Podcasts about Promised Land

This chapter highlights a prediction that a leader named Cyrus would be the one God would use to get his people out of captivity and back to the Promised Land.

We've talked about the “Quiet Exodus” of Black Christians from White Evangelical spaces, but the question is “Where's the Promised Land?“. Jemar and Tyler answer the question by giving their history with the Black Church, what options Black Christians have, and some of the challenges of attending a Black Church. But we wanna hear your story. Share it with us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Secular archaeologists usually assume that the historical statements found in Scripture are overstatements or simply incorrect. It was with this attitude that archaeologists approached the ruins of Hazor to see if they could tell whether Solomon actually did add to the wall of Hazor and build other structures there, as the Bible says. Hazor was an important city on the primary military and trade routes between Israel and Phoenicia, Syria, Mesopotamia and Egypt.Hazor had been destroyed by Joshua when Israel took possession of the Promised Land. Over the following centuries the site began to be inhabited by Israelites. By Solomon's time, the city reached a size of about 10 acres and was home to between 800 and 1,000 people. Archaeologists found that sometime during the reign of Solomon, the city wall was expanded, doubling the size. Other buildings also were added at this time. Excavations show that at Solomon's time the city was prosperous. The city's six-chambered gate is typical of the gates Israel built at this time. Gates of the same design also exist at Megiddo and Gezer, two other cities named as being fortified by Solomon, according to the same verse that mentions the fortification of Hazor!Again, the Bible has been vindicated as presenting accurate history. We can be equally sure that the Bible's account of creation is accurate because the Bible is God's Word.1 Kings 9:15“And this is the reason for the levy which king Solomon raised: for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.”Prayer: Dear Father, I thank You that Your Word is trustworthy in all things, for it tells me of my salvation in Jesus Christ. Amen.Ref: Biblical Archaeology Review, "Solomon's City Rises from the Ashes." Image: Tel-Hazor-1821, Bukvoed, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1232/29?v=20251111

What do you do when you know God is good—but fear keeps telling you the worst is about to happen?We're reaching back into the Collide Podcast archives to share this powerful conversation with Bible teacher and author Heidi Lee Anderson because her message about trusting God in the unknown is one we all need again and again. Heidi was just 23 when a Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis turned the future she imagined upside down. Years later, even after entering remission, the possibility of secondary cancers brought fear rushing back and forced her to wrestle with what it actually means to live in God's peace when the “giants” haven't disappeared. Heidi and Willow talk honestly about the difference between feeling afraid and becoming consumed by fear, why the battles we face don't get to become our identity, how remembering God's past faithfulness helps us trust Him in the present, and why we shouldn't put a period in the middle of a story God is still writing. Whether you're facing a health crisis, an uncertain future, disappointment, grief, or simply a season where you can't see what God is doing, this conversation will remind you that He is still present, still working, and still worthy of your trust.Meet Heidi Lee AndersonHeidi Lee is an author, Bible teacher, speaker, and founder of Heidi Lee Anderson Ministries who is passionate about helping people know and trust the truth of God's Word. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma at 23, Heidi began sharing her journey through writing and discovered a calling to help others encounter the hope of Scripture in the middle of real-life struggles. Now more than a decade in remission, Heidi continues to share how God met her in fear and uncertainty and taught her to cling to His promises even when she couldn't see what was ahead.Key TakeawaysWhen fear keeps returning: Remember there is a difference between feeling afraid and becoming afraid. Heidi shares that fear and anxiety are real emotions, but we don't have to let them consume our thoughts, dictate our choices, or become our identity.When the next giant feels overwhelming: Change the way you see the battle. Heidi discovered through the Israelites' journey into the Promised Land that each battle became an opportunity to advance into the territory God had already promised them.When it feels like nothing is changing: Remember what God has already done. Looking back on His faithfulness gives us courage to trust Him when we're stuck in the middle of a story and can't yet see how it will end.When your story looks anything but good: Don't put a period where God hasn't. The middle of Daniel, David, or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's stories looked hopeless too. Heidi reminds us that God was still moving—and He is still moving in ours.When your mind is stuck on worst-case scenarios: Trade the lie for truth. Rather than allowing fearful thoughts to repeat unchecked, Heidi encourages us to intentionally turn toward what God says is true, lovely, and praiseworthy.How This Episode Will Encourage YouJesus wants to collide with you right in the middle of the fear, uncertainty, and circumstances you cannot control. You don't have to wait until the battle is over to experience His presence—He wants to meet you there and remind you that your story is still in His hands.Collide BookCollide Bible Study | A Six Week Journey Toward Healing Follow Willow: Website | Instagram | Facebook

When the Cloud Moves and Cravings Rise Numbers 9–11 | Following the Lord Without Losing Our Appetite for His Ways This message examines Israel's departure from Mount Sinai, revealing how the Lord prepared, organized, guided, and provided for His redeemed people as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. Although they were surrounded by evidence of His faithfulness, their dissatisfaction soon overshadowed their gratitude, exposing the danger of allowing fleshly desires to govern the heart. God's Preparation and Guidance: Before moving Israel, the Lord established their worship, responsibilities, leadership, and order. When the cloud moved, they moved; when it rested, they rested. Their greatest privilege was not knowing their destination but knowing the One who was leading them. Moses' invitation to Hobab also demonstrates that trusting God's leadership does not eliminate the value of practical wisdom and the help of others. The Danger of Dissatisfaction: Shortly after departing Sinai, the people began complaining. Their cravings caused them to remember Egypt's food while forgetting Egypt's bondage. They despised the manna that sustained them, treating God's daily miracle as insufficient. Their dissatisfaction spread throughout the congregation, revealing how an ungrateful spirit can influence others and distort our understanding of God's goodness. When Cravings Become Our Master: Israel devoted extraordinary effort to gathering the quail they demanded, demonstrating how readily people can pursue fleshly desires while neglecting what God has already provided. The Lord gave them meat, but their rebellion brought judgment. Psalm 106:15 captures the warning: "And he gav

When the Cloud Moves and Cravings Rise Numbers 9–11 | Following the Lord Without Losing Our Appetite for His Ways This message examines Israel's departure from Mount Sinai, revealing how the Lord prepared, organized, guided, and provided for His redeemed people as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. Although they were surrounded by evidence of His faithfulness, their dissatisfaction soon overshadowed their gratitude, exposing the danger of allowing fleshly desires to govern the heart. God's Preparation and Guidance: Before moving Israel, the Lord established their worship, responsibilities, leadership, and order. When the cloud moved, they moved; when it rested, they rested. Their greatest privilege was not knowing their destination but knowing the One who was leading them. Moses' invitation to Hobab also demonstrates that trusting God's leadership does not eliminate the value of practical wisdom and the help of others. The Danger of Dissatisfaction: Shortly after departing Sinai, the people began complaining. Their cravings caused them to remember Egypt's food while forgetting Egypt's bondage. They despised the manna that sustained them, treating God's daily miracle as insufficient. Their dissatisfaction spread throughout the congregation, revealing how an ungrateful spirit can influence others and distort our understanding of God's goodness. When Cravings Become Our Master: Israel devoted extraordinary effort to gathering the quail they demanded, demonstrating how readily people can pursue fleshly desires while neglecting what God has already provided. The Lord gave them meat, but their rebellion brought judgment. Psalm 106:15 captures the warning: "And he gav

When the Cloud Moves and Cravings Rise Numbers 9–11 | Following the Lord Without Losing Our Appetite for His Ways This message examines Israel's departure from Mount Sinai, revealing how the Lord prepared, organized, guided, and provided for His redeemed people as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. Although they were surrounded by evidence of His faithfulness, their dissatisfaction soon overshadowed their gratitude, exposing the danger of allowing fleshly desires to govern the heart. God's Preparation and Guidance: Before moving Israel, the Lord established their worship, responsibilities, leadership, and order. When the cloud moved, they moved; when it rested, they rested. Their greatest privilege was not knowing their destination but knowing the One who was leading them. Moses' invitation to Hobab also demonstrates that trusting God's leadership does not eliminate the value of practical wisdom and the help of others. The Danger of Dissatisfaction: Shortly after departing Sinai, the people began complaining. Their cravings caused them to remember Egypt's food while forgetting Egypt's bondage. They despised the manna that sustained them, treating God's daily miracle as insufficient. Their dissatisfaction spread throughout the congregation, revealing how an ungrateful spirit can influence others and distort our understanding of God's goodness. When Cravings Become Our Master: Israel devoted extraordinary effort to gathering the quail they demanded, demonstrating how readily people can pursue fleshly desires while neglecting what God has already provided. The Lord gave them meat, but their rebellion brought judgment. Psalm 106:15 captures the warning: "And he gav

When the Cloud Moves and Cravings Rise Numbers 9–11 | Following the Lord Without Losing Our Appetite for His Ways This message examines Israel's departure from Mount Sinai, revealing how the Lord prepared, organized, guided, and provided for His redeemed people as they journeyed toward the Promised Land. Although they were surrounded by evidence of His faithfulness, their dissatisfaction soon overshadowed their gratitude, exposing the danger of allowing fleshly desires to govern the heart. God's Preparation and Guidance: Before moving Israel, the Lord established their worship, responsibilities, leadership, and order. When the cloud moved, they moved; when it rested, they rested. Their greatest privilege was not knowing their destination but knowing the One who was leading them. Moses' invitation to Hobab also demonstrates that trusting God's leadership does not eliminate the value of practical wisdom and the help of others. The Danger of Dissatisfaction: Shortly after departing Sinai, the people began complaining. Their cravings caused them to remember Egypt's food while forgetting Egypt's bondage. They despised the manna that sustained them, treating God's daily miracle as insufficient. Their dissatisfaction spread throughout the congregation, revealing how an ungrateful spirit can influence others and distort our understanding of God's goodness. When Cravings Become Our Master: Israel devoted extraordinary effort to gathering the quail they demanded, demonstrating how readily people can pursue fleshly desires while neglecting what God has already provided. The Lord gave them meat, but their rebellion brought judgment. Psalm 106:15 captures the warning: "And he gav

Imagine being able to physically see God directing your steps. It would certainly be easier to follow Him. God gave the children of Israel His visible presence—pillars of cloud and fire—to comfort and guide them along this new journey. Follow along as Dr. McGee covers more about the Passover, the Promised Land, and (surprise) Pharoah's once-again hardened heart.

