Podcasts about Pharaoh

Have you ever wondered how God can be completely sovereign and yet still hold us fully responsible for our choices?Today, we continue our year-long Bible study in the book of Exodus, The Gospel: One Rescue at a Time. In this episode, opens Exodus 8–9 to explore the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, showing how God's absolute control and human responsibility work together in the unfolding drama of the plagues.To hear more of these studies from Exodus, visit PaulTripp.com/Exodus.

Pharaoh and Lee Recaps Episode 5 of Zeus' Baddies USA: Chapter One! #Baddies #BaddiesUSA #zeus #zeusnetwork Use this Link to cast your VOTE for what show you want us to cover next For our Reality Rewind!: https://www.therealitykingdom.com/survey/reality-rewind-season-4-candidates/JOIN OUR #REALITYREWIND COMMUNITY HERE!: https://twitter.com/i/communities/1864154372973973632Subscribe to The Scripted Kingdom Here!: https://www.youtube.com/@TheScriptedKingdomThank you so much for watching! We love doing this content for you guys so comment what you want to hear from us!If you would rather just listen, here's a link to the podcast version of our videos:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1m9Kzqe...Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/k5unAtBLn7?amp=1Follow Us:https://linktr.ee/TheRealityKingdom

Joseph was never supposed to stand before Pharaoh. Egypt's rigid caste system—believed to be established by the gods—kept society in line and protected Egypt's elite. Yet in a single moment, God lifted a Hebrew prisoner from a dungeon into the palace, overturned Egypt's “divine” social order and exposed the powerlessness of its gods. In this teaching, we trace Joseph's journey from prison to palace, the trials God meticulously used to position him, and how his exaltation foreshadows a Kingdom where the least become the greatest. Joseph's story reveals a timeless truth: when God moves, no system, throne, or false god can stand in the way. Torah Portion: Miketz / At the End Support Rise on Fire Ministries by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/rise-on-fireRead transcript

The Torah reading this week continues the story of Yosef, or Joseph, where it picks up in prison, after he has interpreted two dreams, for Pharaoh’s chief butler, and baker. Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a two-part look at parsha “Miketz,” Genesis chapter 41 through 44:17, where, after two full years, the story begins with a pair of dreams that Pharaoh himself has. The Erev Shabbat reading: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SSM-12-19-25-Miketz-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3 The Sabbath Midrash explores the nature of ‘tests’. The parsha starts with “after two full years,” suggesting that Joseph was required to wait on YHVH, and the rest of the story is replete with tests. Which is where we are now. Miketz: Tests – of Faith, of Leadership, and Those Who Would Be His https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WT-CooH-12-20-25-Miketz-Tests-of-Faith-of-Leadership-and-of-gods-Real-and-fake-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:

Click here to WATCH LIVE STREAM Worship Service on our Youtube Channel. “Christmas, Part 2” Matthew 2 Micah 5:2-6 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; 6 they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border.   Matthew 2:1-2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”   Numbers 24:17 …a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel…   Matthew 2:3-4 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.   Matthew 2:5-6 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'”   Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.   2 Samuel 5:2 In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'”   Matthew 2:7-8 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”   Matthew 2:9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.   Matthew 2:10-12 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.   Matthew 2:13-15 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”   Exodus 4:21-23 And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.'” Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.   Galatians 3:16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.    Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.   Genesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.   Matthew 2:17-18 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”   Jeremiah 31:15-17 Thus says the LORD: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” 16 Thus says the LORD: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the LORD,   and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children shall come back to their own country.   Jeremiah 33:14-16 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.'   Mathew 2:19-21 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.   Matthew 2:22-23 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”   Jesus is our true deliverer.   Colossians 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.   Jesus is our true comforter.   Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.   Jesus is our true King.   Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. Isaiah 53:2-3 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Respond | Connect | Next Steps The post Christmas 2 appeared first on Charleston Baptist Church.

Jesus our Deliverer (Matthew Chapter 1) - Sunday, 21st December 2025.Matthew 1:21-23 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.1. God delivered Israel from Pharaoh. Exodus 3:7-8  And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 2. God delivered Israel from their enemiesJudges 3:9  And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.Judges 3:15  But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left-handed: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.  3. In Isaiah, God is upset with Israel because they do not look to Him for deliverance.Isaiah 50:2  Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.4. In the New Testament, Jesus delivered from storms, death, demons, sickness blindness, deafness, bitterness and on and on!Matthew 8:26  And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.5.  How can I be delivered?Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

