Podcasts about Sodom

Welcome to Day 2891 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – When Myth Remembers: The Case for the Supernatural in History. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2891 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2891 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled:  When Myth Remembers: The Case for the Supernatural in History. Modern thinking often treats myths as primitive fiction, old stories made up to explain what ancient people didn't understand. This is a shallow and deeply flawed view. A myth, in its original form, was never just a tale. It was a framework for understanding reality. Myths carried the collective memory, theology, morality, and worldview of a people group. They encoded truth, not always literal in every detail, but meaningful, historical, and often rooted in real events, places, and supernatural encounters. To dismiss myths because they involve divine beings or miracles is to miss their purpose. Ancient people did not separate the sacred from the secular. Their myths reflected how they understood the world and how they encountered powers beyond it. The first segment is: Historical Memory Preserved in Myth Some myths are poetic versions of real events. The story of the Trojan War, once thought to be legend, gained new weight when archaeological discoveries confirmed the existence of a city that fits Homer's description of Troy. Likewise, while the legends of King Arthur are wrapped in fantasy, they are likely based on a real post-Roman warlord who resisted Saxon invaders. Even in Scripture, the events that modern critics label “mythic” often show clear signs of historical anchoring. The global flood, the destruction of Sodom, the Tower of Babel, and the conquest of Canaan are presented not as metaphors but as real acts of God in human history. These accounts, though cosmic in scope, are rooted in geography, time, and national memory. The second segment is: Myth as Cultural Lens Myths also reveal what mattered most to a people. Norse mythology, shaped by harsh winters and unrelenting violence, emphasizes cold, fate, and struggle. Mesopotamian myths center on divine kingship and cycles of fertility, reflecting the importance of rivers, temples, and crops. These stories do not just preserve events; they preserve the lens through which cultures viewed divine activity. In the Bible, this same pattern holds. Its creation narrative, flood story, and judgments are not recycled myths but deliberate responses to the surrounding pagan world. Scripture confronts and corrects the worldview embedded in other myths. It does not borrow their gods. It defeats them. The third segment is: The Modern Turn Against the Supernatural The rejection of mythic material as a source of truth is not ancient. It is modern. It was not the biblical writers or the early Church who dismissed the supernatural. That rejection began in earnest during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when Western intellectual culture began shifting under the influence of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment exalted reason, skepticism, and empirical science. Thinkers like David Hume and Immanuel Kant argued that miracles violated the laws of nature and were therefore unreliable as historical events. Supernatural claims were relegated to the realm of fiction or psychological projection. This created a new definition of truth, one that excluded divine intervention, spiritual beings, and cosmic conflict. In the nineteenth century, these assumptions were applied to the Bible through the historical-critical method. Scholars such as Julius Wellhausen dissected Scripture not as divine revelation but as a collection of evolving mythologies shaped by human communities. The creation narrative, the flood, the Tower of Babel, and the miracles of Jesus were no longer treated as actual events but as religious poetry or borrowed legends. In this model, myth was not something to be trusted. It was something to be deconstructed. Even movements that sought to preserve the value of myth, such as Romanticism, did so by redefining it. Myths were not allowed to speak about divine realities. Instead, they were reduced to metaphors for the human condition. Their theological and historical weight was stripped away in favor of psychological interpretation. The fourth segment is: Augustine's Overcorrection: From Mysticism to Minimalism But the groundwork for this modern rejection of mythic material was laid even earlier. Augustine of Hippo, one of the most influential theologians in Christian history, had once been deeply involved in Manichaeism, a mystical cult that emphasized a cosmic struggle between light and darkness. After leaving the cult and converting to Christianity, Augustine understandably sought to distance himself from the elaborate supernatural systems he had once embraced. However, in doing so, he overcorrected. He rejected many established supernatural interpretations of Scripture, favoring more allegorical and philosophical approaches. Influenced by Neoplatonism, Augustine prioritized abstract spiritual realities over tangible supernatural beings. He reinterpreted Genesis 6, for example, not as a rebellion of divine beings, but as a moral tale about the intermarriage of the godly and ungodly. Though Augustine never denied God's power or the reality of miracles, his discomfort with mythic material and his desire for theological respectability led him to downplay or spiritualize the cosmic conflict found in much of the Bible. His influence steered much of Western theology away from the ancient worldview that accepted divine councils, rebellious spirits, and supernatural intervention as real components of history. This theological shift made it easier for Enlightenment thinkers to later dismiss myth outright. The supernatural had already been contained and abstracted. In many ways, the modern rejection of myth did not begin with science. It began with Augustine's reaction against his own past. The fifth segment is: The Myth That Was True and the Myths That Remembered Not all myths are lies. Many are distorted memories of real events, echoes of a spiritual history that the nations once knew but later twisted. The flood, the divine rebellion, the rise of giants, the war among the gods, these appear in cultures across the globe not because they were invented out of thin air, but because they preserve fragments of true events. The nations remembered the rebellion of the sons of God, but they passed it down in corrupted form. They remembered divine judgments, but attached them to false deities. Their stories are not false because they are myth. They are flawed because they lost the context of Yahweh's supremacy. In the twentieth century, this idea was captured powerfully in a conversation between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. At the time, Lewis still considered myths to be beautiful lies, moving, meaningful, but ultimately untrue. Tolkien challenged that view. He explained that myths resonate because they point to something real. Humanity tells stories of gods and sacrifice and resurrection because it dimly remembers. Made in the image of a Creator who speaks through story, we carry within us a longing for the true version of the story all nations once knew. Tolkien told Lewis, “The story of Christ is a myth working on us in the same way as the others, but with this tremendous difference: it really happened.” The point was not that the other myths were worthless, but that they were shadows. The gospel is the fulfillment of what all the others pointed toward. It is not myth in the modern sense of fiction, but myth in the ancient sense of divine reality revealed in story. Where the nations preserved pieces of divine truth wrapped in confusion, Scripture restores the original pattern. Where paganism elevates rebel gods and obscures justice, the Bible reorients the mythic structure around Yahweh, the Most High. It does not erase the mythic imagination. It redeems it. The sixth segment  is: Yahweh Is Not Bound by the System He Created A major reason people reject mythic material is the presence of supernatural events. Miracles, divine appearances, and acts of judgment are written off as fabrications because they do not conform to natural law. But that objection is built on a misunderstanding of who Yahweh is. If we believe that Yahweh is...

Some Very Good Bad ExamplesJude 4-16 Some Very Good Bad Examples: Jude 4-16 Ken Wilson For the bulletin in PDF form, click here.Message SlidesDefectors from What? - SwindollTheological Triage - MohlerFinding the Right Hills to Die On - Gavin OrtlandThe “Sons of God” in Genesis 6:1-4 - Allen RossCannonicity of the OT and NT - WilsonIntroduction: Bibles and Bible Reading - Some Surprising StatisticsThe Current Crisis(Godless False Teachers are in the Church.)• Predicted: False teachers have infiltrated the church (4a).• Perverted: False teachers pervert the grace of God (4b).• Profane: False teachers deny the Lordship of Christ (4b).The Past Precedent(Three Very Good Bad Examples Illustrate the Certainty of Judgment.)• Unbelieving Israel: Unbelievers were judged after being delivered (5).• Angels: Rebellious angels are kept in darkness for later judgment (6).• Sodom and Gomorrah: The perverse in the cities were judged by fire (7).The Present Parallel(Arrogance and Greed Characterize False Teachers.)• Conceited: False Teachers are arrogant and misunderstand authority (8-10).• Predictable: False Teachers are selfish [like Cain], greedy [like Balaam], and rebellious [like Korah] (11).• Dangerous: False Teachers are dangerous [like a hidden reef], selfish [like greedy shepherds], unsatisfying [like rainless clouds], dead [like a barren tree], shameful [like stormy waves], unreliable guides [like wandering stars], and destined for judgment (12-13).The Future Prospect(False Teachers will be Judged by God and Angels.)• Destiny: As Enoch prophesied, they will be judged by God (14-15).• Character: They're grumbling, critical, immoral, self-centered manipulators (16). The character and destiny of false teachers who will face an impartial and righteous judge should deter us from following them in the last days.UPG FOCUS: The Amma Kodaga are a small Hindu people group living in the hilly regions of southern India, where they farm crops like coffee and spices and live in close-knit, tradition-rich communities. They practice Hinduism, blending cultural rituals with deep respect for family and heritage. Though the NT is available in their language, there are no known believers among them. Pray that they would be drawn to Jesus, that disciples would be raised up among them, and that workers would go to share the gospel.FinancesWeekly Budget 34,615Giving For 06/07 76,526Giving For 06/14 37,554YTD Budget 1,730,769Giving 2,044,634 OVER/(UNDER) 313,865 Automate the ImportantWe understand that the summer months can be a whirlwind of new schedules and travel. To ensure the continuous growth of Fellowship's ministry, we encourage you to simplify your giving process by automating it. It's a straightforward and hassle-free process. Just visit fellowshipconway.org/give, click “Ready to Give?” then “Recurring,” and fill out the necessary information. If you need any assistance, feel free to reach out to John in our office at 501-327-3444 between 8:30 and 4:30, Monday through Thursday.New to Fellowship? We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift. Fellowship Women's Watercolor NightPut Wednesday, July 29th at 6 pm on your calendar! Please bring yourself and a friend. All materials are supplied. We will all be practicing different watercolor techniques and participating in some fun watercolor activities! This will be fun for participants of all levels of experience. Remember: it's about the process, not the product! Register at fellowshipconway.org/register. RSVP to Shanna at 501-336-0332 for childcare.Fellowship Women's Recipe SwapSunday, July 12th, at 6 pm, join us at the home of Gale Allen: 63 Moseley Lane, Conway, for a fun evening of sharing favorite recipes, delicious food, and great fellowship! Tara Brown will be there to do a cooking demo! Bring a dish to share and a copy of your recipe. Feel free to invite a friend! Register at fellowshipconway.org/register.Help us Bless our VBS Volunteers!We're looking for people to sign up to provide snacks and treats throughout the week to keep our amazing volunteers energized as they serve. If you'd like to help please contact Ashley, Aoverstreet@fellowshipconway.org or Heather, Hfulmer@fellowshipconway.org Thank you for supporting those who are investing in the lives of our children! Widows' America 250 Luncheon Wear your red, white, or blue as we enjoy our special guests Colonel C. Jason Carter, USA Retired and Rebecca Carter Thursday, July 16 at noon, 3680 Gresham Dr. RSVP by July 2 to Judy, 501-329-3535 or Ambra, 501-730-6795.Men's Discussion GroupMen's Discussion Group starts back up July 2 with “Making Sense of God” by Timothy Keller. This book discussion will both strengthen your own faith and enhance your ability to productively engage with nonbelievers. We'll gain an understanding of how God makes so much more sense of identity, freedom, purpose, evil, and other experiences than a secular view does. We invite all men to join us; just get a copy of the book and join us for discussion in the FBC Library on Thursdays. Contact Andy at 501-314-9121 for information. 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Are you unknowingly camping in a "Sodom" of your own making, where pride and indifference toward sin are quietly eroding your family's future? This message uncovers the signs of living in a culture of compromise and provides a practical blueprint for fathers and families to lead their homes out of the danger zone. Discover how to guard your household and break the cycle of generational decay by choosing sacrifice over convenience.

Welcome to "The Bible in Today's World", the show that compares today's world with the Word of God. In general and specifically, are we following the Bible in our daily walks? Is society demanding that we follow the Word of God in all that we do? Does our Almighty Father look upon us and frequently say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" - or is He thinking of us as He thought/thinks of Sodom and Gomorrah? On today's show, we will discuss Genesis, Chapter 3.

How vital is the God-ordained role of fathers in shaping generations? Do you believe the role that you play will help not only your kids, but their kids as well? Have you ever noticed the pretense to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and how the prior conveyance from God was an if/or statement?. There is a lot to unpack in this non-traditional Father's Day Teaching. Please listen to "The Great Need For Fathers," taught by Pastor Jamie, to gain a new view on an otherwise well-known account.

