Podcast appearances and mentions of Thomas Watson

In this solo episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb explores the profound theological underpinnings of Jesus' parables in Luke 15. With co-host Tony Arsenal absent due to illness, Jesse takes listeners through the "deleted scenes" – insights and reflections that often occur off-mic – about the parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin. These stories reveal God's relentless pursuit of sinners and set the stage for the upcoming discussion of the Prodigal Son parable. Jesse unpacks how these parables demonstrate not just God's willingness to receive sinners, but His active seeking of them – a grace that doesn't merely find us willing but makes us willing. This episode serves as a theological bridge, slowing listeners down to fully appreciate the scandal of God's love before diving into Jesus' most famous parable. Key Takeaways Context Matters: The parables of Luke 15 are Jesus' response to the Pharisees' grumbling about Him receiving sinners and eating with them. This historical context reveals the radical nature of Christ's ministry compared to the religious establishment. Grace Makes Us Willing: Drawing from Thomas Watson's quote, Jesse explains that God's grace doesn't find us willing to repent but actually creates that willingness in us – a foundational concept in Reformed theology. The Initiative of God: In all three parables, God is portrayed as the active seeker. The shepherd searches for the sheep, the woman sweeps for the coin, demonstrating that salvation begins with God's initiative, not ours. The Scandalous Love of Jesus: Christ's approach to sinners appeared scandalous to religious leaders because it violated their understanding of who deserved God's attention. Christ's Sympathetic Identification: Jesus doesn't just save us from a distance but enters into our suffering, identifying with us in our pain while remaining sinless. Heaven's Joy Over Salvation: The parables reveal God's extraordinary joy over each individual sinner who is saved, showing that the entire cost of redemption would be worth it even for just one person. From Death to Life: Drawing from Colossians 2, Jesse emphasizes that Jesus didn't come to make bad people good but to make dead people alive, canceling our certificate of debt through His cross. The Scandal of Divine Initiative The religious establishment of Jesus' day operated on the principle that religion was for "good people" – those who could maintain moral standards and ritual purity. When tax collectors and sinners were drawn to Jesus, the Pharisees were scandalized not just by Jesus' association with them, but by the possibility that these "hopeless cases" might be included in God's kingdom. This context sets up the revolutionary nature of Jesus' parables. As Jesse explains, "Religion by itself cannot help any of those people. Can't help pariahs in that way, and so it did no good then to command the good people to mix with the bad people, and then to treat them kindly and tell them of new possibilities." What makes Christianity utterly unique is that it begins not with human initiative but with divine pursuit. God in Christ actively seeks those who are lost, not waiting for them to clean themselves up or take the first step. This complete reversal of religious expectations demonstrates why these parables were and remain so radical. Grace That Transforms Our Unwillingness The Reformed theological principle that Jesse highlights through Thomas Watson's quote – "Grace does not find us willing, but grace makes us willing" – strikes at the heart of human pride and misconception about salvation. Left to ourselves, we don't merely lack the ability to come to God; we actively resist Him. Jesse elaborates: "How good of God that He would send His Son unto us while we were yet His enemies. In other words, while that clenched fist was within us, while we saw God as only a threat, while we wanted to be covenant breakers, that's what we wanted. We want to rebel against Him." The wonder of grace is not just that God forgives when we repent, but that He creates the very repentance within us. This is why the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one – the sheep doesn't find its own way home. This is the beating heart of Reformed soteriology: salvation is entirely of the Lord, from first to last, which makes it secure and gives all glory to God alone. Memorable Quotes "God seeking us is the foundation of seeking Him. Grace does not find us willing, but grace makes us willing, and I think that's exactly what we're getting in this first advent of Christ. By way of these stories, of course, this grace that makes us willing. That is the Reformed theology." "He's not this like sinless Superman. What I mean by that is... it takes out the humanity of Christ. It takes out this feeling heart of Christ as if to like separate him so much from us. But the beauty of these parables is... Christ puts himself close to us in that he feels like us, though he is not us, and that is the heart. That is where his power of coming to save is brought into our lives." "Having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us. He also has taken it out of the way. Having nailed it to the cross. How good is that sentence?" Full Transcript [00:00:08] Jesse Schwamb: It reminds me of this quote from. Thomas Watson who said, God seeking us is the foundation of seeking him. Grace does not find us willing, but grace makes us willing, and I think that's exactly what we're getting in this first advent of Christ. By way of these stories, of course, this grace that makes. Us willing. That is the reform of theology. How good of God that he would send his son unto us while we were yet his enemies. In other words, while that clenched fist was within us, while we saw God as only a threat, while we wanted to be covenant breakers, that's what we wanted. We want to rebel against him. Welcome to episode 473 of The Reformed Brotherhood. I'm Jesse, and this is the podcast for Lost Sheep and Lost Coins. Hey, brothers and sisters, you're listening to another episode of The Reformed Brotherhoodhood, but you've probably already noticed. That we are missing my co-host and my brother Tony, who regrettably was taken up ill this week, and so in his convalescence, I'm coming at you with a solo episode and what are you probably asking is worth listening to in the solo episode? Well, I have a proposal for you. So often what happens is when Tony and I sit down. And we record a beautiful, robust conversation, the definitive kind of talk on some topic. We shut off the microphone. And then of course he and I continue to talk to one another. And what often happens is somehow, like a second or a third episode basically starts because we go back to what we were talking about before and we have some kind of new insight or something new that we wanted to say that didn't make it into the episode. [00:01:56] Deleted Scenes and Parables Overview [00:01:56] Jesse Schwamb: And so this episode is gonna be about some of those deleted scenes if you were, were like the things that. We talked about, but didn't make it into some of our recent conversations about the parables, these three parables of the Lost Sheep, the lost coin, and now The Lost Son. Now I know what you're thinking, and I made a promise to Tony. We're not gonna get to the Prodigal son on this episode. That is something he and I are looking forward to discussing with one another and with you. So that will be next week. But on this little episode, I thought it was best to slow down just for a second and to give you, again, some of those things we've been talking about as we've been thinking about lostness, and to set that up as a precursor to wet your appetite just a little bit for this biggest of all of the parables, maybe the most well-known parable in the entire universe. The parable of the prodigal son, which again, is coming for you, but not on this one. Don't even get me started. How dare you. Now, normally if this were a traditional episode, you would hear that ous segue from me that goes something like this. Hey Tony, are you affirming with or denying again, something on this episode? And because it's just me, it'd be super weird to do something atenol with just myself. [00:03:17] Affirmations and Community Engagement [00:03:17] Jesse Schwamb: I figured it is high time for me to give you a particular affirmation, so here's what I'm gonna do. I am affirming with you like you brother and sister listening. I truly am affirming with you because as the year draws to close, I was thinking just again, how grateful I am for everybody who hangs out, everybody who listens, everybody who gives to the reformed brotherhood, because we all do it together. Nothing happens by accident. Nothing shows up in your podcast feed without somebody taking care of the attendant costs, without people lending their voices, without conversation around it. And if you're wondering, well, who are these other people? Because I thought it was just you too. There are brothers and sisters from all over the world who are looking to follow closely after Lord Jesus Christ, wanting to process theology and wanting to do so in a way that makes us better and more obedient toward our loving savior. And in serving those around us. And the good news is you also can just connect with us and with them. And the best way to do that, as we've said so many times before, but I'm gonna say it one more time for everybody in the back, is you can join our Telegram group. Telegram is just a messaging app, and we've carved out just a little corner of that app so that people that are listening to the podcast can come hang out and talk about. Whatever you want. So the way to do that is go to any browser, pick your favorite one, and just type in t me slash reform brotherhood, t me slash reform brotherhood, and that link will get you there. You can also do another thing. You can go to reform brotherhood.com. The podcast does have a website, believe it or not, and on that website, reform brotherhood.com live, all of the other episodes we have ever recorded. And so you can search those by topic about what's going on in them. You can find all kinds of different things to listen to. You'll also find a link there if in fact you would like to also support the podcast. So we are so grateful for so many brothers and sisters. Who have decided, you know what? I've been blessed by the conversations by the community, and I wanna make sure that it remains that way free of charge to everyone. And they're the ones along with us that are shouldering that burden, and I'm so grateful. So you can find a link there if in fact you are so inclined to give so. Brothers and sisters, I'm affirming with you it's time that I did that, and I'm so grateful for all of you. And again, the purpose of this little episode is to spend a little bit of time getting ready, getting after it. [00:05:42] The Parables' Context and Significance [00:05:42] Jesse Schwamb: For this, the biggest of all, the granddaddy of all the parables, the parable of the prodigal son and I, as I was thinking about this episode, it occurred to me it's a bit like, I don't know where you live. Where I live, there are these signs on the road that can script the speed at which you can travel on those roads at least legally. Right, and I was thinking about this as I was driving the other day, that I have a road with a speed limit. Say it's 50 miles an hour, but there is a bend in this road. And on that bend as I approach it, there's another sign of a different color that's more suggestive and it's a lower speed limit. It's as if to say, listen, I know you can travel at 50, but what might be wise right now is to slow it down so that you don't veer off the road because. As you take this turn, what's best practice, what's most safe for you is to slow down for a second. And I was kind of thinking about that as we were going into these parables. We wanna get to the parable of the prodigal sun. It's dramatic, it's dynamic. There's all kinds of lovely details in it. It's exciting. We've got people now finally, whereas we had intimate objects in agriculture, now we're getting to human family dynamics and interrelations and all this activity. And it's good. We should wanna get there, but I'm kind of feeling like it's a bit like that sign that says, you know what? We might wanna slow down for a second before you turn into this parable. Why don't you take this curve at a slightly slower speed? And so hence this little tiny episode to bring to you again, some of those deleted scenes. Some of the things that Tony, I've been talking about that never have quite made it into all of the recordings, because they probably happened before afterwards and the recording button had already been disabled. So. Let me give you the thing that I think, Tony, I've been talking about a lot and we've definitely been thinking about, and that is again, going back to like, why did these parables even come up? Like was it Jesus volition just to start talking about this stuff? Why is it that there are three versions of it? Why are they kind of escalating and growing in magnitude? There's clearly a crescendo coming. Hopefully you're hearing it. Like it's picking up, the pace is moving, the volume is increasing, and the stakes are getting higher and higher and higher. So what gives why all of this? And I think we gotta go back to Luke 15. Of course. We gotta look at just that first verse because to me. [00:08:00] The Heart of Reformed Theology [00:08:00] Jesse Schwamb: In Luke 15, this is some of like the best comfort food of the gospel, don't you think? I mean, in this, it's like the warmest, richest passage, almost all the gospels in terms of the presentation of this really good news. And you know, these stories aren't just sentimental tales. They actually reveal the beating heart of reform, theology, the beating, passionate love. And heart of Christ for his people. This truth that God is the one who seeks, saves, and rejoices over sinners. And so we gotta start in context because it's precisely because of that beating heart, that initiative, that volition, that Christ brings all of this up, but he brings it up in response to something that's happening. And that's where we get in verse one. Now, the tax collectors and sinners we're all drawing near to him. I think sometimes we run, at least I do way too past. Fast past that verse, the tax collectors and the sinners we're all drawing near to him. It should be the kind of thing like talk about things that make you go, Hmm, why? Why are we getting that now? That specific indicator here that they're drawing near. And then not only that it's being told to us, but of course what was it about Christ that drew these people? Because traditionally there, there was a lot of religion happening in Jesus' day. In some ways something special and different is happening here, that while the religion was not drawing these people, that the, the superstructures there, the participants, the leaders were not drawing this crowd by design. Instead, they're drawn to Jesus. There's something not just in the teaching but who he is, and Luke tells us tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him. He goes on to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled saying, this man receives sinners and eats with them. As a result of this, Jesus tells then these three parables. It's almost like Jesus essentially saying to the Pharisees, listen, you're accusing me of receiving sinners. Yes, you are exactly right, but I want you to know why. What a beautiful thing for him to explain and then to explain it in these thrice kind of implications and stories and metaphors. It's a beautiful thing. It reminds me of this quote from. Period in Thomas Watson who said, God seeking us is the foundation of seeking him. Grace does not find us willing, but grace makes us willing, and I think that's exactly what we're getting in this first advent of Christ. By way of these stories, of course, this grace that makes. Us willing. That is the reform of theology. How good of God that he would send his son unto us while we were yet his enemies. In other words, while that clenched fist was within us, while we saw God as only a threat, while we wanted to be covenant breakers, that's what we wanted. We want to rebel against him. And it's an incredible thing. It's far better, not that grace finds us willing, but that grace makes us willing, that grace compels us because we do not even know what's the best for ourselves. And so here again, Jesus tells us these three parables, these three stories to convey this incredible point. And that is that there is surely hope for all. God's love extends even to these sinners. That the glorious truth, that glorious truth shines out in all of these parables, and it's meant to be impressed upon us in like increasing degree that God's amazing love is both in its scope and its reach, and especially contrast. The ideas of then these. Pharisees and the scribes on this subject, he comes at them hard with these series of events and these stories. Tony, I've been talking about that a lot. Like we just can't get beyond that. I can't even, I wish I could comprehend it in a more deep way. You know, the first two parables are, it's dying to impress upon us that the love of God. Is this activity. It is effort and fire and reach and going after and passion and love, and it seeks out the sinner and it takes like infinite trouble in order to find him and rescue him. It's willing to pursue all to love, all, to take up the cost of all, and then to show the joy of God and all the hosts of heaven when even just one. Soul is saved. So it's not even this massive effort undertaking, which weighs the benefits and the costs and says, well, it's gonna be worth it in the end because the dividends earned from making this investment will be far greater than the investment itself. And what God does in Christ is he sends his son not. Reservedly, not like arms reach, so he could snatch him back up when harm beel him, but he gives him so unreservedly in passive and active obedience so that the sinner might be saved. Even just one and one, just one is saved. All of heaven rejoices there. There is a full consummate expression of happiness and completeness and joy of just one. Being saved and brought into God's kingdom. In other words, if that entire cost were for just one, God would still be willing to bear it. Jesus would still come in his active and past obedience to accomplish that very thing. And it's all of this that's moving us, of course, to the parable of the prodigal son, but I cannot even get there. Don't, don't even try to get me to go there. I know you're all doing it. So there is this great and incredible outstanding point. [00:13:20] The Scandalous Love of Jesus [00:13:20] Jesse Schwamb: It's something else that Tony had been talking about is that there's a simplicity, of course in all of these accounts, but there's also like this great complexity, especially because of this context. And I think as well what we've been really. Settling on in our conversations outside of the podcast is just how scandalous this makes Jesus seem and appear like that Jesus does appear or he should appear to us like too good to be true, too loving, too kind, too recklessly spend thrift. And again, that's what we're gonna find in the next parable, but that that is for real and it doesn't make him weak. It might be an expression of meekness, a power under control, but it shows that the humility of God in Christ is really beyond our ability to comprehend in reach that is so thorough and so full, and so rich and so warm that Christ is, as it were, experiencing a great, great joy. In the sinner coming and being saved, and him identifying with the sinner to such a degree and going out and finding what was lost to bring it back in. That this act of even when we come to him in repentance over and over again, we do not exhaust him because so great is his love for us. That he's coming to save continually and always, that he doesn't have to save over and over again. There's no additional sacrifice that's necessary, but that, that sacrifice is so great, so grand, so complete that it continues to bring us back into the fold to save us as it were. Over and over again to restore us onto fellowship with him to restore the harmony of our relationship while never having to rescind or to rebuild again the initial identity that we have in Christ that was accomplished on the cross, but that this just seems too good to be true. It just seems so miraculous that my own sin. As it continues to compound day after day, that is like continue to do the things I don't wanna do, as Paul said. But the very things I don't wanna do, those are the things that I do. It seems like this. At some point God would just become thoroughly exhausted with, and that's not the case. And these parables prove that to us over and over. And over again. So this very context and setting of these parables shows. I think all of this like perfectly, and Tony and I have just been conversing about that a lot. We keep going back to it. Maybe we're a little bit afraid that if we keep talking about it, you're gonna be like, you already said that, say something different. But we can't help. We're really come back to this and. Again, I'm drawn to this line that these sinners, the publicans, if you're totally down with the King James version that they drew near unto him, they came to him. There was something