Podcasts about throughout scripture

Daily Dose of Hope November 18, 2025   Scripture – Acts 2   Prayer: Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan.  We have just started the book of Acts, after walking through all the Gospels.  What a great spiritual journey this has been and I'm so glad you have joined us!  Today, we walk through Acts 2.   I'm going to start by reading the first three verses, On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.  Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.  Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.    You guys, this is incredible.  First, let's talk about the roaring windstorm.  Throughout Scripture, wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.  In ancient Hebrew, we have the word, ruach, which means breath/wind/spirit and we see this word quite a bit in the Old Testament.  Wind represents the life-giving work of the Spirit.  Think about it.  In Genesis 2, God breathed life (ruach) into Adam.  In Ezekial 37, we are in the valley of dry bones and God has Ezekiel prophesy to the bones, saying "I will put my Spirit (ruach) in you and you will live."  In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is typically referred to in the Greek as pneuma.  The Holy Spirit comes upon Mary to form life in her womb.  In John 3:5, Jesus tells Nicodemus that the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.    I can't help thinking, how many people need to experience the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit right now?  How many people are really struggling, barely holding on, languishing in doubt, pain, anger, cynicism?  Or maybe, you simply feel nothing?  There is NO true living without the presence of the Spirit, only existing.    Next, we have the tongues of fire.  Let's sit here for a second.  Fire is often descriptive of God in the Old Testament and it speaks to the purifying and refining work of the Holy Spirit.  In this sense, the Spirit causes things that are impure to become pure...lives, hearts. Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist says "I baptize you with water for repentance.  But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."  Peter speaks of the new Gentile believers as experiencing the Holy Spirit and having their hearts purified.    If something is pure, it is only one thing–pure gold, pure oxygen.  It isn't filled with contaminants or additives. It is totally and completely that one thing. I picture the Holy Spirit coming upon that group of believers on the day of Pentecost and purifying or refining their hearts so they would be totally and completely dedicated to the things of God, not half filled with the stuff of the world and half filled with the things of God.  I wonder that about our own hearts.  What contaminants have we allowed to seep in?  What do we need to purify? Come like a fire, Holy Spirit, and burn in us so that we can be pure and totally devoted to the things of Jesus.   Let's read some more Scripture, beginning with verse 4 (this is truly a paraphrase), All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  This made a racket and a crowd forms...When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken...Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?  Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."  And then Peter gets up and says, we aren't drunk, it's only 9 in the morning.  Let me tell you what his means...and he shares with them the Gospel, he speaks of how the Old Testament scriptures point to Jesus as the Messiah, he speaks of Jesus' ministry, his death, his resurrection and it says this,  Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?"  Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."   And what happened? 3000 believed and were baptized.  The Holy Spirit came, the people were given power to act, and they did it!  They trusted God and they responded.  This was essentially the beginning of the church.  At the end of chapter 2, we see how the people begin to gather to worship Jesus, to pray, to learn, to take care of one another, to celebrate the Lord's Supper.  They sold all they had and gave it to the poor among them.    We talked about how the Holy Spirit is life-giving and purifying but it also has power.  The Holy Spirit empowers believers to do really hard things.  If you have said yes to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit has made a home within you. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead LIVES within you.  And God didn't give us that power simply for our own use.  It's for the mission of sharing the love and grace of Jesus Christ with others.    Why do you think we struggle so much with that?  What part of the mission causes you to hide in fear?  Friends, we have POWER within us and it is given to us for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ.  Let's just let that sit and settle.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki  

We continue our Advent journey with “O Lord of Might,” the ancient cry that remembers the God who rescued Israel and reveals Jesus as that same redeeming Lord. Throughout Scripture, Adonai is the warrior who saves—powerful in judgment, rich in mercy, and faithful to deliver His people. In Christ we see this fullness: gentle and gracious, yet the One who will return to judge evil and make all things new. This week invites us to take that portrait seriously—not to fear evil, because Jesus conquers it, but to fear drifting toward the very sin He opposes. The Lord of Might stands ready to redeem, lead, and strengthen all who call on His name.

Holiness isn't a self-help project; it's a relationship sustained by God's own power. In this session, we explore what it means for the Lord to be our Sanctifier, tracing the theme from Exodus and Leviticus all the way to the clarity of 1 Thessalonians 4, Romans 12, and Hebrews 10. Throughout Scripture, sanctification carries a twofold reality: God sets us apart in Christ once for all, and then He continually makes us holy by the Spirit's ongoing work—reshaping our desires, our habits, and the hopes that steer our lives.Matthew leads us into honest territory where sanctification becomes deeply practical—sexual integrity, pride, lust, dishonesty, and the way our bodies themselves are treated as places of worship rather than shame. We explore how surrender becomes the doorway to real transformation, how renewing the mind rewires our reflexes over time, and how Christ's finished work secures our identity even while we continue growing. The biblical paradox that we are “perfected” while “being sanctified” frees us from condemnation and fuels a steady, hopeful pursuit of obedience.We also look at tangible ways to cooperate with God's grace: presenting every part of life to Him as an offering, beginning each day clothed in the armor of God, and using tools like journaling to trace the quiet, faithful progress the Spirit produces in us—progress we might otherwise overlook. Sanctification becomes less about pressure and more about partnership with the God who delights to finish what He starts.This session invites you to run your race with courage, to finish well, and to rest in the faithfulness of the One who began the good work in you and has promised to bring it to completion. Come discover the freedom, hope, and steady maturity that flow from knowing the Lord as the God who sanctifies His people.We are Trinity Community Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.Subscribe to our Podcast & YouTube channel to find past sermons, classes, interviews, and more!Find us on Facebook & Instagram

A sermon: Throughout Scripture, the names and titles of Jesus Christ unfold like a radiant tapestry, each thread revealing a unique aspect of His divine nature and redemptive mission. These names are not merely poetic expressions; they are revelations of who He is—our Lord, our Saviour, our eternal hope. To know His names is to know His heart.