WWE legend The Brooklyn Brawler sits down with Monte & The Pharaoh, the duo known as The Howard Stern of Pro Wrestling! From his early days in the ring to behind-the-scenes stories from WWE's golden era, The Brawler brings his trademark grit, humor, and authenticity to the table. Get ready for laughs, insight, and unfiltered wrestling talk — only on Monte & The Pharaoh! #BrooklynBrawler #WWE #ProWrestling #MonteAndThePharaoh #TheHowardSternOfProWrestling #WWELegend #WrestlingPodcast #BehindTheScenes #WWF #WrestlingIcons Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In episode 475 of The Reformed Brotherhood, host Jesse Schwamb explores the profound theological question: "Is God humble?" Through a careful examination of Philippians 2 and the narrative of Pharaoh in Exodus, Jesse unpacks how Christ's incarnation represents the ultimate act of divine humility. This episode reveals how Jesus—fully God and fully man—humbled himself through obedience to the point of death on a cross. As we approach the Christmas season, this timely reflection helps us understand that Christ's humility isn't just a theological concept but the very foundation of our salvation and the magnetic force that draws sinners to him. Jesse connects this humility to Jesus' parables about seeking the lost, showing that God's love manifests through the paradox of the exalted one becoming lowly. Key Takeaways Humility is fundamentally a creaturely virtue that acknowledges God as Lord and responds in obedience. Christ's incarnation wasn't a subtraction of divinity but an addition of humanity, allowing him to humble himself. Divine humility is displayed in Jesus becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). Pride, the opposite of humility, is actively opposed by God throughout Scripture. Christ's humility is what draws sinners to him, as seen in the parables of the lost coin, sheep, and son. True humility embraces our limitations as creatures and recognizes God's rightful authority. Jesus learned obedience through suffering, becoming the perfect high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses. The Paradox of Divine Humility Christ's humility represents one of the most astonishing paradoxes in Scripture. As Jesse explains, humility is properly understood as a creaturely virtue—it acknowledges God as Lord and obeys as a servant. For the eternal Son to humble himself, he first had to take on human nature. The incarnation wasn't God ceasing to be God but rather God adding humanity to himself. The divine Son emptied himself "not of divinity as if that were even possible, but of the privilege of not being human, not being a creature, not suffering the bounds and limitations of finitude and the pains and afflictions of the fallen world." This emptying makes possible Christ's perfect obedience. Since humility means acknowledging God as Lord and obeying as a servant, the Son took "the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men." This allowed Jesus to demonstrate a servant heart with equal passion for God's holiness and his people's purity. Unlike our inconsistent obedience, Jesus' obedience was "an all the way kind of obedience" that persisted through suffering to death on a cross. The Magnetic Draw of Christ's Humility One of the most profound insights from the episode is how Christ's humility functions as a magnetic force drawing sinners to him. Jesse notes that in the parables, tax collectors and sinners were drawn not to the Pharisees' teaching but to Jesus himself. They came "almost magnetically" to be in his presence and hear his words. Why would this be? The answer lies in recognizing that "we all have a master" and "we are all bound to something." The critical question becomes: "How good and kind is your master?" Christ's humility reveals him to be the perfect master—one who does not lord his authority over us but uses it to serve us, even to the point of death. This servant-hearted humility draws people because it demonstrates love in action. When Jesus humbles himself to seek the lost, he reveals that the gospel isn't about making "naughty people good, but to make dead people alive and alive in him so that their life is hidden within him." Memorable Quotes "To humble oneself is to acknowledge God as Lord and then to obey as servant. In order to do so, then the Son had to take this form of a servant being born in the likeness of men." "Christ's obedience was an all the way kind of obedience, a true obedience. It wasn't part and parcel, it wasn't peace wise, it didn't be for a part of time, as long as it was comfortable and then try something else." "To humble oneself is not to be less than human. It rather is pride that is our cancer. It's pride that corrodes our true dignity. To humble ourselves is to come even ever closer, step by step to the bliss, I think, and the full flourishing for which we're made." Full Transcript [00:00:08] Jesse Schwamb: So how did Jesus humble himself and this we could spend loved ones in eternity and likely will. Talking about how did he do this By becoming obedient. It wasn't even mean to. Here is the one who is the God man. Truly God. Truly man. To humble oneself is to acknowledge God as Lord and then to obey as servant in order to do so. Then the son had to take this form of a servant being born in a likeness of men. Again, this is so rich because I think without understanding the servant heart of Christ, where there is a power and a passion in Christ for the holiness of God that is at the same time equaled with the passion for the purity and the holiness of his people. Welcome to episode 475 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast where all of mankind is on the naughty list. Hey, brothers and sisters, I am solo hosting once again on this episode, but I don't want you to worry. Tony will be back. Tony is alive and well. He is out in the wild doing his thing. Actually, this is probably the time of year where Tony and I bring forward that annual or perennial denial. You know, the one, it's sy against the frailty, weakness, contingency of humankind. And most often manifested in this time of year in sickness. So I don't know where you live in the world, but in my part of the world, everybody's getting it and everything is going around. The sickness is everywhere. And even if you're bobbing and weaving, if you're laying low, if you're trying to keep your head down, it just seems somehow. To snipe you. And so it sniped Tony last week and this week. Now it is his family and so he's doing what we shall do for another. He's caring for those in his own regard that are sick and unwell. And so that means it's just me on this particular episode, but not to fear. We've got lots of great things to talk about. [00:02:12] The Question: Is God Humble? [00:02:12] Jesse Schwamb: In fact, the whole purpose of this episode is going to be talking about this question is God humble and. This, if you think it's just a one-off episode. It's actually born out of this continued series that we're doing where we're going through the parables. And again, we've been talking a lot about lostness and finding things and Christ coming and seeking, saving those things that were very lost. And so as I continue to process this with Tony, one of the things that keeps coming to my mind is this question is God. Humble and what does that even have to do with any of these wild parables that we've been talking about? You know the ones too, especially if you've been listening along and hopefully you have go back, check those bad boys out. We've been talking about the lost coin, the lost Sheep, and we have yet to get to because we're just teasing this for you. We, we keep telling you it's coming, but that's just to build like this amazing anticipation for the parable of the lost son or the prodigal son. It's coming, and part of that, again, for me is wrapped up in this question, is God humble? So let's talk about that a little bit. [00:03:13] Humility in Scripture [00:03:13] Jesse Schwamb: It's interesting to me that throughout the scriptures, we find across both all the New Testament, that God gives us this imperative to seek humility or to put on humility, or to have a humble mind, as Peter says. And it's something that is so ubiquitous that we kind of just flies by us. Of course. Like we would get the sense that it would be ridiculous to be like. I am so good at being humble that that in itself is oxymoronic. And yet we also know that we don't want to advertise, that we're trying to seek after humility. 'cause it seems like that's the very thing that we're trying to avoid in proclaiming or promulgating our pride and that kind of thing. But it's not just that, of course, God is seeking his children to be humble, but I think one of the most condemning things the scripture says to us about how God behaves. Toward people is that he opposes the proud. So the opposite of being humble, and we'll get to that in a second. We had to define what that means, but let's just take for a second that the opposite of that might be being prideful. It is fascinating that it's not just God is indifferent toward pride, that he does everything in his volition to push against it. And of course, because nothing can thwart the outstretched in mighty arm of God, that means that he wins inevitably against all that is pride prideful. And so he opposes it. And this is what. We should realize is that really the eschatological judgment, the fact that there is both heaven and hell reward and eternal punishment. This is a reflection of God opposing the proud that in the final state, the one who says, I want nothing to do with God because I can take care of it myself, is the one that God must oppose pose because he always. Opposes that which is prideful, and so it makes sense. Then if he opposes the proud, if that is in a way, an enemy that he will ultimately defeat, it cannot stand up against him that shouldn't. That in that path is both destruction that is internally derived and chosen, but also destruction that comes externally because it will be defeated. Then the best thing that God's people could be is to be humble. And so the question I think then persists, can God be humble? Is God. Humble. One of the things that is clear in scripture, again, this is the testimony of the entire arc of the salvific story of God and his recu of his people. Um, the coming and drawing close giving of himself so that he might draw people onto himself. Is that the testimony of humility is both positive and negative in the scriptures. So we could look at examples of those who humbled themselves. That's what the scripture says, like Josiah, Hezekiah, Rebo, Ahab, Vanessa, and then there, of course, you could probably think of as just as many negative examples who did not. What comes to my mind, of course, is Pharaoh. Or am Amen or Zetia. So what becomes clear though is when you look at those examples that the humbling first belongs to the hand of God. That even here, once again, God's doing all the verbs. That's exactly what he does. And so this idea of even like humbling yourself. Has like a precursor, there's an antecedent. And is God doing some kind of great work to allow for this humbling to even take place? He initiates the humbling of his creatures. And once he has, then the question confronts us, uh, which is, are we going to receive it? How will we bear up underneath it? Will we submit ourselves to it because God has allowed us, or has humbled ourselves first so that we don't respond in kind. So in response to his humbling hand. Will we kick against him? Or as the, you know, king James version says, will we kick against the gods or are we going to come and humble ourselves before God? So this idea, I think of humbling ourselves isn't just like you wake up one day and you say, no, it'd be really fantastic. Is my life would be better if I was just humble. I, I hear that God opposed to the proud, I don't wanna get. Lost in that. I don't wanna get wrapped in that. I would rather, instead I just become more humble. Even the ability to humble oneself first comes from this humbling hand of God, which is of course the greatest gift. And so of course Peter writes, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God. I mean, that's where I'm drawing this from and. That is the first descent of humility. The first coming down is a word that God would do that for us, will put us in a place that we might be humbled. And then the creature has somewhat in his turn kind of imperfect language, but somehow in his response that God is humbling me. Will I embrace it? Will I humble myself? So given that background, I think you know exactly where I'm about to go in the scripture, and that is. The pretty, I would say, epic passage of humility, which is Philippians two. It's one of the most striking assertions in all of scriptures. That Christ himself, Jesus the Savior, the one who is truly God and truly man, he humbled himself and God himself truly divine, truly human, and the person of his son, he humbles himself. And I think that is worth the slow meditation and a little bit of marveling again, as we consider that in light of. All that happens in these parables about lostness and ness is coming from in some way this first humility. And I think that's just so critical because it's not just context, it's the air in which we breathe and operate and understand who we are and who we are in Christ. And so I think before like we even assume. I wanna assume like too much about like this idea of humility and then getting it ultimately to this question is God humble, which you may think I just answered by reading Philippians two eight, but in fact I think it's even more complex and more beautiful and more deeply layered than all of that. I think it's worth for a second, just thinking about this idea of like, what is humility? [00:08:35] Pharaoh's Pride vs. Humility [00:08:35] Jesse Schwamb: And as far as I can tell, really the first mention of humility outright, like outright mention explicit notation in the scriptures comes in that showdown between Egypt's Pharaoh and Yahweh mediated through Moses and. And I picked this because it's really instructive for getting a sense of how the Bible, how the scripture, the Holy Spirit is apprehending this word and driving it into the context so that we might learn from it, so that later on we're told that we ought to exhibit humility, put on humility that we understand it in the way that God has taught it to us. And so you'll remember. Probably that Moses dared to appear before Pharaoh. He is an Exodus five, and he speaks on Yahweh's behalf, and it's that famous sentence, that famous imperative, let my people go to, which Pharaoh replies in my paraphrase, listen, I don't know who Yahweh is. I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't listen to his voice. I don't acknowledge him, and therefore you can't go. It's just not gonna happen. What is incredible about this. What I think is like really illustrative for our lives is that Pharaoh swollen in pride here, and again, God's gonna pose him swollen with all of this. Pride has, it's not that he hasn't thought through what he's saying here, it's just that he's made an incredible miscalculation. He actually did a little mathematics here as the creature, and he decides that. As a creature in relation to the creator God that he does not need to obey. In other words, he does not acknowledge or recognize or know this God, and because he doesn't know any of those things about Yahweh, then he's well within his reason to come to the conclusion that he does not need to obey and therefore he refuses. The reason why I think that's so critical and a little bit wild is that is exactly what the natural man is prone to do to make this miscalculation built on even some kind of reasonable logic, so to speak. That says, well, because I don't understand it, because I don't see it, because I can't acknowledge it because I've never heard it. Therefore, it cannot exist. It doesn't exist. It's not worthy of being obeyed. It's a bit like saying, just because I've never seen fire, that's not hot. And so it's crazy here that in the midst of all of that, we could say Pharaoh has made this enormous miscalculation. And so what he's going to do is he's going to essentially oppose God. He refuses to obey, and then of course, Exodus 10 as we move. This story describes this call to humility, and it is a call to humility, which when I was thinking back through this, I was like, this is wild. Because we tend to think this story as like submission and beating down and humility might not be the principle word. That comes to our mind when we think about how Har Pharaoh has to ultimately respond. But after seven plagues on the cusp of the eighth plague, God speaks to Pharaoh, and again, he's listen. He says to him, how long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? So fascinating because we have this. Humbling, mighty hand of God, the outstretched work of God, his hand and arm going out into the world of his creation and putting Pharaoh in a particular place and position. And the piercing question in this context of this extended powerful encounter gives us this glimpse into the heart of humility, which I think is this humility recognizes and obeys the one who is truly. God. So there's not just an intellectual scent, but an experiential knowledge that comes from the revelation of who God is that is under his purview granted to his people, and that then causes us to acknowledge and obey the one who's truly Lord. It's exact opposite of affairs response, which again says, I don't know that voice. I've never heard it. Who is Yahweh? And instead it's replaced with a humility that acknowledges that God is Lord of all, that Jesus Christ is one only son, and that his Holy Spirit is with and indwells his people and that he is truly Lord. So humility entails this kind of right view, I think of self. Because Pharaoh Miscalculates, but the humble person makes the right calculus, the one who is created by God and accountable to God, which requires the right view of God as creator and this authority in relation to all his creatures. And so humility then is of course, like not a preoccupation with self or one's, even one's own lowness only in so much as it's in relation to what we just mentioned. That's a right view of self. It's an agreement with God. Of course confession coming alongside agreeing with God, but it's a mindful and conscious understanding of who God is and his highness, his holiness, that he's high and lifted up, and then the self in respect to his position. You know, that's one of the things that I think always strikes me about humility is that it's this idea and this acknowledgement that God is high and lifted up. And so while we don't come too hard on ourselves merely because we want to create a pity party, it's a recognition that. Aside from the mediator work of Christ to to stand in the presence of God would to be literally torn asunder by the molecule because his holiness cannot be, or rather, I would say our sinfulness cannot be in this presence of the one who is perfect in majesty and in righteousness, in intellect, and in in comprehension and creativity. We cannot exist in that space apart from this mediated work of Christ the beautiful. Be editorial, like benevolent distance, so to speak, that Christ creates so that we might come into the presence of God, as Hebrew says, running as it were, coming in, not haphazardly, but purposefully into the throne room of God because. And his holiness. He's a way to, he's made a way for him to be just and justifier. That is incredible. Loved ones. It's beautiful. And that is all. Again, I think just underneath this parable, it's starting with this sense of humility has brought all of this into play, and it's a critical part of God's design and plan. There's a condescension, but I think even here, underneath that condescension is something about humility. That is worth discussing. And there is, the question again, is God humble. So put it another way. Humility, I think embraces the reality that you and I. We're not God. You know, pride led to humanity's fall when Adam and Eve desired to be like God, which is contrary to his command and humility would have obeyed his command, which is what we'll see when we come to Christ and especially Christ's work. So. [00:15:06] Christ's Humility and Obedience [00:15:06] Jesse Schwamb: It strikes me then, and this is why I threw out this question, is like, is God humble? It's kind of a setup, I'll be honest, because all of I said so far, if you are keeping score at home, you probably should be drawing out then that I'm essentially saying that humility is a creaturely virtue. Actually, it's not just me. A lot of people have said that, a lot of the old ones. I postulate that, that when we think about humility explicitly and in a narrow context, that's a creaturely virtue. It's a posture of. All of who we are, our soul, our body, our life, our activities, our families, our possessions. It's acknowledgement in those things and embracing that the goodness of God and that he is the one who controls and commands all things, all of our destiny, which means. This question is God humble? It is kind of like linguistically and theologically tricky, like not for the sake of creating a tricky question for like a part of the game, but the the answer is in a sense, no, but not because God, I think is the opposite of what we'd consider humble. He's not arrogant, he's not prideful. Rather, humility is a creaturely virtue and he's God. So we need to be again, in this appropriate separation of our state and who God is, recognizing that those are two very different things. All of this though, I think, contributes to moving us in a direction of understanding, well, what does this mean then? For Jesus Christ, the God man, the one who humbled himself. You've probably been screaming the entire time. Will you get to that? What about that? And I think that is the critical question that is behind everything that we're reading about. In these parables. In other words, why is Jesus this way? What has brought him into this particular place to say these particular things to these people? We talked last time about how one of the things that's remarkable is that all of these sinners, like the down out, the broken, the marginalized, the pariahs, they were all drawn to Jesus teaching, not even drawn. I mean, there's distinction not drawn to the Fara teaching, to the rules of the law, but drawn to Jesus, almost magnetically coming to him. Compelled as it were, to be in his presence, to hear the things he was saying. Captivate, I mean, can you imagine yourself there? Not necessarily there in that environment, but captivated again by the teachings of Jesus, how good they are, how true they are, how incredible they are. And so I think it's possible for us to marvel then at that remarkable word then from the impossible, Paul, when he says that Christ humbled himself in Philippians two, eight. And no, I think that that confirms our definition above of humanity, uh, of. Humility rather as being something in humanity, of being a, a creaturely virtue in that the eternal son first became a man. That's what Paul says in verse seven, and then humbled himself in verse eight. And I'm gonna submit to you that this is really the one of the most epic parts of the gospel that. This is the only way we can get this kind of humility, this humbling of God is if first he comes to undertake the creaturely virtue so that then he himself or become rather, lemme say it this way, I'm getting too excited, loved ones. It's rather that we first must have God become a creature, so to speak, not emptying himself as we'll. Talk about. Of, of his godness, but instead taking on this flesh so that he might humble himself be to be like his children who must be humbled and in fact will ultimately be humbled in the ES eschaton no matter what they believe. And so the verb Paul uses to capture the action of the incarnation is, is not humbled here first, but it's this idea of emptied. So again, Philippians two is verse six and seven. Paul writes, being in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of man. And so this movement. [00:18:59] The Incarnation and Humility [00:18:59] Jesse Schwamb: From heaven to earth, which if you're listening to this in more or less real or New York time, as we're coming into the season of the calendar where we celebrate the incarnation, again, I've been thinking so much about this beautiful gift of the incarnation, and I've been thinking about that in light of Jesus coming to seek and to save the lost and this real heart to hearts kind of way where he's speaking the truth to the people who need to hear it most, and they're drawn magnetically to him, into his teaching. And so that movement. From Heaven to earth is an emptying. It's the divine son emptying himself, not of divinity as if that were even possible, but of the privilege of not being human, not being a creature, not suffering the bounds and limitations of finitude and the pains and afflictions of the fallen world. I think a lot, honestly, especially this time of year, I think a lot about strange things like Jesus has fingernails and blood vessels and eyeballs and hair and toes. And shins and knee bones, you know, all of these things. Because to me it's this incomprehensible reality that God loves me so much that he would send his only son to be a creature, but in a way that was limited to the same creatureliness that I have. And then would forever, in a way, in his glorified state, identify still with that creature. And only in that process could he come and humble himself. I mean, that's incredible. I mean. Could not have grasped like the divine privilege of not being subjected to the rules and realities of creation. But instead, he empties himself by taking our humanity. He was emptying not by subtraction of identity, but by addition of humanity. This is the taking, the taking on, and this allows him then to become obedient and in that obedience, that passive and act of obedience. What we find is that Christ is able to say these very things that are exemplified in the parables, that this is the height of God, and he says, it is in your midst. The kingdom of God is here and I am the kingdom, and it's all because he has come in such a way. To empty himself again, where that was not a subtraction of divinity, but addition of humanity. It is an amazing and glorious truth. It's the thing upon which like turns all of salvation and all of the world that God would do this and do it so completely that again, it's finalized, it's complete, it's already done. So first, Jesus became a man. And then as a man came the ly virtue, he humbled himself. And Paul confirms what we learned about humility. In the negative example, I think in Pharaoh of Pharaoh in Nexus 10 and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [00:21:49] Christ's Obedience to Death [00:21:49] Jesse Schwamb: So how did Jesus humble himself and this we could spend loved ones in eternity and likely will. Talking about how did he do this By becoming obedient. It wasn't even mean to. Here is the one who is the God man. Truly God. Truly man. To humble oneself is to acknowledge God as Lord and then to obey as servant in order to do so. Then the son had to take this form of a servant being born in a likeness of men. Again, this is so rich because I think without understanding the servant heart of Christ, where there is a power and a passion in Christ for the holiness of God that is at the same time equaled with the passion for the purity and the holiness of his people. And those two things come together and coalesce in the gospel because we know that righteousness and holiness is completely vouched, safe to God. It's under his purview and his control, and it comes to his people when he draws close. That's how it was in the Old Testament, and that's how it was in the New Testament. And so as Christ in human form is coming and drawing near to his people, he's preaching this good news message that those who eat his flesh and drink his blood will have salvation and eternal life in him So intimately wrapped up that again, he hasn't just come. In the Christmas season to make naughty people good, but to make dead people alive and alive in him so that their life is hidden within him, and therefore, because he's the indestructible life, your life and mine cannot be destroyed either. I. So it is this amazing mark of the fullness of humanity and identification with us that he didn't just come on special terms. You know, I often think it's not like God on a deck chair laid out looking down as a creation separate as he were, as it were, just observing and kind of more or less interjecting here and there. It wasn't Jesus coming at. Arms length, distance. It wasn't God snatching him up when the frustrations of our limits or the pains of our world fell him. He had the full human experience. He was all in fully human and body mind. Hearts will and surroundings. Fully human in our finitude and all of this frustrations that we share that are just part of our lives, fully human in. Vulnerability to the worst of the civil world can work. Clearly that's manifested in his ign Ammonious death. Nor was he at the bottom spared the very essence of being human. He was accountable to God. Even there, that humility is incredible, that he himself learned, undertook, became obedient so that he would be accountable to God a father. Hebrews five celebrates this. Exactly. I love this set of words. Although Jesus was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered and being made perfect. He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. And if he is our first brother, then the calling that we have is to do exactly the same, to come before him, to obey him and to see him as the one who is high and lift it up. But that self humbling, that humiliation doesn't just stop with obedience. And that's why the apostle keeps going. It says to the point of death, how far did it take him? How far did he go? How far was he willing to go? Volitionally all the way. To the point of death. And Christ obedience was an all the way kind of obedience, a true obedience. It wasn't part and parcel, it wasn't peace wise, it didn't be for a part of time, as long as it was comfortable and then try something else. You know, of course, even in the garden when he's praying and the disciples are with the in your shot and he asked that the cup might pass, we might reasonably ask what other option was there. And so here even Christ says. Even to the point of death, forsaking all other things, real obedience endures in obedience, which is a really difficult thing. And so I'm grateful because my obedience is peace wise, it is part and parcel, it is weak, it is feeble. And instead we have Christ who is transferred all of his righteousness into our account. And all of that righteousness is because of real obedience that he undertook, endured in obedience. And so Christ did not begin obedience and then surrender disobedience once the greatest threats loomed even in the garden. There he again. He is coming before the father and he is continuing to obey. He's humbled. So I think God does indeed command our humility and one of the ways that he can command that it, well, there's many ways. First and foremost, by fiat, he's God and his character demands it. The second way is that, again, coming back to these parables. Finally, and lastly, we see that Christ is exhibiting great humility in the message that he's bringing forward and all of this, that he comes forward to save and all of the seeking that he undertakes, he conspires with God in humility to bring his children. Into the fold. There was no other way without this incredible humility of Christ, this humility that shows us that it's not denigrating of humanity, but it's God's image shining in its fullness. That this is the very thing he comes to restore and to humble oneself is not to be less than human. It rather it is. Pride that is our cancer. It's pride that corrodes our true dignity to humble ourselves is to come even ever closer, step by step to the bliss, I think, and the full flourishing for which we're made. And Christ exemplifies that very thing. And I submit to you loved ones. It's that very humility. This is what I buried the lead on last week. It's that very humility that draws the sinner. Because we all have a master. We are all slaves to something, which I know is really unpopular to say, but hear me out. We are all stuck on something. We are all bound into something. It's just like we say with worship, it's not whether we not, we choose to worship. It's what we worship and we are what we worship. All those things are true. All those cliches stand and if they're true, then the opposite is true and that is that we're all bound to something. The question is how good and kind is your master. The thing in which you are bound to the thing which you choose to serve and submit to how life giving is that thing. And the humility of Christ clarifies that not all of our hum lings are owning to our own sin that Christ had. None, none. Yet he humbled himself. Sometimes repentance is the first step in self humbling. Other times it's not. Our self humbling may often come in response to our exposure to sin, but even in Christ sinless as he was. He heeded the father's call to humble himself. And so I think for us, as we think about what it means then to go and study these parables, we first even need to humble our understanding, our cognizance, our reasoning, our logic, that the scripture as given by God as his very word to us, stand so far above us. That while we study it and we interrogate it, that we dare not stand in opposition to it because it is the high and lofty command of God for us because he's good and his love endures forever. So I hope that as we continue to build into this next step of looking at this final lost parable, that we can all continue to just appreciate and boast in the God man who in his humility, makes the gospel possible, and that in his humility shows. A greater sense of what it means to have the abundant life. And we have to take Jesus at his word, loved ones when he says like He's come, not just to give life, but to give it in abundance that that is a real quantity, and that the humility of Christ in his life and death and resurrection testifies to one of God's clearest and most memorable promises in all of scripture. That again, he humbles the proud and he exalts the humble. So it was with Christ. He humbled himself and God has highly exalted him. I remember reading John Owen writing about. Justification and Christ's time of suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and his preparation for the cross and inevitably his, his forsaking, his forsakenness on that cross and how Jesus himself entrusted his justification to God the Father, which I think is a. A, a conception that will make your mind do a somersault. I mean, think about it long enough that even Jesus himself in learning obedience and taking upon himself the full measure of what it was to sit under the law and then to obey it perfectly, was still going to his death, knowing that he was gonna be the greatest sinner who ever lived yet was gonna be the one without sin, having committed any, that he himself was entrusting all of that he had accomplished and who he was. To God the father, to justify him and his resurrection on the third day loved ones is proof positive that he is the savior. That we all long for that in our sickness right now, as in our world, as all these things groan, as they all say, in some way, maratha, Lord, come quickly, that we are acknowledging that Jesus Christ is the one. Who in his complete humility satisfied the law of God to such degree that he was justified before God the father, and raised TriNet on the third day as proof positive that he is in fact the Savior, the chosen one, the Messiah, the first brother, the firstborn among the dead, the serpent crusher. The one who will come and redeem all of his people. So I hope there's something in there for you that's an encouragement that lifts up as if they were even possible to do more than they already are. That lifts up these parables that we've been talking about, that it's not just, of course, that Jesus on this mission because. He's full of love. His love predated all of this. Now, this is why we keep coming back to, uh, all Christians at all times, in all heirs. John three 16, for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son. Now whosoever should believe in him. Now, all the believing ones should have eternal life, and that eternal life is purchased by the blood of Christ and through his humility, but also it is a, a stark reminder that love always leads to giving. And here we have God the father, giving his son Unreservedly for us, becoming Creature Lee, so that he might undertake the humility of the creature. And in so doing fully, not just, I would say identify with who we are, but become like us in every a. Way yet without sin, which is why can we rejoice that even now in the sound of my voice or yours, wherever you are, there is Jesus Christ in Heavenly Rumble. Before the God the Father interceding perfectly as this incredible representative, as the scriptures are, he says, as this best of all, the high priests, the perfect one. Who is ushering us in to bend the ear, as it were of God because of what he's accomplished on our behalf. Man, that is good news. And if it's not good news and you don't think it is, you better check your pulse. Check it right now. [00:33:20] Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser [00:33:20] Jesse Schwamb: So you need to come back. And listen to the next episode because we are, I mean, I think assuming everybody's healthy, Lord willing, we're gonna talk about the Prodigal Son and really wrap up this culmination of the lost parables. But of course, you know that I'm contractually obligated to say to you all. That you don't have to just wait to interact until the next podcast. You can come hang out with us, and I gotta say it again for all the people in the back. The way that you do that is this little app called Telegram. You might be using Telegram already to message with your friends and your family. If so, you might not have known that. There's also a little group within Telegram for the Reform Brotherhood. Everybody who listens, everybody wants to hang out and talk about theology or life share prayer requests. It's all happening right there, and I promise you, you will not be disappointed if you come check it out. So you're probably saying enough already. Tell me how to do that. Alright, here's what you do. Get a piece of paper, stop the car, put down the backhoe for a second, and listen up. You go to your favorite browser and you type in t me slash reform brotherhood. T. Me Reform Brotherhood. Come hang out with us. Come talk about the episode, and until then, everybody stay. Well keep your head down. Don't list sick sickness night people. But remember, even if it does, you have this great high priest who endured obedience, in obedience to bring you abundant life, to identify with you, to resonate with you, to give you the love of God, and to finally conquer sin, death, and the devil. I say loved ones, so until next time, you know what to do. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood.