about him that they were almost like compelled or constrained as, as Paul says, like God's love compels us or constraints us. That they themselves were feeling that almost this magnetism toward Christ to want to be in his presence toward what, hear what he has to say, and what a beautiful setup that they're being drawn into him. He's eating with them. He's doing this. Most intimate thing, spending time with the me, my shoulders, with 'em, and of course the Pharisees, the scribes, the religious leaders, they see this and it's recorded that they're grumbling. They're complaining, right, man, what an adventure in missing the point. But that's there for us. I really think to pick up here as we try to understand what these parables mean, again, it's not just like the teaching. The teaching is so good, it's so rich and juicy and, and full of so many things for us to consume and to understand and to meditate on and to metabolize. As well that we can just quickly mix Miss, like this incredible perspective of like the context of which it took place, like the literal environment and the circumstances of life, which in some ways were the progenitor, or at least were the very thing, the fertile soil, which gave Christ the opportunity to plant. Then these seeds of the story and what I'm raised by is they felt that. I think these sinners felt that there was a chance even for them, that like in these man's teachings, there was a new and fresh hope, and even the Pharisees and the scribes saw precisely that thing. I think that's why, that's why they're complaining, and they had regarded these sinners as being so utterly and entirely behind, beyond hope and redemption. I mean, that was really the Orthodox view. It was to say like, listen, they're so hopeless that they were to be entirely ignored. Religion was for good people. It had nothing to do with bad people. You know, unfortunately, that's so much I think of how people view even Christianity today, that this is a club for people who have it mostly together or wanna have it together or think that they can get it together. Religion is for the good people and it should have nothing to do with the bad people. And it certainly had nothing to. To give these sinners just in the in, in our own day. Religion, by and in of itself, has nothing to give anybody, certainly nothing to give those who are hurt. Who are feeling hopeless, who are down and out, who are the abused, who have been written off, who are marginalized, who are pariahs, who feel that the guilt is overwhelming in their lives, who have all of these regrets. Religion by itself cannot help any of those people. Can't help you oriah in that way, and so it did no good then. To command the good people, to mix with the bad people, and then to treat them kindly and tell them of new possibilities. Religion, even in Jesus day, didn't offer that. And so you can see then that the Pharisees of the scribes were annoyed by our Lord's teaching. Anyone who saw any hope for this public or sinner must to them be entirely wrong and a blasphemer, because that's not who religion was for. And yet the sinner here. I mean, can you only imagine loved one like the sinner here in seeing Jesus? And being with Jesus, and they were drawn to him by understanding that there was some kind of new and fresh hope for them. And that's what's delivered in these parables to us. That how scandalous love of God is, is that from the jump, those who are with him recognize the scandal and said, this is so otherworldly that it seems like. This could be for me. And that is exactly why Jesus came, right? He came to seek and to save those who are lost. The point is was not how he could be received back, but whether he could be received back at all, whether he deserved anything at all. And so the sinner coming and saying that, is it possible that even for me. There is hope that even for me, there could be restoration with God. That for all the things which I already know, that I'm far from God, that I see him as the one who has these incredible and high in standards that I have transgressed, is it possible that there is hope for me? You know, just this morning on our Lord's day, because that's time of year, one of the songs that we sang was Joy to the World, and I was thinking even as we were preparing to sing that what, what other people conceive of that? Him. You know, we might rightly ask, is there any joy in our world today? Is there any hope? Is there any peace? And the answer is, yes, there is. It's in Jesus. You know that he is the answer. But we sometimes need to start saying, what is the question? And the question is, who can come before God? What can I do to be saved? That is the question. And these sinners at least understood that. They're drawn to Jesus, they're drawn to come before him. And so this stands out to me. It's something that we've been talking about a lot, this possibility of a new start, a new beginning for all, even for the most desperate, the ones that were so far off that they recognized that they couldn't probably even turn around. You know, sometimes like we colloquial say, listen, all you have to do is turn around and we use that language because we're tying it with this idea of repentance, you know, to turn. Toward God to to forsake that which is our natural selves by the power of the Holy Spirit and to come back into the family of Christ. And I think that is good, but I think the sinner also recognizes that the only prayer that we have is that Jesus have mercy on me. Have mercy on me that that's the right place to start. And I see in this, this idea, of course that's clearly articulated by our savior, that God is doing all the things that we are so lost. We're like that lost sheep that's just gone astray. That we desperately need help because we can't find our way back. I'm not sure we can even barely turn around. And I think if. What Thomas Watson is saying is correct. Then the beauty of Grace is that it does make us willing because I, for one, would go kicking and screaming all the way. But the fact that it makes us willing, it makes us come to our senses, which I have a feeling is something we will explore in a future, future episode, but that God is setting forward all of that initiative, you know. I like that John Rowan, John Owen also writes the sheep strays and knows not how to return, but Christ the good shepherd will lose none of his flock, but fetch them home. I love this idea. That's from his expedition on Hebrews. Actually, it's not even about this particular passage. The sheep does not seek the shepherd. The shepherd seeks the sheep. So even in this narrative, we see all these beautiful elements that. You know, Tony, I talked about before this total depravity, but it's just a narrative form that there's no one that seeks after God. And so what we find is that God is bringing forward election, choosing his own. He's bringing about definitive atonement, he's saving his own, and then there's a sexual calling he's bringing to himself his own. It's like the Westminster Larry Catechism says in. Uh, 59 Christ, by his intercession answers the demands of those for whom he has died and for them only. And all of this then brings about this like great and incredible rejoicing in heaven. I think, not just because it's like, it's great to find lost things, but it's also great to see that God has done the very thing that he said he was going to do, that he's the one that's, that he's the author and perfecter of salvation. And so God delights. In the work of redemption. So this is like the thing that I think is incredibly scandalous. [00:23:01] Christ's Compassion and Solidarity [00:23:01] Jesse Schwamb: This is the thing that Tony and I have talked a lot about, like privately, and that is how much Jesus has compassion and the ability, the true ability to sympathize. And that in these I, I think like underneath. All of these little parables and stories. The only reason there is an action of love. That love always leads to giving. Love always leads to going. Finding love always leads to drawing in that the only reason that is happening is because of this incredible ability of Christ to sympathize with us. You know, the burden of these verses, the anchor of these verses is Christ sheer an amazing solidarity with all of his people. All our natural intuitions tell us that Jesus is with us on our side present helping. When life is going well. It's easy to see that. It seems very clear, but in this text, we're finding that those who are drawn are the ones whose life are decidedly not going great, not doing that well. And so the opposite is being. Presented for us in this kinda stark relief. It's in our weakness that Jesus sympathizes with us. It's in our pain and our own destructive behaviors that he comes, not because he himself has experienced any sin, but because he is a savior whose heart is wide open to go after and to embrace those who are in that state, which seems incredible. Scandalous, like in our pain, Jesus is pained in our suffering. He feels the suffering as his own, even though it isn't. He's not this like invincible divinity. Well, lemme say it this way. It's not that his invincible divinity is threatened, but in the sense that his heart is feelingly drawn into our distress. Is that a word? Feelingly, like that. He literally wants to, he feels himself into our distress and, and in that doing so his joy is increased because he's identifying with his children because he is coming close to them because he is going after them. His love leads to that kind of feeling ness, so it's. It is not only that Jesus can reveal, relieve us and reveal, I suppose, but relieve us from our troubles like a doctor prescribing medicine. It's also that before any relief comes before, like a day of restoration comes before like that day of the shackles falling off before that time when the breakthrough happens, he's with us in our troubles like a doctor who has endured the same disease. That's what's wild. That's what makes all of this so different than any other religious worldview, than any other kind of conscription of how to think about the world and any other philosophy. And he's a sinless man, but he's not this like sinless Superman. And what I mean by that is I think some of you heard, if you've listened for any length of time, you know that there's this song. That is a children's song. That is something like Jesus is my superhero, and I always bristle that a little bit because it takes out the humanity of Christ. It takes out this feeling heart of Christ as if to like separate him so much from us that we want all of this power. Of course we want this. Alien power to come and to restore our lives, to intercede, to do the thing that we cannot do for ourselves. But the beauty of these parables is the thing that we cannot do for ourselves is still the thing that Christ puts, puts himself close to us in that he feels like us, though he is not us, and that is the heart. That is where his power of coming to save. Is brought into our lives. He comes and saves us because he knows us. And to know us is to become like us. And to become like us is to be humiliated, to come and to humble himself and to condescend to such degree that he is again, like this doctor who can heal. But before any of that comes, he's with us in the troubles. This is Emmanuel, this is God with us, that he is the one that comes and stands shoulder to shoulder with us in that pain that feels and empathizes and comes and ministers to us in that pain, and takes great joy in doing so. And in fact, his joy, as it were, is enlarged in doing that. [00:27:09] The Joy of Salvation [00:27:09] Jesse Schwamb: Our tendency, I think, is to feel intuitively that the more difficult life gets, the more that we're alone. We sink further into pain, we sink further into felt isolation, and these passages correct us. Our pain never outstrips what he himself shares in. That is what's remarkable. That is what drives and fuels, I think, in a way, this passionate heart of Christ towards us and then results in this kind of unbelievable, really loved ones. Incredible, outstanding, inconceivable good news that Christ has saved us, that he would come and in the midst of our great ugliness and sinfulness and unkindness and selfishness, that he would not only identify with that and say, you who are broken, I delight. To repair you, but that we receive then not just a restoration, but then all of the benefits that Christ himself has earned that are due him for his obedience. These also get credited to us. I think it's impossible for me not to conclude this little conversation that we're having without going to Colossians chapter two, which again, I've said this before, but as somebody who's worked in finance and banking, all of my adult life. Actually, I dunno why I would say it that way, because you really can't, shouldn't be working in finance or banking as a child. But for all of my life I just find this language so resonant. And if you're a person that's borrowed money for any length of time or maybe basically just worked in the world and had to endure, if that's your word, or interact with finance than you are probably gonna resonate with this. This too. But this is. An expression of what God has done for us in Christ. And I wanna begin reading in verse 13. And you being dead in your transgressions. Oh, man. Uh, sorry, I, I hate to do this. I often don't like to do this, but you're just gonna get my commentary, the Jesse commentary in between these in, in the midst of these verses because I, I should probably best practice to read the whole thing for y'all. But I just, I am dumbfounded. I keep getting dumbstruck by these words and thinking about these in light of, uh, the incarnation and of Christ coming and these parables that he's teaching us that are just showing like as if he's just opening up his heart to us, and I can't, but help but stop and pause and say, are, are you hearing this too? And you being dead in your transgressions. This is so horrible, isn't it? Like who wants this to be true of them? But this is, this is my story and your story that we were dead and it's not a who done it mystery. You know what killed us? Our transgressions, yours and mines our own work. That the minimum wage of sin is death and that your transgressions killed you and that you were in that state. You were in that state actually from the beginning, from the time that you were born. You were dead and you were dead in your transgressions. That is super bad. I mean, that's the understatement of this entire conversation. It, it's horrible. Uh, I can't think of anything worse. It's true of all us. So is it possible that it could get worse? It does actually. And you being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, that is like you were not just, it would be worse enough that of course, like you the Law of Christ, but you love to do it. That was your jam in your flesh. The flesh that you wanted to embrace, the selfishness that was who you are, apart from Christ, which the Bible tells us is the opposite of being circumcised brought into the family. You were far away as far away as possible. You were so far out of the government that you were uncircumcised. That's who you were. You were dead. You were dead because of your transgressions, and then you were so far outside of the family of God, there was no hope for you. In your own self, there's nothing you could do to make a way. There was nothing that you could do to write yourself. You were dead in your transgressions, uncircumcision of your flesh. Sit on that for a second, and you being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, Jesus made you alive with him having graciously forgiven us all our transgressions. So again, this is. Incredible. Not just that you would be forgiven, but that you'd be made alive in Christ. There's this falsity out there somewhere. Again, this is what religion teaches you, teaches us that Jesus came to make bad people good. I mean, that's really what the Pharisees were after in their own lives. There was their promulgating a system in which what religion does is it's for good people and at best what it can do is make maybe some bad people. Good. But if you're too bad, it's not for you. It's too bad. It's unfortunate, but it's not your thing. It won't work. But what the scripture tells us, what these parables press us with is not that Jesus came to make bad people good, but he came to make dead people alive. And so what we have here is a clear indication of that, that even in the midst of your, your horrible state, that that state, that it seemed hopeless, that here Jesus God, through Jesus made you alive with him having graciously forgiven all of our transgressions. Then here's the, here's the amazing part as if like, we didn't understand that, and I think like you and Paul here saying like, this should be clear, but I'm gonna double down on this. I'm gonna use some language that should be abundantly clear to you just how bad things were and then how much freedom you should feel, what your lightness, what the, the bounce in your steps should be like because you were once dead uncircumcised. Now you've been made alive and you've been having everything graciously forgiven in Christ. Here, here's what it's like having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us. He also has taken it out of the way. Having nailed it to the cross. How? How good is that sentence? Christ in his death canceled out the. Certificate of debt. Again, something that was codified against us. So other words, it was documented. These were not just, and they weren't just this little statement that said like, it's really bad for you. You owe something. There's something that's been heaped up against you. But they were decrees against us. They were hostile to us. They were literally the thing that was going to kill us for all and separate us from Christ. That thing, that certificate, he has taken it. Out out of the way, having nailed it to the cross, having disarmed the rulers and authorities, he made public display of them having triumphed over them. So it's this incredible sense that not only has Christ. Taking the certificate, cast it aside, paid for it in full. But then above and beyond that, he's disarmed the rulers and authorities. He's made a public display of them. He's triumphed over sin, death, and the devil in such a demonstrative and public way to show that he's the ruler of all the world. That he's the promise maker and he's the promise keeper, that he's just, and that he's justifier. And so Paul says to us, then Christian. How ought you to live? How ought you to behave? Is this not the best news that you could possibly hear? So all of that, I think is literally just the smallest backdrop to leading us into this final parable, this escalation really, of course, the three parables in one about the prodigal son and. I would admonish you to think on that. This little extra pause that we've had here I think is good because I need to at least to remember that this is what's leading us for Jesus to say, to start with a story that says A man had two sons. You know, after we've talked about sheep. We talked about coins and then he goes, and a man had two sons. What a beautiful like beginning what? What incredible language, what brilliance, all of this to show us his true heart for us. And I think it's always worthwhile to stop and to pause for a second. And to consider that heart as we make ourselves ready to receive this final and amazing parable. [00:35:13] Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser [00:35:13] Jesse Schwamb: So I hope that you will continue to hang out with us, that you yourself will not take my word for it or Tony's word for it, but you yourself, go to Luke 15 read. It takes maybe. I dunno, 45 seconds to read all three of these and to spend some time thinking about what it is that Christ has done for us. That we're the lost sheep, we're the lost coin. We're also this lost son, son, daughter, that this was all of our stories. At some point, we can't escape the fact that this really is our biography and. It hits close to home because we find that when we examine ourselves that we are the ones that were lost in our transgressions and dead. That we are the ones that were un circumcised, but God has made us alive together with Christ. I mean, read, read Colossians two and read Ephesians one, and what you're gonna find is we have every reason to rejoice, and these stories should compel us into. A life of constant rejoicing for what Christ has done for us. That's the reason for every season. It's the reason for the Christian life, and certainly so much of what we find reflected in reform theology proper. So you know what to do. Come hang out with us on the Telegram chat, continue to process with us alongside of us in conversation with us, these incredible parables, because I do believe there's so much here. We'll, we're never going to plumb the depths of these, and this is just our feeble attempt. To get us in the right place as we make that final hair point turn into this, that we slow down just a little bit and consider what great thing that Christ has done for us and what God, the Father and the Holy Spirit has wrought in our lives by way of this incredible salvation. So you know what to do. Come back next week and we'll get after the parable. Of the prodigal. But until you do that, until we chat again and Tony rejoins us safe and strong, and Lord willing, as great as ever, honor everyone. Love the brotherhood.

Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/editorialtpv   "Un predicador para tiempos sísmicos. Thomas Watson (1620–1686) fue el “director de conciencias” de una Londres en guerra, plaga, incendio y expulsión. Este episodio cuenta cómo un ministro presbiteriano, formado en Cambridge y expulsado en 1662, tradujo la alta teología reformada al plain style: doctrina clara, aforismos memorables y aplicaciones que curan el alma. Le seguimos de St Stephen's, Walbrook a los conventículos clandestinos y, con la Indulgencia de 1672, a Crosby Hall, donde copastoreó con Stephen Charnock. Allí su piedad se hizo programa: A Divine Cordial(1663) convirtió la Gran Expulsión en catequesis de providencia; The Godly Man's Picture (1666) dibujó 24 señales de la gracia; The Doctrine of Repentance (1668) llamó a una ciudad herida a volver a Dios; Heaven Taken by Storm (1670) urgió a la “violencia santa” de la vida devota; y el póstumo Body of Practical Divinity (1692) fijó todo en clave catequética de Westminster. ¿Lección para hoy? Pastorear con Biblia en mano, afectos encendidos y aplicaciones concretas que ayuden a perseverar cuando el mundo cruje." Siguenos: - Web: https://teologiaparavivir.com/ - Blog: https://semperreformandaperu.org/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teologiaparavivir/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teologiaparavivir/ - Youtube: https://www.instagram.com/teologiaparavivir/

