoh's story becomes a window into divine decree and human choice, where God never injects evil yet judges by handing people over to their loves. Then we turn to the cross, the sharpest paradox in history: the worst evil ever committed became the greatest good ever given. Jesus, accused as a blasphemer and insurrectionist, endured the shame we deserved, and God brought life from that death. If God can redeem that, he can weave purpose through our darkest turns.Along the way, we share lived stories of providence—small hinges that swung big doors—and hard-earned lessons from prison ministry where quiet, lasting change tells a better story than quick statistics. If you've wrestled with suffering, justice, or the sovereignty of God, this conversation offers clarity without clichés and hope without denial. If it resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend who's asking hard questions, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your thoughts matter—what part challenged you most?Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

Hebrews 11:24 — Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Self-control is possible when we choose God's way over the world's way. Weekly biblical encouragement and Spiritual Reflections from Frank Julian Ministries. Grow in faith at frankjulianministries.com

Exodus 5-11 In this session of The Listener's Commentary, we look at the famous 10 plagues story. Israel is suffering under the heavy hand of Egyptian oppression. God has heard their cries, remembered his covenant, and called Moses to be the deliverer. And Moses finally agrees to go. He has met his brother Aaron and together they have returned to Egypt to confront Pharaoh… and it's really a confrontation between God, Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. The plagues we see in these chapters aren't random. They are about who is the true God and who has ultimate power.   BIBLE READING GUIDE - FREE EBOOK - Get the free eBook, Bible in Life, to help you learn how to read and apply the Bible well: https://www.listenerscommentary.com     GIVE -  The Listener's Commentary is a listener supported Bible teaching ministry made possible by the generosity of people like you. Thank you! Give here:  https://www.listenerscommentary.com/give     STUDY HUB - Want more than the audio? Join the study hub to access articles, maps, charts, pictures, and links to other resources to help you study the Bible for yourself. https://www.listenerscommentary.com/members-sign-up   MORE TEACHING - For more resources and Bible teaching from John visit https://www.johnwhittaker.net

After Moses approached a burning bush on Mount Horeb that was not consumed by the fire, the Lord God Almighty spoke to Moses and commanded him to return to Egypt. Today, we pick back up in the middle of that conversation, wherein Moses pushes back against God's command to go and speak to Pharaoh. He's concerned that he is ill-equipped for the task that he's been given, but the Lord assures Moses that He will be with Him and God gives his messenger signs to perform to prove that he truly is a representative of God. When Moses confronts Pharaoh, he becomes indignant and commands that Israel be given even more work. Moses turns to the Lord in desperate confusion, but the Lord assures Moses that He will act.Exodus 4 - 1:01 .Exodus 5 - 7:12 .Exodus 6 - 11:24 .Psalm 25 - 16:30 . :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

2.23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.3.1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

In this Bible Story, Joseph waits patiently in prison interpreting dreams, which eventually promoted him to be second in command. Putting him in charge of preparing for the coming famine.This story is inspired by Genesis 41. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Genesis 41:16 from the King James Version.Episode 29: Two years had passed since Joseph interpreted the dreams of the chief cupbearer. Now it was Pharaoh’s turn to dream. When no man in his court could interpret the dream for him, his cupbearer finally remembered Joseph, and Pharaoh sent for him at once. And because God had allowed him to interpret Pharoah’s dream, Joseph was granted great authority over Egypt. Joseph came as a prisoner but left as the second in command of all of Egypt.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(Exodus 4:18-13) We've seen bad father-in-laws, how about a good one? Also, does God mind control Pharaoh?

Just for the “hail” of it, Yahweh rains down hailstones on Egypt. He thus reveals himself as the mighty “Storm God” and announces his control over the land of Egypt. For the first time, people are killed by the plagues, but Pharaoh’s heart remains harder than the stones falling from the heavens.

Exodus 2:11-22One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

In this Bible Story, Joseph waits patiently in prison interpreting dreams, which eventually promoted him to be second in command. Putting him in charge of preparing for the coming famine.This story is inspired by Genesis 41. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Genesis 41:16 from the King James Version.Episode 29: Two years had passed since Joseph interpreted the dreams of the chief cupbearer. Now it was Pharaoh’s turn to dream. When no man in his court could interpret the dream for him, his cupbearer finally remembered Joseph, and Pharaoh sent for him at once. And because God had allowed him to interpret Pharoah’s dream, Joseph was granted great authority over Egypt. Joseph came as a prisoner but left as the second in command of all of Egypt.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yahweh reaches directly into Pharaoh’s heart to harden it… Is God taking away his free will? Plus: our Q&A segment addresses the difference between marriage annulments and priests leaving the priesthood.

Feeling trapped by life’s circumstances is a struggle many of us know all too well—whether in jobs, relationships, health, or transitions between seasons. Yet Scripture shows us that God’s boundaries are not limitations, but instruments of His perfect plan. Drawing from Psalm 16:6 and the story of Joseph in Genesis 50, this devotional reminds us that what may feel like confinement can actually be a pathway to blessing, favor, and growth. 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 Within His BoundariesBy Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” - Psalm 16:6 (NIV) Do you feel confined by your circumstances? Perhaps you are stuck in a job you dislike, or you can’t wait to move out of your home, town, or region. Maybe you are longing for a change within a relationship or the transition from one season of life to another. Or perhaps you are struggling with physical limitations or health challenges. Whatever your unique circumstances may be, none of us likes to feel limited. We believe “the world is our oyster” and we should have full access to all it has to offer. However, the Bible suggests a much different narrative. Throughout the Word, we see example after example of God’s people confined within boundaries. The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years, then, generations later, were exiled to Babylon. David was forced into hiding to avoid the pursuit of Saul. Tamar and Leah were “trapped” in what appeared to be loveless marriages. Paul and many of the disciples were imprisoned for their faith. New Testament or Old, there have been multitudes of followers who have struggled to see how God was working for good within the boundaries He set for them. The story of Joseph is one illustration that I have personally looked to when wrestling with my own constrictive circumstances. Joseph was the second youngest son of the patriarch Jacob. He was incredibly talented and favored by his father. During his youth, Joseph had two dreams that foretold he would be in a position of authority over his family in the future. It appeared to be a glorious prospect. However, the reality looked nothing like he imagined. Shortly after Joseph shared his prophetic vision, his brothers sold him into slavery. Once carried off from his home country, Joseph spent over a decade enslaved and imprisoned. He endured persecution, mistreatment, and was reduced to the humblest of circumstances. There was no escape outside of God’s timely release and restoration. I would imagine there were moments when Joseph really grappled with his undesirable confinement and questioned how God was at work in any of it. Yet, on the other side of the story, we can see God was indeed working behind the scenes. Joseph was eventually released from prison and became a significant leader in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. His elite role positioned him to save his family from starvation during a devastating famine. Had Joseph not been forced into those unwanted circumstances, he would not have been able to rescue his family and the generational line of the Israelite people. Even further, the man Joseph became as a result of his confinement was a miracle in itself. His once haughty heart was transformed into a spirit of endless mercy and grace. When Joseph is later reconciled to his brothers, he offers compassion rather than spite. “His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” - Gen. 50:18-20 (NIV). What looked like imprisonment was actually favor and redemption. There are times when God draws boundaries around each of our lives. But the truth is, those boundaries are for our good. Even if it feels uncomfortable or frustrating, know that the Lord is ordaining your steps. You are in His hands. There are riches and blessings in whatever season you find yourself in today. “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” - Ps. 16:6 (NIV) Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you feel like you are stuck or confined by a specific circumstance or season of life? If so, does looking at examples from scripture help you understand how God uses seasons of perceived confinement to grant us good gifts? Why or why not? Take some time today to reflect on past moments when you felt as if your circumstances would never change, yet ultimately a transition arrived. Then consider how those periods shaped who you are today. How can you see the fingerprints of the Lord through these past experiences? Further Reading:Psalm 16Genesis 39 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As the plagues continue to burden the people of Egypt and pressure Pharaoh, his heart remains hardened. What does Pharaoh's hardness of heart reveal about our human condition? Exodus 8

