Podcasts about sovereign lord

“Then Jeremiah said to them all, including the women, “Listen to this message from the Lord, all you citizens of Judah who live in Egypt. This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You and your wives have said, “We will keep our promises to burn incense and pour out liquid offerings to the Queen of Heaven,” and you have proved by your actions that you meant it. So go ahead and carry out your promises and vows to her!' “But listen to this message from the Lord, all you Judeans now living in Egypt: ‘I have sworn by my great name,' says the Lord, ‘that my name will no longer be spoken by any of the Judeans in the land of Egypt. None of you may invoke my name or use this oath: “As surely as the Sovereign Lord lives.” For I will watch over you to bring you disaster and not good. Everyone from Judah who is now living in Egypt will suffer war and famine until all of you are dead. Only a small number will escape death and return to Judah from Egypt. Then all those who came to Egypt will find out whose words are true—mine or theirs!”‭‭- Jeremiah‬ ‭44‬:‭24‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬

Today's sermon calls us to remember that we serve a God whose purposes cannot be defeated! /// Scripture: Psalm 135 | Speaker: Bro. Danny Nance | Date Recorded: October 26th, 2025 | Running Time: 44:04

Our heavenly Father knows the plans. He knows the intentions. The imaginations He has for me. God thinks. Satan thinks too. But every soul on this earth was made individually, in the very image of God. When you accept Christ, you step into the Kingdom of Light. And in His light—we receive His revelation. For God is the fountain of light. And for each person in Christ, God knows the thoughts He thinks towards them. Jeremiah 29:11—“I know the thoughts that I think toward you ,”saith the Lord. This is not a maybe, not a half-promise, not a thought still in process. No. This was sealed. Signed. Finalized. A declaration. Long before verse 11, He spoke in verse 10—“After seventy years in Babylon, I will visit you. I will perform my good word toward you. I will cause you to return. ”He reaffirmed the promise with verse 11.To make His people understand: Only He knows the thoughts He thinks toward them. Declares the Lord. And what about us—His children, born of His Spirit today? Yes—He knows the thoughts He thinks toward us too. We must come to that place of rest. Rest assured, He will deliver us from every situation. He has a plan for every one of us. Our Heavenly Father has already established it. So why worry? Why fear? Let anxiety flee. These thoughts have been declared. He knows what He is doing. He has it all planned out. An affirmation of Jehovah. A declaration of the Lord. What are His thoughts? Thoughts of peace. Not of evil. Not of adversity. Not of calamity. A life of safety. A life of wholeness. Peace that surpasses all understanding—a peace not bound by circumstance, not chained to feelings. So when life turns you upside down, remember—His plans for you are peace. And His peace is followed by an expected end. A promised end. A future. Full of hope. This word “give”—it means more than handing something over. It means to ascribe. To assign. To ensure without fail. This end will come to pass. Without question. Without doubt. A direction we can lean on, a hope we can draw from, a well that never runs dry. God is calling us to long for that end. The end that is full of hope. As David wrote: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)“You have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)And Proverbs reminds us: “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18)Even Job declares: “Though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.” (Job 8:7)Throughout Scripture, God has always taken care of His own. And in Jeremiah 29, He didn't stop at peace, He didn't stop at an expected end. He continued with a call: “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart. ”What a way to encourage His children. “Then you will call upon Me and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart. ”That's His promise. That's His word. That's His declaration. So I stand here today—resting not in my own plans, but in His. For my Father knows the thoughts He thinks toward No suggestions of peace, and not of evil. To give me hope, to give me a future. And I believe No suggestions receive No suggestions walk in it. For I know the thoughts…He knows the thoughts…toward me. And that—is enough.

Psalm 97 WorksheetThe NKJV Heading reads “A Song of Praise to the Sovereign LORD.” That's a good title, because Psalm 97 is all about the LORD'S power and ________________________. As I read Psalm 97, think about all the statements that demonstrate God's great power! Rejoice because our LORD reigns over the whole _____________________! V. 1-6What are some reasons earthlings can rejoice that the LORD reigns over the earth?Verses 2-6 describe God's power and characteristics through the awesome phenomena He is back of. Righteousness and justice are a great ________________________ of the teachings the LORD gave Moses and the people on Mount Sinai. Remember that God gave the commands to the people He had already delivered. The law revealed God's character and His care for His people. No one was able to obey it perfectly, so it also revealed their need for the coming Messiah. Moses had previously met with the great I Am at the burning bush that burned but was not consumed. Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I Am, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).Last week we saw the great verses in Isaiah that say God will look on the one who ________________ at His word (Isa. 66:1-2). We think of Proverbs 1:7 that says the “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Mountains often represent __________________ people who need to be humbled, and valleys represent humble people whom God will raise up. “Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low.” -Isaiah 40:4“Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and He will lift you up!” -James 4:10The call to ____________________ of idol worship and worship the Most High God V. 7-9Why should idolators be ashamed? Because their worship is steeped in ignorance and ______________________. In contrast, the living God gives truth for those He has created to live by!The call to _____________________ evil and love righteousness V. 10-12Believers are called to love God and hate evil; to love the sinner but hate the sin, starting in their _________________ lives.The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. -Proverbs 8:13The Psalm ends with the same call with which it began – the call to ______________________.Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! -Phil. 4:4The Bible commands us to rejoice as a matter of obedience to the Lord Jesus. The quest for happiness is often dependent on good circumstances, but joy is based on our secure salvation that can't be taken away and the kind of ___________________________ our faith alone can give. The joy of the Lord is my strength! -Nehemiah 8:10

Send us your feedback — we're listeningIsaiah 61 : 1 (NIV) — He Has Sent Me to Bind Up the Brokenhearted | Global Prayer for Healing and Deliverance of the Heart | Reverend Ben Cooper | RB Christian Radio London | DailyPrayer.uk PodcastScripture (NIV):“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” — Isaiah 61 : 1 (NIV) Recorded live in London, England — a global prayer for healing of the heart and deliverance from every dark season through the anointing of Jesus Christ.Show NotesEvery day, millions search “prayer for a broken heart,” “deliver me from pain,” and “freedom from darkness.” Isaiah 61 : 1 is God's reply — He heals the broken, restores the captives, and sets people free. Reverend Ben Cooper reminds listeners that Jesus fulfilled this promise in Luke 4 when He declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me.” The same Spirit still moves today.From London to Lusaka, from New York to Nairobi, the Lord is binding up hearts torn by grief, loss, and betrayal. When pain lingers and memories hurt, He gently pours in oil and wine. Reverend Ben leads this prayer as a global call for inner healing — that every wound is touched by Christ's compassion.God's anointing brings restoration to emotions and freedom to the mind. The enemy wounds to silence you, but God heals to send you. You are not defined by pain but by purpose. The Spirit of the Lord has come to restore your voice, revive your hope, and renew your heart.10 Global Prayer Points (Long-Tail Keywords)Prayer for healing of a broken heart.Prayer for freedom from emotional pain.Prayer for deliverance from darkness.Prayer for inner peace and restoration.Prayer for those grieving loss and betrayal.Prayer for the Holy Spirit to heal memories.Prayer for hope after heartbreak.Prayer for families to find forgiveness and unity.Prayer for strength to let go and trust God.Prayer for renewal through the anointing of Jesus.Life ApplicationDeclare Isaiah 61 : 1 — “The Lord binds up my broken heart and sets me free.” Invite the Holy Spirit to touch hidden places of pain. Every tear is noticed, every wound is seen. Jesus restores whaSupport the showFor more inspiring content, visit RBChristianRadio.net — your home for daily devotionals, global prayer, and biblical encouragement for every season of life. We invite you to connect with our dedicated prayer hub at DailyPrayer.uk — a place where believers from every nation unite in prayer around the clock. If you need prayer, or would like to leave a request, this is the place to come. Our mission is simple: to pray with you, to stand with you, and to keep the power of prayer at the centre of everyday life. Your support through DailyPrayer.uk helps us continue sharing the gospel and covering the nations in prayer. You can also discover our ministry services and life celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net — serving families with faith, dignity, and hope. If this devotional blesses you, please consider supporting our listener-funded mission by buying us a coffee through RBChristianRadio.net. Every prayer, every gift, and every share helps us keep broadcasting God's Word to the world.