CheckoutThe God Centered Concept Academy Training Community to learn what growth in Christ ishttps://api.tuvu.com/redirectGroup/6a2ac0e2c9f728027338244cCheck out this link to view Kingdom Cross Roads on TV.https://jesussaid.tv/?affiliate=tswright_gccTo get a copy of our new book "Embracing the Truth" or to have TS Wright speak at your event or conference or if you simply want spiritual or life coaching or just a consultation visit:www.tswrightspeaks.comVisit our website to learn more about The God Centered Concept. The God Centered Concept is designed to bring real discipleship and spreading the Gospel to help spark the Great Harvest, a revival in this generation.www.godcenteredconcept.comKingdom Cross Roads Podcast is a part of The God Centered Concept.In this episode of Kingdom Crossroads, TS Wright welcomes Joshua Spatha back for a fascinating discussion on Genesis 6, the Nephilim, and the supernatural worldview of the Bible. Joshua explains the two major interpretations of the “sons of God” passage: the Sethite view and the supernatural view, where the Bene Elohim are understood as angelic or spiritual beings. He also connects the Genesis 6 account to giants in the land, the Anakim, Rephaim, Goliath, King Og, the Book of Enoch, Jubilees, Second Temple Jewish tradition, and New Testament references in Peter and Jude. The conversation challenges modern Western discomfort with the supernatural and urges believers to take seriously the biblical worldview of spiritual realities interacting with the physical world.In This Episode:TS and Joshua discuss:Why the Nephilim are an important Old Testament theme.The Sethite view versus the supernatural view of Genesis 6.The meaning of “sons of God” / Bene Elohim.Giants in the Bible, including the Anakim, Rephaim, Goliath, and King Og.The relationship between Genesis 6 and the flood narrative.Why Second Temple Judaism and the early church leaned toward the supernatural interpretation.How 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and the Book of the Watchers provide background to Genesis 6.Why Peter and Jude appear to allude to the Genesis 6/Enochic tradition.How “as in the days of Noah” may connect to end-times discussion.Why Christians should not remove the supernatural from Scripture.Key Quote / Episode Theme:“The Bible is full of supernatural things. We need to get comfortable with that and stop trying to downplay, minimize, or take safety scissors to the pages of Scripture.”Scripture and Biblical Themes Mentioned:Genesis 6; the days of Noah; the flood; sons of God; daughters of men; Nephilim; Anakim; Rephaim; Goliath; King Og; Peter and Jude's references to angels who left their proper abode; Sodom and Gomorrah; Elijah and Enoch being taken up; prophecy and the supernatural nature of Scripture.Suggested Timestamps:00:00 — Welcome to Kingdom Crossroads00:45 — Introducing Joshua Spatha and his background in Old Testament studies01:10 — Setting up the topic: the days of Noah and the Nephilim02:40 — Genesis 6 and the “sons of God”03:22 — The Sethite view explained04:30 — The supernatural view: Bene Elohim as angelic/spiritual beings05:26 — Giants in the land and the biblical problem of the Nephilim06:30 — Goliath, King Og, and giant clans in the Old Testament08:30 — Why the supernatural view has strong textual support10:16 — Enoch, Jubilees, the Book of Giants, and the Watchers11:20 — The flood, corruption, and the judgment of the giants12:40 — Why giants appear again after the flood13:39 — “As in the days of Noah” and end-times implications15:32 — Second Temple Judaism, the early church, and Augustine's influence17:00 — Reading Enoch and Jubilees with discernment18:26 — Why the Nephilim were viewed as the “boogeyman” of the ancient world19:20 — Ancient Near Eastern parallels and Michael Heiser's work20:49 — Pagan myths, Titans, demigods, and biblical interpretation21:40 — Peter, Jude, Sodom and Gomorrah, and spiritual beings taking flesh23:13 — The virgin birth and spiritual reality producing physical results24:33 — TS Wright on prophecy and the supernatural nature of Scripture26:21 — Closing resources and final encouragementJoshua Spatha Resources Mentioned:Joshua Spatha's website: mperspective.orgJoshua Spatha's book: Mere SpiritualitySEO Keywords / Tags:Nephilim, Genesis 6, Joshua Spatha, TS Wright, Kingdom Crossroads, sons of God, Bene Elohim, Book of Enoch, Book of Jubilees, Book of the Watchers, giants in the Bible, Goliath, King Og, Anakim, Rephaim, days of Noah, supernatural worldview, biblical prophecy, Second Temple Judaism, Michael Heiser, Old Testament studies, Christian podcast, biblical giants, fallen angels, watchersCaptivate Episode Notes Copy:Joshua Spatha joins TS Wright on Kingdom Crossroads for a deep discussion on the Nephilim, Genesis 6, and the supernatural worldview of Scripture. Together, they explore the “sons of God,” the Sethite view, the supernatural interpretation, giants in the Old Testament, the Book of Enoch, Jubilees, the Watchers, and why the days of Noah still matter for believers today.This episode challenges modern Western discomfort with the supernatural and invites Christians to read Scripture with the worldview the biblical writers actually held. From Genesis 6 to Peter and Jude, from Goliath and King Og to the ancient Jewish background of the Watchers, this conversation opens up one of the Bible's most fascinating and controversial topics.Go forth in total surrender to the One who owns and reigns over all creation—and let the great harvest begin.

