Podcasts about though god

Though God's plans for our lives will involve some fearful circumstances, we must be unafraid and resolute about fulfilling God's calling on our lives as we hold on to his promises.

Pastor John Munro begins an exciting new series on the book of Esther.  Though God is never mentioned by name in this book, His sovereign hand works behind the scenes, orchestrating events for the good of His people.  In this fascinating story of dramatic events, we'll discover how God remains faithful even when He seems hidden.

Daily Voice Devotional with Niyi AdekunleTuesday, 10th JunePrayer 10We are considering another key themes in Jesus' model of prayer—God's provision. Our daily needs are vital to life, and God is deeply interested in meeting them. One of His names, El-Shaddai (God the heavily-breasted one, the one that is all sufficient), symbolising His nurturing and sustaining nature, much like a mother caring for her child. God is our provider, and we must relate to Him as such.In Matthew 6, Jesus discusses fasting, giving, and prayer. After teaching what's popularly called the Lord's Prayer, He addresses the anxiety people have about their daily needs—food, drink, and clothing, the dynamics of worry and money! In verse 32, He explains that unbelievers worry about these things, but our Heavenly Father knows we need them. This truth should be firmly rooted in our hearts.Luke 11:3 (TPT) , “And give us our needed bread for the coming day.”KJV says, “Give us this day our daily bread.”Though God already knows our needs, He still wants us to ask. He doesn't want His children burdened with anxiety or fear about daily survival. Instead, He invites us to approach Him confidently. God is never tired of our requests—it's part of our relationship with Him. Worry not only disrupts our peace but also affects our connection with God.So, God is saying: Come to Me with your needs. I am your Provider, and I am willing to supply. Receive this invitation in faith, and let it guide your prayer life today.God bless you. Enjoy your day.

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In this episode, Pastor David Maestas walks through Joshua 23 as Joshua, now nearing the end of his life, offers a heartfelt farewell to Israel's leaders. He reminds them of God's faithfulness and warns them not to turn away or be lured by the nations around them. Though God had clearly led them into victory, the question remains: would they continue to follow? Pastor David highlights how spiritual drift often begins subtly—through compromise, comfort, or forgetting what God has already done. This message is a timely reminder that God may lead, but we must choose daily to follow. Faithfulness isn't about one big moment of obedience, but about a lifetime of small, consistent steps in the right direction. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more like biblical episodes this. 

Obedience is better than sacrifice... Israel's first king, Saul, rebels against the commandments of the Lord; forfeiting his kingship. Though God repents of making Saul king, he promises through the prophet Samuel to raise up another king after his own heart, which will be King David.Nathan Pearl teaches through 1 Samuel about the disobedience of King Saul.

Though God had already told King Saul through the prophet Samuel that he had taken the Kingdom of Israel from him for his disobedience, God still uses the rebellious King Saul to bring judgment on the enemies of Israel.Nathan Pearl teaches through scripture about the kings of Israel and the lack of their fear of God.

Take Aways: 1. Though false apostles often challenged and opposed the ministry of Paul, he recognized that his ability and sufficiency were found in the Lord, who faithfully and abundantly equipped him to prove the legitimacy of his apostleship—“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,” 2 Corinthians 3:52. Paul's opponents wrongly judged him based on his unassuming appearance, leading them to doubt the genuineness of his apostleship. However, Paul demonstrated the reality of his apostolic authority through deeds, conduct, and actions that edified the body of Christ—“in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” Titus 2:7-83. Though God had indeed appointed authority to Paul, he did not wrongly lord his authority over others, did not proudly boast in his authority, nor did he attempt to commend himself by his authority; rather, he understood that his approval came from the Lord whom Paul was simply called to serve with this authority—“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” 1 Peter 5:2-4

In this Bible Story, we see the restoration of David after a heinous sin with Bathsheba. Nathan shows David the error of his ways, which begins the process of bringing David back to God. Then a new son is born, who God would use to do great things. This story is inspired by 2 Samuel 12 & Psalm 51. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Samuel 12:7 from the King James Version.Episode 103: The sin of David did not go unnoticed. God saw every act and every motive, making it known to Nathan the prophet. Nathan, grieved by the sin of his friend, went to confront the king about this and shared with him a parable. When the king realized he was the villain in the parable, he broke down in tears and repentance, acknowledging his sin against God. Though God would not let this sin go unpunished, God promised that He would restore him.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this message, Andrew unpacks Exodus 19 as the pivotal moment when Yahweh proposes covenant union with His people, revealing that Exodus is not merely a rescue story—it's a love story. After delivering Israel from slavery, God invites them into a sacred relationship, offering not just rules, but identity and vocation: to be His treasured possession and a kingdom of priests. This covenant mirrors a wedding proposal, calling for wholehearted devotion rather than passive belief. Though God's holiness is overwhelming, the message of the New Covenant through Jesus is that we are no longer held at a distance. In Christ, we move from trembling at the base of the mountain to bold access in the presence of God. Worship becomes our response to divine love, not out of fear, but from joy and freedom, as we receive both our identity and purpose in Him.

Jesus gives the living water of the Holy Spirit. Come to Him and drink. Come to Him for comfort and salvation. Though God has angry with you, that anger is turned away. The God of salvation will open many and manifold sources of salvation for you – in the coming of the Holy Spirit – the giving of the Word and Sacraments

Why It Matters: Jacob's family was shaped by deep division between his wives, Leah and Rachel. Though God had a purpose for the whole family, Jacob's love for Rachel and neglect of Leah created a cycle of competition, insecurity, and pain. Their children inherited that tension—brothers divided not just by personality, but by the favoritism and rivalry rooted in their mothers' relationship.Blended families are not new, and Scripture doesn't hide their complexity. But God calls us to something higher: unity, compassion, and fairness. When we show favoritism—like Jacob did—it doesn't just affect one child; it wounds the whole family. Hearts break, relationships fracture, and peace is lost.Bottom Line: Blended families don't need perfection—they need patience.WANT TO LISTEN TO THE WHOLE SERMON? https://www.experiencechurch.tv/sermonsWant to hear more sermons? https://www.experiencechurch.tv/sermonsWant to support the ministry? https://www.experiencechurch.tv/give-nowWant to plan your visit? https://www.experiencechurch.tv/planyourvisit

Lesson 11 Kings 17. Though God does use circumstances to guide us, we are not to respond to circumstances alone! Rather we need to slow down and take the time to listen for His voice. To learn more about Michele or to support this international ministry please visit https://intheword.com

If Esther 1 and 2 are the introduction to the main story of the book, then chapter 1:1-9 are the introduction to the introduction. As the curtain rises, or the opening credits fade, the director sets the scene. He tells us when and where his story will take place and gives us some most significant first impressions. As we begin this Sunday, we will look at six characteristics of the Empire in which these events are set.Esther 1:1-9 introduces the powerful Persian King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I), who rules over a vast empire stretching from India to Ethiopia. The chapter opens with a lavish 180-day display of his wealth and glory, followed by a seven-day feast for all people in the capital city of Susa. The descriptions emphasize luxury, excess, and royal splendour—highlighting a culture obsessed with power and image. Meanwhile, Queen Vashti holds her own banquet for the women in the palace. Though God is not mentioned in this entire book, this opening sets the stage for the hidden yet sovereign work of God throughout the book, as the political and cultural drama begins to unfold.

If Esther 1 and 2 are the introduction to the main story of the book, then chapter 1:1-9 are the introduction to the introduction. As the curtain rises, or the opening credits fade, the director sets the scene. He tells us when and where his story will take place and gives us some most significant first impressions. As we begin this Sunday, we will look at six characteristics of the Empire in which these events are set.Esther 1:1-9 introduces the powerful Persian King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I), who rules over a vast empire stretching from India to Ethiopia. The chapter opens with a lavish 180-day display of his wealth and glory, followed by a seven-day feast for all people in the capital city of Susa. The descriptions emphasize luxury, excess, and royal splendour—highlighting a culture obsessed with power and image. Meanwhile, Queen Vashti holds her own banquet for the women in the palace. Though God is not mentioned in this entire book, this opening sets the stage for the hidden yet sovereign work of God throughout the book, as the political and cultural drama begins to unfold.

Send us a textGood morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)Youtube Video Introducing the ContentFeel free to reach out with any questions: emersonk78@me.comJohn 12 Jesus and His disciples come to Bethany to dine with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Mary anoints His feet with costly perfume. Judas Iscariot grumbles about this because he is a thief and hopes to plunder money from the sale of the perfume. A large crowd gathers to see Jesus and the resurrected Lazarus. This infuriates the Jewish leaders, who plan to kill Lazarus. Jesus then enters Jerusalem, and His followers worship Him as King. Many come to Jesus, including Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Jesus teaches them that personal sacrifice is needed to be in His kingdom. The people then hear God, from heaven, proclaim Jesus and His glory! Some follow Him, while others who believe are silenced by their fear of the Jews.  The approval of men, and fear of others, are serious tests of faith. To believe in Jesus is to follow His teachings, leaving darkness for light, no matter what anyone thinks. The world, in so many ways, tries to weaken and silence believers. Judas was weakened by greed, and he betrayed the Lord. The Pharisees were blinded by jealousy and selfishness. Though God from heaven pronounced Jesus as worthy, others feared the actions of men and would not confess Jesus as King. In all of this, there are servants like Mary, who poured her expensive oil on Jesus' feet with no concern for what anyone thought about it. Only those who believe like Mary will be saved on the last day.  Holy God, we love You and desire to grow in our service to You and Your Son. Help us to see how that must resemble Mary pouring oil on Jesus' feet. Help us to see ourselves bowed down to worship Jesus as He rides in on a colt. This world and its darkness seek to overwhelm us and make us ashamed of Jesus. Give us the strength to fight against greed and jealousy. Help us develop the courage to live out a sacrificial faith in Christ, regardless of what anyone says or does. We know “that His commandment is eternal life.” Thought Questions: -       We cannot replicate Mary pouring expensive oil on Jesus' feet. But what does it look like for you to be more like her? -       Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, while Greeks sought to speak with Him. What does that say about where faith might be found? -       Jesus had to “be lifted up” in death to save us from our sins. Might you also have to face public ridicule in following Jesus?

When God Seems Silent This week, Lead Pastor Steve Garcia wraps up our powerful journey through the book of Esther by diving into the climactic chapters of Esther 7–10. Though God's name never appears in the book, His presence is unmistakable—and His plan, unstoppable. In this final message, Pastor Steve unpacks the dramatic conclusion of Esther's story, revealing how God's promises, providence, and process were always at work—even in the silence. What if the very moments that feel most uncertain in your life are the ones where God is working most powerfully behind the scenes?   Whether you're facing a season of silence or celebrating a season of victory, this message will help you build unshakable confidence in the God who never stops working for your good. #SunriseChurch #SteveGarcia #Esther #BibleTeaching #FaithInGod #GodIsWorking #ChristianEncouragement #SundayMessage #WhenGodSeemsSilent  - NEXT STEPS  Looking to take your next step?  We want to help! Text the word NEXT to 909-281-7797 or visit sunrisechurch.org/nextsteps. - GIVE TO SUNRISE CHURCH Imagine what God can do through our giving. You can give today at sunrisechurch.org/give  - FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunriseChurchCA  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrisechurchca  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/SunriseChurch

Ecclesiastes 7:25–29 exposes the root issue of humanity—our hearts. Though God made us upright, we have turned aside in sin. This sermon traces the biblical story from Genesis, showing our original righteousness, tragic rebellion and fall, and the deep need for new hearts. Only God can restore what we have broken and provide what we need -- new hearts.

Every loving parent wants their children to turn out well. However, they are also aware they have a role to play. Though God is the primary change agent, parents are secondary agents who must cooperate with the Lord to transform their children. Here are seven tips to help those parents. Read, Watch, or Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/day-28-seven-point-checklist-to-have-fantastic-children/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Esther 9–10In our final sermon of the series we see Esther's story ending with the Jewish people secure, their enemies defeated, and their future commemorated through the festival of Purim. Though God's name is never mentioned in the book, His fingerprints are on every page of this remarkable story.Today, we might face our own version of Haman's plots, and we might wonder, where  God is in our story. The book of Esther reminds us that even when God seems hidden, He is working. Even when circumstances seem hopeless, deliverance is near. 

Deuteronomy 1 serves as the opening chapter of Moses' final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter is both a historical recounting and a spiritual reminder. Moses looks back over the journey from Mount Sinai (Horeb) to Kadesh Barnea and the critical moment when Israel refused to enter the land due to fear and disobedience. It's a call to remember God's faithfulness, learn from past mistakes, and trust Him for the future. ⸻ Verses 1–5: Setting the Stage “These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan…” — Deuteronomy 1:1 Moses begins his speech in the fortieth year after leaving Egypt. The Israelites are now on the edge of the Promised Land, and Moses, knowing he won't enter it, prepares the people to walk in obedience and courage. The book of Deuteronomy literally means “second law” or “repetition of the law.” It's not a new law, but a reaffirmation of God's covenant and instructions before entering a new chapter. ⸻ Verses 6–8: God's Command to Advance “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance…” — Deuteronomy 1:6–7 God told the Israelites it was time to move forward from Mount Horeb. They had received the law, built the tabernacle, and camped, but now the call was to possess the land. This verse is powerful today. Many people camp in comfort zones, fear, or spiritual stagnation. But God says, “You've stayed here long enough. Move forward!” ⸻ Verses 9–18: Leadership Appointed “I cannot bear your troubles alone… Choose wise, understanding and respected men…” — Deuteronomy 1:9–13 Moses recalls how leadership was shared among the tribes. God values wise, just, and humble leaders who judge fairly, without partiality. This principle of shared leadership emphasizes community responsibility and integrity. ⸻ Verses 19–33: The Great Failure at Kadesh “But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God.” — Deuteronomy 1:26 Moses reminds them of how they reached the edge of Canaan but refused to enter because of fear. Though God promised victory, the people believed the report of the ten fearful spies rather than the Lord. “In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God.” — Deuteronomy 1:32 This is a warning: unbelief robs you of promises. The Israelites saw God's miracles—cloud by day, fire by night, manna from heaven—and still doubted. ⸻ Verses 34–40: The Judgment “Not one of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give…” — Deuteronomy 1:35 Because of disobedience, an entire generation was barred from entering the land, except for Caleb and Joshua, men of faith. Even Moses would not enter because of disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20). This shows that leadership is held to a high standard, and God's discipline is not favoritism—it's righteous. ⸻ Verses 41–46: Presumption After Rebellion “Then you replied, ‘We have sinned… we will go up and fight'… But the Lord said to me, ‘Tell them not to go… I will not be with you.'” — Deuteronomy 1:41–42 After being told they would not enter, the people tried to go up without God's presence—and were defeated. This section shows the danger of presumptuous faith. Obedience is not just doing something religious—it's doing what God says, when He says, how He says. ⸻ Themes and Lessons from Deuteronomy 1 1. Remember God's Faithfulness Deuteronomy is filled with calls to remember. We are prone to forget God's works and promises when facing trials. Faith grows when we look back at His track record. 2. Move When God Says Move Stagnation can be disguised as spiritual patience. Don't camp out where God once was. Advance when He commands. 3. Obedience Is Greater Than Ambition The Israelites tried to correct their mistake with human effort, but it was too late. Delayed obedience is disobedience. 4. Trust Over Fear Fear caused a whole generation to miss their destiny. Faith is not the absence of fear—it's choosing to move forward in trust anyway. 5. God Shows No Favoritism Even Moses faced judgment. As Acts 10:34 says, “God is no respecter of persons.” We are all accountable to Him. ⸻ Reflection Questions •Am I lingering too long in a place God has told me to move on from? •Have I allowed fear to block me from obeying God's call? •Do I trust God's promises more than my perception of the situation? •Am I walking in obedience or presumption?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

absolute sovereignty of God extends to all things, including wars, disasters and plagues. Scripture testifies that these events are neither random nor outside of His control. God ordains all things, including calamities. Nothing happens outside His sovereign decree. Yet, while God decrees and governs all things, He remains perfectly holy and unstained by sin."Come and see the works of the Lord; the desolations He has brought on the earth!" (Psalm 46:8)From the decimating earthquake, to the devouring fire; from the devastating tsunami, to the deadly plague;from the volcanic eruption, to the destructive hurricane--the Bible clearly teaches that all what we call "natural disasters" fall under the sovereign decree of Almighty God. He governs all of His creation according to His decreed will--yet He remains unstained by sin, executing His sovereign purposes in justice, wisdom and righteousness."Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?" (Amos 3:6)When the earth quakes beneath us, let us not attribute it to chance, or accident, or laws of nature--but to Him who alone shakes the pillars thereof. Storms at sea, earthquakes on land, and tempests in the sky--are but the outstretched rod of Jehovah, calling men to repentance and reminding them that He alone is God!Though God ordains all these events, He remains holy and without sin. "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5). He does not do evil, nor can He be accused of injustice. God's purposes are always just and righteous. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" (Genesis 18:25).Let us, therefore acknowledge God's sovereign hand in all things, bow in reverenc