❓ What is God?

When life feels like it’s falling apart, Megan J. Conner reminds us in Salvation and Strength that true peace isn’t found in control, hustle, or quick fixes—it’s found in surrender. Drawing from Isaiah 30:15, this devotional calls believers to embrace repentance, rest, quietness, and trust as the pathway to strength and salvation. Even when the world shakes, God remains steady, guarding, guiding, and granting peace to those who rest in Him. Highlights Isaiah 30:15 teaches that salvation and strength come through repentance, rest, quietness, and trust—not striving. When everything feels unstable, God remains our unshakable source of peace and protection. Biblical examples like Joseph, Elijah, and Esther reveal that deliverance often comes through stillness and surrender. Our efforts can fuel anxiety, but rest allows God to work on our behalf. Silence is powerful—when we quiet distractions, we can hear God’s gentle whisper and receive renewed strength. Join the Conversation Where do you turn when your world feels unsteady? How has God met you in moments of stillness and surrender? Share your reflections with @LifeAudioNetwork and encourage others to find strength in quiet trust. Use #RestInGod #FaithOverFear #QuietStrength to join the conversation.

Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? [NIV]

In the Bible, there's an intriguing passage in Ezekiel 37 where we speak for God's will to be fulfilled. In verse 4, he instructs me to prophesy to these dry bones and tell them, “Hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will give you breath, and you will come to life.”If I need help, I speak healthy words to my bones. If I need enthusiasm, happiness, I speak scriptures of love to myself. If I need wisdom and resources, I speak those to my bones or to my loved ones.Heavenly Father, we prophesy to our family members. May they come alive, be blessed in the name of the Lord, be sanctified, and be made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. May they be made the wisdom of God in Christ Jesus, and be made the redeem of the Lord. Amen.

In the Bible, there's an intriguing passage in Ezekiel 37 where we speak for God's will to be fulfilled. In verse 4, he instructs me to prophesy to these dry bones and tell them, “Hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will give you breath, and you will come to life.”If I need help, I speak healthy words to my bones. If I need enthusiasm, happiness, I speak scriptures of love to myself. If I need wisdom and resources, I speak those to my bones or to my loved ones.Heavenly Father, we prophesy to our family members. May they come alive, be blessed in the name of the Lord, be sanctified, and be made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. May they be made the wisdom of God in Christ Jesus, and be made the redeem of the Lord. Amen.

Acts 4:1-31The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest's family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “ the stone you builders rejected,      which has become the cornerstone.Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage     and the peoples plot in vain?   The kings of the earth rise up     and the rulers band together   against the Lord     and against his anointed one. ' Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.Acts 5:17-42Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to. Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them. The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Every Heart on Fire: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon us, igniting our hearts and leading us to live sacrificially for others.

Isaiah 30:15–16 (NKJV) 16 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. 16 You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.' Therefore you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.' Therefore your pursuers will be swift!

8 October 2025 Daily Devotion: "The Day of the Lord is Near" Zephaniah 1:7 New International Version 7 Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited. Are you ever desperate to hear from God? Do you feel you could possibly receive a word from Him if your life just wasn't so loud? Life can be so chaotic and overwhelming that it seems to drown out the voice of the Father. We often rob ourselves of our own joy because we take on responsibilities we were never meant to handle. For instance, we see a verse about being silent and we begin thinking about ways to make our world quieter. We attempt to silencepeople; we look for ways to accomplish tasks faster so we'll have more downtime. But God doesn't tell us to make our surroundings silent. God wants us, not our environment, to be silent and still. If we'll quiet our spirits, God can speak over any noise that may be going on around us. If we desire the joy that comes from hearing from the Father, we need to work on silencing the only thing we can control - ourselves.

This is what the Sovereign Lord says. For more resources on reading through the Bible in a year, visit my church's website at this link or text us at 888-644-4034. God bless - Doyle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Praise From the Prison of Affliction, Dr. Michael Youssef delivers a bold message on the supernatural power of praising God in the darkest moments of life. Preaching from Acts 16, he reveals how Paul and Silas sang praises while bleeding in a prison cell—because their eyes were fixed not on their pain, but on the Sovereign Lord who rules over all. This kind of praise, born from a right view of God, shakes foundations—both literal and spiritual. Dr. Youssef urges believers to stop seeking escape and start glorifying Christ, even in affliction. True praise amid suffering is a weapon of spiritual warfare, a witness to the lost, and the legacy that every believer must pass on to the next generation.