In this Parshas Miketz review—always read on Shabbos Chanukah—Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe uncovers the profound link between Pharaoh's disturbing dreams and the miracle of Chanukah. Pharaoh dreams of seven gaunt cows devouring seven robust ones, and seven thin, scorched ears swallowing seven healthy stalks—images that shatter his worldview where the strong always overpower the weak, the many dominate the few, and the beautiful prevail. This reversal terrifies him, as it defies the "laws of nature" he knows.The rabbi explains that Pharaoh's nightmare encapsulates Jewish history: the Jewish people, perpetually the few, the weak, and the persecuted, miraculously overcome mighty empires—from Greece in the Chanukah story to countless assaults over 2,000 years (with scarcely a decade without pogroms, expulsions, or blood libels). Chanukah celebrates precisely this reversal: the weak Maccabees defeating the vast Greek army, the pure overcoming the impure, and a single cruse of oil burning for eight days.Just as Pharaoh's dream disturbed the natural order, Jewish survival and triumph defy logic—proving Hashem's direct intervention. Our mission is not physical conquest but spiritual illumination: proudly displaying the menorah, living Torah values openly, and thanking Hashem ceaselessly for both light and darkness, success and challenge. Shabbos candles even take precedence over Chanukah lights for the sake of shalom bayis (peace in the home), underscoring that harmony is the foundation for all miracles._____________This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa FriedmanDownload & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on December 19, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 19, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Genesis, #Joseph, #Chanukah #Miketz #Pharaoh, #Dreams, #Miracles, #Weak, #Strong, #Hanukkah, #JewishHistory, #Divine, #Light, #Darkness, #ShalomBayis ★ Support this podcast ★