Throughout Scripture, God warns His people not to turn to the left or to the right, but to stay firmly on the path of His Word.YT: https://www.youtube.com/live/mtE-Bs1shlU?si=RpEbOmbaRvm9ZQoA&t=2860

We want to hear from you! Submit your Thanksgiving Prayer or a short note of thanks! Your submissions could be featured on Your Daily Prayer as we lead up to Thanksgiving Day. Thank you again for your continued support—we can’t wait to hear from you! https://tinyurl.com/322k4xau God never intended for us to do life alone. As our daily prayer and reflection remind us, from the beginning of creation, He designed us for community — with Him and with one another. Yet, for many believers, being part of a church family isn’t always easy. Differences in opinion, leadership conflicts, or even personal wounds can cause deep pain within the very place meant to nurture our faith. In this compassionate reflection, Laura Bailey reminds us that while church hurt is real and painful, Christian community is still God’s plan for His people. Just as Adam was not meant to be alone, neither are we. Throughout Scripture, we see how God uses relationships — even messy ones — to shape us, refine us, and reveal His grace. From the early church in Acts to the disciples who followed Jesus, believers have always grown stronger in community. Though it can be hard to stay when relationships feel strained, the call of Christ is not to walk away but to lean in — to forgive, to reconcile, and to remain united under His love. Today's Bible Reading:“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’” – Genesis 2:18, NIV

In 1 Peter 3, Peter continues his theme of holy living, showing that submission and honor within marriage are not signs of weakness but rather are reflections of Christ's strength and love. Marriage is not man's idea — it's God's grand design from the very beginning. Throughout Scripture, we see many references to this beautiful design for marriage. In Genesis 2, God Himself created woman, brought her to the man, and spoke the covenant of marriage into existence: “The two shall become one flesh.” He performed the first marriage, joining husband and wife together for His glory and their good. Ultimately, marriage is patterned after Christ's covenant commitment to the Church, and through this physical picture of the relationship between Christ and the church, shows us His love and glory. Marriage is from God, by God, and for God. It reflects His covenant love — the same love Christ has for His Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:31–32). When we understand that God is the one who joins a man and woman together, we value and protect marriage with deeper reverence and joy. ________________________________________ Links to Sermon Notes & Answers: ➤Sermon Notes (Blank): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_a1561399e6274dc994f7f9f24f0dd798.pdf ➤Sermon Notes (Answers): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_2fa8c1aac56843b593658b3e0820dd0a.pdf ________________________________________ Subscribe to this channel to catch weekly expositional sermons from the Bible. ________________________________________ Explore more sermons and information: https://www.sheridanhills.org/watch-new ________________________________________ Follow us: ➤Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheridanhills/ ➤Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheridanhills01 ➤Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheridanhills/

For the Sake of His Name Midpoint Series (Part 5)Throughout Scripture, God's people have united in faith to accomplish what He's called them to do, trusting His direction and provision. Hebrews 11 reminds us to follow their example by running the race of faith with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus who is both our model and our strength.Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-12:2Sermon Preached by Chris Lewis on November 2, 2025Foothill Church exists to glorify God by living as disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus.https://foothill.churchLearn about our For the Sake of His Name 2-Year Discipleship Journey:https://foothill.church/FTSOHN

The opening of the Sermon on the Mount presents a profound choice between remaining in the crowd as casual observers or answering the call to true discipleship. When Jesus went up on a mountain to teach, this wasn't merely a geographical detail but a spiritual invitation. Throughout Scripture, mountains represent places of divine encounter and revelation, where God meets with His people and reveals His ways.The distinction between the crowd and the disciples is crucial for understanding this passage. While multitudes surrounded Jesus, the disciples made the intentional choice to draw near and position themselves to learn. They weren't content to observe from a distance or treat Jesus as merely another interesting teacher. True disciples are learners, apprentices, and followers who maintain humility and teachability rather than approaching faith with an attitude of already knowing everything. The nine Beatitudes that follow represent the complete journey of discipleship, not personality types to choose from. The first three involve emptying ourselves - being poor in spirit, mourning over what grieves God, and embracing meekness. The remaining six involve being filled with God's character - hungering for righteousness, showing mercy, maintaining purity of heart, making peace, and even facing persecution for following Christ. This upside-down kingdom challenges worldly values by offering true blessing through spiritual transformation rather than material success, creating disciples who change their environment rather than simply reflecting it.