CSX Corp. announced a surprising leadership change, naming Steve Angel as president and CEO, effective last Sunday, succeeding Joe Hinrichs. The move follows activist investor calls for Hinrichs to step down as CSX's metrics trailed other Class I carriers. California has officially gutted the two largest components of its Advanced Clean Fleets rule that would have impacted trucking in the state. This withdrawal was inevitable after the California Air Resources Board yanked its request for an EPA waiver in the face of the imminent Trump administration. New federal data ranks Wyoming as the deadliest state for truck crashes per capita, followed by New Mexico and Mississippi. You can read more about the findings, based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data which also noted that Texas ranked first for the overall total number of fatalities. Tune into FreightWaves TV later today for Check Call with Mary O'Connell and Loaded and Rolling with Thomas Watson. Also, remember that we are less than three weeks away from the Future of Freight Festival (F3) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, so register soon to save money off your ticket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CSX Corp. announced a surprising leadership change, naming Steve Angel as president and CEO, effective last Sunday, succeeding Joe Hinrichs. The move follows activist investor calls for Hinrichs to step down as CSX's metrics trailed other Class I carriers. California has officially gutted the two largest components of its Advanced Clean Fleets rule that would have impacted trucking in the state. This withdrawal was inevitable after the California Air Resources Board yanked its request for an EPA waiver in the face of the imminent Trump administration. New federal data ranks Wyoming as the deadliest state for truck crashes per capita, followed by New Mexico and Mississippi. You can read more about the findings, based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data which also noted that Texas ranked first for the overall total number of fatalities. Tune into FreightWaves TV later today for Check Call with Mary O'Connell and Loaded and Rolling with Thomas Watson. Also, remember that we are less than three weeks away from the Future of Freight Festival (F3) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, so register soon to save money off your ticket. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his book, The Warrior Savior, Owen Strachan states in the very first three sentences in the first chapter the point of every page in the Bible: It was a tree that damned us. It was a tree that redeemed us. And it will be a tree that heals us in the age to cometime beyond all time.[1] I want to borrow and use Strachans opening statement in his book as the point of this sermon series. It is the big idea of the overall message of the seventeen sermons that will make up this series that I have titled, The Tree. I assume that you already know this, but just in case you dont, here it is: We are in a war! If you are a Christian as I am, then WE are at war. The war we are in is both spiritual and supernatural for we are warned: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). We are told that there is a domain of darkness (Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9) over which a powerful malevolent being rules (John 8:44; Eph. 2:2). Before we look into how it is that the domain of darkness came into existence, let me read something for you, and see if what you hear sounds like a commentary on the kinds of things that seem to be more and more common: But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power... (2 Tim. 3:1-5) So, how did we get here? Where are we going? What hope do we have that it will ever get better? To answer that question, we need to go to the beginning. The Tree of Life and Its Life-Giving Fruit Like all stories, our story also has a beginning. Genesis 1:1 begins in the same way all good stories begin: In the beginning... What happened in the beginning? God created the heavens and the earth (v. 1). This is how we tell stories: Once upon a time A long, long time ago In a galaxy far, far away Like all other stories, our story begins in the mind of God. When, And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters (v. 2), God spoke into the emptiness and created out of nothing that which did not exist previously. Out of the imagination of the mind of God came forth a world brimming with life and worship. On the first day God created the heavens and the earth; day and night. On the second day He divided the heavens from the earth. On the third day God created the land, sea, and vegetation. On the fourth day He created the sun, moon, and stars. On the fifth day, God created creatures great and small. On the sixth day, God created land animals and finally mankind. And, on the seventh day God rested. The crowning moment of creation was when God said, Let us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness.... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (vv. 26, 27). Humanity was bornnot simply another creature, but a unique reflection of the Creator Himself. Among all living things, only human beings bear the image of God, set apart to represent Him in the world He created with design, beauty, and purpose. God blessed the man and his wife and commanded them to, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth (v. 28). Owen Strachan makes the point concerning Adam: Adam, the first man, was a priest and a king onto God. He lived and ruled under the divine regency of his Maker.[2] The woman, later to be called Eve in the story, came from Adams body and God brought her to Adam as his wife and helper to join him in the mission to exercise dominion on the earth and fill it with humans like themselves and so that they too would walk in obedience and love with their Creator. When God created, He didnt use special effects or any tricks; He spoke, and everything in the universe and beyond came into existence. When He had finished with creation, God declared it to be very good (v. 31). In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1) when he took the blank canvas of nothing and then painted the beauty of creation with the brush of His omnipotent Word. Before Eve was brought to Adam as a helper, God gave Adam another command: Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it. The Lord God commanded the man, saying, From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die. (2:15-17). The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and Its Curse-Producing Fruit Before God formed Adam from the dust, He had already created trees on the third day. Among all the trees He made, two were of great significance: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Both of these were placed at the center of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 1:11; 2:9). The fruit from the Tree of Life was available for Adam and Eve to freely enjoy, and by eating it, they could live forever (3:22). In contrast, eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil would lead to death. In this way, God presented humanity with a choice in Eden: each day, Adam and Eve could choose life by lovingly obeying God, or they could choose death by turning away from Him in disobedience and rebellion. Just as J.R.R. Tolkiens The Hobbit begins with the memorable line, In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit, introducing the humble yet unexpectedly heroic Bilbo Baggins, Genesis 3 ushers us into a pivotal moment with the arrival of a seemingly ordinary serpent. However, unlike Bilbo, whose heroism gradually unfolds, the serpent in Genesis 3 is far from harmlesshe is revealed as the true antagonist of humanitys story. Its important to remember Adams unique role in the garden: he was appointed by God to serve both as priest and king, entrusted to live and rule under Gods authority. The significance of Genesis 3:1 cannot be overstated, as it marks the moment when the serpent targets Eve, the wife of Gods chosen representative, with cunning intent. The serpents temptation comes in the form of a subtle question, challenging Gods word: Did God really say...? (v. 1). This question sets the stage for the unfolding drama of deception and a choice that will shape the course of human history. The root of the temptation was to question the goodness of God because He withheld fruit from only one tree in the garden. In other words, Satan was tempting Eve to doubt the goodness of God. Thomas Watson once wrote concerning sin, Sin first tempts and then damns. It is first a fox and then a lion.[3] So Eve, saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate... But she did not stop there, ...and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate (Gen. 3:6). Their innocence was violated by their rebellion, Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves waist coverings (v. 7). Instead of choosing life, Adam and Eve chose death; they believed the lie of the serpent and thought that by eating the forbidden fruit that they would be Gods equal. They were wrong. They doubted the truthfulness of Gods word and His faithfulness to honor all of His promises and what they received was a curse instead of the blessing the serpent promised. The serpent was much more than what Adam and Eve believed him to be. Jesus said of the serpent, that he, was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is not truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Throughout the Bible, we learn that the serpent is also the Accuser (Rev. 12:10), the Adversary (1 Pet. 5:8), the Beast (Rev. 14:9-10), and Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24). He is the dragon (Rev. 12:9), the evil one (John 17:15), the father of lies (John 8:44), and the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4). The serpent is the lawless one (2 Thess. 2:8-10), the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:1-2), the ruler of demons (Luke 11:15), the tempter (Matt. 4:3), the thief (John 10:10), and the wicked one (Eph. 6:16). In every description, he is the embodiment of evil who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). Yet, the serpent was, is, and always will be no more than a created being whose desire to be like God preceded his temptation of Adam and Eve to be like God. The serpents motive in tempting Adam and Eve to sin was rooted in his deep-seated hatred for God and for humanityGods unique creation made in His own image. Yet, it was not the devils decision that caused Adam and Eve to fall; rather, it was their own deliberate choice to disobey God. By choosing to sin, Adam and Eve forfeited the life and relationship with God that He had originally designed for them. It was not the serpent who chose death over life for the couple, but Adam and Eve who chose death instead of life. The Promise of Another Tree In Genesis 3, it was the snake who spoke first out of his own deception that he would have the last word. Yet, it was not the serpent, but God who had the final word. The response of Adam and Eve was that of shame and hiding, yet it was God who came near and found them in their shame! Do not miss what happens next in the story and how God approached the couple. We are told in Genesis 3:8, ...the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then, we come to Genesis 3:9! Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, Where are you? God did not call to both Adam and Eve, but only to Adam. Why? Was it not Eve who gave the forbidden fruit to Adam; was she not also guilty of sinning against God? Though both Adam and Eve sinned, it was Adam who represented mankind as the first priest and king. He was made first and was placed in the created order as head over his wife. He had headship and also served as the representative on behalf of all mankind; this is the point of Romans 5:12, Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned... This is why God called to Adam and not to Eve. The couple could not hide from God; when God called Adam to account for his actions, he pointed his finger at his wife: The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me some of the fruit of the tree, and I ate (v. 12). In other words, according to Adam, it was ultimately everyone elses fault that he chose to sin. The truth is that Adam failed to protect his wife through obedience God. When Eve was asked what it was that she had done, she also shifted the blame but was more truthful than Adam, she admitted that she ate because she was deceived (v. 13). God could have chosen to begin again. He was fully justified in withholding mercy and delivering only justice through His wrath. Yet, instead, He gave Adam and Eve what they did not deserve: which was mercy, love, and grace. God had the final word, and it was good news! Yes, death would spread to all mankind from one generation to the next because of Adam and Eves sin. Eve would experience great pain through giving birth to life, and Adam would experience great toil through bringing life from the earth (3:15-19). Suffering, pain, and thorns would serve as continual reminders of a world under the weight of the curse. Nevertheless, this is not how the story ends! God had the final word, and it came in the form of a promise that would lead to the destruction of the serpent and life for mankind: And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel. (3:15) From Adam and Eve would come a Deliverer who would crush the head of the great serpent-like-dragon under His heal.Although Adam and Eve were not given all the details, God had already determined that the Deliverer would be His own Son who would obediently choose a different tree in another garden, that would then result in His cursing for our redemption (see Gal 3:13). Although the consequence of Adam and Eves sin was expulsion from Eden and the presence of God, there was coming another Day when the Descendant would remove the curse of sin and make all things new. Although they were driven from Eden and forbidden to eat from the tree of life, God would make the forgiveness of sins and eternal life available through a different kind of tree, namely the cross of Christ. Conclusion We are told throughout the Bible that the choice of life over death is before mankind. Just before the Hebrew people were permitted to enter the land promised to them through Abraham, Moses said to the people: I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, so that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. (Deut. 30:19-20). The question we must all answer remains unchanged from the one asked throughout Scripture: Will you choose life or death? Permit me to leave you with six lessons from Genesis 1-3 in closing: Sin is always costly. Consider what Adam and Eves sin cost them; it cost them their intimacy with God, their intimacy with each other, and it robbed them of a joy that far exceeded what their sin could have delivered. Sin never delivers what it promises. Adam and Eve were told that if they sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit that they would be just like God, but what they received is pain and death. Sin destroys peace. Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed peace in the garden. There was harmony and continuity in the garden, but their sin disturbed what they once enjoyed. Sin vandalizes the peace of God. Sin brings unwanted shame. The moment Adam and Eve sinned against God; their innocence was turned into shame. They once enjoyed each others company naked and unashamed, but their sin resulted in their need to cover up their shame by covering up their nakedness. Sin will rob you of genuine joy. Adam and Eve were made to enjoy, experience, and bring forth life, but their sin robbed them of life and delivered only death. No Sin is bigger than Gods mercy, love, and grace. Even though there were consequences to their sin, Adam and Eve experienced the overpowering grace of God over their sin. [1] Owen Strachan, The Warrior Savior (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing; 2024), 1. [2] Ibid. [3] Thomas Watson. The Mischief of Sin (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications; 1994), p. 20.