By Stephen Bouchette - People understand the significance of place. Ancient Israel believed their connection to God was tied to their land. Though God was present in the first temple, He is not confined to it. As we are now connected to God through the indwelling of His Spirit, how seriously do we take our role as His

Matt talks about Captain America: Brave New World and about friendship. Do you need a friend? Jesus describes Himself as our friend. Though God is much more than a friend, it is a scriptural way to think about the Lord, which can be very liberating and exciting! Throughout Captain America 4, the friendship stand out memorable and impactful. 

In this Bible Story, God demonstrates his power through the plagues as Pharaoh’s heart grows harder and more cruel. But God’s resolve to redeem his people remains steadfast in freeing His people from slavery. This story is inspired by Exodus 10-13:16. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Exodus 12:12 from the King James Version.Episode 37: Though God’s plagues against Pharaoh continued, he continued to harden his heart like stone. Though his servants and wise men begged him to let Israel go; he refused. So God sent a final warning among the people, that whoever fears God should mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a lamb, for at midnight God would visit all who ignored His warning and take their firstborn in return for the cruelty Egypt has shown against His firstborn, Israel.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friends of the Rosary,Today, the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, in our central reading of the Gospel (Luke 5:1-11), we see Jesus in the Lake of Gennesaret climbing into Peter's boat without asking permission.Jesus said to Simon,"Do not be afraid;from now on, you will be catching men.""This represents something of an enormous moment: the invasion of grace," explains Bishop Barron."Though God respects our relative independence, he is not the least bit content to leave us in a “natural” state. Instead, he wants to live in us, to become the Lord of our lives, moving into our minds, wills, bodies, imaginations, nerves, and bones.""This commandeering of nature by grace does not involve the compromising of nature but rather its perfection and elevation. When Jesus moves into the house of the soul, the powers of the soul are heightened and properly directed; when Jesus commands the boat of the natural human life, that life is preserved, strengthened, and given a new orientation."This is signaled symbolically by the Lord's directive to put out into the deep water. On our own, we can know and will within a very narrow range, seeking those goods and truths that appear within the horizon of our natural consciousness,When grace invades us, our natural consciousness understands that we all are made for perfection.Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Come, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | Android Google Play•⁠February 9, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET  

In today's episode, Dr. John examines Israel's persistent struggle with idolatry, focusing on their rebellion at Mount Sinai. Though God's command against idol-making seemed simple, Israel repeatedly turned to false gods. Dr. John unpacks why they did this, the consequences they faced, and what this means for us today.Living the Moral Law: A Guide for Every Generation: We begin a new series on Deuteronomy 5-11 entitled, "Living the Moral Law: A Guide for Every Generation." Before Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses reminded them of God's Covenant and instructed them to adhere to God's Law, which is absolute and perfect. The blessings of the land would only be fulfilled when Israel lived according to God's Word. The law does not supress life's joy; it releases it. It's a lesson for us today. 

Most of Christianity today thinks the greatest attribute of God is love. Though God is love (1 Jn. 4:8), it is from his HOLINESS that all other attributes flow out of. Just as he is holy, we are likewise commanded to BE the same (1 Pet. 1:15-16).

Are you unable to forgive yourself despite knowing that you're unconditionally loved by God? Maybe you've sought His forgiveness, but still can't seem to forgive yourself. Are you caught in the vicious cycle of blaming yourself? Or maybe your sin or mistake just seems too big. Friend, if God forgives then you need to as well. Discover the truth that will break you free from this dark place and launch you into freedom, hope, and healing! Plus, be equipped with a few practical resources and tools to ensure continued progress in this area. --------------------    Take the FREE Quiz: https://www.relateescape.com/quiz  Get a weekly reminder of God's tender love for you. Plus, be the first to know about exclusive offers! https://bit.ly/GodLovesMeEmail  Join Relate Escape Place: https://www.relateescape.com/online-community Shop the Store: https://www.relateescape.com/store Follow Jenn on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/relateescape

This is the second episode of a six part book study over "Searching for and Maintaining Peace" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. I am joined by Katie Novitsky and Stefani Blackwell, and we go over chapters 4-7 in part 1 of the book. This section speaks further into what it means to be in a spiritual battle, which often centers around our peace. Katie shares how even when Jesus was providing extraordinary peace in her difficult circumstances, she still felt attacks on peace. Though we are in the midst of battle, we remember that the war has already been won by Jesus Christ and we have nothing to fear. When the evil one tries to draw us into battle him ourselves, God draws us near to Him and reminds us that He can and will take care of us if we allow Him. Though God is always guiding and convicting us to grow in holiness, we know that He never pushes us in shame or out of anger. He gently reminds and restores us so that we can live in peace. Join us next week for episode 3, where we will discuss part 2, chapters 1-6. Episode schedule: January 21st - preface, pt 1: ch 1-3 January 28th - pt. 1: ch 4-7 February 4th - pt. 2, ch 1-6 February 11th - pt. 2, ch 7-12 February 18th - pt. 2, ch 13-18 February 25th - pt. 3 Discussion Questions: 1. How was your week? Was there anything from last week's discussion that stayed with you throughout the week? 2. Share one quote from this section that was especially meaningful to you.  3. On pg. 16, Fr. Jacques states that a “necessary for interior peace is what we might call goodwill.” How would you describe the goodwill he is talking about here? 4. Ch. 3-5 focus on spiritual combat. Is this something that you have heard of before? How does it make you feel?  5. Too often we find ourselves at either end of the spectrum when it comes to spiritual warfare. Either completely aloof and unaware of the spiritual battle that is happening or overly fixated on where our inclinations come from and discerning what in our lives is coming from the devil or God. Where do you find yourself on this spectrum?  6. The devil often attacks our peace. Where have you seen these attacks in your own life? (Agitation and worries about the future? Discouragement about your own failings? Frustrations with others? Despair when comparing yourself to others? Another way?) 7. God wants to give us peace that far surpasses what the world can offer us. Have you ever experienced a time when you were given peace in a surprising situation? Or in the midst of a hard decision? Could that have been God at work in you?

Mankind falls in the Garden. Though God gave an order, a mandate, and a prohibition to Adam and Eve, their disobedience leads to awful consequences. A serpent deceived the woman into eating the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the man does nothing to lead the woman (or himself) away from the temptation. After their sin, the couple attempts to hide from God, yet God graciously provides for them. While they are cast out of the Garden, they yet have new coverings provided by God, and a promise to hold onto. Someday, a Seed of the woman will come to defeat the serpent.Bible ReadingsGenesis 3Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgOur sessions use various translations including the ESV, BSB, CSB, NASB,...

We finish our Couples of the Bible study with Mary and Joseph. Why add this couple to the "undesirable couples" list? Though God saw them as highly favored, man misunderstood and deemed this couple undesirable. That did not matter to them! They knew they had received a command from God, and they were willing to fulfill it, no matter the cost.  Simeon and I talk about what it means to be wholly given to the Lord as a couple, even if that means that others misunderstand your choices.   Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 1:18-25; 5:11-12 John 8:48 I Peter 2:23-25   Resources: NHC Couples of the Bible Series   Follow my  journey by subscribing to this podcast. You can also follow me on Instagram, YouTube, and www.nohighercalling.org Subscribe to the NHC email at www.nohighercalling.org   

How does our sense of self impact our spirituality, or our ability to connect with God? Significantly. When we have a strong sense of self we see ourselves as worthy of God's love, deserving of His mercy, and accepting of His grace.  When we have a struggling sense of self we don't beieve that God could love us and forgive us for our human frailties. Though God is always there with love and an outstretched hand, our feelings of worth and confidence will determine whether we are willing and able to reach out and accept what He is offering us. Our connection to God, our spirituality, is determined not by what God is offering, but by what we are willing to accept. Thanks for listening!  Want to learn more about this concept?  Check out these podcasts: 29 Validation 34 Self-Compassion 46 Choosing to Love Yourself 78 Playing Small 104 Cultivating Self-Love 105 Self-Love In Our Past, Present, and Future 106 Fierce Self-Love 113 Self-Acceptance 114 Confidence 137 Not Enough? Not True 215 Being Seen and Being Heard 247 The Value in Knowing Our Value 260 Your Lovability and Your Love Ability 304 Personalities, Preferences, and Perspectives 327 Learning to Love Your Human Self 331 Sense of Self 332 Sense of Self - It's All In Your Head 333 Sense of Self and Dating 334 Sense of Self and Marriage 335 Sense of Self and Parenting   Interested in a free 90-minute coaching/consult with me?  Access my calendar at: https://tanyahalecalendar.as.me/

Though God is constantly at work orchestrating outcomes, his timing rarely aligns with ours. And so we wait. And wait. And sometimes, wait some more. It's when we learn to trust in his providence, as Joseph and Mary did, that our waiting sees impatience turn to eagerness and frustration to beautiful anticipation. 

In this sermon, Pastor Clint walks thru Malachi 1:6-14. God rebukes His people for dishonoring Him through apathetic worship, offering blemished sacrifices that reveal their lack of love and reverence. Though God is a Father and Master deserving honor, their half-hearted devotion reflects spiritual complacency. This passage calls us to "ponder anew" the worthiness of Christ, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, demonstrating ultimate love and devotion to the Father. Reflecting on His work stirs us to examine our hearts and renew our worship, offering God the honor and reverence He deserves.

