Podcasts about read isaiah

Main Text: Matthew 20:17-19 (ESV)17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death 19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”Preaching Point: We must unequivocally accept that God uses human means, including human evil, to accomplish his sovereign, predetermined will, chiefly displayed in the suffering and death of Jesus, which secured our salvation.Teaching Points:Recognize That God's Plan Is Settled Before it Unfolds (vv. 17-19)Accept God's Use of Human Means to Accomplish His Plan (vv. 17-19)Application Questions:Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week's sermon. Why did it stand out to you?Read Matthew 20:17-19, Acts 2:22-24, and Acts 4:27-28. What do these passages teach you about God's sovereign control over the suffering and death of Jesus?Read Acts 2:23. Peter tells the people of Israel that “you” crucified and killed Jesus, even though this happened according to God's definite plan. Why is it important to hold together both God's sovereignty and human responsibility?Where are you most tempted to emphasize one at the expense of the other?Read Isaiah 46:9-11, Genesis 50:15-21, and Psalm 139:16. How do these passages influence your understanding that God is orchestrating both the greatest events of history and the smallest details of life according to his will?How should this perspective change the way you understand hardship, injustice, or disappointment?Read Proverbs 19:21, Proverbs 21:1, and Philippians 2:12-13. What do these passages teach you about the relationship between God's sovereign plans and human decisions?How can a firm belief in God's sovereignty bring you comfort, confidence, and humility this week?

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

Main Text: Galatians 5:16–26 (ESV)16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.Preaching Point: Spirit-empowered gentleness should produce a lifestyle of strength under restraint in every arena of your life. Teaching Points:Consider God's Gentleness Toward YouExercise Strength Under RestraintToward ChristiansToward Non-Christians Application Questions:Write down one observation or application you found helpful from this week's sermon. Read Isaiah 40:10-11 and Matthew 11:28-30. How does God's gentleness help you see the necessity of gentleness, especially when it comes to his dealings with you? How does the world's views of gentleness contrast the biblical understanding of gentleness? How has the Bible helped correct or refine your understanding of gentleness?Read 2 Timothy 1:7 and Galatians 6:1. How can a distorted view of gentleness excuse and promote fear, passivity, or inaction? According to these passages, what does exercising strength under restraint entail, i.e., gentleness?Read Ephesians 4:2 and Colossians 3:12. How can you practically show gentleness in your interactions with your brothers and sisters in Christ? Read Titus 3:2. What challenges do you face in responding with gentleness toward non-Christians who reject your beliefs, and how does Paul's instruction to Titus shape the way you should practically engage unbelievers?

Send us your feedback — we're listeningIsaiah 40:31 — Jesus, Renew My Strength Today When I Feel Weary and Drained From London to Warsaw, Zurich, Lisbon, Copenhagen and Vienna — praying across Europe. SCRIPTURE (Full NIV): Isaiah 40:31 — “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Psalm 118:24 — “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice today and be glad.” Across Europe this morning, thousands are waking with exhaustion, emotional heaviness, and the pressure of another day. But Jesus meets us at dawn with strength, fresh hope, and new power to rise again. PRAYER  Jesus, renew my strength today when I feel tired, drained, or overwhelmed. Lift the weight from my mind and breathe fresh courage into my heart. Where I feel weary, refresh me. Where I feel unable, empower me. Where I feel empty, refill me with Your Spirit. Break every heavy thought, silence every feeling of defeat, and strengthen my resolve to stand, push forward, and not give up. Lord, carry me through this day, steady my emotions, sharpen my thinking, and guide my steps. Give me resilience where I feel fragile, hope where I feel discouraged, and confidence where I feel unsure. Let Your strength rise in me — stronger than stress, stronger than fear, stronger than fatigue. Jesus, renew me fully today. PRAYER THEMES  prayer for strength today, prayer when I feel weak and drained, Jesus give me strength for the day, prayer when I feel overwhelmed, morning strength prayer, prayer for emotional energy, prayer for resilience today, prayer for courage to face the day, prayer for renewed hope, prayer to start the day with Jesus LIFE APPLICATION: Pause for 30 seconds. Breathe deeply. Read Isaiah 40:31 aloud and ask Jesus for one strength you need for today. DECLARATION: Today I walk in renewed strength, renewed courage, and renewed hope in Jesus' name. CALL TO ACTION: Share this morning prayer with someone who needs strength today. Visit DailyPrayer.uk for more daily devotionals. morning strength prayer, Jesus give me strength, prayer when I feel overwhelmed, daily devotional prayer, European prayer devotional, Reverend Ben Cooper, DailyPrayer.uk, Christian prayer for strengthSupport the showFor more inspiring content, visit RBChristianRadio.net — your home for daily devotionals, global prayer, and biblical encouragement for every season of life. We invite you to connect with our dedicated prayer hub at DailyPrayer.uk — a place where believers from every nation unite in prayer around the clock. If you need prayer, or would like to leave a request, this is the place to come. Our mission is simple: to pray with you, to stand with you, and to keep the power of prayer at the centre of everyday life. Your support through DailyPrayer.uk helps us continue sharing the gospel and covering the nations in prayer. You can also discover our ministry services and life celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net — serving families with faith, dignity, and hope. If this devotional blesses you, please consider supporting our listener-funded mission by buying us a coffee through RBChristianRadio.net. Every prayer, every gift, and every share helps us keep broadcasting God's Word to the world.

Send us your feedback — we're listeningIsaiah 42:16 — Prayer for Fear of the Unknown, Guidance for the Future, and God Leading Me Into 2026 Isaiah 42:16 — “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known… I will turn the darkness into light before them.” Psalm 32:8 — “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” Across global platforms today, searches for “God guide me this year”, “fear of the future”, and “prayer for direction in 2026” are at peak levels. Millions feel uncertain, asking God for clarity, light, and stable footing. Prayer  Father, in the quiet of this hour, lead me through every unknown pathway ahead. Where the road feels unclear, bring light. Where fear rises, give courage. Lord, guide my decisions, order my steps, and steady my emotions. Remove confusion and release clarity. Lift the dread of the future and replace it with confidence in Your presence. Go ahead of me into 2026, shaping doors, opportunities, and protection. Let Your wisdom override my fear and Your purpose override my doubts. I trust You to lead, to instruct, and to keep me safe in every season. In Jesus' name. Prayer  prayer for fear of the unknown, prayer for direction in 2026, prayer for God to guide my decisions, prayer for clarity when I feel lost, prayer for courage for the future Life Application Write down one area of uncertainty today and ask God specifically for guidance. Read Isaiah 42:16 aloud and trust Him to illuminate the next step. Declaration: God is leading me through every unknown place, turning darkness into light as I follow Him into 2026. Call to Action: Share this prayer with someone facing uncertainty today. Visit DailyPrayer.uk for daily devotional encouragement. Isaiah 42:16 prayer, prayer for fear of the unknown, christian prayer for guidance, daily devotional prayer, reverend ben cooper, dailyprayer.uk, prayer for clarity, prayer for direction 2026, global prayer podcast 24-Hour ARC Connector:Previous: 12AM — Peace for Night AnxietyThis Episode: 3AM — Fear of the Unknown and Guidance for 2026Next: 5AM — Strength for a New Day and Renewed HopeSupport the showFor more inspiring content, visit RBChristianRadio.net — your home for daily devotionals, global prayer, and biblical encouragement for every season of life. We invite you to connect with our dedicated prayer hub at DailyPrayer.uk — a place where believers from every nation unite in prayer around the clock. If you need prayer, or would like to leave a request, this is the place to come. Our mission is simple: to pray with you, to stand with you, and to keep the power of prayer at the centre of everyday life. Your support through DailyPrayer.uk helps us continue sharing the gospel and covering the nations in prayer. You can also discover our ministry services and life celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net — serving families with faith, dignity, and hope. If this devotional blesses you, please consider supporting our listener-funded mission by buying us a coffee through RBChristianRadio.net. Every prayer, every gift, and every share helps us keep broadcasting God's Word to the world.

We begin our Annual Advent Mini-Series with the first of two messages intended to prepare our hearts for another wonderful Christmas season. Join us this week for our sermon titled—The Light Promised and deep dive into a very familiar passage read during the Advent season. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah had both stern warnings for people who walked in darkness, as well as great encouragement about a child who would be born. Read Isaiah 9:1-7 in advance to prepare for this message of peace, love, hope and much joy!

Discussion QuestionsSermon Overview Hope in the King whose righteous rule will produce perfect peace.I. His qualification is unquestionable (vv. 1-3a)II. His rule will be righteous (vv. 3b-5)III. His peace will be perfect (vv. 6-9)IV. His majesty will be magnetic (v. 10)Digging Deeper    Read Isaiah 11:1-101. What injustices in our world make you wish for peace? What does the coming of Jesus have to say about this?2. When you want peace, who or what do you look to?3. In the sermon, a distinction was made between what delights human rulers and what delights our King, Jesus. What is different about what Jesus desires from us, versus what earthly leaders and rulers often desire? (see Isa. 1:23)4. What would it look like to grow in delighting in God, fearing him in a way that longs to honor him?5. This sermon focused on the kind of righteous rule that Jesus, this promised King, will have. What do you most look forward to about his promised rule?6. In Jesus's righteous rule, he will enact justice always. As was said in the sermon, if this is our king, we had better live like him. How can we obey this call in our daily lives?7. Reread Isaiah 11:6-9, which gives us a picture of what eternity with the Prince of Peace will be like. Which of these particular pictures of peace do you long for? Why does your heart long for this?8. To get another picture of the peace which comes in eternity, read Revelation 22:1-5. What do these verses mean to you, and how can we start to live out this peace now between one another?9. “When the King came the first time, it wasn't to judge, but to save.” How did Jesus fulfill this purpose in his life on earth? What will be different about his second coming?10. It can feel counterintuitive to consider this majestic, righteous, peacemaking king when Christmas is supposed to be about baby Jesus lying in the manger. Why do you think there is goodness in thinking this way about Jesus at Christmastime? Prayer

Perfect Peace doesn't mean everything settles down. It means you've found the right place to stand.Questions For The Road:What part of your life would you currently describe as having an absence of peace?Read Isaiah 26:3-4. What step do you need to take in your current absence of peace to keep your mind “stayed on Jesus”?How are you sharing your harvest of the Fruit of the Spirit with others? What would it look like to increase in sharing?