Hosts Pastor Robert Baltodano and Pastor Lloyd Pulley Question Timestamps: Thomas, YouTube (2:12) - Why did Paul agree to follow the purification laws when he returns to Jerusalem? Kerry, KY (4:33) - What happened to the burnt offerings that were offered to the Lord? Did God eat it? Jason, SC (7:52) - Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart? Did God take away his free will? William, NJ (13:39) - When the Bible refers to the "soul," does that mean the mind or the spirit? Queenlove, YouTube (17:38) - Can a believer have witchcraft done on them? Rob, GA (22:24) - Is it wrong to be cremated? What will happen to us in the resurrection if our bodies are cremated? Nicky, YouTube (24:55) - What is the message we should take from Genesis 9:21-27 when Noah is drunk and Ham mocked him? Nev, email (27:30) - What does "peace be still" mean biblically speaking? Charlie, NJ (33:56) - What happened to the nephilim after the flood? Renee, NJ (37:04) - What did Jesus mean when He said "you will do greater things than Me" in John 14:12? Yanni, Facebook (42:01) - Since God knew we would not be able to travel the whole entire universe, why did he make such a vast universe? Samuel, NJ (44:42) - Why did Jonah harden his heart so much by the end of the account? JT, GA (49:55) - Why was Abraham allowed to challenge God, but Peter was not? Ask Your Questions: 888-712-7434 Answers@bbtlive.org

When we last left Joseph and his brothers, they tribe of Israel had just arrived in Egypt with all of their families, servants, and livestock. Joseph brings them before Pharaoh and he grants them access to the best part of the land. The life of Jacob, who is now known as Israel, comes to a close as he takes his last breath in Egypt. This is the same Jacob who deceived his father Isaac in order to receive the blessing of the firstborn. Not only does he bless Joseph's sons, he elevates them and makes them a part of his family's inheritance. Finally, before he passes, he speaks words of prophecy and blessing for the men who would be the representative heads of the twelve tribes of Israel.Genesis 47 - 1:02 . Genesis 48 - 8:11 . Genesis 49 - 12:34 . Psalm 23 - 18:15 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The New Exodus 22 Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” –Mark 14:22-24 ______________________________________ Jesus did not stumble into the Passover meal. He orchestrated it. Every detail was arranged—where to go, who to follow, which room to use—because something deeply important was about to be said. This was not just another meal. This was His meal. A moment where Jesus would say, without speeches or arguments, what His heart most wanted His followers to understand. At that table, Jesus made something unmistakably clear: He chose to suffer for us. He spoke openly about betrayal. Not vaguely, not hypothetically—but personally. One of the Twelve. One dipping bread into the same bowl. Jesus knew exactly what was coming. He could have stopped it. He could have exposed Judas, avoided the cross, escaped the pain. And yet, He did none of that. Why? Because He was not a victim of suffering; He was a volunteer. He chose the path of suffering so that blessing could come to us. This is where Jesus stands apart from every other way of life. Most paths tell us, “You do it. You pay the price. You fix yourself.” Jesus says, “I'll do it. I'll pay it. I'll suffer in your place to bring you to God.” Like a father who works himself to exhaustion so his children can experience joy they could never earn on their own, Jesus bears the weight we could not carry. Then, in the breaking of bread and the sharing of the cup, Jesus redefines the ancient Passover story. What once remembered freedom from slavery in Egypt now points to a greater rescue. “This is my body.” “This is my blood.” He takes the symbols of deliverance and makes them about Himself. He is saying, Just as God once rescued His people from Pharaoh, I am rescuing My people from sin. The word Jesus uses for forgiveness means release. Freedom. Liberation from bondage. He does not look at us primarily as rebels to be crushed, but as slaves who need to be set free. Slaves to fear. To habits we hate. To patterns we swore we'd never repeat. To decisions we don't even want to make—but keep making anyway. We see it in the disciples. They meant what they said. Peter truly believed he would stand strong. The others truly believed they would stay faithful. And yet, they all fell away. Not because they wanted to—but because something else was calling the shots. Sin does that. It promises life and delivers the opposite. Jesus sees that. And He says, I came to rescue you from that.  I chose to suffer to set you free.  I bled so you could be released. The invitation of this meal still stands. Come. Trust Him. Let Him free you. Whether it's the first surrender of your life or the bringing of hidden chains you're tired of carrying—Jesus is gentle, determined, and faithful to finish the work He began.

What will Israel do in the face of adversity? God had warned Moses that He would harden Pharaoh's heart, and there would be a confrontation between God and Pharaoh. The clash of rivals plays out in chapter five as Pharaoh shows his unwillingness to surrender his authority to the “God of the Hebrews.” The great question in this chapter is what the people of God will do when facing hardship after initially believing God's promise to deliver them from their burdens. Whom will they serve?