What if I told you the "healthiest bread on earth" comes from a recipe that was originally supposed to be baked over human feces?It's true, and that recipe is straight out of the Bible.Right now, the internet is obsessed with the so-called Bible diet, also known as the Biblio diet, Promised Land diet, the Daniel diet, or simply biblical eating, but most of what's out there is cherry-picked scripture with zero context.So I decided to do it properly: chapter and verse, calling out what ancient eating habits actually got right, and where scripture needs a serious update.By the end, I'll give you my own Plant Paradox version of the biblical diet, the modern nutrition rules ancient wisdom got right thousands of years before science caught up.For full show notes and transcript: https://drgundry.com/is-the-biblio-diet-healthy On this episode, you'll learn: The one Bible verse that sums up an entire ancient diet in a single line, and why it still holds up today (03:20)Why the "butter" in Genesis wasn't anything like what's in your fridge, and what it means for your gut (04:39)The surprisingly smart trick ancient people used on their beans and lentils that most home cooks skip today (08:30)Why biblical households rarely ate their own cows, goats, or chickens (09:38)Why I disagree with Leviticus on shellfish (10:40)The real reason ancient grains may have existed, and it might not be for the bread you're thinking of (14:38)My three modern fixes to the "Biblio diet," plus the full Gundry-fied version you can start eating this week (16:21)Why fermenting sourdough does NOT do what everyone claims it does for gluten (16:21)Thank you to our sponsors! Check them out: Go to thrivemarket.com/GUNDRYPODCAST for 30% off your first order, plus a FREE $60 gift.Get a quote today at Progressive.com.Go to Quince.com/gundry to upgrade your wardrobe and get free shipping on your orderTransform your sleep experience with Cozy Earth bedding. Go to cozyearth.com/gundry for 20% off. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the most tragic realities in modern Christianity is that many do not truly understand the Old Testament. Too often, it gets neglected and treated as an optional preamble to the New Testament. However, this collection of books, written over centuries and centuries, informed not only Jewish belief and practice but also pointed to the coming Messiah. These scriptures provided the foundation from which Jesus taught and the Apostles drew extensively. One of the core problems, I think, is that we fail to see the Old Testament narrative as our story. The people seem so distant and different from us, the circumstances almost alien, and the stories and characters confusing. We can, sadly, sometimes be a people with amnesia. An individual who can't access their memories changes; their personality and moods often aren't what they once were. Similarly, our biblical amnesia can mean that we start to change; our spiritual personality is off-center. Sandra Richter, an Old Testament scholar, puts it this way when addressing the consequences of us not understanding this part of Scripture. The first, and to me most heartbreaking, [problem] is that most Christians have not been taught that the Old Testament is their story. This has the consequence that, The Church does not know who she is, because she does not know who she was. I bring this up because this twelfth chapter of Hebrews contains some important, but often difficult, applications. If we dont understand where the author is coming from, we can misunderstand and misapply the principles this chapter gives us. So, I think it would be good to take stock of where weve come from. While we walk through Hebrews 12 together, please keep this in the back of your mind; you are in this story too. To make sure that we are grounded and ready for the applications this passage has in store for us, we need to do some review. Hebrews was originally written as a letter, potentially as a transcription of a sermon, to Jewish Christians in the middle of the 1st century. It was written primarily to show four things: Jesus is preeminent above all things Jesus is the fulfillment of Gods promises Jesus established a new and better covenant Offer a warning against falling away from Jesus Said a different way: Jesus is better than anything, because He is God Therefore, Jesus could fulfill all of Gods promises Therefore, Jesus satisfied the old covenant and made a better one Therefore, we should cling to Jesus because He is our only hope Remember how this letter opens. It starts by pointing to just how much better Jesus is. 1:1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. (Heb 1:1-3a) Ultimately, Jesus is better than everything else because He is God. He radiates Gods glory and is the exact imprint of His nature. The universe was created through Him and is upheld by Him. The letter then goes on to unpack how Jesus is better than anything else the Hebrew people have encountered as the chosen people of God. Were going to fly through this, but please refer back to Shauns sermons if youd like to dive deeper into any of these. According to the text, Jesus is better than: The prophets (1:1-3) The angels (1:4-14; 2:5-9) Moses (3:1-6) The Land of Promise and Joshua (4:1-8) The Sabbath Rest (4:8-13) The Levitical Priesthood (4:14-5:6; 7) The Old Covenant (8:1-13) The Tabernacle and Temple (9:1-10) The Sacrificial System (9:11-10:18) Thats quite a list! And I want us to pause and recognize how revolutionary this was for the people of the time. This would be similar to somebody coming into our church and saying, Im better than Calvin or Luther. In fact, Im greater than Paul, John, Matthew, and the rest of the apostles. I am better than a church service. Even more, Im elevated above baptism and the Lord's Supper. I know Wyomingites can be a reserved bunch, but Im pretty sure there would be a riot. When Jesus stepped into history, was born of a virgin, died a criminals death, and then rose in grand victory, He defied all 1st-century Jewish expectations of the Messiah and, indeed, the entire notion of what it meant to be Gods people. But it goes even further! The author of Hebrews not only gives us this grand language about Jesus being really awesome (thats a technical theological word, by the way), but also explains how Jesus fulfills Gods promises made in prophecy. No other New Testament book has a higher density of Old Testament quotations than Hebrews. The author constantly points back to the prophets who promised a Messiah to save both Israel and the world. We see that Jesus would: Become incarnate as a human (2:5-8) Be a priest outside of the Levitical priesthood (5:6) Establish a new covenant (8:6-12) Do away with the sacrificial system (10:5-7) Die on a cross (12:2) These are just a few examples, but they get us to the heart of the matter. The author is trying to get his audience to see that Jesus is the one theyve been waiting for, the one of promise. He lived the perfect and sinless life that they could not, and yet died the death that they deserved. Put in more personal terms, Jesus lived the perfect and sinless life that I cannot, and yet He died the death that I deserve. This gave Him the ability to satisfy the Old Covenant on our behalf, pay our penalty, and then rise to new life, conquer death, and make a way for us to enter again into the presence of God. Hebrews tells us of this new covenant. 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. ... 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. 13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (8:6-7, 12-13) Brothers and sisters, there could be no better news than this. Because of Jesus, our sins are no longer remembered, and we receive Gods mercy. We no longer stand condemned by the Law, but have been restored to a relationship with the living God. Remember, this is the story of all Gods people. Try as we might to live up to the Law, we cannot. But Jesus did. And then He ushered in a new covenant. But we must be careful, however. The author also has warnings for us. You can hear this writer's pleading to his readers in the opening of the second chapter. 2:1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Heb 2:1-4) Pay attention! the author is shouting. Dont drift away! Look at what happened in Israels past when they walked away from God and tried to forge their own path. Remember the golden calf. Remember the exile in Babylon. Jesus rose and spoke to us! Hear how many people testified about what they saw. Remember the miracles. We have a better covenant now! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Consider what happened to those who ignored the old covenant. What will happen to us now if we neglect the better covenant? We still hear the author's plea nearly 2,000 years later. Dont let go. Whatever you do, dont let go of Jesus. You can write this progression of thought as a formula. Remember it; I promise it will be important later on. Jesus is better

Where is God when you feel completely lost, trapped by past mistakes, or overwhelmed by life's heavy storms?Welcome to Book 5 of the Psalms! We're moving out of the wilderness and standing on the edge of the Promised Land as we trace the incredible thread of God's unfailing love through every season of life.If you've ever felt trapped by your own choices, faced down a bitter enemy, or needed a reminder that your defender is standing right beside you, this Psalms Bible study is for you. Psalms 107-118 reach straight into our real-life struggles and remind us that no matter how low we feel or how far we've wandered, God's mercy is ready to step in. His love endures forever!In our Psalms 107–118 Bible study, we cover:[7:10] Psalm 107: How God delivers those who are lost, imprisoned, foolish, or caught in life's heaviest storms.[14:33] Psalms 108-109: Why ancient legal settings put the accuser at your exposed right hand, and how God steps in to displace them as your protector.[17:37] Psalm 110: Jesus in the Psalms and how He uses Psalm 110 to show the Pharisees that He is both David's Lord and a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.[29:04] Psalms 111-112: What it actually means to fear the Lord (Psalms 111 and 112) and how revering God removes the fear of bad news.[43:24] Psalms 113-118: The rich tradition of Psalms 113–118 and how Jesus likely sang these exact praise songs with His disciples the night before the cross.Psalms Show NotesPsalms RoadmapPsalms Prayer ListPsalms Playlist - Listen on Apple MusicPsalms Playlist - Listen on SpotifyPhil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video]ACTS Prayer GuideFeasts and FestivalsScene from The ChosenGroup Discussion Questions for Psalms 107–118[7:10] Psalm 107 reminds us that God delivers us in four ways: when we lose our way, are slaves due to rebellion against God, are foolish and become afflicted, and when we lose hope. Do you think this pattern still exists today? If so, does that surprise you?[29:27] Psalms 111 and 112 tell us it's good to fear the Lord. What does that phrase “fear the Lord” mean to you? Has that understanding changed at all throughout your life?[43:24] Jesus likely sang the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113–118) with His disciples the night before the cross. Does that make you feel closer to Him? Is there anything else in this world, perhaps physical or historical, that helps you feel closer to Jesus?Contact Bible Book Club!Social: Instagram or FacebookWebsite: Bible Book ClubReview Us: Apple Podcast or SpotifyJoin the Fun: DONATE or Buy merchThis episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!