Escaping Apostate Church Judgments (audio) David Eells 11/13/24 Escaping Judgment by Clean Works Anonymous. - 08/06/2007 (David's notes in red) I was in the second floor (the soul area) of a fairly huge house, which housed UBM ministry. I saw many different races, from different nations. We were all viewing through the glass window what was going on outside. (I.e., What was happening to the world and worldly church.) We were all not afraid. I saw a white tornado, which was like a very straight line with lightning emanating from it. It looked very fierce and the winds were extremely violent. Yet, we were all praising God. I was not too bothered about the tornado and went to the kitchen. I started washing my cup with a white cloth lying on the sink. My cup was not dirty to the naked eye but being meticulous, I took that cloth to clean it under running water. Next, I started to wash that cloth with a brush having golden bristles, in case the particles of dirt on my cup went on that small cloth. Interestingly, I did not know that David wanted that cloth. But he kept coming to the sink because he wanted that cloth but he was so humble and too polite to ask for it back from me. After I had finished scrubbing and washing that cloth, he came and collected that cloth back from me with a smile and started using it. I think the white tornado is the power of God going forth to straighten, cleanse and judge the church, which is not yet abiding in Him, for which we are celebrating. Nah.1:2 Jehovah is a jealous God and avengeth; Jehovah avengeth and is full of wrath; Jehovah taketh vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies. 3 Jehovah is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means clear [the guilty]: Jehovah hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. God controls the tornado, and His wrath is against the fleshly man who is ruling over His people. Only if our cup is clean are we delivered from this need for cleansing and judgment on ourselves. The cup that we drink from represents what we reap from God's hand through the world. A clean cup represents receiving righteousness and blessing from God without judgment. Babylon, as a type of the U.S. in Jer.25, brings the cup of wrath to the nations around God's people. Jer.25:15 For thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, unto me: take this cup of the wine of wrath at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. 16 And they shall drink, and reel to and fro, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them. In A.A. Allen's vision God quoted from verses 27-29 to tell of the cup of wrath he would present to worldly U.S., typed as Babylon, and then the world. Allen saw a sword in the cup. Jer.25:27 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Drink ye, and be drunken, and spew, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you. 28 And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thy hand to drink, then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Ye shall surely drink. 29 For, lo, I begin to work evil at the city which is called by my name; and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished; for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith Jehovah of hosts. Notice that the apostate people of God and their leadership, will receive the cup of judgment before the U.S. and the world are conquered by it. The water is the Word, but it is not as powerful to clean the cup through which we partake of without the work of clean hands, which the white cloth represents. Gal.6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. What is in the cup is what we reap and partake of. Jas.1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. The gold-bristled brush may represent the valuable desire and work of holiness in our heart to clean up the work of our hands that we might escape the judgments to come.   Billions Swallowed By Death Anonymous - 12/15/2010 (David's notes in red) In October 2008, in the middle of the afternoon, I began having a horrible headache. It got so bad that I decided to lay down and spend time with the Lord and pray until it was gone. As soon as I laid down and closed my eyes, I had this vision: I was high above looking down onto this scene: A gigantic swirling black hole. It was violently swirling in a clockwise motion. There were millions upon millions of little, tiny ant-like objects all around it. They surrounded the hole 360 degrees -- not one little area was vacant. The Lord brought me closer so I could see it all clearly. My heart was so grieved when I saw what was happening. The little ant-like objects were people. People of all sizes, shapes and nationalities. Men, women and children. They were in the fetal position, being sucked into the giant swirling black hole. I opened my eyes and said, “Oh, Lord. What is this all about?” I just wanted to lay down and get rid of this headache. So, I closed my eyes again and saw the exact same vision. I got up, came into the den, headache forgotten. I sat looking out the window, seeking the Father. After a while, I asked, “Father, what is this all about?” I heard, “My people perish for lack of knowledge”. Hos.4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee ... This sent me to Isaiah 5:13-14. Now this really left me frozen in my chair. Isa.5:13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude are parched with thirst. 14 Therefore Sheol hath enlarged her mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth among them descend into it. In the vision, the gigantic black hole was like an enlarged mouth swallowing people up! That's what left me frozen! It scared me. My heart was breaking for the people. I prayed and have grieved and prayed off and on over the years since this vision. I thought I was to send this about a year ago, but the Father shut it down. I have been feeling an urgency for about two weeks now to send this vision and today I am feeling that I must. Please help me to understand it entirely. If it is for such a time as this, praise the Lord! I believe the Lord was showing me the church today and the condition it's in. People being sucked, silently, with no screaming or yelling. Not even the slightest attempt to try to hold on somehow to keep from being sucked directly into hell. It's all pomp and programs and entertainment and watered-down scriptures to tickle their ears and glaze their eyes over. The people have been numbed and blinded by the leaders from the pulpit. What I don't understand is this: Why children? I thought children were not held accountable. Just as we enter the kingdom of God on Earth, we enter Sheol here. It is the place of the dead. Those who give themselves over to fleshly pleasure are dead while they live. 1Ti.5:6 But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth. From birth, man is beginning to be swallowed up by the curse of death. Psa.58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. The children escape it when they die in innocence but if they continue to mature they will be completely swallowed up. The only cure is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to tell them.   Prophetic Visions of Judgment A Prophetic Vision Given to Nita Johnson - January 27, 1989 [editor's notes in brackets] (David's notes in red)     I was awakened in the middle of the night. The Lord said to me, “Why do you think I gave you that vision of the United States?” I replied, “I don't know, Lord, why did you?” He then responded, “A surrogate mother won't work. Sarah could not be one to Ishmael. It's not My way”. As I was pondering what that could possibly mean, He followed with, “Only what is born of faith can work”. While the Lord gave birth to America's liberty and planted in her bosom a hope, He promised to be her protective covering if she would meet His conditions. He did not give birth to this sinful and rebellious nation. Although He has given birth to His church, a nation within a nation, He did not give birth to this antagonistic entity we call ‘America'. It was the blood, sweat and tears of man that gave it birth. Humanists swam in the womb with this nation and humanists have helped give it birth. They have nurtured it, coddled it and flaunted it as the son of their pride. On the other hand, it was the church who fought for the right of motherhood. She fought for the right to set up the rules and even discipline the spoiled child when it was bad. But she, alas, has only been “the surrogate mother for a rebellious Ishmael”. It was Sarah who wisely declared at last, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son, for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son!” However, while this is true, Abraham suffered over releasing Ishmael and sending him away. Even so, our Eternal Father suffers over the future of the people of America. He must cast away the rebellious but He does it with great pain. What America as a nation doesn't understand is that we have been reaping the benefits of the church's inheritance for over two hundred years. While the church has not been the model bride any more than Sarah had been a perfect wife, we the church are, nonetheless, God's bride and the spiritual nation of Israel. (By position the church is the bride but we must be made so by manifestation of Jesus in us. Those who manifest Zion will have its benefits. “Christ in you the hope of glory”.) So while the Lord loves His “spiritual Israel” (the church) and although He must even chastise His elect, He will cast out the irreverent Ishmael (Those in America who hate and persecute their brother.) Though God loves man, He hates sin and will cast out from the inheritance those that choose to serve sin. For these it might be said; He has little regard. May we also remember it was not God who first rejected America. Although He has stretched His arms out to us, we are the ones who have refused Him. So, fear not Church, that which is born of Earth will stand. God has in His judgment remembered mercy. What I'm about to share is the way in which God is going to, in effect, cast out this rebellious America He calls Ishmael. (He is casting them out now.) The process will begin while the church is still here. In fact, it has already begun and will continue until all is fully executed; I want to add one more thing before I share the vision the Bible tells us: And if you say in your [minds and] hearts, How shall we know which words the Lord has not spoken? When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or prove true, that is a word which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. (Deu 18:21-22) So we are to judge the word which is spoken in the Lord's name by waiting to see if it comes to pass. If it does, we need to believe it and respond to God's warnings through it. (One caveat is that Jonah and Amos spoke words that did not come because the people repented and in the second because God had mercy.) The Vision: On January 27, 1989, I had been in a spirit of prayer all night and was finally just starting to dose off to sleep. Suddenly, I was fully awakened by a vision of a map of the United States. It was not a vision in my head but was what some call an open vision out in front of me. The map was in a silvery light and was completely sectioned off into states. just as suddenly as it had appeared, I heard a voice, as robust as the sound of many waters yet with great intensity, begin to give directions. Starting with the West Coast, the voice would speak and that same silvery light would shoot down from the direction of heaven like a laser beam onto the map. The light would follow the path directed by the voice and then effects would follow as I will explain. First, the voice cried out – “The West Coast, California, Oregon and Washington, starting from the southernmost tip all the way up to Seattle, will suffer natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, fire, and enemy attack.” The line shot up the map taking most of California and leaving only a small section that bordered on Arizona and Nevada. It went up through Oregon taking about half of that state and then on up through Washington, taking about one-third of that state, then out toward the ocean through Seattle. The minute the line touched Seattle, everything west of the line disappeared. The voice then cried out, “Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois will suffer natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and tornadoes, and enemy attack.” Immediately, this line started at about where Lansing, Michigan, is and fanned down in what became two lines going south first. Then one line swung back up easterly through Ohio, going out over the Great Lake Erie through Cleveland. The other line swung down through Indiana and then headed back up northwesterly and went out into Great Lake Michigan up by the way of the northeast corner of Illinois and out through Chicago. When it was done, it looked like two ‘U's, side by side. This affected areas all through the region, for instance, as far east as Detroit and easterly in Michigan to the Great Lake itself on the west. The whole southern part of the glove experienced cataclysmic results. Next, the voice called out, “Most of Louisiana and all of Texas will suffer natural disasters, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and enemy attack.” The line shot up through New Orleans east of Baton Rouge, up through Shreveport in a kind of wiggly way then cut off all of Texas. Texas disappeared. Louisiana experienced devastation but didn't disappear. I was ready for this to end, yet the Lord continued. “New York down through Pennsylvania, the Virginias, the eastern art of Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida will suffer natural disasters of every kind, hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes, etc. and enemy attack.” Then everything that was east of the line disappeared. The Lord continued, “The Grand Canyon will suffer natural disasters.” The line seemed to start at the bottom of the Grand Canyon heading northerly straight up to Montana through Yellowstone. This was also accompanied by cataclysmic disasters like floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, and fires. This affected a substantial area, including Arizona, Utah, western parts of Wyoming, the eastern tip of Idaho and southwestern part of Montana. The regions did not disappear, but experienced utter catastrophe. Then Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, West Tennessee, Kentucky, and on it went. There were severe heat waves, hailstorms, energy blackouts, severe snow and ice storms as well as extreme arctic cold spells to the loss of many lives. I saw it so often occur in some of the least likely areas. Famines, pestilence, plagues, and more. Nevada and Utah were all but destroyed through natural disasters of every kind and ultimately enemy attack. They did, however, remain on the map (Please note that I am not declaring that the states that disappeared fell off into the sea. I don't know why they disappeared, only that they did. Consequently, I am merely relating what I saw and not trying to interpret.) [Uninhabitable, or inhabited by invaders] (We have seen these very judgments come to pass in the recent years and more so currently so they may go to the end.) I was so dumbstruck that I felt numb, even bruised. It was hard for me to pull it all together in my mind. I just sat there in shock. Finally, I realized if I didn't write it down, I'd lose a lot of it as there was so much detail. So I wrote down what I could remember. Some states, such as New Mexico, were lost from my memory. I couldn't remember what happened to them, so I didn't record it. I distinctly remember, however, that the only part of the US that was not devastated was the Central United States, a region basically west of the Missouri River, as I have indicated on the map. I also realized that many of the things that would begin happening immediately would be of an unusual nature, such as natural disasters that would seem improbable or even impossible, at least for that particular geographical area. (The DS has been causing much of the “natural disasters” by manipulating the weather and fault lines.) I was instructed that this sequence of events would start immediately, picking up momentum with time until eventually the succession would be happening with gunshot rapidity, until all fulfilled. It's important to understand that the natural disasters did not specifically follow “the lines”, but the lines seemed to indicate the borders of the severely affected areas. The only one exception was the line that went up through the Grand Canyon north to Montana. In that case, the line seemed to symbolize the central core of action with a radiating aftermath both to the east and west. I saw natural disasters in Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands followed by warheads. (Nuclear war has been determined.) Finally, I saw a severe diminishing of our nation's military. Officers, and enlisted men, as well as the closing of many critical bases were part of the scenario. Our ability to defend ourselves was critically reduced, to a point of near ineffectiveness. (The Military cut down was not incorporated in this vision, but was seen many years ago.) (The DS has in fact reduced the military (and law enforcement by their defunding the police) through the Obama/Biden administrations through the vax and other divisive ways. The beast in mid-trib could do more.) These disasters have already begun, just as He said they would. Since that vision, there have been two earthquakes in California, terrible fires, hurricanes on the East Coast and Gulf Coast that did what all the meteorologists said could never happen. Flooding for the first time in history was recorded in a community in northern Ohio resulting in unusual deaths. There have been earthquakes near the Madrid fault line, and East Coast, floods and terrible disasters all over from tornados. Those are just a few instances, but hopefully, they're enough to drive the point home. These things are neither freak accidents, as some would have you believe, nor are they just satanic humor on mankind. Church, please realize that the Lord commanded everything that I saw hit the map. He also told me it was part of the sequential calamities which are warnings ultimately leading to full judgment assigned to this country. They are like blinking red lights along the path of judgment. Go back! Stop! Repent! The end is at hand! Will you hear? Will you pray? How in His great mercy would He gladly stop or minimize catastrophe for His praying church!   End Time Vision Daisy Osborn I lay sleepless and horrified, greatly vexed in the Spirit. The Lord visited and showed me things that will shortly come to pass. The JUDGMENT and WRATH of God will soon bring disaster and havoc to the world we live in. The DIE is CAST. God's clock is set. TIME is running out. 'In a VISION' I saw: the face of the earth and the changing of the shape of America. It was drastically altered and reduced in size through terrible disasters. Hunger and suffering were everywhere. The devastation caused by volcanic eruptions and fires were widespread and horrifying during this terrible holocaust. I saw Christians clustering together from all walks of life and many church affiliations. They did not care about their sectarian doctrines. The tie that bound them in their desperate hour, was their common faith in Christ. They clung together as though their survival depended upon each other. After these terrifying cataclysmic events which the Lord showed me, all the evils of sectarianism and apostasy vanished among the Christians desperate struggle to draw strength from one another. Those who had been lukewarm, cast aside besetting sins, and sought identity with the true believers. Cigarettes, pills, social drinkers, marital cheaters; were repented of and amends were made. A new sense of values gripped the conscience of Believers. The new morality standard and modern license for laxity was like a remorseful hangover. Most of the Christians in the “visitation” were amazed that WE “were experiencing” and WE were witnessing His WRATH and JUDGMENT!!! Many social Christians were ill-prepared. Their frivolous, unwatchful, imprudent lives had GAMBLED on Mercy & Grace, which they had thought required no reckoning---EVER!!! (Yes, many believe they will just fly away and not go through any tribulation.) I saw hordes (believers) lost among the religious and Christ Jesus rejecters. As I looked, I saw where mountains were flattened. Believers were FLEEING to the desert to take shelter in caves & rocks. The DESOLATION was so terrible that it seemed NO ONE would be spared. (Luke 21:34-36 (KJV) Matthew 24:20-22) All but a few were full of remorse. Lamentations could be heard everywhere. It was heartening to observe that during the FEARSOME DISASTERS-----UNSHAKABLE FAITH held like an ANCHOR among the Christians. They knew they would SOON see the SON coming in the clouds of heaven and with Power & Glory! (Daisy Osborn (now with the Lord) was the wife of Healing evangelist T.L. Osborn)   Judgment Begins at God's House B.A. - 06/11/2012 (David's note in red) I dreamed I was in my kitchen, preparing the evening meal (feasting on the Word of God as the days are growing darker), when I saw lightning streak across the sky and there was a clap of thunder so loud that it shook the entire house. (This was the Lord's voice sounding an alarm to His saints; get prepared, the storm is at hand. Psa.97:4 His lightnings lightened the world; The earth saw; and trembled. 114:7 Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob.) I went to the kitchen window and looked out and saw a large, dark storm cloud coming toward my house. As I stood looking at this cloud, I saw it start to form an unusual shape; it looked like a giant rolling pin. (A rolling pin is used to roll out and flatten out dough. I took this to mean judgment from the Lord and the dough represents the [leavened], apostate people of God getting ready to be judged (thrown in the oven) for their unrepentant sin.) 1Pe.4:17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? Amo.3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will visit upon you all your iniquities. 2Th.1:8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus. As I was meditating on this cloud, I heard a voice that appeared to be coming from over my head say, “Don't go out of the house until the storm is over”. (The house here is Jesus in Whom we must abide by repentance and faith in His blood, which is our covering and our new life. This will be the Passover judgment which, according to type, comes before the wilderness tribulation.) Exo.12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side-posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For Jehovah will pass through to smite the Egyptians (Those in the land who are not Christ-like); and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, Jehovah will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. Isa.26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. And Heb.11:28 By faith he kept the Passover (Eating only Jesus, the unleavened bread of the Word.), and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. You could tell this was no ordinary thunderstorm; this was a storm of “thunder judgment” (God has spoken it; He will bring it to pass.) Isa.46:11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yea, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it. I immediately went into my prayer closet and began to pray for all of my family (UBM) and all of God's people (Church) in the path of this storm. (We see now that this Passover judgment will affect the lost and all of God's people. I suspect this will come on the head of the beast, the U.S., but will secondarily affect the world through loss of influence, trade and economy.) I knew this storm was going to destroy houses in my neighborhood. Many of God's people have not heeded His warnings. They mock the dreams and visions He has given to His people to warn them and to prepare them ahead of this storm. Their blood is on their own hands! Eze.3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand ... 20 Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thy hand. (The wicked leadership that does not hear and give the warnings will be held guilty of the blood of the saints. The faithful who have given the warning and been persecuted for it will be spared. Also, I believe this could mean that quakes and terrible side-effects, economic loss, etc., will judge the wicked who are gathered against the righteous. Remember, at the end of the Passover there was judgment at the Red Sea just before the wilderness tribulation.) After the storm was over, I decided to go outside and take a look at the damage. Sure enough, as I went up and down my street, many houses were completely destroyed; I couldn't even see where their foundations had been. (This represents reprobation.) Psa.11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do? All evidence of those houses ever being there was completely gone. Jud.12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. (Although “shepherds” in this text has no numeric pattern, they are certainly included with the rest of the “hidden” fakes among us who “feed themselves” and must be separated through reprobation.) This is the reward of the wicked who would not repent. They were searched out by the Lord and spiritually destroyed. This will also be the portion of the factious who have ignored and scoffed at the Lord's messengers and refuse to repent. Some houses were badly damaged, but with a little elbow grease (the Lord's works) they could be completely restored. (Some of the factious people [and other sinners] will repent; they will come to recognize the mighty arm of the Lord in this storm and turn back to Him.) Rev.2:5 Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent. (We have received dreams of individuals repenting because of judgment.) When I got back to my house (God's house), a man with his entire family was sitting on my front porch. The father stood up when he saw me and came up to me and asked if he and his family could stay with me, as their home had been damaged by the storm and wasn't safe. (Their house had not been built upon “the Rock”, Jesus). Mat.7:24 Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock, 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and if fell not: for it was founded upon the rock. (This represents a group of people who will repent through this chastening.) They noticed that my house had not been damaged by the storm. Heb.12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain. Not so much as a shingle had been disturbed on my house. They knew there had to be something special about my house. (She was representing the Bride.) It was the only house in the neighborhood that had no damage whatsoever. (Abiding in the secret place of the Most High, where are found all the promises of safety and provision. Psa.121:7 Jehovah will keep thee from all evil; He will keep thy soul.) The true people of God will be easy to recognize by people who are truly seeking after the truth. You won't see any evidence of the curse on them. Mat.7:20 Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Mat.5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. ... 16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. I knew the Lord had specifically sent this family to me to care for them, as they were survivors of the storm. Praise the Lord! (The Lord is restoring His family and the firstfruits will play a large role in this restoration process.) My heart felt such compassion for this family. I eagerly invited them into my home and gave them food and some fresh, clean water. After they had all eaten, I drew each of them a bath and gave them all clean clothes, and prepared a place for them to sleep. (This represents giving them the cure: the food, water and washing of the Word and the clothes of obedience to it and the rest of faith in God.)   Printer-friendly version     © 2017 UBM | Unleavened Bread Ministries. All rights reserved.    [ Fair Use Notice ]