Discussion QuestionsSermon Overview Our hope for endless peace rests on a child who will reign forever.I. The future for God's people is a dawn that drives out darkness (vv. 1-3)II. This dawn will mean the end of enslaving enemies (vv. 4-5)III. God will make this endless peace through a child who will reign forever (vv. 6-7)Digging Deeper    Read Isaiah 9:1-71. “To be in darkness is to seem to be abandoned by God.” By a show of hands, have you ever or do you now feel this way? Share more if you're comfortable. 2. “The first coming of Jesus was the beginning of the end of the darkness of the world.” How have you experienced this line from the sermon? How has darkness begun to end? How is it still present? Think in terms of the world and your own life.3. Anticipating that Christ has come and is coming again should lead to hope and joy. How might we help one another be more intentional about giving thought to Christ's first and second coming?   4. Do you see spiritual enemies (like sin, demons, the fear of death) as your greatest enemies? Why or why not?5. How did Jesus' death on the cross defeat our spiritual enemies?6. Reread Isaiah 9:6, especially the end. Which of the four descriptors of Jesus catches your attention? Why?7. What is a takeaway (s) for us from the fact that roughly 700 years prior to the birth of Jesus, Isaiah so clearly and so specifically foretold his coming?8. Where do you long for peace in your life? With God? With yourself? With others? 9. There are many aspects to the peace Jesus came to bring for his people (e.g. - peace with God, peace among ourselves, peace within ourselves, etc.). Are there any aspects of the peace he brings that you have perhaps not appreciated as much as you should? Why might that be?  How might we grow in gratefulness for all that Christ came to do for us?    10. Read Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”  How has Jesus brought us peace through his death?  How might we use this verse to share the gospel with someone this Advent season?   Prayer

Every story of redemption bleeds. From Genesis to Revelation, the theme is the same: sin brings death, but God provides a substitute. In Eden, He clothed Adam and Eve with the skin of a sacrifice. In Exodus, a lamb's blood on the doorposts saved Israel's firstborn. But at the Jordan River, John the Baptist pointed and declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”For centuries, people had brought their lambs to God. That day, God brought His Lamb to the people.Jesus wasn't a victim of Rome or religion. He was the willing substitute. Isaiah 53 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” The cross wasn't an accident — it was an altar.Sin demanded justice. Love supplied Jesus. When He hung there, He absorbed every ounce of wrath that should've been ours. Every sin, every shame, every secret — nailed, judged, and finished.You don't need to carry guilt another day. Grace doesn't deny your sin; it declares it paid in full. The Lamb of God didn't just cover sin temporarily — He canceled it eternally.So when you stumble, don't hide in shame. Run to the Lamb. He's not surprised; He's already paid.

Every story of redemption bleeds. From Genesis to Revelation, the theme is the same: sin brings death, but God provides a substitute. In Eden, He clothed Adam and Eve with the skin of a sacrifice. In Exodus, a lamb's blood on the doorposts saved Israel's firstborn. But at the Jordan River, John the Baptist pointed and declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”For centuries, people had brought their lambs to God. That day, God brought His Lamb to the people.Jesus wasn't a victim of Rome or religion. He was the willing substitute. Isaiah 53 says, “He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities.” The cross wasn't an accident — it was an altar.Sin demanded justice. Love supplied Jesus. When He hung there, He absorbed every ounce of wrath that should've been ours. Every sin, every shame, every secret — nailed, judged, and finished.You don't need to carry guilt another day. Grace doesn't deny your sin; it declares it paid in full. The Lamb of God didn't just cover sin temporarily — He canceled it eternally.So when you stumble, don't hide in shame. Run to the Lamb. He's not surprised; He's already paid.