Forgiveness is Freedom David Eells – 3/27/26  (audio)    We need faith in order to receive God's benefits, faith to receive His healings, deliverances, provision, salvation and so on. There is something that's just as important as faith because unforgiveness can block you from receiving any of that.  Mat 6:15 ASV  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.   Unforgiveness brings the curse of the Bible listed in Deuteronomy 28. It is a very big problem and a major reason why people don't receive what they need from God.   How do we prove that we have forgiven and how do we show forgiveness? In other words, how is forgiveness manifested through us to others? And how do we show, or what do we show, to others to prove that we have forgiven them? I think we can see some pretty good signs from this verse: (Rom.12:14) Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. When you're persecuted by someone, your doesn't really want to forgive them. But we really don't have any choice and it's the right thing to do, since the Lord has forgiven us such a great debt its only right to forgive everybody else their debt according to Jesus in Mat 18.  The penalty there is that Father turns the unforgiving over to tormenting demons in Mat 18:34-35. Forgiveness is extremely important if you want to bear fruit so the Lord can walk in you.  You will stumble without His grace. Forgiveness is every bit as important as the faith message because God does not give grace to people who don't forgive, or to people who judge, or to people who are bitter, or to people who are “just hurt” as they say. (Jas.2:1) My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons. Are you holding the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord with respect of persons? James goes on to give the example of having more respect for the rich man than the poor man.   Then he speaks of another form of respect of persons that's also quite common. (Jas.2:8) Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: (9) but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the law as transgressors. If you're seeking to be justified by something that you are doing, but that somebody else isn't doing, be very, very careful because there are things that you are not doing and they are doing. And so James says not to be a respecter of persons. As it was with those under the Law, it also is with us. (Jas.2:11) For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So if you've transgressed in anything, then you've transgressed. If you've sinned in anything, then you have sinned. And, of course, if you are not willing to give grace to someone else when they have sinned, just remember that God doesn't have to give you grace when you sin.   James warns us, (Jas.2:12) So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty. In other words, if you want to be judged by a law of liberty, be sure you judge other people by a law of liberty. Judging is the first thing you do when you don't forgive someone. You are judging this person unworthy of forgiveness when Christ already forgave you and Jesus warned us about that. (Mat.6:14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. The Father will turn you over to the tormenters until you pay your debt to God, since you didn't think your brother was worthy of having his debt to you cancelled by receiving forgiveness from you.  (Jas.2:12) So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty. What's the “law of liberty”? Well, he's using the Law here by way of an example. If you demand the Law be used on someone else, instead of giving them the same grace and “liberty” that the Lord offered to you, but you don't want to demand the Law be used to judge you, then you need to remember that the Lord will use the Law on you. (Jas.2:13) For judgment [is] without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment. What you sow, you reap, according to the universal law that the Lord has given us. (Gal.6:7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. If you sow mercy and forgiveness, and refuse to judge unrighteously, as Romans 14 warns against doing, then God will show grace and mercy to you.   God is the judge. When Paul turned a sinner over to Satan in 1Co 5 it was God who judged and it must be that way today. This was governmental unforgiveness. Personal judgment and personal unforgiveness is owed by us. Governmental unforgiveness coming from God through elders is important to protect others. When this happens God will confirm the judgment. But in Pro 26:2  As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.  How dangerous it is, for we can actually sever our own grace and ruin our own future by not forgiving other people. (Jas.3:14) But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. Faction, of course, is seeking to separate people from others, especially to separate followers through selfish ambition. Judgment, jealousy, faction, criticism, gossip; these are all manifestations of unforgiveness, and many forms of it, because people are tempted to “lie against the truth” when they're attempting to cause division through jealousy or selfish ambition because they want something that God has not given to them.   But we should always wait and trust in the Lord to provide and ordain things for us, and not try to gain it ourselves. Jealousy causes people to try and obtain things through their own efforts. (Jas.3:15) This wisdom is not [a wisdom] that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (16) For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. The reason these people are turned over to vile deeds is because of unforgiveness the Father turns them over to tormentors as Jesus said. Mat 18:34-35  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due.  35  So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.    Many people have made themselves judges and think they have the right not to forgive other people but, if they are usurping this position, in other words, if they're seizing and holding this position, office, or power, etc., instead of God giving it to them, then they're going to bring a curse upon themselves. God guarantees it. (Jas.4:11) Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (12) One [only] is the lawgiver and judge, [even] he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor? Do you see what I'm saying here? James is saying the exact same thing. Only One has the right to judge; only the Lord has the right and He chooses through whom He will judge and it will not be someone in sin.  2Co 10:6  and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full.  The apostle Paul said, (Rom.2:1) Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practice the same things. If you judge others, then you judge yourself. We can't judge, be unforgiving, bitter, factious; or be attempting to bring judgment on other people. (Eph.4:29) Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth ... (Jas.3:8) But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] full of deadly poison. Of course, God can tame the tongue and sometimes we learn obedience through the things we suffer.   The Bible said that even about Jesus. (Heb.5:8) Though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. When we suffer for speaking things we shouldn't, it motivates us to be very careful before the Lord. (Eph.4:29) Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying (or “building up”) as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. It's always legal to edify, to build up, to give grace; it's not always legal to tear down and we have to be careful that it's only the Lord Who does that. He is the Judge. It is legal to give grace but it is not always legal to judge. (Eph.4:30) And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice. These are all manifestations of unforgiveness.  Paul is warning us here and he mentions railing in (1Co.5:11) But as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one, no not to eat. As a sin that is worthy of separating from people, he commands us to separate from any man who is called a brother, if he is reviling or railing. Reviling is from Loidoros, meaning abusive railing. The word for “railing” is blasphemia, which is the same word for “blaspheming,” and it means “to speak against.” Both reviling and railing are speaking against others. And as we just read in James, “Speak not one against another, brethren.” (Eph.4:31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice. If you don't put this away, you will pay for it and usually pretty quickly. Generally, your body will start going downhill, circumstances will start going downhill, the grace of God will be gone from you, etc. (Eph.4:32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. We see that so often in Scripture: if God forgave you, you have to forgive.   (Col.3:12) Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering. A person who judges other people illegally is a proud person. A person who is unforgiving is a proud person. This is a person who has put him or herself up on a pedestal and thinks they have the right to not forgive, that they have the right to judge instead of giving that right only to God. They are sitting in the place of God. He says that through lowliness, meekness and longsuffering, we suffer long with other people's errors and problems and weaknesses, etc. (Col.3:12) Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; (13) forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye.  Paul is talking about personal forgiveness here and we always have to give personal forgiveness every time. He's not talking about governmental unforgiveness because it would truly be a sin to forgive someone in a governmental situation. When it's the responsibility of an elder to judge and they don't do it, then they are sinning. For instance faction must be dealt with swiftly or it will spread and destroy many with “vile deeds”. However we always have to forgive any offense against us personally or we won't be forgiven, which is the foundation of our salvation. In Mat 18:15  And if thy brother sin (against thee [some ancient authorities omit this and it does not have a numeric pattern]), go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. The factious always disobey the command to go to the brother they are judging “alone” which makes them backbiters or back stabbers (Rom 1:30). They do this because their slander will be refuted by the witnesses. (Col.3:14) And above all these things [put on] love, which is the bond of perfectness. Of course, if you love your brother as yourself and you are not a respecter of persons, then you're going to want to afford every right and every privilege to him that you want for yourself.  This will bond you instead of divide you. If you want God to judge you according to grace and mercy, then remember you have to give that same grace and mercy to others. (Col.3:15) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. It's not possible to let the Word of Christ “dwell in you richly” unless you're going to be obedient to the golden rule. The Word will not be manifested in you if you have unforgiveness. Unforgiveness blocks so many things that God could give to you and opens up the door for so many more sins that will take over your life, so that the Word will not be manifested in you.   The Word is Jesus and He will not be manifested in you if you have unforgiveness. All of those other fruits of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, railing, and malice will be manifested instead of the Word. It doesn't matter what God has promised you; they won't come to pass because God's promises are conditional upon repentance and faith.   (Col.3:16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. (17) And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. So whatever we do, we are to do it in Jesus' Name; in other words, as representing Him. The meaning for the Greek word for name is nature, character, and authority. To do everything in His name is to do it like He would; that's exactly the meaning of Colossians 3:17. If we would do what Jesus would do, then the Word would be manifested in us.   What is the nature of forgiveness? I believe what Jesus is doing is He is helping us to understand those circumstances in which we find ourselves most likely to fall into unforgiveness. Those circumstances aren't the big curses that we think they are. We need to understand that wicked people who come against us and tempt us to fall into unforgiveness or bitterness or judgment, are actually a blessing. They cleanse the body of leaven. We need to understand that the Lord is sovereign and no person can come into our life without God's grace. We need to understand what He says about them.  (Luk.6:22) Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company,] and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for Son of man's sake. Well, we certainly don't think that we're being blessed when people do such things, but from God's point of view, we are. We shouldn't be so near-sighted to see only the circumstance and not what God says about the circumstance behind the scenes because what is being worked in us is for eternity. (23) Rejoice in that day (We sure need to remind ourselves of this because the flesh just cries out, doesn't it?), and leap [for joy] for behold, your reward is great in heaven (Can you imagine? This obnoxious person who is accosting you is actually creating a reward for you in heaven!); for in the same manner did their fathers unto the prophets. (24) But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. (25) Woe unto you, ye that are full now! for ye shall hunger. Woe [unto you,] ye that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. (26) Woe [unto you,] when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets. So we see that if these same wicked people speak well of us it is a woe to us.  Jesus said, “Woe ye that laugh now.” Yes, sometimes you weep, you mourn because of things that you go through at the hands of other people. But He said, “Woe ye that laugh now, for ye shall mourn and weep.” If we laugh at the judgment of others it is a woe to us. Things are going to be turned around. We are about to be treated badly by the world as a trial, but God says, “leap [for joy] for behold, your reward is great in heaven.” The reward that God is giving is not just a breath that He calls this life; the reward that God gives lasts forever and ever. If we could really understand what He's saying here and what is happening here, I believe we would leap for joy. God is true to His Word.   And now Jesus is going to tell you what it really is to be a forgiving person and what the fruit of being a forgiving person is. (Luk.6:27) But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you. If you let bitterness or unforgiveness rise up in your heart, it's just not possible to obey this. (Luk.6:28) Bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you. (29) To him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also. The only person who can do this is a forgiving person, a person who is not judging. They are being obedient to the Lord and they have His grace working in them. Of course, you don't have the grace to do these things if you're unforgiving because then God withholds His grace. He gives grace only to the humble. (Jas.4:6) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore [the scripture] saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. (Luk.6:30) Give to everyone that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.  Those with faction and witchcraft stole from us whenever there was an opportunity and we have never asked it back but God always repays it multiplied when we just give it. In other words, He doesn't want you to judge these people. He tells us, (1Co.5:12) For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within (meaning those within the Church)? In obedience to this, before the faction leave the Church in a rage we correct their slander, fornication, lies, lusting, etc. After they leave we have only judged them carefully when the Lord told us to. (13) But them that are without (outside of the Church or not in the Church) God judgeth. (Luk.6:31) And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.   Here again is that perfect law of liberty. Giving mercy when we want mercy, sowing the very seed that we need because each seed brings forth after its own kind. If you want mercy, you sow mercy; if you want forgiveness, you sow forgiveness, etc. God will bring it back to you. (Luk.6:32) And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? Oh, it's easy to love and forgive people who love and forgive you, but what about giving love and what He is telling us to do here. (Luk.6:32) And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them. There's no reward for us in loving those who are good to us. (33) And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for even sinners do the same. True; even sinners do the same, so we have to be above that. We have to be able to do it even for the wicked and the unworthy, and God will give us grace to do this. It all comes by grace from God but we forsake our own grace if we are unforgiving.   (Luk.6:34) And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? even sinners lend to sinners, to receive again as much. (35) But love your enemies, and do [them] good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. I know that you want to be a son of God, not just a child of God. The manifestation of sons is what the whole world is waiting to see. (Rom.8:19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. He's telling you here how to be a son.   If you don't want to do these things or if you give little esteem to these things that Jesus is saying, you forsake grace. And if you're unforgiving, then, of course, you won't have grace to do these things. And not only won't you have grace to do them, you won't want to do them. It will not be possible for you to do them. If we want to be sons of God, we have to be like His Son. And what did Jesus say? (Luk.23:34) Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (35) But love your enemies, and do [them] good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. (36) Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (37) And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned.   Be careful that if any judgment or any condemnation is coming through you, that it's coming from God and not from you. If you have any personal feelings, if you have personal bitterness or unforgiveness toward someone, then you're not neutral and God can't use you. He can't use you as a son, as He could use His Son, because His Son was truly forgiving. (Luk.6:37) And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released. Jesus forgave the sinners but governmentally judged the judges. When you're holding people captive to their sins or, in other words, holding them accountable to their sins against you, it says to “release and ye shall be released.” (Luk.6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again. This is just so important for us to remember! However we give it out to others, however we sow it, that's what is going to come back to us.   We've seen how unforgiveness manifests itself in our thoughts and our actions. Forgiveness also manifests in our thoughts and our actions. Here's a good example: (Mat.5:38) Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: (39) but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil ... According to the Law, you were able to demand an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. You had the right to execute vengeance under the Law. But the Law could make nothing perfect, and God decided that He needed a better Covenant with better promises, so He gave us the New Covenant.  Paul in 1Co 5 told the Church to throw the fornicator and reviler out to save the Church because a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Now this is definitely talking about not resisting humans because we're told in (Jas.4:7) Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. We are told to resist the devil and his demons but Matthew is talking about the person, the flesh and blood, with whom we are not supposed to fight. The elder must resist the wicked for the Church with governmental authority as we have seen. The angels go out to take down slander because it is an attempt to destroy souls and families with witchcraft.  Individually we fight against our real enemy, the principalities and the powers. (2Co.10:3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (4) (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), (5) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.  (Mat.5:39) But I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. If you forgave a person immediately, as you should do, then you would be able to resist retaliation. If you overcome unforgiveness every time someone attacks you that's a good thing, and if you finally overcome it in your nature, you won't have any problem obeying what Jesus commanded here. The majority of the Church doesn't pay much attention to these Scriptures for they are self-crucifying. They would rather appease their flesh and retaliate in order to get out of this crucifixion to their flesh.   (Mat.5:40) And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. That really comes against the flesh; we are really swimming upstream here to be obedient to Jesus. Unforgiveness is common. It's thought of as a worthy thing in the world but the Lord speaks very harshly against it. (Mat.5:41) And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two. This also really goes against the flesh. The flesh is prideful and doesn't want to do this; and God hates pride. Unforgiving people are prideful people because they think that they have the right to judge.   (Mat.5:42) Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. This is humiliating to the old man. (43) Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: (44) but I say unto you, Love your enemies ... Of course, this is the total opposite of unforgiveness, judgment, bitterness, wrath and demanding your rights. (Mat.5:44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; (45) that ye may be sons of your Father ... Look at how many times the Lord connects sonship with this kind of humility in our lives. He connects sonship with the kind of humility that doesn't judge, the kind of humility that forgives.   (45) That ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. We wonder why God doesn't judge certain people around us; we wonder because He is so longsuffering with the wicked and vessels of dishonor so the elect among them will be saved as in Romans 9.  But He needs and uses those vessels of dishonor to try us and crucify our flesh. (46) For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? …(48) Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.   Brethren, some of the worst of men can be saved, Paul and Peter were but Judas was not. Pray for your families that they forgive, repent, and be among the chosen. Here is something many leave out, God's will.  Rom 9:2-5 that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart.  3  For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for my brethren's sake, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (He had great love and great faith but few were saved. Why?) 6  But it is not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: (The same is true of the recognized “Church”.) 7  neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (The chosen lineage among Abrahams children.) 8  That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. (Only those who have faith in the promises.) 9  For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. (A type of the promised seed of all nations. This was after God rejected Ishmael, a type of the rejected seed of all nations.) 10  And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac--  11  for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election (choosing) might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (Only “many are called but few are chosen”.) 12  it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.  13  Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.  (Two types of world-wide people.) Many will argue with this but God says in 14  What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.  15  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.  16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, (The choice is not man's but Gods. Religion doesn't count.) but of God that hath mercy. 17  For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth.  18  So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will be hardeneth.  19  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?  20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?  21  Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?  22  What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted unto destruction:  23  and that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy, which he afore prepared unto glory,  24  even us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles?  25  As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved.  26  And it shall be, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, There shall they be called sons of the living God.  27  And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved:  28  for the Lord will execute his word upon the earth, finishing it and cutting it short.  29  And, as Isaiah hath said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, We had become as Sodom, and had been made like unto Gomorrah. 

Welcome to "The Bible in Today's World", the show that compares today's world with the Word of God. In general and specifically, are we following the Bible in our daily walks? Is society demanding that we follow the Word of God in all that we do? Does our Almighty Father look upon us and frequently say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" - or is He thinking of us as He thought/thinks of Sodom and Gomorrah? On today's show, we will discuss Genesis, Chapter 2.

In this episode, we walk through what the Bible says about homosexuality from Genesis to Romans — not to condemn, but to teach truth with clarity and care.This episode is brought to you by our ministry partner Accountable2You. Join thousands living in freedom with nothing to hide, and visit https://accountable2you.com/dialin. Use our unique code DIALIN to get 25% off your first year of an Accountable2You Personal or Family PlanWe cover:• God's original design for marriage and sexuality (Genesis 1–2)• The sin of Sodom and what it actually reveals (Genesis 19, Jude 7)• The Levitical holiness code — Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13• Deuteronomy on gender distinction• Romans 1 and the "wrath of abandonment"• 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 — the vice list AND the good news• Is there hope for the homosexual? Absolutely.This is part one of a two-part series. Part two addresses common rebuttals: shellfish objections, what type of homosexuality Paul condemned, and more.

Table of Contents: The Reaper (US Special Forces) on what he saw in Pakistan Regarding Middle East Muslim's and Chai Tea Boys Showing Their True Sick Deviant Colors! 14 Terrifying Cases Of Muslim Illegal Aliens Raping Elderly Women In France Somalia Overturns Law Banning Child Marriage Just 24 Hours After Muslim Male-Led Protests—Listen to a 73 year old Muslim child molesting pervert weeping on social media and calling the Somalia child marriage ban: “Against Islam and Allah!”