In his book, The Warrior Savior, Owen Strachan states in the very first three sentences in the first chapter the point of every page in the Bible: It was a tree that damned us. It was a tree that redeemed us. And it will be a tree that heals us in the age to cometime beyond all time.[1] I want to borrow and use Strachans opening statement in his book as the point of this sermon series. It is the big idea of the overall message of the seventeen sermons that will make up this series that I have titled, The Tree. I assume that you already know this, but just in case you dont, here it is: We are in a war! If you are a Christian as I am, then WE are at war. The war we are in is both spiritual and supernatural for we are warned: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). We are told that there is a domain of darkness (Col. 1:13; 1 Pet. 2:9) over which a powerful malevolent being rules (John 8:44; Eph. 2:2). Before we look into how it is that the domain of darkness came into existence, let me read something for you, and see if what you hear sounds like a commentary on the kinds of things that seem to be more and more common: But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power... (2 Tim. 3:1-5) So, how did we get here? Where are we going? What hope do we have that it will ever get better? To answer that question, we need to go to the beginning. The Tree of Life and Its Life-Giving Fruit Like all stories, our story also has a beginning. Genesis 1:1 begins in the same way all good stories begin: In the beginning... What happened in the beginning? God created the heavens and the earth (v. 1). This is how we tell stories: Once upon a time A long, long time ago In a galaxy far, far away Like all other stories, our story begins in the mind of God. When, And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters (v. 2), God spoke into the emptiness and created out of nothing that which did not exist previously. Out of the imagination of the mind of God came forth a world brimming with life and worship. On the first day God created the heavens and the earth; day and night. On the second day He divided the heavens from the earth. On the third day God created the land, sea, and vegetation. On the fourth day He created the sun, moon, and stars. On the fifth day, God created creatures great and small. On the sixth day, God created land animals and finally mankind. And, on the seventh day God rested. The crowning moment of creation was when God said, Let us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness.... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (vv. 26, 27). Humanity was bornnot simply another creature, but a unique reflection of the Creator Himself. Among all living things, only human beings bear the image of God, set apart to represent Him in the world He created with design, beauty, and purpose. God blessed the man and his wife and commanded them to, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth (v. 28). Owen Strachan makes the point concerning Adam: Adam, the first man, was a priest and a king onto God. He lived and ruled under the divine regency of his Maker.[2] The woman, later to be called Eve in the story, came from Adams body and God brought her to Adam as his wife and helper to join him in the mission to exercise dominion on the earth and fill it with humans like themselves and so that they too would walk in obedience and love with their Creator. When God created, He didnt use special effects or any tricks; He spoke, and everything in the universe and beyond came into existence. When He had finished with creation, God declared it to be very good (v. 31). In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1) when he took the blank canvas of nothing and then painted the beauty of creation with the brush of His omnipotent Word. Before Eve was brought to Adam as a helper, God gave Adam another command: Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and tend it. The Lord God commanded the man, saying, From any tree of the garden you may freely eat; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for on the day that you eat from it you will certainly die. (2:15-17). The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and Its Curse-Producing Fruit Before God formed Adam from the dust, He had already created trees on the third day. Among all the trees He made, two were of great significance: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Both of these were placed at the center of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 1:11; 2:9). The fruit from the Tree of Life was available for Adam and Eve to freely enjoy, and by eating it, they could live forever (3:22). In contrast, eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil would lead to death. In this way, God presented humanity with a choice in Eden: each day, Adam and Eve could choose life by lovingly obeying God, or they could choose death by turning away from Him in disobedience and rebellion. Just as J.R.R. Tolkiens The Hobbit begins with the memorable line, In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit, introducing the humble yet unexpectedly heroic Bilbo Baggins, Genesis 3 ushers us into a pivotal moment with the arrival of a seemingly ordinary serpent. However, unlike Bilbo, whose heroism gradually unfolds, the serpent in Genesis 3 is far from harmlesshe is revealed as the true antagonist of humanitys story. Its important to remember Adams unique role in the garden: he was appointed by God to serve both as priest and king, entrusted to live and rule under Gods authority. The significance of Genesis 3:1 cannot be overstated, as it marks the moment when the serpent targets Eve, the wife of Gods chosen representative, with cunning intent. The serpents temptation comes in the form of a subtle question, challenging Gods word: Did God really say...? (v. 1). This question sets the stage for the unfolding drama of deception and a choice that will shape the course of human history. The root of the temptation was to question the goodness of God because He withheld fruit from only one tree in the garden. In other words, Satan was tempting Eve to doubt the goodness of God. Thomas Watson once wrote concerning sin, Sin first tempts and then damns. It is first a fox and then a lion.[3] So Eve, saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate... But she did not stop there, ...and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate (Gen. 3:6). Their innocence was violated by their rebellion, Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves waist coverings (v. 7). Instead of choosing life, Adam and Eve chose death; they believed the lie of the serpent and thought that by eating the forbidden fruit that they would be Gods equal. They were wrong. They doubted the truthfulness of Gods word and His faithfulness to honor all of His promises and what they received was a curse instead of the blessing the serpent promised. The serpent was much more than what Adam and Eve believed him to be. Jesus said of the serpent, that he, was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is not truth in him. Whenever he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Throughout the Bible, we learn that the serpent is also the Accuser (Rev. 12:10), the Adversary (1 Pet. 5:8), the Beast (Rev. 14:9-10), and Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24). He is the dragon (Rev. 12:9), the evil one (John 17:15), the father of lies (John 8:44), and the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4). The serpent is the lawless one (2 Thess. 2:8-10), the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:1-2), the ruler of demons (Luke 11:15), the tempter (Matt. 4:3), the thief (John 10:10), and the wicked one (Eph. 6:16). In every description, he is the embodiment of evil who disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). Yet, the serpent was, is, and always will be no more than a created being whose desire to be like God preceded his temptation of Adam and Eve to be like God. The serpents motive in tempting Adam and Eve to sin was rooted in his deep-seated hatred for God and for humanityGods unique creation made in His own image. Yet, it was not the devils decision that caused Adam and Eve to fall; rather, it was their own deliberate choice to disobey God. By choosing to sin, Adam and Eve forfeited the life and relationship with God that He had originally designed for them. It was not the serpent who chose death over life for the couple, but Adam and Eve who chose death instead of life. The Promise of Another Tree In Genesis 3, it was the snake who spoke first out of his own deception that he would have the last word. Yet, it was not the serpent, but God who had the final word. The response of Adam and Eve was that of shame and hiding, yet it was God who came near and found them in their shame! Do not miss what happens next in the story and how God approached the couple. We are told in Genesis 3:8, ...the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then, we come to Genesis 3:9! Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, Where are you? God did not call to both Adam and Eve, but only to Adam. Why? Was it not Eve who gave the forbidden fruit to Adam; was she not also guilty of sinning against God? Though both Adam and Eve sinned, it was Adam who represented mankind as the first priest and king. He was made first and was placed in the created order as head over his wife. He had headship and also served as the representative on behalf of all mankind; this is the point of Romans 5:12, Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned... This is why God called to Adam and not to Eve. The couple could not hide from God; when God called Adam to account for his actions, he pointed his finger at his wife: The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me some of the fruit of the tree, and I ate (v. 12). In other words, according to Adam, it was ultimately everyone elses fault that he chose to sin. The truth is that Adam failed to protect his wife through obedience God. When Eve was asked what it was that she had done, she also shifted the blame but was more truthful than Adam, she admitted that she ate because she was deceived (v. 13). God could have chosen to begin again. He was fully justified in withholding mercy and delivering only justice through His wrath. Yet, instead, He gave Adam and Eve what they did not deserve: which was mercy, love, and grace. God had the final word, and it was good news! Yes, death would spread to all mankind from one generation to the next because of Adam and Eves sin. Eve would experience great pain through giving birth to life, and Adam would experience great toil through bringing life from the earth (3:15-19). Suffering, pain, and thorns would serve as continual reminders of a world under the weight of the curse. Nevertheless, this is not how the story ends! God had the final word, and it came in the form of a promise that would lead to the destruction of the serpent and life for mankind: And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel. (3:15) From Adam and Eve would come a Deliverer who would crush the head of the great serpent-like-dragon under His heal.Although Adam and Eve were not given all the details, God had already determined that the Deliverer would be His own Son who would obediently choose a different tree in another garden, that would then result in His cursing for our redemption (see Gal 3:13). Although the consequence of Adam and Eves sin was expulsion from Eden and the presence of God, there was coming another Day when the Descendant would remove the curse of sin and make all things new. Although they were driven from Eden and forbidden to eat from the tree of life, God would make the forgiveness of sins and eternal life available through a different kind of tree, namely the cross of Christ. Conclusion We are told throughout the Bible that the choice of life over death is before mankind. Just before the Hebrew people were permitted to enter the land promised to them through Abraham, Moses said to the people: I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have placed before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding close to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, so that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. (Deut. 30:19-20). The question we must all answer remains unchanged from the one asked throughout Scripture: Will you choose life or death? Permit me to leave you with six lessons from Genesis 1-3 in closing: Sin is always costly. Consider what Adam and Eves sin cost them; it cost them their intimacy with God, their intimacy with each other, and it robbed them of a joy that far exceeded what their sin could have delivered. Sin never delivers what it promises. Adam and Eve were told that if they sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit that they would be just like God, but what they received is pain and death. Sin destroys peace. Before the fall, Adam and Eve enjoyed peace in the garden. There was harmony and continuity in the garden, but their sin disturbed what they once enjoyed. Sin vandalizes the peace of God. Sin brings unwanted shame. The moment Adam and Eve sinned against God; their innocence was turned into shame. They once enjoyed each others company naked and unashamed, but their sin resulted in their need to cover up their shame by covering up their nakedness. Sin will rob you of genuine joy. Adam and Eve were made to enjoy, experience, and bring forth life, but their sin robbed them of life and delivered only death. No Sin is bigger than Gods mercy, love, and grace. Even though there were consequences to their sin, Adam and Eve experienced the overpowering grace of God over their sin. [1] Owen Strachan, The Warrior Savior (Phillipsburg, NJ: PR Publishing; 2024), 1. [2] Ibid. [3] Thomas Watson. The Mischief of Sin (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications; 1994), p. 20.