How can someone be sure they will go to Heaven when they die? Pastor Greg Laurie reveals that the answers to some of our most pressing questions are found right in the book of Isaiah. Notes: ACTS 8 AND ISAIAH 53 PEOPLE WILL DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING TO AVOID PAIN. WE WANT THE GAIN WITHOUT THE PAIN. WE WANT THE CROWN WITHOUT THE CROSS. THE TEXT BEFORE US REMINDS US THAT JESUS CHOSE THE WAY OF PAIN- ON PURPOSE. WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO READ ANSWERS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF LIFE-- HOW CAN A PERSON COME INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?- HOW CAN ONE BE FREE FROM THE GUILT AND REMORSE OVER THEIR SINS?- HOW CAN ONE BE CERTAIN THAT THEIR SINS ARE INDEED FORGIVEN AND THEY WILL GO TO HEAVEN? ISAIAH 53 IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHAPTERS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. THERE IS POWER IN THE MESSAGE OF THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS. WHY IS THE DEATH OF JESUS SO IMPORTANT?BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD AND A PRICE MUST BE PAID, A SUBUSTUTE MUST BE OFFERED. JESUS IS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT CONCEALED, BUT HE IS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT REVEALED. THE BOOK OF ISAIAH OFFERS THE CLEAREST ACCOUNT OF THE DEATH OF JESUS. ISAIAH WROTE HIS BOOK 700 YEARS BEFORE CHRIST DIED.HOWEVER, HE WROTE IT AS THOUGH HE WAS AN EYEWITNESS. IN OUR JESUS AND YOU 2 SERIES, WE HAVE SEEN JESUS IN THE FIRE WITH SHADRACH, IN A WRESTLING MATCH WITH JACOB, AND NOW ISAIAH SHOWS US JESUS AS THE SUFFERER. “THIS CHAPTER IS THE VERY HEART OF THE GOSPEL. IT IS THE BIBLE IN MINATURE.”—CHARLES SPURGEON LET’S START WITH THE TWO DOWNHEARTED DISCIPLES ON THE EMMAUS ROAD AFTER JESUS ROSE. LUKE 24:27 (ESV)BEGINNING AT MOSES AND THE PROPHETS, HE INTERPRETED TO THEM IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES THE THINGS CONCERNING HIMSELF. THE BIBLE TELLS THE STORY OF A MAN WHO WENT TO JERUSALEM, SEARCHING FOR GOD. BUT AS A DIGNITARY, HE RECEIVED SOMETHING VALUABLE, THE SCROLL OF ISAIAH! PHILIP HEARD THIS FOREIGN DIGNITARY READLING ALOUD FROM ISAIAH 53. READ ACTS 8:31 30-35 IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, ISAIAH IS THE MOST QUOTED OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS. JESUS AND THE NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS QUOTE ISAIAH AT LEAST 65 TIMES AND HE IS MENTIONED BY NAME 22 TIMES. THE WHOLE GOSPEL IS IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH:- THE BRUTALITY OF THE WOUNDS INFLICTED ON JESUS. (ISAIAH 52:14)- HIS ABSOLUTE SILENCE BEFORE HIS ACCUSERS (ISAIAH 53:7)- HIS DEATH (ISAIAH 53:8–9)- THE PLACE OF HIS BURIAL (ISAIAH 53:9)- HIS RESURRECTION (ISAIAH 53:10) READ ISAIAH 53:1-3 JESUS WAS ORDINARY IN APPEARANCE. IF JESUS HAD AN INSTAGRAM, HE MIGHT NOT HAVE GONE VIRAL,BUT HE STILL WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE CROSS. IF JESUS WERE HERE TODAY, HE WOULDN’T BE TRENDING, HE’S BE TRANSFORMING. JESUS DID NOT COME FROM THE MARBLE PALACES OF ROME OR THE HALLS OF HEROD. WE OVERLOOK THE ORDINARY PEOPLE IN OUR CULTURE TODAY. WE LIVE IN A CULTURE THAT WORSHIPS THE OUTWARD. PEOPLE SCROLL PAST THE ORDINARY.MOST LIKELY, YOU COULD NOT PICK JESUS OUT OF A CROWD. AT HIS BIRTH, ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE RECOGNIZED WHO HE WAS,HUMBLE SHEPHERDS, WHO WERE THE LOWEST OF THE LOW AT THAT TIME. JESUS RETURNED TO HIS HOMETOWN OF NAZARETH WHERE HE HAD BEEN RAISED. THEY DECIDED TO KILL HIM AND TOOK HIM TO THE EDGE OF A CLIFF TO THROW HIM OFF.YET JESUS SHOWED HE WAS IN COMPLETE CONTROL. LUKE 4:29 30 (ESV) BUT PASSING THROUGH THEIR MIDST, HE WENT AWAY. PEOPLE WANTED A MILITANT MESSIAH AND THEY GOT A SUFFERING SAVIOR. JESUS WAS EXTRODINARY IN WHAT HE CAME TO DO.ISAIAH 53:3 WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT “JESUS WAS A MAN OF SORROWS?” DOES IT MEAN JESUS NEVER SMILED, NEVER LAUGHED? JESUS SAID, “I TOLD YOU THIS TO MAKE YOU COMPLETELY HAPPY AS I AM.” JESUS WAS HAPPY, APPROACHABLE, AND EXUDED LOVE! 1 TIMOTHY 1:11( NLT)THE GLORIOUS GOOD NEWS ENTRUSTED TO ME BY OUR BLESSED GOD. THAT IS NOT THE VIEW MANY PEOPLE HAVE OF THE ALMIGHTY.THEY SEE HIM MORE AS THE ANGRY GOD OR THE DISINTERESTED GOD. WHEN GOD SEES YOU, HE SMILES. NUMBERS 6:24–26 (NLT)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. WE FOLLOW THE LOVING GOD, THE HAPPY GOD, THE SMILING GOD. WHEN JESUS WAS IN GETHSHEMENE HE WAS IN THE DEEPEST SORROW AND PAIN. JESUS KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SUFFER. JESUS WAS “A MAN OF SORROWS AND AQUAINTED WITH GRIEF.”ISAIAH 53:3 JESUS DIDN’T JUST SEND US A SYMPATHY CARD FROM HEAVEN, HE SHOWED UP IN PERSON. JESUS UNDERSTANDS PAIN, NOT JUST IN THEORY, BUT PERSONALLY. WHEN YOU GRIEVE, YOU ARE WALKING A ROAD JESUS HAS WALKED. I HAVE LIVED WITH GRIEF, AND IT IS UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE. SORROW PASSES THROUGH YOU, GRIEF MOVES IN AND TAKES RESIDENCE FOR A WHILE. GRIEF IS THE WAVE THAT THAT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN YOU HEAR A SONG OR SEE AN OLD PHOTO. GRIEF IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING,THE DEPTH OF YOUR GRIEF INDICATES THE DEPTH OF YOUR LOVE. THE BIBLE SAYS, “THERE IS A TIME TO MOURN.” PAUL POINTS OUT, “WE DO NOT GRIEVE HOPELESSLY BUT HOPEFULLY.” GOD UNDERSTANDS THAT GRIEF YOU ARE FEELING. JESUS CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH YOUR SORROW. REMEMBER WHEN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH TIMES OF SUFFERING,JESUS HAS WALKED IN YOUR SHOES. HEBREWS 4:15 (NLT)THIS HIGH PRIEST OF OURS UNDERSTANDS OUR WEAKNESSES, FOR HE FACED ALL OF THE SAME TESTINGS WE DO, YET HE DID NOT SIN. ISAIAH 53 MATTERS TODAY BECAUSE THE ONE WHO CARRIED OUR GRIEFS AND BORE OUR SORROWSSTILL OFFERS HEALING — FOR HEARTS, FOR HOMES, AND FOR A GENERATION THAT’S LOST IT’S WAY. JESUS LOVED US AND DIED FOR US. ISAIAH 53:5 (NKJV)BUT HE [WAS] WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, [HE WAS] BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; THE CHASTISEMENT FOR OUR PEACE [WAS] UPON HIM, AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. ISAIAH 53:6 (NKJV)ALL WE LIKE SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY; WE HAVE TURNED, EVERY ONE, TO HIS OWN WAY; AND THE LORD HAS LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL. JESUS WAS NOT AN ACCIDENTAL VICTIM.HE WAS A CONQUERING VICTOR. HOW CAN A PERSON BE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD?HOW CAN THE STAIN OF OUR GUILT AND SHAME FROM OUR SIN BE REMOVED? ANSWER: BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE? JESUS HAD TO DIE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY TO SATISFY GOD’S RIGHTEOUS DEMANDS. GOD PLAYS BY HIS OWN RULES, AND HIS RULES STATE,“THE SOUL THAT SINS SHALL SURELY DIE.” THE DEATH OF JESUS WAS FORETOLD BY THE HEBREW PROPHETS. MESSIAH WOULD COME, BE BORN OF A VIRGIN IN BETHLEHEM, AND BE CRUCIFIED ON A CROSS. JESUS WOULD SOON SAY THE WORDS OF PSALM 22, “THEY PIERCED MY HANDS AND FEET.” PSALM 22 WAS WRITTEN 1,000 YEARS BEFORE THE FIRST CRUCIFIXION EVER TOOK PLACE. JESUS LIVED IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS FROM THE MOMENT HE ENTERED OUR WORLD. FOR SOME, THE CROSS SEEMED LIKE AN ABERRATION, A MISTAKE, A TRAGIC TURN OF EVENTS. IT MUST HAVE SEEMED LIKE THAT FOR THE DISCIPLES AS JESUS WAS ARRESTED AND MURDERED. GOD WAS THE ‘MASTER OF CEREMONIES’ AT THE CROSS. ROMANS 8:32GOD DID NOT SPARE HIS OWN SON BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL. ROMANS 3:25GOD PUT CHRIST FORWARD…BY HIS BLOOD, TO BE RECEIVED BY FAITH. (ISAIAH 53:10YET IT PLEASED THE FATHER TO BRUISE HIM; HE HAS PUT HIM TO DEATH. GOD WAS PLEASED BY THE REDEMPTION THAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED.HE WAS PLEASED BY THE ETERNAL PLAN OF SALVATION THAT WAS FULFILLED. IN FACT, THIS WAS THE MOST EVIL ACT EVER PERPETRATED BY SINFUL HEARTS:THE SINLESS SON OF GOD, TORTURED, SLAUGHTERED, HEARTLESSLY MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD. AND YET, FROM IT CAME THE GREATEST GOOD OF ALL TIME. CALVARY SHOWS HOW FAR MEN WILL GO IN SIN AND HOW FAR GOD WILL GO FOR SALVATION. AS CHRIST HUNG THERE, HE WAS BEARING THE SINS OF THE WORLD, DYING AS A SUBSTITUTE. TO HIM WAS IMPUTED THE GUILT OF THEIR SINS,AND HE WAS SUFFERING THE PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE SINS ON THEIR BEHALF. THE VERY ESSENCE OF THAT PUNISHMENT WAS THE OUTPOURING OF GOD’S WRATH AGAINST SINNERS. JESUS MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.ISAIAH 53:7 JESUS WAS ARRESTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AS THOUGH HE WERE A CRIMINAL. WHEN PILATE QUESTIONED JESUS, HE SPOKE A FEW WORDS, BUT NONE IN HIS OWN DEFENSE. THIS WAS ALL DONE THAT WE MIGHT BE FORGIVEN AND COME INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. READ ACTS 8:34–39 THAT IS HOW QUICKLY CONVERSION CAN HAPPEN.IT DOES NOT TAKE YEARS, OR MONTHS, OR WEEKS, OR DAYS, OR EVEN HOURS. JESUS CHRIST DID ALL OF THIS FOR YOU. Looking for hope or know someone who is? Join Greg Laurie at the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Get event information here. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can someone be sure they will go to Heaven when they die? Pastor Greg Laurie reveals that the answers to some of our most pressing questions are found right in the book of Isaiah. Notes: ACTS 8 AND ISAIAH 53 PEOPLE WILL DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING TO AVOID PAIN. WE WANT THE GAIN WITHOUT THE PAIN. WE WANT THE CROWN WITHOUT THE CROSS. THE TEXT BEFORE US REMINDS US THAT JESUS CHOSE THE WAY OF PAIN- ON PURPOSE. WHAT WE ARE ABOUT TO READ ANSWERS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF LIFE-- HOW CAN A PERSON COME INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?- HOW CAN ONE BE FREE FROM THE GUILT AND REMORSE OVER THEIR SINS?- HOW CAN ONE BE CERTAIN THAT THEIR SINS ARE INDEED FORGIVEN AND THEY WILL GO TO HEAVEN? ISAIAH 53 IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CHAPTERS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT. THERE IS POWER IN THE MESSAGE OF THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS. WHY IS THE DEATH OF JESUS SO IMPORTANT?BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE SINNED AGAINST GOD AND A PRICE MUST BE PAID, A SUBUSTUTE MUST BE OFFERED. JESUS IS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT CONCEALED, BUT HE IS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT REVEALED. THE BOOK OF ISAIAH OFFERS THE CLEAREST ACCOUNT OF THE DEATH OF JESUS. ISAIAH WROTE HIS BOOK 700 YEARS BEFORE CHRIST DIED.HOWEVER, HE WROTE IT AS THOUGH HE WAS AN EYEWITNESS. IN OUR JESUS AND YOU 2 SERIES, WE HAVE SEEN JESUS IN THE FIRE WITH SHADRACH, IN A WRESTLING MATCH WITH JACOB, AND NOW ISAIAH SHOWS US JESUS AS THE SUFFERER. “THIS CHAPTER IS THE VERY HEART OF THE GOSPEL. IT IS THE BIBLE IN MINATURE.”—CHARLES SPURGEON LET’S START WITH THE TWO DOWNHEARTED DISCIPLES ON THE EMMAUS ROAD AFTER JESUS ROSE. LUKE 24:27 (ESV)BEGINNING AT MOSES AND THE PROPHETS, HE INTERPRETED TO THEM IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES THE THINGS CONCERNING HIMSELF. THE BIBLE TELLS THE STORY OF A MAN WHO WENT TO JERUSALEM, SEARCHING FOR GOD. BUT AS A DIGNITARY, HE RECEIVED SOMETHING VALUABLE, THE SCROLL OF ISAIAH! PHILIP HEARD THIS FOREIGN DIGNITARY READLING ALOUD FROM ISAIAH 53. READ ACTS 8:31 30-35 IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, ISAIAH IS THE MOST QUOTED OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS. JESUS AND THE NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS QUOTE ISAIAH AT LEAST 65 TIMES AND HE IS MENTIONED BY NAME 22 TIMES. THE WHOLE GOSPEL IS IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH:- THE BRUTALITY OF THE WOUNDS INFLICTED ON JESUS. (ISAIAH 52:14)- HIS ABSOLUTE SILENCE BEFORE HIS ACCUSERS (ISAIAH 53:7)- HIS DEATH (ISAIAH 53:8–9)- THE PLACE OF HIS BURIAL (ISAIAH 53:9)- HIS RESURRECTION (ISAIAH 53:10) READ ISAIAH 53:1-3 JESUS WAS ORDINARY IN APPEARANCE. IF JESUS HAD AN INSTAGRAM, HE MIGHT NOT HAVE GONE VIRAL,BUT HE STILL WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE CROSS. IF JESUS WERE HERE TODAY, HE WOULDN’T BE TRENDING, HE’S BE TRANSFORMING. JESUS DID NOT COME FROM THE MARBLE PALACES OF ROME OR THE HALLS OF HEROD. WE OVERLOOK THE ORDINARY PEOPLE IN OUR CULTURE TODAY. WE LIVE IN A CULTURE THAT WORSHIPS THE OUTWARD. PEOPLE SCROLL PAST THE ORDINARY.MOST LIKELY, YOU COULD NOT PICK JESUS OUT OF A CROWD. AT HIS BIRTH, ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE RECOGNIZED WHO HE WAS,HUMBLE SHEPHERDS, WHO WERE THE LOWEST OF THE LOW AT THAT TIME. JESUS RETURNED TO HIS HOMETOWN OF NAZARETH WHERE HE HAD BEEN RAISED. THEY DECIDED TO KILL HIM AND TOOK HIM TO THE EDGE OF A CLIFF TO THROW HIM OFF.YET JESUS SHOWED HE WAS IN COMPLETE CONTROL. LUKE 4:29 30 (ESV) BUT PASSING THROUGH THEIR MIDST, HE WENT AWAY. PEOPLE WANTED A MILITANT MESSIAH AND THEY GOT A SUFFERING SAVIOR. JESUS WAS EXTRODINARY IN WHAT HE CAME TO DO.ISAIAH 53:3 WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT “JESUS WAS A MAN OF SORROWS?” DOES IT MEAN JESUS NEVER SMILED, NEVER LAUGHED? JESUS SAID, “I TOLD YOU THIS TO MAKE YOU COMPLETELY HAPPY AS I AM.” JESUS WAS HAPPY, APPROACHABLE, AND EXUDED LOVE! 1 TIMOTHY 1:11( NLT)THE GLORIOUS GOOD NEWS ENTRUSTED TO ME BY OUR BLESSED GOD. THAT IS NOT THE VIEW MANY PEOPLE HAVE OF THE ALMIGHTY.THEY SEE HIM MORE AS THE ANGRY GOD OR THE DISINTERESTED GOD. WHEN GOD SEES YOU, HE SMILES. NUMBERS 6:24–26 (NLT)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. WE FOLLOW THE LOVING GOD, THE HAPPY GOD, THE SMILING GOD. WHEN JESUS WAS IN GETHSHEMENE HE WAS IN THE DEEPEST SORROW AND PAIN. JESUS KNOWS WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SUFFER. JESUS WAS “A MAN OF SORROWS AND AQUAINTED WITH GRIEF.”ISAIAH 53:3 JESUS DIDN’T JUST SEND US A SYMPATHY CARD FROM HEAVEN, HE SHOWED UP IN PERSON. JESUS UNDERSTANDS PAIN, NOT JUST IN THEORY, BUT PERSONALLY. WHEN YOU GRIEVE, YOU ARE WALKING A ROAD JESUS HAS WALKED. I HAVE LIVED WITH GRIEF, AND IT IS UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE. SORROW PASSES THROUGH YOU, GRIEF MOVES IN AND TAKES RESIDENCE FOR A WHILE. GRIEF IS THE WAVE THAT THAT COMES OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN YOU HEAR A SONG OR SEE AN OLD PHOTO. GRIEF IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING,THE DEPTH OF YOUR GRIEF INDICATES THE DEPTH OF YOUR LOVE. THE BIBLE SAYS, “THERE IS A TIME TO MOURN.” PAUL POINTS OUT, “WE DO NOT GRIEVE HOPELESSLY BUT HOPEFULLY.” GOD UNDERSTANDS THAT GRIEF YOU ARE FEELING. JESUS CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH YOUR SORROW. REMEMBER WHEN YOU ARE GOING THROUGH TIMES OF SUFFERING,JESUS HAS WALKED IN YOUR SHOES. HEBREWS 4:15 (NLT)THIS HIGH PRIEST OF OURS UNDERSTANDS OUR WEAKNESSES, FOR HE FACED ALL OF THE SAME TESTINGS WE DO, YET HE DID NOT SIN. ISAIAH 53 MATTERS TODAY BECAUSE THE ONE WHO CARRIED OUR GRIEFS AND BORE OUR SORROWSSTILL OFFERS HEALING — FOR HEARTS, FOR HOMES, AND FOR A GENERATION THAT’S LOST IT’S WAY. JESUS LOVED US AND DIED FOR US. ISAIAH 53:5 (NKJV)BUT HE [WAS] WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, [HE WAS] BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; THE CHASTISEMENT FOR OUR PEACE [WAS] UPON HIM, AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. ISAIAH 53:6 (NKJV)ALL WE LIKE SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY; WE HAVE TURNED, EVERY ONE, TO HIS OWN WAY; AND THE LORD HAS LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL. JESUS WAS NOT AN ACCIDENTAL VICTIM.HE WAS A CONQUERING VICTOR. HOW CAN A PERSON BE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD?HOW CAN THE STAIN OF OUR GUILT AND SHAME FROM OUR SIN BE REMOVED? ANSWER: BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE? JESUS HAD TO DIE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY TO SATISFY GOD’S RIGHTEOUS DEMANDS. GOD PLAYS BY HIS OWN RULES, AND HIS RULES STATE,“THE SOUL THAT SINS SHALL SURELY DIE.” THE DEATH OF JESUS WAS FORETOLD BY THE HEBREW PROPHETS. MESSIAH WOULD COME, BE BORN OF A VIRGIN IN BETHLEHEM, AND BE CRUCIFIED ON A CROSS. JESUS WOULD SOON SAY THE WORDS OF PSALM 22, “THEY PIERCED MY HANDS AND FEET.” PSALM 22 WAS WRITTEN 1,000 YEARS BEFORE THE FIRST CRUCIFIXION EVER TOOK PLACE. JESUS LIVED IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS FROM THE MOMENT HE ENTERED OUR WORLD. FOR SOME, THE CROSS SEEMED LIKE AN ABERRATION, A MISTAKE, A TRAGIC TURN OF EVENTS. IT MUST HAVE SEEMED LIKE THAT FOR THE DISCIPLES AS JESUS WAS ARRESTED AND MURDERED. GOD WAS THE ‘MASTER OF CEREMONIES’ AT THE CROSS. ROMANS 8:32GOD DID NOT SPARE HIS OWN SON BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL. ROMANS 3:25GOD PUT CHRIST FORWARD…BY HIS BLOOD, TO BE RECEIVED BY FAITH. (ISAIAH 53:10YET IT PLEASED THE FATHER TO BRUISE HIM; HE HAS PUT HIM TO DEATH. GOD WAS PLEASED BY THE REDEMPTION THAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED.HE WAS PLEASED BY THE ETERNAL PLAN OF SALVATION THAT WAS FULFILLED. IN FACT, THIS WAS THE MOST EVIL ACT EVER PERPETRATED BY SINFUL HEARTS:THE SINLESS SON OF GOD, TORTURED, SLAUGHTERED, HEARTLESSLY MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD. AND YET, FROM IT CAME THE GREATEST GOOD OF ALL TIME. CALVARY SHOWS HOW FAR MEN WILL GO IN SIN AND HOW FAR GOD WILL GO FOR SALVATION. AS CHRIST HUNG THERE, HE WAS BEARING THE SINS OF THE WORLD, DYING AS A SUBSTITUTE. TO HIM WAS IMPUTED THE GUILT OF THEIR SINS,AND HE WAS SUFFERING THE PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE SINS ON THEIR BEHALF. THE VERY ESSENCE OF THAT PUNISHMENT WAS THE OUTPOURING OF GOD’S WRATH AGAINST SINNERS. JESUS MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.ISAIAH 53:7 JESUS WAS ARRESTED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AS THOUGH HE WERE A CRIMINAL. WHEN PILATE QUESTIONED JESUS, HE SPOKE A FEW WORDS, BUT NONE IN HIS OWN DEFENSE. THIS WAS ALL DONE THAT WE MIGHT BE FORGIVEN AND COME INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. READ ACTS 8:34–39 THAT IS HOW QUICKLY CONVERSION CAN HAPPEN.IT DOES NOT TAKE YEARS, OR MONTHS, OR WEEKS, OR DAYS, OR EVEN HOURS. JESUS CHRIST DID ALL OF THIS FOR YOU. Looking for hope or know someone who is? Join Greg Laurie at the Harvest Crusade: Hope for America on November 16! Get event information here. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Are Cultural Shifts Making Evangelical Trends Look Like Revival? Good Faith "founding friend" David French joins Curtis Chang for a powerful conversation on revival, revolution, and the future of American Christianity. Together they explore whether today's supposed spiritual movements signal a genuine renewal of faith or a political realignment within evangelical culture. From Gen Z's shifting beliefs to the rise of MAGA Christianity, they unpack the tension between true repentance and political identity. David and Curtis offer fresh insight into how Christians can pursue authentic spiritual growth while navigating a deeply divided cultural landscape. (02:58) - What is happening in American Christianity? (06:36) - It's Complicated: Mistaking Revolution For Revival (09:35) - What Does Revival Look Like? (12:11) - Revival vs. Revolutionary Christianity (20:09) - Empathy and Struggling With Sin Together (29:11) - Religious and Political Realignment in America (39:45) - Religious Realignment in American Churches Join The After Party Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org Donate to Redeeming Babel Mentioned In This Episode: David French's article Something Is Stirring in Christian America, and It's Making Me Nervous Barna Research: Young Adults Lead a Resurgence in Church Attendance Tim Keller's article 'Lord, Do It Again': Tim Keller on Revival (The Gospel Coalition) Tim Keller's message A Biblical Theology of Revival Read Acts 2:14-47 (ESV) - Peter preaches from Joel and repentance breaks out Read Isaiah 6 (ESV) - Isaiah's call and commission George Whitefield and the 1727 The Great Awakening What was the Azusa Street Revival? (Christian Union America) Kevin Brown's article What the Asbury Revival Taught Me About Gen Z (Christianity Today) What is Seven Mountain Dominionism? What is Catholic Integralism? Differing Opinions: Is Empathy A Sin? Some Conservative Christians Argue It Can Be (PBS) Rodney Stark The Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History (PBS) Read Romans 5:1-11 (ESV) - Peace with God through faith Listen: Good Faith episode 30 Russell Moore discusses why "crazy as a church growth strategy" is not the way of Jesus Ryan Burge: What About White Evangelicals Who Aren't Conservative? More From David French: David French's New York Times pieces HERE Follow David French on Threads Follow Us: Good Faith in Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter The Good Faith Podcast is a production of Redeeming Babel, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Redeeming Babel.