What do you do when you look at your life and ask, “How did I end up here?” This week, Pastor Brandon kicks off our brand new series, Ruins to Revival, a journey through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Before stepping into the story itself, he lays the foundation by tracing the history of Israel and showing how a series of choices, victories, failures, and consequences eventually brought God's people to a place of destruction and exile. At the center of the message is the reminder from 2 Peter 3:9 that God is not slow in keeping His promises. Even when we experience the consequences of our own decisions, God has not abandoned us. We reap what we sow, but nothing can separate us from the love of God. Pastor Brandon walks through God's promise to Abraham, Israel's journey into the Promised Land, the period of the judges, the rise of Saul, David and Solomon, the divided kingdom, the Assyrian conquest, and finally the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. By the time Ezra begins, the temple is gone, the walls are destroyed, the people have been scattered, and it looks like God's promise could never come true. But God had not forgotten them. Even in the ruins, His promise remained. Even in exile, His love remained. And even when we find ourselves living in the consequences of our own choices, God still loves us, still has a plan for us, and His promises can still be trusted. Timestamps 0:00 Welcome to Venture Church0:22 Back to Church Sunday0:43 Introducing Ruins to Revival1:25 “How Did I End Up Here?”2:26 Our Choices Shape Where We End Up3:01 The Question Israel Had to Ask3:42 2 Peter 3:94:48 God's Promise to Abraham6:10 Abraham and the Beginning of the Story7:10 A Promise to Build a Great Nation7:43 Israel Is in Ruins8:49 What Ezra and Nehemiah Teach Us Today9:19 You Reap What You Sow10:00 The Consequences of Our Choices11:23 Where You Are Didn't Happen by Accident12:42 Does God Still Love Me?13:07 Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love14:18 Overwhelming Victory Through Christ15:27 Nothing in Creation Can Separate Us From God15:57 God Still Loves You16:27 God Never Abandoned Israel17:13 The Story of Salvation18:50 The Golden Thread of Scripture19:24 Beginning the Timeline19:38 Israel in Egypt20:30 Wandering in the Wilderness20:58 God Is Not Slow in Keeping His Promise21:49 Entering the Promised Land22:43 The Period of the Judges24:03 Everyone Did What Was Right in Their Own Eyes24:37 Israel Demands a King26:07 The United Kingdom Begins26:45 The Reign of King Saul27:08 King David27:27 Solomon and Israel at Its Peak28:44 Solomon's Disobedience30:00 The Kingdom Divides30:34 Israel and Judah31:07 Good Kings, Bad Kings and Reaping What Was Sown31:42 The Rise of Assyria32:14 Jonah and Nineveh32:44 Assyria Conquers the Northern Kingdom33:42 The Lost Tribes of Israel34:55 The Rise of Babylon35:53 Babylon's Strategy37:05 The Final Siege of Jerusalem37:33 The Temple Is Destroyed38:14 Jerusalem Becomes Rubble38:35 The Walls Are Torn Down39:18 Israel Is Taken Into Exile39:38 Seventy Years in Babylon40:19 What Happened to God's Promise?40:54 God Is Not Slow in Keeping His Promises41:33 “How Did We End Up Here?”42:10 God Never Leaves or Forsakes Us42:38 Invitation to Follow Jesus43:59 Salvation Prayer44:52 Closing

God has a specific territory marked out just for you, your career, your calling, your assignment, the very place He wants to occupy through you. In this teaching, Lance walks through Joshua's crossover into the Promised Land to reveal the "excellent spirit," the anointing that allows you to excel in the exact territory God has called you to take, and shows how the same principle that gave Daniel ten times the insight of Babylon's wisest men is available to you right now. ----------------------------------- Get Lance's Latest Teaching! The Excellent Spirit lancewallnau.com/excellent ----------------------------------- ► Subscribe to stay updated on breaking news, prophetic insight, and conservative commentary:
https://www.youtube.com/@lancewallnaushow ----------------------------------- Podcast Episode 2241: The Strange Secret that Multiplied Daniels IQ Ten Times! | don't miss this! Listen to more episodes of the Lance Wallnau Show at lancewallnau.com/podcast -----------------------------------

Silver Quintette - "Snner's Crossroads" [Photos by Steven Grauberger.] [0:00:00] Ramah Baptist Church, Letohatchee, Alabama - "Don't Let It Be Said Too Late" [0:08:46] Ramah Baptist Church, Letohatchee, Alabama - "My Jesus, He's Alright" [0:08:47] Traveling Stars - "I'll Fly Away" [0:12:13] Rev. Cleophus Robinson - "Where My Jesus Is" - Someone to Care (The Battle Sessions) [0:21:14] Silver Voices - "Nobody Knows" [0:24:34] Spiritual Wonders of Columbus, Georgia - "I Couldn't Hear Nobody Prayer" [0:27:59] Heavenly Five - "I'm Bound for the Promised Land" [0:34:48] Royal Clefs - "Thank You Jesus" [0:36:35] Royal Stars - "I'll Follow" [0:42:08] Angels of Joy - "Mr. President" [0:43:01] Sensational Heavenly Harmonizers - "Jesus Will Fix It" - Sinner's Crossroads Fixes It: 2024 Marathon Premium [0:46:52] Shelby County Traveliers - "Heaven is Open to Me" [0:50:53] https://www.wfmu.org/playlists/shows/168406

This message examines Deuteronomy chapters two and three, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over nations and history as He guides Israel toward the Promised Land. The teacher emphasizes that despite facing formidable enemies like giants and fortified cities, the Lord has already secured victory for His people. Key theological themes include God's faithfulness in providing for His people during their wilderness wanderings and His role as the ultimate judge of sinful kingdoms. The message serves to encourage believers to trust in God's presence and power rather than relying on their own strength. Ultimately, the sermon calls listeners to hold fast to faith, knowing that if God is for them, no opposition can stand against them.

One of a KindEvery pastor will tell you the same thing: nobody teaches you what to say when you're standing with a family in the valley of the shadow of death. It's the part of ministry we dread most and, oddly, the part that teaches us the most. The teacher in Ecclesiastes put it plainly: "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone, and the living should take this to heart." This week, as we came to the end of Moses's story in Deuteronomy 34, we sat with that same truth. Moses died, just as we all will. But the way he lived, and the faith that carried him there, is worth a long, careful look.A Mountain and a PromiseAt 120 years old, Moses climbed Mount Nebo, a roughly 4,500 foot ascent with no trail, to look out over the Promised Land he would never enter. God showed him "the whole land, from Gilead to Dan," all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, and told him plainly, "I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross over into it." Moses had lost his temper years earlier and robbed God of glory, and this was the consequence. But here's the beautiful part: that failure never altered his relationship with God. They were just as close as before. God himself buried Moses in an unmarked grave, and the people grieved for thirty days before finally reflecting on his life and moving forward into the land he'd led them to. Scripture sums him up simply: "Since then, no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." He was one of a kind, and the intimacy he shared with God is something we can still aspire to today.Faith That Shaped His IdentityHebrews 11 gives us Moses's eulogy, and it shows us exactly how that intimacy was built. First, his faith determined his identity. "By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter." Understand what that meant: Moses had already become great in Pharaoh's house, educated, decorated, and set up for a life of power. All he had to do was stay quiet and enjoy it. Instead, he chose to be identified with God and with God's enslaved people rather than with the palace that made him. That's the choice in front of all of us. Joshua later put it this way: "Choose you this day whom you will serve." Moses chose, and so must we.Faith That Shaped His ValuesSecond, Moses's faith determined what he valued. He "chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin," regarding "disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than all the treasures of Egypt." He knew the pleasures available to him in Egypt were real, but temporary, and that chasing them would leave him thirstier, not satisfied. He understood something Jesus would later say plainly: if you want to find your life, you have to lose it. Only in laying ourselves down for God's glory do we find the satisfaction we're all searching for.Faith That Shaped His ResolveFinally, Moses's faith determined his resolve. He "left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger," and he "kept the Passover and the application of blood" even though nothing about painting lamb's blood on a doorpost made sense to anyone watching. That's resolve: persevering in our convictions and keeping God's commands even when the world around us says it's foolish. Moses obeyed anyway, and that obedience pointed forward to something greater. The blood on the doorpost that saved the firstborn of Israel points us to Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose blood saves us from sin and death.A Life Worth EmulatingMoses wasn't perfect. He stumbled and made real mistakes. But his faith was active, not just something he said he believed, and that's what set him apart. As James reminds us, faith without works is dead. So take a moment this week to ask yourself honestly: is your faith alive? Can the people around you look at your choices, your priorities, and your obedience and see that you belong to Jesus? We only get one life to make our mark, and the opportunity is now. If you haven't placed your faith in Christ, there's no better day than today to take that step. And if you already believe, share this episode with someone who needs to hear it, and let Moses's example push you toward a faith that shows up in how you actually live.