“As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” (Ezekiel 33:11 NLT) How can a loving God send someone to Hell? The short answer is that God doesn’t send anyone to Hell. People send themselves there by the choices they make. The last thing that God wants is for any man or woman uniquely created in His image to spend eternity separated from Him in a place of torment. Hell was not created for people. In Matthew 25:41, Jesus says, “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons’” (NLT). Hell was created for the beings who rebelled against God in Heaven and who work to ruin His plan on earth. God doesn’t want anyone to go there. That’s why He says in Ezekiel 33:11, “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” (NLT). Why do you think God sent Jesus to be murdered in cold blood? Because there was no other way that His perfect holiness and justice could be satisfied. Sin cannot exist in God’s presence. We have all sinned. Hell is the place where God has removed His presence. So, when we die, the only place we can go is to Hell, according to God’s righteous standards. The only way to satisfy those standards and save us from Hell was to send a perfect sacrifice, a sinless person to take the punishment we deserve, suffer and die in our place, and then rise from the dead to conquer death once and for all. God sacrificed His own Son so that we would not have to go to Hell. Everyone who receives Christ as Savior and Lord is given eternal life in Heaven, in God’s presence forever. They are saved from Hell. That is our spiritual reality. Anyone who winds up in Hell will be there because they made the choice to go there. No one will end up in Hell accidentally. Likewise, no one becomes a Christian accidentally. You don’t just wake up one morning and say, “Whoa, I’m a Christian! Praise God! I can’t believe I just said, ‘Praise God.’ I suddenly have this strange desire to read the Bible. It must have happened when I cut through that church parking lot last night.” You become a Christian because you make a choice to believe in Jesus. Those who go to Hell do so because they made a choice to reject Christ. No one goes to Heaven deservingly, and no one goes to Hell unwillingly. If you end up in that place on that final day, you will have no one to blame but yourself. And you will have to practically climb over Jesus to get there. No, friend, you don’t have to go to Hell. God wants you to join Him for all eternity in Heaven. Reflection question: How can you explain the reality of Hell to an unbelieving friend? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's an interesting question: Do you think God wants you to face your world, your life, with unwavering confidence? Is there anything to be gained by lacking confidence? What message does it send if you and I, as Christ-followers, appear uncertain or doubtful? Does that bring glory to God? On the other hand, does it bring glory to God if you have the kind of self-confidence the world says is necessary? This confidence is proud and self-focused, self-assured and braggadocious? It brings glory to yourself. We certainly need confidence. But putting a lot of it in yourself is risky, because it's undependable. You can feel confident one day or about one thing, and then the rug gets pulled out from under you the next day and there goes that self-confidence out the door. It's God-confidence you and I need, not self-confidence. His confidence makes a difference in the way we live and our ability to do what God put us here to do. And it will look different on each of us. However, there are certain things we must be confident of to face life with God-confidence. I want to share some necessary tools for the God-confident woman. The first tool you need is to be totally confident of your faith. Confident in your relationship to God through Jesus I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day (2 Timothy 1:12b). Confident in God's sovereignty For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth (Psalm 71:5). Confident in God's love For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). Confident God will never leave you or forsake you God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). Confident that God answers prayer This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14). Now, if you are confident of those things, then you have the foundation for God-confidence. That's where it begins.

Grace & Truth: Prophetic SongsPastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Singing prophetic songs shapes our lives. TEXT - Zechariah 4:6 1. Hum a prophetic tune.Not by might.Not by power.But by my Spirit. 2. Sing prophetic lyrics.God will confront evil.God will restore goodness. 3. Dance a prophetic jig.God sees.God cares.God works. NEXT STEPS                          1. Speak the truth in love. (Grace and truth.)2. Be bold.  GO DEEPER: The Day of the LordMeditate on these prophetic passages. Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty… See, the day of the Lord is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. Isaiah 13:6, 9 For the day is near, the day of the Lord is near— a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. Ezekiel 30:3 Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Joel 1:15 Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light… Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness? Amos 5:18, 20 The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. Obadiah 1:15 Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited…  The great day of the Lord is near— near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. Zephaniah 1:7, 14 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. Acts 2:20  Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2

1 Chronicles 3 records the sons of David and their genealogy through Solomon to Zerubbabel the Governor under the returned exiles from Babylon around 537 BC. Jeconiah was a descendant of king Solomon David's son. But that man was disinherited by the LORD, who said of Jeconiah verses "write this man childless ... no son of his will prosper, nor sit on David's throne verses Jeremiah 22 verses 24-30. The two branches of David's family came together in Zerubbabel by way of a Levirate marriage. Matthew 1 records Jesus' legal right to the throne through Joseph (the guardian of our Lord) as recorded there. Whereas Luke 3 records Mary's genealogy and therefore that our Lord Jesus Christ's actual ancestral line through Nathan David's son. In Ezekiel 16 we have a description of Israel Yahweh's faithless wife. Her descent is said, spiritually, to be from Amorite stock - the earliest of the Canaanitish nations (meaning "great of mouth") and the Amorites were of giant stature as Deuteronomy tells us. Israel's father is said to be a Hittite from the powerful kingdom of the Hathi originally in Turkey and among the mightiest empires of that time - rivalling Egypt. Yahweh Israel's Sovereign Lord had pity on His people and took her unto Himself as His wife in love. How did Israel repay her God's loving kindness; only by scorning Him and prostituting herself without payment. God would judge her as the profligate covenant breaker that she was. But her younger sister, Judah, behaved no better. The Almighty describes them as being of the same sisterhood as Sodom, whose abominable lewdness was legendary. Nonetheless the time would come when the repentant daughters would again be covenanted by the everlasting kindness of Yahweh in the Kingdom of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. In Luke 12 the Lord counsels regarding the destructive teachings of the Pharisees. Our Lord Jesus says to his followers to have no fear when they are tried and killed by the religious authorities. This is because our Father has power over everything - including life and death. When giving testimony before rulers believers would be aided in their witness. In the parable in this chapter of the rich fool (based on the life of Nabal in 1 Samuel 25) our Lord refuses to arbitrate in a property dispute between two brothers. Instead, Jesus turns the opportunity into a discussion about the dangers of covetousness and the need to be rich in loving service to God at all times. Christ urges the disciples to be free from anxiety. Look at nature and the Almighty's abundantly providing out of His richness. Disciples need, as wise and faithful servants, to be in a state of continual readiness for their Lord's coming. A constant challenge for disciples is that often times family opposition will be the result of a person's acceptance of Christ. As disciples we must be alert to the era in which we live. Our Master is standing at the doorpost of our hearts and knocking Revelation 3 verses 20-21. Finally, if believers find themselves in a dispute, they need to quickly reach agreement with their adversaries, or the results may be much worse. Thanks for joining us - we pray you found these comments helpful in your appreciation of God's words, join again tomorrow

Worship // Week 4 // In Our PausePastors JF & Ashley WilkersonPsalm 46:7-10 NIV7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;1. PRACTICE BEING STILLPsalm 46:10 NIV10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;Psalm 46:10 NASB10 Stop striving and know that I am God;Psalm 37:4-8 NIV3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.Isaiah 30:15 NIV15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.Isaiah 40:31 NASB31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.1. PRACTICE BEING STILL2. PRACTICE MEDITATINGPhilippians 4:4-9 NIV4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.Isaiah 26:3 NASB3 The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.1. PRACTICE BEING STILL2. PRACTICE MEDITATING3. PRACTICE SELAHTwo Hebrew Root Words for "Selah""Calah" (sä·lä' ) -  “weigh" or "value"."Salal" (saw-lal') - "build up", "lift up" or "exalt.”Selah - To pause and meditate; consider heavily and decide what to hold most valuable; a stopping to make a decision about what to focus on or lift up in our thoughts above all else.Psalm 3:1-8 NASB1 Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. 2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah 3 But You, Lord, are a shield around me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4 I was crying out to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, Lord; save me, my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah1. PRACTICE BEING STILL2. PRACTICE MEDITATING3. PRACTICE SELAH

When storms rage and darkness surrounds us, where do we find our anchor? In John 6:16-21, we see Christ's disciples battling rough seas in the dark: until Jesus walks on water declaring "It is I; do not be afraid." In a world of political chaos, economic uncertainty, and spiritual warfare, this passage reminds us that our Sovereign Lord reigns supremely over every storm. True peace isn't found in earthly securities but in the unchanging character of our great "I AM" who calms both wind and wave. Christ doesn't merely offer temporary comfort. He IS our peace. Through His perfect life, substitutionary death, and victorious resurrection, He provides the only lasting refuge from God's righteous wrath against sin. Are you trusting in worldly anchors that will fail, or resting in the One whose love cannot be separated from His people? Listen as we explore how only with Jesus can we experience joyful peace amidst life's fiercest trials.