SCRIPTURE: Mathew 5:14-16; Isaiah 39:5-6, 40:3-5, 42:1-9 & 49:4-6 YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY'S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS SERMON HERE!REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:Kenny discussed how the Puritans once saw themselves as a “city on a hill” for others to admire from afar. How does this view compare/contrast to the story of Exile we have been studying? In what ways might you be trying to create a perfect “Christian bubble”... rather than engaging with the community around you?Read Isaiah 42:1-9 again. How does the description of the “suffering servant” challenge our typical ideas of what power and justice look like? Where in your life might God be calling you to exercise power through gentleness rather than force?How might the description of “exile” in this series impact our understanding of what it means to be God's people in our current cultural moment?What would change in your daily life if you viewed your current situation not as an accident… but as God's purposeful placement? What can our study of the Exile teach us about how to be a healthy church here at Revolution? What part can you play in creating this kind of community?

The Will You Can't Stop If God is sovereign—if nothing can stop His will—then why do bad things happen? Does that mean He approves of evil? Or that one wrong turn on our part could derail His entire plan? This week we're unpacking the sovereign and permissive will of God. From the story of Israel to the coming of Christ, God's plan has never been off course. His sovereignty doesn't mean He causes every evil, but it does mean He weaves even the painful and broken pieces into His redemptive story. The question isn't whether God's will is unfolding—it's whether we'll surrender ours to His.   Isaiah 46:9–10 Discussion topics When was the last time something didn't go according to your plan, but in hindsight, you could see God's hand in it?  Read Isaiah 46:9–10 - What does this passage teach us about God's sovereignty? Read Romans 8:28 - How does this verse bring hope when life feels out of control? How do you personally wrestle with the tension between God's sovereignty and human free will?  Why do you think it's easy for people to believe that “one wrong turn” can ruin God's plan for their life?  What's one area of your life that feels “out of control” right now? How can you surrender it to God's sovereign will this week?  Ask God to help each person align their free will with His sovereign will in daily choices.  Check out our other audio series and video playlists that can help you find Jesus in every moment and then discover what's next

DJ Manna shares three powerful scripture songs to help us live with strength, courage, and faith. With Joshua 1:9, we learn that God is always with us—even when life feels scary, like taking a big test or starting something new. Next, Hebrews 11:1 shows us that faith is believing in what we can't see but know is true because God promises it. Finally, Isaiah 40:8 reminds us that even though everything else in the world fades away, God's word lasts forever. What You'll Learn:

GOD'S WORD IS EITHER A COMFORT OR A CURSE. WAS GOD'S WORD A COMFORT OR CURSE TO ISRAEL? Deuteronomy 11:26-28 “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the Lord your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.” WAS GOD'S WORD A COMFORT OR CURSE TO SOLOMON? 1 Kings 11:9-13 “The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord's command. So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. And even so, I will not take away the entire kingdom; I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.” WAS GOD'S WORD A COMFORT OR A CURSE FOR THE FUTURE? Read Isaiah 25 “God in His Word has told us what's going to happen, before it happens, so when it begins to happen, non-believers will believe and believers will look up knowing our redemption draws near!” — JD Farag GOD'S WORD DOES NOT NEED TO BE A CURSE FOR YOU Galatians 3:13 “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 1 John 5:11-12 “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life.”

One of the highest values of this podcast is to help us all banish wrong assumptions about God, such as, his posture toward us is one of anger because of some sin we've committed. This episode takes a look at yet another scripture in which he reveals an entirely different posture toward our sins! I hope you'll listen in!Read Isaiah 43:25 here! Questions from today's episode: Do I struggle to truly believe that God lovingly blots out the stain of my sins because it delights Him to do so? Do I continue to listen to an accusatory voice in my head and wrongfully think that God is angry with me? Has it kept me from turning to Him for forgiveness and restoration? Is there a loving invitation to me today as I meditate on this scripture? How will I respond?