Have you ever wondered if you're where God wants you to be? In this message, Jess Hood looks into Esther's story from chapter 2 to 4, where she's called to take a bold step "for such a time as this." Though God's plan will unfold with or without us, He invites us to be part of His story. Join us to ask ourselves how God might be calling us to make a difference right where we are today. If you need prayer, we're here for you. Reach out at ⁠www.gatewaybaptist.com.au/prayer Subscribe for more content to help you grow as a fully devoted follower of Jesus: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEXB7rchLIgCCmz6PEgY52Q?sub_confirmation=1 Key scriptures: Esther chapters 2, 3 and 4 Esther 4:14 ________________________ Gateway Baptist Church meets across six locations in South-East Queensland and also online. For over 90 years, we've been committed to guiding people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Learn more about us at ⁠https://gatewaybaptist.com.au⁠ or join us on Sundays at ⁠gtwy.au/live #Esther #Favour #womeninthebible #Salvation #Jesus #Faith #Christian #Church #Churchonline #GatewayOnline #JasonElsmore #TimLucas #JessHood

Ex-Witch Testimony Halloween's Spiritual Dangers & Coming to JesusSpiritiual Warfare and coming out of the occult to Christ..What hidden dangers lurk in the seemingly innocent celebration of Halloween? Witness a compelling transformation as our guest recounts their journey from witchcraft to Christianity, revealing childhood encounters with the dark forces that once surrounded them. This eye-opening narrative challenges the accepted norms of Halloween festivities, urging listeners to consider how participation in such traditions might inadvertently align them with the kingdom of darkness. The episode explores the spiritual battle between light and darkness, framed through personal experiences and the compelling contrast between embracing occult practices and finding truth in faith.With Halloween falling on a Sunday this year, Christians face a unique dilemma: balancing worship with cultural celebrations. Join us as we navigate this paradox and encourage reflection on how to align actions with Christian values. As the evening draws near, we invite you to a special prayer meeting aimed at uplifting one another amidst life's challenges. This episode is a call to vigilance, urging listeners to remain steadfast in faith and resist hidden perils, making it an essential listen for those seeking guidance through spiritual complexities.My eyes were opened by Jesus Christ on July 2018 and He gave me the passion to share Jesus with the world and reach the lost ever since (on the great commission) I never intended to become a vlogger but by the grace of God i'm here. I wanted this channel to expose Satan's deception within the Pagan and New Age movement, which had me fooled for a very long time. Though God had different plans for this channel, for me to testify of His grace, of His transforming power and of His love, only by God am I able to be so vulnerable and open about my journey because it's all about Jesus