Kencan Dengan Tuhan - Rabu, 17 Juni 2026Bacaan: "Sebab orang benar ini tinggal di tengah-tengah mereka dan setiap hari melihat dan mendengar perbuatan-perbuatan mereka yang jahat itu, sehingga jiwanya yarig benar itu tersiksa." (2 Petrus 2:8)Renungan: Satu pepatah berkata, "Burung yang sejenis akan berkumpul bersama-sama. Burung yang sejenis akan hinggap di dahan yang sama." Pepatah ini sungguh benar adanya. Kalau kita amati sekumpulan burung yang berhenti di sebuah dahan pohon, ternyata memang adalah burung yang jenisnya sama. Burung yang terbang secara bersama-sama juga adalah burung dengan jenis yang sama. Bukankah kita tidak pernah menjumpai burung gereja, burung kakatua, burung walet, atau burung elang terbang secara bersama-sama dan berhenti di dahan yang sama? Manusia juga sama. Dalam sebuah kelompok pergaulan, kita juga sering menjumpai hal seperti itu. Manusia berkelompok menurut jenis yang sama. Memiliki tujuan yang sama. Memiliki niat yang sama. Memiliki hobi yang sama. Bahkan, kerap kali memiliki karakter dan tabiat yang sama. Itu sebabnya kalau mau sukses, tentukan seperti apa pergaulan dan komunitas yang tepat. Kita akan sulit sukses jika kita bergaul bersama para pengangguran, orang yang bermalas-malasan, atau kumpulan orang yang tidak punya tujuan hidup. Sebab suka tidak suka, kita akan terpengaruh dan menjadi sejenis dengan perkumpulan kita. Lot adalah orang benar. Firman Tuhan di dalam 2 Petrus 2:8 dengan jelas menyatakan hal itu. Sayang, Lot berada dalam kumpulan orang berdosa. Tak heran jika jiwanya tersiksa karena berada dalam perkumpulan orang-orang yang jahat. Tak hanya jiwa Lot yang tersiksa, tapi lama kelamaan tabiat Lot pun menjadi semakin mirip dengan orang-orang Sodom yang amoral! Hati-hati dengan pergaulan kita. Jangan remehkan hal ini. Jangan anggap bahwa kita bisa berjaga-jaga dan tidak akan menjadi sama dengan mereka. Sehebat apapun kita menjaga diri, sedikit banyak kita akan terpengaruh dengan apa yang kita lihat, apa yang kita dengar, dan semua hal yang terjadi di depan mata kita secara terus menerus. Pilihlah kumpulan orang yang baik dan benar, maka kita pun akan menjadi lebih baik dari sebelumnya. Tuhan Yesus memberkati. Doa:Tuhan Yesus, berilah aku hikmat agar aku dapat bijaksana memilih teman yang dapat memberkati kepribadianku, sehingga hidupku pun dapat menjadi berkat bagi orang lain. Amin. (Dod).

Mildew by Demeter and Frankincense & Myrrh by Kuumba Made + The 120 Days of Sodom, or the School of Libertinage by the Marquis de Sade (1785) + Pier Paolo Pasolini's The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964) and Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975) + Strange Landscape (1973) and When Jonathan Died (1978) by Tony Duvert 6/14/26 S8E36 To hear this episode and the complete continuing story of The Perfume Nationalist please subscribe on Patreon. 

Matthew 9:35-10:23   Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

Abraham's persistent negotiation with God regarding the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah reveals a side of the Father that is patient, listening, and deeply personal. This message explores the posture of intercession and the power of persistence, challenging us to view God not as a wrathful judge, but as a caring Father who delights when His children come to Him.

Third Sunday after Pentecost Old Testament: Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) 1The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. 2He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. 3He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." 6And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes." 7Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it.8Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." 10Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. 11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. 12So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?" 13The Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'14Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son." 15But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. He said, "Oh yes, you did laugh." [1 The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. 2Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. 4And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." 7And she said, "Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."] Psalm: Psalm 116:1,10-17 1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *        because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. 10 How shall I repay the Lord *        for all the good things he has done for me? 11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *        and call upon the Name of the Lord. 12 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *        in the presence of all his people. 13 Precious in the sight of the Lord *        is the death of his servants. 14 O Lord, I am your servant; *        I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;        you have freed me from my bonds. 15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *        and call upon the Name of the Lord. 16 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *        in the presence of all his people, 17 In the courts of the Lord's house, *        in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.        Hallelujah! Old Testament: Exodus 19:2-8a 2They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain.3Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites:4You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, 6but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites." 7So Moses came, summoned the elders of the people, and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8The people all answered as one: "Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do." Psalm: Psalm 100 1 Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *        serve the Lord with gladness        and come before his presence with a song. 2 Know this: The Lord himself is God; *        he himself has made us, and we are his;        we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 3 Enter his gates with thanksgiving;   go into his courts with praise; *        give thanks to him and call upon his Name. 4 For the Lord is good;   his mercy is everlasting; *        and his faithfulness endures from age to age. Epistle: Romans 5:1-8 1Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:8,(9-23) 35Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." 1Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. 2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;4Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. 5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' 8Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. [9Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for laborers deserve their food. 11Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12As you enter the house, greet it. 13If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16"See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; 22and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.23When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.]

Welcome to "The Bible in Today's World", the show that compares today's world with the Word of God. In general and specifically, are we following the Bible in our daily walks? Is society demanding that we follow the Word of God in all that we do? Does our Almighty Father look upon us and frequently say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" - or is He thinking of us as He thought/thinks of Sodom and Gomorrah? On today's show, we will discuss Genesis, Chapter 1.

Year A – Pentecost 3; Lectionary 11 – June 14, 2026 Pastor Megan Floyd             Matthew 9:35 - - 10:23   Grace and peace to you from God, our Creator, from the Holy Spirit, our Sustainer, and from Jesus Christ, who sends us out with compassion to welcome and serve. Amen. *** Last weekend was one of those weekends that reminds me why I love the church. On Saturday, many of us gathered with our neighbors to first worship, and then celebrate at the Pride Festival. We shared smiles, conversations, and reminders that God's love is for all people. Then, on Sunday, we worshiped together here in celebration of Pride Month, giving thanks for the beautiful diversity of God's creation and for the truth that every person bears the image of God. Then this past week, our congregation joined with three other churches for Vacation Bible School. Children filled the church with laughter… and a bit of chaos. Friendships were formed. Stories were shared. Meals were served. New faces became familiar faces. On the surface, Pride celebrations and Vacation Bible School might seem like very different events. But as I reflected on today's Gospel from Matthew, I realized they share something important. Both were acts of hospitality.Both were ways of saying, "There is a place for you here." …and both were opportunities to share the good news of God's love. And that is exactly what Jesus is talking about in today's Gospel. Matthew tells us that Jesus went throughout the cities and villages, teaching, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and sickness. Then comes one of the most moving descriptions in all of Scripture: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Everything that follows… flows from that compassion. Jesus does not look at the crowds and see problems to be solved. He does not see enemies to defeat. He does not see people to judge. He sees people who are hurting. …People who are exhausted. …He sees people who have been pushed aside and wounded by systems of power and oppression. And his heart breaks for them. Jesus was moved by his compassion… to act. And you see, that is where the mission of the church begins. Not with strategy or plans for growth. Nope. The mission of the church… begins with compassion. Except… this is often where we get things wrong. We hear Jesus sending the disciples out… and we immediately think of evangelism as persuasion or recruitment. We imagine that our job is to convince people to come to our church and be part of our community. And this isn't a bad thing… I think our community is absolutely wonderful and I definitely think people should come check us out! But that is not what Jesus sends the disciples to do. In the Roman world, people would have immediately recognized the language of "proclaiming good news." When Rome conquered a territory, messengers would arrive announcing the "good news" that Caesar was now in charge. And… they came backed by military force… carrying the power of empire. …They came with the expectation that everyone would submit. Jesus… sends his followers out in exactly the opposite way. They carry no weapons, and they bring no wealth. …They travel with almost nothing so they must depend on the hospitality of strangers. They cannot force anyone to listen or compel anyone to receive them. They simply arrive… bearing peace… and offer healing. They proclaim that the kingdom of heaven has come near… And then they leave the response up to others. If people receive them, they stay, but if people reject them, they move on. This is such a radically different vision of God's kingdom. …The kingdom of God advances not through coercion but through compassion. Not through domination and force… but through love and hospitality. And perhaps that is why Jesus' words about shaking the dust from their feet can sound so startling. When a town refuses to receive the message, Jesus tells the disciples not to stay and argue. Not to keep fighting. Not to force the issue. Just move on. The good news must be shared. There are too many hurting people to spend all our energy trying to convince those who have already closed their hearts. And then Jesus invokes Sodom and Gomorrah. Now, those names carry a lot of baggage… but I think, especially so, during Pride Month. Many people immediately assume that Sodom and Gomorrah represent God's judgment against LGBTQ+ people. …But Scripture itself tells a different story. The prophet Ezekiel says in chapter 16:49, "This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, excess of food, and prosperous ease but did not aid the poor and needy." The sin of Sodom was not love… It was violence… and exploitation. It was the refusal of hospitality. It was the failure to welcome and care for strangers. It was the absence of compassion. In other words, it was the very opposite of the kingdom Jesus proclaims. Wherever people are dehumanized or rejected… wherever power is used to exclude rather than welcome… in those places… it is appropriate to invoke Sodom and Gomorrah. But wherever compassion, hospitality, and love flourish… in those places… the kingdom of God is drawing near. This week, as many of us celebrated the start of Pride Month, I saw glimpses of that kingdom. I saw people who felt safe and seen. …I saw people free to celebrate who God created them to be. I saw joy… and love and community… I saw reminders that every human being bears the Imago Dei—the image of God. And that matters. Especially in a week when the Southern Baptist Convention voted to further restrict women's leadership in ministry. Such actions stand in stark contrast to the expansive movement of God's Spirit throughout Scripture. After all, look at the people Jesus called. …Fishermen… Tax collectors… Political zealots… men AND women. Jesus called the powerful and the powerless… the respectable and the overlooked. Jesus gathered an astonishingly diverse community of disciples. It matters… not because diversity just is a modern value… but because God's kingdom has always been larger than our categories… and the church is at its best when it reflects the wideness of God's embrace. Because the good news is that God's grace is for ALL people, and that Christ's love is wider than our fears and our divisions. The good news is that every person is created in God's image and invited into God's beloved community. The good news is that wherever there is genuine love, God is already at work. That is the Gospel… and that is why it matters. Because there are still crowds all around us who are harassed and helpless. People longing for belonging… carrying wounds and wondering if they matter… wondering if they are loved… People searching for peace. And Jesus still sees them. …Jesus still has compassion… and Jesus still sends disciples to greet them… disciples of all colors, genders, and sexualities… Jesus still calls them… and sends them to greet the people that Jesus loves. My hope and prayer is that we become the kind of church that reflects the heart of Christ so clearly that people encounter that compassion through us. And honestly, I already see that here… I saw it at Pride… I saw it at Vacation Bible School… I saw it in the friendships that were formed… the meals shared… the laughter all around… and the welcome extended. Every act of hospitality becomes a witness to the kingdom… Every gesture of welcome becomes an act of evangelism… Every reminder that someone is beloved becomes a proclamation of the Gospel. Because evangelism is not primarily about getting people into church. It is about helping people encounter the love of God. And so… Jesus' invitation today is both simple and challenging. …Go… Go with compassion and humility… Go without needing to control the outcome. Go willing to offer hospitality and… and also… Go willing to receive it. Go… and be ready to recognize the image of God in every person you meet. Go beyond the boundaries of your comfort… beyond the limits of your assumptions. Go… trusting that the Holy Spirit is already at work ahead of you. The harvest is still plentiful. There are still people longing for good news. There are still opportunities to embody Christ's love. There are still communities waiting to experience the transforming power of hospitality. And so let us say yes to this mission… yes to compassion. Let us say yes to welcome… and yes to the delight God takes in the diversity of creation. Let us say yes to sharing the good news that God's love is for all people. For the kingdom of heaven has come near. Thanks be to God. Amen.

The ruins of Sodom still have something to say. In Jude's final example of God's certain judgment, we are reminded that God's truth does not change with culture. How do we stand for biblical truth while genuinely loving our neighbors? Join us as we examine Jude 7 and learn what it means to contend for the faith in a world that celebrates what God condemns. #TheFaithFight #Jude #ContendForTheFaith #TruthAndGrace

Second Epistle of Peter chapter 2 warns believers about false teachers who secretly introduce destructive teachings and exploit others for personal gain. Peter reminds the church that just as God judged rebellion in the past, He will also hold accountable those who distort the truth. Using examples such as the fallen angels, the flood in Noah's day, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Peter demonstrates that God knows how to rescue the godly while bringing justice upon the wicked. The chapter calls believers to remain discerning, grounded in God's Word, and steadfast in following Christ rather than deceptive influences.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.“Thank you for listening to SendMe Radio — where we share the Gospel, inspire faith, and keep you connected with powerful stories and updates from around the world. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe so you never miss a message.And remember — you can listen to SendMe Radio streaming 24/7 at www.sendmeradio.net or simply say: ‘Hey Alexa, play SendMe Radio.'