In this Parshas Miketz review—always read on Shabbos Chanukah—Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe uncovers the profound link between Pharaoh's disturbing dreams and the miracle of Chanukah. Pharaoh dreams of seven gaunt cows devouring seven robust ones, and seven thin, scorched ears swallowing seven healthy stalks—images that shatter his worldview where the strong always overpower the weak, the many dominate the few, and the beautiful prevail. This reversal terrifies him, as it defies the "laws of nature" he knows.The rabbi explains that Pharaoh's nightmare encapsulates Jewish history: the Jewish people, perpetually the few, the weak, and the persecuted, miraculously overcome mighty empires—from Greece in the Chanukah story to countless assaults over 2,000 years (with scarcely a decade without pogroms, expulsions, or blood libels). Chanukah celebrates precisely this reversal: the weak Maccabees defeating the vast Greek army, the pure overcoming the impure, and a single cruse of oil burning for eight days.Just as Pharaoh's dream disturbed the natural order, Jewish survival and triumph defy logic—proving Hashem's direct intervention. Our mission is not physical conquest but spiritual illumination: proudly displaying the menorah, living Torah values openly, and thanking Hashem ceaselessly for both light and darkness, success and challenge. Shabbos candles even take precedence over Chanukah lights for the sake of shalom bayis (peace in the home), underscoring that harmony is the foundation for all miracles._____________This episode of the Parsha Review Podcast is dedicated in honor of Lenny & Teresa FriedmanDownload & Print the Parsha Review Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharingRecorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on December 19, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 19, 2025_____________Subscribe: Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/parsha-review-podcast-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1651930083)Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/22lv1kXJob5ZNLaAl6CHTQ) to stay inspired! Share your questions at awolbe@torchweb.org or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  _____________About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#Torah, #Parsha, #Genesis, #Joseph, #Chanukah #Miketz #Pharaoh, #Dreams, #Miracles, #Weak, #Strong, #Hanukkah, #JewishHistory, #Divine, #Light, #Darkness, #ShalomBayis ★ Support this podcast ★

Questions? Thoughts? Comments? Leave me a voicemail message to use in a future podcast episode: https://www.speakpipe.com/timschmoyerComment on the full post here: https://read.timschmoyer.com/p/divine-assignments-to-the-underpreparedA few weeks ago, I was texting with a friend about this “Elder My City” project. He mentioned that I'm “taking up the mantle to lead fathers in this direction” in our homes and cities.I remember sitting there thinking for a minute and then replying:“Oh man, now that you say that, taking up the mantle for this topic makes me nervous. I don't know that I'm qualified for it, but I also care about it deeply, so I will.”His reply was quicker than I anticipated:I read the message a few times. The pattern he recognized isn't that I'm competent in whatever I decide to pursue, but that I pursue the passions the Lord gives me and develop competence along the way.I replied:“Thanks. I don't feel that way, but I choose to believe that it's true.”Maybe you live in this same tension as I do, especially when it comes to fatherhood and pursuing elder qualifications as a God-fearing man. The tension is this:There's a gap between what you currently believe and what you want to believe.I Know This Gap WellAnd it keeps growing larger as I get older.* When I got married, what did I know about a healthy marriage? Nothing. But by God's grace and some hard work, we're still married 20 years later.* When my first child was born, what did I know about raising kids? Nothing. Yet here we are today with seven children.* When I started a business, what did I know about running one? Literally nothing. I didn't even know what a business plan was. But ten years later, it was a leader in our industry before being acquired in 2022.* When I started a blog called “Elder My City,” how deeply did I understand all the theological and practical implications of eldership? Not enough. Yet I know it's already been fruitful in my life and the lives of a few other men.Your story is probably similar. God's pattern isn't always preparation followed by assignment. Sometimes it's the opposite.I Think God Does This on PurposeMoses at the burning bush, stammering about his inadequate speech. Gideon hiding in a winepress, being called a “mighty warrior” while feeling like anything but. Jeremiah claiming he's too young. Peter, the impulsive fisherman, being told he'll become the rock on which the church is built.There's a pattern here: divine assignment to the underprepared.I used to think this was about God seeing potential we couldn't see in ourselves, and there may be some of that, but now I suspect it's about something else:It's about dependence.These assignments create a crisis that forces us to lean into resources we don't yet possess. Wisdom we haven't experienced. Strength we can't manufacture. Skills we haven't acquired.That's why Moses could lead Israel out of Egypt. Not because he had hidden eloquence, but because his stammering would force him to depend on God's words instead of his own. When he said, “Who am I to go to Pharaoh?” God didn't answer by listing Moses's qualifications. He answered, “I will be with you.” The inadequacy wasn't an obstacle to overcome—it was the whole point.Every moment of “I don't know if I can do this” has been preparation for sitting at some future gate where I'll need to say, “I don't have all the answers, but let's work through this together.”The Pattern I'm Learning to TrustEvery mission I've been sent on before I was ready has taught me that readiness isn't the prerequisite. Willingness is. The determination to show up despite limitations seems to be what God honors. It's His invitation into struggle that will form something in me I couldn't acquire any other way.I'm wrestling now with eldership — this biblical vision of becoming a man of wisdom and character who can serve his family and city. And I feel inadequate to it. Who am I to write and talk about it online?But maybe this is where every elder's journey begins. Not with competence, but with acknowledgment of inadequacy. Not with having answers, but with being willing to sit at the gate anyway, offering whatever wisdom he's gleaned from decades of stewarding businesses and families and faith.I don't feel adequate to be a city elder. But I'm learning to believe what I don't yet feel: God keeps sending me where I'm not ready because that's where He does His deepest work.And I'm sure He does the same with you. The question isn't whether you're prepared to be a father in your home, an elder in your city, and a ruler in the Kingdom to come. It's whether you're willing to go anyway. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit read.timschmoyer.com

Pharaoh, like Joseph, had clairvoyant dreams foretelling his future. Joseph dreamed of his ascent to kingship and his brother's subjugation before him. Pharaoh dreamed of Egypt experiencing 7 years of unprecedented plenty and abundance to be followed by 7 years of grinding famine. There's a major difference though in the timeline of the of the […]

Pharaoh and Lee Recaps Episode 13 of Survivor 49 #Survivor49 #SurvivorJoin our Discord Here!: https://discord.gg/fsNhjTn9GSCheck out our Survivor Nicaragua coverage! #SurvivorRewind - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKZIt1enO6e3IEIkhuzx_tL4feLhSKqIR&si=LhI8j_GDn2BPk2wAUse this Link to cast your VOTE for what show you want us to cover next For our Reality Rewind! Maybe it'll make the list!: https://www.therealitykingdom.com/survey/reality-rewind-season-4-candidates/JOIN OUR #REALITYREWIND COMMUNITY HERE!: https://twitter.com/i/communities/1864154372973973632Subscribe to The Scripted Kingdom Here!: https://www.youtube.com/@TheScriptedKingdomThank you so much for watching! We love doing this content for you guys so comment what you want to hear from us!If you would rather just listen, here's a link to the podcast version of our videos:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1m9Kzqe...Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/k5unAtBLn7?amp=1Follow Us:https://linktr.ee/TheRealitykingdom 

In Parashat Vayera, the angels told Lot, מַשְׁחִיתִים אֲנַחְנוּ אֶת הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה — "We are going to destroy this city." And then in the very same pasuk they said, וַיְשַׁלְּחֵנוּ ה' לְשַׁחֲתָהּ — "Hashem sent us to destroy it." At first glance it sounds repetitive. Rabbeinu Bachya explains that the angels initially made a serious mistake. They were supposed to say that Hashem was destroying the city, but instead they said they were going to do it. They were taking credit for something that was not theirs. Immediately afterward, they corrected themselves and said that Hashem was doing it, not them. Rabbeinu Bachya adds that these angels were punished for this error. They did not receive another assignment from Hashem for 138 years, until they descended on the ladder in Yaakov's dream to escort him. Rabbeinu Bachya concludes: from here we see how severe it is for a person to take the honor that rightfully belongs to Hashem and use it for himself. The world was created to bring glory to Hashem, and it is incumbent upon us to do whatever we can to increase His honor. Whenever we accomplish something and later tell people about it, that moment becomes a tremendous opportunity to bring kavod to Hashem. We can tell them the truth — that it was Hashem who accomplished it. But if instead we say that we did it, not only are we saying something false, we are stealing Hashem's honor and using it for ourselves. How many times do people make this mistake without even realizing it? When someone says, "I negotiated a great deal," he is stealing Hashem's honor. When someone says, "My dieting and discipline improved my health," he is stealing Hashem's honor. When someone says, "I recovered because of the treatment that I chose," he is stealing Hashem's honor. When someone says, "The project succeeded because of my strategies," he is stealing Hashem's honor. Even with Torah knowledge, we are not allowed to attribute success to ourselves. When Moshe Rabbeinu told the people about the new judicial system, he said that the difficult cases could be brought to him and he would give the rulings. Because he said that, and implied that the answers came from him, Hashem took away his knowledge when he was asked the question of the daughters of Tzelofhad regarding their father's inheritance. Moshe was meant to say, "Bring me the difficult cases and Hashem will answer them." This is something we must keep in mind always. Our purpose in this world is to bring glory to our King. Every time it appears that we accomplished something and then speak about it afterward, we are standing at a crossroads. We can give credit where credit is truly due and elevate Hashem's name in people's eyes, or we can elevate our own name and diminish His glory. In this week's Parashat Miketz, Pharaoh was disturbed by his dreams, and none of his advisors were able to help him. Finally, the Sar HaMashkim remembered Yosef and told Pharaoh about him. Suddenly, Yosef was rushed out of prison and found himself standing before the king of the most powerful nation in the world. This was his chance to impress the king, his chance for honor and glory, and his opportunity to finally escape prison. Pharaoh said to him, "I heard that you know how to interpret dreams." Yosef, at that very moment, seized the golden opportunity to bring glory to Hashem instead of himself. He replied, בִּלְעָדָי, אֱלֹהִים יַעֲנֶה אֶת שְׁלוֹם פַּרְעֹה — "It is not from me; Hashem will answer the welfare of Pharaoh." "It is not I. Hashem interprets dreams." With complete heroism, Yosef refused to take any credit for himself and gave it all to Hashem. And in the end, Hashem rewarded him with an honor greater than anything he could have imagined, elevating him to become the viceroy of Egypt. Our mission in this world is to bring glory and honor to our King. And we are given opportunities to do so all day long.