Sermon Notes: John 1:19-34 (I Am Not, but He Is) Please turn to the Gospel of John, chapter 1. We'll be considering verses 19-34 this morning. As you are turning there, let me say that the Gospel of John is a beautiful literary work. Greek scholars marvel at its elegance. Its words are simple, yet it has a depth of poetic beauty in how its themes are interwoven. And because of that, the Gospel of John speaks to both those with little or no background in the Christian faith as well as to those who have studied the Scriptures their whole lives. ·      On one level, the apostle John makes clear who Jesus is, what he has done, and why it matters. ·      And on another level, we are given profound theological insights in a rich literary form. We'll continue to see that as we work our way through the book. As I read, you will hear about John in these verses. This is referring to John the Baptist, not the apostle. Reading of John 1:19-34. Back in first grade, I was asked to give the opening comments for our first-grade play. That involved standing in front of the big curtain. I had a script which welcomed everyone, thanked the teachers, and gave a brief highlight of what they were about to see. The drama teacher told me multiple times to talk slowly and to keep my hands out of my pockets. Which of course, I forgot to do. But nonetheless, I did my part, and then the curtain opened and the play began. Well, the opening 18 verses of John's Gospel are like the prologue to a play. They set the stage for what is to come. We're given the book's background and themes and we're introduced to the main character. As we've studied, verses 1-18 speak of Christ's divine nature as creator and as the light of the world. We were also introduced to John the Baptist who bore witness to the light. We were told of what it means to believe. And then last week, we learned that the Word of God has come to us in the flesh, in the person of Jesus. And when he came, God displayed his glory and grace. All of that was introductory. And as we now get to verse 19, the curtain opens. We don't just hear about Jesus, but we are given story after story of his life and ministry. To say it in another way, verses 1-18 are the theological treatise for the book… and verses 19 to the very end are the historical witness of the book. John makes the upfront argument that Jesus is God in the flesh and that salvation is found in him, and then from verse 19 on, he shows us that this is true by showing us Jesus' life and ministry. Speaking of a prologue, that was my prologue for this sermon. Two points this morning. You can see them in your bulletin. Point number 1: I am not …and point number 2: But he is I am not, but he is. John the Baptist very clearly states that he is not the Christ, but he, that is Jesus, is. 1. I Am Not So, #1. I am not. Let me begin with a little context. It mentions here that John the Baptist was in the town of Bethany… specifically it's just beyond the Jordan River. This is a different town than the other Bethany which was near Jerusalem just over the Mount of Olives. This one was much farther away. It would have taken a day or two to travel there by foot. And in Bethany, John had attracted a crowd and a following. And one of the things he was doing was baptizing. Well, despite the distance, that caused a stir in Jerusalem. News reached the ears of the Jewish leaders, and so, as we read, they sent a delegate. They had two main questions: who are you? (verse 19) and why are you baptizing (verse 25)? John does answer both questions, but he does it in a way that redirects them away from himself and to Christ. I learned something interesting this week. There are people today who believe that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet. They not only venerate John the Baptist, you know, worship him in a way… but they also reject Jesus as the Messiah. Now, it's a relatively small group, several thousand. They live on the border of modern day Iraq and Iran. Their recorded history goes back to the 300s, so they've been around a while. And it's very possible that their roots go all the way back to the 1st century when this book was written. You see, one reason why the apostle John writes these things, is to make absolutely clear (1) who John the Baptist was and wasn't and (2) who Jesus is. And he quotes John the Baptist's words. ·      He was not the prophet Elijah. Yes, he came in the spirit of Elijah – but he was not Elijah in the flesh. The Jews expected Elijah to return. ·      He also makes clear that he was not “the prophet.” That is likely a reference to Moses or even the greater Prophet who was to come after Moses, namely Christ. John denies that as well. But most importantly, in verse 20 – he states unequivocally that he is not the Christ.  He is not the promised Savior who was to come. In the Greek, it's the phrase “ἐγὼ οὐκ εἰμὶ ὁ χριστός.” I am not the Christ. By the way, “ἐγὼ εἰμὶ” in the Greek is the phrase “I am.” It's the same Greek words that Jesus used in his “I am” statements throughout the book. I am the light of the world. I am the vine. I am the great shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, etc. And so when John the Baptist says he is not the Christ, it is in part setting up the rest of the narrative in the book. Who is Jesus? He is the Christ - the promised Savior. A few years ago, a friend of mine passed away. He had a sudden heart attack. He was a single guy in his 40s, so he wasn't that old. Vocationally he was a nurse, but interestingly he had also been to seminary. He was a great guy. He loved to participate in ministry and mission work including medical missions. He also had a great Scottish accent. He was originally from the Isle of Skye. As one of his pastors I went to the funeral home shortly after they received his body. I was there with a close friend of his. And I learned something about him that I didn't know before. On his chest, he had a tatoo. It was a Greek phrase. “ἐγὼ οὐκ εἰμὶ ὁ χριστός.” I am not the Christ. You see, he had been so moved by this verse in John 1, that he wanted to remind himself each day in the mirror who he was not and to whom he should direct people. He was not the Christ… he was not his own savior nor a savior for others, but he had a savior who has come. That is what John the Baptist was doing in these verses. He was redirecting people away from himself and to Jesus. I count 6 times in these verses where John redirects people away from himself and to Christ. No, I am not him but let me tell you and show you who he is. A couple of examples are found in his further answers to the delegation. By the way, they were very persistent, as we read. They asked him, ok, then if you are not Elijah nor the prophet nor Christ, then who are you and why are you baptizing? ·      First, John answers who he was. He quotes the prophet Isaiah. He says, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,'” You see, Isaiah had prophesied that one would come. This prophet's very purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah. John was saying that he is that one. His whole ministry was to direct people to Christ. It was to prepare the people for the arrival of the Lord. ·      And second, John answered why he was baptizing. His answer also revealed Christ. Verse 31 makes that clear. John said, “I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed to Israel.” Here's what that means. John's baptism was about calling people to repentance and warning them about judgment. The water symbolized the cleansing that they needed. It showed them that they needed God to truly cleanse them… and it reminded them that a Savior was promised who would bear their judgment. By the way, this is why we don't connect John's baptism with the baptism that Jesus established. ·      #1, John's baptism was a ceremonial cleansings from the old covenant. That's why the delegate was asking him why he was baptizing since he was not Elijah nor the prophet. ·      #2. John's baptism was not done in the name of Jesus nor the Trinity as Jesus directed. It was very different. ·      #3 …perhaps the clearest reason. In the book of Acts, chapter 19, some of John the Baptists disciples were living in Ephesus. They had only been baptized into John's baptism. The apostle Paul explained to them that John's baptism was only a baptism of repentance. So, John's disciples were then baptized into Jesus' baptism – that is, into the new covenant baptism in Jesus' name. To say it again, John's baptism was to prepare the people's hearts for the coming of Christ. They needed to see their need for a Savior and repent. Ok, to summarize main point #1: John's identity in these verses is directly related to Christ, both in the negative and the positive. The negative - I am not him. And the positive - the very purpose of my life is to point people to him. And point to him, he does. 2. But He Is Which bring us to #2. But He Is John is not the Christ, as he says, and implicit in that statement is that the one to whom John directs people is the Christ. Look at verse 29. This is a new subsection. We read that it's now the very next day. The previous day, John had been answering the delegation about who he was not and that his purpose was to direct people to the Lord. But now, Jesus has come to John. And with absolute clarity, John gives witness to who Jesus is. Look how John describes Jesus in 29. He says, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Remember, the apostle John's primary audience was Jewish. When they read or heard this, they would have no questions about its meaning. Jesus is identified as the sacrificial lamb, whom God sent to atone for the sin of the world. Sacrificing lambs had been part of their annual Passover celebration. Back when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, the very last command that God gave them was to sacrifice a lamb. They were to put its blood over their doorpost. And if they did that, the angel of death would pass over them and spare their firstborn. And the angel did spare them. But the Egyptians were not spared. And so Pharaoh released the Israelites from their bondage. Every year they were to celebrate their deliverance from Egypt by sacrificing a lamb. It was both a remembrance of God's deliverance out of Egypt, and a foreshadowing of the deliverance from sin that God would accomplish for them through the Messiah. So here, John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is that sacrificial Lamb – He's the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world… Now, you may be asking, Why is a Lamb of God needed? Why a sacrifice? That is a critical question. As we work our way through the book, the answer will become clear. But in the meantime, let me try to briefly answer. You see, in the heart of each and every human is a rebellion against God and against our fellow man. We see and experience this every day. We see and experience deceit, and anger, and betrayal. Evil exists in many forms – oppression, rape, and murder. And truthfully, if we just search our own hearts, we know our own selfishness and bitterness and desires for that which is not ours. All of those things fall under Scripture's category of sin. Over the years, I've had conversations with friends and family about the truth of Christianity. They've brought up good questions. For example, they've asked, if God really exists or if Christianity is really true, then why is there so much evil in the world. It's a very important question. I've usually respond that Christianity's view of the world includes a very clear understanding of evil and sin. I believe Christianity is true, in part, because it answers the questions of evil… it answers other life questions as well like meaning and morality and existence… including the difficult things in life and our rebellious hearts. Sometimes that will be followed up with the question. But if God is as you say he is, then why doesn't he do anything about it? About the evil and sin… He has. He's sent a Lamb. And that Lamb is Christ, and as John the Baptist says in verse 34, he is the Son of God. He sacrificed himself to deliver us not from the bondage of Egypt, but from the bondage of sin and the corruption of the world. The reason that a sacrifice was necessary goes all the way back to the beginning of the Bible. The very first command that God gave was to not eat of that which was forbidden. And the consequence of doing so was death. We cannot escape the consequences of sin. Those consequences include death and separation from God and his judgment. But God sent his Lamb to be sacrificed on our behalf. As the author of Hebrews puts it, without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. And so, when John sees Jesus, he calls him the Lamb of God and as the Son of God. John furthermore testifies that even though he came before Jesus, yet Jesus ranked before him because Jesus was before him. John had said earlier that he was not even worthy to untie Jesus' sandals. That was one of the most lowly of jobs reserved for a servant. John was saying that he wasn't even worthy to do that. Jesus' worthiness so far exceeds our unworthiness. Yet he has come to us. Let me note one more thing about John's testimony. These verses say that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance, but Jesus' baptism is a baptism of the heart. By the way, this is talking about true baptism – not the outward sign like you saw earlier this morning, but baptism of the heart when we receive the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ. And the reason that we can receive the Spirit of God from Christ, is because God's Spirit remains on Christ. Did you notice that phrase used twice? The Holy Spirit descended and remained on him. It indicates God the Father anointing Jesus as King. In the Old Testament, God's Spirit would rest upon God's anointed kings. But God's Spirt would leave when that King departed from God's way, like he did for King Saul. That is why King David prayed in Psalm 51, Lord, take not your Holy Spirit from me. In other words, do not remove your hand of Spiritual blessing on my kingship. May your Spirit remain on me as king of your people despite my sin. By the way, this Holy Spirit anointing of kings is different from the Spirit's work in the hearts of believers… old and new. I just want to be clear about that. What John the Baptist was witnessing in verses 32-34 was God the Father anointing his Son through his Spirit. When it says that God's Spirit remained on Jesus, it was indicating Jesus' eternal kingship. Next week we'll see that title King given to him. And let me mention one more thing about chapter 1. Every single title for Jesus in the entire book of John is introduced in chapter 1. Jesus is the Word of God. He is Christ, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the Messiah, He is Rabbi (which means Teacher), King of Israel, and the Son of Man. Some of those we'll come across next week. In other words, this whole chapter bears witness to who Jesus is. Besides John the Baptist and the apostle John, God the Father and the Holy Spirit also bear witness to him. He is the Christ - Lamb of God and Son of God who takes away the sin of the world. I am not, but he Is. Application and Conclusion In Southern California, there's a very interesting solar power facility. It's in the Mojave Desert. It's different because it does not use a single solar panel. No, instead, this facility uses mirrors that direct the rays of the sun to central boilers. The boilers are super-heated by the sunlight reflected off of the mirrors. That causes the water boil, which creates steam, which then turns turbines, and which then generates power. There are 347,000 mirrors there. And as the sun moves across the sky, they all reposition themselves to keep the light shining on one place. Friends, you and I are not the Christ. No, but we are to reflect him and direct others to him. Like John the Baptist, we are to believe the Lamb of God for others to see. We are to testify that he has come to take away the sin of the world. We are to exalt Christ, witnessing to him in all the ways highlighted here. We are in a sense to be like mirrors that direct others to Jesus. And when we all work in concert, God is glorified and Christ is exalted. When people see us individually, they see him. And when people see a church whose members reflect Christ, they will see him. I would argue that our number one responsibility is to show forth Christ. It's tempting to have our number one focus be on other things. I am not saying that we should not have careers or serve our communities in different ways or have opinions about important matters. But if any of that puts the spotlight on us rather than Christ or if it overshadows our witness to him, then we are not fulfilling our responsibility to reveal him. So, May we each recognize that we are not our own savior, nor the savior of others. We are not the Christ… but Jesus is.  May we, like John, direct others to him, the Lamb of God, who is the Son of God and Savior of the world. Amen