God's Plan And Purpose For Evil (1) (Audio)  David Eells – 10/13/24  Many of God's people are having a problem forgiving their enemies in these days when we have seen so much evil. It is God's place to judge and recompense evil. Have you not read? Rom 9:21 Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? We've all been sinners from the same lump of clay But we got unmerited favor and they did not. The old saying is true: “There but for the grace of God go I.” So we got grace but they got justice. We must forgive to be forgiven. God is sovereign over all things; even those He draws unto Himself. Some think this not so, but let's see. Let's begin with a little foundation of God's sovereignty. We are shown in Rom.8:28 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose.  Do we really believe that “all things” work together to bring to pass the good purpose of God for His called? Our reactions to life's circumstances are a good gauge of this. Knowing God's purpose in all things gives great peace. What purpose is Paul speaking of in the above verse? In the next verse we can see that he is talking about the purpose of bringing many sons into the image of Jesus Christ. (Rom.8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. God foreordained or pre-determined to bring His true children into the image of Jesus. This has been God's purpose since the creation of the world, even before man was created and fell.   All things serve God in order to manifest His sons. That is why God created this world. Some people who do not understand may see failure in God's plan. But when we study the sovereignty of God, we see there is no failure in God's system. Sovereignty means to exercise supreme and independent authority. Even sin, evil, and the fall will serve God's purpose. He is going to have sons to fellowship with throughout eternity. Toward this purpose, He is going to make all things work together for good. All things are not good, but all things work together for good. As I have said many times, “What does ‘all' leave out?” Applying this truth to our life takes thought.  God must be omnipotent (all-powerful) over all things to make this statement. He must also be omniscient (all-knowing) in order to make such all-encompassing statements in His Word. The Scriptures proclaim that God has sovereign control over all things that have anything to do with your life. He never falls off the throne and He never shares the throne with the devil. The authority that the devil has is according to God's design and laws. Everything serves God in the ongoing creation of sons and daughters. (Psa.119:91) They abide this day according to thine ordinances; For all things are thy servants. All things serve Him in this process, good and bad, to bring to pass His plan.   God never created anything that could thwart His plan, because God never makes mistakes. God even makes the evil to bring to pass His plan. Some will argue with that. Hopefully, you will change your mind as we examine the Scriptures. Evil is a tool of God's sovereignty to bring us to purity and maturity. Without the evil, there is no one to put us on the cross, to persecute us, and to cause temptations to rise up so that we might reject them and be cleansed. God has made everything, even the wicked for the day when His people will need chastening. (Pro.16:4) The Lord hath made everything for its own end (Some manuscripts say: for His own purpose.); Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.   The apostle Paul learned contentment. He understood that none could thwart God's good plan for him. Anxiety, fear, or impatience only comes because of our own nearsighted, immature understanding of God's master plan for us. You can imagine how valuable a great apostle and evangelist such as Paul was to the saints in his day. But, in this case, Paul was put in prison. (Php.1:12) Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things [which happened] unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the Gospel; (13) so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest; (14) and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the Word of God without fear.   Paul had an understanding that the devil was not the author of his imprisonment because of its value to God's kingdom. Everything is going to work together for the good, individually and corporately. Individually it was for Paul's good, and corporately it was for the brethren's good. The Gospel went out because Paul was in prison. It was from prison that Paul wrote much of the New Testament. The Word of God went more places and was spread much faster because Paul was in prison. People became bold to go out and preach the Gospel because he was in prison.   Sometimes we look at circumstances instead of the Word and think that the devil has been able to stop God's plan. God would have never made the devil if he had been someone who could stop His plan. Some may think that God did not make the devil, but rather a good angel that fell. Since God is all-knowing as the Scriptures say He is, He knew His angel would become the devil. He is also all-powerful to stop what He knew would happen, therefore, at least by omission, He is the creator of the devil. God says in (Isa.45:7) I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am the Lord, that doeth all these things. (Isa.54:16)… I have created the waster to destroy. (17) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…   Since God created the evil waster, then obviously, He has authority to say that he cannot prosper against us. Evil cannot prosper for its own purpose, only God's good purpose. Do you suppose the three Hebrews wondered why the God to whom they had been so faithful had ordained the wicked to cast them into a fiery furnace? Those Hebrews found out this trial was to impress a heathen king with the power and saving grace of the God of Israel. He was impressed when God appeared to be walking with them through the fire and there was no harm to their bodies or clothes, only their ropes or bondage was burned off (Dan.3:25-27). God's purpose was to impress the heathen and to deliver them from bondage. This is a type or shadow of His purpose in our lives, too.  Everything that God is doing, He is doing according to the counsel of His own Will. There is not another completely free will in all of creation. If there were, this would be a dangerous place. A free will is a will that is able to do what it wants. Thank God that it is only His good free will, which “worketh all things after the counsel of his will,” that is in control.  I want to encourage you and show you how God is using the wicked and their evil works and His purposes for it. As we saw, He said in (Isa.45:7) I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am the Lord, that doeth all these things. What good reason could God possibly have in creating darkness and evil? Be patient, believe the Scriptures and receive a wonderful understanding of this. Let's examine how God exercises His Will over evil and to what extent.   In (Isa.10:5) Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation! In this verse, God calls the enemy of Israel His rod and staff to correct them. In Psalm 23, the Good Shepherd uses His rod and staff to comfort David. The rod and staff were tools of the shepherd. The Lord, our Shepherd, uses our enemies as tools to correct us and keep us in line. (Isa.10:6) I will send him against a profane nation (Israel or the Church), and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. (7) Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.   Notice that the Assyrians did not know they were sent by God to fulfill His plan. It was in their heart to take a spoil and a prey. Whenever God uses vessels of dishonor, they are just fulfilling their lusts. God worked in the Assyrians to will and to do of His good pleasure. We will see that God does this with all of His vessels of dishonor. He has purpose for the wicked in the earth, otherwise, He would have removed them long ago. After God fulfills that purpose, He will do away with them.   (Isa.10:12) Wherefore it shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. (13) For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it… Notice that the king of Assyria thought that he had done this by his own strength. As history and this verse prove, when God is finished using the wicked for His people, He will destroy them. From the beginning, God did not intend to immediately do away with the wicked but to use them to perfect His people.  He commanded the angels to let the tares grow together with the wheat until the end (Mat.13:30), and only then will He separate and destroy the wicked (Mat.13:41-42). He explained that if you gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them (Mat.13:29). If God took away the tares, the wheat would die for lack of chastening and object lessons.   (Isa.10:13) For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom…The Assyrians believed that this victory was by their wisdom and strength, but God claimed to be using them as a tool. (15) Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? shall the saw magnify itself against him that wieldeth it? as if a rod should wield them that lift it up, [or] as if a staff should lift up [him that is] not wood. That is the way God sees this army, like a dumb tool. God wielded the axe, saw, rod, and staff and lifted it up to work on His creation. How ludicrous for men to take any credit. God is sovereign, and everything else is a tool to be used by Him in the chastening and perfecting of His saints.   We should know that God sends these tools to us to carve us into a vessel for His use and that we need to submit for our own sake. These tools are necessary until the saints are God's finished creation and then He will put them away. Meanwhile, we need not fear that the purpose of evil is prospering. (Isa.54:16)… I have created the waster to destroy. (17) No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper… How comforting it is to know that only God's purpose is prospering!   Even Satan is not put in his place until the end when the tempting and crucifying of the saints is over. (Rev.20:1) And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. (2) And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, (3) and cast him into the abyss, and shut [it], and sealed [it] over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.  One angel had no trouble chaining Satan and casting him into the pit. That was so easy that God could have done it a long time ago if He wanted to. According to the theology of most, God would have had to send an army of angels to get that “heavyweight.” After all, has he not been resisting God for over 6,000 years? Wrong! Notice that after 1,000 years God looses him again! Does that give you any idea about who loosed him the first time in the Garden of Eden? Does God loose Satan to do His Will, or to thwart His Will?   (Rev.20:7) And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, (8) and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (9) And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them. (10) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire…   (11) And I saw a great white throne… God loosed the devil to deceive all the evil nations, to make war on the saints. He did this so that He could rain down fire on the nations to destroy them, just in time for the great white throne judgment of the wicked. God did not even need the angels to destroy the devil and all of his children. He could have done this in the garden and saved us the trial, but it was not His plan!   Who cast the devil and his angels down to the earth to deceive the nations and to make war on the saints during the Tribulation period? (Rev.12:7) And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels [going forth] to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels; (8) And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. (9) And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him. Then the devil in the beast made war with the saints.   (Rev.13:7) And it was given unto him (the beast) to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. If God was going to cast the devil and his angels down, why not cast them into the lake of fire? Instead, God restrained them to the earth where we are! God needed the hoards of evil to separate the tares from the wheat and to mature the saints. Notice, there “was given unto him” (the beast), both authority over the nations and authority to make war on the saints. God gave authority to the devil, who dwelt in the beast and gave authority to the beast, to try the saints and to crucify their flesh.   Back to (Isa.10:20) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and they that are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again lean upon him that smote them, but shall lean upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. People lean on the flesh and the world. We trust in America to defend and make us socially secure. The world has our love, respect, honor, and fear, all of which belongs only to God. God has a remedy for that. God brought the illicit lovers of Israel against her so that she would learn who the true enemies of her soul were. In this case, the Lord is showing us the same thing.   One of His remedies for us loving the things, people, and thinking of the world is that He is going to bring all that against us. (Mat.24:9) Ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name's sake. It is necessary that we be hated of all nations so that God's name is manifest in us. It is necessary that the world hate us to turn our heart away from the love of the world. God's people were too comfortable in Egypt so He turned the Egyptians' heart to hate His people (Psa.105:25). Then He saved them from the hand of him that hated them (Psa.106:10). First, God turned their heart against Israel, then, God delivered Israel out of their hand, and they were so grateful.   In (2Sa.7:14) I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men. God's purpose in creating sons is going to be fulfilled by using vessels of dishonor to chasten His sons for their sins. The rod is physical men, armies, and nations. God uses spiritual principalities and powers to motivate these vessels of dishonor. If I were to pick up a stick and hit my neighbor with it, you would accuse me of evil. On the other hand, if I take the same stick and go chasten my child because of willful disobedience, you should think that good (Pro.23:13-14). What is the difference? The same stick was used, but the purpose was opposite. To attribute evil to God for using evil shows a lack of understanding of His purpose or motive.   God is going to use evil to do good. God is good and all things that God does are good. We cannot limit God with self-righteous thinking. God is going to do a good work with evil. In fact, without evil, God cannot do this work. (1Ti.1:20) of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered unto Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme. The word “blaspheme” here means “to speak evil against.” These men were speaking evil against either someone or the truth, and Paul, for God, turned them over to Satan so that they might be taught not to blaspheme. Satan teaches us much. In most cases, it is Satan and his demons that execute the curse on those that sin.   The curse was spoken and ordained by God in Deuteronomy 28 to motivate sinners to repent. Satan tempts us with lusts, but when we give in, he legally may administer the curse until we repent. When we get out from under the blood, Satan is waiting. It is not in Satan's mind to teach us anything or chasten us. That is God's purpose. Satan is full of lust, and hates mankind and wants to do evil against mankind. Satan does not wish to teach us, mature us, or bring us to an understanding of God but he still brings that to pass.   Jesus said, If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand (Mar.3:24). Satan's kingdom is divided against itself because what he does to the people of God causes them to repent and mature. It is not just Satan, but everything around us that God is going to use to bring us to maturity. Satan, the leader over the vessels of dishonor, is very important to this process. Satan is in command over the wicked spirits and thus, wicked people. God is in command over Satan. The Scripture says, “All things work together for good.” According to this, what Satan does to us is for our good. Does Satan understand what he is doing? No, he does not understand.   According to the law of sowing and reaping, he has sown deceit, therefore he is deceived. He is out to take man's position of authority by tempting him to sin. Satan is also a created being. God did not create any being that was going to be able to thwart His Will. He created everything for the purpose of bringing His chosen into the image of Jesus Christ. There are several methods that God uses to move the wicked, Satan, and the demons. One is by the power of suggestion. He works in them to will and to do of His good pleasure. He also commands or gives permission to them.   We read in (1Co.5:5) to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. This man had his father's wife, probably what we would call a stepmother. Paul spoke to the elders in Corinth and determined to agree with them to turn this man over to Satan. Do you think that Satan is thinking about destroying people's fleshly nature to save their spirit? The flesh is Satan's ally and a manifestation of his very nature.  Paul is taking authority over the power of the enemy and using that power to chasten rebellious children of God. (Luk.10:19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy… (20) Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you… Jesus delegated authority over the power of enemy spirits to His disciples.   Disciples have a right by the Spirit of God to use their power or to forbid their power. (Mat.18:18) Verily I say unto you, what things soever ye shall bind (forbid) on earth shall be bound (forbidden) in heaven; and what things soever ye shall loose (permit) on earth shall be loosed (permitted) in heaven. Disciples have authority to forbid or permit. With the guidance of God's Spirit, mature disciples can permit the devil's power for a good purpose, “that the spirit may be saved.” In this way, God exercises His sovereignty through His disciples.   When Jesus sent out His disciples to make disciples, He commanded them to pass on the same authority and commands that He had given them. (Mat.28:20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. If we are disciples (Greek: methetes, “learners and followers”) of Christ, we have the same commands. Jesus said that He would be with them to do this “even unto the end of the world.” Obviously, the original disciples did not live that long, therefore He is speaking to all disciples.   Today, ministries go from one extreme to the other. Either God's ministers are totally powerless in the face of rebellion or they exercise carnal dominion like the Pharisees. Just as a father and mother have authority in a family to chasten their children physically, the leadership in the Church has authority, because of the love of Jesus, over His children. This authority is not for the purpose of personal animosity, anger, or vengeance. It is because we do not want to see God's people come to the end of their lives having never repented of their sins and fall off into the pit. God's purpose has to be continually working in a person's life to bring them to maturity, to get them ready to face Him. In the above reference, Paul turned this man over to Satan in obedience to the Spirit, out of love. Some worry about the possibility of abuse here, but the curse that is causeless alighteth not (Pro.26:2).  We read in (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. It is God's plan for Satan to administer chastening. It is Satan's lust to do what he is permitted, to destroy man. Satan has been given power over the flesh. Do you remember the serpent in the garden? He was cursed to crawl on his belly and to eat the dust of the earth. What is the dust of the earth? It is what our flesh was made from. Satan has been given authority to come against flesh. I am speaking not only of this body but also of the carnal desires and appetites that gratify self. Satan's job is to devour the old man, and he is very good at it. The benefit is the saving of the spiritual man.   God commonly turns us over to Satan for chastening when we walk in willful disobedience. In Matthew 18, we have a case of unforgiveness. (Mat.18:34) And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors (demons), till he should pay all that was due. (35) So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts. This is a common thing. When we see ourselves delivered over to the curse, we should examine our conscience to see if there is cause to repent. I say “if,” because sometimes Satan is permitted to come against us to build our faith and to prove our authority over him. God uses a very bad devil to do a very good work in more ways than one.   It says in (2Pe.2:9) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment; (10) but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion… God takes credit for keeping the rebellious under judgment. Some live under judgment all their life because they “walk after the flesh.” If we do not understand the sovereignty of God, many times we are going to go through a lot more judgment. We need to recognize God's purpose in everything. He uses Satan, his demons, or the wicked people around us to chasten and bring us to repentance or to build our faith through trials.   Many only see the vessel; they do not see God behind the vessel whose purpose is being fulfilled. Satan would have us believe that the reason he comes against us is because we are good children of God. However, God would have us believe that when Satan comes against us it is because He loves us and chastens our corrupt nature and acts, or to give our faith a spiritual workout. If you only see Satan coming against you and not God, then you do not have any motivation to change. But, if you see God sending Satan against you, then you are motivated to change. (Joh.3:27) … A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.   (Heb.2:2)… Every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. All you have to do is look at the recompense, and you can tell when something is a transgression. When we look at the recompense we can see if it is wrong. Is it wrong to recreationally indulge in hard liquor? Look at the recompense, deterioration of the body and spirit. Is it wrong to smoke? Look at the recompense, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and other physical complications. People who are bitter, angry, and unforgiving are delivered over to cancer, arthritis, and other immune deficiencies.   Many with cancer or arthritis have kept up anger and bitterness in their lives. Anxiety and worry gives way to ulcers. You do not have to ask if it is sin; look at what it does to people. Even if you do not know a verse that tells you it is a sin, look at the fruit of it. Look at what comes against you because of it. God has ordained the entire curse system to come against those who transgress. Whether God is using the devil, his demons, wicked people around you, sickness, or any other part of the curse, He is doing it to bring us to repentance and fruit.   God will use evil spirits to humble us and bring about good fruit in us. Paul is a good example. He was caught up to the third heaven and received wonderful revelations that tempted him to be proud. (2Co.12:7) And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger (Greek: angelos, “angel”) of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. Paul says the thorn was an angel of Satan to buffet him. The word “buffet” means “to hit over and over.” You can see that this evil spirit was given to Paul to fulfill God's purpose of humbling him.   (2Co.12:8) Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9) And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness… This angel of Satan was bringing about a humbling in Paul's life that God called grace. When Paul was in a position of personal weakness or inability to save himself, he got to see God's power to save. It should be the same with us. Earlier in the text, Paul lists what he calls weaknesses. He lists things such as shipwrecks, prisons, persecutions from enemies, and stripes. Not once does Paul mention sickness in the list. The point is that God uses evil angels to come against our lusts, to humble us, to chasten us, and to cause us to repent.   (2Co.12:8) Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it (the angel of Satan or demon) might depart from me. (9) And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee… God was saying that He would deliver Paul from the individual buffetings, but not from the angel of Satan. Paul said as much to Timothy. (2Ti.3:11) Persecutions, sufferings. What things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2Tim.4:18) The Lord will deliver me from every evil work… In this, we see the sovereignty of God in both bringing the chastening and supplying the deliverance.   We read in (2Th.1:4) So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure. God never does anything just for one purpose. (2Th.1:5) [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer.   Sometimes God's method is to use an angel of Satan to bring us into persecution and affliction, which Paul said was a token of the judgment of God to get us ready for His kingdom. Most often, the demons are administering the curse to do that. All things, curses and blessings, are working together for our good. We have a covenant right to deliverance from the curse. (Gal. 3:13) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us…   Now let's go to (Psa.78:43) How he set his signs in Egypt, And his wonders in the field of Zoan, (44) And turned their rivers into blood, And their streams, so that they could not drink. (45) He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; And frogs, which destroyed them. (46) He gave also their increase unto the caterpillar, And their labor unto the locust. (47) He destroyed their vines with hail, And their sycomore-trees with frost. (48) He gave over their cattle also to the hail, And their flocks to hot thunderbolts. (49) He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, Wrath, and indignation, and trouble, A band of angels of evil.   (50) He made a path for his anger; He spared not their soul from death, But gave their life over to the pestilence (51) And smote all the first-born in Egypt. Here we have God sending judgments, which He called “a band of angels of evil,” to chasten His people and destroy their enemies. When God sent all these judgments through “angels of evil,” they came against both the Egyptians and the Israelites in the beginning until His people were willing to come out of Egypt. Then God made a separation between Goshen and Egypt. The judgments then fell only on the Egyptians so that God's people would be set free. When we repent of living in Egypt, we do not have to live under the judgments. And (Exo.12:23) For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side-posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. Notice that the Lord passed over the Israelites' door with the destroyer and smote the Egyptians. The king angel of the abyss in Revelation 9:11 was Apollyon (in the Greek) or Abaddon (in the Hebrew), and both of these names mean “destroyer.”   