Study session scripture: Romans 9:14-29What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? As indeed he says in Hosea,“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.'” “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,' there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.'”And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” And as Isaiah predicted,“If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.”Study session topics:God's Saving Promises to Israel, Continued Is God unjust? "What shall we say then?"--refers back to Paul's explanation of God's sovereign choice This is an objection we encounter to this day--"If God is all-powerful, then He is unjust." Paul shifts his answer from God's justice to God's mercy Under God's justice we are all deservedly condemned (3:10-12) God's mercy is the only way anyone is saved, and mercy is in a different category than justice -Paul again states that salvation is a work of God that doesn't depend on human exertion or will (8:30) The example of Pharaoh (Exodus 9:13-16) God is not responsible for man's sin God is free to save whom He wills and judge whom He willsIn both cases, His name is glorifiedWhy does He still find fault? This objection flows directly from Paul's answer to the first Critical problems with this question: It assumes God condemns certain people without reference to what they are or do as sinnersIt assumes God creates certain people only to damn them, and that they themselves are bystanders in all this The question itself is a rebellion against God's right to do with His creation as He will Paul's answer to the question begins with 3 comparisons to put the question in its proper context Man and God -Created and Creator Clay and Potter Paul connects the illustration of the potter with the conclusion of the previous objection, the idea of God's wrath (Ch. 1), and His forbearance (2:4) Paul ends his refutation with quotes from Hosea and Isaiah that show that God's new covenant of salvation was always His goal, even in the days of the old Israelite kingdom HoseaGod commanded Hosea to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him and give his children strange and symbolic names Paul is emphasizing unity between Jews and Gentile believers Isaiah -"only the remnant will be saved"--Paul once again rejects physical lineage as the way to be included in God's covenant Apart from God's grace in saving a remnant, Israel would have been destroyed Taken together, these quotes emphasize a church blended together from Jews and Gentiles and God's faithfulness to His promises as they are rightly understoodStudy session audio: S4 E24: Romans 9:14-29 Download

Words are powerful and leave a residual magical print on whatever they are associated with. Chris Michaels of the "Christ Michaels Show" joins Ryan for a chat about the occult origins of Pride Month, the Israeli Pride Land festival in Sodom and Gomorrah, Operation Shylock and the undermining of Christianity, why the lunar symbolism is embedded within UFO Disclosure, and the anti-Christian motivation behind Steven Spielberg's new alien movie. Find Chris @CMichaelsShow on X and on Spotify https://t.co/abBhfo5Yql*The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.

Welcome to "The Bible in Today's World", the show that compares today's world with the Word of God. In general and specifically, are we following the Bible in our daily walks? Is society demanding that we follow the Word of God in all that we do? Does our Almighty Father look upon us and frequently say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" - or is He thinking of us as He thought/thinks of Sodom and Gomorrah? On today's show, we will discuss John, Chapter 21.

EVERYONE who signs up to my giveaway with @bellesaco will receive a FREE Rose suction toy with their order! https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/leavingeden-podIn this episode, we go through seven major bible verses that are most often used to promote anti-LGBTQ hate within Christianity and alternate (and in some cases more accurate and reasonable) interpretations. Sadie's theory is that in these verses and that everywhere that "sexual immorality" is mentioned in the bible, there is an element of consent that is often ignored by evangelicals or Christians who would use the bible as justification to hate members of the LGBTQ community. Gavi's belief is that it doesn't matter whether or not these verses refer to homosexuality because discrimination and hatred are against the higher-priority biblical commandments to love thy neighbor.These passages include Genesis 9, Genesis 19, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 1, Romans 1, and Leviticus 18.00:00 - Happy Pride!05:25 - What are "Clobber verses?"07:25 - Genesis 9, Noah's Ark and the Curse of Ham15:18 - Genesis 19, Sodom and Gomorrah27:02 - Romans 1, "A reprobate mind"33:38 - 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Timothy 140:04 - Leviticus 18, "It is abomination"42:40 - Kavod Habriyot, and human dignity46:50 - Romans 13, "Love Thy Neighbor," and financial ethicsSubscribe to Leaving Eden Podcast on YouTube!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ4q94gAnsoW2jME4SvVrrQJoin our Patreon for extended, uncensored, and ad-free versions of most of our episodes, as well as other patron perks and bonus content!https://www.patreon.com/LeavingEdenPodcastJoin our Facebook group to join in the discussion with other fans!https://www.facebook.com/groups/edenexodusJoin our subreddit! Reddit.com/r/EdenExodusBluesky:@leavingedenpodcast.bsky.social@hellyeahsadie.bsky.social@gavihacohen.bsky.socialInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/leavingedenpodcast/https://www.instagram.com/sadiecarpentermusic/https://www.instagram.com/gavrielhacohen/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Table of Contents: Updated Group Prayer–List of Current Event Prayer Points–Part 2 Israel (With the blessing of their government) Just Hosted “Pride City” Near Sodom & Gomorrah June 1-4 2026! They Are Planning to make this abomination city permanent! Gen 13:13: “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” Gen 18:20: “And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous…” Gen 19:24: “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven…”… Netanyahu says it was his plan to merge the U.S. and Israeli militaries together as one–99% of Congress has remained silent. NDAA Will Give Israel Co-Command of U.S. Military Forces–THIS WILL ENABLE ISRAEL TO ORDER US MILITARY TO KILL ANY U.S. CITIZEN WHO THEY PERCEIVE AS ANTI-SEMITES OR QUESTION ANY OF THEIR ACTIONS!  Congress is about to codify Israeli access to American AI technology and American data under the guise of national defense! Pentagon raised threat of Israeli spying on U.S. to highest level–sources say VIDEO: IDF Solider Testifies UNDER OATH: ‘Told to Stand-Down’ During Oct 7 Attacks: EXACTLY WHAT WE REPORTED ON THIS WEBSITE AND ON PRIVATE BRIEFINGS!  The Israel Lobby Is Officially Calling On Congress To Repeal The 1st Amendment & Establish A Social Credit Score Digital Dictatorship Over America! ZIONISTS' SATANIC PACT (video): 1926 book about “Secret World Government” as Isreal Rothschild-Pike NWO The Rabbi who owns the largest pornography company in the world explains why: ANYONE CAN JUSTIFY SIN, INCLUDING A RABBI OR PASTOR–The *rabbi* says his goal is to legitimize porn in society, eliminate its taboo and spread porn as far as possible–I remind you that OnlyFans is AIPACs biggest donor Understanding the Modern Day Counterfeit Vile Religious Israeli Synagogue of Satan PDF: Emergency Freedom Alerts 6-8-26 Click Here To Play The Part 1 Audio Source

The largest LGBTQ pride event just took place on the Dead Sea on behalf of the Israeli people. It just so happens that the location aligns with the historical Sodom and Gomorrah. Because of this and other factors relating to psychopathy and homicidal behavior, will divine judgment be visited on these people again? Also, why does the Hebrew spirit of abortion and sexual promiscuity, of desolation and temptation, wear a rainbow? Does she have anything in common with Baal or Moloch?*The is the FREE archive, which includes advertisements. If you want an ad-free experience, you can subscribe below underneath the show description.

Tuesday, 9 June 2026   And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” Matthew 20:21   “The ‘Also He said' to her, ‘What do you desire?' She says to Him, ‘You said that they might sit, these, the ‘two sons of mine,' one from ‘rights, You', and one from ‘lefts, You', in the ‘kingdom, Yours'.” (CG)   In the previous verse, the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons, kneeling before Him and asking a petition from Him. Matthew continues with, “The ‘Also He said' to her, ‘What do you desire?'”   When put in a position like this, all a person can do is wait for whatever is coming. It is reminiscent of what occurred between the Lord and Abraham –   “Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?'” Genesis 18:22, 23   Human beings have emotions and desires, wants and needs, and hopes and aspirations. Laying them before the Lord is one of the most common things we do. Jesus sees that what is being requested is obviously of great importance to them. With his question asked, “She says to Him, ‘You spoke.'”   The words mean she is asking for an authoritative statement to be made, essentially a declaration. Her request is “that they might sit, these, the ‘two sons of mine,'...”   She is asking for a decree to be made concerning her two sons. To sit in this case is not yet defined, but it means to hold a position. Israel “sat” in Egypt, the king “sits” on his throne, etc. A position is being requested. If it is made, it is something that will stand. People do this to other people, and it quite often puts them in a difficult position.   The reason for this is that a lifetime of contingencies may lie ahead that cannot be known at the time. Thus, when such a request is made, it can really put a person on the spot. As for the specific request, it is that “one from ‘rights, You', and one from ‘lefts, You'.”   The plural, rights and lefts, is a way of expressing the totality of one's side. This is common in Hebrew as well. But it is not unknown in English. We may say, “I am boxed in by my surroundings.” Such plural use gives a fuller sense than would be carried with a singular.   In this case, she is asking for her sons to sit in the fullness of Jesus right hand and left hand. The right hand is the preeminent position of honor, power, and authority. To be one's “right-hand man” means he has full authority to exercise the superior's will, just as Joseph had full authority over Pharaoh's house.    At that time, Pharaoh said, “...only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” The left side is one step down in prominence. If the one on the right cannot fulfill his duty, the one on the left would assume it.  As for this place of authority, she is asking for, it is “in the ‘kingdom, Yours'.”    Jesus had said they were going to Jerusalem. He had made a statement that they did not understand, but it appeared the promised earthly kingdom was at hand, something that the nation fully expected when they hailed Him on Palm Sunday –   “Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'” Mark 11:9, 10   Because of the nearness of what was anticipated, she has come forward now, seizing the moment in anticipation of her sons being Jesus' chief men when that day arrived.   Life application: The sons of Zebedee have already been called “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus, as recorded in Mark 3:17. They had been a part of Jesus' inner circle, having been invited to events that only they and Peter were privy to, such as the transfiguration and the raising of Jairus' daughter.   It is evident from John's gospel that Jesus had a special spot in His heart for John, even allowing him to sit next to Him at the Last Supper. Peter was impulsive and was openly rebuked by Jesus in Matthew 16. Thus, these two seemed like a logical choice to be Jesus' chief men.   Though it may seem presumptuous to us, they probably felt that they had a right to their request already and wanted it solidified with their mother's appeal.   In the end, they will get two distinct places of honor from Jesus. James will be the first apostle to die, while John will be the last. As such, they were granted special honor by Jesus in one way, even if it was not what they expected as they stood with their mother before Jesus.   Lord God, thank You for hearing our pleas, misguided as they may be. You know when to grant our requests and when they are inappropriate. Our hearts are opened to You, and we often are overzealous in what we desire. Thank You that You know what is best for us and respond according to Your wisdom. Amen.  

This week we are reading one of the Bible's most famous disputes with God – Abraham's insistence that God should have mercy on Sodom for the sake of its righteous, found in Genesis 18:16-33. Now, we love mercy as much as the next guy, but this time around we wrestled with the profound entanglement of the righteous and the wicked in this story. There is no discussion here about simply stopping the wickedness in one way or another, or even just eliminating the people perpetrating wickedness while leaving the righteous alone – they are all in it together. But if mercy in this case basically means ignoring the land's outcry and letting the wickedness stand ... what does THAT mean for the innocent who continue to live there? In a modern society that so values individual autonomy, how do we think about the ways in which our fates are inextricably tied?  