Preparing, for the Man-Child (1) (audio) David Eells 2/8/26   What's Hidden in the Barn of Our Life? Linda Smith - 11/16/2011 (David's notes in red) I had this dream, and after a few minutes, I got up and wrote it down while it was still fresh in my mind. My brother and I were putting some tools in my car. We were going somewhere to do some work. There were two hammers, some screwdrivers, saws, and some other tools in a small cardboard box. Then my brother handed me a new level and said, “Here, we might need this level”. Then a friend walked over to my brother and me and asked, “Do you really think you guys are going to need that level?” (The level is the standard of the world to build natural things on a plane with it; i.e., in agreement with it. However, Father is going beyond our worldly understanding to build hidden spiritual things that are on a plane with His Kingdom. (1Sa.16:7) ... man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.) We both agreed that it could be needed, so we would just take it along. Our friend hugged both of us and said, “I'm praying for you guys to be safe and hurry back”. We got in the car and drove off down the road. We had been driving for many miles and then drove up a big mountain. (The big mountain here represents the Kingdom of God and a place of far-reaching vision. Here they “leveled” out.) As we got to the top and leveled out, we could see some old, old buildings just up ahead on the right. (The sheep go to the right.) So my brother said to me, “Let's stop and look around, but we can't stay very long”. He pulled over and parked the car about 30 feet from an old barn and we got out. As we got to the opening of the barn, we could see eight new 6x6 beams, where someone had replaced the old beams. (The support of the barn is 6X6, representing our humanity and 8 represents Jesus, who is sown in and uses our humanity to bring forth fruit. Jesus' name in Greek equals 888 in gematria. It is fitting that Jesus would be the strength of the barn of our natural life to hold it up and together.) The roof of the barn seemed to be the original roof in fairly good condition. (The roof is the barn's “original” shield of faith, which protects it from the heat of the Sun and the storms of life.) As we entered the barn, there were some very old boards on the floor. They were two inches thick, and each board was 12 inches wide with a half-inch space between each board. It had to be the original old flooring. (Representing the “original” walk in the steps of Jesus at this head of the Kingdom.) There were a few cracks and some holes in some of them. Looking down through the cracks and holes, we could see parts of the foundation and it looked strong. We saw very large stones upon other very large stones (representing the foundation of the solid Rocks of the Word) with concrete holding them together. (Jesus, in Paul, laid such a foundation in the lives of the believers. (1Co.3:10) According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. (11) For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. He is the Word we must be founded on.) Now, looking all the way through the barn from where we were standing, there were other types of buildings and they reminded me of an old western town. There were eight buildings side by side with a long wooden-plank walkway in front connecting all the buildings together, but each building had its own roof. (These 8 buildings are the local Body of Jesus, which Linda belongs to. They are connected as one in Him, yet each with their own faith or roof. (Eph.2:19) So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, (20) being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; (21) in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; (22) in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.) We had to walk on through the barn to get to those other buildings. When we walked out of the barn, there was a man standing outside (Jesus). My brother, not seeing the man, walked on, going to look at the other buildings. But the man standing outside spoke to me and said, “Well, you finally got here”, and he smiled. I asked him, “What do you mean, sir?” He replied, “You've come a long way. You are going to look at this barn I'm working on, aren't you?” “Well, sir, I already have, sir, but I do have some questions, if it would be ok to ask you, sir”. “Sure, go ahead and ask me”. “Well, sir, why did you leave all those old boards on the floor?” He smiled and said, “They hold the past history of the barn and I wanted to show the people who came by here, so they can see the hardships the barn has been through”. (The early saints suffered for righteousness' sake as will we.) “Yes, sir, but these old flooring boards have holes and missing pieces in the boards, leaving cracks and holes all through the floor”. “Yes, I know”, he said. “Even in your walk through your own life, there were good times and bad times, things and places you remember. And then there are those holes or missing pieces in your mind of places, things, and times that you don't remember, but they are all there in your mind stored away”. (And God can bring them to remembrance or just use them subconsciously in our daily walk.) “Yes, sir”, I smiled and said, “I guess you're right”. Then he said, “If we look, we can see through the holes in the floor and see some of the foundation. The owner of this barn has built on this strong, solid foundation”. (Our Father is the owner.) “Oh, yes, sir, I can see the foundation; but, sir, why is it dug out under the barn like a basement?” He smiled and said, “That is the root cellar where the owner can store and keep canned food, cheese, and grain for bread, provisions for winter times and hard times. (Spiritual food that is preserved in our hearts for God to use in tribulations. Good roots make a healthy plant.) It is kept down there, where it's always cool to support a healthy life and healthy bodies. Kept and stored each year for many years. It's just like when you read and study the word of God; the word will always be there to nourish your spirit, soul, and body, and to support you in your walk with the Lord”. “Yes, sir, I believe that”. He smiled and said, “Now, the owner of this barn has good soil here to build on and a strong foundation, making the whole barn strong”. (The barn, which is used for a harvest, is supported by the spiritual food of the Word, its roots.) Then I asked him, “What about all the new beams and the new lumber on the walls that you've put in? Won't that take away from the original old look of the barn, sir?” “Oh, no! The beams and the lumber are also barn wood that will quickly turn gray like the original wood. I used them to restore the barn for its future use. I have made this barn stronger and more usable to store and to keep the new wine in this barn (the new wine skin for the new wine of the life of Christ), for the one who owns this barn. (The Father, Who has “kept the best wine for last.” The time of the manifestation of the Sons of God.) I have restored and made this barn strong by my own will as it pleased me.” (This identifies Jesus as the carpenter of this barn. (Jas.1:18) Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. ... (1Co.12:18) But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him.) “Yes, sir, I believe you are the true craftsman, sir”. Now, as I was looking one more time at the inside of the barn, I saw for the first time that there was lots of detail work in his artwork; in all the woodwork, such beautiful craftsmanship all around. (Jesus is doing a good work in each of us. From the world's perspective, on the outside, it's a barn like any other barn, but from Father's perspective, on the inside, it's a temple.) There was light shining throughout the whole inside of the barn. (The light of the Word of life in man is Jesus. (Joh.1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.) The light was giving off a crisp, clean glow and there was a feeling of love, joy, and peace in this beautiful, peaceful environment. (The life of Jesus inside the barn.) Then, as we stepped out of the barn, I looked up at the outside of the barn, and it was just that natural, old gray barn. (According to Romans 8, the whole creation is awaiting the “revealing of the Sons of God,” and all the while they are hidden in plain old flesh, just like their prototype, Jesus, was. Joseph looked like the Egyptians on the outside to his brothers but inside he was a son of God.) Then my brother was back at the car, and he was calling out to me, “Come on. We need to be going on our way now.” I turned to the man with whom I had been talking and said to him, “Sir, it was so great talking with you, and thank you so very much, sir, for taking the time to show me and to explain to me all about your barn, sir”. And he smiled and said, “Oh! But this is your barn I'm working on”. (Joh.14:1) Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also... (1Co.2:9) but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And [which] entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.) I was so humbled by the words he spoke. I began crying and crying because the words he spoke were blessing me. And I woke up. My face was wet with tears and I was still weeping. Thank you, Lord, for this dream. (This is a great promise for Linda and others that the Lord is doing wondrous hidden things that we can't see or imagine in our lives. Many times, we just see the old barn from the outside and the holes in the floor. Keep on believing for the finished work of the hidden man of the heart and don't worry about what the natural man looks like. (1Pe.3:3) Whose [adorning] let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; (4) but [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible [apparel] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1Co.4:5) Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God. And Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:) Walk by faith and not by sight. The farmer doesn't dig up the plant every few days to make sure there is progress. The woman doesn't get an ultrasound every day to see if the fruit is still in the womb. Like the plant, the baby Jesus must mature in the unseen parts of us before He is manifested before men. (Mar 4:26-29) And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed upon the earth; (27) and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. (28) The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. (29) But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come. (Jas.1:22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. (23) For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: (24) for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ... (2Co.3:18) 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.   