The Short, Daring Life of Thomas Watson On this day in Tudor history, 26 September 1592, poet and translator Thomas Watson was buried at St Bartholomew-the-Less. You may not know his name, but in Elizabethan circles he was the rule-bender who wrote 18-line “sonnets”, carried letters for Sir Francis Walsingham, supplied lyrics for William Byrd, and once landed in prison after stepping between Christopher Marlowe and a blade. I'm Claire Ridgway, historian and author. In this episode you'll discover: Hekatompathia (1582): the 100-poem love sequence with 18-line “sonnets” Watson the Latinist: Petrarch, Sophocles' Antigone, Amyntas & Amintae gaudia Music & verse: his words for Byrd and Englishings of Italian madrigals The 1589 brawl with Marlowe & William Bradley: wound, death, and a self-defence pardon Final years, plague-time death, and The Tears of Fancie (1593) Where to start reading: dip into Hekatompathia for the form-breaking love poems, then try The Tears of Fancie to hear his later English voice. Question for you: Had you heard of Watson before? Which Elizabethan poet deserves more attention? If you enjoyed this “On This Day,” please like, subscribe, and ring the bell for daily Tudor & Elizabethan deep dives.     #OnThisDay #TudorHistory #Elizabethan #ThomasWatson #ChristopherMarlowe #Walsingham #WilliamByrd #RenaissancePoetry #Sonnets #LondonHistory #EarlyModern #EnglishLiterature  