Luke 17:11–19 | The Hidden Danger of Getting What You WantCan getting exactly what you prayed for actually become dangerous to your faith? Why did ten lepers cry out to Jesus for mercy, but only one return after being healed? Why do we often pray more when life is falling apart than when everything is going well? And what happens when you finally start thinking you don't need God quite as much anymore?In this sermon on Luke 17:11–19, Pastor Rojas reflects on the strange danger that comes not only with suffering, but with prosperity. Israel faced it when they entered the Promised Land. The ten lepers faced it when Jesus restored everything they had lost. And we face it whenever the crisis passes, the prayer is answered, and life starts going our way.Why is it sometimes easier to remember God when you're desperate? What if the diagnosis disappears, the marriage improves, the money comes in, the anxiety lifts, or life finally becomes comfortable? Would you actually pray more? Read Scripture more? Listen more closely to God's Word? Or would you slowly begin living as though you no longer needed Him?What was different about the one leper who returned? Why does Jesus tell him, “Your faith has saved you”? Was he saved because he remembered to say thank you? What does thanksgiving actually reveal about faith? And what did he find at Jesus' feet that the other nine missed?This sermon examines the hidden spiritual danger of getting what you want, the difference between being thankful for something and thankful to Someone, and why both suffering and prosperity should drive us to the same place: back to Jesus.Subscribe & Share if this sermon strengthened your faith.

The Wonderful Works of God Will Stueve Download Psalm 111,Praise the Lord!I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.2 Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! My family and I have noticed an abundance of large spiders around, and occasionally, to our horror, inside our house recently.There's a reason for this… apparently, August and September mark “peak spider season” in Minnesota, as adult spiders reach their full size after feeding all summer, and as the morning dew makes their webs more visible to us…In 1723, the great theologian Jonathan Edwards wrote about this in his treatise “Of Insects and Spiders.” In this short letter, Edwards marvels at the wise design of God the Creator as he considers the complex behaviors of the “flying spiders” common in New England. As he considers the complex design of their webs, how they can seemingly support themselves in mid-air… He says,“We hence see the exuberant goodness of the Creator, who hath not only provided for all the necessities [of spiders], but also for the pleasure and recreation of all sorts of creatures, and even the insects and those that are most despicable.”Whereas Edwards studied spiders with delight and saw them as an opportunity to praise God, my only thought when I see a spider is to kill it as fast as humanly possible…The point is: The wonderful works of God are all around us if we have eyes to see. And that's what this sermon is about.Psalm 111 is about the wonderful works of God. More specifically, the big question from our text this morning is: What makes God's works so great?In this sermon, I want to answer that question by showing you three truths about the works of God.God's works demand our praise.God's works reveal his character.God's works teach us to fear him.1. God's works demand our praise.Look with me again at verse 1 of our psalm:“Praise the Lord!I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.”The psalmist resolves to praise God with his whole heart and publicly. And right off the bat, this first verse convicted me as I prepared this past week. How often do I praise the Lord with half of my heart, and not my whole heart? Have I ever truly praised God with my whole heart?These were convicting questions for me this week. It made Psalm 86:11 come alive for me… as the Psalmist prays, “unite my heart to fear your name.”So that I may praise you not with half my heart, but with my whole heart.Oh, to have a congregation, this whole church filled with whole-hearted worshipers, so captivated by God's glory… so in awe of his wonderful works, that they are moved to praise him with their entire being. That's what the psalmist envisions for us here.I can remember when my wife and I came to Cities Church for the first time. We were captivated by this building. When I walked in, I could not help but say, “Wow!” The huge wooden beams holding up the towering ceilings. The beautiful stone steeple. And the colorful stained-glass windows. Look around for a second! This place was designed and built by man. That's amazing!This building is truly a wonderful work of art, a feat of human engineering, and we rightly admire its beauty. How much more should we admire the wonderful works of God?!Get this: The man who designed this building… God made him. God designed him and gave him every breath of his life… And that is true of each and every one of us in this room.By a miracle of God's hand, our hearts are beating with blood, our lungs are filled with air, and this earth is still rotating around the sun! Hebrews 1 says that Jesus Christ “upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Meaning, if Jesus were to snap his fingers, you and I would cease to exist in an instant.Every breath we take, and every moment we continue to exist is due solely to the mercy of God.Whether we consider that, or the intricate machinery inside every cell in our bodies to the vast reaches of the Milky Way galaxy and billions of galaxies beyond ours. God's wonderful works are all around us in creation and give us countless reasons to praise him! So be an admirer of God's works in creation…Thank God for the breath you just took!Like Edwards, consider the complex web of the spider… God made that!Consider how the honey bee gets nectar from the flower… God designed that!Consider the beauty of the night sky… and marvel at the Creator of it all.The theme of our whole lives should be verse 2…“Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.”The works of Yahweh are to be studied. Literally, the Hebrew word ‘darash' means “to seek out.”We are to study, to diligently seek out the works of the LORD anddelight in them. We should be awe-struck admirers of God's works in creation, and we should be eager students of God's word.The Bible is the works of God written. The works of God written for us. God wrote a book. And we ought to read it, and study it with delight, and meditate on it all the day!At a chosen time each day,Read the Bible while you may,Do not start until you pray,Ask, “What does this passage say?”Look for Him who is the Way,Find a lesson for today,Pray once more, and go your way.May we be a people that eagerly studies and delights in the works of God in nature and in Scripture for his works demand our praise.Look with me at verses 3-6“Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.”This brings us to part two.2. God's works reveal His character.This is a basic point. What you do reveals who you are. Your works reveal your character. The character of a good student is revealed by their long hours of study. The character of a good parent is revealed by the love and attention they give to their children.And likewise,the righteous character of God is revealed by the splendor and majesty of his work. And we must press on to know the character of God through his works. Why? Why is that important?Well, we cannot truly love what we don't know. Am I a good husband to my wife if I know literally nothing about her? If I make no effort to learn about her, her hobbies, her interests…?So too with God!We cannot love God very well if we know nothing about him! And make no effort to learn about him!And if the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart then we must press on to know God's character. And we see God's character on display in these verses.Particularly, on the heels of Psalm 110: I believe these verses are celebrating the Greater Exodus, the Greater Provision, and the Greater Conquest of the Melchizedekian Priest-King who is David's Lord.Verse 4 says that God's works reveal that he is gracious and merciful.This refers to the Exodus… Where God reveals his glory to Moses and says,“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…”And we know that God's righteousness, grace, and mercy is seen most clearly in the greater Exodus of the cross of Christ. The Israelites were delivered from the tyranny of Pharoah and we as New Covenant Christians are delivered from the tyranny of sin and Satan.Verse 5 tells us that God provides food for those who fear him, which calls to mind the manna he provided for his people in the Wilderness.And God's provision is seen more clearly in the greater manna, Jesus himself who says, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”Lastly, verse 6: “He has shown his people the power of his works,in giving them the inheritance of the nations.”This, of course, refers to the conquest of the promised land under Joshua.We see God's power in our greater Joshua. Jesus is the greater Joshua… the conquering Warrior-King of Psalm 110, leading his people to a new Promised Land in the New Heavens and the New Earth.We must know that God's perfect grace, mercy, provision, and power is sufficient to meet all of our needs…If you are broken over sin… if you have failed… rest in God's mercy and grace today.If you are anxious about your life… are you not of more value than a sparrow? Trust the God who provides!If you see chaos in the world around you, remember God's power. That right now he is ruling and reigning over all nations for his glorious purposes!God's works demand our praise; they reveal his character, and point three…3. God's works teach us to fear Him.Look at verses 7-8, and notice how God's works and God's words are put in parallel here,“The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.”God is trustworthy, and so everything he says (his precepts, his words) are trustworthy. In other words, you can stake your life upon God's words!And verse 8 says that because God's word is trustworthy, we are to obey him faithfully and uprightly.The psalmist continues in verses 9-10,“He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!”From the very beginning, after humanity fell into sin, God has promised redemption… And the whole story of the Bible, through God's covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David… all culminate in Jesus Christ and the New Covenant.“God sent his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).Those who reject Christ will be separated from God forever. But those who receive Christ are given the right to become children of God. Forgiven of all their sin, and given new hearts to obey God with joy. This is beautifully prophesied in Jeremiah 32:40, which says, “I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.”In the new covenant, God puts the fear of him in our hearts, so that we do not turn away from him! What a promise! Has God done that in your life? Do you fear God? What does it mean to fear God?Proverbs 3 says that to fear the LORD is to turn away from evil.Psalm 112:1 says that the blessed man fears the Lord and greatly delights in his commandments.But I think our church's mission statement also helps us here: Cities Church exists to make joyful disciples of Jesus who remember his realness in all of life.I think that's a good definition of the fear of the Lord. To fear the Lord is to remember his realness in all of life. Do you remember God's realness in all of life? Has God put the fear of him in your heart? Do his wonderful works cause you to marvel in awe at him? When you hear the good news of the gospel, does your soul cry out, “Holy and awesome is his name!”?If that is not true of you this morning, ask God to change your heart. Ask him to put the fear of the LORD in your heart today.Because, as verse 10 says,“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;”This is crucial for us to get. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom… Not one helpful tip … Not one thing to tack on to the Christian life… but the beginning of wisdom… the foundation of the good life.Meaning, if you are not basing your life upon the reality of who God is as your Creator, and what he has done as our Redeemer, then you are a fool! If God is not the central reality of your life, then whatever you are building in your life is a straw-house doomed to fail.Jesus says,“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”Or as Psalm 111 puts it,“Those who practice [the fear of the LORD] have a good understanding.”So as we close here, I want us all to reflect on this question: Where do I need to grow in practicing the fear of the LORD? In your home, in church, at work, at school. What would it look like for you to remember the realness of Jesus in all of life?God's works are indeed wonderful.They demand our praise.They reveal his character.And they teach us to fear him.His praise endures forever!Let's pray.

Moses challenged the Israelites to learn from their forefathers' mistakes as they prepared to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. This begs the question for us: Will we also learn from our mistakes? 