How do we respond when we encounter Jesus?- The Blessing of Following a Servant Hearted Master (v. 16-17)- The Trust Gained from Following a Sovereign Lord (v. 18-19)- The Unity Formed from Receiving Christ (v. 20)Main Point: Encountering the Great I Am causes us to live like Jesus lived. 

It was one of those really special 90-degree days, when it is very humid and I was just finishing about eight miles on my bike. I was feeling all fit, and then I passed Tom running all ten and a half miles around that lake. Well, I realized that Tom did that every day. Nobody knew; nobody noticed actually. But I knew that he'd be in the headlines back home, and he'd be in the headlines a lot. Because he was one of the county's champion track stars. And I yelled to him from my bike, "No time off for vacation?" And he reminded me that running is a 12-month sport. Champions aren't made on the day of the race with the crowd applauding. It turns out they're made on like 1,000 unsung mornings. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Unseen Secret of Spiritual Champions." I've never understood people who get involved in a sport or an activity or in anything and just settle for like being mediocre. If you're going to get into something, well, aim to be all you can be. Right? If that's true in sports, it's really true when it comes to serving the King - the Lord Jesus Christ. Maybe you've looked at spiritual champions you know, or some leader, or somebody you admire as a spiritual person and you said, "Boy, I'd like to be used by God that way. I wish I could teach, or preach, or minister musically, or lead like that. I'd like to make a difference. I'd like to influence people for Christ like that person does." And you see them in a public setting at the pulpit, or you watch them on television or you hear them on radio. You read their book, maybe hear them in concert. But the ministry you see in a spiritual champion is because of something you don't see. Just like that championship runner, chugging out those miles on those back roads. Nobody noticed, nobody seeing him, but that's where the champion is built. Okay, Isaiah 50:4, our word for today from the Word of God says this: "The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary." Now, how does he keep coming up with the words that people need? It says that "God wakens me morning by morning; wakens my ear to listen like one being taught." Okay, the great prophet of God says here, "morning after morning" there is a meeting with his Lord that nobody sees. And while others are resting, the champion is in God's Word, he's on his knees, not going on spiritual binges occasionally to get some great spiritual insight. No, no, no, no. He does it day after day, week after week, month after month. And finally there's all these years of accumulated time with God, and how He's touched you, and how He's changed you, and how He's moved you. So, when he speaks, he speaks with a "God-instructed tongue" because he shows up for class every morning. See, there's no glory there. There's no crowds applauding. It's just Christ's personal presence, and you're there with Him. Anything I have ever said for the Lord that has ever touched anyone has been because He touched me in private first where no one could see, no one else could hear. He wants to do that for you. He wants to do that for all His kids. Do you want to be used greatly by your Lord? Well, before you try to do a great work for Him, why don't you let Him do a great work in you? And you wake up each morning and let Him teach you before you leave. I saw that in a young track star; a picture of any of us who would like to be God's champion, a winner who's being built on 1,000 unsung mornings.

Today’s Bible Verse: The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” — Joshua 10:8 There’s a quiet strength that comes from knowing God is on your side. Isaiah paints the picture of a servant who faces opposition with unwavering resolve — not because the road is easy, but because the Sovereign Lord gives help. Setting your face “like flint” means locking your eyes forward, determined to stay the course no matter what storms arise. “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Let Scripture shape your heart today—begin with the Bible Verse of the Day on Biblestudytools.com MEET YOUR HOST: Chaka Heinze at https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Chaka Heinze is a writer, speaker, and lover of the Bible. She is actively involved in her local church on the Prayer and Healing team and mentors young women seeking deeper relationships with God.After personally experiencing God's love and compassion following the loss of her eleven-year-old son, Landen, Chaka delights in testifying to others about God's unfathomable and transformative love that permeates even the most difficult circumstances.Chaka and her husband of twenty-six years have five children ranging from adult age to preschool. Trained as an attorney, she’s had the privilege of mitigating sibling disputes for twenty-plus years.Follow her on Chakaheinze.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“So now, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will end the captivity of my people; I will have mercy on all Israel, for I jealously guard my hold reputation! They will accept responsibility for their past shame and unfaithfulness after they come home to live in peace in their own land, with no one to bother them. When I bring them home from the lands of their enemies, I will display my holiness among them for all the nations to see. Then my people will know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again.” - Ezekiel 39:25-28My guest today has previously started his teaching on Ezekiel this way: “Why in the world would anybody want to read Ezekiel let alone study this unbelievable and incomprehensible book?” When I heard this - I immediately knew he was the guy I wanted to help us navigate this book. Ezekiel is a diamond in the rough in the canon of the prophets. It's message is similar to the prophets we've read already, Isaiah and Jeremiah, but with an element we hadn't quite seen before. Right away in chapter 1 Ezekiel says, “From the center of the cloud came four living beings that looked human, except that each had four faces and four wings.” Again - this is chapter 1. We're clearly off to something a little different with Ezekiel. And there's nobody better to help us navigate this different book than Dr. Daniel Block. Dan is the Gunther H. Knoedler Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Wheaton College and wrote a commentary on Ezekiel in 1998 that is still considered the gold standard commentary on Ezekiel. And you know what, Dan is still working on Ezekiel to this day. Doable Discipleship is a Saddleback Church podcast produced and hosted by Jason Wieland. It premiered in 2017 and now offers more than 400 episodes. Episodes release every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app and on the Saddleback Church YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/saddleback).Resources Related to This Episode:https://www.amazon.com/Ezekiel-Chapters-International-Commentary-Testament/dp/0802825354Subscribe to the Doable Discipleship podcast at Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doable-discipleship/id1240966935) or Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zc9nuwQZOLadbFCZCmZ1V)Related Doable Discipleship Episodes: Navigating the Bible: Lamentations - https://youtu.be/6rrizlXeYXENavigating the Bible: Jeremiah - https://youtu.be/lXPjWl8PdRkNavigating the Bible: Isaiah - https://youtu.be/NZJLaPkgEgsNavigating the Bible: Song of Songs - https://youtu.be/Sg0CYlNBVMgNavigating the Bible: Ecclesiastes - https://youtu.be/-Wr7LCh8F9ENavigating the Bible: Proverbs - https://youtu.be/DytRT5AsZg8Navigating the Bible: Psalms - https://youtu.be/oZeesooAYUINavigating the Bible: Job - https://youtu.be/14jaf2T1eCQNavigating the Bible: Esther - https://youtu.be/7RZ7ATWQZucNavigating the Bible: Nehemiah - https://youtu.be/Gok4WDgwn5INavigating the Bible: Ezra - https://youtu.be/aBC0nEjYeyoNavigating the Bible: 2 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/OG3rHTgMgEINavigating the Bible: 1 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/lQ_Qc4zbfgANavigating the Bible: 2 Kings - https://youtu.be/04q9gDhBKTkNavigating the Bible: 1 Kings - https://youtu.be/aS-KoeQXl2kNavigating the Bible: 2 Samuel - https://youtu.be/ZbpafGgOW7cNavigating the Bible: 1 Samuel - https://youtu.be/lY8wPElSFMYNavigating the Bible: Rute - https://youtu.be/YaH-t-ZzTaMNavigating the Bible: Judges - https://youtu.be/qNGcOf2o0NUNavigating the Bible: Joshua - https://youtu.be/hF28aThBtFsNavigating the Bible: Deuteronomy - https://youtu.be/HzmNgPOM4zUNavigating the Bible: Numbers - https://youtu.be/H1HO6V9HDxsNavigating the Bible: Leviticus - https://youtu.be/08RhDCXYex4Navigating the Bible: Exodus - https://youtu.be/NB9UTpS1F3MNavigating the Bible: Genesis - https://youtu.be/ddhjMfOoasAInspiring Dreams by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoonMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On this episode of Uncommon Sense with Ginny Robinson, we confront the horrific attack at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. The shooter, Robert “Robin” Westman, once walked those same halls as a student. Years of unchecked mental illness and spiritual rebellion ended in bloodshed.America is in denial. We refuse to face the truth: the transgender movement is built on a Satanic lie. No one can change the sex God gave them. Pretending otherwise doesn't heal broken souls, it destroys them and puts others in danger.Christians must speak plainly. Love does not mean affirming sin or confusion. Love means pointing people back to Christ, who alone gives us our identity. Until our nation repents and turns back to God, tragedies like this will only increase.Pray for the victims and their families.--https://policecoffee.com/collections/coffee