These are just two of the many names for the devil. He was the king demon over death, but God had authority over him. The destroyer came through at midnight, exactly when God said he would. God's purpose was for him to destroy God's enemies and anyone who did not partake of the lamb. God told them to eat the lamb, and the destroyer would not smite them. That is how we come out from under the curse of sin and death. We must eat the lamb, Jesus Christ, the Word. By consuming and digesting the Word of God, we are delivered from the curse and manifest our sonship.   Sennacherib, king of the Assyrian Empire, had sent his vast army against Judah, but God promised them victory through Isaiah. (Isa.37:7) Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he shall hear tidings, and shall return unto his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. God put a demon spirit in Sennacherib, who, hearing voices, was then afraid of being away from home. Many demon-possessed people hear voices. The demons want to destroy God's people. Sometimes they have no choice in what they do. God used this demon to take the king home where he fell by the sword of two of his sons (Isa.37:38).   Some ministers, who have not lived righteous lives and yet retain authority over God's people, have been demon-possessed. King Saul was just such a man. God called him and anointed him, but he rebelled. (1Sa.16:14) Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. If most people did not know this was in the Word, they would accuse me of heresy. We read here an evil spirit from the Lord troubling Saul because he would not obey. (15) And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. (16) Let our lord now command thy servants, that are before thee, to seek out a man who is a skilful player on the harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. Of course, they found David with his harp to comfort the king. Isn't that something? God sent an evil spirit to trouble Saul and then sent David with his harp to give him some relief from the torment. He works on us from both sides.   I ministered in an assembly once where I discerned that the pastor had demons. He was having problems with women, money, and honesty. He told me three times that God had spoken to him that he was Saul and I was David. I shared with him truths that would help him to overcome, but he was self-willed. I asked the Lord what to do about him because he was causing believers to stumble. God said, “Let the Philistines take him out.” The Philistines were the enemies of God's people who took Saul out. The enemies of God's people did take this man out, too. I ended up taking over the ministering there for a short time. It was Saul and David all over again. God worked on this man from both sides. In Deuteronomy 28, God says over and over that He would send the curse to the rebellious, and now we know that He sent Jesus to deliver from that curse.   We are constantly faced with a choice. God has put us here for our soul to make a decision between our flesh and our spirit. We are the highest creation of God and the lowest creation of God. We are between heaven and hell, between demons and the angels, between God and the devil. Every way we turn, there is a decision to be made. God planned it that way. He is saying to rebellious people, “The curse is in front of you; do not go. But if you do, it is your own fault, and you will pay a penalty.” At the same time He offers grace to make the right decision.   God raised up Gideon to conquer Israel's enemies. After this, Gideon would not accept a position of authority over Israel. In fact, he would not let his sons take a position of authority over Israel while he was alive (Jdg.8:23). Gideon had seventy-one sons, one of these by a concubine in Shechem. This son lusted after authority and wanted to be the next king over Israel. So he conspired with the men of Shechem to kill Gideon's seventy sons. All but Jotham were murdered. Jotham prophesied the following to the men of Shechem after they had executed the dastardly deed: (Jdg.9:20)… Let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.   God was pronouncing through Jotham a curse of division upon the guilty parties. (Jdg.9:22) And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years. (23) And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: (24) that the violence done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid upon Abimelech their brother, who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brethren. God wanted to judge and destroy this evil alliance so He sent an evil spirit between them to divide and conquer. Both Abimelech and the men of Shechem were destroyed because of this one evil spirit. God used evil to judge the guilty and to deliver His people from their hand.   Once I was ministering in an assembly along with two other ministers. These two ministers were grieving me because they were continually patting each other on the back, even while they were agreeing to disagree with God's Word. When I went home one evening after witnessing them confirm one another's errors in front of the congregation, I felt that the Lord put in my heart to pray that He would send an evil spirit between these two ministers to break up this evil alliance. I was shocked. The next day, I found out that on the very evening of my prayer, those two had fallen out with one another to the degree that they had separated. God used that to separate this evil alliance between these two people.   God uses this method all through the Scriptures. Let me share another example. (Rev.16:14) For they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. Here demons gather the whole world to fight the battle of Armageddon. The same account in Zechariah says that God gathered the whole world to that battle. (Zec.14:2) For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle… (3) Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. So now we see that God will use the demons to gather the enemy army against His people just so that He can destroy them and save His people. Friend, can you see that if God [is] for us, who [is] against us? (Rom.8:31) On the other hand, if God is against us then who can be for us?   After gathering the nations to the battle, the Lord said that He would “fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle.” In 2 Chronicles 20:17, the Lord told Jehoshaphat, “Ye shall not need to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” He was going to fight this battle. His method of warfare is described in the following verses: (2Ch.20:22) And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, that were come against Judah; and they were smitten. (23) For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.  I used to think that they waited in ambush for one another. But as I looked at the Scripture more carefully, I discovered that God set liers-in-wait for the whole army so that they fell out with one another. The demon spirits who brought them there were waiting to assemble them so that they could ambush them with suspicion, greed, anger, fear, etc., and cause them to destroy one another. He divided three armies that came as one into three, and they killed off one another. Since God is paralleling this to the battle of Armageddon, He will cause a civil war in the midst of the end time beast kingdom, and they will divide into kings of the north, kings of the south (Dan.11:40), and kings of the East (Rev.16:12) to destroy one another and save God's people. God is in control of demons, therefore, He is also in control of their obedient servants, men. All this is for the purpose of bringing us to repentance and glorifying Himself in our eyes and the world's. This should be a word of encouragement to anyone.   Though God uses evil spirits to divide, He also uses us to forbid them when appropriate. God wants us to resist the devil, to not permit his lies or his accusing of the brethren. God expects us to be vigilant and to test the spirits at all times. The ability to test with discernment comes from the practice of seeking to be a vessel of honor and having our spiritual senses exercised by the Word to discern good and evil (Heb.5:13-14). It is a pity more of God's people do not hear from the Lord today.   Many falsely believe that the division of an assembly of Christians could not possibly be the Will of God. The assembly at Jerusalem was scattered by persecution in order to spread the Gospel. Israel rebelled from under the house of David leaving only Judah and Benjamin. King Rehoboam gathered his army to bring the rebels back into the fold, but the Lord through the prophet spoke to them. (1Ki.12:24) Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is of me… Other reasons for division could be because the assembly is too large to meet the needs of the individual or because the assembly is apostate and ruled by men, in which case, the people would not grow up in Christ.   God divided Babel because their unity was for the purpose of evil. Notice it was the tongue that divided them just as the denominations are divided now. God's purpose in division is always good but man's purpose is generally evil. Denominationalism is the tendency to divide into sects and is a work of the flesh according to the Word (Gal.5:20; 1Co.1:10-13; 1Co.3:1-8; 1Co.11:17-19; and so on.). Jesus prayed that His disciples would be one even as He and the Father are one (Joh.17:21-22). This can only happen when in the Tribulation the righteous give up their sects to be one flock with one Shepherd (Joh.10:16).   Now let's go to (Rom.9:17) For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, For this very purpose did I raise thee up, that I might show in thee my power, and that my name might be published abroad in all the earth. (18) So then he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth. Here it is hard to escape the fact that God made Pharaoh stubborn in order to make Himself famous and powerful in the eyes of men. God knows that we need to perceive a great God and Savior. Those who ignorantly think they are defending God's reputation usually say that Pharaoh hardened his own heart first. (Exo.4:21) And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest back into Egypt, see that thou do before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in thy hand: but I will harden his heart and he will not let the people go. (Exo.7:3) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.   Five times in Exodus, God says that He hardened Pharaoh's heart before we are told that Pharaoh… hardened his heart (Exo.8:15). God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to set His people free. He then hardened Pharaoh's heart to refuse to set them free. To Israel this made their freedom naturally impossible. God gave to them what they perceived as hopeless in order to glorify Himself in their eyes. They needed to know that He could save them from anything in their coming wilderness trial. God and you are a majority in any situation.   If that was not enough, God hardened Pharaoh's heart again to cause him to follow the Israelites into the Red Sea to the Egyptians' destruction. (Exo.14:4) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he shall follow after them; and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host… Unlike the movies, this is the only Pharaoh that they have found that died of drowning. All this was just to impress Israel with God's power to set free. They were going to need this in the trials to come.   Have you ever had some hardened heart in a position of power over you? Go to God, not Pharaoh. All Moses ever got from him was insolence. Have you considered your flesh? Does it seem more powerful than your ability to obey God? That was God's plan. He wants to show us His power to save from sin. (2Co.4:7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. God wants no competition from our own ability. He wants to prove the power of His grace through our faith in Him.  It says in (Pro.26:2) As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not. No curse can alight upon us unless there is a cause. Sin and corruption are the most likely cause. Only God's purpose is fulfilled in a curse. It says in (Num.23:8) How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? And how shall I defy, whom the Lord hath not defied? We are really wise if we are looking for the cause, and not looking at the curse, or looking at the devil. If we deal with the cause, we do not have to live with the curse.   The problem is people will not deal with the cause. They just live with the curse and try by man's methods to be delivered from it. If man, by his own methods, could deliver us from the curse that God sent to cause us to repent, man would be detrimental. What if we examine our conscience and do not see the cause? Then it is very possible that the cause is so that we renew our mind with the Word and fight the good fight of faith. Sometimes the Lord sends Satan against us so that we can whip him. Yes, God does that to prove to us that His Word is true and that we have authority over all the power of the enemy. God's ultimate purpose is to manifest His sovereignty through us.   God wants us to learn to fight a spiritual warfare. God gives us practice sometimes. When Satan comes against us through demons, wicked people, or circumstances, we should examine our conscience. If we do not find guilt because of willful disobedience, then we should exercise the authority that Jesus gave us against Satan, because we are going to win. In coming against Satan, we are also crucifying our old man because our old man is created in the image of Satan. When we fight with Satan, we fight with “self”. When we win against Satan, we win against “self”. That is another part of God's plan that is so perfect and so beautiful. Amen.   Let's go to (Lam.3:37) Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Can evil command something and it come to pass if the Lord has not commanded it? No! God is sovereign. Jesus said His words were not His but the Father's. We know this was true because they came to pass. By the grace of God, I have commanded healings, miracles, provisions and deliverances that have come to pass. Religious people have told me that my faith was presumptuous because we cannot know the Will of God. I have thought, “How ludicrous! Do I have power to do these things? God did them. I merely agreed with His Word.” The proof that I was in agreement with God is that they came to pass. If the devil commands something and it comes to pass, is it because he is more powerful than God? Not according to this verse. It is because God commanded it whether the devil knew it or not. (Lam.3:38) Out of the mouth of the Most High cometh there not evil and good?   Where does evil and good come from? God says that it comes out of the mouth of the Most High. Does that mean God is evil? No, it means we deserve or need the ministry of evil. (Lam.3:39) Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? We have been brainwashed to believe that man is basically good and deserving of good, so we are shocked when bad things happen to “good” people. (Mar.10:18) And Jesus said unto him… None is good save one, [even] God.  From God's mouth comes blessing and curse, good and evil. The evil here represents the hard things that happen to “good” people in order to turn them toward good and to stop them from continuing in sin. Any evil that comes against the life of those who “are called according to His purpose” is for good. We should always examine our conscience and the Word to find out if God is sending Satan against us because of the sin in us or the actions of sin that we do.   Arminianism is the erroneous belief that everyone has a free will. God is the only one who has a free will. We have a limited free will, limited by our ability, thinking, nature, body, and circumstances. If you have a free will, let's see if you can stop sinning. We cannot do just anything we would like to do. The only one the Bible credits with the ability to do everything He wishes is God (Eph.1:11) In whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained (predestined) according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will.  Like this verse, Calvinism teaches the sovereignty of God over election, predestination, evil, and everything. The only way that we can do what we want to do is to get God's Will in us. (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Then we can do what we want to do because we want what He wants, and what He wants He gets.   That is how the Son sets us free, by giving us a will to do His Will. While we have our own will, we will be at war with ourselves. (Gal.5:17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. We have God's Will in us, and we have our will in us. They are tugging away at each other. That is not freedom or a free will. This means that “ye may not do the things that ye would.”   We did not even have the freedom of will to come to God. (Joh.6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. That is not a free will. We choose not to come to God, unless He draws us. You may choose to sin, most do, but God will choose the time, place, and extent. (Pro.16:9) A man's heart deviseth his way; But the Lord directeth his steps. God directs the steps of His vessels of honor or dishonor. The only reason we make the choice in God's direction is because of grace. (Joh.15:16) Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit… Jesus first chose us and gave us the will to choose Him because of His unmerited favor. We bear fruit because of a gift of His Will in us.  The Lord brings spirits against us to chasten us and to cause us to repent, then after we overcome, He has total ability to make our enemies to be at peace with us. (Pro.16:7) When a man's ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. We see here that God has total control over our enemies and He can put peace in their heart toward us when we overcome. We should remember this when we are tempted to take care of our enemies ourselves. So we see, God uses our enemies when our ways do not please the Lord.   God created our enemies just for that purpose. (Pro.16:4) The Lord hath made everything for its own end (Some manuscripts say: for His own purpose.): Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Need I say that we should not argue with God? We see God's hand as sovereign in all of this. God can send the wicked to us, for a day of evil, because our ways do not please the Lord. When we overcome, God can give us total peace in the midst of our enemies. Whether they are wicked men or demon spirits, it does not make any difference.   Should we reason with our puny understanding that God would be wrong to make the wicked? He has an answer in (Rom.9:21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (22) What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering vessels of wrath fitted (Greek: “to complete thoroughly”) unto destruction. Notice that they are vessels of dishonor and wrath, made to be destroyed. (2Pe.2:12) But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed…   In instances like this, we must repent and conform our reasoning to God's if we want truth. In God's opinion, and His is the only one that counts, the wicked are animals, made to be destroyed when they have served their purpose. (Pro.21:18) The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous [cometh] in the stead of the upright. A ransom is a price that must be paid for someone's freedom. The wicked are a price that God pays to create sons who are free from the bondage of corruption, so let us not waste their sacrifice.   When Joseph was revealed unto his brethren who came out of Canaan's land into Egypt, they were repenting to him because of the way that they had treated him. Joseph understood the cause for all the tribulation he had been through. (Gen.50:20) And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Joseph credited God for using evil to bring him into Egypt “to save much people alive.” The Israelites who came out of Canaan's land were starving to death. When they came to Egypt, Joseph, who was sent on ahead because of his ‘Judas' brothers, fed them. God used them to crucify Joseph and prepare him as a vessel of honor.   I remember once when I bought a used car from a heathen. We had agreed on a price and were to close the deal the next day. I had asked God for a better price. The next day, when I went to close the deal, he said he would sell it for the better price that I had only spoken about to the Lord. Only God could put in the heart of a lost used car salesman to suggest selling for a cheaper price after we had already agreed. I realized that God had put this in his heart even though it did not come naturally to him. God works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, so also them.   The Lord said to Peter in (Luk.22:31) Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: (32) but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren. Satan asked to sift Peter, but why would God give any heed to what he asks unless it is for our good? If Peter had been like most people, he would ask, “Lord, why did you give Satan permission to have me? Just say, ‘No, Satan, you cannot have him.'” But Jesus knew that was not God's Will.   God's purpose is for Satan to get what belongs to him in our lives. The purpose of sifting is to separate and remove what you want. He keeps what is his. The Lord said, “The evil one cometh but he hath nothing in me.” Jesus was pure; there was nothing in Him that belonged to Satan. Satan is sifting to get what belongs to him. God only wants what is left. God could have destroyed him back at the beginning of the world but God ordained Satan for His good purpose. When God is through doing His whole work upon the people of God, guess what He is going to do with Satan, the demons, the wicked, the false prophet and the beast, too? That is right, the lake of fire.   Jesus set the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left (Mat.25:33). That is exactly how God uses the righteous and the wicked, as His right hand and His left. His right hand is the vessels of honor, and His left hand is the vessels of dishonor. Satan is, in effect, one of God's hands to create His sons. Let me share a dream from a close spiritual brother. He saw a line of the saints coming before Jesus in heaven. At Jesus' left hand was Satan with an old-style cannon in front of him pointed at the first person in line. Satan with a lighter in his hand eagerly wanted to light the fuse on the cannon and blow them away. Jesus' left hand was in front of Satan stopping him. From that dream, you can see that when the Lord moves His left hand, Satan moves.   Here is a clear case of that. (Job.1:8) And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. God brought Job to Satan's attention and bragged about him. That is just like waving a red flag in a bull's face. Satan did not want to hear that. In fact, Satan is trying to prove just the opposite to God. He is the accuser of the brethren. God inflicted Satan on Job by the power of suggestion. (9) Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? (10) Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.   Satan is admitting he did not have the power to get at Job because of God's hedge. The same is true of us. (11) But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. (12) And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Satan suggests to God that He drop the hedge and put forth “His hand” against Job to try him. So why drop the hedge? It was not keeping God's hand out unless you see that the left hand of the Lord was Satan! God confirms this by using the terms “in thy power” and “thy hand.”   Satan was the one who brought the Sabeans, the fire of God, the Chaldeans and the great wind from the wilderness against Job and his family to try him. Look at what Job said about it in verse (21) And he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (22) In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. God says plainly here that Job was not sinning by attributing all this to Him. The Lord gave on the right hand, and the Lord took away on the left.   Some people would say that the Sabeans, Chaldeans, and the fire took everything away from Job. Some would look behind those and say that Satan did it. Then some would look a little further back and say that God did it. That is what Job did. That is what we have to do if we are to have the purpose of God fulfilled in our lives. We have to look all the way back and see God's purpose in our lives. Job did not stumble because he understood that. Anyone who sees only the vessel will stumble. If we see only an evil vessel, we will end up fighting and wrestling with flesh and blood. Even though Job was hurting, in his spirit he had rest because he saw God's purpose.   He goes on in (Job.2:3) And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity (God was rubbing Satan's nose in it.), although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. God appears to be using reverse psychology on Satan, letting him believe that he was moving God when it was the other way around. God was moved against Job, but Satan was the instrument.   It was God who pointed Job out to Satan in the first place in order to fulfill His own purpose. (4) And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. (5) But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face. (6) And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life. God always laid down the conditions of Satan's involvement even as he does today. (9) Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die. (10) But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.  God wanted to make it plain to us, using two witnesses, that what Job was saying was correct. Shall we receive good at the hand of God and not evil? Job never gave credit to Satan. He never even gave credit to the Sabeans, Chaldeans, or the wind from the wilderness. Job only looked at the primary purpose of God.  Jesus, in teaching us to cooperate with God's purpose of crucifixion in our lives, said, “Resist not him that is evil,” speaking of men. However, we are commanded to, “Resist the devil,” speaking of evil spirits. We should never get caught up and wrestle with flesh and blood. Jesus would not. (Isa.53:7) He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. We are to wrestle with principalities and powers.   God wants us to see evil people as victims of Satan and the curse, vessels to be pitied. (Luk.23:34) And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do… God wants us to see through those vessels of evil and see Him. Jesus had peace because He knew all power comes from our sovereign God. (Joh.19:10) Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? Knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee? (11) Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above…  Eli rebuked his sons for their apostasy in (1Sa.2:24) Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress. (25)… Notwithstanding, they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the Lord was minded to slay them. The purpose of the Lord is ultimate. Many will not repent because it is in the mind of the Lord to slay them for their evil. We could justly receive the same treatment, but God gave us grace. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God. Only God gives the gift of faith to believe and repent. We have to go to God; He grants faith and repentance. True understanding of salvation by unmerited grace causes us to fear God.   Some do not value the gift of God only to have it taken away and given to ones who do value it. The Jews lost out to the Gentiles. Let no one take thy crown (Rev.3:11). The self-righteous flirt with catastrophe. (1Co.4:7) For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? If we have anything more than our neighbor, it is a gift of God, not cause for pride. 