Barn of Our Life Charles Smith (Linda's brother) - 07/06/2012 (David's notes in red) In the dream, I was suddenly standing in a wooded area, on a narrow, smooth dirt road about 8-10 feet wide. (Our wilderness walk.) Straight before me was a much smaller dirt road about 4-5 feet wide, going through some woods. (The narrow road gets ever narrower to constrict us into the walk of Jesus.) The road was level and smooth, side to side, as it gradually went up to a small hill. As I walked up the narrow road, I saw through the trees a large structure or building. As I followed the narrow road around the trees, I saw that the building was a very old barn. (Like Linda's barn.) The way the barn was built, that is, its structure, was different from any barn I had seen before. I was looking at the left end and the back side of the barn. Walking around the left side of the barn, I was then facing the front side of the barn. I saw a large door opening, about 10 feet wide, with double doors opened to the outside. The barn was built with very large timbers and heavy beams. (Like Linda's barn, in which Jesus was the beams.) The outer walls were of wide planks, each plank being about 18 inches wide, standing upright. Suddenly, I thought, I hope no one is here; they may not want me looking around. Then, as I began looking at the surroundings, I saw tall, huge trees, some about six feet in circumference, and more than 120-150 feet tall. Not seeing anything like this before, I stopped and asked myself, Where am I? I realized that this place was somewhere else; it was very different. It was so tranquil, so very quiet, no distractions, no noise of any kind, except for an occasional songbird singing in the distance. No planes overhead, nothing -- totally quiet. I found myself being filled with great and total peace, total rest, and a sense of being totally safe here. Every fiber of my being (spirit, soul, body) was at peace and rest, something I had once experienced when I was “born again”. I thought to myself, I must tell Linda and we will come here and live. While looking at the barn and its surroundings, wondering who might live here, my head slowly turned to my left, and I saw a very old, fairly large two-story house a short way from the barn, maybe 150 feet away. The old house was very beautiful with its grounds, its huge, tall trees, and dark green tall grass about four inches tall. It was immaculate, very well kept. There was clearly a lot of thought and detail put into the architecture of this house. I had seen older homes somewhat similar to those from the Civil War years, but, friend, nothing I had ever seen could compare to this house. It was very different. Looking toward the front of the house, I saw that the house was built with wood lapboard about six inches wide running from side to side. The house also had a 12-pitch roof and a small front porch about 6x6 feet, with two steps coming off the porch down to a narrow dirt walkway or path that was maybe 12-14 inches wide. The walkway leaving the porch and crossing the yard in a straight path ended at the narrow road or driveway out front. Matthew 7:14 came to me: “Because narrow the gate, and straitened the way (like a walkway) that leadeth unto the life, and few are they that find it”. Also Luke 3:4-6: “A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight,... and the rough ways smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God”. Read Isaiah 40:3-5, verse 5: “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it”. Also, the narrow path was not only straight, but it was like the narrow road was smooth. There is something else I would like to share about this house that stood out to me. It was the windows. The windows on this fairly large house were really narrow, about two feet wide by five or six feet tall. (To let out heat but let in light.) As I stood studying this house and its surroundings (I was still standing on the narrow road in front of the house), I saw a man coming from the barn, leading a horse. The man passed by in front of me, leading the horse down the narrow road. (The spiritual man leading the harnessed beast of flesh out of the barn of our life and down the narrow road of truth and righteousness.) I was waiting for the man to speak, but he did not; he just kept his eyes straight ahead and went on. I was standing there watching when my attention was drawn back to the house. The house was now the center of attention. From the house, I saw a young woman, perhaps mid-20s in age, coming off the front porch and down the dirt path walkway to the road where I was standing. She walked to my right and went on. What seemed to be about two minutes later, there came two young boys, maybe 11 or 12 years old, walking together on this narrow road. They walked past and in front of me and kept walking. No greeting or anything. I followed the boys with my eyes as they walked past me down the road. Two things caught my eye: 1) The boys each wore long-sleeve shirts with pants rolled up below the knees and were barefoot; 2) the boy on the far side, the right side of the road, had a small stick or pole about four feet long on his right shoulder with a pail hanging at the end of the pole or stick. I thought, Where are they going, this man leading the horse, the young woman, and the two boys; where have they gone? While standing in the same place, on the narrow road, for what seemed to be maybe two or three minutes, my attention again was drawn to the house. This time, I saw a young woman, young yet older than the first woman. She looked about mid-30s in age. Both women wore long dresses with long sleeves from the neck down to about two inches from the toes of their shoes. She came out of the house, stepped off the porch, and came down the small path to the narrow road where I was standing. She walked up to me, smiling and with a glow on her face, and nodding her head. She communicated with me, but not with her mouth. In fact, her mouth never moved, yet she spoke to me. We communicated! I asked the woman, “This house and barn, they are so old. Were they built during the time of the Civil War?” I asked her this because the house and barn were indeed very old but very beautiful. They had to have been around for a while. I had never seen structures like this before. So I told her they looked in some way as if they had come from this time period. The woman smiled and answered, “Oh, no. This house and barn were long before the Civil War”. I told the woman, “I have never seen buildings like these buildings; I have never seen a place like this place, full of beauty, so peaceful and at rest”. She just smiled. I asked the woman how much ground or land went with the house. Turning from me, the woman took me down the little, narrow road that we were standing on, in front of the house. She took me a good way, what seemed like a mile or more, in a second of time. From here we could see a great distance. She showed me a very large parcel of land. Some parts of the land had large fields or woods or a little of both, but all were beautiful. Then she pointed to another parcel of land. There were many acres before me. The woman said, “See that parcel of ground?” I answered, “Yes, I do”. She said at the time of the Civil War, all this land was lost; it was sold. She said the other owner of the land plowed this field, sowed his seed and brought forth their own crops. (As Jesus said the devil did in Matthew 13.) She said, “This part of the inheritance was sold (Esau sold his birthright by walking after the flesh), but this land, this possession, shall be redeemed and returned shortly”. (The latter rain will bring the renewal.) It will be brought back; it will again become part of the inheritance of this house. I asked the woman, “Did the Civil War, this rebellion, cause much bloodshed and even death here?” The woman answered, “Yes, to many”. (Unforgiveness, rebellion, hatred, anger, fighting, sells our birthright, our inheritance, our land. Also, there is a civil war in our day being spoken of: (Gal.5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. Many have lost ground in this civil war because of giving ground to the lusts of the flesh. Jesus redeemed all that was lost, and Joel said it would all be restored in the end.)   The Hidden Riches of Christ, the Word Matthew Stewart - 1/2/19 (David's notes in Red) In my dream, there was a dirt path leading to and around a barn. (A barn is a place for the farmers' creatures to abide. Abiding in the Word is provision for all things.) The barn was weathered-looking and old. There was a story about this barn, that there was lots of gold hidden in it somewhere, and lots of people had looked for it but couldn't find it. (Many are not patient or diligent enough to find the massive gold stashed in God's Word.) So, I went to find the treasure in the barn. I went to the front door and opened it, and right there in front of the door on the inside was a spot where you could tell that previous people had dug, looking for the treasure. So I started to dig there, too, but then noticed some people coming down the path, so I just hid the shovel and acted like I wasn't digging, because I knew this was a big tourist attraction. After they passed, I started digging again, and then some more people were coming, so I hid the shovel and again acted like I wasn't digging, but just looking around. Then they came, took a look inside, and continued on down the path. (Where the multitudes walk, you will not find the gold.) After they left, I continued digging. I was getting pretty deep when I noticed some more people were coming. Then I realized that this hole was really noticeable and that someone could fall in and hurt themselves, and I didn't want people to claim the treasure, either, so I filled in the hole. Then I went around back, and Anna was there. There was a ladder going up to the second story, so I climbed up, but Anna stayed down below. I got to the second story, and there were toolboxes full of old tools, axes, and saws lying around. (Our tools for building the house are the Word of God, which so many neglect.) As I was looking through the toolboxes, I heard a brother talking to Anna, and he said, “My grandparents left this place with a billion dollars, but they left a million dollars' worth of gold behind.” (Our forefathers found much gold in God's Word but there is much that is sealed up for us to find in these days. Gold represents the value of the nature of God given through the Word. (Col.2:3) in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. (Mat.13:44) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Luk.16:11) If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (Rom.11:33) O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! (1Co.2:7) but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: (Php.4:19) And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (2Ti.2:20) Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work.  (1Pe.1:7) that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: (Rev.3:18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold  (by giving up your old life and time) refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.) The end of the dream.   We Can Enter The Inner Court Sandy Shaw, 12/28/18 (David's notes in red) This dream starts with me having my head down, and light curtains were moving with the breeze. All of a sudden, the Lord takes my hand. I walk with Him into the inner court. We bowed down and we were praying. He said, “Tell them when they pray, do not come short of entering My court.” We prayed a little more, and I opened my eyes. (The outer court is where the flesh is sacrificed. The inner court is the holy place where the incense representing prayer is offered. Then, behind the veil is the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of God's presence is. Jesus' sacrifice rent the veil, which represents His flesh, so we could be in God's presence through faith and prayer.) I was standing (She had lost a leg) in a meadow, and I heard Curt say, “Hi Sandy!” (I knew it was Curt and I could see through him) (He had passed on so he was spiritual.). I said, “Curt, how am I standing?” He said, “Because you're standing on the Word of God. Look over there!” And I saw my leg. Curt said, “There's your leg! Just a little while longer. Keep enduring in your fight. You are strong in Him.” The Lord said, “Tell David, he already knows!” (If the Lord is speaking of the time of revival and miracles, I believe it will come after Joel's northern Army is defeated by God, which we are seeing as the DS falls, and the Earthquakes come and the Holy Spirit is poured out in Joel 2. However, the satanists, who all later died, were casting witchcraft at her and her husband was an unbeliever who killed her with remdesivir and respirator like so many others died in the Covid scam.) He said, “Tell Michael Hare, he's on the right track. But he needs to wait for the Lord and let Him hold his hand.” (Hold my hand, too, Lord!) “Tell Brandy not to fret. For the Lord has heard him and everything he's prayed for will come to pass.” “Tell them all, very soon things will come to pass. And if what they pray for is good for them and lines up with the word, they shall have it.” End of dream. I asked for a word by faith at random and got: (2.Cor.4:11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake (Sacrifice of the flesh happens in the outer court. Then we enter the inner court where the altar of incense [prayer] is given before the veil, which is now opened by the sacrifice of Jesus. Here we can receive all grace to walk in His steps.), that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (Act.15:7) And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. (8) And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did unto us.   