Jeremiah 1:4-10 - The Call of Jeremiah 4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,     before you were born I set you apart;     I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Job 22:28 AMP - You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and thelight [of God's favor] shall shine upon your ways.Mark 11:22–23 (NKJV) - So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, Isay to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubtin his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.Hebrews 11:3 CEB - By faith we understand that the universe has been created by a word from God JESUS TEACHING US……...FAITH IS AN UNDENIABLE SPIRITUAL LAW…when its embraced itproduces predictable results2 Corinthians 4:13 (NKJV) - And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “Ibelieved and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speakWORDS WE SPEAK ON DAILY BASIS…HAVE CONSEQUENCES.Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eatits fruit.Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) - Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.1 Peter 3:10 (NLB) - If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue,Matthew 12:36–37 (MSG) - Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going tocome back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously.37 Words can be your salvation (set free). Words can also be your damnation (put in bondage).”Proverbs 30:32 (TPT) - if you've thought about saying something stupid, you'd better shut your mouth.(put your hand on your mouth)Job 40:4–5 (NLT) - I will cover my mouth with my hand. 5 I have said too much already. I have nothingmore to say.Proverbs 13:3 (NCV) - Those who are careful about what they say protect their lives, but whoeverspeaks without thinking will be ruined.Proverbs 21:23 (NKJV) - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.Psalm 39:1 (TPT) - Here's my life motto, the truth I live by…I will speak only what is right, guardingwhat I speak. Like a watchman guards against an attack of the enemy, I'll guard and muzzle mymouth…Galatians‬“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY, YOU'RE SPEAKING TO YOUR FUTURE.Jeremiah 1:4–9 (TNIV) - The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the wombI knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Ah,Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Donot say, ‘I am too young.' …. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and saidto me, “I have put my words in your mouth.”James 3:4–5 (NIV) - Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strongwinds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongueEVEN WHEN IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE…..DECIDE TO SAY WHAT GOD SAYSLuke 5:3–6 (NKJV) - Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put outa little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He hadstopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing;nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught agreat number of fish, and their net was breaking.Speak Healing ScripturesExodus 15:26 (NLT) - I am the Lord who heals you.1 Peter 2:24 (TNIV) - “by his wounds you have been healed.”Psalms‬Jeremiah‬Romans‬Jeremiah 1:12 - I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.Luke 1:37 (TPT)- Not one promise from God is empty of power, for nothing is impossible with God!

Job 22:28 AMP - You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and thelight [of God's favor] shall shine upon your ways.Mark 11:22–23 (NKJV) - So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, Isay to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubtin his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.Hebrews 11:3 CEB - By faith we understand that the universe has been created by a word from God JESUS TEACHING US……...FAITH IS AN UNDENIABLE SPIRITUAL LAW…when its embraced itproduces predictable results2 Corinthians 4:13 (NKJV) - And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “Ibelieved and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speakWORDS WE SPEAK ON DAILY BASIS…HAVE CONSEQUENCES.Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV) - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eatits fruit.Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) - Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.1 Peter 3:10 (NLB) - If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue,Matthew 12:36–37 (MSG) - Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going tocome back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously.37 Words can be your salvation (set free). Words can also be your damnation (put in bondage).”Proverbs 30:32 (TPT) - if you've thought about saying something stupid, you'd better shut your mouth.(put your hand on your mouth)Job 40:4–5 (NLT) - I will cover my mouth with my hand. 5 I have said too much already. I have nothingmore to say.Proverbs 13:3 (NCV) - Those who are careful about what they say protect their lives, but whoeverspeaks without thinking will be ruined.Proverbs 21:23 (NKJV) - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.Psalm 39:1 (TPT) - Here's my life motto, the truth I live by…I will speak only what is right, guardingwhat I speak. Like a watchman guards against an attack of the enemy, I'll guard and muzzle mymouth…Galatians‬“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY, YOU'RE SPEAKING TO YOUR FUTURE.Jeremiah 1:4–9 (TNIV) - The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the wombI knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Ah,Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Donot say, ‘I am too young.' …. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and saidto me, “I have put my words in your mouth.”James 3:4–5 (NIV) - Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strongwinds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongueEVEN WHEN IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE…..DECIDE TO SAY WHAT GOD SAYSLuke 5:3–6 (NKJV) - Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put outa little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He hadstopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing;nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught agreat number of fish, and their net was breaking.Speak Healing ScripturesExodus 15:26 (NLT) - I am the Lord who heals you.1 Peter 2:24 (TNIV) - “by his wounds you have been healed.”Psalms‬Jeremiah‬Romans‬Jeremiah 1:12 - I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.Luke 1:37 (TPT)- Not one promise from God is empty of power, for nothing is impossible with God!

In this episode of The Gateway to Joy Podcast, we conclude our series "A Sovereign Lord" (https://elisabethelliot.org/osg). We share Gateway to Joy radio programs: - A Sovereign Lord & Human Powerlessness_A Sovereign Lord-3 - The Clouds You Dread_A Sovereign Lord-4 We also hear from: - Elisabeth reading from The Liberty of Obedience which is out of print but available on Audible - John Hanson --------- Special thanks to Mike Dize and the Bible Broadcasting Network. Theme music: John Hanson. Visit www.ElisabethElliot.org for more lectures, devotionals, videos, Gateway to Joy programs, and other resources.