Kyle Kauffman | Nov 2 2025 Ruth 2:14–23 gives us a glimpse into the heart of God through the kindness of Boaz. Far from treating Ruth as a burden, Boaz delights in doing good to her as he welcomes her to his table, provides generously, and ensures her safety. In Boaz, we see a picture of how God delights in His people—not begrudgingly providing for us, but joyfully pouring out His kindness. The question is: do we truly believe that God delights in us? Or do we quietly live as though we're a burden He merely tolerates? Boaz not only provides food but invites Ruth into fellowship—a small reflection of God's greater desire: to be with us. Throughout Scripture, from Eden to the Lord's Supper to the coming Kingdom, God's longing is to dwell with His people so that we might see and be satisfied with His glory. This passage also reminds us that God is not stingy. Boaz's abundance shows us the heart of a God who blesses richly so we can be a blessing to others. We are recipients of lavish grace, called to reflect that same grace in how we love and serve the people around us.

Dave Rich examines the glory of God as the central purpose of Christian living in this lesson on Christian ethics. The glory of God represents the ultimate telos—the motivation and purpose—behind every ethical decision believers make. Throughout Scripture —from Psalm 86 to Revelation 4 —the glory of God emerges as the reason for creation and the believer's chief end. The Hebrew word kavod and the Greek word doxa reveal three distinct biblical meanings: God's inherent gloriousness, the glory due Him through praise, and the created brightness surrounding His revelation.Believers cannot make God more glorious, yet they glorify Him by reflecting His character as image bearers. The glory of God manifests through twenty biblical activities, including living with purpose, confessing sins, praying expectantly, and proclaiming the gospel. Christian ethics remains both deontological—adhering to God's commands—and teleological—pursuing the glory of God as the ultimate purpose. Whether eating, drinking, or whatever believers do, all should aim toward the glory of God, fulfilling the Reformation principle of Soli Deo Gloria. ★ Support this podcast ★

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways God's people come together to worship Him. When believers unite their hearts in prayer, they demonstrate their shared faith, dependence, and love for the Lord. Throughout Scripture, God's people gathered to seek His face together. The early church devoted themselves to prayer as one body, and God responded by filling them with His Spirit and guiding their mission. Jesus Himself taught His disciples to pray collectively. Corporate prayer is not simply a group activity; it is a sacred expression of unity in Christ. When the church prays together, our individual voices become one offering of praise that rises before God like sweet incense. In these moments, believers are reminded that they are part of something far greater than themselves. They are part of the body of Christ that glorifies God through faith and obedience. True unity in prayer brings glory to God because it reflects His own desire for His people to be one, just as He and the Son are one. As we gather to worship through prayer, we proclaim that God alone is worthy of our trust, our devotion, and our collective praise.Series: Worship Sermon SeriesScripture: Acts 4:23-31Speaker: Pastor David Hallett

In this episode, we explore the covenantal argument for baptism. Throughout Scripture, God makes covenants with His people, and baptism is often viewed as the sign of initiation into that covenant relationship. But how do these two ideas connect? How does a biblical understanding of God's covenants shape the way we think about baptism? We'll argue that, based on our relationship with God under the new covenant, baptism should be administered only to those who profess faith in Christ.Resources156 - The Comfort of Covenants090 - Believer's Baptism (with Bobby Jamieson)089 - Infant Baptism (with Kyle McClellan)Connect With Us providenceomaha.org | Instagram | Facebook Email Us formation@providenceomaha.org

Every good thing you have in the Christian Life comes through the Holy Spirit. Throughout Scripture and history, the Spirit of God has been actively at work. In the second verse of the Bible, we read these words: “The earth was formless and void and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” (Genesis 1:2) It was out of that hovering of the Spirit that Creation burst forth. The rabbis in Jesus' day loved this picture of the Spirit of God hovering over the waters. They used to reflect on it and write about it. They would compare the Spirit to a bird because of that word “hovering.” One ancient rabbi wrote, “And the Spirit of God was brooding over the water like a dove which broods over her young.” Another wrote, “The throne of divine glory was hovering over the face of the waters even as a dove hovers over its nest.” There is a long period in the history of Israel when the Spirit of God seems to be quiet and the voices of the prophets cease. They wonder: “Will the Spirit ever hover again? Then this man, Jesus, comes. He goes to be baptized by John the Baptist in Luke 3, and God is once again creating something new. “And the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”” (Luke 3:21–22, CSB) The writers of the New Testament wanted to be clear. Once more, the Spirit of God—in the person of Jesus—is hovering over the waters. God is once again creating something new, creating something the world has never known before, and it has everything to do with Jesus. He is creating a new opportunity for life with God with complete access to the resources of God, just like that original couple in the garden. Join us this Sunday as Jesus will teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit in our own lives.

Throughout Scripture, encounters with God and His grace caused people to attribute specific names to God. Have you had divine encounters similar to these?Read more here.Support the show

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

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. Throughout the Scripture narrative, each covenant tells of His unchanging faithfulness and His plan to redeem His people. Join us as we trace the thread of God's promises through the Bible and see how every covenant finds its fulfillment in Jesus!

Following where we believe God has led into our NEXT85 years will require something of us. Throughout Scripture, when God's people began a project, they each brought what they could in order to help the effort. We will be no different. The dream for our future campus won't happen without all of us participating. This week, we'll look at what will be required of us, and the blessing for following.