One subject that regularly gets brought up from skeptics, seekers and Christians alike is the subject of Old Testament warfare. Is God truly a good and gracious God when He calls for Israel to devote their enemies to "complete destruction"? Was Israel truly righteous and just in their conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua? How should we think of all the stories of warfare in light of Christ dying on the cross for His enemies? We will be equipped with how to answer questions like these as well as give opportunity after the message for questions from those in person

Travis Chappell and producer Eric discuss how creators are changing the entertainment industry by bypassing traditional gatekeepers and building audiences directly online. Using the faith-based comedy series The Promised Land as an example, they explore how a show that started on YouTube grew to millions of views and ultimately landed a global distribution deal with Lionsgate. The conversation highlights the opportunities available to creators today, the importance of making content good enough to stand out, and why the barriers to entry have never been lower. On this episode we talk about: How YouTube is becoming increasingly comparable to traditional television and film distribution The story behind The Promised Land and its success on YouTube How a niche audience can become a powerful business opportunity Why the barriers to entry for creators are lower than ever How creators can build audiences independently and attract major industry opportunities Top 3 Takeaways You don't need traditional gatekeepers to get started. Platforms like YouTube give creators the ability to develop, publish, and distribute their ideas without waiting for a studio or network to give them permission. Being great can help you break through a crowded market. In an environment filled with content, creating something genuinely good and distinctive can help you stand out—even within a highly specific niche. Build the audience first, and opportunities can follow. The Promised Land demonstrates how creating an audience independently can eventually lead to larger distribution and traditional industry opportunities. Notable Quotes "The barrier to entry is lower than it's ever been." "You need to be so good they can't ignore you." "The idea that you can just execute against an idea that you have and it can actually turn into something real now." Connect with Travis Chappell: Instagram: https://instagram.com/travischappell Other: https://travischappell.com A Word from Our Sponsors: - The most successful business owners don't do it all themselves — they delegate. Upwork lets you build a team of highly skilled specialists for every function your business needs, so you can focus on what you do best and let experts handle the rest. Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free! - Go to Leesa.com for 30% OFF select mattresses (through September 13, 2026) PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code TMM, exclusive for my listeners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We see God work two dramatic miracles through Elijah right at the start: first, Elijah shuts up the heavens so that it doesn't rain; second, he speaks God's promise over the widow of Zarephath, and her jar of flour and cruse of oil never run dry. Yet by verse 17, reality hits hard. Elijah is living in the widow's home, and her son falls gravely ill. He stops breathing – he is completely dead. In her grief, the widow lashes out: "What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?" (v. 18). It is so easy in our broken human nature to forget yesterday's provision the moment today's tragedy strikes. Without Elijah's faith, both she and her son would have starved months earlier. Yet pain clouds her memory, and she assumes God has brought this prophet to expose her hidden past. Elijah doesn't debate her. He simply says, "Give me your son." He carries the boy up to the upper room where he was staying, lays him on his bed, and cries out honestly: "O Lord my God, have You brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge?" Stretching himself over the child three times, he prays, "Let this child's soul come into him again." God hears Elijah. The boy breathes, his life returns, and Elijah carries him downstairs: "See, your son lives." Only then does the woman say, "Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth." Facing Ahab (1 Kings 18) After more than three years of severe drought, God directs Elijah to step back into the fire: "Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth." Even within a corrupt royal house, God has a faithful remnant. Obadiah, the governor of Ahab's palace, had risked his life to hide one hundred prophets of the Lord in caves, feeding them bread and water while Jezebel slaughtered the rest. When Elijah commands Obadiah to arrange an audience with Ahab, Obadiah obeys. When Ahab meets Elijah, the king immediately shifts blame: "Are you the one who troubles Israel?" (v. 17). Elijah doesn't flinch: "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals." Ahab was blind to the truth: the drought was not the prophet's malice; it was the direct consequence of the king's idolatry. Mount Carmel: Refusing the Middle Ground Elijah demands a showdown on Mount Carmel before all Israel, pitting the solitary prophet of God against 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. Standing before the nation, Elijah delivers a challenge that echoes directly into our modern world: "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." (v. 21) The scripture records a chilling silence: "The people answered him not a word." You cannot sit on a spiritual fence. Try sitting on a physical fence – eventually, you fall off one side or the other. True faith does not allow for neutral ground. Israel was immersed in religious ritual, yet devoid of genuine surrender to God. Religion alone does not save; only covenant obedience does. The Speed of Human Forgetfulness This spiritual fickleness runs straight through Israel's history. When God delivered them from Egypt with ten devastating plagues and parted the Red Sea before their eyes, how long did it take for their devotion to crumble? Within just a few weeks of seeing the sea split in half, Moses was up on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, and the people below were already stripping off their Egyptian gold to fashion a molten calf. Later, after the spies scouted the Promised Land for 40 days, the nation melted in fear, rejected God's promise, and turned a short journey into 40 years of wilderness wandering. The pattern is stark: whether it is the widow in Zarephath, the crowd on Mount Carmel, or the camp at the foot of Sinai, human hearts turn remarkably fast from witnessing God's power to questioning His goodness. The call of Elijah remains urgent for us today: stop halting between two opinions, lay aside the compromise, and decide whom you will truly serve. Watch the YouTube version: https://youtu.be/pdiwX1NzE-0  For more information on the Ministry of David Hathaway https://www.eurovision.org.uk 

“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24–26 NLT) Attention is becoming a scarce commodity in our modern culture. Attention spans have become alarmingly short. Algorithms are constantly being tweaked and perfected to keep people’s focus on their screens. As a result, many people have little attention to spare for others. How often do you find yourself talking to someone who isn’t listening—or who’s giving you considerably less than their full attention? And when you call them on it, the conversation usually goes something like this: “Did you hear what I just said?” “Yes.” “What did I say?” “Uh, something about something that happened.” We may be tempted to wonder if we face the same challenge with God. He is the Sustainer of the universe, after all. Given the infinite number of things that concern Him, we may question whether we have His full attention. And when things aren’t going well for us, we may start to doubt that He’s even aware of our struggles. Maybe Joseph felt that way at times. After all, he was only human. He had done all the right things, even after his brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery. He had resisted the advances of Potiphar’s wife. And what did he get for being a person of integrity? He was falsely accused of sexual assault and thrown into an Egyptian prison. How easily Joseph could have thought, “This is just great. You serve the Lord, you do what God wants, and this is where it gets you. If I had given in to Mrs. Potiphar, I wouldn’t be here right now. I would be living in the lap of luxury. But here I am, suffering!” Of course, this would have been a shortsighted reaction. The truth is that God’s full attention was on Joseph, not just on his immediate circumstances, but on his long-term potential. God’s plan wasn’t for Joseph to be comfortable every day of his life and fully informed of what the future held. His plan was for Joseph to save countless people from famine and to set into motion the events that eventually would lead the people of Israel to the Promised Land. Joseph was the ideal person for the job because he was willing to be still in even the worst circumstances. To look for the opportunities that presented themselves in prison. To use his God-given skills in surprising ways. Even in the quietness of prison, Joseph was not outside God’s attention. He certainly didn’t understand everything that was happening to him. But he recognized that his circumstances were part of his preparation. He trusted that God was equipping him for something greater. We too can have that confidence. Numbers 6:24–26 says, “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace” (NLT). The idea is that the Lord gives us His full attention. Be still and let that amazing truth give you comfort in both good times and bad. Reflection question: What does it mean to you to have God’s full attention? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's program, we begin a new journey through the book of Joshua, exploring what it means to move forward in faith when fear tells us to stay where we are.As Joshua prepares Israel to enter the Promised Land, God repeatedly calls His people to be strong and courageous. We'll discover that biblical courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to trust God's promises, even when the obstacles are real and the path ahead is difficult. We'll also see how courage is shaped by God's Word and strengthened through unity, challenging us to consider whether we are living by caution or by faith in what God has called us to do. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/326/29?v=20251111

Have you finally achieved your long-awaited goal, only to feel quietly empty and restless? Like Israel in the Promised Land, earthly blessings can never cure a weary heart. Stop expecting milestones to give you ultimate peace. Discover true, lasting soul rest in God today!

Today's Bible Verse: "So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 'Go through the camp and tell the people, “Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.”' — Joshua 1:10–11 How do you take the first step when you don't feel ready? Joshua 1:10–11 reminds us that following God often means taking action before we feel completely prepared. Joshua instructed the Israelites to get ready to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land, trusting God's direction even though they couldn't see everything that was ahead. Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword MEET YOUR HOST: Joy A. Williams is a writer and speaker who is amazed her first name became her life’s mission. As life happens in ways that baffle us or bring us joy, she loves exploring how those moments can bring us closer to God. She is a member of the “First 5” writing team at Proverbs 31 ministries. As a licensed minister, she serves as a teacher for the Women’s Bible Study and the Married Couples Ministry at her church.Joy is also a wife and mother and shares encouragement on the “Joy to the Soul” blog. Subscribe to receive the newest posts and updates at joyawilliams.com.Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.Get Joy’s 7-day Bible Reading Plans on YouVersion:Live Your Joy StoryWhen Easy Doesn't Live Here: Living By Faith When Life Is Hard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Moses had been at the top of Mt. Sinai for forty days and the people had lost their patience. If Moses could not lead them to the Promised Land, they would make a god who would go before them, at least an image of that god. So they turned to Aaron to make the golden calf out of pure gold. What kind of god did they expect Aaron to make, a pagan god, a new god, or a God they already knew? Why Aaron? And where did all of that gold come from? Oh, and what did they think had happened to Moses?

If we hear God's voice and then let reasoning talk us out of it, what good is it? We must remember the enemy tempts us with reasoning. When reasoning speaks, there is a motive and a thought against the character of God intertwined with his words. When your mind demands control, it is difficult to hear God's voice. We have to be sure we want God's voice more than our own opinions. Christianity is not a mental religion. It is a deep connection to God with your heart. Hungering for God means you are searching for what He has to say more than what the world and the experts have to say. Even facts can lead you astray. God considered facts evil when the children of Israel refused to confront the giants in the Promised Land. They believed in the reality of the giants more than the reality of their God. Facts without faith are dead works. God is not impressed with the facts of our current reality. He is wanting His Voice to create a new reality in our lives. 