When experts fail, it is rarely for lack of information. From the Great Storm of 1987 in England, to the 2008 financial crash, and recently Israel's intelligence failure before October 7th, warning signs were present but misread. What makes Joseph succeed where others fail? Rabbi Dunner unravels the mystery of Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams—and his uncanny ability to see the wood for the trees.

Parashat Miketz begins with the famous story of Yosef being brought from the Egyptian prison to interpret Pharaoh's unusual dreams. Yosef informed Pharoh that his visions of seven lean cows devouring seven large cows, and seven lean sheaves devouring seven large sheaves, foretold a seven-year period of agricultural surplus that would be immediately followed by seven years of harsh famine. After explaining the meaning of Pharaoh's dreams, Yosef proceeded to urge the king to appoint somebody to oversee the storage of grain during the next seven years to prepare for the drought years which would follow. Pharaoh promptly assigned Yosef to this role. Yosef adds a curious phrase in his remarks to Pharaoh, one which is often overlooked. In urging the king to set up a mechanism for the storage of grain, Yosef says, "Ya'aseh Pharaoh Ve'yafked Pekidim Al Ha'aretz" – "Pharaoh shall act and appoint officers over the land" (41:34). Yosef does not just advise Pharaoh to appoint officials – he says, "Ya'aseh Pharaoh," that "Pharaoh shall act." What is meant by these words? Why did Yosef emphasize that Pharaoh should "act"? Some suggest that Yosef here expressed a fundamental principle of leadership and education – the importance of setting a personal example. Yosef anticipated that there would be opposition among the Egyptian population to his plan to store large amounts of grain. During years of economic prosperity, few people have the foresight to consider the possibility of a shortage down the road. It would be hard for the Egyptians to envision a devastating famine while they were busy harvesting unprecedentedly large amounts of produce. They would not be so quick to put the surplus grain into storage to prepare for something that the government claimed would happen years later. They would need some convincing. This is why Yosef said, "Ya'aseh Pharaoh." The best way for Pharoah to convince the people to store grain was for him to set an example. Before he could appoint officials to enforce a policy of storage, he would have to "act" – he would need to show the people that he, too, was storing his surplus, that he was not overindulging during the years of prosperity. This was critical for the success of this plan. We might add that Yosef learned this concept from his father, Yaakob. At the end of Parashat Vayeseh, we read that Yaakov made a pact with his father-in-law, Laban, and as a formal symbol of their agreement they made a special pile of stones. The Torah tells that Yaakob turned to his sons and instructed them to collect stones to make this large pile ("Liktu Abanim" – 31:46). Despite the grueling labor involved, his sons immediately obeyed, without any protest. The likely reason is because in the preceding verse, we read that Yaakob himself lifted a large stone and erected it as a monument. Before asking his sons to participate in this process, Yaakob first acted himself. He first set an example for his children, and they were then far more receptive to his request that they join. Parents, educators, and anyone looking to have an impact must realize this truism about influence. A person is not likely to inspire others by sitting comfortably and trying to convince them to act. If we want to influence and inspire, we need to act, to set an example, to model the behavior. It is only if our words are accompanied by a personal example that we can hope for them to have an impact.

Pharaoh and Lee Recaps Episodes 13 & 14 of Survivor Nicaragua #SurvivorNicaragua #Survivor49 #Survivor #SurvivorRewindJoin our Discord Here!: https://discord.gg/fsNhjTn9GSCheck out our Survivor Borneo coverage! #SurvivorRewind - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKZIt1enO6e0eIfvvJBJcqRCvqS5CxqhS&si=icR1HmdoqdQ8mBx0Use this Link to cast your VOTE for what show you want us to cover next For our Reality Rewind! Maybe it'll make the list!: https://www.therealitykingdom.com/survey/reality-rewind-season-4-candidates/JOIN OUR #REALITYREWIND COMMUNITY HERE!: https://twitter.com/i/communities/1864154372973973632Subscribe to The Scripted Kingdom Here!: https://www.youtube.com/@TheScriptedKingdomThank you so much for watching! We love doing this content for you guys so comment what you want to hear from us!

The Hebrew title of this week's Torah portion is Miketz, which translates to “at the end,” and it covers Genesis 41:1 to 44:17. After two years, Joseph's long season of suffering is almost over. This portion chronicles his meteoric rise from prisoner to the Pharaoh's chief economic advisor, second in command only to the ruler of Egypt himself. It exposes Joseph as a brilliant leader, but more importantly, it reveals a man of character whose wisdom and humility paved the way for the salvation of his family.Support the show

In the first part of this episode of the Curious Realm, host Christopher Jordan welcomes Steven Myers, author, pyramid researcher and head of the Pharaoh's Pump Foundation, to discuss pyramid anomalies and the misinformation surrounding these ancient edifices. From how they were constructed, to the possible evidence of water erosion, and now claims of subterranean chambers, how have these anomalies changed the way we look at the traditional narrative of the pyramids of Egypt? In the second part of the episode, we welcome author and researcher Dr John Hall to discuss the latest news that there is a pending lawsuit against agencies in the US Intelligence Communities regarding the hiding of data and forced compliance regarding victims of Havana Syndrome. How does this lawsuit and the creation of diagnosis guidelines help those afflicted? We also dig into the world of technologies used to electronically harass and torture those who call themselves “Targeted Individuals”. Join the Curious Realm as we delve into the topics of pyramid anomalies with Steven Myers and the Havana Syndrome lawsuit with Dr John Hall. Curious Realm is proudly distributed by: Ground Zero Media & Aftermath Media, APRTV and the official Curious Realm ROKU App! Curious Realm has teamed up with True Hemp Science, Austin, TX-based suppliers of high-quality full spectrum emulsified CBD products and more. Visit TrueHempScience.com TODAY and use code Curious7 to save 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free 50mg CBD edible! Intro music “A Curious Realm” provided by No Disassemble find more great music and content at: NoDisassemble.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/curious-realm--5254986/support.

In the first part of this episode of the Curious Realm, host Christopher Jordan welcomes Steven Myers, author, pyramid researcher and head of the Pharaoh's Pump Foundation, to discuss pyramid anomalies and the misinformation surrounding these ancient edifices. From how they were constructed, to the possible evidence of water erosion, and now claims of subterranean chambers, how have these anomalies changed the way we look at the traditional narrative of the pyramids of Egypt? In the second part of the episode, we welcome author and researcher Dr John Hall to discuss the latest news that there is a pending lawsuit against agencies in the US Intelligence Communities regarding the hiding of data and forced compliance regarding victims of Havana Syndrome. How does this lawsuit and the creation of diagnosis guidelines help those afflicted? We also dig into the world of technologies used to electronically harass and torture those who call themselves “Targeted Individuals”. Join the Curious Realm as we delve into the topics of pyramid anomalies with Steven Myers and the Havana Syndrome lawsuit with Dr John Hall. Curious Realm is proudly distributed by: Ground Zero Media & Aftermath Media, APRTV and the official Curious Realm ROKU App! Curious Realm has teamed up with True Hemp Science, Austin, TX-based suppliers of high-quality full spectrum emulsified CBD products and more. Visit TrueHempScience.com TODAY and use code Curious7 to save 7% off your order of $50 or more and get a free 50mg CBD edible! Intro music “A Curious Realm” provided by No Disassemble find more great music and content at: NoDisassemble.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/curious-realm--5254986/support.

In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 291) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I take you into the long, demanding life of Moses—a man called by God and shaped by struggle. From a baby hidden in the reeds to an old prophet standing before Pharaoh, Moses learned that God forms leaders slowly and uses them despite their fears, failures, and reluctance. We walk through the burning bush, the wilderness years, and the heavy burden of leading a stubborn people, discovering that true leadership is meekness—great authority restrained by obedience to God. Moses' life points us again and again to the grace of God, a grace that still flows even when the servant falters, and ultimately to Christ, the greater Deliverer, who bears the curse and brings us into freedom. Moses reminds us that God does His greatest work through surrendered lives, and that faithfulness matters more than brilliance or strength.– Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:25) - The Magnificent Seven(00:01:12) - Joseph the Desecrator(00:09:53) - Why Was Moses Named Moses?(00:13:37) - THE LIFE OF MOSES(00:21:46) - Meekness and God's Plan for Israel(00:27:28) - The healing power of the Cross(00:33:46) - Moses the Great

At first, Moses did not want to return to Egypt when God called to him from the burning bush. Why was he so resistant? Why did Moses want to know God's "Name?" God promised to provide Moses with a "sign" which would assure Moses that God was with Him in Egypt. What was that sign? And when God told Moses to ask Pharaoh for a three-day cessation from work so the Israelites could go and worship God, why did He not instruct Moses to demand their permanent release instead?

Join David Heavener as he explores the spiritual journey of overcoming personal 'Pharaohs'—false authorities that enslave us in fear and doubt. Drawing parallels from the biblical story of Moses, David encourages viewers to embrace their identity as children of God, empowered to break free from the chains of addiction, fear, and trauma. This inspirational talk is a call to action for Christians to assert their God-given authority and live in true freedom. DavidHeavener.tv/donate/

Join David Heavener as he explores the spiritual journey of overcoming personal 'Pharaohs'—false authorities that enslave us in fear and doubt. Drawing parallels from the biblical story of Moses, David encourages viewers to embrace their identity as children of God, empowered to break free from the chains of addiction, fear, and trauma. This inspirational talk is a call to action for Christians to assert their God-given authority and live in true freedom. DavidHeavener.tv/donate/

Have you ever felt confused about the purpose behind the plagues of Exodus?Today, we continue our year-long Bible study in the book of Exodus, The Gospel: One Rescue at a Time. In this episode, Paul shows how God used these signs to reveal His absolute rule over creation and to anchor His people's hope in His promises.To hear more of these studies from Exodus, visit PaulTripp.com/Exodus.

Pharaoh and Lee Recaps Episode 4 of Zeus' Baddies USA: Chapter One! #Baddies #BaddiesUSA #zeus #zeusnetwork Use this Link to cast your VOTE for what show you want us to cover next For our Reality Rewind!: https://www.therealitykingdom.com/survey/reality-rewind-season-4-candidates/JOIN OUR #REALITYREWIND COMMUNITY HERE!: https://twitter.com/i/communities/1864154372973973632Subscribe to The Scripted Kingdom Here!: https://www.youtube.com/@TheScriptedKingdomThank you so much for watching! We love doing this content for you guys so comment what you want to hear from us!If you would rather just listen, here's a link to the podcast version of our videos:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1m9Kzqe...Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/k5unAtBLn7?amp=1Follow Us:https://linktr.ee/TheRealityKingdom

Have you ever felt confused about the purpose behind the plagues of Exodus?Today, we continue our year-long Bible study in the book of Exodus, The Gospel: One Rescue at a Time. In this episode, Paul shows how God used these signs to reveal His absolute rule over creation and to anchor His people's hope in His promises.To hear more of these studies from Exodus, visit PaulTripp.com/Exodus.