John the Baptist Ministries Kendall Remmick - 02/07/2010 (David's notes in red) About three weeks ago, the Lord sent me a short dream. I figured that I shouldn't take any dreams from the Lord lightly and that I should share it. I was walking down an old, familiar street with a friend whom I never did see in the dream. I knew the person standing next to me was a friend, but I did not know who. This street is the one I used to walk home on every day from school when I was in first and second grade. (A revelation of the path of immaturity.) My friend and I walked by one house that had some low evergreen bushes in front of it, about two feet high. There was a woman sitting on a chair in the midst of the bushes. She was pregnant and had her hands on either side of her stomach, in anticipation of giving birth. In appearance, she was actually a silhouette of a woman, yet still three-dimensional. Inside the silhouette was black darkness like deep space, with no stars (outer darkness). Staring at her was like looking through a portal into darkness. (The apostate, immature church in whom is the absence of God's light.) As we walked past her, either my friend or I said, “She is about to give birth to Twins”. (The twins represent the end-time Jacobs and Esaus born to the immature church. Jacob is the father of the 12 patriarchs, like Jesus was the father of the patriarch-apostles to the end-time Church. Esau represents those who have sold their birthright. These two types will be separated at birth, and Esau will persecute Jacob the man-child.) At this point, we looked away and continued to walk forward a few steps. I then stopped and noticed I had a very small lawnmower in my right hand. The woman who was in the small hedge was behind us now, and the yard had gotten very big. The grass needed to be mowed, but it wasn't green; it was a golden, yellow-brown-like wheat, and I realized we were there to mow the lawn. (Peter said, “flesh is as grass”. The time of harvesting or cutting down the flesh of the church in repentance to prepare for the coming of the man-child ministry.) I looked down at the little lawnmower in my hand. The top side of it looked like a regular lawnmower, but the bottom side, where the blades were, looked like a house fan with a safety screen on it. (A corporate John the Baptist ministry will breathe out the winds of the Spirit to cut down the flesh of the apostate church before the birth of the man-child ministry.) I began to laugh and said, “I can't mow this lawn with this little thing! This lawn is huge!” (Meaning the flesh is abundant in the worldwide church.) My friend said, “Well, set it down on the grass and let's see how it does”. So we sat it down on the grass. (These ministries will be tested before the anointing.) Surprisingly, it cut well, but we realized that the lawnmower was too small, so we agreed we needed to go home and get a bigger lawnmower. Then I woke up. (When the anointing comes on the worldwide John the Baptist ministries from “home”, or heaven, the people will be prepared for the coming Man-child ministries. (Mat.11:10) This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee.) When I was writing this, this verse came to me: (Amo.7:2) And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass (the beast will devour the grass, or flesh, of God's people, as Nebuchadnezzar did for seven years.) of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small (immature). The lawnmower is the ministry before the latter rain. (John the Baptist ministries will baptize for the death of the flesh before the Man-child brings the latter rain.) The dry grass is the saints who will die to their flesh, unlike the wild grapes, as a type of the sinners filled with the world. John the Baptist came in the anointing of Elijah and is also coming again in our time to fulfill this revelation: (Mat.17:10) And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come? (11) And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things: (meaning everything the Church has lost)(12) but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them. (13) Then understood the disciples that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.   Apostates Will Bear Fruit G. C. - 11/26/2010 (David's notes in red) David and I had met a woman who was in charge of some property. The property that she oversaw was a place in the country that had become famous for sightings of Mary. She took us to the property and we pulled up to a gate and guard shack at the entrance; there was a man inside taking admission fees. (Those caught up in the false and empty religion of Babel, paying their tithes in a vain effort to see a glimpse of one who brought forth the fruit of Jesus.) As we entered the property, it was more developed than what I could see from the road: there were a few buildings on the lot and roads. There were a lot of people with campers alongside the road, inside the compound. Many others were in their cars. All of these people were desperately waiting to see an appearance of the Virgin Mary. Most of the crowd was older and tired-looking. I looked at some of the people's faces, and they looked desperate and lost, trying vainly to see this supernatural sight that I knew would never happen again. (The mother of all harlot “Christian” religions, among whom are some desperate to see fruit. Multitudes are in Maryolotry.) (I believe David wanted the land or to use the land. He wasn't interested in what the land was currently being used for; he had other plans for it.) (That we could sow the seed of God in the land, or the life of the people, so it would bear the fruit of Jesus and not fake religion. (Heb.6:7) For the land which hath drunk the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them for whose sake it is also tilled, receiveth blessing from God: (8) but if it beareth thorns and thistles, it is rejected and nigh unto a curse; whose end is to be burned. (9) But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.) The overseer/woman seemed like a Christian who was excited about the Lord, but she was off in a lot of areas. (There are so many among them who desperately need to be a part of the real virgin birth. They must be virgins in that they refuse the seed of man to receive the seed of God's Word and bring forth Jesus in their lives. Jesus said that he who does the will of the Father is my mother.) David noticed this in her and was kind to her. I remember David wanting to make some kind of deal with her, not sure what it was about, but he treated her as a sister, and we all prayed together. (Ignorance is not a sin in the New Testament, and these brothers and sisters need to be treated with respect. (Jas.4:17) To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.) He wanted to show the land to his wife and kids and asked the lady if she would waive the admission fees for them to come and see it. He called the admission fees “tithes”, which caught me off guard, but she agreed to waive the fees. (The true children of the corporate mother church do not have to pay to bear fruit or see those who have.) After praying, we left. I had the feeling that David was not done with this lady or her property. (God will give us the fruit of the apostates' land. PTL! Many will come out from among them to serve the King and His Word.) I remember David or someone else in our group who traveled with us made the comment that the property was owned by the government -- the United States Air Force -- to be exact. He told us they had certain restrictions concerning what could be done there. He said there were two things that we would have trouble doing there because of the rules. (The 501(c)3 churches are under the authority of “the powers of the air” force through the beast government in what they teach and do. (Eph.2:2) wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; (3) among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.) This is a great promise to open doors to the apostate church for the real Gospel to bear the fruit of Jesus. Let's pray to that end.   Defending Yourself with the Word Bethany Mize - 07/30/2015 (David's notes in red) Last night in service, the Lord gave me a vision. In this vision, I saw myself standing in a deep valley, alone. The ground and sides of the valley were a clay-like substance, murky and cracked. As the shofar blew, the Lion of the tribe of Judah walked to the edge of the cliff and kept His gaze upon me. His eyes were so full of love. I was humbled and still in His presence. As I looked into His eyes, the tears began to roll down my face. I bowed my knees to Him. In doing so, the Word of God lay before me, and I began to devour it. Beneath the Word was rich, thick green grass, but nowhere else but where the Word of God lay. (Peter said, “All flesh is as grass.” Obeying the Word is health and life to our bodies. (Pro.4:20) My son, attend to my words; Incline thine ear unto my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep them in the midst of thy heart. (22) For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh. When judgments are coming, we need a clear conscience and faith in His provision of protection.) (Bethany has a couple of meanings: “house of God” or “house of figs”, which have a very similar spiritual meaning: the true people of God.) As I digested the seed of the Word, small pieces of metal armor began to attach themselves to my shoulders, down my back, around my arms, until I was completely covered in armor. I knew I was in a time of preparation; it was not to be taken lightly. (Major judgments are coming and many are not prepared to escape for lack of the armor of God. We must pray for them now.) I stood to my feet, keeping my eyes on the Lion, with no words spoken, but just a knowing. He told me to wave my right arm across the ground. As I did, green grass began to grow wherever the shadow of my hand stretched above it. (With the armor of God's Word on, we have authority to protect this body.) In the natural, we began to sing in service, “Our sons and daughters shall prophecy.” As I sang this, my three-year-old daughter appeared to my left in the vision, fully armed. I was filled with joy that she rose from her knees, armed, as I was. (Children need to be taught this, too.) Then, in the last verse, we sang, “Let the rivers flow down.” In singing this, I knew it was time to stand firm. Then a large wave of moving water rushed toward us from the right. I grabbed my daughter's hand with my left hand and lifted up my right arm toward the water, like a shield. Then, as I bent my elbow back, the water went over us and crashed all around us, but never touched us. My armor (the Word of God) is what kept us in that secret place of the Most High. We were not fearful but full of boldness toward the oncoming water. It was a wonderful sight! (The Lord has had me move my hand in a sweeping motion like a knife to cut off the rain as it stopped immediately.) Later in the service, Jonathan spoke, “When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will raise up a standard.” Just wanted to encourage the brethren with what the Lord used to encourage me. The seed of God that goes into us is what will preserve us. The Lord is coming, manifested by Word and the latter rain, as He said in Hosea 6:1-3. He will be manifested in His Man-child ministry at the beginning of the tribulation. The story is in Ezekiel 34, where He will cut off the evil shepherds and will come to feed His flock with His David / Man-children. The Bible says of the Lord's coming in