The Forgetten Rock & The Vine Of Sodom - Song Of Moses

June 8, 2026Today's Reading: Genesis 15:1-6Daily Lectionary: Proverbs 5:1-23; Proverbs 6:1-7:27; John 12:20-36a“But Abram said, ‘O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?'” (Genesis 15:2)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Perhaps Abram has a point. At age 75, he was called by God to leave his home and travel to a new land, but life has been fraught with problems. There was a famine, so Abram found himself in Egypt, where that (first) awkward encounter between the Pharaoh and Sarai happened. And then, Abram has to rescue his nephew Lot from war in Sodom and Gomorrah. What about the promises of being a great nation, being blessed, and having his name be great? Ever since Abram listened to God, it has been one issue after another; there doesn't seem to be any follow-through on those promises. In today's reading, God is making promises again: Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram pushes back: But God…what will you give me? I don't even have an heir of my own!Here's the thing. We sinners like to develop our own timelines and our own measuring sticks. Abram wanted those promises fulfilled now. He wanted what was coming to him. He wanted proof and assurance that this was going to be worth it. Abram is having doubts; he and Sarai hadn't had a child yet - how could they possibly be the great nation that God had promised? Abram doubts. You and I doubt too. Why is my life full of suffering? Why is the Christian life hard? When will I receive what God has promised? The rest of today's reading is the comfort we need. Abram expresses his doubts, and God hears them! God's character is one of mercy and patience. While Abram had no ‘right' to question God or worry about what was going to happen, God met Abram's question with assurances. God gave Abram more promises - Abram, you will have your own son. You will have more descendants than stars in the sky. And even more amazing - when Abram believes these words from God, God counts his belief as righteousness! What about for you? What about when you ask questions, worry, and doubt? God answers you, too. Remember your Baptism. You are named as a Child of God and covered by Jesus. Go to the Divine Service and hear God's Word of Law and Gospel for you. Be reminded that you are a sinner - one for whom Jesus bled and died. Rejoice that you are a saint and that Jesus' resurrection is yours also. Take and eat Jesus' Body and Blood. Believe in the One who always keeps His promises and always hears your prayers. God is faithful.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.God gives me my days of gladness, And I will Trust Him still When He sends me sadness, God is good; His love attends me Day by day, Come what may, Guides me and defends me. (LSB 756:3) Deac. Sarah Longmire, Curricula Curator for Higher Things and Director of Family Life at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee's Summit, MO.

Welcome to "The Bible in Today's World", the show that compares today's world with the Word of God. In general and specifically, are we following the Bible in our daily walks? Is society demanding that we follow the Word of God in all that we do? Does our Almighty Father look upon us and frequently say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" - or is He thinking of us as He thought/thinks of Sodom and Gomorrah? On today's show, we will discuss John, Chapter 20.

Beginnings | Week 38 The Sin of Sodom June 7, 2026 Pastor Ben Bufkin 00:00 What does the Bible teach about Homosexuality? 30:24 What was the sin of Sodom? 39:04 What should our response be?

This powerful message takes us deep into Genesis 12, exploring a truth many of us overlook: sometimes the places we visit temporarily leave permanent marks on our souls. We journey with Abram as he faces a severe famine right after obeying God's call, reminding us that obedience doesn't exempt us from hardship. What happens next is sobering—fear drives Abram to Egypt, where he makes compromises to survive. While Abram eventually returns to the altar at Bethel and restores his relationship with God, his nephew Lot carries Egypt home in his heart. The message reveals how Lot's exposure to Egyptian prosperity shaped his desires, eventually leading him to choose land near Sodom that reminded him of Egypt. This isn't just ancient history—it's a mirror for our own lives. We learn that our choices never affect only us; they ripple through our families and everyone under our influence. The most convicting truth? We can be delivered from a place physically while still carrying it internally. Our appetites, our definition of success, our secret compromises—these are the Egypt we bring home. The call is clear: return to the altar, allow God to search our hearts, and choose His promises over what merely looks appealing. Because famine reveals what we truly trust, and the greatest bondage isn't always what holds our feet but what captures our affections.

Leprosy?; Plaguing Israel; Priest diagnosis; Healing leprosy; Moses vs Miriam; "Antisemitism"?; Terah's idolatry; Covetousness in Sodom; Degrees of freedom; Cursing your children; "The Way" of Christ; "America"; Human Resources; Slavery; Releasing from bondage; Judges/gods; Choosing slavery; Allegiance?; Melchizedek; Breaking down walls?; "Altars"; Freewill offerings; "Hedges"?; Boundaries; No coveting; Libraries?; Taxes vs endowment; Provisions through freewill offerings; Peace through charity; Which gods do you serve?; Making the Word of God of none effect; Legal title; Consensual offerings; Jacob's dealings with Laban; Moses - given freedom and leadership; Free souls under God; "Religion"; Altars and wood; Organizing society; Counsel; "Priests" ministering to ministers; Government of, for and by the people; Consent; Rulers offering dainties; Fleshpots; Misinterpreting the bible; Welfare snares; Social Safety Nets?; ayin-vav-resh (skin, to make bare, stir up); biet-shin-resh (skin of the flesh, tidings); nun-shin-aleph (rising); Leprosy - becoming stricken - with what? Confusion? Temptation?; Worshipping wealth; Christ - king and priest; Repentance; Help for co-congregants; Becoming a nation of service; Thinking "kingdom"; Laying down your life for others; Lev 13:6; Garment?; Treachery?; Disease of the spirit; Contaminating; Moving toward righteousness; Removing dependence on forced offerings; Influence and control; Common purse; Democracy; Metaphors; Romulus and Remus?; Lev 13:13; Contagion of ideas; Hospice?; Biting one another; Sacrificing to idols; Darkening your eyes; Sewing underwear of your ministers?; Thinking YOU are the chosen people; Follow Christ's Way!

Do You Realize Who Lives Inside You? Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.  And you will receive the Holy Spirit.” I think when most of us read this, we focus on the repent and be baptized part of this verse.  Repentance is so important, and it is something that we can read about all throughout the Bible.  God is always calling His people to repentance, and sometimes they repented and other times they did not.  In the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, they were a wicked people and they refused to repent.  God sent fire down to destroy the towns.  However, when God sent Jonah to Ninevah to tell them they needed to repent, they did, and God saved them.   Did you know that Jonah was angry at God for saving Nineveh?  We read in Jonah 4:1-2, “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.  And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is it not this what I have said when I was yet in my country?  That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.”  Jonah ran from the Lord when the Lord asked him to go to Ninevah.  I had always thought he ran from the Lord because he was afraid of the people in Ninevah.  However, this verse says that he ran because he knew God would have mercy on them, and he didn't want them to be saved. This is a somewhat common thing for us to do.  Maybe not running from the Lord, but definitely wishing people would get what they deserve.  Have you ever wished that someone got what they deserved?  Have you ever seen a car speed by you, or weave in and out of traffic, and think to yourself, “I hope there is a cop ahead.” Or do you see someone cut in line and hope that someone notices and that they get kicked out of the line?  Why do we do this?  Why do we wish ill on other people?  Maybe you are thinking that you are justified in thinking that you want the driver to get pulled over because you want them to learn their lesson and drive better.  But, what if they did get pulled over and they just got a warning, would you be ok with that? Sometimes we can do this with our kids as well.  Jonah felt that these people needed to be punished, and he knew that God would have mercy on them.  Sometimes, we can default to the thinking that when our children do something wrong, they need to be punished, and maybe that is true sometimes.  But do we take the time to think about the situation first?  Do we even consider giving them mercy?  Sometimes our children need our mercy.  Sometimes they messed up, did something they weren't supposed to do, and they know it was wrong.  They are truly sorry, and they learned a lesson from it.  Times like these are times when we should consider mercy.  Sometimes we think our kids will only learn if we punish them; however, I think they can learn a lot from mercy as well. As I said earlier, we tend to focus on the first part of this verse, Repent and be baptized.  However, I wonder how many of you also think of the ending of the verse?  How many of you truly know what it means?  The verse ends with, “and you will receive the Holy Spirit.”  I am not sure that everyone, or even most people, knows how powerful a statement that is.  Did you know that the power of the Holy Spirit is what raised Jesus from the dead?  Did you know that the same power resides in you?  Romans 8:11 "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” When you are baptized, you are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This means that when you are baptized, you receive the Holy Spirit.  If you are Catholic, then you receive the Holy Spirit again when you are confirmed.  This is all amazing to me.  The power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me.  I just can't get over that.  I think if we all knew the power that we had through the Holy Spirit and then used that power for good, the world wouldn't know what was going on.  Jesus said in John 14:12-14, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” Did you catch that?  Jesus said we will do greater works than He if we believe.  This is only possible because of the Holy Spirit.  We have the Holy Spirit inside of us; we just need to call on Him.   We need to believe in Jesus and believe when He tells us that He sent us the Holy Spirit to guide us.  The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead.  That same spirit lives in you.  What are you going to do with it?  Are you going to just sit around and let all that power pass you by, or are you going to use your newfound power for good?  Who do you know that could use some extra blessings?  I am sure that I have talked before about how important repentance is, and yet this will likely not be the last time you hear me talk about it.  Repentance is so important for so many reasons.  This verse just mentions one of the many: if you repent and are baptized, you will receive the Holy Spirit.  Now, after talking for a bit about how awesome the Holy Spirit is, wouldn't you do anything to be close to Him? Most, if not all, of you listening already have the Holy Spirit inside of you.  Call upon Him, and you will see how powerful He is.  Don't be afraid to talk with Him and ask Him for things.  That is why God sent Him to us, to help us.  Anything that happens as a result of the Holy Spirit glorifies God.  Jesus is with the Father, so when we ask God for things in Jesus' name, the Holy Spirit comes through for us, and the results glorify the Lord.  It is a win-win for everyone.  One of the easiest prayers to remember, and yet one of the most powerful, is, “Come, Holy Spirit, come.”  When you ask, God answers.  Anytime you are in need of a little assistance, or even a lot of assistance, pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, come.”  I truly feel you will be surprised at all the ways He comes through for you.   Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless all those listening to this episode today. Lord, I ask that you send the Holy Spirit to everyone listening to this podcast. Lord, we ask that you open our eyes to how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. Lord, we ask that you remind us to call on the Holy Spirit when we forget. Lord, we are so very thankful that you sent down the Holy Spirit to guide us in your ways.  Lord, help us to see the places in our lives where we need to repent, and then give us the courage to do so. We want to receive the Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus. We are open to it. Lord God, you are amazing. We are so very thankful for all you do for us.  We love you, Lord, and we ask all of this in accordance with your will, and in Jesus' holy name, amen. Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. This month in Mentoring, we're talking about the Father's love. One of the things we discussed this week is how many of us know God loves us intellectually, but still struggle to believe it personally. We talked about how the Father's love isn't something we achieve—it's something we receive. If you've ever felt like you have to earn God's love, prove your worth, or get your act together before approaching Him, I think this series could really encourage you. You can find the link to join in the show notes. I look forward to meeting you here again on Monday! Remember, Jesus loves you just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day! Today's Word from the Lord was received in October 2025 by a member of my Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group. If you have any questions about the prayer group, these words, or how to join us for a meeting, please email CatholicCharismaticPrayerGroup@gmail.com. Today's Word from the Lord is, “You may not see the light within you. I do. So if I can lift it up, the light within you, I can draw others to myself. My heart yearns for all of my children and all of my creation. Walk confidently in the plan of your life. I am your Father.” www.findingtruenorthcoaching.comCLICK HERE TO DONATECLICK HERE to sign up for Mentoring CLICK HERE to sign up for Daily "Word from the Lord" emailsCLICK HERE to sign up for my newsletter & receive a free audio training about inviting Jesus into your daily lifeCLICK HERE to buy my book Total Trust in God's Safe Embrace

This week we look the Murrell/Sturgeon scandal in Scotland;  Ireland and Iran;  The British Museum cancels Israel; Country of the Week - Cambodia;  Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner wants to protect pregnant men;  Pride returns to Sodom and Gomorrah;  The racist death of Henry Novak;  Transgender Extremist who plants bomb in Melbourne spared jail;  the Pope on AI; Newcastle Knights; Married at First Sight;  Top ten guitarists - no. 6 Jimmy Page;  Feedback; Iain McGilchrist on the need for Christianity; Jesus turns up on the Gold Coast; and the Final Word - Genesis 11:5-9 -   with Bachman Turner Overdrive;  Sinn Sisamouth; Preah Ang La Hor; Mike Zito; Kraftwerk;  Led Zeppelin and Dave Henderson 