Throughout Scripture, knowing God's ways and fearing Him are inseparable. If you do not have a holy fear and live in humility, you will not understand or be able to walk in His ways. And yet, like the Israelites of old, it is possible to be close to God and yet never experience Him. The Psalmist wrote that God “made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel” (Psalm 103:7)—the Israelites saw God's works but Moses knew His ways. In this study, Nathan explores that key difference, what it means to know the ways of God, and how holy fear fuels our pursuit of God's presence and glory … leading us to deeper intimacy and unbroken fellowship with Him and experience a greater passion to live in holiness, righteousness, and obedience to Jesus Christ, who is the Way.

In this Sunday Extra podcast, Pastor Matt expands on his sermon about Jesus' statement "I am the light of the world" from John's Gospel. This declaration occurred during the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), when Jews commemorated God's guidance through the wilderness as a pillar of fire. Throughout Scripture, light symbolizes God's holiness, truth, glory, life, guidance, righteousness, and fellowship, while darkness represents sin, ignorance, Satan's realm, and separation from God. The discussion explores how believers are called to walk in Christ's light and reflect it to others, with Pastor Matt noting that "to be a follower of Jesus is to be in a spiritual battle." The podcast also examines why there are four Gospel accounts with different perspectives: Matthew presents Jesus as King to a Jewish audience, Mark portrays Him as Servant to Romans, Luke depicts Him as the Perfect Man to Greeks, and John emphasizes His deity as the Son of God to all people. This explains why John's Gospel contains the seven "I AM" statements that reveal Christ's divine nature.

Pastor Matt examines Jesus' profound statement "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12), highlighting its rich historical context during the Feast of Tabernacles. During this feast, four massive 75-foot lampstands illuminated the temple, symbolizing God's presence that guided Israel through the wilderness and the hope for the coming Messiah. By making this declaration in the temple treasury near these celebrations, Jesus was boldly claiming to fulfill what the feast represented. Throughout Scripture, light symbolizes God's character and work, while darkness represents sin and Satan's realm. Pastor Matt explains that Jesus is a light that reveals sin but also shows the way out, gives life like phototherapy treating jaundice, guides believers like a lighthouse through storms, and shines through His followers. The practical application is threefold: step out of shadows by confessing sin, follow the light through daily dependence on Christ, and shine your light by sharing your faith with those still in darkness. As Pastor Matt emphasizes, "The world looks and feels darker than ever... But the good news is the light of the world is shining."

From the very beginning, life began with a divine touch — God's hands forming humanity from the dust. Throughout Scripture, every healing, every act of compassion, every miracle flowed from that same loving contact. In Jesus, the untouchable God became touchable — reaching for the broken, the outcast, and the weary. This message reminds us that His hand is still reaching today — to heal what's wounded, restore what's lost, and awaken what's grown numb. All it takes is one touch from God to change everything.

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. Throughout the Scripture narrative, each covenant tells of His unchanging faithfulness and His plan to redeem His people. Join us as we trace the thread of God's promises through the Bible and see how every covenant finds its fulfillment in Jesus!

Throughout Scripture, God always redirects his people to live according to His perfect will. His primary method was through specific individuals attuned to hear God's voice. These were the Prophets. In this series, Pastor Matt will take us through some unique stories of the Prophets' lives and how their actions and words continue to influence us today. In this episode, we will hear from one of our staff pastors, Tony Shackleford, who will teach from this series. 

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. Throughout the Scripture narrative, each covenant tells of His unchanging faithfulness and His plan to redeem His people. Join us as we trace the thread of God's promises through the Bible and see how every covenant finds its fulfillment in Jesus!

Fasting has always been a way God's people unite their hearts for His presence and power. Throughout Scripture, when the people of God humbled themselves together in fasting, He showed up in mighty ways-bringing breakthrough, revival, and renewed vision.In this season, our church is believing for more of God's presence than ever before. We're asking Him to pour out His Spirit, to give us fresh unity, and to move in power in our city. That's why we're inviting everyone to join together in a one-day food fast each week.This isn't about simply going without-it's about going deeper with God. As we humble ourselves before Him in unity, we believe He will strengthen our church, align us with His will, and move in ways only He can.Let's fast together, pray together, and believe for God's glory to be revealed through us.

Welcome to our Reveal podcast,Today, we're talking about God of the Open Door.Throughout Scripture, we see that God is the One who opens doors that no man can shut. Revelation 3:7 says of Jesus, “What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.” This reminds us that God is sovereign over opportunities, seasons, and direction in our lives.An open door in the Bible often symbolizes God's favor, His calling, or a divine opportunity to walk into something greater. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:9, “A great door for effective work has opened to me.” But notice open doors don't mean life will be easy. They often come with challenges and opposition.The key is trust. When God opens a door, He equips us to walk through it. And when He closes one, it's not rejection it's protection and redirection. The God of the open door is the same God who guides, provides, and prepares us for His perfect plan.To support this ministry and help us continue our God-given mission, click here:Subscribe to our channel for the latest sermons:https://www.youtube.com/@revealvineyardLearn more about Vineyard Church Reveal Campus:https://www.revealvineyard.com/Follow us on social media!Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/vineyardrevealcampus Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/RevealVineyard