Study 24 - Luke 19:28–48 The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Jesus cannot complete his mission without entering Jerusalem and confronting the authorities there. This he does, first with actions and then with words Please read Luke 19: 28-38. It seems likely that Jesus had made some arrangements the twelve knew nothing about. Perhaps he had 2 sets of supporters: the apostles in spiritual matters and a group of organisers or deacons.) Question 1: What makes that a reasonable thing to say? Are there any alternative explanations? There is something a bit mysterious about the account of Jesus sending two disciples to get the colt. It is hard to be sure but there does seem to have been a prior arrangement made by Jesus that the two disciples did not know the details of. To think that Jesus knew through his divine powers that the colt would be there is probably to over-emphasize the divine in Jesus and forget that he was also human. The account of the way Jesus entered Jerusalem is full of hints of OT passages. Three of the most important are: 1 Kings 1:33-35 which reads: "Take your lord's servants with you and have Solomon my son mount my own mule and take him down to Gihon. There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, 'Long live King Solomon!' Then you are to go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah." Psalm 118:26-27 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. The LORD is God, With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession. Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Each of these is important in that Jesus did things that ensured that he fulfilled these prophecies. Jesus often fulfilled prophecies without having any apparent control on what happened but this is totally deliberate. Question 2: Why did Jesus make sure these prophecies were fulfilled? Why did he make his entry into Jerusalem into such a public spectacle? He did not always do this. In John 7: 10 we read that after his brothers had left for the Feast, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Jesus knew he would die in Jerusalem. He did not want to die quietly. This was the most important event in the history of mankind. It had to be witnessed by many people. Those people needed to have all the necessary and sufficient evidence that he was indeed the Messiah, the Anointed One, even if they did not believe the evidence. Question 3: What will each of the following have been expecting: an ordinary member of the crowd? one of the disciples? one of the priests, lawyers or leaders of the people? a watching centurion of the Roman guard in charge of keeping the peace? This is something interesting to use our imaginations on. I reckon a member of the crowd would have been caught up in the excitement, possibly not knowing much about Jesus but sensing that something important was happening. One of the disciples would have realised the significance of what was happening, have been exceedingly excited and wanting to be ready for anything including fighting. One of the leaders of the people would have been annoyed and worried, concerned that there might be a full blown riot before long. A centurion would have been making sure his sword slid easily out of its scabbard, that his men were all lined up and waiting, and relishing the prospect of a fight against a largely unarmed crowd. Luke's account continues with Jesus prophesying the total destruction of the city and the destruction of the temple. All of which actually happened in AD 70, just about the time Luke was writing, and involved the slaughter of most of the inhabitants of the city and the surrounding countryside. We read Luke 19:19-48. What Jesus said in Luke 19:46 is a combination of Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7: 11. I will read rather more verses than these because in both cases the context adds important ideas to those in the exact words Jesus used. Listen out carefully for those extra ideas, which form the next question. Question 4a: Read Isaiah 56:3-8. What extra ideas are there in those verses that would have been of interest to the more knowledgeable people in the crowd. Isaiah includes both foreigners and eunuchs, those who were excluded from the temple worship that governed all of life at Jerusalem feast days. Question 4b: Read Jeremiah 7: 3-11. What extra ideas are there in those verses that would have been of interest to the more knowledgeable people in the crowd. Jeremiah places conditions of good behaviour on temple worshippers. He is saying it is not enough just to be a Jew or an Israelite. Jesus was saying it was not who you were but what you were that mattered. If your worship at the temple was to be of any significance at all before God it was your life of faith that mattered, not whether you were a Jew, or not, or any particular sort of Jew. Perhaps Jesus and his disciples were just entering the court of the Gentiles, the great outer court of the temple from which the disabled (eunuchs) and foreigners were excluded, as he spoke. No race, or language, is any more important than any other to the Christian. The Bible Jesus used was a translation from the Hebrew to the Greek. We rejoice in the translation of the Bible into more and more languages. The way Jesus clears the temple in Luke 19:45 is a symbolic picture of the destruction of the temple. So that destruction was not accidental or due to the will of the Roman general. Question 5: What then is the significance of the temple ruins in Jerusalem now, for Jews, for Muslims, for Christians? The temple ruins are of absolutely no real significance for anybody any longer except as interesting relics of something which is now meaningless. Right mouse click or tap here to save/download this as a MP3 audio file

God is faithful to His people, even when they have been unfaithful to Him. We'll see this truth in today's study in Isaiah 50 as we study an amazing prophecy of Jesus which proves, not only that He is the promised king, but that He would also suffer for His people and won't divorce them even though they have been unfaithful to their covenant with Him. Join us today in our study in Isaiah 50!  DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    The overarching theme of Isaiah 49-57 is that of the “Suffering Servant”. Think back to our study, yesterday, in Isaiah 49. What were some ways that Isaiah 49 prophesied that the Servant would suffer for His people?  2.    Read Isaiah 50:1. What is the item that the Lord is asking about? What is His point in asking for this? What did the Lord tell Israel in Jeremiah 3:8? How did the podcast explain the juxtaposition of Isaiah 50:1 and Jeremiah 3:8? 3.    In verses 2 & 3, could the Lord carry out the salvation of His people? If so, why “was there no man when...” the Lord came to His people? What does that phrase even mean? Why was there no one to obey the Lord? 4.    In verse 4, once again the Servant is speaking (we know this because the word “GOD” is in all caps, indicating that “GOD” was the Lord and now His servant is speaking). What is the Servant's message for His people in verses 4 & 5? Why do you think He won't “turn back”? How was this evident throughout Jesus' ministry? How is this different from the lack of obedience in the people in verses 2 &3? 5.    What was the Servant's obedience to the Lord in verses 5 &6? What was the price of Jesus' obedience to the Father? How was this obedience demonstrated in Jesus' earthly life? What cost was there in Jesus' obedience? 6.    Read over verses 7-9, how do these verses portray the trust that the Servant has for the Lord? What kind of resolve does this trust strengthen Him with? Read 1st Peter 2:23. How did Peter portray Jesus' trust in the Father? Why is it hard to trust the Father like this, when life doesn't seem to go our way? 7.     Verse 10 calls out to the people to join with the Servant. What should those who walk in darkness do? What does it mean to call upon the Lord? How does Romans 10:13 echo a similar exhortation?  8.    In verse 11, how is a person making their own fire an analogy for manmade religion? In our day and age, how do people seek to provide their own “light”? In verse 11, what is the ultimate fate of those who will not leave their manmade religion and obey the Lord? What torment do you think is being spoken of here? 9.    Think about how you respond to God's message. Are these just words on a paper? Are these just theological ideas to know? Or are these words God's message to you to gather to Him, with His people, that you might be numbered among those in His kingdom?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

In today’s episode of Your Daily Prayer, Kyle Norman explores the profound spiritual challenge and invitation of Isaiah 6:8—God’s call to step into His purpose with the words, “Here I am, send me.” This devotion reflects on the fear, self-doubt, and hesitation that often accompany God’s call, using examples from biblical figures like Moses, Sarah, Jeremiah, and Peter to highlight that reluctance is a natural human response. But God’s call persists, not because of our perfection, but because of His grace. Whether you’re feeling unworthy, unprepared, or unsure, this prayer will encourage you to trust that God equips those He calls and invites you to boldly respond with faith. Topics covered: The meaning and challenge behind Isaiah 6:8 Biblical examples of hesitation and God's patient call Why God’s call is rooted in His grace, not our qualifications Encouragement for those discerning their purpose or ministry A prayer for boldness and surrender to God’s will Scripture References Isaiah 6:8 (ESV) “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’”

Luke15 has become one of my favorite chapters in the Bible over the years. Thispassage paints a vivid picture of God's heart for the lost. The chapter beginswith tax collectors and sinners, people who are despised and rejected bysociety, are drawing near to Jesus, eager to hear His words. Thisscandalizes the Pharisees and scribes, who see themselves as righteous andabove such “sinners.”  Theirgrumbling reveals their lack of love for the lost, but Jesus responds with aparable that unfolds in three stories about a lost sheep, a lost silver coin,and a lost son, all which reveal God's love and heart for sinners. In these storieswe clearly can see the Trinity. Jesus, the Savior seeking the lost sheep in thewilderness, the Holy Spirit lighting the candle, cleaning the house, seekingthe lost silver coin, and God the Father patiently waiting for the lost son tocome back home to fellowship with Him! Inthe first story, a shepherd with a hundred sheep notices one is missing. Thatone sheep matters so much that he leaves the ninety-nine in the wilderness tosearch for it. He doesn't give up until he finds it, and when he does, hedoesn't scold it or drive it back harshly. Instead, he gently lifts it onto hisshoulders, carries it home, and throws a celebration with his friends,shouting, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” Jesusexplains the punchline: heaven rejoices more over one sinner who repents thanover the ninety-nine who think they need no repentance. Like the shepherd,God seeks out those who are lost, people who've wandered away, whether throughfoolishness, rebellion, or ignorance. No one is too far gone for His pursuit.Second, it reveals the value God places on every single person. The shepherddidn't say, “It's just one sheep; I still have ninety-nine.” Each one isprecious, worth leaving the fold to rescue. Third, it highlights the joy ofsalvation. The shepherd's celebration mirrors heaven's joy when a sinner turnsto God. Angels rejoice, and God Himself delights in the return of His own. Are we like the Pharisees, quickto judge or distance ourselves from those we deem “unworthy”? Or do we reflectJesus, who draws near to the broken and outcast with compassion? The truth is,we're all like that lost sheep at some point, foolishly straying, helpless, andin need of a Savior. (Read Isaiah 53:6). Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came to seekand save us (Luke 19:10), carrying us home on His shoulders. And now, He callsus to join Him in His mission to seek the lost.  Thereis a fourfold joy expressed when a lost sinner comes to the Savior. There iscertainly joy in the heart of the person who is found. Both Scripture (Acts3:8; 8:39) and our own personal experience verify the joy of salvation. Butthere is also the joy of the person who does the finding. Whenever you assistin leading a lost soul to faith in Christ, you experience a wonderful joywithin (Psalm 126:5-6). Others join with us in rejoicing as we share the goodnews of a new child of God in the family (v. 6), and there is also joy inheaven (Luke 15:7, 10). ChallengeThisweek, let's live out the heart of the Good Shepherd. Pray for one person inyour life who seems far from God, maybe someone you might naturally overlook orjudge. Ask God to soften their heart and give you an opportunity to show themHis love.  Reach out to that person witha small gesture of kindness, a conversation, a meal, or a note ofencouragement. Show them the same grace Jesus showed the tax collectors andsinners.  Let'scommit to being people who seek the lost, not because we're perfect, butbecause we've been found by the Shepherd's love. Prayer LordJesus, thank You for seeking us when we were lost. Fill us with Your compassionfor those who are far from You. Give us courage to reach out, wisdom to shareYour love, and joy in seeing others come to You. May our lives reflect thecelebration of heaven. In Your name, Amen.

Read Isaiah 43:2

· Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!· Why should I choose joy?· John 14:1-4 - Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”· Heaven is living in the presence of God.· Heaven is not just a place to go when you die; it is a Kingdom you experience as you follow Jesus.· Isaiah 65: 17For behold, I am the creator of new heavens and a new earth;And the previous things will not be remembered and will come upon the heart.18So then, rejoice and be excited forever for what I create!For behold, I am the creator of a rejoicing Jerusalem and her people of joy!19And I will be excited with Jerusalem and I will rejoice with my people;And in her will not be heard again weeping or crying.· Revelation 21:1-4 - Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from theireyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”· If you do not want a relationship with God on earth, you will not be comfortable in heaven.· We need to live to get ready for heaven.· Do you hate?· Do you lust?· Do you treat marriage as sacred?· Are you trustworthy?· Do you let go of hurt and bitterness?· Do you love your enemies?· Are you generous?· Are you developing a conversational relationship with God?· Do you trust God with your worries and anxieties?· Do you judge others?· Are you building your life on Jesus or on your own wisdom?· 19And I will be excited with Jerusalem and I will rejoice with my people…· Following Jesus means doing life with God right now.· Church is to be a preview of heaven.· Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.· The more the church looks like heaven, the more people want to know what makes us that way.· When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.· When we all see Jesus, we will sing and shout the victory.LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONSStarter: Have you ever known someone who lived like they were already in heaven? What were they like?Discussion:1. Read Isaiah 65:17-192. Read Revelation 21:1-43. What are the parallels you see between these two passages, written over 600 years apart?4. A new heaven and a new earth refers to God creating a new reality. What would you like to see in God's new reality?5. What do you think it means when the passages refer to “the previous/former things?” How does it change how we live if no longer let “the previous things” lay on our heart?6. In the Isaiah passage, God is described as “excited” and “rejoicing.” What picture does your mind paint? What does God look like when he is rejoicing?7. The message referred to a “getting ready for heaven” and using the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount as a guide. How did you feel when these questions were asked? Which one pricked your heart most?8. In your opinion, what could we do to make our church more like heaven?

· Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!· Why should I choose joy?· Insider or outsider.· Who does God include and who does God exclude?· Isaiah 56:3 3Let no son of a foreigner, one joined to the LORD, say, “The LORD separates me from among his people.”Let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dried-up tree.”· Before you judge, know a person's story· 4For thus says the LORD, “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths and chose what I delight in;And to the ones grasping my covenant;5I will give them in my house and in my walls a monument and a name;Better than sons and daughters.A name everlasting I will give to him who will not be cut off.· Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.· 6And to the sons of foreigners, the ones who joining with the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants;All the ones keeping Sabbath from pollution and grasping his covenant:· 7I will bring them to my holy mountain and I will cause them to rejoice in my house, my house of prayer;Their sacrifices and their offerings are acceptable upon my altar.For my house will be called a house of prayer for all people.· Matthew 21:13 - “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.'”· Do not interfere with people who want to worship God!· 8Thus says the Master, the LORD, the gatherer of the banished ones of Israel.Yet others I will collect to him, to the ones gathered.· John 10:16 - I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.· Why doesn't Jesus include everyone?· God does not force a relationship with you.· “Hell is simply the best God can do for some people.” – Dallas Willard· Be kind to the excluded.· Church must be a place of grace.· Isaiah 57:14 - And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”· John Ortberg – The more your mess, the greater your welcome.· Every excluded person matters to God.· The Good News of Jesus is for everyone.· I came to seek and to save the lost ones.· Heavenly Father, I have sinned. Please forgive me. Enter my life. From now on, I will follow Jesus.· Galatians 3: 28 - 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONSStarter: Think about a time when you were excluded from a group. How did you feel?Discussion:1. Read Isaiah 56:32. How would you describe the feelings of foreigners and the eunuchs?3. Read Isaiah 56:4-54. What would these verses mean to a eunuch? How would they feel?5. In your opinion, who are the modern eunuchs?6. Read Isaiah 56:6-77. What would these verses mean to a foreigner? How would they feel?8. Compare the devotion of the foreigner to the devotion of people who call themselves Christians today. In your opinion, whose devotion is greater?9. Read Isaiah 56:810. In your opinion, how do we keep our church open to all who are excluded?

·      Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again, Rejoice!  ·      Why should I choose joy?  ·      Choose joy because God gives you hope. ·      Do people today think they can manipulate God?  ·      They realized they had blown their relationship with God.  ·      Do you ever think “I've blown my relationship with God?”  ·      Isaiah 35:1-2 – 1The wilderness and the desert rejoice; the steppe rejoices and the saffron blooms. 2She blooms and rejoices; Yea, joy and cries of joy. The glory of Lebanon is given to her, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. Behold they see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. ·      God does not give up on you.  ·      3All of you make strong discouraged hands and make firm knees that stumble.  ·      Romans 8:28 – For we know that God is working good in all things for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. ·      Heavenly Father, open my eyes.  Help me see where you are at work. ·      4Say to the hurried heart, “All of you, be strong and do not fear. Behold your God; vengeance comes.  God brings ‘the getting even;' and he saves you all. ·      5Then the eyes of the blind will be open; and the ears of the deaf will be open. 6Then the lame ram will leap and the speechless tongue will cry out. For water will burst forth in the wilderness, and torrents on the desert plains. 7The parched ground will be a pool; the thirsty ground as a pool of water. In the jackal habitat, a resting place, a home for reeds and rushes. ·      We are the Easter People! ·      God is the God of the unexpected.  ·      8And there will be a highway and a way, the way of the Holy, those called to it.  The unclean will not pass over it. He is to them walker of the way and the foolish will not wander on it. 9There will be no lions there and no hungry beasts will come upon it; They will not be found there, but the redeemed ones will walk. ·      Psalm 14:1 – The fool has said in his heart, “There is no god…”  ·      10And the ransomed ones of the LORD return; And they come to Zion with ringing cries. ·      And eternal joy is upon their heads. Exuberance and joy they attain. And they escape grief and groaning. ·      Revelation 21:2-4 - And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, like a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with me.  He will dwell with them and they shall be his people and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death will be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.   ·      Do you need some hope today? Our Heavenly Father has all you need.    LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter:  Think about a time when you desperately needed hope.  How did you find it?  Discussion: 1.      Read Isaiah 35:1-2 2.      Imagine you are in exile in a foreign country.  What emotion would you feel as you hear these words? 3.      Throughout this passage, God is making dead space alive. For example, the desert gushes water and it rejoices.  What are modern dead spaces?  How does God make them alive. 4.      Read Isaiah 35:3-7 5.      The prophet brings a message of hope to the exiles.  How can Jesus followers today bring a message of hope? 6.      What is your reaction to God claiming vengeance as his business?  How does that make you feel? 7.      Read Isaiah 35:8-9 and Matthew 7:13-14. 8.      In your opinion, what are the parallels between these two passages? 9.      Read Isaiah 35:10 and Revelation 21:2-4 10.  What do you think will be your reaction to when you enter heaven?  How does this help you live with hope?

·      Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again, Rejoice!  ·      Why should I choose joy?  ·      Isaiah 12:1 - And you will say in that day, “I will praise the LORD for you were angry with me… ·      We only truly know God's will in hindsight.  ·       For you were angry with me.  ·       Do you ever put anything else ahead of God? ·       Do you ever make God in your own image?  ·       Do you ever put God's name where it doesn't belong?  ·       Do you give God a day each week, and keep it holy?  ·       Do you respect your Mom and Dad? ·       Do you hate?  ·       Are you faithful in your marriage?  ·       Do you steal?  ·       Do you lie or distort the truth?  ·       Do you think “If I just had ‘that' I'd be happy ·       Can you accept that our Heavenly Father has a good reason to be angry with you? ·       Your anger turned and you consoled me. ·       In God's eyes, my sins and failures do not define me.  ·      2Behold, God, my salvation! I am trusting and I am not fearful; For my strength and my song, the LORD, the LORD; He is to me salvation. ·      We chose joy because God is our salvation! ·       Psalm 56:3 – What time I am afraid, I will trust in the thee ·      Philippians 4:13 – I can all things through Christ who strengthens me.  ·     Joy doesn't have to wait till heaven.  ·      12:3 - You will draw water with joy from the springs of salvation.  ·      PIX: Ichetucknee Springs ·      First, admit and confess your sins.  ·      Second, embrace God who comes back to you.  ·       Heavenly Father, I confess my sins, and I know you have every reason to be angry with me.  I ask for your forgiveness.  I open my heart to you, for you to lead me, guide me, and teach me.  From now on, I will follow Jesus.  ·      Third, let God's salvation carry you.  ·       Philippians 2:12b-13 – Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  ·       Finally, chose joy.  ·       Heavenly Father, today I chose joy.  ·       Rejoice in the Lord always!  I will say it again, rejoice!    LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  Starter:  Do you know someone whose life was profoundly changed when they were saved? Please share your perception of their story.  Discussion: 1.      Read Isaiah 12:1 2.      How does it make you feel to know that God can be angry with you? 3.      What mental picture comes to your mind when you read God turns from his anger to console you? 4.      Read Isaiah 12:2 5.      There are four descriptors attached to salvation in this verse: trust, unafraid, strength and song.  What does these four descriptors teach you about salvation? 6.      Read Isaiah 12:3 and Revelation 22:1-2. 7.      What parallels do you see between the two passages? 8.      What do you need to do to be carried by salvation and experience joy?

READ: Isaiah 58:1-9   MEDITATE: The Israelites claimed to desire God's ways but fell short in doing what He had already asked them to do. The right way to approach the Lord is to humbly serve others. And when we do, the Lord promises to hear our “cry for help” and be present for us.   PRAY: Heavenly Father, please show me ways I've been disobedient to you. Whether it is something I failed to do OR something wrong that I did, please show me that I might confess and turn from it. Help me to see and serve others with humility and love; for in those moments, I know I will find you near me.   Need prayer? Submit a prayer request online: https://mountparannorth.com/prayer-request/   21 Days of Prayer & Fasting website: https://mountparannorth.com/21-day-prayer-fast/   Contributors: Brett Mayes, Administrative Pastor and Missions Director & Stace Mayes, Life Group Coordinator

Read Luke 8: 1-3 and Isaiah 43: 1.1. What is Mary Magdalene's condition before meeting Jesus? Whathappens when she meets Jesus?2. What demons do you wrestle with in life? Do you believe Jesus canremove these demons from your life?3. What part of the video clip did you find most impactful? Why?4. Read Jeremiah 1: 5 and Isaiah 49: 16. What do these passages tell usabout God's love for us? How does that make you feel? How mightthis change the way you live?5. In the video, Jesus says to Mary, “That's not for you.” What was Hetalking about? Was there a deeper meaning? Are there things in yourlife now to which Jesus would say, “That's not for you.”?6. The chorus of the Tenth Avenue North song, “You Are More” says,“You are more than the choices that you've made, You are more thanthe sum of your past mistakes, You are more than the problems youcreate, You've been remade.” How does this relate to Mary's story?To your story?7. Read Isaiah 43: 1. How does that verse make you feel? Is that versemeant for everyone?8. How does God's grace heal, transform and empower us to live withpurpose and share the Good News?Prayer for the Week:Gracious and loving God,We come before You today, humbled and in awe of Your great love andfaithfulness. We thank You for the example of Mary Magdalene, whoencountered Your grace and mercy in the midst of her pain andbrokenness. Just as You called her by name, You call each of us by name—reminding us that we are never lost to You, no matter how far we mayhave wandered. We know that we belong to You, and that in Your eyes,we are precious, loved, and seen. We rejoice in knowing that we are morethan our mistakes, more than our past, more than the labels the worldmay try to place on us. We are redeemed! Help us to walk in the freedomof this redemption through Your life-changing grace and remind us thatour true identity is found in You alone. We pray all of this in the mightyand merciful name of Jesus. Amen.

READ: Isaiah 42:10, 12-13   MEDITATE: It is easy for us to focus on things from our circumstances, feelings, and perspectives. However, praising God changes the way we view and think about things. It causes us to look up to Him and to trust Jesus just like Simon Peter did.   PRAY: Lord, please help me to sing a “new song” to you today. May I lift my eyes, look to you, and glorify you with praise. In doing that, I know I will experience your presence and power in my life through my fasting and praise.   Need prayer? Submit a prayer request online: https://mountparannorth.com/prayer-request/   21 Days of Prayer & Fasting website: https://mountparannorth.com/21-day-prayer-fast/   Contributors: Jason Duncan, Experiences Pastor & Julie Duncan, Finance Assistant

Read Isaiah 54:1-3  (Two Sides of The Same Coin, So To Speak)Main Texts: 1 Samuel 1:1-28. Barren Hannah and the birth of Samuel; Luke 1:5-25,57-66 Barren Elizabeth's and the birth of John the Baptist; both conclude with worship Songs: Hannah 1 Samuel 2:1-4; Zechariah; Luke 1:67-80. In these particular situations barrenness was God created or permitted by God(1 Samuel 1:5-6; Luke 1:7) and counterintuitively in these particular situations were actually both a painful test of fait conjoined to the creation of Divine Opportunity; And they were not dependent on the central actors faith; But rather on God's determined will which resulted in both joy and faith.