Today we begin our study of Isaiah! Isaiah is an incredibly important book in the Bible and today we'll give a quick overview of the book of Isaiah and his message to us repentance and faithfulness to our faithful God. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    The name "Isaiah" means "The Lord is salvation". According to the podcast, why is that a great summary of the Book of Isaiah? How does God's covenant relate to the theme that the Lord is our salvation? 2.    Based on the podcast, what is a prophet? Likewise, what is the "office" of a prophet? Do you remember what the podcast said was the difference between "foretelling" and "forthtelling"? What are those differences? What were these differences for?  3.    Verse 1 tells us that Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Generally speaking, what was going on during this time?  4.    Read over verse 2. What does this verse mean? Why do you think that the Lord has Isaiah begin on this point here?  5.    In verse 3, who is the "Israel" that is being spoken about? What do we learn about them from this verse?  6.    Read over verses 4 to 6. In verse 4, how were the people weighed down in iniquity? In verses 5 & 6, what was the result of their sin?  7.    Verse 9 & 10 makes the amazing comparison between Israel and Sodom and Gomorrah. From what you know about Genesis 19, what happened in Sodom and Gomorrah? Why is verses 7 to 9 warning the people that they are at risk of the same judgment as those infamous cities?  8.    In verses 11 to 15, what religious acts were rejected by the Lord? Why did He reject them? In our world today, how might a person have a similar mindset in their religion and likewise be rejected by the Lord?  9.    Clearly Israel has been rebelling against the Lord and they are about to face His judgment. Yet the Lord gives them a path of repentance in verses 16 & 17. What does He tell them to do? Why? What would it take for them to carry out this kind of righteous pursuit from now on?  10.    Verse 18 is a heartwarming verse reflecting God's heart for His people. What does He tell them? In verse 19, what does He promise them?  11.    Verses 21 to 23 return to the theme of Israel's sin. What sinful things were the people doing? What righteous things were they not doing?  12.    In verse 25 & 26, what is the relationship between God's judgment and their purification? Why would we want to submit to this kind of "refining fire" in our own life?  13.    In verse 27, when God redeems His people, by what means will He redeem them?  14.    In verses 28 to 31, what will be the fate of those who are not redeemed? In light of their sins, why is this fate "just" and deserved?  Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! 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 this shmooze, delivered at the final Mishmar of the year in Mevaseret, Rav Burg explores the inner meaning of Techeiles and why Chazal connect it specifically to Avraham Avinu's refusal to accept even “a thread or a shoelace” from the King of Sodom.Why would Avraham accept gifts from Pharaoh and Avimelech, yet refuse anything from Sodom? What is the deeper connection between Sodom's worldview and the mitzvah of Techeiles? And why does the Gemara describe such a long visual process — Techeiles resembles the sea, the sea resembles the sky, the sky resembles sapphire, and sapphire resembles the Kisei HaKavod — instead of simply saying that Techeiles reminds us of Hashem's throne?The answer opens a powerful window into the psychology of possession, desire, and spiritual vision.Sodom represents a world of dry land: what you see is all there is. My possessions are mine, my success is self-made, resources are finite, and therefore even giving without loss feels threatening. Avraham Avinu refuses that consciousness. He raises his hand to Hashem, declaring that even the power of his hand comes only from above.Techeiles is the reward because Techeiles trains the Jewish eye to see differently. The sea teaches us that beneath the surface of reality there is a hidden world. The sky teaches us that beyond what we see, there is height, vastness, and purpose. Sapphire teaches us that when the physical world is used for Hashem, Divine presence becomes crystallized within creation. And from there, the eye is lifted toward the Kisei HaKavod itself.This is the secret of Techeiles: not merely to remind us of Heaven, but to teach us how to look at earth until Heaven becomes visible within it.

Welcome to "The Bible in Today's World", the show that compares today's world with the Word of God. In general and specifically, are we following the Bible in our daily walks? Is society demanding that we follow the Word of God in all that we do? Does our Almighty Father look upon us and frequently say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" - or is He thinking of us as He thought/thinks of Sodom and Gomorrah? On today's show, we will discuss John, Chapter 19.

Why would I ever want to have a body and why should I allow it to want what it wants?Today we meet Jill Rosenberg and we're talking about the queer book that saved her life: Sea of Tranquility by Paul Elliott Russell. And Paul joins us for the conversation!Jill is a graduate of Vassar College and the MFA Program at the University of Montana. Her fiction has been published by the Kenyon Review, Swamp Pink, Black Warrior Review, and other journals. Her collection of stories, Now I'm Photogenic and Other Stories I Tell Myself won the St. Lawrence Book Prize and is out now!Paul Elliott Russell is a four-time finalist for the Lambda Literary Award and two time winner of the Ferro-Grumley Award for Fiction. He is the author of seven novels and his upcoming novel The Angels Came to Sodom in the Evening will be out this fall. His 1995 nonfiction book, The Gay 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Gay Men and Lesbians, Past and Present has been translated into ten languages. He taught at Vassar College for 38 years till retirement in 2021. The Library of Homosexual Congress will publish his short story collection titled Desire in the Fall of 2027.Sea of Tranquility is the story of a splinted nuclear family - spanning from the optimistic time of the first moon shot to the bleak time of the early AIDS years.Connect with Jill and PaulJill's website: jillrosenberg.mePaul's website: paulrussellwriter.comOur BookshopVisit our Bookshop for new releases, current bestsellers, banned books, critically acclaimed LGBTQ books, or peruse the books featured on our podcasts: bookshop.org/shop/thisqueerbookBuy your copy of Sea of Tranquility here: https://bookshop.org/a/82376/9780312303723But your copy of Now I'm Photogenic and Other Stories I Tell Myself: https://bookshop.org/a/82376/9781625572172Pre-order The Angels Came To Sodom in the Evening: https://bookshop.org/a/82376/9781917352161Become an Associate Producer!Become an Associate Producer of our podcast through a $20/month sponsorship on Patreon! A professionally recognized credit, you can gain access to Associate Producer meetings to help guide our podcast into the future! Get started today: patreon.com/thisqueerbookCreditsHost/Founder: John ParkerExecutive Producer: Jim PoundsAssociate Producers: Archie Arnold, K Jason Bryan and David Rephan, Bob Bush, Natalie Cruz, Troy Ford, Jonathan Fried, Joe Perazzo, Bill Shay, Sean Smith, and Karsten VagnerPatreon Subscribers: Stephen D., Terry D., Stephen Flamm, Ida Göteburg, Thomas Michna, Sofia Nerman, and Gary Nygaard.Creative and Accounting support provided by: Gordy EricksonQuatrefoil LibraryQuatrefoil has created a curated lending library made up of the books featured on our podcast! If you can't buy these books, then borrow them! Link: https://libbyapp.com/library/quatrefoil/curated-1404336/page-1Support the show

As fire falls on Sodom and the smoke rises over the valley, Genesis 19 confronts us with God's gracious warning and asks whether we will be destroyed in judgment, kept by faith, or delivered through the painful loss that compromise brings. With Pastor Kaleb Allen.

Melchizedek appears just three times in the entire Bible. Twice in the Hebrew Bible. Once in the New Testament. And yet entire priesthoods, theological systems, and centuries of Christian doctrine have been built on top of this one figure. So who was he really? And what if the text was changed to hide his true identity?Dr. Robert Cargill, Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Iowa, former editor of Biblical Archaeology Review, and one of the most recognized biblical archaeologists in the world, sits down to walk us through the evidence. His Oxford University Press book argues that Melchizedek was originally the king of Sodom, and that ancient scribes deliberately altered Genesis 14 to distance Abraham from a city God would later destroy. That single scribal edit sent ripple effects through the Psalms, into the book of Hebrews, and straight into the foundation of Christ's priesthood. This conversation takes you inside the Hebrew text, into the caves of Qumran, through the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Pseudepigrapha, and into the hard question of what archaeology can and cannot prove about the Bible.In this episode you will learn:- Why Melchizedek is one of the most leveraged figures in biblical history and how different groups used him for their own purposes- The textual and grammatical evidence that Melchizedek was originally the king of Sodom, not the king of Shalem- Why scribes changed a single word in Genesis 14:18 and how that edit reshaped centuries of theology- How the tithe in Genesis 14 may have gone the opposite direction from what English translations suggest- What the Dead Sea Scrolls actually are and why they changed how scholars read the Bible- What the Pseudepigrapha (1 Enoch, Jubilees, the Genesis Apocryphon) reveal about what Second Temple Jews actually believed- How the book of Enoch rewrites the flood story to solve an ethical problem in Genesis 6- The most common types of bogus archaeological claims and how to spot them- Real archaeological discoveries that illuminate the biblical text, from the seal of Hezekiah to the Tel Dan inscription- Why Dr. Cargill believes archaeology should never be used as a tool for evangelism- The story of the Greek Orthodox archaeologist whose answer about faith and science changed everythingDr. Robert Cargill's Books:Melchizedek, King of Sodom: How Scribes Invented the Biblical Priest-King (Oxford University Press) - https://a.co/d/0e3LmMWEThe Cities That Built the Bible (HarperOne) - https://a.co/d/04VqTMt6Dr. Cargill's Website: bobcargill.comDr. Cargill's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC6TIKnUUWEhh1nspJ62komg Stay Connected:Website: Johnnyova.comSubscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejohnnyovaGet my book! The Revelation Reset: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZSM695Y

Welcome to "The Bible in Today's World", the show that compares today's world with the Word of God. In general and specifically, are we following the Bible in our daily walks? Is society demanding that we follow the Word of God in all that we do? Does our Almighty Father look upon us and frequently say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" - or is He thinking of us as He thought/thinks of Sodom and Gomorrah? On today's show, we will discuss John, Chapter 18.