In this episode, we cover:What biblical consecration means and how believers are called to set themselves apart for God. The purpose of fasting as a spiritual discipline that draws us closer to God and strengthens our dependence on Him. The connection between prayer, fasting, and generosity as taught by Jesus. Practical preparation for 21 days of prayer and fasting, including repentance, devotion, and spiritual focus. How God uses consecration to transform our character, relationships, and witness. Key Moments00:53 Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.02:07 Understanding consecration and being set apart for God.08:22 Joshua's call to Israel before entering the Promised Land.12:00 Modern-day miracles and God's transforming work in believers.18:06 Practical ways to prepare for consecration.28:23 What fasting is and why it matters.42:53 Jesus' teaching on fasting in Matthew 6.47:57 Isaiah 58 and God's definition of true fasting.56:08 Why Jesus expects His followers to fast.1:03:39 Seven practical steps for fasting and prayer.1:06:14 An invitation to meet with God during the season of prayer and fasting.

Jesus offers the rivers of life to those who have nothing. He says, “Come and buy without money.” The cooling waters of life flow from Christ. They are refreshing and reviving to the soul. This water brings salvation. As salvation is applied to the soul, the Spirit of God is poured out into the hearts of those who have been Christ's since before the foundations of the earth were created. He will continually sustain us as we pilgrim through this world, journeying to the eternal Promised Land.

The promised land of intimacy is not a quiet house. It is a payout. You walk in looking for the land of milk and honey embodied within a person. Someone to end the wandering. Someone to cash the check the first house bounced. Metaphorically speaking, Egypt is or was that first house. First deep love and first fracture in the same hands. Parental potters, works in progress, missing chances to love on you and tend what you needed. You loved them and quietly loathed them in the same breath. You lowered the price of being shaped. The labor was the cost of the strategy you had to develop, which let you keep the love for the parental potter's hands while surviving the mess their brokenness created within the environment and within your chest. Canaan is the fantasy that one later body will be the exodus. Disney named it happily ever after. Spacious. Sweet. Rest from that labor. Needs that no longer have to go on sale. No more exposure. No more self-knowledge. Happily ever after shirks the responsibility of a holographic relational environment. That environment is a crucible. Psychological nudity. Being known without a costume. The credits roll so you never have to stand in that. Inheritance, as if a vow sworn to a people could be performed by a spouse. You call that chemistry, destiny, finally. Intuition says I can rest now. Ask which climate trained that rest. The potter's house or here. Authority sold you settlement as love, then sold you the ending. Reason says one finite person cannot flow with milk and honey on command, and cannot cancel the crucible. Canaan in a couple is destination-logic, not peace-logic. In the text the land is sworn possession, deliverance into fruit after barrenness, pasture after scarcity, rest from war. Cities you did not build. Wells you did not dig. Vineyards you did not plant. Eat, be full, do not forget. That cargo gets dropped on a lover and renamed happily ever after. They will see you so the first invisibility dies. They will stay so the first leaving gets reversed. They will tend what the first potters missed. Conflict then feels like eviction from the land. Ordinary human limit feels like exile, like having to raise the price of yourself again. Peace becomes a product you buy with silence, sex, image, or church. You were not relating. You were occupying. The land already had people in it. Promise arrives with contest. Spies taste the fruit and still panic at the giants. Watch what you do after closeness. That is the empirical test. Do you soften into here, or do you scan for proof the giants are gone, the old quota is canceled, and the story has finally gone to credits. Their actual life becomes what must be driven out so your hunger can settle. A healthy bond is the anti-promised land because it refuses to hire one nervous system to finish the potter's job and refuses to play happily ever after with a human being. Presence is not a refund for Egypt. Relating is not collection for missed tending. Happily ever after is how the mask avoids psychological nudity. A kiss cannot annex a past. A vow cannot unwrite a childhood. The vows you can keep are smaller and harder. Tell the truth. Do not vanish. Do not turn their life into your territory. Stay in the exposure. Stay in the crucible. Covenant in the book can be lost. Exile sits in the same library as milk and honey. So can the marriage that was asked to be Canaan. The mask that will fight this hour is simple. I am the one who is owed rest from the labor of being shaped. I am the one who is owed a land that flows and a story that ends. If I drop that, I do not know who I am. Name one result that would change your mind. If you cannot, you are not inquiring. You are defending the deed. Are you with them in this room, or are you occupying them as the last Canaan that might still make you whole, waiting for them to keep a promise they never made, in a land they are not.

The promised land of intimacy is not a quiet house. It is a payout. You walk in looking for the land of milk and honey embodied within a person. Someone to end the wandering. Someone to cash the check the first house bounced. Metaphorically speaking, Egypt is or was that first house. First deep love and first fracture in the same hands. Parental potters, works in progress, missing chances to love on you and tend what you needed. You loved them and quietly loathed them in the same breath. You lowered the price of being shaped. The labor was the cost of the strategy you had to develop, which let you keep the love for the parental potter's hands while surviving the mess their brokenness created within the environment and within your chest. Canaan is the fantasy that one later body will be the exodus. Disney named it happily ever after. Spacious. Sweet. Rest from that labor. Needs that no longer have to go on sale. No more exposure. No more self-knowledge. Happily ever after shirks the responsibility of a holographic relational environment. That environment is a crucible. Psychological nudity. Being known without a costume. The credits roll so you never have to stand in that. Inheritance, as if a vow sworn to a people could be performed by a spouse. You call that chemistry, destiny, finally. Intuition says I can rest now. Ask which climate trained that rest. The potter's house or here. Authority sold you settlement as love, then sold you the ending. Reason says one finite person cannot flow with milk and honey on command, and cannot cancel the crucible. Canaan in a couple is destination-logic, not peace-logic. In the text the land is sworn possession, deliverance into fruit after barrenness, pasture after scarcity, rest from war. Cities you did not build. Wells you did not dig. Vineyards you did not plant. Eat, be full, do not forget. That cargo gets dropped on a lover and renamed happily ever after. They will see you so the first invisibility dies. They will stay so the first leaving gets reversed. They will tend what the first potters missed. Conflict then feels like eviction from the land. Ordinary human limit feels like exile, like having to raise the price of yourself again. Peace becomes a product you buy with silence, sex, image, or church. You were not relating. You were occupying. The land already had people in it. Promise arrives with contest. Spies taste the fruit and still panic at the giants. Watch what you do after closeness. That is the empirical test. Do you soften into here, or do you scan for proof the giants are gone, the old quota is canceled, and the story has finally gone to credits. Their actual life becomes what must be driven out so your hunger can settle. A healthy bond is the anti-promised land because it refuses to hire one nervous system to finish the potter's job and refuses to play happily ever after with a human being. Presence is not a refund for Egypt. Relating is not collection for missed tending. Happily ever after is how the mask avoids psychological nudity. A kiss cannot annex a past. A vow cannot unwrite a childhood. The vows you can keep are smaller and harder. Tell the truth. Do not vanish. Do not turn their life into your territory. Stay in the exposure. Stay in the crucible. Covenant in the book can be lost. Exile sits in the same library as milk and honey. So can the marriage that was asked to be Canaan. The mask that will fight this hour is simple. I am the one who is owed rest from the labor of being shaped. I am the one who is owed a land that flows and a story that ends. If I drop that, I do not know who I am. Name one result that would change your mind. If you cannot, you are not inquiring. You are defending the deed. Are you with them in this room, or are you occupying them as the last Canaan that might still make you whole, waiting for them to keep a promise they never made, in a land they are not.

This week we're joined by Michael Cochren, the soul-and-blues frontman of Cochren & Co. He talks about the eight years he spent waiting on an answer from God and why he refuses to say God is good just because things finally worked out. We spotlight the band's new album, 'Runs in the Blood.'In RELEVANT Buzz, Cory Asbury posted and deleted a shirtless workout photo, apologized for it and then got roasted by every friend he has in Christian music. Also, survivors launched the first national database of Protestant leaders accused of abuse, years after the SBC voted to build one and then let it die. And The Promised Land, the Moses workplace mockumentary that started as a YouTube pilot, just signed Lionsgate and got a second season.In Slices, Columbia House is finally shutting down, which mostly raises the question of how it was still open, and one of us confesses to running a stack of accounts under slightly different names to get free CDs as a teenager. And a woman in New Zealand went into cardiac arrest in a supermarket parking lot, got revived by a stranger and then got a parking ticket for it. Also in here: a follow-up on the resting heart rate situation, a public service announcement about energy drinks, and the actual reason last week's episode showed up five days late.One Has to Go closes it out. And we're still taking answers to last week's question: What's something you wish you'd known going into your freshman year of college? Drop it in the comments or @ us. We're running your answers in a piece this week.Highlights:01:21 — Marty's new house and the California no-AC problem 04:07 — Is the house haunted 06:15 — The resting heart rate follow-up and a Celsius warning 07:48 — C4, Sour Patch Kids flavor and two hours of pins and needles 11:35 — David Blaine, stunt magic and the four kinds of magician 19:15 — Emily is podcasting from what appears to be a TJ Maxx dressing room 21:04 — Kohl's cash 22:13 — RELEVANT Buzz: Cory Asbury takes down the shirtless photo and apologizes 28:08 — Survivors launch the first national database of accused Protestant abusers 30:09 — The Promised Land gets a second season and Lionsgate 31:33 — Michael Cochren of Cochren & Co. 39:12 — Slices: Columbia House is shutting down after 71 years 43:34 — She died in a parking lot and still got a ticket 48:34 — Why last week's episode was late 50:05 — One Has to GoAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Joshua 1:6-8 NLT“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.For those who love God, for those who follow Christ, the way to reach the life goals that God created us to attain is only through Him—His way, His will, and His Word. To become everything He planned for us when He formed us in our mother's wombs.When God spoke to Joshua on behalf of the people of Israel about moving to the Promised Land, He twice said to “be strong and courageous,” and then to be very careful to follow His Word. Then they would prosper and succeed. The same is true for us today. Follow God's way, His will, and His Word, which in today's culture, will take being strong and courageous.Listen once again to this rephrasing of today's passage, this time for the Message Bible:Strength! Courage! Give it everything you have, heart and soul… Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.” It is clear in this passage how important it is to study and meditate on God's word to be successful. The path to success and achieving goals for the believer only comes through an uncompromising path through His Word.Let's pray: “Father God, please give me a hunger for Your Word, a desire to study Your Book, to meditate on it, and be careful to obey what You tell me. As above, so below.” - Amen