In today's episode, Jeremiah delivers a lament for the drought that has come over Judah, calling on God to deliver. Throughout Scripture, the Lord often relents after such prayers, but in this instance the Lord denies Jeremiah's request, saying that this time he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins. God tells Jeremiah not to pray for these people, saying that even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before Him, He would not listen. In his anguish, Jeremiah complains about the difficulty of his work, but the Lord calls Jeremiah to repent of his words and return to Him once more.Jeremiah 14 - 1:09 . Jeremiah 15 - 6:36 . Jeremiah 16 - 13:10 . Psalm 119:41-64 - 18:40 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In today's episode, Jeremiah delivers a lament for the drought that has come over Judah, calling on God to deliver his people. Throughout Scripture, the Lord often relents after such prayers, but in this instance the Lord denies Jeremiah's request, saying that this time he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins. God tells Jeremiah not to pray for these people, saying that even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before Him, He would not listen. In his anguish, Jeremiah complains about the difficulty of his work, but the Lord calls Jeremiah to repent of his words and return to Him once more.Jeremiah 14 - 1:05 . Jeremiah 15 - 6:31 . Jeremiah 16 - 12:53 . Proverbs 8:1-21 - 18:10 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.facebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. Throughout the Scripture narrative, each covenant tells of His unchanging faithfulness and His plan to redeem His people. Join us as we trace the thread of God's promises through the Bible and see how every covenant finds its fulfillment in Jesus!

     Concerning the permission of divorce, Jesus said the Pharisees, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way” (Matt 19:8). God's permissive will can be observed on a national level, as Paul said, “In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways” (Acts 14:16). This explains much of the poor behavior we see among the nations as we study world history. Though God desires righteousness among the nations (Prov 14:34), He allows them to pursue their own values and priorities. Yet He never relinquishes His sovereignty, and in time, He will hold every nation accountable for its actions (Ps 9:17; Rev 20:12-13).      God is always righteous and directs people to righteous living. However, God is no bully, as He does not force people to obey Him. When people turn negative to God, He permits them to pursue their sinful ways, though they are not free to choose the consequences of their actions. One who plays with fire will eventually get burned. Concerning those who “suppress God's truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18), three times it is written that He “gave them over” to “the lusts of their hearts” (Rom 1:24), and “to degrading passions” (Rom 1:26), and “to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper” (Rom 1:28). Once God permits a person to operate by his/her sinful passions, they are given a measure of freedom to live as they want. These are described as “being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful” (Rom 1:29-31).      Fourth, there is God's overruling will, which refers to those occasions when He hinders His creatures from acting contrary to His sovereign purposes. Throughout Scripture we observe God intervening in the actions of fallen angels and people. After God permitted Adam and Eve to disobey Him, He then drove them from the Garden of Eden and overruled their ability to go back in and eat from the tree of life (Gen 3:22-24). After Abraham lied to Abimelech and told him that Sarah was his sister, Abimelech took her as his wife. However, in order to protect Sarah, God intervened and told Abimelech, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married” (Gen 20:3). Abimelech pleaded with God and claimed his innocence (Gen 20:4-5). God, being just, told Abimelech, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore, I did not let you touch her” (Gen 20:6). Jacob served his uncle Laban for twenty years, but during that time his uncle had mistreated him, and by the end, he saw his uncle “was not friendly toward him as formerly” (Gen 31:2). Realizing it was time for Jacob to leave his uncle, he told his two wives, Rachel and Leah, “your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times; however, God did not allow him to hurt me” (Gen 31:7). During the tribulation, there will be hostile unbelievers who will try to flee from God's wrath by seeking death. But God prevents them from this escape, as John writes, “in those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will long to die, and death flees from them” (Rev 9:6).      When Satan wanted to attack Job, God granted him permission, saying, “Behold, all that he has is in your power” (Job 1:12a). But then God restrained Satan, saying, “do not put forth your hand on him” (Job 1:12b). When Satan came back a second time, God granted him permission to attack Job's body, saying, “he is in your power” (Job 2:6a), but then told him to “spare his life” (Job 2:6b). When Job's wife advised him to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9), he responded, saying, “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10). During the seven-year tribulation, demons are released from an angelic prison and “power was given them” to hurt unbelievers (Rev 9:3). However, they were restrained, as God told them, “not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months” (Rev 9:4-5a). Satan is currently active in the world (1 Pet 5:8; 1 John 5:19) and will be during the tribulation. However, God intervenes at the end of the tribulation and has Satan arrested and “bound him for a thousand years” (Rev 20:2). God's arresting angel “threw Satan into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time” (Rev 20:3).      Fifth, there is God's providential will, which refers to the outworking of His sovereign will in such a way that He creates circumstances that direct our lives and destiny. Believers who understand this will make their human plans contingent on God's sovereign plans (1 Ch 13:2; Acts 18:21; Jam 4:15). As God's people, we know the Lord and His will for our lives because His written Word informs and guides us. The Bible is our divine pedagogical guide. In addition to Scripture, God directs us providentially as He controls the circumstances of our lives to His desired end. However, only the believer with a thorough knowledge of God's Word can properly interpret his/her circumstances and know what God is doing. Interpreting circumstances, or divine impressions on the heart, is never as clear as knowing God's Word. Charles Clough states: "There is a mystical element to Christianity in how the Lord leads you; and He impresses upon you different things. But you can never elevate that mystical part of your Christian life and make it equal to the revelation of Scripture, because the revelation of Scripture is the measuring stick so you can tell the difference between Christ in the heart and heart burn. How you do that is whether it fits the Scripture."[1] God's providence is His continual care over the creation He brought into existence. God continues to create and control circumstances in order to direct history according to His predetermined plan, all for His glory and the benefit of His people. People live in the flow of history, and are moved by the circumstances God controls. J. I. Packer states: "Providence is normally defined in Christian theology as the unceasing activity of the Creator whereby, in overflowing bounty and goodwill (Psa 145:9 cf. Mt 5:45–48), he upholds his creatures in ordered existence (Acts 17:28; Col 1:17; Heb 1:3), guides and governs all events, circumstances and free acts of angels and men (cf. Psa 107; Job 1:12; 2:6; Gen 45:5–8), and directs everything to its appointed goal, for his own glory (cf. Eph 1:9–12)."[2]      God is holy and never creates evil, however, He can and does control those who do. Satan, and those who follow him, are ultimately under God's sovereign control, and even their evil plans and actions are used for His good purposes. For example, Joseph was mistreated by his brothers and sold into slavery and taken to Egypt where he suffered greatly. Yet, later in his life, Joseph interpreted their behavior from the divine perspective, telling his brothers, “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen 45:5). And Joseph repeated himself a second time, saying, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God” (Gen 45:7-8a). And later, he told them a third time, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Gen 50:20). It was God's providence that drove Saul to chase after his father's donkeys, and then be led to the prophet Samuel and anointed king of Israel (1 Sam 9-10). It was God's providence that directed Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, so the baby Jesus would be born at the appointed time and place (Mic 5:2; Luke 2:4-6; Gal 4:4). Later, Joseph and Mary were compelled to go to Egypt, in order to preserve the baby Savior (Matt 2:13-15). It was God's providence that forced Aquila and Priscilla out of Rome by the emperor Claudius' decree, only to meet the apostle Paul in Corinth and join him in Christian ministry (Acts 18:1-3; Rom 16:3; 1 Cor 16:19). It was God's providence that put the Lord Jesus on the cross to be crucified by the hands of godless men. Peter, charging Israelites in Jerusalem concerning Jesus's death, said, “This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” (Acts 2:23). And after being persecuted by the leaders in Jerusalem, Peter and John, along with others, said to God, “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur” (Acts 4:27-28). In these verses we see people behaving sinfully, whether Joseph's brothers, or human rulers who abuse their power; yet God used their sinful choices to bring about a greater good. Because God is righteous, all His actions are just (Psa 119:137). Because He is loving (1 John 4:8), He directs all things for the benefit of His people. Because He is good (Psa 34:8; 100:5), He “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28).      Concerning Christian ministry, God providentially opens and closes doors of service. Throughout the New Testament, an “open door” refers to a divinely orchestrated opportunity for sharing the gospel and engaging in Christian ministry (Acts 14:25-27). On one occasion the Lord closed an opportunity for ministry (Acts 16:6-7), but then opened another (Acts 16:9-10). An “open door” for ministry can have opposition (1 Cor 16:7-9), does not remove everyday concerns about life (2 Cor 2:12-13), should be sought with prayer (Col 4:2-3), and once opened cannot be shut by people (Rev 3:8). As God's people, we do not create occasions for Christian ministry; we simply accept those provided for us by the Lord (Eph 2:10).    In summary, knowing and doing God's will is largely a matter of knowing His Word and walking in it. Those who are positive to God will desire His Word in order to obey it. From Scripture we know about the Lord Himself, His sovereign control over His creation, what He desires of us, His permission of sin, as well as His directing history providentially to the return and reign of Christ. Where Scripture is silent, we may try to ascertain His will through the circumstances of our life, but such understanding must always be subordinate to the clear revelation of Scripture. Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Charles Clough, Lesson 21 - Moral Relativism; Justification & Procedures for Holy War, (2010, 17th minute). https://www.bibleframeworkapplied.org/multi-lesson-series/deuteronomy [2] J. I. Packer, “Providence” in New Bible Dictionary, ed. D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard and D. J. Wiseman, 3rd ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 979-80.