Human beings are highly resistant to change. Change often involves embracing an unknown future and often, we fear what we don't know and therefore, we fear change. When we fear change it becomes hard to move on from a miserable job or end an unhealthy relationship. We refuse to loosen our control over our children as they grow. God appears to Moses in the burning bush as change itself. A fire—the scientific embodiment of matter changing forms. God is inviting Moses to change, to leave the comforts of his home and embrace what God has sent before him to save his people from the rule of Pharaoh. But he doesn't have to do it alone. God promises to be with him just as Jesus promises to be with us. Change is one of the constants of our world and it's always been part of Christ's invitation: to leave our nets, to leave our comforts, to leave what we know and to change so that we become more like Jesus.

Parshas Mikeitz continues the narrative of Joseph in Egypt. We pick up his story two years after his failed attempt at earning a reprieve via his cellmate, Pharaoh's butler, who was about to be reinstated to his post as Pharaoh's side. Joseph is languishing in a dungeon for a crime he did not commit; after being […]

Join The Royal Court for our first ever Live game, Werewolf. Hosted by Pharaoh!Join our Discord Here!: https://discord.gg/fsNhjTn9GSUse this Link to cast your VOTE for what show you want us to cover next For our Reality Rewind! Maybe it'll make the list!: https://www.therealitykingdom.com/survey/reality-rewind-season-4-candidates/If you would rather just listen, here's a link to the podcast version of our videos:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1m9KzqelQUOEZ8G2xnaMEy?si=5Q3_Kik-SHO844P8ZN_dRA&dl_branch=1Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/k5unAtBLn7?amp=1Follow Us:https://linktr.ee/TheRealityKingdom

Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had said. [1 hour 8 minutes]

Maybe God sometimes allows trials to remind us not to stay comfortable in our sin.

Let's turn together in our Bibles to the book of Genesis, chapter 3, and focus our attention on verse 15. This is one of those pivotal verses in Scripture that has rightly been called the protoevangelium—the first announcement of the good news of salvation. In the King James Version, which we'll use throughout our study today, it reads: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Imagine the scene in the Garden of Eden just moments after the fall. Adam and Eve have disobeyed God, eaten the forbidden fruit, and now they stand before Him in shame and fear. The harmony of creation is shattered. Sin has entered the world, bringing with it death, curse, and separation from God. It seems as though Satan, working through the serpent, has scored a complete victory. Yet right here, in the midst of pronouncing judgment, God speaks a word of incredible grace—a promise that shines like a beacon in the darkness. This verse is the seed from which the entire message of redemption grows. It's the foundation for everything that follows in the Bible, pointing us ultimately to the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, I want us to unpack this promise carefully, phrase by phrase, and trace how it unfolds through Scripture. We'll see God's sovereign grace at work, the conflict between the two seeds, the suffering and triumph of the Savior, and what it all means for us personally. My prayer is that as we study this together, we'll gain a deeper appreciation for the gospel and a stronger confidence in God's unbreakable plan. 1. The Divine Initiative: "And I Will Put Enmity" Notice first who takes the initiative here. God says, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman." The "thee" refers to the serpent, and as Revelation 12:9 and 20:2 make clear, this is none other than Satan himself: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." God doesn't command Adam or Eve to start fighting the devil. No, He declares sovereignly, "I will put enmity." This is pure grace from beginning to end. Fallen humanity, left to ourselves, has no natural hostility toward Satan. In fact, we're at peace with him and at enmity with God. As Ephesians 2:1-3 reminds us: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." And Colossians 1:21: "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled." By nature, we love the darkness and hate the light (John 3:19-20). But when God plants this enmity in a heart, everything changes. The one who once listened eagerly to the serpent's lies now becomes his enemy. This is the beginning of regenerating grace—the Holy Spirit turning a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Think about it: Eve had just been deceived by the serpent, yet God promises to create hostility between them. From that moment, humanity is divided into two spiritual lines: those who remain friends with the serpent and those in whom God has worked to make them hate sin and love holiness. This isn't something we muster up on our own; it's God's doing. What encouragement this is! If you're a believer today, that enmity toward sin in your heart is evidence of God's grace at work in you from the very foundation of the gospel promise. 2. The Two Seeds: "Between Thy Seed and Her Seed" Next, God speaks of the ongoing conflict: "and between thy seed and her seed." Throughout Scripture, this theme of two seeds runs like a thread, dividing all humanity spiritually. The serpent's seed are those who belong to him by nature and choice. Jesus said it plainly in John 8:44: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." We see this line early on with Cain, who murdered his brother Abel. It continues through history: Pharaoh oppressing Israel, Haman plotting against the Jews, Herod slaughtering the innocents, Judas betraying Christ, and every unregenerate person who opposes God and His people. But there's another seed—the seed of the woman. This is unusual language. Everywhere else in Genesis, offspring is described as the seed of the man: Abraham's seed, Isaac's seed, Jacob's seed, David's seed. Why here "her seed"? Because this points to the virgin birth. The promised Redeemer would have no human father. He would be conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a woman alone. Paul understood this clearly in Galatians 4:4: "But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." And Isaiah prophesied it in Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." This singular wording in Genesis 3:15 is God's early hint at the miraculous incarnation. The Champion who would defeat Satan would be fully human—born of a woman—yet fully God, without a sinful human father to pass on Adam's guilt. As we trace this promise, we see it narrowing. From the seed of the woman, to Seth's line, to Noah, to Shem, to Abraham (whose seed would bless all nations—Galatians 3:16 points this to Christ), to Judah (Genesis 49:10: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be"), to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16, the everlasting throne), to the virgin's Son in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting"). Every type and shadow in the Old Testament points forward to this Seed: Abel's acceptable lamb, the ark preserving Noah through judgment, the ram provided for Isaac, the Passover lamb, the bronze serpent lifted up (John 3:14), the scapegoat bearing away sins, the daily offerings—all crying out, "The Seed is coming!" 3. The Conflict and Victory: "It Shall Bruise Thy Head, and Thou Shalt Bruise His Heel" Now we come to the heart of the promise: "it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Note the pronouns carefully. In the Hebrew, it's singular and masculine: "He shall bruise thy head." This isn't a general conflict between groups; it's personal. One individual—the Seed of the woman—will deliver the decisive blow. The bruising of the heel speaks of real suffering. The serpent will strike, causing pain, humiliation, even apparent defeat. But a bruised heel is not fatal; it heals. A crushed head, however, is final—total destruction of the enemy's power. This is a preview of the cross and the resurrection. At Calvary, Satan bruised Christ's heel. From the manger onward, the enemy opposed Him: Herod's massacre, the temptations in the wilderness, the opposition of religious leaders, the demons' fury, and finally the horrors of Gethsemane and Golgotha. Philippians 2:6-8 describes the depth of this humiliation: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." The eternal Son veiled His glory, entered a virgin's womb, lived as a servant, and died a criminal's death. On the cross, darkness covered the earth, and He cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, quoting Psalm 22:1). Satan seemed triumphant—the Seed was dead and buried. But the promise was only a bruised heel, not a crushed head. On the third day, Christ rose victorious! As Psalm 16:10 prophesied: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." Hebrews 2:14 declares the result: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." And Colossians 2:15: "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." At the cross, Jesus disarmed the demonic forces. Death's sting is gone for believers (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Satan's head received a mortal wound, though he still thrashes about. The full crushing awaits Christ's return. Then, as Revelation 20:10 promises: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." The King will return in glory (Revelation 19:11-16), and the ancient Eden promise will be completely fulfilled. 4. The Incarnation: God Manifest in the Flesh To accomplish this victory, the Seed had to become one of us. Galatians 4:4-5 again: "But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." 1 Timothy 3:16 captures the wonder: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." The infinite God became finite, the eternal entered time, the Creator became a creature—yet without ceasing to be God. He who upheld the universe lay in a manger. This is the heart of the gospel: Immanuel, God with us. Personal Application: Living in the Victory What does all this mean for us today? Genesis 3:15 isn't just history; it's our story. By nature, we were all seed of the serpent—children of wrath. But if God has saved you, He has planted enmity in your heart toward sin and Satan. You've begun to hate what you once loved and love what you once hated. At the cross, Christ's heel was bruised for you, and Satan's head was crushed on your behalf. By faith in Him, you've passed from death to life, from darkness to light. Now we live out this victory daily. When you resist temptation, bear suffering for Christ, or share the gospel boldly, you're participating in the ongoing conflict—and the outcome is certain. Satan may bruise your heel through trials, slander, or temptation, but he cannot touch your Head, who sits at God's right hand (Psalm 110:1: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool"). So stand firm. The battle is the Lord's. The victory is already secured. And soon, the Seed of the woman will return to make all things new. May this first gospel promise encourage your heart today. The God who spoke grace in Eden is the same God who speaks it to us now through His Son. Trust Him. Walk with Him. Look for His coming.

In week six of The Journey of a Lifetime sermon series, Pastor Dudley Rutherford turns our focus to Moses, one of the most significant figures in the Old Testament. Moses' life is a story of miraculous deliverance and God's unstoppable plan. From being hidden in a basket on the Nile to standing before Pharaoh as God's chosen deliverer, Moses' journey reminds us that no one is beyond God's call. Speaker: Pastor Dudley Rutherford

Get ready for an explosive episode as Andy Ellison, owner of Mad Dog Pro Wrestling, sits down with Monte & The Pharaoh, the Howard Stern of Pro Wrestling! They dive deep into the wrestling world, behind-the-scenes stories, and what it takes to run a top wrestling promotion. Don't miss this insider conversation! #MadDogProWrestling #MonteAndThePharaoh #HowardSternOfProWrestling #ProWrestling #WrestlingTalk #BehindTheScenes #WrestlingLife #AndyEllison Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode has wrestling fans talking. Monte & The Pharaoh face off in a headline-making discussion involving Hannibal, delivering strong opinions, real talk, and moments you won't want to miss. Plus, the return of Jamie Dundee — candid, insightful, and revealing a side of himself fans rarely get to see. Stories, perspective, and honesty make this one of the most compelling conversations in recent wrestling media. If you're a fan of authentic wrestling talk and legendary personalities, this episode is for you. Hashtags: #MonteAndThePharaoh #JamieDundee #Hannibal #ProWrestling #WrestlingPodcast #WrestlingFans #WrestlingLegends #MustWatch #WrestlingCommunity When it comes to telling the truth, bringing the heat, and standing tall in the world of wrestling media, Monte & The Pharaoh don't back down from ANYONE — especially not Hannibal. This clash isn't just a rivalry… it's a full-blown battle of credibility, style, attitude, and authenticity. Monte & The Pharaoh come with decades of respect from legends, the loudest voices in the wrestling world, and the real stories that matter. Hannibal brings controversy, chaos, and a whole lot of noise. Put them together — and you've got the most electric confrontation in wrestling podcast history. Who walks away holding their ground? Who gets exposed? Who REALLY has the locker room's respect? This is Monte & The Pharaoh vs Hannibal — and the fans already know who the true champions of wrestling entertainment are. #MonteAndThePharaoh #HannibalTV #WrestlingPodcast #WrestlingDrama #TruthHurts #ProWrestlingLegends #WrestlingNews #ShootInterview #WrestlingCommunity #WrestlingFans #NYWrestling #ThePharaoh #Monte #WrestlingMedia Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There is a curious incident in the story of the sale of Joseph. When his father sends him to check on his brothers, he meets a stranger who tells him that his brothers have moved on to Dothan. Without that encounter the rest of the Torah would be entirely different. Joseph would not have been sold, he would not have interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and the Exodus would have been something else entirely. So too with most of history. Seemingly unimportant encounters wind up having important effects. God prefers to act subtly most of the time, so one can have a large effect on others and on history without being aware of God's hand.