judgment that His recompense will be before Him at least twice. I received this text yesterday: (Isa.40:10) Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. (11) He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young. This is seen again in (Isa.62:11) Behold, Jehovah hath proclaimed unto the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. It appears the recompense is mentioned just below this concerning the Lord's judgment of Edom, the son of Abraham, who persecuted his brother Israel as a type of the Church. (Isa.63:1) Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. (2) Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winevat? (3) I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yea, I trod them in mine anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my raiment. I want to share this revelation with you; from memory: Pam's three-year-old grandchild, Benjamin, just recently suddenly heard something and ran to the window and opened the curtains. He said, “Babbu, God is almost here”. She asked him, “Did you feel this or hear this”? He said, “Heard”. She asked, “Did someone say this to you?” “Yes”, he said, and on further questioning, it was from very big men outside. Later, he asked her, “When will God be here?” We have heard that the Lord will give a short warning to His disciples to get off the coast. This could come in dreams or in other ways. We have been sharing these warnings, so pray and get direction from Father. We have been hearing in our morning prayer time that we are to fast and pray and cry out for the elect in harm's way and those we have prayed for to know the Lord, and that we would be hidden in this time of judgment. Also, we need to pray for the spiritual Edomites that an elect will repent and return to the Lord. And for the church, which is about to go into captivity because of this judgment, whenever it comes. Some words I received at this time were: (Isa.22:12) And in that day did the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: (13) and behold, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we shall die. (14) And Jehovah of hosts revealed himself in mine ears, Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you till ye die, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts. Also, Matthew 9:15, “then will they fast”, was received three times. (Jer.6:26) O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation; for the destroyer shall suddenly come upon us. (Zep.2:3) Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah's anger. Several people locally got confirmations to fast and pray. So fast and pray regularly, saints, for these things and those you know who are in spiritual need until this comes.   Jesus Is Coming in Flesh Again Bill Steenland - 12/10/2014 (David's notes in red) I just listened to a brother talk about a visitation of God to His people. There is an awesome type and shadow for the coming Man-child, as Joseph the Man-child held back who he was until a dramatic revealing. I dreamed I was in a white, slightly grayish room. In the dream, I thought it was an elevator. I knew it as the elevator room. (An elevator is like abiding in Christ and the Word. It is a place of being caught up into “heavenly places in Christ Jesus”.) (Eph.1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: (4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. (Notice that only abiding in Christ, the Word, can we be in heavenly places in order to manifest His holiness and sonship. Whitish gray is the color of the heavens many times, if you are under the first heaven with clouds and chemtrails. The higher you go, the clearer the heavens become, which is why they put telescopes in space.) I was sitting next to a man I work with named Ben. (Benjamin was Joseph's younger brother by Rachel, but he had not yet met Joseph. Joseph, as a type of Jesus and the Man-child body, was sold by his brethren into prison but came out to rule over all. Benjamin's eyes were opened to see Joseph, who first appeared dressed as an Egyptian. At first, Joseph's brothers did not know that Joseph, as a type of Jesus, was in that Egyptian-looking body, and so it will be today. (Gen.45:1) Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. (2) And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. (3) And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. (4) And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. (5) And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.) Ben was so excited and talking about meeting Jesus! He said, “Yeah, man, one day soon, we will be talking to Jesus, just like you and me are talking right now”. He was going on and on about talking to Jesus in person. He said, “Yeah, man, it's going to be so great! Oh, my God! Face to face, man, just like me and you are talking right now. Face to face with Jesus!” (Yeah, that makes me really excited, too. Many will talk face to face with Jesus in these days, but He will look different in flesh because He is coming to be manifested in His second corporate body, like He was in the early disciples when they were called Christians. (Luk.10:16) He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me. (Mat.10:40) He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (Luk.9:48) and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great. (Joh.13:20) Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. We see in the last verse a perfect example that those who saw Jesus saw the Father Who was manifested in Him. The Father had taken on a body, just as Jesus is doing. (Joh.14:9) Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father? The latter rain will empower many to manifest Jesus in their life.) Ben is not saved, as far as I know, and has even mocked me a little bit when a Christian brother and I were talking about the Lord. But Ben is a very funny guy and jokes about everything. So in the dream, I thought to myself, “Um ... Ben, maybe we should deal with some stuff first”. I was thinking along the lines of basic repentance. End of dream. (Yes, the John the Baptist ministry of repentance is first to prepare the lost to see Jesus in the Man-child and then the body. The lost will see Jesus before many Christians will.) The Lord encouraged me and reminded me of the dream last night as I was reading the final chapters of the Gospel of Luke. He put these scriptures of the chapter on my heart about the dream. I underlined the scriptures that specifically talk about His appearance to the disciples. (Luk.24:15) And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. (16) But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. Why were their eyes not able to see that He was Jesus? Could it be because He looked different, like He will in these days as He walks in His body, those in whom He is glorified through His Spirit and Word? (2Th.1:10) when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. As you can see, if we do not believe and walk in the Word, Jesus will not be manifested in us. (11) To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power; (12) that the name (Greek meaning “nature, character and authority) of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.) (17) And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad. (18) And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days? (19) And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: (20) and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. Because they knew Him not, they thought Him to be a son of Joseph, instead of the Son of God. The same mistake will be made by the apostates today. (21) But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. (22) Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; (23) and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. (24) And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. (25) And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! (26) Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? (“Christ in you the hope of Glory”) (27) And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (28) And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further. (29) And they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to abide with them. (30) And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking it he gave to them. (31) And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. He became known to them in the breaking of the Bread of Life, the Word. The One in whom the Word dwells is His body. (32) And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures? (33) And they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, (34) saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. (35) And they rehearsed the things that happened in the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread. So it is today, we will know those in whom Jesus lives by becoming familiar with the Word that is an expression of Himself. He is the Word made flesh, and so should we be. (36) And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (37) But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. (38) And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? (39) See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. (40) And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. His body will have the same signs of crucifixion in the hands, meaning works, and the feet, meaning walk. (41) And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat? (42) And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. (43) And he took it, and ate before them. (44) And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. (45) Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; (46) and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; We are once again at the third day when Jesus will first be manifested in the Man-child who is going through crucifixion at the hands of His own brethren, just like Joseph and Jesus did. Then this will happen to the whole body of true Christians. (47) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. For this to happen, a much larger corporate body is needed -- Jesus in His Saints. It will begin at born-again Jerusalem because that is the Bride led by the Man-child. (48) Ye are witnesses of these things. (49) And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high. (50) And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (53) and were continually in the temple, blessing God. This teaching of Jesus coming manifested in You can be found with much scripture in our book, Hidden Manna For the End Times. There, we can also see that Jesus is coming for His saints after this. Bill goes on with (2Co.5:16) Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. Very interesting parable about not knowing Christ by His flesh and by sight. Jesus was ministering the Word of God or spiritual food to them, as in verse 32, where their heart was burning as He opened the scriptures to them. We know that the love of God was being shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit before He vanished away. (The Holy Spirit's job is to manifest Jesus in us.) Making a point that the Spirit is the truth (John16:13) and reveals “all truth” (Who is Jesus). (2Co.3:17) 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. (This is the real Gospel, that Jesus lives in you by faith, and the Spirit will manifest this because of your faith.) (Joh.6:51) I am the living bread (the Word) which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh (the Word made flesh), for the life of the world. (52) The Jews therefore strove one with another, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? (53) Jesus therefore said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. (54) He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (55) For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (56) He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood abideth in me, and I in him. (Heb.5:13) For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. (14) But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.  