A lesson on the importance of prayer as a means of receiving the sustaining, nourishing grace that we need for the Christian life. The sermon emphasizes the centrality of prayer in the Christian life, drawing from the Sermon on the Mount and the teachings of historical figures like Martin Luther and Thomas Watson. It highlights the importance of approaching God with confidence, recognizing His sovereignty and willingness to provide grace, not as a means of manipulating outcomes, but as a pathway to aligning with His will and growing in Christ-likeness. The message underscores that persistent prayer, rooted in a humble understanding of human dependence and God's boundless generosity, ultimately leads to a life of love and service to others, reflecting the divine character revealed in Jesus.

This week we continued our ongoing meet a member series with an interview with SVCC member Kyle Thompson!  JM's Album Of The Week: Young Oceans - Cutting Through (Single) Bradford's Book Club (Kyle's Pick): Heaven Taken By Storm by Thomas Watson

Morning:Second Day Morning: God Over All: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-morning-god-over-all/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 181 Samuel 10: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+10Romans 8: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+8Jeremiah 47: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+47Psalm 23: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+23Psalm 24: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+24God All-Sufficient (157)Evening:Privileges (158)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 18, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/18Message: Wrath Upon a Nation pt 3, Romans 1:24-25, Pastor Don ThomasSecond Day Evening: Bounty: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-evening-bounty/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

First Day Morning: Worship: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/first-day-morning-worship/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 171 Samuel 9: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+9Romans 7: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+7Jeremiah 46: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+46Psalm 22: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+22Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 17, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/17First Day Evening: The Teacher: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/first-day-evening-the-teacher/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Seventh Day Morning: God's Good Pleasure: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-morning-gods-good-pleasure/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 161 Samuel 7: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+71 Samuel 8: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+8Romans 6: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+6Jeremiah 44: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+44Psalm 20: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+20Psalm 21: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+21Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 16, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/16Seventh Day Evening: Future Blessing: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-evening-future-blessing/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Sixth Day Morning: The Gospel: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-morning-the-gospel/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 151 Samuel 5: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+51 Samuel 6: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+6Romans 5: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+5Jeremiah 43: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+43Psalm 19: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+19Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 15, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/15Sixth Day Evening: The Mediator: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-evening-the-mediator/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst share more reasons why we need to learn from the Puritans, based on an article from Jeff Robinson. Some Highlights: Because they saw all of life as being lived coram deo—before the face of God Because they were highly decorated soldiers on the spiritual battlefield Because they were skilled physicians of the souls Because they understood contentment in Christ as the key to genuine happiness Resources Related to This Episode: “Eight Reasons Why We Need the Puritans” by Jeff Robinson Little Pilgrim's Progress: From John Bunyan's Classic by Helen Taylor and Joanne Brubaker Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans by Michael Reeves and Joel Beeke The Godly Man's Picture by Thomas Watson

Fifth Day Morning: The Giver: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-morning-the-giver/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 141 Samuel 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+4Romans 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+4Jeremiah 42: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+42Psalm 18: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+18Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 14, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/14Fifth Day Evening: Protection: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-evening-protection/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Fourth Day Morning: True Christianity: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-morning-true-christianity/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 131 Samuel 3: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+3Romans 3: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+3Jeremiah 41: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+41Psalm 17: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+17Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 13, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/13Fourth Day Evening: God All-Sufficient: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-evening-god-all-sufficient/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Third Day Morning: God Creator and Controller: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-morning-god-creator-and-controller/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 121 Samuel 2: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+2Romans 2: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+2Jeremiah 40: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+40Psalm 15: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+15Psalm 16: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+16Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 12, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/orning-and-evening/2025/08/12Third Day Evening: Before Sleep: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-evening-before-sleep/

Morning:Second Day Morning: God Over All: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-morning-god-over-all/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 111 Samuel 1: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+1Romans 1: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+1Jeremiah 39: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+39Psalm 13: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+13Psalm 14: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+14After Prayer (152)Evening:A Colloquy On Rejoicing (153)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 11, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/11Message: Wrath Upon a Nation pt 2, Romans 1:21-23, Pastor Don ThomasSecond Day Evening: Bounty: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-evening-bounty/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Lord's Day Morning: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/lords-day-morning/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 10Ruth 3: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Ruth+3Ruth 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Ruth+4Acts 28: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+28Jeremiah 38: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+38Psalm 11: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+11Psalm 12: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+12Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 10, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/10Lord's Day Evening: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/lords-day-evening/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Seventh Day Morning: God's Good Pleasure: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-morning-gods-good-pleasure/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 9Ruth 2: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Ruth+2Acts 27: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+27Jeremiah 37: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+37Psalm 10: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+10Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 9, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/09Lord's Day Eve: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/lords-day-eve/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Sixth Day Morning: The Gospel: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-morning-the-gospel/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 8Ruth 1: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Ruth+1Acts 26: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+26Jeremiah 36: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+36Jeremiah 45: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+45Psalm 9: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+9The Throne (150)Evening:Requests (151)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 8, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/08Message: The Witness Of God, The Response To God's Testimony, 1 John 5:10,12Sixth Day Evening: The Mediator: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-evening-the-mediator/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Fifth Day Morning: The Giver: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-morning-the-giver/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 7Judges 21: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+21Acts 25: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+25Jeremiah 35: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+35Psalm 7: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+7Psalm 8: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+8Meeting God (148)Evening:The Prayer Of Love (149)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 7, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/07Message: The Witness Of God, The Purpose Of God's Testimony, 1 John 5:11Fifth Day Evening: Protection: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-evening-protection/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Fourth Day Morning: True Christianity: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-morning-true-christianity/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 6Judges 20: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+20Acts 24: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+24Jeremiah 34: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+34Psalm 5: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+5Psalm 6: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+6In Prayer (146)Evening:Living By Prayer (147)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 6, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/06Message: The Witness Of God, The Particulars Of God's Testimony, 1 John 5:6-9Fourth Day Evening: God All-Sufficient: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-evening-god-all-sufficient/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Third Day Morning: God Creator and Controller: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-morning-god-creator-and-controller/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 5Judges 19: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+19Acts 23: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+23Jeremiah 33: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+33Psalm 3: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+3Psalm 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+4Covenant (141)Evening:Act Of Approach (145)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 5, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/orning-and-evening/2025/07/29Message: The Witness Of God, The Particulars Of God's Testimony, 1 John 5:6-9Third Day Evening: Before Sleep: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-evening-before-sleep/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Second Day Morning: God Over All: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-morning-god-over-all/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 4Judges 18: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=judges+18Acts 22: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+22Jeremiah 32: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+32Psalm 1: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+1Psalm 2: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+2God All-Sufficient (157)Evening:Privileges (158)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 4, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/04Message: Wrath Upon a Nation, Romans 1:18-20, Pastor Don ThomasSecond Day Evening: Bounty: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-evening-bounty/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