In Habakkuk 3 the prophecy becomes a confident psalm of trust in the Almighty and a prophecy of Yahweh's future judgments at the time of the setting up of Christ's kingdom. It was through this psalm that the writer J. W. Thirtle was able to unravel the structure of the superscripts and subscripts in the Psalms. The expression, "upon Shigionoth" is an instruction as to the musical director of this psalm. Psalms are prayers and this chapter is a Psalm. The report that the prophet heard was of the "wonders" (Hebrew "pala" miracles) which God did on his triumphal march before His people through the wilderness, in the days of the exodus from Egypt onwards to their inheritance in the Promised Land (see Numbers 10verses29-36; Deuteronomy 32verses1-14; Psalm 68). However, although the Psalm is based on events which had happened it is also prophetic - the future tense is often used. Eloah" (the mighty one, speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ coming in His Father's might) WILL come from the south (Teman) - the arena of operation when El (God the Father) via angelic ministration. And He will precede His people. The events of the Exodus occurred 900 years before the prophet's vision. These future events, under Christ, will soon occur when the Middle East is inundated by the great northern army. God's mighty arm and Almighty power will be unleashed on the oppressor and He, Yahweh, will be known and exalted in the earth (Ezekiel 38 and 39; Joel 3 - particularly verse 17). The measuring for judgment is a common Bible metaphor. The ancient nations, represented by the hills, were brought low (humbled). The rivers - the invading nations in particular - experienced the Almighty's wrath. But, as with Pharaoh's chariots (Exodus 14 and 15) these instruments of war are proven vain and useless when they are overwhelmed by Yahweh's salvation chariots (Psalm 68verses18-21). The sun and the moon will stand still in their place echoing the victory of Joshua over the Canaanites, in the land of their inheritance (Joshua 10). The 'head' (Rosh) of the wicked is to be crushed (v13). The sharp victory arrows shall pierce the hearts of the King's enemies (Psalm 45verses5). The whirlwind of Yahweh will scatter His enemies before Him, like the chaff before the wind (v14). And the enemy is trampled underfoot (Exodus 15). This awesome and majestic power of his Sovereign leaves the prophet trembling. The Psalm of Habakkuk concludes from verses 17-19 with precisely the reverse mood to the mood of despondency at its beginning. The prophet has had his fears answered and calmed by his Almighty Sovereign. And so, he now he patiently awaits the salvation of Yahweh - as one of the LORD's just ones, living by faith. Despite all current appearances, our King is of Zion - meaning "exultation". This is the city of our spiritual birth (Psalms 48; 84; 87). The fig and olive trees (are symbols of Israel) will not flourish. Today our God stills the storms that rage in our minds and will soon do so throughout the entire world (2 Samuel 23verses1-4verses Psalm 18; Psalm 46; Isaiah 26verses1-4). Our hope and trust in our Almighty Deliverer is sure and steadfast.

And it came to pass at midnight, that Jehovah smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh about to sit upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the house of the pit, and all the firstborn of beast. And Pharaoh rose up in that night, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; because there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called Moses and Aaron in the night, and said, Rise up, go ye out from the midst of my people, both ye and the sons of Israel; and go, serve Jehovah, according to your speaking. Also your flocks, also your herds, take ye, as ye spoke, and go, and bless me also. And Egypt was strong upon the people, hastening to send them out of the land; for they said, We are all dead. And the people carried their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs bound up in their clothes upon their shoulder. And the sons of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments. And Jehovah gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they lent to them; and they spoiled the Egyptians.  And the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, besides babe. And a great mixed multitude also went up with them; and flock, and herd, a very great acquisition. And they baked the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt into unleavened cakes, for it had not been leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt, and could not tarry, and moreover, they had not prepared for themselves any provision for the journey. And the dwelling of the sons of Israel which they dwelt in Egypt, was thirty years and four hundred years. And it was at the end of thirty years and four hundred years, it was even in this same day, all the armies of Jehovah went forth from the land of Egypt. A night of watches is this to Jehovah, for leading them forth from the land of Egypt; this is that night of watches to Jehovah for all the sons of Israel unto their generations.  Exodus 12: 29-42 Arcana Coelestia 7950 [2] That “the firstborn in the land of Egypt” denotes the falsified truth of faith, is because “the firstborn of Egypt” denotes faith separate from charity (n. 7948). They who are in this faith are in mere darkness and thick darkness with respect to the truths of faith; for they cannot be in any light, thus not in any perception of what truth is, and whether it is truth. For all spiritual light comes through good from the Lord, thus through charity, for the good of charity is like a flame from which is light; for good is of love, and love is spiritual fire, from which comes enlightenment. He who believes that they who are in evil can also be in enlightenment in respect to the truths of faith, is very much mistaken. They can be in a state of confirmation, that is, they may be able to confirm the doctrinal things of their church, and this sometimes with skill and ingenuity; but they cannot see whether what they confirm is true or not. (That falsity also can be confirmed even so as to appear like truth; and that it is not the part of a wise man to confirm, but to see whether the thing is so, see n. 4741, 5033, 6865, 7012, 7680) [3] He therefore who is in evil as to life is in the falsity of his evil, and does not believe the truth, however well he knows it. He sometimes supposes that he believes, but he is mistaken. That he does not believe will be granted him to know in the other life, when his perceiving is reduced into agreement with his willing. Then he will disown, hold in aversion, and reject the truth, and will acknowledge as truth that which is contrary, that is, falsity. Hence then it is that they who are in faith separate from charity cannot do otherwise than falsify the truths of faith. AC 7966. And the people carried their dough before it was leavened. That this signifies the first state of truth from good, in which there is nothing of falsity, is evident from the signification of “dough,” as being truth from good. For by “meal” and “fine flour” is signified truth; by the “dough” which is made therefrom, the good of truth; and by the “bread” which is made from the dough is signified the good of love; and when by “bread” is signified the good of love, by the other things, namely, by the “dough” and the “flour,” are signified in their order goods and truths (that “bread” denotes the good of love, see n. 276, 680, 2165, 2177, 3464, 3478, 3735, 3813, 4211, 4217, 4735, 4976, 5915); and from the signification of “before it was leavened,” as being in which there was nothing of falsity (that “leaven” denotes falsity see n. 7906). [2] That this is the first state, namely, when they are liberated, is plain, because it is said that “the people carried their dough,” that is, when they departed. But the second state is described in the following (Exodus 12:39) verse 39 (39), by “they baked the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt into unleavened cakes, for it was not leavened,” by which is signified that from the truth of good was again produced good in which there was nothing of falsity. These are the two states in which they who are of the spiritual church, when in good, are kept by the Lord-the first, that from the good which is of the will they see and think truth; the second, that from this marriage of good and truth they produce truths, which by willing them and doing them, again become goods, and so on continually. Such are the productions and derivations of truth with those who are of the spiritual church. In the spiritual world this is presented representatively as a tree with leaves and fruits; the leaves there are truths; the fruits are the goods of truth; the seeds are the goods themselves, from which are the rest. AC 7967. Their kneading troughs bound up in their clothes. That this signifies the delights of the affections, which delights adhere to the truths, is evident from the signification of “kneading troughs” as being the delights of the affections (n. 7356); from the signification of “to be bound up,” as being to adhere; and from the signification of “clothes,” as being truths (n. 1073, 2576, 4545, 4763, 5248, 5319, 5954, 6914, 6918). What the delights of the affections that adhere to truths are, must be told. All the truths that enter with man have been conjoined with some delight, for truths without delight are not of anyone's life. From the delights that are conjoined with truths it is known how the case is in respect to the truths with a man; if they are delights of evil affections, then it is ill; but if they are delights of good affections, it is well. For the angels who are with man flow in continually with good affections, and then call forth the truths which have been conjoined with them; in like manner on the other hand, if the truths have not been conjoined with good affections, then the angels labor in vain to call forth what is of faith and charity. From all this it can be seen what is meant by the delights of the affections that adhere to truths, which is signified by the “kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes.” Third Round posts are short audio clips taken from Round 3 comments in the online Logopraxis Life Group meetings. The aim is to maintain focus on understanding the Text's application to the inner life while reinforcing key LP principles highlighted in the exchanges.

How would our lives change if we saw ourselves the way God sees us? Graham Cooke unpacks one of the most powerful revelations of his life—Exodus 7:1, where God tells Moses, "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh." We discover that God goes to extraordinary lengths to empower us to see ourselves as He really sees us, and when we finally see it, everything changes. Through four distinct epiphanies from this single scripture, we learn that God never takes no for an answer, He calls us to the impossible so He can make all the difference, and whatever He sees in us, we get to become forever. This teaching explores why difficult people are actually grace growers and how God creates opportunities to develop what He most wants to give us.**Key Scriptures:**+ Exodus 7:1. "See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet..."+ Colossians 2:10. "And you are complete in Him..."+ 1 John 4:17. "As He is, so are we in this world..."**Want to explore more?**

Are the ten plagues just divine punishment? Or are they intended to form a people? In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson sits down with Dr. Rick Wadholm and Pastor Dalton Avery, co-authors of Plagued by Faith, to explore a more layered vision of the plague narratives in Exodus. Rather than merely acts of judgment, the plagues are portrayed as formative, disruptive events that unmake Egypt's religious, political, and economic worldview—and detach Israel from it. The Nile River, Egypt's source of life, is turned to blood not only to confront Pharaoh, but to sever Israel's spiritual dependence on Egypt. The calendar is reset at Passover, reorienting the people's very sense of time and community. These acts weren't random—they were theological statements shaping Israel's identity, even while challenging Egypt's gods . As Dalton notes, “The Lord is not out here just doing violence for no reason, but there's redemptive heart, there's redemptive intent in every action of the Living God” . Rick adds, “Behold the face of God who sends plagues… somehow to offer a re-visioning of these stories as revealing this God”. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 The Genesis of the Book 03:22 God vs. The Gods: Understanding the Plagues 06:17 Deconstruction and Identity: The Plagues' Purpose 09:27 The River: A Symbol of Life and Security 18:26 Calendar and Community: Redefining Time for Israel 21:51 Lessons from Egypt: What to Keep and What to Leave Behind 23:38 The River's Dual Role: Life and Death 25:22 Corporate Responsibility and Divine Justice 27:02 Women of Courage: Midwives and Prophetic Resistance 30:49 Jesus and the Exodus: Parallels and Fulfillment 35:47 The Ongoing Plagues: Lessons from Israel's Journey 39:48 Plagued by Faith: Understanding God's Intentions

Pharaoh and Lee Recaps Episode 12 of Survivor 49 #Survivor49 #SurvivorJoin our Discord Here!: https://discord.gg/fsNhjTn9GSCheck out our Survivor Nicaragua coverage! #SurvivorRewind - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKZIt1enO6e3IEIkhuzx_tL4feLhSKqIR&si=LhI8j_GDn2BPk2wAUse this Link to cast your VOTE for what show you want us to cover next For our Reality Rewind! Maybe it'll make the list!: https://www.therealitykingdom.com/survey/reality-rewind-season-4-candidates/JOIN OUR #REALITYREWIND COMMUNITY HERE!: https://twitter.com/i/communities/1864154372973973632Subscribe to The Scripted Kingdom Here!: https://www.youtube.com/@TheScriptedKingdomThank you so much for watching! We love doing this content for you guys so comment what you want to hear from us!If you would rather just listen, here's a link to the podcast version of our videos:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1m9Kzqe...Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/k5unAtBLn7?amp=1Follow Us:https://linktr.ee/TheRealitykingdom 