Weekly Sunday sermons from Pastor Mike Powers and other members of our Pastoral Body. Richland Creek Community Church gathers to glorify God in worship, grow as disciples of Jesus, and go on mission with the gospel. For more, visit richlandcreek.com.Main Idea: Submit your lives to the Lord who reigns over all.Lord of Truth Lord of TimeLord of Territory

Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 2 Samuel 7:28Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Gateway to Joy Podcast, we begin our series on A Sovereign Lord (https://elisabethelliot.org/osg). We share Gateway to Joy radio programs: - What God Wants to Do, He Can Do_A Sovereign Lord-1 - Not According to Expectation_A Sovereign Lord-2 We also hear from special guest: - Juana Mikels --------- Special thanks to Mike Dize and the Bible Broadcasting Network. Theme music: John Hanson. Special music- Amazing Grace: Sergey M. Visit www.ElisabethElliot.org for more lectures, devotionals, videos, Gateway to Joy programs, and other resources.

When we see Jesus as He really is, the Sovereign Lord of creation changes everything about our lives. There is no part of life that He is not sovereign over.

Today’s Bible Verse: "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame." – Isaiah 50:7 There’s a quiet strength that comes from knowing God is on your side. Isaiah paints the picture of a servant who faces opposition with unwavering resolve — not because the road is easy, but because the Sovereign Lord gives help. Setting your face “like flint” means locking your eyes forward, determined to stay the course no matter what storms arise. “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Let Scripture shape your heart today—begin with the Bible Verse of the Day on Biblestudytools.com MEET YOUR HOST: Chaka Heinze at https://www.lifeaudio.com/your-daily-bible-verse/ Chaka Heinze is a writer, speaker, and lover of the Bible. She is actively involved in her local church on the Prayer and Healing team and mentors young women seeking deeper relationships with God.After personally experiencing God's love and compassion following the loss of her eleven-year-old son, Landen, Chaka delights in testifying to others about God's unfathomable and transformative love that permeates even the most difficult circumstances.Chaka and her husband of twenty-six years have five children ranging from adult age to preschool. Trained as an attorney, she’s had the privilege of mitigating sibling disputes for twenty-plus years.Follow her on Chakaheinze.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

1 Kings 7 verses 1-12 describes the building of Solomon's own magnificent palace - containing a grand hall called the Forest of Lebanon because of the magnificent cedar pillars. It was approximately 45 metres in length and 24 metres wide. It took 13 years to build. He also constructed an impressive palace for Pharaoh's daughter who may be the subject of Psalm 45 and the Song of Solomon. The timber work of cedar and the magnificent gemstones were characteristic of these houses. Verses 13-51 describe the furnishings of Yahweh's House. Both were magnificent, but, the description of God's house occupies the bulk of the chapter. A comment on the two pillars of entry into the house; one was called 'Yachin' meaning established by Yah; and the other'Boaz' the strong one. It was a parable about the Lord Jesus Christ- Yahweh will establish through the one He strengthened. In chapter 33 of Jeremiah we are told of the blessings of our Sovereign, when He brings peace and security; when the fortunes of Judah are restored. Verse 1-3 contains a plea from the Sovereign LORD to call upon Him and He will respond. The thoughts are similar to those expressed in Hosea 2 verses 21-23 and it follows on from the ideas outlined in Jeremiah 32 verses 37-41. Verses 4-5 tell of judgment that the Chaldeans will bring to guilty Judah. Verses 6-13 return to the blessings that will come to a repentant nation. Verse 9 focuses on the time when Jerusalem will be a city where God's truth resides and will be to the LORD for praise and glory: Zechariah 8 verses 11-23. Note well the joy in that city, ie equivalent to the rejoicing between the bridegroom and the bride - symbolic of our Lord Jesus Christ and his ecclesia. Verses 14-26 speak of that time when Yahweh's eternal covenant with David will be operational. God states that this covenant can never be broken, and can be relied on as the sun and moon rise each day. Contemplate the wonderful words of verse 15 ESV: "In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute righteousness and justice in the land". This is speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ. Compare the message of Zechariah 3:8-10. Slowly read aloud these verses and marvel at the blessings that Messiah's kingdom will bring.The 7th chapter of Mark contrasts worship that has been nullified by tradition, with true worship from the heart. The Pharisees found fault in Jesus' disciples who washed not after tradition. The Pharisees were noted for their elaborate ceremonies when washing: they washed so as to prevent water contaminated by dirt from contacting their hands. Our Lord used this situation to tell that legalism was symptomatic of the worship of that time. He spoke of the gross avoidance of responsibility contained in the 5th commandment by the ruse of Corban. Then he showed that defilement is a moral, not a physical, matter. This originated in the mind. The record follows with the curing of the Syrophenician woman's daughter; made possible through her great faith, and the acknowledgment that Israel were God's chosen people. She illustrates the importance of being associated with God's covenant people and on the basis of her faithful confession she gratefully receives the abundant crumbs that fall from the children's table. As Jesus says to the woman of the well at Sychar: "Salvation is from the Jews" John 4 verses 22-26. The chapter concludes with the healing of a deaf and dumb man from the Decapolis.More here https://christadelphianvideo.org/christadelphian-daily-readings/

Have you ever felt trapped in a cycle you just couldn’t break—where freedom feels promised but not lived out? In today’s devotional, Jennifer Slattery shares her deeply personal journey through disordered eating and emotional wounds. But more than that, she reveals the key to lasting freedom: learning to rely not on our own strength, but on Christ's Spirit within us. 2 Corinthians 3:17 reminds us, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This isn’t just a feel-good verse—it’s a declaration of the abundant life we’re meant to walk in every day.