It's GIVING WEEK at the Bible Brief! Give today at biblelit.org.Mankind falls in the Garden. Though God gave an order, a mandate, and a prohibition to Adam and Eve, their disobedience leads to awful consequences. A serpent deceived the woman into eating the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the man does nothing to lead the woman (or himself) away from the temptation. After their sin, the couple attempts to hide from God, yet God graciously provides for them. While they are cast out of the Garden, they yet have new coverings provided by God, and a promise to hold onto. Someday, a Seed of the woman will come to defeat the serpent. Reading: Genesis 3Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App!Support the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @biblelitTwitter: @bible_litFacebook: @biblelitEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgThis episode primarily uses the ESV Bible translation, but may also use CSB, NASB, and NKJV.Search Tags: bible, beginner, bible verse, god, verse of the day, prayer, jesus, bible study, scripture, learn, bible introduction, introduction, intro to the bible, introduction to the bible, beginner bible, bible overview, how to read the bible, what is the bible about, bible story, bible stories, what is the bible, ...

Our series on mental health has helped us understand its connection with human dignity. Though God created us as perfect, embodied beings, sin has marred the human experience holistically, not only crippling our relationship with God, but with our bodies as well. As a result, mental illness is a part of living in a broken world, but the gospel has not left us without hope. While we live in the presence of spiritual and physical brokenness, Christ has promised to redeem us, making right what has gone wrong, and that includes our bodies. In the meantime, we live in the tension of what God has already done in providing Jesus, and what he has promised to do in making all things new. And he has given us the gift of the Church and each other to help us as we walk in this world. Specifically, for those who may want specialized help, the Lord has provided counselors to assist us in the daily fight to grow in Jesus in the midst of both our spiritual and mental struggles.  Joining us on today's episode to discuss the role of counseling in the church are Jonathan Holmes and Brad Hambrick. Jonathan Holmes is the founder and executive director of Fieldstone Counseling in Northeast, Ohio. Before founding Fieldstone, he served as a pastor for 15 years. He graduated with his M.A. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has authored and contributed to a number of books.Brad Hambrick serves as the pastor of counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, N.C. He also serves as assistant professor of biblical counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, is a council member of the Biblical Counseling Coalition, and has authored several books.

Esther | Walk On | Part 10 Senior Associate Pastor Pete Bowell concluded our Walk On sermon series with a powerful message on the life of Esther — an ordinary woman used by an extraordinary God. Though God's name isn't mentioned in the entire book of Esther, His providence is evident. Through Esther, God worked to protect His people in a time of darkness and brokenness. With her Jewish heritage hidden, she was elevated from orphan to royalty and made queen to the king of Persia. After an order to kill all the Jews in Persia is enacted, she is faced with a conflict that would impact herself and her entire family. In her pivotal moment, Mordecai's words still resonate today: “If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (NLT) As God's handiwork, we too were made for such a time as this. Right here, right now, with the gifts and talents God has entrusted to us — He is weaving a story of restoration in our broken world. There's a purpose behind where He's placed each of us. As we often remind one another at HOPE, “You go nowhere by accident.” God isn't sending Esther, Daniel, or Moses back to accomplish His work in 2024. Today, He's calling you and me — with Christ alive in us — to step into this moment. To be agents of reconciliation in a world that longs for healing and to bring glory to Him alone. So rise up, church, and walk on. We were made for such a time as this.

Read OnlineTaking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full. Matthew 14:19–20An important aspect of this miracle that is easy to miss is that Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes through His disciples' instrumentality. He did this by inviting them to assist in the distribution of the loaves and in the gathering of the fragments left over. This reveals that God often uses us as mediators of His superabundant graces given to others. Though God could pour forth His mercy directly, most often He does so through others.As you ponder this miracle, try to see yourself as one of the disciples who was invited to distribute the bread to the people. If you were there and were hungry and then were given bread, you would be tempted to eat the bread yourself before giving any away. But Jesus gave the bread to His hungry disciples with the instruction to first give it to others.Sometimes, when God calls us to give His mercy to others, we become selfish. It's easy to think that we must first take care of ourselves and our own needs. We erroneously believe that we can only offer mercy to others after our needs are met. Imagine, for example, if upon receiving the bread from Jesus the disciples would have decided that they should eat of it first. Then, if there was anything extra, they could give it to others. Had they done this, the superabundance of the multiplication of the loaves would not have happened. In the end, the disciples themselves received a superabundance of food—precisely because they first gave away what they had received.Spiritually speaking, the same is true with us. When we receive spiritual nourishment from our Lord, our first thought must be to give it away. We must first see all that we receive from God as an opportunity to bestow those blessings upon others. This is the nature of grace. For example, if we are given a sense of peace or joy within our hearts, we must realize that this peace or joy we receive is a gift that must be immediately offered to others. If we are given a spiritual insight into the Scriptures, this is given to us first and foremost to share with others. Every gift we receive from God must be understood as a gift given to us so that we can immediately share it with others. The good news is that when we seek to give away that which we have received, more is given to us and, in the end, we will be far richer.Reflect, today, upon the action of the disciples receiving this food from our Lord and immediately giving it away. See yourself in this miracle, and see the bread as a symbol of every grace you receive from God. What have you received that God wants you to distribute to others? Are there graces you have received that you selfishly try to hold onto? The nature of grace is that it is given to give it to others. Seek to do this with every spiritual gift you receive, and you will find that the graces multiply to the point that you receive more than you could ever imagine. Most generous Lord, You pour forth Your grace and mercy in superabundance. As I receive all that You bestow, please fill my heart with generosity so that I will never hesitate to offer Your mercy to others. Please use me as Your instrument, dear Lord, so that, through me, You may abundantly feed others. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes By Jacopo Tintoretto, via Wikimedia Commons

What we have in Psalm 79 this morning is a Psalm of lament. A Psalm written to express sorrow, helplessness, and a longing to be saved. The progression of this Psalm is straightforward: It begins with the problem in verses 1-4. What's the cause of the sorrow? It moves on into a petition in verses 5-12. What's asked of God in the midst of such sorrow? Then, closes in one final word of praise in verse 13.Problem, petition, praise — that's the shape of lament in Psalm 79. Let's pray and ask for the Lord's help to understand it.The ProblemSo, what's the problem in this Psalm?What's the cause of the sorrow of Psalm 79? It's basically this: The people of Jerusalem are looking around at their city seeing that everything that God had done here, the nations have now undone. Everything that God had built up here, the nations have now brought down. All the order God had put into place here, the nations have now put into disorder. In short: The nations have ruined Jerusalem — the city of God (Ps. 48:8). How have they ruined it? Well, for one, they've defiled God's holy Temple — the structure built within the city that served as their meeting place between God and man. Verse 1,“O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy Temple.”Defiled it. Polluted it. Made it unclean.If you were here for our Leviticus series a while back, you might remember with what care and precision that holy Temple had been constructed — down to the specific type of materials, color of cloths, and style of engravings. Everything in its proper place, everything to show one main thing: God is Holy. That's what a clean, kept, well-constructed Temple would signify.A defiled Temple, on the other hand, would suggest otherwise. And, a defiled Temple would be an insufficient meeting place for God and man. God won't dwell in a defiled Temple. That's a problem. And the problem widens…Verse 1 continues,“They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.”Jerusalem, a city that had been bound firmly together. A city to which the tribes of the LORD had gone up to pray, “Peace be within your walls and security within your towers” (Psalm 122). That city now lay in the dust. “They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.”Ruin PeopleAnd not only Jerusalem. The destruction encompassed sanctuary, city, and its citizens. Verse 2,“They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.” Genesis tells us that God made man in his image and that man was to rule over the birds and over the beasts. And that the creatures in the sky, on the ground, and in the water would become food for man to eat. That was God's design. Not the other way around. In the nations giving over “the bodies of [God's] servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth” they created a grotesque reversal of God's created order. A distortion of God's design.Note that the nations not only killed the majority of the people within Jerusalem, but they didn't even care to bury the bodies afterward (v. 3). They left them out in the open to be seen, to be eaten, and to rot. With their blood poured out like water all round Jerusalem (v. 3), the death of God's people would've been inescapable to any passerby. The corpses would've been there to greet you every time you stepped out your door.This, in Jerusalem? In the land in which God had previously driven out these nations and apportioned for his people a possession? He drove the nations out to let his people in. But the nations have now come back in, killed many of the people, driven out others, and left only a few to remain and till the soil. When Asaph says, verse 7, “[They've] devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation” it is not a stretch of the imagination. Jerusalem had been devoured. And the nations who did it were laughing about it. Ruin MockeryVerse 4,“We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us.”Have you ever been mocked? Like not merely laughed at as when you drop something or say the wrong thing, but actually mocked? Ever had someone who saw that you were down and then wanted to put you down even further with words? What happens in moments of mockery?Maybe your cheeks begin to redden in shame and embarrassment. Maybe your anger begins to stew and boil. Maybe you feel like you got some sort of sign hanging above your head reading, “Weak, failure, fool.” With the nations taunting, verse 10, “Where is their God?” perhaps you begin to wonder as well, “Yeah, where is my God?”It's a terrible thing to be mocked by an individual. Even more by a group. But what would it feel like to be mocked by an entire army's worth of enemies as you look over your world that they've turned into wasteland?The PetitionThe truth is, none of us know exactly how that would've felt for the people of Israel. Their situation in Jerusalem is not the same as our own. And yet my guess is that nearly all of us here this morning know, at least in degrees, what ruin feels like: Ruin in the form of a break-up you're not sure you'll ever recover from; ruin in the form of the loss of a friendship that meant much to you; ruin in the form of a loved one suddenly passing away; ruin in the form of a life-threatening disease, or a life-altering disaster, or a broken home, or a broken car, or a broken body, or a broken mind. We may be somewhat strangers to the world of Psalm 79, but we are no strangers to ruin.This Psalm teaches us how, in the midst of our ruin, to pray. And not only that. But it teaches us how to pray in the midst of our ruin, even ruin that we have caused. What do I mean by that? Well, look with me at the beginning of the petition, in verse 5,“How long, O Lord?”And then see what the petition doesn't say. It doesn't say, “How long, O Lord? Will the nations be angry forever?” We'd expect it to say that. It was the nations who did all this, right? But the question in verse 5 does not concern the nations. Rather, it says,“How long, O Lord? Will you be angry forever?”And,“Will your jealousy burn like fire?”What is the Psalmist saying here? He's saying that even though it was their enemies who had swung the axes, and broke the walls, and torched the buildings — it was ultimately not their anger, but God's, pouring out upon them. And it was God's jealousy burning within the gates. And why was it?Many years before, prior to God's driving out of the nations and apportioning for his people a possession Israel, he gave them a warning: Deuteronomy 4:23-24,“Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you…For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” Deuteronomy 5:9,“You shall not bow down to [carved images] or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God.”Deuteronomy 6:14-15,“You shall not go after other gods…for the LORD your God in your midst is a jealous God — lest the anger of the LORD your God be kindled against you.”You see, the ruin of Psalm 79 was not random. It was response. Response, from God, to decades upon decades of the Israelite's unfaithfulness to God … decades upon decades of the Israelite's idolatry. Though God had set up his Law, and warned them with prophets, and prolonged their opportunity for repentance, this people over and again chose not to worship God, but to worship gods made of wood, and stone, and steel instead. Finally, God held back his anger no longer. He poured it out upon them by means of an invading army. This ruin was God's response to their rebellion.And so, this Psalm teaches us how to pray to God in the midst of ruin, even the ruin that we brought upon ourselves through our own sin…How to prayNow, I don't know about you, but I can think of at least a few moments in my past where I felt like I had ruined my life. Or, the life of another. Or, both. A few moments where, because of my sin, my choosing to sin, ruin seemed all round me. And I can still taste the despair of those moments … still remember the regret, the guilt — so heavy, so thick, so seemingly inescapable. Can you really go to God in a moment like that? Can you really go to God when the reason for your ruin is your rebellion against God?Yes, you can. And, in fact, you must. And this Psalm shows us how. Three ways…1) Pray according to God's compassion.Verse 8,“Do not remember against us our former iniquities [our former sins], let your compassion come speedily to meet us.”Our God is a God of compassion. A God who does good to those who don't deserve it. Just as a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him (Psalm 103:13). Our Lord waits to be gracious to his people, and exalts himself to show mercy to them (Isaiah 30:18). He introduces himself to the world as a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6-7). Our God is a God full of compassion. It is his nature. It is his character. He is compassionate. He is the very thing you, as a sinner, need him to be. So the Psalmist wastes no time making excuses. He doesn't try to minimize sin, hide sin, or cast blame for sin upon another. The Psalmist simply prays, verse 8,“Lord, you know our former iniquities. You know our former sins. Lord, remember them no longer. Let your compassion come speedily to meet us.”He petitions God according to who God is, not according to what he himself deserves.Brothers and sisters, we will not go to God in moments of self-made ruin if we do not trust, deep within our bones, that God is full of compassion for sinners. We must believe what he says about himself is true. He is a God merciful and gracious. Say to God, “Let your compassion come speedily to meet me.”2) Pray assured of God's covering.So, first, pray according to God's compassion. And, second, pray assured of God's covering. The Psalmist prays, in the latter part of verse 9,“Deliver us, and atone for our sins.”“Atone” — it means cover over our sins. Do something about our sins. Put something over them so as to deal with the punishment they deserve.He doesn't tell God how he should do this, how he should atone for the sin, though the blood covered doorposts of the Passover and the blood covered altar at the Temple were likely in his mind. He doesn't tell God how to atone for his sins, only that he needs him to be the one to do it because only God can atone for the sins of man.Many of us agree to that statement, at least in word. But in action, we often find ourselves acting as if we didn't believe it at all. We experience guilt and mess from a sin we've committed. We know we ought to go to God about it. But we instead attempt to clean things up just a bit ourselves. Do a few good deeds, say some good words, check off some good works, think some good thoughts — we attempt to take the edge off our sin and our sin-produced mess before we go to God with it. That, friends, is not Christianity. Christianity clings to the truth that man cannot atone for his sins, not fully, nor even partially. He cannot even take the edge off of his sins. Only God can atone for our sins. And he does, for those who come to him empty-handed and asking him, “fix this.”The psalmist looks at the ruin and mess all around him, he considers the mountain of sins behind him, and he says: God, you and you alone can fix this.“Deliver us, and atone for our sins.”3) Pray aware of God's concern for his own glory.Pray according to God's compassion, and assured of God's covering, and (third and finally) aware of God's concern for his own glory.Now, it is evident from Scripture, that God is, in fact, concerned for his glory. God wants his glory in this world. He cares that his name and his glory resound around the globe. He says: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth… whom I created for my glory (Isaiah 43:6-7). I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the Lord, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory (Jeremiah 13:11). For my name's sake (God says) I defer my anger; for the sake of my praise, I restrain it…For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another (Isaiah 48:9-11).God is concerned for his own glory in this world. God's aim in his making and upholding of this world is the spread and proclamation of his glory. His glory is his deepest passion, greatest concern, and highest priority. He wants his name held high — higher than all others. “My glory [he says] I will not give to another.”What that means, is that though God may, for a time, permit his glory to be drug through the mud, he will not do so for long. He will not sit back uncaring and unconcerned that his name is being mocked, taunted and scorned. He will have his glory known among the world as the waters cover the sea.And the reason that matters is because here, in Psalm 79, his name is being mocked by the nations. Why should the nations say, verse 10 asks, “Where is their God?” “Return sevenfold,” prays the psalmist in verse 12, “into the lap of our neighbors the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord!” See the nations have not just taunted this people, they've taunted God. They've not only overpowered this people, but interpreted that to mean they've overpowered God. Their defeat of this people led them to believe they had defeated their God as well. The Psalm gets at that even as far back as verses 1-4,“O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy Temple…They have given the bodies of your servants…the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.”Your, your, your, your … this place, this people — the psalmist is saying — they're yours. The things that ultimately belong to you are the things the nations have ruined. It's your name, O God, your glory that's at stake here. And, as we said, God is concerned for his own glory in this world. His greatest passion is for the spread and proclamation of his glory.Now, if you are a Christian this morning … if you have been united to Christ by faith … if you have confessed your sins to God and trusted in his forgiveness and grace, then God's concern for his glory should be your greatest source of comfort amidst ruin. Because, if you are a Christian, then you are the possessor of God's Spirit, the wearer of Christ's righteousness, and the bearer of God's name in this world. God has tied his name, and his glory, to you.For him to abandon you, would be for him to abandon his glory. For him to forget you, would be for him to forget his glory. For him to turn his ear away from when you cry out to him for help would be for him to let his enemy get the final victory over your life, rather than him.God's concern for the glory of his name should bolster within you the deepest confidence that God will not leave you in ruin. For God to show concern for his glory is for him to pour out upon you, Christian: the greatest, most persistent, most-reliable, most-indomitable form of love the world has ever known. He is after his glory in this world, and he has tied his name, and his glory, irrevocably to you. He broadcasts his glory not by getting his people partway to the finish line but getting them all the way home. No matter the ruin you may find yourself in, no matter how deep the hole you seem to have dug yourself, no matter how far you've wandered, if you are Christ's, God aims to get his glory in your life by getting you all the way home. See, God has so designed his world that: When God welcomes you home in love, despite the fact that you've been a rebel; when he responds to your prayers of repentance despite the fact you don't deserve it; when he atones for, covers over, your many repeated trespasses against him; when he, in his good time and in his wise way, pulls you out of the rubble of self-made ruin … He does so with such compassion, and such perfection, and such love, and such justice, that far from belittling his glory, he actually broadcasts his glory throughout the world and throughout the heavens as he works for his peoples' good.God never rescues reluctantly. God loves, God loves, God loves to get his glory through the rescue of his people out of ruin. He loves it. And that is why one of the most important prayers you could ever learn as a Christian is Psalm 79:9, “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!”We get the help, God gets the glory. We get deliverance, God gets the praise. We rise in joy — our salvation has come. God receives his honor — his salvation is extolled around the world. How great is it to be a Christian? … To serve a God who has so united himself to you that to defend his glory is to defend your eternal good? How great is it to be a Christian?God, get your glory. God, raise high your name. God, be the Helper of your people!Do you need his help this morning? Are you staring out at a life in ruins? Do you feel the guilt of sin upon your shoulders? Are you sitting in the muck and mire of defeat? Are you wondering if God would even hear you if you called to him? Does God even care that you are mourning? Is there any desire in God whatsoever to help? Cities Church, in the midst of your ruin, take the words of verse 9 upon your lips:“Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!”And if you do, you will praise him. If you call to him, you will praise him. His help may not come as speedily as you'd like. His help might not come in the way you would like. But if you call to him, you will praise him.The PraiseVerse 13, “But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.”At the time of the psalmist's prayer, the ruin was still around him. The walls were still broken. The Temple still defiled. Nothing visible had changed. But, he knows his God. His compassionate, cover-making, concerned for his own glory God. So he says, with confidence, I know how this trouble will end… “We your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.”And so will we. Though our enemy bring us into what may appear, at first, to be our ruin … though our enemy break the walls, and tear down the doors and torch the buildings, God will return his taunt upon his own head. Your enemy cannot win because God has already atoned for your sins. He has already come to help. He has already delivered us for his name's sake! And he did so when he sent his son to pour out his blood upon a cross for sinners. This is what brings us to the table.The TableThis table is meant to remind us of Jesus' sacrificial body broken and blood spilled to atone, to cover over, the sins of his people. Because that's what this table represents, if you're here this morning and you've trusted in Jesus, we invite you to take and eat with us. If you've not put your trust in Jesus, we ask that you'd let the elements pass, but we pray you would, in this moment, receive Jesus, and his covering over you.