First Day Morning: Worship: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/first-day-morning-worship/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 3Judges 17: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+17Acts 21: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+21Jeremiah 30: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+30Jeremiah 31: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+31Mark 16: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+16Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 3, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/03First Day Evening: The Teacher: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/first-day-evening-the-teacher/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Seventh Day Morning: God's Good Pleasure: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-morning-gods-good-pleasure/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 2Judges 16: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+16Acts 20: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+20Jeremiah 29: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+29Mark 15: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+15Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 2, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/02Seventh Day Evening: Future Blessing: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-evening-future-blessing/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Sixth Day Morning: The Gospel: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-morning-the-gospel/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 1Judges 15: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+15Acts 19: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+19Jeremiah 28: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+28Mark 14: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+14Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 1, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/01Sixth Day Evening: The Mediator: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-evening-the-mediator/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Fifth Day Morning: The Giver: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-morning-the-giver/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 31Judges 14: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+14Acts 18: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+18Jeremiah 27: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+27Mark 13: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+13Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 31, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/31Message: An Explanation of Curses and WoesFifth Day Evening: Protection: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-evening-protection/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Fourth Day Morning: True Christianity: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-morning-true-christianity/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 30Judges 13: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+13Acts 17: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+17Jeremiah 26: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+26Mark 12: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+12Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 30, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/30Fourth Day Evening: God All-Sufficient: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-evening-god-all-sufficient/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Third Day Morning: God Creator and Controller: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-morning-god-creator-and-controller/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 29Judges 12: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+12Acts 16: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+16Jeremiah 25: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+25Mark 11: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+11Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 29, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/orning-and-evening/2025/07/29Third Day Evening: Before Sleep: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-evening-before-sleep/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

In this episode of Loaded and Rolling, host Thomas Watson sits down with Andre Silchuck, owner and CEO of Silchuck Transport, to discuss the company's largest fleet purchase to date—80 brand new Volvo VNL 860 trucks. Andrey shares the thought process behind the investment, the importance of timing the trucking cycle, and why features like adaptive cruise control, I-Shift transmissions, and advanced HVAC systems are game-changers for driver satisfaction and safety. They also dive into fleet strategy, vehicle lifecycle management, the value of dealership partnerships, and why spec'ing for reliability and retention is more critical than ever. Whether you're a fleet manager, driver, or just love talking trucks, this episode delivers real-world insights from a leader in the trenches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lord's Day Morning: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/lords-day-morning/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 27Judges 10: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+10Judges 11:1-11: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=judges+11%3A1-11Acts 14: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+14Jeremiah 23: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+23Mark 9: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+9Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 27, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/27Lord's Day Evening: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/lords-day-evening/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Second Day Morning: God Over All: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-morning-god-over-all/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 28Judges 11:12-40: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=judges+11%3A12-40Acts 15: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+15Jeremiah 24: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+24Mark 10: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+10After Prayer (152)Evening:A Colloquy On Rejoicing (153)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 28, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/28Message: Curses for Extortion and Self-indulgence, Contamination, and Pretension, Matthew 23:25-33, Elder Wayne FloydSecond Day Evening: Bounty: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-evening-bounty/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Seventh Day Morning: God's Good Pleasure: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-morning-gods-good-pleasure/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 26Judges 9: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+9Acts 13: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+13Jeremiah 22: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+22Mark 8: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+8Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 26, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/26Lord's Day Eve: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/lords-day-eve/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Sixth Day Morning: The Gospel: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-morning-the-gospel/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 25Judges 8: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+8Acts 12: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+12Jeremiah 21: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+21Mark 7: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+7Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 25, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/25Sixth Day Evening: The Mediator: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-evening-the-mediator/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Fifth Day Morning: The Giver: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-morning-the-giver/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 24Judges 7: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+7Acts 11: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+11Jeremiah 20: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+20Mark 6: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+6Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 24, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/24Fifth Day Evening: Protection: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-evening-protection/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Fourth Day Morning: True Christianity: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-morning-true-christianity/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 23Judges 6: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+6Acts 10: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+10Jeremiah 19: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+19Mark 5: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+5Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 23, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/23Fourth Day Evening: God All-Sufficient: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-evening-god-all-sufficient/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some lessons from Puritan pastor Thomas Watson on personal holiness. Some Highlights: Holiness produces joy. Holiness takes intentionality. Holiness will never be reached. Holiness comes from God working through His Word. Holiness requires us to think rightly about sin. Holiness does not save us; only Christ does. Resources Related to This Episode: “Six Lessons on Holiness from Thomas Watson” by Cassie Watson The Godly Man's Picture: Drawn with a Scripture Pencil by Thomas Watson

Morning:Third Day Morning: God Creator and Controller: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-morning-god-creator-and-controller/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 22Judges 5: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+5Acts 9: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+9Jeremiah 18: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+18Mark 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+4The Throne (150)Evening:Requests (151)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 22, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/orning-and-evening/2025/07/22Message: Faith To Faith, Romans 1:17, Pastor Don ThomasThird Day Evening: Before Sleep: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-evening-before-sleep/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Second Day Morning: God Over All: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-morning-god-over-all/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 21Judges 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+4Acts 8: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+8Jeremiah 17: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+17Mark3: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+3Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 21, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/21Second Day Evening: Bounty: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-evening-bounty/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

First Day Morning: Worship: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/first-day-morning-worship/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 20Judges 3: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+3Acts 7: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+7Jeremiah 16: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+16Mark 2: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+2Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 20, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/20First Day Evening: The Teacher: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/first-day-evening-the-teacher/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Seventh Day Morning: God's Good Pleasure: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-morning-gods-good-pleasure/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 19Judges 2: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+2Acts 6: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+6Jeremiah 15: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+15Mark 1: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Mark+1Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 19, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/19Seventh Day Evening: Future Blessing: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-evening-future-blessing/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Sixth Day Morning: The Gospel: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-morning-the-gospel/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 11Judges 1: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Judges+1Acts 5: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+5Jeremiah 14: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+14Matthew 28: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Matthew+28Meeting God (148)Evening:The Prayer Of Love (149)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 18, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/18Message: How To Recognize An Overcomer, Obedience To The Word, 1 John 5:2-3Sixth Day Evening: The Mediator: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-evening-the-mediator/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Fifth Day Morning: The Giver: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-morning-the-giver/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 17Joshua 24: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Joshua+24Acts 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+4Jeremiah 13: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+13Matthew 27: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Matthew+27In Prayer (146)Evening:Living By Prayer (147)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 17, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/17Message: How To Recognize An Overcomer, Love For God And Others, 1 John 5:1bFifth Day Evening: Protection: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-evening-protection/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Fourth Day Morning: True Christianity: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-morning-true-christianity/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 16Joshua 23: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Joshua+23Acts 3: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+3Jeremiah 12: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+12Matthew 26: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Matthew+26Covenant (141)Evening:Act Of Approach (145)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 16, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/16Message: How To Recognize An Overcomer, Faith In The Truth, 1 John 5:1a, 4-5 Fourth Day Evening: God All-Sufficient: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fourth-day-evening-god-all-sufficient/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Third Day Morning: God Creator and Controller: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-morning-god-creator-and-controller/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 15Joshua 22: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Joshua+22Acts 2: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+2Jeremiah 11: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+11Matthew 25: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Matthew+25To Be Fit For God (139)Evening:Confidence (140)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 15, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/orning-and-evening/2025/07/15Message: Reflections On John MacArthur Third Day Evening: Before Sleep: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/third-day-evening-before-sleep/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Morning:Second Day Morning: God Over All: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-morning-god-over-all/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 14Joshua 20: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Joshua+20Joshua 21: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Joshua+21Acts 1: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Acts+1Jeremiah 10: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+10Matthew 24: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Matthew+24Christian Love (137)Evening:Love Shed Abroad (138)Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 14, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/14Message: Ashamed Of The Gospel? Romans 1:16-17, Pastor Don ThomasSecond Day Evening: Bounty: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/second-day-evening-bounty/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Lord's Day Morning: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/lords-day-morning/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 13Joshua 18: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Joshua+18Joshua 19: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Joshua+19Psalm 149: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+149Psalm 150: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+150Jeremiah 9: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+9Matthew 23: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Matthew+23Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 13, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/13Lord's Day Evening: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/lords-day-evening/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Seventh Day Morning: God's Good Pleasure: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-morning-gods-good-pleasure/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, July 12Joshua 16: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Joshua+16Joshua 17: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Joshua+17Psalm 148: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+148Jeremiah 8: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+8Matthew 22: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Matthew+22Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, July 12, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/07/12Lord's Day Eve: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/lords-day-eve/Resources:Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school