Jesus Set Us FreeIsaiah 61:1-3 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,  to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”While searching for verses on joy, I came across Isaiah 61:3. However, upon reading it, I could tell it was missing context. When I started with verse 1, I knew we all needed to hear all three of these verses. Let's start at the beginning. The prophet Isaiah is prophetically speaking for the Messiah, and the Messiah is letting the people know that he is blessed and empowered by the Spirit of the Lord God. I looked up these verses on enduringword.com's commentary page. I am so glad I did because it gives such a deeper understanding of this verse. I didn't know this was talking about Jesus.Reading this verse on its own, I did not remember that this was the verse Jesus read in Luke 4. In Luke 4:16-22, Jesus spoke in the synagogue of Nazareth, His hometown. He opened up the scroll to Isaiah 61 – perhaps an assigned reading, perhaps chosen by Him – and read from the beginning of the chapter through the first line of verse 2. When He sat down, He simply said Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. Jesus is the person described in Isaiah 61:1-3, and He is the one the Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon.The commentary goes on to say that “as Christians under the New Covenant, we also have an anointing: But you have an anointing from the Holy One (1 John 2:20). In the New Testament sense, anointing has the idea of being filled with, and blessed by, the Holy Spirit. This is something that is the common property of all Christians, but something we can and should become more submitted and responsive to.” This is reminding us that we all have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. This means we are all anointed and we have an anointing on our lives. How many of us know this? How many of us are attentive to the Holy Spirit living inside of us? Are you listening to it? Are we responding to it? Are we letting it lead us in our everyday lives?We do not all have the same anointing on our lives. We are all called to do different things. We are all blessed with different talents and different personalities, and God uses us accordingly. However, He sometimes also uses us for things that don't align with our talents or personalities. Like when He asked Moses to lead his people out of Egypt, even though Moses wasn't good at public speaking. If God is calling you to do something, he will equip you with all you need to do it.The next part of these verse is showing us the ministry or mission of the Messiah. Jesus came to:To preach good tidings to the poor. Jesus came to announce that he is hear to heal the damage that sin brings. Sin has done a lot of damage over the many years since Adam and Eve, and so there needs to be a great work of redemption.He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted because sin breaks hearts, when he redeems us he will heal the brokenhearted.To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Jesus sets us free from the captivity that we find ourselves in when we sin. Jesus takes that sin to the cross with Him. Freeing us from the chains of the evil one. I had at first written forever freeing us, but then I thought about it. Jesus definitely defeated evil once and for all; however, it may still be a daily battle for us. We still need to choose to live in that freedom. The devil is really good at convincing us not to live in that freedom. He convinces us that we don't deserve that freedom, and when we let the enemy convince us that we don't deserve this freedom, then we live in captivity. We live in the prison that Jesus died on the cross to save us from.To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God. This part I will read right from the commentary as I am learning right along side you. It says, “Significantly, Jesus stopped reading before this sentence. He stopped in the middle of the prophecy, because to proclaim…the day of vengeance of our God is relevant to His Second Coming, not to His first coming. The comma in year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance has stood for almost 2,000 years. This shows us something of the nature of Biblical prophecy: it may “shift gears” and time frames quickly and without warning.ii. We can compare a whole year of grace to a single day of vengeance.”One thing I do want to point out is that this is a Jubilee Year. It talks about how Jesus came to proclaim it an acceptable year to the Lord, or a year of the Lord's favor. Well, the year I am writing this episode has also been declared a Jubilee year. A Jubilee year is a holy year of the forgiveness of sin, conversion, and joyful celebration. Jubilee years typically come around every 25 or 50 years. This is a special year and we are called to participate in it.Here is what the commentary says about this last part. “The extent of the comfort and restoration is beautifully described. Instead of the ashes of mourning, He gives His people beauty. Instead of the mourning itself, He gives His people the oil of joy. Instead of the spirit of heaviness, He gives His people the garment of praise. Why do we sit in the ashes? Why do we mourn? Why do we indulge the spirit of heaviness when Jesus gave us something so much better?The word "beauty" evokes a beautiful crown or head ornament. It is translated exquisite hats in Exodus 39:28 and headdresses in Isaiah 3:20. In mourning, ashes would be cast upon the head (2 Samuel 13:19). Here, the ashes are replaced with a beautiful crown.That they may be called trees of righteousness: The restored place of God's people is glorious. They are as strong, beautiful, and useful as trees – and trees of righteousness at that. Most wonderfully, when people look at the trees, they see they are the planting of the LORD.Well, that certainly wasn't what I thought I would be talking about today. However, I think we all needed this reminder as to why Jesus came to us. It is good to be reminded of what His mission was because we are all tasked with that same mission. What can we do to help carry out His mission? Is there a way we can set someone free today? Is there some way we can remind them that Jesus has already set them free and all they need to do is accept his gift? Can we remind people they are loved and they have already been set free from their sin? They no longer have to be held captive by what they did or didn't do. All they need to do is remind themselves that Jesus's sacrifice was enough to cover all they have done.I love when the commentary asks, “Why do we sit in ashes? Why do we mourn? Why do we sit in the spirit of heaviness when Jesus gave us so much more? I will leave you with these questions to reflect on and pray about today.Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless all those listening to this episode. Lord, we love you and we ask that you bless us and remind us that you have already saved us. Lord, help us to understand that this is a jubilee year and that we can make the most of it. Lord, help us to accept your forgiveness and to live in the freedom that you won for us. We love you Lord and we ask all of this in accordance with your will and in Jesus's holy name, Amen!Thank you so much for joining me on this journey to walk boldly with Jesus. I think I forgot to add the link to register for my retreat in the show notes yesterday. I will make sure it is there today so you can check out all the details. I hope you can join me. This may be the last year at this location, and it is a great location. I hope you don't miss out. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Remember, Jesus loves you, just as you are, and so do I! Have a blessed day!Today's Word from the Lord was received in January 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, “My word is powerful, life-giving, eternal, changing hearts. It will not return to me void. Spread my word.” 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

Acts 4:23-3123 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:“‘Why do the nations rage    and the peoples plot in vain?26 The kings of the earth rise up    and the rulers band togetheragainst the Lord    and against his anointed one.[a]'[b]27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Seek Him, Remain Focused On Him And He Will Use You Even In Your Struggles Psalm 73:21-28 21When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, 22I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. 23Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Habakkuk 3:1-19A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.[a]2 Lord, I have heard of your fame;    I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.Repeat them in our day,    in our time make them known;    in wrath remember mercy.3 God came from Teman,    the Holy One from Mount Paran.[b]His glory covered the heavens    and his praise filled the earth.4 His splendor was like the sunrise;    rays flashed from his hand,    where his power was hidden.5 Plague went before him;    pestilence followed his steps.6 He stood, and shook the earth;    he looked, and made the nations tremble.The ancient mountains crumbled    and the age-old hills collapsed—    but he marches on forever.7 I saw the tents of Cushan in distress,    the dwellings of Midian in anguish.8 Were you angry with the rivers, Lord?    Was your wrath against the streams?Did you rage against the sea    when you rode your horses    and your chariots to victory?9 You uncovered your bow,    you called for many arrows.You split the earth with rivers;10     the mountains saw you and writhed.Torrents of water swept by;    the deep roared    and lifted its waves on high.11 Sun and moon stood still in the heavens    at the glint of your flying arrows,    at the lightning of your flashing spear.12 In wrath you strode through the earth    and in anger you threshed the nations.13 You came out to deliver your people,    to save your anointed one.You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness,    you stripped him from head to foot.14 With his own spear you pierced his head    when his warriors stormed out to scatter us,gloating as though about to devour    the wretched who were in hiding.15 You trampled the sea with your horses,    churning the great waters.16 I heard and my heart pounded,    my lips quivered at the sound;decay crept into my bones,    and my legs trembled.Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity    to come on the nation invading us.17 Though the fig tree does not bud    and there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop fails    and the fields produce no food,though there are no sheep in the pen    and no cattle in the stalls,18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,    I will be joyful in God my Savior.19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength;    he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,    he enables me to tread on the heights.For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