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. Throughout the Scripture narrative, each covenant tells of His unchanging faithfulness and His plan to redeem His people. Join us as we trace the thread of God's promises through the Bible and see how every covenant finds its fulfillment in Jesus!

God's sovereignty extends far beyond individual salvation to encompass entire nations—a biblical truth often overlooked in contemporary teaching. This eye-opening episode delves into Ezekiel 25, where God pronounces judgment on Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia for their centuries of hostility toward Israel.What's remarkable is how God remembers national sins committed hundreds of years earlier. The Ammonites celebrated when Jerusalem fell. The Moabites claimed Judah was "like all other nations." The Edomites, despite being blood relatives through Esau, took vengeance against God's people. The Philistines maintained "everlasting enmity" toward Israel. For each, God pronounces specific judgments that were historically fulfilled through Babylon's conquests.Throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, we see God actively raising up and tearing down nations, establishing their boundaries and appointed times. This isn't just Old Testament theology—Paul affirms it to the Athenians in Acts 17. Scripture presents three redemptive dimensions: individuals, creation, and nations.This perspective challenges our modern tendency to compartmentalize faith as purely personal. While individual salvation has always been by grace through faith, God simultaneously works out His purposes in the geopolitical sphere. The Bible's consistent pattern shows that how nations treat Israel matters to God—a principle with profound implications for our world today.As we reason through these challenging passages, we're reminded that only God can take righteous vengeance. Our ultimate comfort comes not from national identity but from personal salvation through Jesus Christ [the Messiah], who shields believers from the wrath these nations experienced. Join us next time as we explore God's judgment on Tyre and continue uncovering biblical truths that speak to every dimension of life.Support the showThank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. Throughout the Scripture narrative, each covenant tells of His unchanging faithfulness and His plan to redeem His people. Join us as we trace the thread of God's promises through the Bible and see how every covenant finds its fulfillment in Jesus!