Read OnlineAt that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.”  Matthew 11:25This passage is in stark contrast to the passage just before it in which Jesus chastised the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for not repenting and believing in Him. And as soon as Jesus issued those rebukes, He turned His eyes to Heaven and offered praise to the Father for revealing the hidden mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven to those who were “childlike.”One of the greatest threats to a pure and childlike faith is intellectual pride. Those who consider themselves as “wise and learned” are often tempted to rely upon their own reasoning abilities to come to conclusions and beliefs in life. The problem is that even though the matters of our faith are fully reasonable, they go beyond the conclusions that human reason alone can achieve. We cannot figure out God by ourselves. We need the gift of faith for that, and the gift of faith begins with a spiritual communication from God through which He reveals to us Who He is and what is true. Only the childlike, meaning, those who are humble, are able to hear this form of communication from God and respond.This passage also reveals to us that Jesus passionately rejoices in this form of humble faith. He gives “praise” to the Father in Heaven for witnessing such faith, because Jesus knows that this form of faith originates from the Father. In your life, it is important that you regularly ponder whether you are more like the wise and learned or like those who are childlike. Though God is an infinite and incomprehensible mystery, He must be known. And the only way we can come to know God is if He reveals Himself to us. And the only way God will reveal Himself to us is if we remain humble and childlike.As we come to childlike faith, we must also imitate the praise that Jesus offered the Father for the faith that He witnessed in the lives of His followers. We, too, must turn our eyes to those who clearly manifest this pure knowledge of God by the gift of faith. As we see this faith lived, we must rejoice and offer praise to the Father. And this act of praise must be given not only when we see faith alive in others, it must also be given when we see the gift of faith grow within our own soul. We must foster a holy awe of what God does within us, and we must rejoice in that experience. Reflect, today, upon Jesus giving praise to the Father as He witnesses the faith born in the hearts of His followers. When Jesus looks at you, what does He do? Does He issue chastisements? Or does His Sacred Heart rejoice and give praise for what He sees. Give joy to the Heart of Christ by humbling yourself to the point that you, too, are counted among the childlike who truly know and love God. My rejoicing Lord, You are attentive to the workings of grace in every human heart. As You see the Voice of the Father speaking to Your children, You rejoice at such a sight. Dear Lord, I pray that my own heart will be the cause of Your joy and Your praise of the Father in Heaven. Please speak to me and help me to believe with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You.  Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Jesus Goes Up Alone onto a Mountain to Pray By James Tissot, via Wikimedia Commons

President Abraham Lincoln had emancipated people held in slavery two-and-a half-years earlier and the Confederacy had surrendered, yet the state of Texas still hadn’t acknowledged the freedom of enslaved persons. However, on June 19, 1865, Union army general Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and demanded that all enslaved persons be released. Imagine the shock and joy as shackles fell off and those in bondage heard the pronouncement of freedom. God sees the oppressed, and He’ll ultimately announce freedom for those under the weight of injustice. This is true now just as it was true in Moses’ day. God appeared to him from a burning bush, with an urgent message: “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt,” God said (Exodus 3:7). He not only saw Egypt’s brutality against Israel—but He also planned to do something about it. “I have come down to rescue them,” God declared, “and to bring them . . . into a good and spacious land” (v. 8). He intended to declare freedom to Israel, and Moses would be the mouthpiece. “I am sending you to Pharaoh,” God told his servant, “to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (v. 10). Though God’s timing may not happen as quickly as we hope, one day He’ll free us from all bondage and injustice. He gives hope and liberation to all who are oppressed.

In this Bible Story, we see the restoration of David after a heinous sin with Bathsheba. Nathan shows David the error of his ways, which begins the process of bringing David back to God. Then a new son is born, who God would use to do great things. This story is inspired by 2 Samuel 12 & Psalm 51. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is 2 Samuel 12:7 from the King James Version.Episode 103: The sin of David did not go unnoticed. God saw every act and every motive, making it known to Nathan the prophet. Nathan, grieved by the sin of his friend, went to confront the king about this and shared with him a parable. When the king realized he was the villain in the parable, he broke down in tears and repentance, acknowledging his sin against God. Though God would not let this sin go unpunished, God promised that He would restore him.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jesus appeared to the Eleven and said to them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15–16Saint Mark, whom we honor today, certainly fulfilled this mission that was given to the Apostles. Though Mark was not one of the Twelve and might not have even known Jesus while He walked the earth, he certainly fulfilled the mission of proclaiming the Gospel to the whole world by writing his Gospel account.Mark's Gospel is the shortest of the Gospels, but it is packed with detail. It recounts the life of Jesus vividly and in an almost breathless way. His Gospel presents the central messages of fulfillment found in Christ, the nearness of His Kingdom and the need to repent and believe.Though not much is known about Mark, our first reading from the Letter of Saint Peter written to the Christian communities in Asia Minor reveals that Mark was a follower of Peter who refers to Mark with affection as his “son.” It is also likely that Mark was a co-worker of Saint Paul (Philemon 1:24).As we honor this great evangelist, the most notable testament to His work of evangelizing is the Gospel attributed to him. Though he most certainly made a difference in the lives of those with whom he worked, preached to in person and witnessed to by his charity, it's amazing to ponder the ongoing effect that his Gospel has had upon the world. As you think about his life, try to imagine him sitting and writing out the Gospel account we now have. As he did so, he could never have imagined that the words he wrote would be read by countless millions until the end of the age. For him, he was fulfilling but one small service to the people of his time. He was motivated by a desire to make Jesus known to them, and the best way he knew how to do this was to write down Jesus' story.As Mark wrote his Gospel, we can be certain that he did so not only out of his own desire to share the life of Christ with others, but primarily because he was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Mark's gift of the writing of the Gospel was a response to grace. God gave him this mission, and he listened and obeyed. As a result, his short telling of the life of Christ has become part of the most widely read story in all of human history. And not only that, it is also among the most transformative stories ever written.Though God will not call you to write a Gospel account, He is calling you to a particular mission. What is that mission? Sometimes we can easily think that what we do is insignificant. But if what we do in life is done through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, then we can be certain that God will use our small effort in great ways. Like Saint Mark, we might never see how God uses us until we enter the glories of Heaven. But make no mistake, if you, like Saint Mark, listen to the will of God and act in obedience to Him, then the little you offer will have eternal and transformative consequences for the good of others.Reflect, today, upon this simple and humble servant of God. Consider Mark's limited knowledge about the extent that his contribution would end up making for the entire world. As you reflect upon him writing his Gospel account, ponder your own calling from God to do your small part. Know that you, too, can become an instrument of the gift of salvation for many. The key is to seek out the will of God for your life and commit yourself to the fulfillment of that will with passion and drive. Do not be deterred by any apparent lack of immediate results. Stay faithful to your mission and, from Heaven, you will eternally rejoice as you see the unexpected ways that God used you. Glorious Lord Jesus, You gave Your followers the great mission to preach Your Gospel to the ends of the world. I thank You for the ways that Saint Mark responded to Your inspiration and was used in such a powerful way. Please use me, dear Lord, as an instrument of Your grace so that I can share in the mission You have given to the Church. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured images above: Bible drawings by Otto Semler and others, many based on the engravings by Carolsfeld, via flickr

Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.” John 10:11–13Today, on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. It is a day when we reflect upon the tender image of Jesus as the Shepherd of us all. It is also a day set aside to pray for more shepherds within our Church who will shepherd God's flock with the Heart of Christ.Our Gospel passage comes from John 10 which, in part, is a commentary on the previous chapter that includes the long and detailed story of the healing of the blind man. Recall that Jesus healed this man who was blind from birth. He did this healing “so that the works of God might be made visible through him.” As a result of this man's healing, the Pharisees cast the blind man out of the synagogue, not believing that Jesus' healing was from God. After the man was cast out of the synagogue, Jesus spoke with him again and he professed his deep faith in Jesus, the true Shepherd. The healed blind man said, “I do believe, Lord.” Then he worshiped Jesus. Thus, the greater healing of this man was that he became a member of God's flock, accepting Jesus as his true Shepherd.Our Gospel today is Jesus' commentary upon the actions of the Pharisees in contrast to His own. The Pharisees, as religious leaders, were not shepherds. They were “thieves and robbers” who came to “steal and slaughter and destroy.” Jesus, however, came so that those who listened to His voice “might have life and have it more abundantly.”The Gospel passage quoted above explains why the Pharisees were not true shepherds. It was because they “work for pay” and have “no concern for the sheep.” Think about that statement as it applies to the Pharisees and their treatment of this man who was blind from birth. First of all, the “pay” that these Pharisees worked for was their own self importance—a fleeting and worldly reward. They saw themselves as the true teachers and interpreters of the Law and saw anyone who did not follow them as a threat. The Pharisees clearly perceived Jesus as such a threat to them. For that reason, they took their envy out on this humble and simple blind man. They were not shepherds to him. They did not encourage him, support him, point him to God or act in any way as an instrument of God's grace. Instead, they condemned this innocent and holy man out of their pride.Though God shepherds us today through His sacred pastors, we are all called to participate in this shepherding of the Good Shepherd in our own unique way. We are called to lead those within our families, at work, at school, within our neighborhoods, social circles and in every other societal context. But too often we imitate these Pharisees by allowing our own selfishness and desire for self importance to interfere with our ability to put others first and love them with the Shepherd's heart.Reflect, today, upon the calling you have received to lay down your life for others in imitation of the Good Shepherd. In order to imitate this love in the Heart of Christ, we must love without seeking love in return. Laying our lives down is an act of sacrificial love that enables us to look only at the needs of those around us. Pride and selfishness must disappear, and the good of the other must become our only goal. Reflect upon how well you do this, and pray that the Good Shepherd will use you to shepherd those in your life who need it the most.Divine Shepherd, You came to lay down Your life for us all so that we might have life and have it to the fullest. Like the blind man You cured, I profess my belief in You and worship You. Help me to receive and imitate Your love so that I will lay my life down for others, leading them to You, their holy Shepherd. Jesus, my Good Shepherd, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.https://stock.adobe.com/images/vienna-fresco-of-jesus-as-good-shepherd/62871846?prev_url=detail

In this Bible Story, God demonstrates his power through the plagues as Pharaoh's heart grows harder and more cruel. But God's resolve to redeem his people remains steadfast in freeing His people from slavery. This story is inspired by Exodus 10-13:16. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Exodus 12:12 from the King James Version.Episode 37: Though God's plagues against Pharaoh continued, he continued to harden his heart like stone. Though his servants and wise men begged him to let Israel go; he refused. So God sent a final warning among the people, that whoever fears God should mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a lamb, for at midnight God would visit all who ignored His warning and take their firstborn in return for the cruelty Egypt has shown against His firstborn, Israel.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.This episode is sponsored by Medi-Share, an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.