January 13, 2025 Today's Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7Daily Lectionary: Ezekiel 36:13-28; Romans 4:1-25“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1)In the Name of Jesus. Amen. With Scripture, context is important. This glorious passage in Isaiah is on the heels of God's rebuke of His people for their failure to hear and see. Isaiah, like all the prophets, labors to bring Israel to repentance. He would preach a stern law in hopes people would see their sin, repent, and live. Read Isaiah, and you'll find there's no mistaking God's threats and punishments for Israel's deaf ear. Still, God's mercy, love, and promises never disappear, as Isaiah reminds God's wayward children of the LORD Who has created and redeemed them. The words “fear not” are Words of peace from the God reminding Israel, “I am the LORD our God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior.” Don't be afraid; you're in the hands of God as His child, His redeemed child brought from death to life, living by faith in He Who promises to take you through the fire. Verse 2 is clear: the fires will come. It's not “if” but “when.” For Israel, exile is imminent for the impenitent nation, though God promises to be “their Savior.” He never abandons His promises in times of suffering and grief.In a fallen creation, suffering and grief are never distant. Many and various temptations besiege God's people. A popular one now is despairing over an undesirable body. This powerful temptation assails many people who look at themselves and long to be something different when it's God who forms and creates. The physical body, however “imperfect” it seems, is God's Gift and work. Sin wrecks all flesh, to be sure, as everyone ages and decays. However, we should thank God for the bodies we have while hearing His promise: “I have redeemed you.” You have been redeemed, purchased, and paid for in full by the blood of God's own Son. He calls you by Name, a Name put upon you in Holy Baptism at those words “in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” You live under the God Who reigns in the heavens and has the hairs on your head numbered. At the resurrection of the body when the Lord Jesus returns, there will be no discontent over who we are. God says it now: “You are mine.” You belong to God in Christ, Who died to obtain you for Himself. He will bring you through fire, and the rivers won't overwhelm you. Since Jesus lives, so does His Church. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.“God's own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity!” (LSB 594:1)-Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

DEC 18: Operation “No more Tears!” Read: Isaiah 9,11,40,50,53,55,60 (pages 144-151 of The Jesus story book bible) _______________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our Podcast!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ _______________________ Thanks for being here! We're the Holtzem Family. We love our family, and we love Jesus. We're hoping to bring some of our personal favorite things as a family, and some of our humor to you in hopes that it makes you smile, and maybe gives you something you can connect with. Connect with us further at; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Holtzem Family on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Recipes and more about us online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Wholesome House⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beverly Holtzem Art on Etsy

What is your favorite image of peace from Scripture or real life? Read Isaiah 11: 1-9.What stands out to you in this passage?How does the image of the shoot from Jesse's stump inspire hope?What would it look like for a “child to lead them” in today's world? Read Jeremiah 23: 5-6.How does this reinforce Isaiah's vision of a righteous leader?What kind of hope does this bring during Advent? Read Micah 5: 2-5a.What does it mean that God chose Bethlehem, a humble place, for Jesus' birth?How does Jesus bring peace as described in this passage? Read Psalm 72: 1-7.How do justice and peace go hand in hand?What are ways we can reflect the values of God's kingdom? Read Luke 4: 16-21.How does Jesus fulfill Isaiah's prophecy in His ministry?How can we join Jesus in proclaiming good news to the poor and oppressed? Read Ephesians 2: 13-18.How does Jesus break down barriers to bring peace?What barriers do we see in our world, and how can we work to overcome them? Read Revelation 21: 1-5.How does Isaiah's vision of peace point to the ultimate fulfillment in Revelation?What hope does this passage give you as we wait for Christ's return?How does Isaiah's vision challenge us to live differently during Advent?What are small steps you can take this week to reflect Christ's peace and justice? Write down one “peace-building” action you will take this week—whether in yourrelationships, community, or personal life. Take a few minutes of silence to reflect on what it means to follow the child wholeads us.Prayer for the Week:Loving God,You are the root of hope and the source of peace. In this season of Advent, we thank Youfor the promise fulfilled in Jesus - who leads us with wisdom, justice, and compassion.We marvel at the vision of Your kingdom, where wolves and lambs live together, and alittle child leads the way. Help us to trust in Your promise of peace, even when the worldfeels broken and divided.Teach us to walk in the way of Your Son, to see others with His eyes of love, to act withHis heart of justice, and to embrace the peace only He can bring.May we be agents of reconciliation in our homes, our communities, and our world. Makeus bold enough to follow Your Spirit, humble enough to learn from the least, and faithfulenough to reflect the light of Christ in all we say and do.Fill us with the hope of Isaiah's vision, the joy of the angels' song, and the peace ofChrist's eternal reign.In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Shepherd, we pray.Amen.

Our deep need every Advent season—and every day—is to stand in awe of the One worthy of all praise and honor. It's what we were made for! But if you're struggling with apathy in your walk with God, it can be easy to overlook the beauty of God's glory and grace.  In this episode, you're invited to explore Luke 2:8-20 for a fresh vision of God's glory, finding fulfillment in Him and sharing the joy of Christ's arrival with the world. Want to study the themes in this episode further? Here are a few passages and reflection questions to consider: Read Psalm 29. How does it inspire the awe of God in your heart? Make a list of what stands out to you. Read Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, and Revelation 1. After considering the glory of God as described in these passages, spend some time in prayer. Confess the ways you revel in created things and any apathy toward God you've been experiencing. Ask God to help you see and savor His glory above all else.  The shepherd's amazement and awe led to action. What's one step of obedience you can take this week to honor God and share His glorious grace with others?

Read Isaiah 9: 1-7.1. What does the word “Advent” mean? Why do we celebrate it every year inthe church?2. Advent is often referred as the season of the “already” and the “not yet.”What does that mean?3. In what ways does this passage from Isaiah also represent the “already” andthe “not yet”?4. Read Isaiah 9: 2 and John 1: 5 & 9. How do these passages relate to oneanother?5. Why is the “Light” so important? Why do you think some people resist theLight?6. Read Isaiah 9: 6, Luke 2: 10-12 and Luke 1: 32-33. How do these passagesrelate to one another?7. How do these passages from both the Old and New Testaments reinforce theidea of “already” and “not yet” for the Advent season?8. Why do we need “a little Jesus” (baby, child) rather than a big, strong,ruthless warrior king?9. Are you willing to give “a little Jesus” to those who are struggling in life orsimply having a bad day? Why/why not?10. Do you believe a little Jesus can change someone's day, or even their wholelife? Why/why not? (Hint: think about mustard seed of faith)Reflection:Lord Jesus, you are the Light shining in the darkness of this fallen, broken andsinful world. We desperately need your Light and your Love to drive out thedarkness of hate all around us. We know that your love-light can sometimes beoverwhelming to people at first. Remind us to shine your Light gently enough forpeople to first receive it, then brightly enough for them to walk in it. Help us toall walk in your love-light together. And remind us, no matter where we are onour faith journeys, that “Everybody Needs a Little Jesus.” We pray all of this inyour holy, precious and strong name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Good morning my friend! This “I have seen the fire..." (must read Isaiah 44:6-17)" is our Monday street sermon over in Erie, Colorado at US287 and Arapahoe Road Hwy 7. It's a tough message for some, hopefully there is something of benefit to you and your ministry. Amen.—JC. ★ Support this podcast ★

#171// Waiting on God rarely requires you to stay still.In fact, truly waiting on Him will always produce movement. Don't believe me? Read Isaiah 40:31. It says when we wait on God we will . . . MOVE! We'll rise up, we'll run, we'll walk. And we'll do all of it while not getting overwhelmed or burned out. Amazing, right?The key to waiting on God *the right way* and in seeing Him move on your behalf lies in the true definition of the word WAIT. On this episode of the Positioned to Prosper podcast we're unpacking what it really means to wait on the Lord and how this simple perspective shift can bring alignment and acceleration like you've never experienced before. If you've been *waiting* for Him to move and have felt like the answer is taking "forever," this may just be the message you've been waiting for (see what I did there? *wink*). Grab your Bible, your journal and a pen, and . . . Let's Go!LISTEN WITH THE SHOW NOTES: Head over to ericapyle.com/171 to grab the show notes which include the scriptures mentioned in the episode as well as links to resources and tools to help you apply the session to your life this week!THE FOUR QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK GOD WHILE ACTIVELY WAITING ON HIM: Part of truly waiting on God is to be in a *real* conversation with Him. One way to do this is to make your prayer time with Him conversational. Asking these Four Questions can be a great way to get into that conversational rhythm! Grab your copy of this free Prayer Template by heading to ericapyle.com/4questions. You'll receive a link to a template that lays out the four questions that we should be asking God in every situation and circumstance; questions that will position you for greater clarity and breakthrough in your life as you endeavor to wait on God powerfully. So good, right? Go grab the link to this powerful resource here.

Jesus taught about prayer many times. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus narrowed it down to three words: Ask, Seek, Knock. Asking God for things as one of his children, seeking God with complete trust and confidence, and knocking on the door of heaven knowing we can approach the throne boldly. God is relational and provides for us our needs. Group Life Questions1. What stood out the most about the message?2. What has unintentionally formed your view of God?3. Read Romans 8. How does God claim you as His own? 4. How has God provided for you throughout your life?5. What fears stop you from approaching the throne of God?6. Read Isaiah 55:8. Do you believe this? Why or why not?7. Look at Mary's (Luke 1:38) and Jesus' (Luke 22:42) responses to God. Are you willing to surrender control to God?8. End in a time of prayer, BOLDLY asking God for discernment, seeking His will, and knocking on Heaven's door. 

Join the Millennial Mustard Seed host, Rod Smith, for a thought-provoking voyage into the unusual, unexplained and unexplored facets of the world we live! Armed with a seeker's humility and a Biblical lens Millennial Mustard Seed never fails to inspire, provoke and intrigue listeners to deepen their faith. George Whitten joins Rod for a powerful interview about revival, awakening and It's a revolution of identity in the hearts of men and women. We hear that the church is dying, but as George says, "it isn't dying, its being pruned." The gray zone is disappearing and God is removing that which is not bearing fruit. This episode is encouraging in these crazy times. Read Isaiah 60 and know we are on the brink of that being REAL. Mr. Whitten also goes into the events in Israel on the geopolitical stage and Biblical prophesy. The vain plots of the enemy to suffocate the voices of His body, but His body is awakening Worthy Brief is a daily Christian newsletter designed to encourage, inform, and edify Believers in their daily walk with God. The online Christian magazine incorporates a daily devotional called Worthy Devotions, along with news from around the world. Check out Christian news service Worthy News below. LET'S GO!! www.worthynews.com MMS CONTACT INFO: •Email Rod Smith: mmseed@proton.me •MMS Podcast Website Link: https://www.mms.agavaa.com/⁠ •Leave a message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rodney-jay/message MMS SUPPORT: •Consider partnering with our ministry. Buy a copy of my new book! The Words are Salt https://a.co/d/a1ZL3u2 my Amazon Author page link Amazon.com: Rodney Jay Smith Jr: books, biography, latest update https://givesendgo.com/GB6F9?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=GB6F9 Venmo - @Rodney-Smith-368 https://www.paypal.me/creative775 Cash app - $Rodsworth77 Or join w/monthly donations on: ⁠ https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rodney-jay/support ⁠ RECOMMENDED MMS RESOURCE: Brother Klaus Chavis YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalDiscipleMinistries Bride Ministries International Download their free app here: http://brideministries.app.link/ Please leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast app/catcher, whichever you use to listen. Music from Uppbeat: Free Music for YouTube Videos & Creators UppbeatLicense: PFREJYBLQKUZTMDH --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rodney-jay/support