God's power is immeasurable. You can't calculate or quantify the power of God. It is beyond what we can see, know, and understand. God's power is without limit. When we pray, God can do more than we ask or imagine.Main Points:1. Most of us, in our moments of despair, have cried out to Lord and asked, “God, can you meet my needs? Are you able to provide what I need?” Theologically, we know God can do anything. We know He has all power. We understand He is the creator of all things, yet, when our back is up against the wall, we question whether God can and will meet our needs. But as we read His Word, we learn of His power, His might, and His ability. In reality, the question is not “What can God do? But what can God not do?”2. There is no lack with God. God never runs out of resources. He is never in short supply of whatever we need. He is a God of abundance.3. Speak truth to your own soul. Stand upon the never-changing Word of God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.Today's Scripture Verses:Ephesians 3:20 - “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”Jeremiah 32:17 - “Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Then another message came to me from the LORD: 2 “Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children's mouths pucker at the taste'? 3 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you will not quote this proverb anymore in Israel. 4 For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die. EZEKIEL 18:1-4 NLT 14 “But suppose that sinful son, in turn, has a son who sees his father's wickedness and decides against that kind of life. 15 This son refuses to worship idols on the mountains and does not commit adultery. 16 He does not exploit the poor, but instead is fair to debtors and does not rob them. He gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy. 17 He helps the poor,[a] does not lend money at interest, and obeys all my regulations and decrees. Such a person will not die because of his father's sins; he will surely live. 18 But the father will die for his many sins—for being cruel, robbing people, and doing what was clearly wrong among his people. EZEKIEL 18:14-18 NLT 1. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PRESENT a. CREATE HEALTHY DISCIPLINES i. WHAT AM I DOING DAILY? ii. TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PRESENT IS ACTUALLY TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR FUTURE b. CREATE HEALTHY BOUNDARIES i. WHO AM I SURROUNDING MYSELF WITH? ii. “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Proverbs 13:20 NLT iii. WHAT AM I SURROUNDING MYSELF WITH? iv. 23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NLT v. BOUNDARIES AREN'T FOR YOUR RESTRICTION, THEIR FOR YOUR PROTECTION. 2. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PAST a. HAVEN'T SEEN MY DAD IN 4 YEARS (STORY) i. TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PAST IS ACTUALLY TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR FUTURE! ii. YOU MUST FORGIVE OTHERS iii. YOU MUST FORGIVE YOURSELF iv. YOU MUST REPENT AND GO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.Ezekiel 34:1-6Shepherd“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.John 10:1-6Strangers, Sheep, and Shepherds“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.John 10:1A shepherd in scriptures represents any spiritual leader who is called to lead, feed, and care for God's people.John 10 is Jesus' response to John 9 and the Man born Blind34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.John 9:34The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.Ezekiel 34:1-2, 4A stranger is anyone who operates in spiritual authority over another person without going through Jesus, with Jesus, and like JesusThe man who makes much of Christ is a pastor after God's own heart, whom God delights to honor. The minister who makes little of Christ is the one whom God regards as an imposter—as one who has climbed up to his holy office not by the door, but by “some other way”J.C. RyleConfidence in a  stranger leads to REJECTION.34 They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out.John 9:34DO I EASILY FEEL REJECTED BY PEOPLE?He that enjoys the favor of the Son of God will not tremble at the frown of the Sanhedrim.Charles Spurgeon2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.” John 10:2-5A sheep is anyone who belongs to Jesus, listens to Jesus, and follows JesusConfidence in a sheep leads to PRIDE18 Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? 19 And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?20 “Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 22 I will rescue[b] my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep.Ezekiel 34:18-22A true shepherd is anyone who feeds, leads, and cares for the sheepConfidence in Jesus leads to WORSHIP· Jesus is a man (John 9:11).· Jesus is a prophet (John 9:17).· Jesus is my master, I am His disciple (John 9:27).· Jesus is from God (John 9:33).· Jesus is the Son of God (John 9:35-38).· Jesus is who I trust (John 9:38).· Jesus is who I worship (John 9:38).24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” John 9:2438 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.John 9:38

Teacher: Tim Mannin “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” -2 Samuel 7:2 Nathan replied to the king, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you.” -2 Samuel 7:3 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”'” -2 Samuel 7:5-7 “‘...and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.'” -2 Samuel 7:11-13 "Saying no helps children learn how to delay gratification, manage impulses, and develop self-control — qualities essential for success in life.” -Dr. David Walsh HOW DO WE DISCERN WHEN GOD IS SAYING NO?There's No Way ThroughThere's No Peace WithinThere's No Counsel Confirming It GOD'S WAYS ARE GENERATIONAL Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” -2 Samuel 7:18

Acts 4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.  4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest's family.  7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed,  10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.' 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.  15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.  16 “What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.  17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.” 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!  20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.  24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.  25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one.' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.  28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Why does the Lord do His good work in us? The answer may be surprising, especially for a sentimental and hedonistic generation.  “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.vereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes. -- Ezekiel chapter 36

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com      Years and years of bodybuilding and now look at you? What happened… more importantly how fast did it happen?    No matter how healthy you are… and BTW Bodybuilders are some of the most unhealthy people in the world. What they eat in nutrition is destroyed by the amount of drugs they put in their system…. Don't get me wrong, you can do steroids and other enhancers and still maintain a safe healthy physique if you are willing to cycle on and off with enough time in between - but most don't. Anyway…. You can be in the best health possible… eat, exercise, drink plenty of water, take supplements, cardio etc… and in only 2 short months lose it all and be extremely unhealthy… I have seen it happen… You have probably seen it happen.    Have you ever heard the saying…  “what have you done for me lately”  We usually use it in a negative way… like Man I have done so much for that guy the past 10 years… but it does not matter, its always what have you done for me lately….    BUT it is actually a biblical concept.   Your past will not make up for your present.    A good beginning is not a guarantee of good ending.    Ez. 18:23, 24 23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. 24 However, if righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things and act like other sinners, should they be allowed to live? No, of course not! All their righteous acts will be forgotten, and they will die for their sins. You do have a personal responsibility!  Your past will not make up for your present.    Its not about Loyalty or brownie points… or God owing you… it is about Holiness.    First lets get one thing straight… God only owes us one thing… judgement and death for being a sinner. We only get what we get because of what God did, not because of what we did.  Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-27 speak of what have you done for me lately…  My point today is this… We see the weakened and sinful in scripture turning around from the disciples to the apostle Paul… they all had diverse sinful backgrounds… but were all marked by getting older and bolder and not older and colder.  What was their prescription for such a faith as this? Very simple, in fact John G Lake spoke of it often. 4 things: Constantly prayed Read Gods word Shared the gospel Prayed in tongues and prophesied over their own lives.    Listen I know we all are thankful for Gods grace and his mercy… I know I need it. But I don't want to casually assume a life based on that for entrance into heaven. I want to walk in Gods power over sin and evil. I want his grace to empower my life so that I can live above sin. 2 Cor. 12:9 God tells Paul his grace is sufficient to overcome his weakness and his suffering. That phrase there actually means more than enough. And we often forget that last sentence in that verse….  - Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.   What have I done today for Christ? I have rested in his power over my weakness.