Why did the Rabbis tell the Exodus through the words of a farmer—and leave Mount Sinai out of the story? What if the Torah's shortest version of the Exodus leaves out the most important moment? The story of the Exodus without using the Book of Exodus? In Parshat Ki Tavo, an Israelite farmer enters the Temple carrying a basket of first fruits and recites a compact history of his people: "My father was a wandering Aramean. The Egyptians oppressed us. We cried out. God brought us forth and gave us this land." Those words would eventually leave the Temple, enter the Jewish home and become the centerpiece of the Passover Haggadah. Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz explore why Mikra Bikkurim fascinated both the Rabbis and modern critical scholars. Gerhard von Rad called it Israel's "little historical creed," while Jeffrey Tigay noted its memorable alliteration and preservation of Israel's landless beginnings. Ibn Ezra, Rashbam and Shadal debate whether its wandering ancestor was Jacob, Abraham—or all the patriarchs combined. Unlike the narrative in Exodus, this declaration is spoken in the first person: "They oppressed us. We cried out. God brought us forth." It allows every later Israelite to enter the ancestors' history and claim it as personal memory. But the declaration also begins the Exodus before Pharaoh. By reaching back to the wandering and vulnerability of Abraham and Jacob, it transforms the Exodus from a single historical event into a recurring pattern of exile and return, danger and deliverance. Like Isaiah in the Haftarot of Consolation, the Rabbis reopened Genesis and repurposed its ancestral voices to give hope to later generations. They moved this declaration: From the Temple to the home From the pilgrim's basket to the Seder table From possession of the land to life in exile From bringing first fruits to telling the story Finally, we confront the great omission: Why does Mikra Bikkurim move from Egypt directly to the Promised Land without mentioning Moses or the revelation at Mount Sinai? Perhaps the Exodus repeats itself, while Sinai does not. Exile and redemption can recur nationally and personally, but the Torah came down from heaven only once. From then on, lo bashamayim hi—"It is not in heaven." The Torah was given to human beings to interpret and make their own. And as Rosh Hashanah approaches, the same first-person grammar returns in the Selichot confession: Aval anachnu va'avoteinu chatanu—"But we and our ancestors have sinned." We inherit not only our ancestors' redemption, but also their failures, their repentance and their hope. Join us for Liberation: Personal and Recurring. Key Takeaways When History Becomes Identity - Sacred memory is not simply the recollection of what happened to our ancestors. By speaking their story in the first person, we enter it ourselves: their vulnerability becomes our vulnerability, their liberation becomes our liberation, and their history becomes our identity. A Timeless Grammar of Liberation - The most enduring stories are not confined to the events that first produced them. By beginning before Pharaoh and extending the pattern into every generation, Mikra Bikkurim transforms the Exodus from a single historical event into a timeless grammar of exile, survival and return. The Exodus Repeats; Sinai Does Not - Liberation and revelation move through history differently. The Exodus can recur whenever human beings move from oppression to freedom, but Sinai was a singular moment. Once the Torah came down from heaven, its interpretation—and the responsibility to live by it—passed into human hands. Timestamps 00:00 Temple Script Origins 01:29 Ki Tavo Setup 02:06 Mikra Bikkurim Reading 03:54 Von Rad Historical Creed 08:23 Missing Sinai Question 12:09 Who Is the Aramean 15:36 Sponsor Break 16:42 Why Haggadah Uses It 20:53 Personal Exodus Every Year 24:50 Exile Proof Text Power 28:34 Sinai Once vs Exodus Repeat 30:43 Rosh Hashanah Tie In 32:07 Wrap Up and Viewer Question Links & Learnings Sign up for free and get more from our weekly newsletter https://madlik.com/ Sefaria Source Sheet: https://voices.sefaria.org/sheets/744553 Transcript here: https://madlik.substack.com/  

Join Stephen Streett in a profound exploration of Ezekiel's visions, focusing on themes of restoration, faith, and God's enduring presence. Delve into the historical and spiritual significance of the new temple, the life-giving river, and the division of the Promised Land. This enlightening sermon emphasizes the centrality of worship, the role of priests, and the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Discover how Ezekiel's teachings guide us to live as vessels of God's living water and how they point towards the ultimate restoration of dwelling with God forever.

My friend Bobby served as a Marine in Vietnam, and he told me something about his experience there that really got my attention. He said his assignment was doing electrical work on airplanes - which is not necessarily a front lines assignment. But there was a war going on all around them. So, when there was enemy activity, every soldier was trained to grab their weapon and be prepared to fight. Their bottom line assignment was summed up in four words, "every Marine - a rifle." I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "No Spectators In This Battle." Nobody is just support troops. Everybody's needed on the front lines. That's the strategy for the most important battle of all time - the battle for the souls of lost men and women that rages in every generation. God puts flesh-and-blood on that principle in a story in Numbers 32, beginning with vs. 1. It's our word for today from the Word of God. Here's the story. God has delivered the Jews from slavery in Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and now He's brought them to the banks of the Jordan River, the threshold of their Promised Land. Soon the battle for the land will begin. Even before entering, each of Israel's twelve tribes has been allotted a certain area of the land as their inheritance. That's on the west side of Jordan. On the east side of the Jordan, the Reubenites and Gadites "who had very large herds and flocks saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead" - that's the lands right there where they are on the east side of the Jordan - "were suitable for livestock." Okay, so these guys who already have their land kind of. They come to Moses with an idea - a dumb idea. They said the land they were on was "suitable for livestock, and your servants have livestock...let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan." Moses' answer cuts like steel: "Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here?" They said, "How about we just settle down here, skip the battle, and root for you guys out there on the front lines? How does that sound?" Moses basically says: "No way, man. Every Marine a rifle. No watchers here; only warriors." These folks got the message. They said, "We would like to build pens here for our livestock and cities for our women and children." In other words, we'd like to stay here in our comfort zone - "but we are ready to arm ourselves and go ahead...every man armed for battle, will cross over to fight before the Lord." Good choice. Now, about that battle for a lost and dying world from God's perspective, no one can just watch this battle. Every child of God is supposed to be a warrior in it...including you. You can't just support others who are fighting for lives Jesus died to save. You've got to be fighting for some yourself. You can't delegate Christ's world-reaching Great Commission to a few spiritual daredevils called missionaries or full-time workers. This call is for all of us, wherever we live, whatever we do. You may say, "Well, I don't have the gift to tell others." If you belong to Jesus, you have the assignment! Remember, "we are Christ's ambassadors" (2 Corinthians 5:20). The truth is you're somebody's best chance of ever going to heaven, because you're the one with Jesus in their heart who is closest to that person at work, in your family, your neighborhood. If you don't tell them, chances are they'll never hear what Jesus did for them. And your silence will be, in essence, an eternal death sentence for them. You say, "Well, I can't possibly care about or support all the mission needs out there." That's right. But you know what you can do? You can say, "God, go ahead and place a piece of your broken heart for this world in my heart. Help me care about some need that You care about, and let me focus on that one." He'll do that, and you can begin to pray and give and help His soldiers who are fighting for those particular people. No watchers in the battle for lost hearts, only warriors. Because everyone who belongs to Him, has a place on the front lines.

Two stories. Two rocks. Forty years apart — and the same God in both. This week we set Exodus 17 and Numbers 20 side by side, and the contrast will preach to anybody who's ever been tired, thirsty, or stuck. In Exodus 17, Israel is in the wilderness with no water and ready to stone their leader. Moses does the right thing in the right order: there's a problem, he goes straight to God, God gives clear direction ("strike the rock"), and Moses obeys without hesitation. Water gushes out — enough for hundreds of thousands. It's a beautiful picture of faith: do your part, and trust God to do what only God can do. Fast‑forward forty years. Same complaint, same thirst, a new location — and this time God says speak to the rock. But Moses, worn down and frustrated with the people, snaps: "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock?" — and strikes it twice instead. God, in His grace, still sends the water. But Moses is told he won't enter the Promised Land he can already see, "because you did not believe Me." Out of that comparison come five honest takeaways: what worked then might not work now (be open to God doing a new thing); disobedience is really an expression of disbelief; if He did it before, He can do it again; don't let your frustration with people make your faith falter; and above all — remember who the Rock is. It's not you. It's not me. "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 20:1-12; Psalm 61:2 ▶ Subscribe and follow Motion Church for weekly messages: motionchurch.com #MotionChurch #RockAndSoul #Sermon #Exodus #Numbers #Faith #Obedience #Jesus