It's Tuesday, May 26th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson and Timothy Reed Islamic governance seen in 14 countries Islamic governance is on the rise around the world, usually a response to Western aggression or interference with the Middle Eastern nations.   Since 1980, the nations which have seen increased Islamic influence in government include Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Brunei, Turkey, Iraq, northern Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Syria. Russia's latest attack on Kyiv, Ukraine Russia has launched a barrage of attacks on Kyiv. Ukrainian officials say four people died and 60 were injured over the weekend. Ukrainian Supreme Court legitimized homosexual faux marriage Plus, in a February ruling, the Ukrainian Supreme Court has just legitimized the faux marriage of a male with a male as well as a female with a female. In Genesis 2:24, God said, “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” China's aggression toward Taiwan and Taiwanese embrace “gay” marriage Last week, in the days following President Trump's visit to Beijing, China conducted another threatening military exercise involving 100 vessels off the shores of Taiwan, reports Fox News. Meanwhile, Taiwanese are even more in support of faux homosexual marriage since the nation legalized the abomination in 2019. The Taiwan Equality Campaign Poll found 54 percent of the population support faux marriage, up from 42 percent seven years ago.  Jude 7 offers a sober reminder of what happens to places that embrace the sin of homosexual behavior. “Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Secret Service killed a gunman outside White House Another potential attempt on the life of the President occurred on Saturday, May 23rd at 6:00pm, reports NewsNation.com. The shooter, identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents as he opened fire near a security checkpoint close to the White House at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The mentally disturbed man reached into a bag, pulled out a weapon, and began firing. Trump will send 5,000 troops to Poland President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will send an additional 5,000 troops to Poland. The president noted that his decision was based on the election last year of Poland's conservative President Karol Nawrocki. Presently, the United States has 80,000 troops stationed in Europe, 10,000 of which are in Poland, according to a Council on Foreign Relations analysis.  The largest U.S. presence is in Germany, with more than 38,000 troops. Should recently naturalized citizens hold office? Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina  who is also running to be the Palmetto State's next governor, made headlines for introducing a joint resolution to prevent recently naturalized citizens from holding office. Mace is calling for her resolution to be passed in the form of a constitutional amendment. In her words: “The American people deserve leaders who put America first. This amendment makes sure of it.” Oklahoma makes it a felony to traffic Abortion Kill Pills Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill that makes it a felony to traffic Abortion Kill Pills into the state for the purpose of causing an illegal abortion, reports Newson6. Punishments range up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine, or both. Republican State Senator David Bullard commented on the bill. He said, “We have worked hard to eliminate this enslavement of people. The trafficking of the abortion pill is no different than human trafficking and possibly worse. It is the largest killer of babies and the greatest threat to motherhood.”  Reddest states gain population; Bluest states lose America's “reddest” or most conservative states are gaining population and the bluest states are losing fastest. Last year, South Carolina, Idaho, and Tennessee were the fastest gainers on a resident per capita basis. By contrast, New York, California, and Maryland were the biggest losers. Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Michigan also lost residents in 2025. Condominium prices sinking across America Condo prices are sinking fast around the nation. A Denver condominium peaked at $280,000 in 2022 (adjusted for inflation), up from $165,000 in 2009. Already that $280,000 condo in 2022 (valued in 2009 dollars) has dropped off to a $202,000 value (in 2009 dollars). That's a 28 percent collapse in just four years. Florida and California condominium prices are sinking even faster. Condo prices usually run ahead of other real estate when the bubbles deflate. U.S. economy is faltering Americans are more pessimistic than ever concerning their views on the economy, while at the same time Wall Street is more euphoric than ever! The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index has dipped to an all-time low — the lowest in 65 years of American history. Meanwhile, the NASDAQ Composite Index has exploded to over 26,300. That's a whopping 450 percent increase from 10 years ago — at the same time that the nation's Gross Domestic Product only increased 200 percent.  Elon Musk on track to become Earth's first trillionaire And finally, as of yesterday, Elon Musk's net worth clocks in at $828 billion, according to the Forbes index. Economists say he's on his way to become the first trillionaire on Earth, reports The Daily Star. Elon's rocket, satellite and Artificial Intelligence empire is officially headed for the U.S. stock market, filing its prospectus with regulators. Google's Larry Page and Sergey Brin are hovering around $300 billion, and Amazon's Jeff Bezos sits at $270 billion on the Forbes billionaire list. Keep in mind the wisdom of Psalm 49:16-17 today: “Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, May 26th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Remember Lot's Wife. Jeffrey R. Holland. ACU Sunday Series. The past is to be learned from, but not lived in. We remember the blessings enjoyed and the lessons learned, but then we look with faith toward the future. Watch the entire video at- https://youtu.be/obNlH5VZ_qg?si=9mA18OXU8KTPxS2B BYU Speeches 251K subscribers 988,775 views Jul 3, 2012 Introduction: 00:00 Remember Lot's Wife: 3:33 Don't Look Back: 9:06 Remember Them No More: 14:33 The Best is Yet to Be: 24:40 Conclusion: 32:29 Follow BYU Speeches: Podcasts: https://speeches.byu.edu/podcasts/​ Facebook:   / byuspeeches​   Twitter:   / byuspeeches​   Instagram:   / byuspeeches​   Pinterest:   / byuspeeches​   This speech was given on January 13, 2009. Read and download the full devotional text at the BYU Speeches website: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffre... Read more about Jeffrey R. Holland here: https://speeches.byu.edu/speakers/jef... © Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. "The start of a new year is the traditional time to take stock of our lives and see where we are going, measured against the backdrop of where we have been. I don't want to talk to you about New Year's resolutions, because you only made five of them and you have already broken four. (I give that remaining one just another week.) But I do want to talk to you about the past and the future, not so much in terms of New Year's commitments per se, but more with an eye toward any time of transition and change in your lives—and those moments come virtually every day of our lives. As a scriptural theme for this discussion, I have chosen the second-shortest verse in all of holy scripture. I am told that the shortest verse—a verse that every missionary memorizes and holds ready in case he is called on spontaneously in a zone conference—is John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” Elders, here is a second option, another shortie that will dazzle your mission president in case you are called on two zone conferences in a row. It is Luke 17:32, where the Savior cautions, “Remember Lot's wife.” Hmmm. What did He mean by such an enigmatic little phrase? To find out, I suppose we need to do as He suggested. Let's recall who Lot's wife was. The original story, of course, comes to us out of the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, when the Lord, having had as much as He could stand of the worst that men and women could do, told Lot and his family to flee because those cities were about to be destroyed. “Escape for thy life,” the Lord said, “look not behind thee . . . ; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed” (Genesis 19:17; emphasis added). With less than immediate obedience and more than a little negotiation, Lot and his family ultimately did leave town, but just in the nick of time. The scriptures tell us what happened at daybreak the morning following their escape: The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities. [Genesis 19:24–25] Then our theme today comes in the next verse. Surely, surely, with the Lord's counsel “look not behind thee” ringing clearly in her ears, Lot's wife, the record says, “looked back,” and she was turned into a pillar of salt. In the time we have this morning, I am not going to talk to you about the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, nor of the comparison the Lord Himself has made to those days and our own time. I am not even going to talk about obedience and disobedience. I just want to talk to you for a few minutes about looking back and looking ahead. One of the purposes of history is to teach us the lessons of life. George Santayana, who should be more widely read than he is on a college campus, is best known for saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” (Reason in Common Sense, vol. 1 of The Life of Reason [1905–1906]). So, if history is this important—and it surely is—what did Lot's wife do that was so wrong? As something of a student of history, I have thought about that and offer this as a partial answer. Apparently what was wrong with Lot's wife was that she wasn't just looking back; in her heart she wanted to go back. It would appear that even before they were past the city limits, she was already missing what Sodom and Gomorrah had offered her. As Elder Maxwell once said, such people know they should have their primary residence in Zion, but they still hope to keep a summer cottage in Babylon (see Larry W. Gibbons, “Wherefore, Settle This in Your Hearts,” Ensign, November 2006, 102; also Neal A. Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1990], 47). It is possible that Lot's wife looked back with resentment toward the Lord for what He was asking her to leave behind. We certainly know that Laman and Lemuel were resentful when Lehi and his family were commanded to leave Jerusalem. So it isn't just that she looked back; she looked back longingly. In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. That, apparently, was at least part of her sin."   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    For Come Follow Me lesson manual and materials visit- Come, Follow Me For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/come-follow-me/2023?lang=eng     For a list of 100+ episodes of ACU Sunday Series visit- https://www.podbean.com/site/search/index?kdsowie31j4k1jlf913=85cb8104bdb182c048b714ad4385f9e82a3aeb49&v=ACU+Sunday+Series+ Note- Click on “100 Episodes Found” in upper right corner.   For many different Podcasts based on the ‘Come Follow Me' program visit- https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=come+follow+me+   Subscribe to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the latest videos: http://bit.ly/1M0iPwY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/churchofjesu... Twitter: @Ch_JesusChrist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChurchOfJes... Website: ChurchOfJesusChrist.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints   BYUEducationWeek   Get a Free Book of Mormon | ComeUntoChrist Church of Jesus Christ https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org › requests › free-...   The Book of Mormon brings you closer to Jesus. Click to download a free digital copy of the Book of Mormon and learn about it with online missionaries.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the Strength of Youth To help you find the Way and to help you make Christ's doctrine the guiding influence in your life, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has prepared a new resource, a revised version of For the Strength of Youth.   For over 50 years, For the Strength of Youth has been a guide for generations of Latter-day Saint youth. I always keep a copy in my pocket, and I share it with people who are curious about our standards. It has been updated and refreshed to better cope with the challenges and temptations of our day. The new version of For the Strength of Youth is available online in 50 different languages and will also be available in print. It will be a significant help for making choices in your life. Please embrace it as your own and share it with your friends. This new version of For the Strength of Youth is subtitled A Guide for Making Choices. To be very clear, the best guide you can possibly have for making choices is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the strength of youth. So the purpose of For the Strength of Youth is to point you to Him. It teaches you eternal truths of His restored gospel—truths about who you are, who He is, and what you can accomplish with His strength. It teaches you how to make righteous choices based on those eternal truths.13 It's also important to know what For the Strength of Youth does not do. It doesn't make decisions for you. It doesn't give you a “yes” or “no” about every choice you might ever face. For the Strength of Youth focuses on the foundation for your choices. It focuses on values, principles, and doctrine instead of every specific behavior. The Lord, through His prophets, has always been guiding us in that direction. He is pleading with us to “increase [our] spiritual capacity to receive revelation.”14 He is inviting us to “hear Him.”15 He is calling us to follow Him in higher and holier ways.16 And we are learning in a similar way every week in Come, Follow Me.     ACU Endorsed Charities -------------------------------------------------------- Pre-Born! Saving babies and Souls. https://preborn.org/ OUR MISSION To glorify Jesus Christ by leading and equipping pregnancy clinics to save more babies and souls. WHAT WE DO Pre-Born! partners with life-affirming pregnancy clinics all across the nation. We are designed to strategically impact the abortion industry through the following initiatives:… -------------------------------------------------------- Help CSI Stamp Out Slavery In Sudan Join us in our effort to free over 350 slaves. Listeners to the Eric Metaxas Show will remember our annual effort to free Christians who have been enslaved for simply acknowledging Jesus Christ as their Savior. As we celebrate the birth of Christ this Christmas, join us in giving new life to brothers and sisters in Sudan who have enslaved as a result of their faith. https://csi-usa.org/metaxas   https://csi-usa.org/slavery/   Typical Aid for the Enslaved A ration of sorghum, a local nutrient-rich staple food A dairy goat A “Sack of Hope,” a survival kit containing essential items such as tarp for shelter, a cooking pan, a water canister, a mosquito net, a blanket, a handheld sickle, and fishing hooks. Release celebrations include prayer and gathering for a meal, and medical care for those in need. The CSI team provides comfort, encouragement, and a shoulder to lean on while they tell their stories and begin their new lives. Thank you for your compassion  Giving the Gift of Freedom and Hope to the Enslaved South Sudanese -------------------------------------------------------- Food For The Poor https://foodforthepoor.org/ Help us serve the poorest of the poor Food For The Poor began in 1982 in Jamaica. Today, our interdenominational Christian ministry serves the poor in primarily 17 countries throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Thanks to our faithful donors, we are able to provide food, housing, healthcare, education, fresh water, emergency relief, micro-enterprise solutions and much more. We are proud to have fed millions of people and provided more than 15.7 billion dollars in aid. Our faith inspires us to be an organization built on compassion, and motivated by love. Our mission is to bring relief to the poorest of the poor in the countries where we serve. We strive to reflect God's unconditional love. It's a sacrificial love that embraces all people regardless of race or religion. We believe that we can show His love by serving the “least of these” on this earth as Christ challenged us to do in Matthew 25. We pray that by God's grace, and with your support, we can continue to bring relief to the suffering and hope to the hopeless.

By Matthew Fenchel - Abraham asked for mercy for Sodom and Gomorrah. Moses asked for mercy for Israel. Jonah did not want mercy for the residents of Nineveh. What can Christians learn from these stories?

Sodom and Gomorrah are on the verge of destruction. At the prompting of angels, Lot grabs his family and runs. When his wife looks back to gaze upon all she is losing, she instantly turns into a pillar of salt. What happens next? Join as Dr. McGee guides us through another great study in the Old Testament book of Genesis.

Jess is joined by playwright and "male actress" CHARLES BUSCH! Topics include: ROSIE O'DONNELL producing the disastrous Boy George musical 'Taboo,' performing at The Duplex in the late 70s, becoming close with JOAN RIVERS, the chaos of interviewing LIZA, working with NATASHA LYONNE, and how 'Vampire Lesbians of Sodom' became one of the longest-running Off-Broadway plays of all time. ⭐ Night of 1000 Judys: June 1 @Joe's Pub * all donations benefit The Ali Forney Center * ⭐ IG: @jessxnyc ⭐ Jess' docu-series on the history, mystique & lore of Fire Island — Finding Fire Island

As God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham, He tells Abraham about the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham, worried about his nephew, Lot, inquires about whom God will save. Travel with us as we see Abraham entertain angels without even knowing it and find Lot's well-watered plain isn't all he hoped it would be.