Prayer is powerful, but there are moments in Scripture where prayer alone wasn't enough. Some battles required more. That “more” was fasting. When combined with prayer, fasting doesn't just add intensity—it adds breakthrough. It silences the flesh so the spirit can rise. It opens doors to clarity, power, and victory that otherwise remain shut.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.” — Matthew 17:21Fasting is often misunderstood. It's not about starving yourself, punishing your body, or earning God's attention. Fasting is about making space for God by denying the flesh. When you fast, you remove something physical in order to prioritize the spiritual.Throughout Scripture, fasting was connected to great moves of God. Moses fasted on the mountain as he received the Law. Esther called her people to fast before approaching the king, and deliverance came. Jesus Himself fasted forty days before beginning His ministry.When you fast, your hunger becomes a constant reminder to pray. Your dependence shifts from physical bread to the Bread of Life. And something remarkable happens—your prayers gain sharper focus, your discernment becomes clearer, and your spirit is strengthened against temptation.Fasting also tears down spiritual strongholds. There are situations in your life—bondages, addictions, or obstacles—that will not break through ordinary effort. Prayer and fasting together release extraordinary power. That's why Jesus told His disciples that some battles require both.Don't let fasting intimidate you. It doesn't always mean going forty days without food. It could mean skipping one meal to seek God, fasting for a day, or even laying aside distractions like social media or entertainment to focus on Him. The point isn't how long you fast—it's how surrendered you are in the process.When prayer and fasting combine, chains break, clarity comes, and God's power is revealed in fresh ways.Question of the Day:What area of your life feels like it needs breakthrough that ordinary prayer hasn't yet touched?Mini Call to Action:Choose one way to fast this week—whether food, media, or something else—and dedicate that time to prayer.Prayer:Lord, teach me the discipline of fasting. Help me deny the flesh so my spirit can grow stronger. Use my sacrifice to break chains, open doors, and bring me closer to You.Let's Get To Work!Some victories come only through prayer and fasting. Step into it, and watch God move.Thanks for reading My Reasons To Believe! This post is public so feel free to share it.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe

Between the Promise and the Promised Land Hidden seasons are not wasted seasons. What looks like delay may actually be divine preparation. Though Paul had a dramatic conversion and a clear calling, he did not immediately launch into ministry. He spent three years in the desert, unseen and unknown, allowing God to shape him. This period of silence was not failure. It was formation. “The desert delays public fruit, not divine purpose.” Throughout Scripture, God consistently forms leaders in obscurity […] The post Between the Promise and the Promised Land appeared first on Revival Life Church Boca Raton, FL.

When Noah stepped off the ark into a devastated world, his first action wasn't to build shelter or plant crops—he built an altar to worship God. This powerful example teaches us that worship should be our foundation, not an afterthought. Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern repeated by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others. Noah's sacrifice demonstrated consecration, thanksgiving, and the need for atonement. In response, God promised mercy and preservation of the natural order, revealing both His redemptive grace that saves souls and His common grace that sustains the world. By prioritizing worship like Noah, we discover our true purpose and live with proper perspective.

What does your prayer life reveal about your compassion? Through the lens of Jonah chapter 4, we explore the uncomfortable reality of our own compassion deficiencies and how they mirror Jonah's misplaced priorities.The message begins with a powerful personal confession about repeatedly walking past Florence, a homeless Ugandan nurse living on the streets of Chicago. Despite passing her countless times, the speaker never stopped, never cared—until a coworker demonstrated true compassion by learning Florence's story. This mirrors Jonah's heart condition: angry when God spared Nineveh, more concerned about a withered plant than 120,000 souls.Compassion, we discover, is action fueled by prayer. Throughout Scripture—with Esther before she approached the king, Daniel before interpreting dreams, and Jesus in Gethsemane—prayer precedes and powers compassionate action. We pray for what matters most to us, making our prayer life the true measuring stick of our compassion. When we pray for those who need Jesus, we notice them more, care about them more deeply, and engage heaven's resources for their salvation.The message challenges us with a penetrating question: How big a slice of your prayer "pie" is devoted to people who need Jesus? Have you experienced "prayer shrinkflation" where your intercession for the lost has diminished? Through the inspiring story of Leo, who prayed consistently for his neighbor David for 18 months until he came to Christ, we see a model of persistent, prayer-fueled compassion that we're all called to embrace.Take this compassion test today. Your prayer life doesn't lie—it reveals what truly matters to your heart. Let's rediscover God's heart for our cities and neighborhoods, moving from Jonah-like self-focus to Christ-like compassion for the lost.Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgZ2w9v1Td0

Throughout Scripture, men and women built altars as places of encounter surrender and remembrance. Platforms host people but altars host the presence of God. Altars are where fire falls. They are not built for display but for dwelling. The invitation is simple: make room again. Rebuild what has been neglected. Offer your life as a living sacrifice. Let the altar of your heart never go out.   Listen in now to hear Life Center Church's latest Sunday message from Pastor Rich.    ⛪️ Connect with us ⛪️    https://www.lifecenternyc.com/   https://www.instagram.com/lifecenternyc/