God is faithful to His people, even when they have been unfaithful to Him. We'll see this truth in today's study in Isaiah 50 as we study an amazing prophecy of Jesus which proves, not only that He is the promised king, but that He would also suffer for His people and won't divorce them even though they have been unfaithful to their covenant with Him. Join us today in our study in Isaiah 50! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1. The overarching theme of Isaiah 49-57 is that of the "Suffering Servant". Think back to our study, yesterday, in Isaiah 49. What were some ways that Isaiah 49 prophesied that the Servant would suffer for His people? 2. Read Isaiah 50:1. What is the item that the Lord is asking about? What is His point in asking for this? What did the Lord tell Israel in Jeremiah 3:8? How did the podcast explain the juxtaposition of Isaiah 50:1 and Jeremiah 3:8? 3. In verses 2 & 3, could the Lord carry out the salvation of His people? If so, why "was there no man when..." the Lord came to His people? What does that phrase even mean? Why was there no one to obey the Lord? 4. In verse 4, once again the Servant is speaking (we know this because the word "GOD" is in all caps, indicating that "GOD" was the Lord and now His servant is speaking). What is the Servant's message for His people in verses 4 & 5? Why do you think He won't "turn back"? How was this evident throughout Jesus' ministry? How is this different from the lack of obedience in the people in verses 2 &3? 5. What was the Servant's obedience to the Lord in verses 5 &6? What was the price of Jesus' obedience to the Father? How was this obedience demonstrated in Jesus' earthly life? What cost was there in Jesus' obedience? 6. Read over verses 7-9, how do these verses portray the trust that the Servant has for the Lord? What kind of resolve does this trust strengthen Him with? Read 1st Peter 2:23. How did Peter portray Jesus' trust in the Father? Why is it hard to trust the Father like this, when life doesn't seem to go our way? 7. Verse 10 calls out to the people to join with the Servant. What should those who walk in darkness do? What does it mean to call upon the Lord? How does Romans 10:13 echo a similar exhortation? 8. In verse 11, how is a person making their own fire an analogy for manmade religion? In our day and age, how do people seek to provide their own "light"? In verse 11, what is the ultimate fate of those who will not leave their manmade religion and obey the Lord? What torment do you think is being spoken of here? 9. Think about how you respond to God's message. Are these just words on a paper? Are these just theological ideas to know? Or are these words God's message to you to gather to Him, with His people, that you might be numbered among those in His kingdom? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.

God is faithful to His people, even when they have been unfaithful to Him. We'll see this truth in today's study in Isaiah 50 as we study an amazing prophecy of Jesus which proves, not only that He is the promised king, but that He would also suffer for His people and won't divorce them even though they have been unfaithful to their covenant with Him. Join us today in our study in Isaiah 50!  DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    The overarching theme of Isaiah 49-57 is that of the “Suffering Servant”. Think back to our study, yesterday, in Isaiah 49. What were some ways that Isaiah 49 prophesied that the Servant would suffer for His people?  2.    Read Isaiah 50:1. What is the item that the Lord is asking about? What is His point in asking for this? What did the Lord tell Israel in Jeremiah 3:8? How did the podcast explain the juxtaposition of Isaiah 50:1 and Jeremiah 3:8? 3.    In verses 2 & 3, could the Lord carry out the salvation of His people? If so, why “was there no man when...” the Lord came to His people? What does that phrase even mean? Why was there no one to obey the Lord? 4.    In verse 4, once again the Servant is speaking (we know this because the word “GOD” is in all caps, indicating that “GOD” was the Lord and now His servant is speaking). What is the Servant's message for His people in verses 4 & 5? Why do you think He won't “turn back”? How was this evident throughout Jesus' ministry? How is this different from the lack of obedience in the people in verses 2 &3? 5.    What was the Servant's obedience to the Lord in verses 5 &6? What was the price of Jesus' obedience to the Father? How was this obedience demonstrated in Jesus' earthly life? What cost was there in Jesus' obedience? 6.    Read over verses 7-9, how do these verses portray the trust that the Servant has for the Lord? What kind of resolve does this trust strengthen Him with? Read 1st Peter 2:23. How did Peter portray Jesus' trust in the Father? Why is it hard to trust the Father like this, when life doesn't seem to go our way? 7.     Verse 10 calls out to the people to join with the Servant. What should those who walk in darkness do? What does it mean to call upon the Lord? How does Romans 10:13 echo a similar exhortation?  8.    In verse 11, how is a person making their own fire an analogy for manmade religion? In our day and age, how do people seek to provide their own “light”? In verse 11, what is the ultimate fate of those who will not leave their manmade religion and obey the Lord? What torment do you think is being spoken of here? 9.    Think about how you respond to God's message. Are these just words on a paper? Are these just theological ideas to know? Or are these words God's message to you to gather to Him, with His people, that you might be numbered among those in His kingdom?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Thank you for joining us. This week Pastor Kris Vallotton delivered a powerful message about transitioning into a new spiritual era. He emphasises the importance of moving from past-present thinking to future-present thinking, highlighting the transformative power of prophetic culture. The sermon encourages the church to become a place of divine acceleration, where individuals are seen for their future potential rather than their past, and where prophetic gifts are cultivated to bring about personal and corporate transformation.To dig deeper,Read:Isaiah 60:1-3, 112 Corinthians 5:16-17Hebrews 12:1REFLECTION QUESTIONS1. How can we cultivate a prophetic culture in our local church that goes beyond just having prophetic ministry?2. In what ways might we be holding onto 'thrusters' from past seasons that are no longer necessary or helpful for the new era God is bringing us into?3. How can we shift our perspective from past-present thinking to future-present thinking in how we view ourselves and others?4. What does it mean practically to be a 'Barnabas church' that encourages and develops the potential in others?5. Practically, how can we better recognise and nurture the 'gold' or potential in people, seeing them through God's eyes?Thanks again for joining us. We pray you were blessed.Connect with us on:https://www.instagram.com/dayspringchurch/https://www.facebook.com/dayspringchurchhttps://www.youtube.com/@DayspringChurchAUListen to Dayspring Worship https://open.spotify.com/artist/331972RySiV4WcoYTTJHeB?si=4b8N7CVQT2ysAeBiMGr1BAhttps://music.apple.com/us/artist/dayspring-worship/1035339614https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCQM5jWUvVAOxpvK7D571Q"

RATE! REVIEW! SUBSCRIBE! Email me your thoughts, comments, and questions at caniberealpodcast@gmail.com Show Notes: ○ Romans 13 ○ Lesson 10: "It's All Love" ○ Verses 1-7: Pray for our leaders and government workers § Read 2 Chronicles 36: 17-23 § Read 1 Timothy 2:1-4 § Read Isaiah 61:8 □ "For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them." ○ Verses 8-10: It is my obligation to love you § Definition of obligation: something (such as a formal contract, a promise, or the demands of conscience or custom) that obligates one to a course of action; something one is bound to (DUTY, RESPONSIBILITY) § Read "Life Lessons" from book § Read John 15: 9-17 § Read 1 Corinthians 13 § Read Colossians 3: 12-15 § 1 John 4:7-8 □ "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." ○ Verses 11-14: Get it together because Jesus is coming back soon! § Read Ephesians 5: 1-9 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rachel398/message

DESCRIPTION: Join us as we continue our series on The Gospel Of Luke.   TALK IT OVER QUESTIONS: 1. What has been your favorite vacation as an adult (single, as a couple or as a family)? 2. What stood out to you in this week's sermon? What questions or thoughts did it raise in your mind? 3. John the Baptist was a bit of an outcast - he was raised in the desert, ate locust and honey, and wore a camel-hair garment. Why do you think God chose someone like John to be Jesus' forerunner? 4. In Luke 3:3, Luke tells us John had a message of “repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. What is repentance? What does repentance look like in someone's life? Can you tell if someone has truly repented? Why do you think churches struggle today to preach a message of repentance? 5. Read Isaiah 40:3-5 & Luke 3:4-6 in 2 different translations as a group (one of them being the passion translation). These verses talk very specifically about “preparing the way of the Lord.” Really focusing in on verses Luke 3:4-6, what kind of cutting, filling, straightening, and smoothing work has God been doing in your life? What does He still need to do? Why is this necessary preparation for us as disciples?

RATE! REVIEW! SUBSCRIBE! Email me your thoughts, comments or questions at caniberealpodcast@gmail.com Romans 3:9-31 ○ Lesson 3: Salvation is free, not cheap. § Verse 22: "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." [lesson #1] § Justification □ The legal term referring to a right standing before God □ to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation ® Read 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 § Redemption □ Refers to the act by which a slave is given freedom □ redeeming means serving to offset or compensate for a defect ® Read John 3:16-18 § Atonement □ Reparation for an offense or injury □ The reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ ® Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 § Read Ephesians 2:8-9 □ "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift if God- and not by works so that no one can boast." § Read Hebrews 5:7-9 □ "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his fervent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience, from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…" ○ Read Isaiah 53 □ It cost Jesus Everything! God gave up his Son for us! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rachel398/message

Read- Isaiah 43:18 Acts 2:17-21 Revelation 12:7-12 Revelation 1:14 Revival starts when you catch a new vision of the same old situation. As we prepare to take ground, the most important thing on this journey would be to forget the former things and focus in on what God is doing right here, right now. This fresh vision of our lives will open up our hearts to a move of God like never before and we are to be a church that is building the kingdom wherever we go, we need to remember the following: It is the power of the blood and the power of our testimony that will cause the shift in pain. People don't connect to our promise they connect to our pain, like a puzzle piece, it's what was broken and missing in us that has created a space for someone to partner with us in life. God is bringing us to the dark places to bring the water out of us to bless those around us. Those rivers of living water will be more of a miracle when they come forth in a dry and desert place. We will never step out if we don't know who is with us, all of Heaven is backing us up and that should give us the boldness to preach revival. God came upon the heroes of faith so that they can carry the anointing into every situation. But unlike the heroes of the past, we have that anointing living within us and it has nothing to do with us! We need to know how powerful our God is and then we need to know how much He loves us. We take all God's power away if we continue to hate ourselves and if we cannot see that this all powerful God has left the powers of the universe to rest his hands on us we will forfeit this race. Revival is here and it starts with us! Application: Can we stop looking into the past and press into the future? If there past miracles and great moments in your life that have maybe turned into idols then ask the Lord to give you a fresh vision of the future today! Prayer: Father I pray that revival will break out in me today. I long to be used by you, at this moment. You're not waiting for perfection because you are perfect. If it is a move of God it will only happen through broken vessels and the foolish things of this world. I ask that you move me out of the way so that you can reach the world around me, through me. In Jesus name!

Join us today as we bring a critical update on the war in Israel and how it will affect the nations according to how they align.  Read Isaiah 62 again and continue to be a watchman on the walls.  

This Christmas, Jesus is making us whole through our longings, our longings for a world of goodness and peace, and also, our longings for things to be put right in our own lives. Find Jonathan Pennington's book The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing here.  Read the Beatitudes here. Find Phillippians 2 here. Read Isaiah 30 here. This reflection and practice were also published this week in The Slow Way Newsletter. Find a transcript of this episode here.  Find Micha's website and sign up for her weekly newsletter here Find Micha on Instagram Find Micha on Threads.  Micha's other (award winning!) podcast, The Lucky Few, is all about Down syndrome advocacy. She cohosts it with Heather Avis and Mercedes Lara.  Preorder Micha's new book Blessed Are The Rest of Us: How Limits and Longing Make Us Whole at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and available everywhere books are sold.