Through the story of Abraham, we see what it means to trust God before seeing the outcome. God promised Abraham descendants, a land, and a legacy that would bless generations. Yet many of those promises took years—and even generations—to unfold. Abraham did not always understand how God would fulfill His promises, and he did not live to see every part of them completed. Still, God remained faithful. When progress feels slow or the results of our work remain unseen, it can be tempting to quit. But a lack of visible results does not mean God is absent or inactive. Faith often means continuing to obey, trust, and move forward while we wait for God's purposes to unfold. Highlights What Abraham's story teaches us about trusting God's timing Why God's promises are not always fulfilled according to our preferred timeline How Abraham waited years to see the birth of Isaac Why faith means obeying God even when we do not know the outcome How discouragement can grow when we focus only on visible results Why a lack of immediate progress does not mean God is not working How remembering God's faithfulness can strengthen us while we wait Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Faith While We WaitBy: Laura Bailey Bible Reading: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV) “I am done! I have spent hours investing in this ministry, and after a year, still nothing has changed,” I yelled into the air. I’d felt confident in God’s leading me to start this new program for the community, yet everywhere I turned, I was faced with opposition, roadblocks, and general disappointment. Admittedly, I am great at starting things but horrible at finishing them– especially when I can’t see the fruits of my labor. I shared with my husband that I was contemplating throwing in the towel; I’d obviously misheard God speaking to my heart. My husband, who, thank goodness, is always there to calm me and offer a word of encouragement or a different perspective, gently nudged me to recall what we’d been studying in Sunday School recently. A few months prior, my husband and I began teaching through the book of Genesis, line by line. Just the previous week, we covered God’s promise to Abraham to make him into a great nation. God promises to give Abraham a purpose, a place, and people, but God doesn’t tell him how or when He will fulfill them. ⁠ Let’s look at the first part of God’s promise to make Abraham into a great nation. This promise would have been difficult for Abraham to digest because at the time, he and his wife, Sarah, were childless. Abraham did have a son with his female slave, Hagar, but God is clear that he is not the one to whom God will fulfill his promise (Genesis 21:5). Eventually, God does give Sarah and Abraham a child, Isaac, but it is 25 years later! Talk about a test of patience and faith. The Lord also promises, “To your offspring I will give this land (Genesis 12:7). Abraham moves his family from the place they’ve always called home into a foreign land where they are strangers, temporary residents, all on a promise of future ownership. Abraham spends his life traveling through the Promised Land as a visitor; he never takes ownership in his lifetime. And, it will be many years before the Israelites inhabit it, after centuries of trials and tribulations. God does make Abraham’s name great so that he can bless the many generations before him. Yet, this doesn’t happen overnight; Abraham dies before he sees the fulfillment of God’s promises. But as we know, God was faithful to keep His promise. It’s easy to get discouraged when we don’t see earthly results, but that doesn’t mean God isn't at work. God works on His timeline, not ours. Abraham is listed in Hebrews 11 as a man who walked by faith. If you read through Abraham’s story, you will see that he didn’t always walk by faith flawlessly, yet he trusted in God to keep His promises. Abraham obeyed God’s commands without knowing the outcome. As I think about Abraham and the numerous others in Scripture who walked by faith, even when they didn’t see results, they continued to press on to what God called them to do. Selfishly, I pray I will be able to see positive movement in ministry visually, but if not, I’ll remind myself that even when I can’t see it, God is faithful. Intersecting Faith & Life: Has God called you to something, but you are struggling to remain faithful? Write down 3 promises that God fulfilled in Scripture and put them somewhere to encourage you when you're wavering. Further Reading: Unwavering Faith Amid Uncertainty Hebrews 11 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Justine Williamson and Greg Vardy are the Canadian sketch comedy duo behind Tracy and Martina, two fun-loving best friends from Cape Breton. Those characters got their start on YouTube, where their sketches racked up hundreds of thousands of views. Since then, Tracy and Martina have appeared on CBC Comedy, Trailer Park Boys+ (formerly SwearNet), and even landed their own Christmas special. Now, they're releasing their first movie, Tracy & Martina: Goin' Out West, which hits streaming services this September. They joined Q guest host Gill Deacon to discuss the origins of Tracy and Martina, how they stumbled into making a feature film, and what it was like to head out West.

Joshua 1:1-7: God calls on Joshua to persevere into the Promised Land.  Facing the death of Moses, Joshua had big shoes to fill.  Individually and as a church family, we must press on.

This week on the Deadpod we have one of the fine shows the band played in late August 1972 at the Berkeley Community Theater in Berkeley, CA. In this small, hometown venue, the band plays together and listens to each other at a high level — something that would bloom beautifully a few days later at the Old Renaissance Fairgrounds in Veneta, Oregon. They're relaxed and loose here. In this first set especially, they take their time between numbers, and I've taken the liberty of editing some of that dead air out of this presentation. I hope it makes for a more enjoyable listen. There are a couple of small cuts, but I don't think they'll affect your enjoyment. There are some notable excursions here — a first-set "Playin' in the Band" and "He's Gone," as well as a beautiful "Bird Song." I trust you'll find the entire set worth your time. Grateful Dead Berkeley Community Theatre Berkeley, CA 8/22/1972 - Tuesday One Bertha [#5:11] Greatest Story Ever Told [4:51] Loser [6:40] Black Throated Wind [%6:27] Bird Song [9:57] Beat It On Down The Line [3:03] Tennessee Jed [06:37] Me And My Uncle [3:13] Friend Of The Devil [3:35] Playin' In The Band [15:%41] He's Gone [8:30] Promised Land [2:47]     You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  https://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod082126.mp3  Enjoy these 'dog days' of August, soon enough we'll have 'snow and rain'....       

The wilderness isn't your permanent address. It's your classroom. The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness, but God never abandoned them. He used that season to develop their trust, change their mindset, and prepare them for the Promised Land. This panel gets real about worry, trauma, identity, pride, provision, and the danger of getting comfortable in places God never intended to be permanent. If you're in a wilderness season, remember: God is still leading you. Keep trusting. Keep growing. Keep walking it out. Watch this Walk It Out Wednesday conversation and discover what God is doing in seasons that feel uncertain, uncomfortable, and longer than expected. Message: “Walk It Out Wednesday: The Breaking Before the Blessing” Speakers: Pastor Venshard Dobbins, Pastor Don Johnson, and Dr. Oscar Williams Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-16 (NKJV) Date: Aug. 19, 2026 ✨ Welcome to Your Moment of Transformation You don't have to walk this journey alone. Let Jesus guide your steps and fill your life with purpose and peace.

The wilderness isn't your permanent address. It's your classroom. The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness, but God never abandoned them. He used that season to develop their trust, change their mindset, and prepare them for the Promised Land. This panel gets real about worry, trauma, identity, pride, provision, and the danger of getting comfortable in places God never intended to be permanent. If you're in a wilderness season, remember: God is still leading you. Keep trusting. Keep growing. Keep walking it out. Watch this Walk It Out Wednesday conversation and discover what God is doing in seasons that feel uncertain, uncomfortable, and longer than expected. Message: “Walk It Out Wednesday: The Breaking Before the Blessing” Speakers: Pastor Venshard Dobbins, Pastor Don Johnson, and Dr. Oscar Williams Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-16 (NKJV) Date: Aug. 19, 2026 ✨ Welcome to Your Moment of Transformation You don't have to walk this journey alone. Let Jesus guide your steps and fill your life with purpose and peace.

Every new challenge has a way of looking like a mountain — too steep, too large, too dangerous to imagine actually reaching the top of. A broken relationship, a health crisis, a stressful work situation: whatever form the mountain takes in your life right now, the instinct to stand at the base and feel overwhelmed is entirely human. The Israelites felt it when they stood at the edge of the Promised Land. Most of the spies looked at the same land Caleb looked at and came back convinced they could not do it. Caleb saw the same obstacles. He did not pretend the giants were small. But he chose to believe that God was bigger than the mountain, and that wholehearted trust in God was the only reasonable response to what they were facing. Numbers 14:24 records God's response to that kind of faith: He called Caleb a man with a different spirit, and He promised that Caleb would enter and inherit the land. That same invitation is extended to every believer facing a mountain today. Following God wholeheartedly means stopping focusing on the size of the challenge and starting to focus on the unlimited power of the God who is leading the climb. It means taking the first step even when afraid. And it means understanding that your faith in the face of giant obstacles is never just for you — it leaves a legacy for everyone watching, building their courage to face their own mountains when the time comes. Today's Bible Verse "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it."— Numbers 14:24, NIV Ponder Today A different spirit sees the same obstacles through the eyes of faith. Caleb did not deny the giants were real. He simply chose to believe God was bigger. That choice — not the absence of fear, but the presence of trust — is what set him apart. Wholehearted following means going all in, not giving God half your trust while keeping the other half in your own strength. Caleb did not hedge. He committed completely. That kind of faith is what God honors and what opens the door to the inheritance He has prepared. Remember how God has helped you before. The same God who met your needs in past challenges is the God climbing this mountain with you now. His track record of faithfulness is the foundation for trust in the present moment. You do not need to know how you will reach the summit — you only need to trust the Guide. Taking the first step in faith, without a clear view of what comes next, is often the most important step in the entire climb. Your faith in the face of giant obstacles leaves a legacy for others. The people watching you climb your mountain with confidence in God are having their own faith built. Your obedience is never just about you. A Prayer for You Today Dear God, I am facing a challenge right now that makes me feel like I am standing at the base of a mountain. The path ahead seems steep and the challenge feels enormous. But I do not want to live with a spirit of fear or doubt. I want to have a different spirit, just like Caleb did. So I choose to follow You wholeheartedly. Fight anxiety for me and guide me up this mountain with faith. Remind me of Your past faithfulness whenever I start to give in to fear or doubt. You are the Creator of the mountains, and nothing I face is too hard for You to help me overcome. Give me the courage to look past the mountain of my challenge and fix my eyes on Your unlimited strength. I believe You are walking with me through every single step of this climb. Use this season to grow my faith and let it inspire the people around me. In Jesus' name, Amen. Want More?