Why Take The Longer Path?Exodus 13:17-18 “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt.” But God led the people round by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the sons of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle."I was listening to a sermon on the Elevation podcast. The pastor of Elevation church, Steven Furtick, gave a great sermon called “This May Be Plan C.” When I heard him talking about one part in particular I felt like the Lord wanted me to share it with all of you. There were many things about the sermon that stood out to me but it was almost an hour long so I can't go into all of it. However, I do recommend you check out the whole sermon as it was really good. I am just going to talk about the part that has to do with this verse.Pastor Steven was talking about how God didn't take the Israelites on the shortest path out of Egypt. The verse says, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near.” This makes us think that there was a way to the promised land that was shorter. And if God is explaining why He didn't take them that way, then that leads us to believe that way would have made more sense. If we are taking the quickest, easiest way, we usually don't explain why we are going that way. Everyone knows why. However, if we are taking an unexpected path, or one that is longer, we might explain why.So, why did God take them on a longer path? The verse says, “Lest the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt.” God knew the people were leaving Egypt but if they ran into trouble and had to fight their way out of Egypt, they might turn around and go back. Also, God knew that the Pharaoh was going to change his mind and come after them. God knew the way of the Philistines would lead them into a situation they were not ready for yet. He also knew what was coming after them and He knew that they would need the Red Sea.I wonder if you have had a time, or maybe many times in your life when you felt like God took you on the round about way to get to where you were going? You feel like there must have been an easier and quicker way to get to where you ended up. What if we trusted that God knew what He was doing? What if we look back and try to see how God might have been protecting us from taking the easy or most quickest path because we might have encountered something we weren't ready to encounter? What if God took us the way He took us because He knew we would need something from that journey or that other path.Pastor Steven talked about how sometimes the problem we are trying to wish away is actually the answer to our prayer we have be asking from God. When the Israelites got the the Red Sea, I am sure they thought it was a problem. I am sure they saw the water on one side of them and heard the army coming up behind them and they questioned why God would lead them to this body of water when there were other paths they could have taken. I am sure they were wishing they were anywhere but in front of the Red Sea at that moment. Yet God used this perceived problem to answer their prayers. He parted that sea and allowed them to walk across it on dry ground. And then he used that water, the one they thought was a problem, to swallow up their enemy.Do you have any problems in your life that might be the answer to your prayers? It may not look like it at first. You may just look at the problem and see it as a problem. However, what if you looked at it and explored how it might be an answer to your prayers? What if you look at the path that the Lord has taken you down and try to see why that path makes sense? Is there a reason God didn't take you down the quickest easiest path? Is there something you needed to go through so that you could be the person He created you to be? Is there something you needed to survive so that you could show others they will survive it too? Was there something on that other path that the Lord knew you weren't ready to face yet?When I asked the Lord what He wanted me to teach today this is what I felt like I heard, “Teach them about how they may not be where they thought they would be. They may not have taken the path they thought they would have but if they keep walking with Me and trusting in Me then they will get there in the end. Show them I am walking with them and leading them. There is a reason I led them on the path they are on. I will help them get to where they are going. It's never too late for Me to grant your heart's desire. Don't give up asking for what you truly want. I do hear you. I am working all things for your good.”I know some of you are disappointed with the way things in life have turned out. I know some of you have been asking for some pretty big things for a long time. I know some of you really need a healing or some direction. I feel the Lord wants you to know it is coming. Your healing is coming. Your trip to Africa is coming. Your heart's desires will be fulfilled. Yes, you might be on the long road to get here, but there is a reason for that. God is putting you on the road you need to be on. Trust in Him and keep walking with Him and He will lead you to where you want to go. I really feel like He wants me to emphasize that it is NEVER too late. Don't give up. Don't feel you are too old, too young, too sick, to inexperienced, to anything. It is NEVER to late for God to fulfill your dreams. Keep asking, keep walking with Him, He won't let you down.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to the podcast today. Lord, please give us the strength to keep asking. Please help us never to give up. Please help us to walk the path you put us on, not the one we think we should be on. Please help us keep walking with you and trusting you. Please help us to trust even when we don't understand. We love you Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with Your Will and in Jesus's Holy Name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. If you still have some last-minute gifts to buy, why not get your loved ones a copy of my book? CLICK HERE to order an autographed copy.  It could be a great way for them to start out the New Year, learning about how much God loves them and who He says they are. I look forward to meeting you here again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in July 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “Everything he has created is good in his sight. And his blessings and his mercies pour out each morning anew on every creature and part of his creation.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

Pharaoh and Lee Recaps Episode 12 of Survivor Nicaragua #SurvivorNicaragua #Survivor49 #Survivor #SurvivorRewindCheck out our Cast Reaction for Survivor 49!: https://youtube.com/live/0P0RYxVPe0MCheck out our Survivor Borneo coverage! #SurvivorRewind - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKZIt1enO6e0eIfvvJBJcqRCvqS5CxqhS&si=icR1HmdoqdQ8mBx0Use this Link to cast your VOTE for what show you want us to cover next For our Reality Rewind! Maybe it'll make the list!: https://www.therealitykingdom.com/survey/reality-rewind-season-4-candidates/JOIN OUR #REALITYREWIND COMMUNITY HERE!: https://twitter.com/i/communities/1864154372973973632Subscribe to The Scripted Kingdom Here!: https://www.youtube.com/@TheScriptedKingdomThank you so much for watching! We love doing this content for you guys so comment what you want to hear from us!If you would rather just listen, here's a link to the podcast version of our videos:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1m9Kzqe...Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/k5unAtBLn7?amp=1

Presented by Julie Busteed Do you like to work in the garden? I love to see the results of all the work—planting, watering, weeding and pruning. In John 15, Jesus teaches the Father is the gardener who lovingly tends the vine. Part of that tending is pruning. Pruning is essential to the life of a vine, and Scripture uses that imagery to help us understand our own life with Christ. In a vineyard, pruning renews the vine and shapes it. Without pruning, a vine grows wild. It will produce many shoots and leaves but far fewer grapes. The gardener cuts back healthy branches—not to harm the vine, but to help it focus its energy so it can thrive. Pruning makes room for new growth and greater fruitfulness. Pruning happens when the vine is dormant, after the harvest season. Even in dormancy, the vine is still alive and still supplying what the branches need. This resting period isn't wasted time; it's preparation. The vine is strengthening its core, preserving its energy, and getting ready for the next season of growth and fruitfulness. In the same way, God prunes us. Seasons of pruning might feel like cutting back, slowing down, or letting go. God may remove distractions, attitudes, habits, or commitments that keep us from bearing fruit. Sometimes he even prunes good things so better things can grow. These seasons can feel quiet—almost dormant—but God is still at work, nourishing, shaping, and preparing us. Pruning is so important because it leads to even greater fruit. Jesus says, every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:2). Pruning isn't punishment—it’s intentional care from a Father who wants our lives to flourish. When we remain connected to Christ, the true Vine, we can trust his pruning is purposeful. It clears away what hinders us, renews us, and positions us for greater growth in the seasons to come. For the Christian, pruning is a mark of God's love and his desire to make our lives fruitful, meaningful, and deeply rooted in him. When we stay connected to Christ, every season—even the dormant ones—becomes part of his transforming work in us. Joseph's life in the Old Testament is a powerful picture of pruning before fruitfulness. He endured deep hardship—sold into slavery by his own brothers, then falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet through every season of suffering, God was shaping his character and preparing him for a greater purpose. In time, Joseph was elevated to second-in-command under Pharaoh, where he used his God-given wisdom to save Egypt and ultimately rescue the very family who had betrayed him. His story reminds us seasons of pruning often precede seasons of remarkable fruit. May you and I remain faithful—connected to the true Vine—even during the dormant times. Even when we are being pruned. Because God is a loving Gardner and is doing this for even greater fruit in our lives.

What happens when spiritual gifting and professional excellence collide? In this powerful teaching, Bishop Michael Blue unpacks the life of Joseph as the ultimate example of Kingdom convergence—where prophetic vision meets disciplined preparation. Joseph was not only a dreamer, but a master administrator. From Potiphar's house to Pharaoh's palace, God used both his supernatural gifting and natural skillset to preserve nations, protect generations, and ultimately prepare the lineage of Christ. New podcast episodes are available every Monday wherever you listen to podcasts.

You won't believe the showdown in Exodus 7—Pharaoh's magicians try to match God's power, only to be hilariously swallowed up in defeat.Today, we continue our year-long Bible study in the book of Exodus, The Gospel: One Rescue at a Time. In this episode, Paul examines the serpent-sign confrontation, the real-but-limited power of evil, and the absolute sovereignty of a God whose plans cannot be resisted.To hear more of these studies from Exodus, visit PaulTripp.com/Exodus.

Pharaoh and Lee Recaps Episode 3 of Zeus' Baddies USA: Chapter One! #Baddies #BaddiesUSA #zeus #zeusnetwork Use this Link to cast your VOTE for what show you want us to cover next For our Reality Rewind!: https://www.therealitykingdom.com/survey/reality-rewind-season-4-candidates/JOIN OUR #REALITYREWIND COMMUNITY HERE!: https://twitter.com/i/communities/1864154372973973632Subscribe to The Scripted Kingdom Here!: https://www.youtube.com/@TheScriptedKingdomThank you so much for watching! We love doing this content for you guys so comment what you want to hear from us!If you would rather just listen, here's a link to the podcast version of our videos:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1m9Kzqe...Apple Podcasts: https://t.co/k5unAtBLn7?amp=1Follow Us:https://linktr.ee/TheRealityKingdom

This episode of Fed by the Fruit with KB takes you on a rich, Scripture-soaked journey through the life of Moses—from his miraculous rescue as a baby in Egypt to his leadership over millions of Israelites in the wilderness. KB walks through the major moments of Moses' story: his upbringing in Pharaoh's palace, his impulsive actions and flight to Midian, the burning bush encounter, the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, the giving of the Ten Commandments, and the establishment of the Old Covenant with God's people. You'll also learn how the tabernacle, sacrificial system, and the Day of Atonement all pointed forward to Jesus and the New Covenant.But this isn't just Bible history; it's deeply practical for your everyday walk with God. KB unpacks what Moses teaches us about waiting on God's timing instead of forcing our own, being faithful in the “valley” and the mundane, allowing God to shape our character in hidden seasons, and stepping out in courage when He calls—even after failure. You'll be reminded that God's ways and timing are better than ours, that His presence is what sets us apart, and that He is still writing redemption stories through imperfect people. If you're in a waiting season, wrestling with calling, or needing fresh encouragement to trust God, this Moses episode is for you.This episode serves as both an informative guide to embrace a healthier, more balanced lifestyle, encouraging listeners to embark on their journeys with renewed vigor and compassion.Reach out to KB on Instagram and share your thoughts.

What if a single encounter with God could change everything about how we see ourselves? Graham Cooke explores the nature of epiphanies—those sudden, delightful moments when God opens a door, pushes us gently into a new space, and whispers, "All of this is yours, explore it with me." Through his personal story of inadequacy and stammering, and the journey of Moses at the burning bush, we discover that God doesn't call us to what we can do, but to what only He can do through us. This teaching reveals why God goes strategically deaf when we make excuses, and why the impossible calling is actually the most wonderful invitation.Key Scriptures:+ Exodus 3:10. "I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people out of Egypt..."+ Exodus 4:10. "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past..."+ Exodus 4:12. "Now then go, and I will be with your mouth..."Want to explore more?