Living Emunah 2891 The Power of a Simple Word of Praise When Yitro heard about how Hashem saved the Jewish people from Mitzrayim, he immediately exclaimed, "Baruch Hashem asher hitzil etchem." Baruch Hashem for saving you. As the pasuk says: וַיֹּאמֶר יִתְרוֹ בָּרוּךְ ה' אֲשֶׁר הִצִּיל אֶתְכֶם מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם וּמִיַּד פַּרְעֹה The Gemara says that the Jewish people were held accountable for not saying "Baruch Hashem" before Yitro did. Although they did sing the Az Yashir, the Be'er Yosef explains that they did not praise Hashem specifically for saving them from the dangers of Egypt and Pharaoh. Furthermore, they sang as a group with ruach hakodesh, whereas Yitro said his praise on his own. We have no idea how valuable it is when an individual says even one word of praise to Hashem. The Chachmei Kabbalah, who understand what takes place in the upper worlds, teach us that praising Hashem creates a massive impact in Shamayim. When Hashem is praised here, all the angels gather and praise Him above, and the honor of Hashem becomes glorified in both the upper and lower worlds. In Birkat Hamazon we say, "Ve'al hakol Hashem Elokeinu anachnu modim lach u'mevarchim et shemecha," and the Chesed La'alafim explains these words based on how the Alshich explains the pasuk: כִּי טוֹב חַסְדְּךָ מֵחַיִּים שְׂפָתַי יְשַׁבְּחוּנֶךָּ (תהלים ס״ג:ד)׳ There is a kindness that Hashem does for us that is greater than life itself. What is that kindness? That Hashem gives us the zechut to say His praises. The angels in Heaven wish they could say even one word of praise to Hashem in this world. In Shamayim, Hashem is revealed, and it is obvious that He should be praised. But in this world, Hashem is hidden, and we do not understand His ways. If someone in this world can say one word of praise, it is the greatest zechut. Those who have passed on and now see the glory of Hashem and the value of praising Him wish they could return to this world for just one moment to say one word of praise. This is the meaning of what we say in Birkat Hamazon "Ve'al hakol Hashem Elokeinu anachnu modim lach.... Above all, we thank You, Hashem, for the mitzvah of Birkat Hamazon that You gave us, which consists of praises and thanks for the food we ate, as the Torah commands: וְאָכַלְתָּ וְשָׂבָעְתָּ וּבֵרַכְתָּ אֶת ה' אֱלֹקֶיךָ Through this, Hashem shows us His great love for us. He knows how valuable mitzvot are in this world, and He gives them to us so that He can reward us for all eternity for performing them. A person can give praise to Hashem at any moment, in any language, and in any way he wants. When people are enjoying blessing and goodness, their praises are extremely valuable. But even more so is when a person is going through difficulties or struggles and nevertheless rises up and praises Hashem despite what he is experiencing. Those praises are infinitely greater. Every time we say the words "Baruch Hashem," we are praising Hashem. The Zohar says that the Jewish people could not receive the Torah until Yitro said those words, "Baruch Hashem." How fortunate we are that we can say them at any time. Even if we do not understand the true value of praising Hashem, we should make use of the opportunity to do so as much as we can. Shabbat Shalom

Exodus says a new Pharaoh rose who "knew nothing about Joseph". And erasure became the doorway to oppression. Tonight we name how forgetting is weaponized, why memory is holy, and how telling the story protects the next generation. We will not be erased.

The 10 plagues continue to pummel the Egyptians, but Pharaoh continues his two-faced, duplicitous ways. We also see how each plague is a direct attack by Yahweh on one of the so-called “gods” of Egypt.

As we continue to read through the ten plagues of Egypt, Fr. Mike uses the example of Pharaoh to show us how our hearts can either harden or melt in response to God. Today we read Exodus 9, Leviticus 7, and Psalm 49. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Fr. Mike points out how today's reading from Exodus can act like a mirror for us as we continue to hear the story of Moses and Pharaoh in Exodus 8 and also listen to Leviticus 6 and Psalm 48. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.