Walking circumspectly in the light means living with careful consideration of all possible consequences, taking a deliberate approach to faith rather than being reckless or impulsive. Throughout Scripture, light consistently represents goodness, truth, and God's presence, while darkness symbolizes evil, sin, and separation from God. Jesus declared Himself the light of the world, promising that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness. The fundamental question for believers is whether we're living in agreement with God's Word—not just parts we find comfortable, but all Scripture, which is God-breathed and authoritative. When Scripture confronts areas in our lives that don't align with God's will, we should allow that challenge to lead us to repentance rather than rejection. James warns against being hearers only and not doers, which creates a spiritual schizophrenia where we possess biblical knowledge without obedience. As Christians, we're called to reflect Christ's light, allowing God's Word to transform our hearts so we naturally shine His light to others, walking the narrow path that leads to life.Catch the Full sermon Here:https://-NWZVV4.subspla.sh/88chhkwRead the Full Blog and application steps here:https://christianfellowshiploslunas.org/blog/2025/08/25/4-action-steps-to-walk-from-darkness-to-lightChristian Fellowship Church is a discipleship-focused community in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Join us Sundays at 10 AM and Wednesdays at 7 PM as we preach through the Bible line by line. For more information, check us out at: https://christianfellowshiploslunas.orgIron Lotus Martial Arts is the world leader in discipleship-focused martial arts. Learn more about Shinja Kempo Karate, a transformative journey of spiritual growth and physical discipline. www.IronLotusMartialArts.com

Throughout Scripture, God always redirects his people to live according to His perfect will. His primary method was through specific individuals attuned to hear God's voice. These were the Prophets. In this series, Pastor Matt will take us through some unique stories of the Prophets' lives and how their actions and words continue to influence us today. In this episode, we will hear from one of our staff pastors, Tony Shackleford, who will teach from this series. 

AUG. 18, 2025God's answer to anxiety (1)"Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance... by prayer...make your wants known to God." Php 4:6 AMPCAnxiety is the curse of the modern era, but it's not a new trend. Throughout Scripture, Jesus talked a lot about anxiety, stress, and fear. In fact, He mentioned them repeatedly in His teachings. In Matthew 6:25-27, He said, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or...what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" (NIV). Now, Jesus didn't say these words just to relieve our fears and worries.What He was doing was commanding us not to be anxious because it demonstrates a lack of faith in God's faithfulness to us. Paul writes: "Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition...with thanksgiving...make your wants known to God. And God's peace...which transcends all understanding shall garrison...your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Php 4:6-7 AMPC). Instead of letting fear and anxiety control you, you can have peace by bringing your worries to God in prayer, thanking Him by faith for the answer, and trusting Him to work things out as only He can. So, what are you going to do? Worry and fret, or pray and have peace? The choice is yours.God's answer to anxiety  "God's peace transcends all understanding."Share This DevotionalSend us a textSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!

What if your greatest shame became your greatest testimony? The story of Rahab challenges everything we think we know about who belongs in God's family.Joshua 2 takes us to an unexpected location—the house of a prostitute in Jericho—where two Israelite spies find refuge as they scout the Promised Land. But this isn't just any woman; Rahab is a foreigner who demonstrates extraordinary faith despite her background. With soldiers searching the city for these men, she hides them and makes a stunning declaration: "I know that the Lord has given you the land...for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath."The beauty of this narrative lies in its contrasts. Rahab likely learned about God through conversations overheard from clients—her very brokenness positioned her to hear about God's mighty works. When she lets the spies down from her window with a scarlet cord, she becomes the means of salvation not just for herself but for her entire family. This cord, reminiscent of the Passover blood, marks her home as a place where anyone who enters will be saved from coming judgment.Throughout Scripture, Rahab continues to be called "the prostitute" even while being honored in the hall of faith (Hebrews 11). Why? Because "in Christ, your past must be remembered as a testimony, but it will never define your future identity." Her story culminates beautifully in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus, where she appears simply as "Rahab"—the mother of Boaz, a man of exceptional character, and an ancestor of Christ himself.This powerful message reminds us that faith often exists in simple acts of sacrificial kindness, that no one is beyond redemption, and that God delights in writing incredible stories through unlikely people. Where might you be hiding your past and wounds instead of putting God's incredible grace on display? Your story matters, and it might just be the testimony someone else needs to hear. If you want to learn more about the MidTree story or connect with us, go to our website HERE or text us at 812-MID-TREE.

The plague of false prophets is nothing new. From ancient Israel to today's church, those claiming to speak for God while promoting their own ideas have caused immense spiritual damage. In this powerful examination of Ezekiel 13, we explore God's strong condemnation of false teachers and the striking parallels to modern religious deception.What should alarm every believer is how false teachers operate – not by announcing their falsehood but by claiming divine authority. "Thus says the Lord" rolls off their tongues while God has said nothing of the sort. Throughout Scripture, God commands us not to tolerate such deception but to actively oppose it. This stands in stark contrast to today's "feel-good" church culture where confronting false teaching is often considered divisive or unloving.Christian mysticism – the belief that we can receive direct, new messages from God – receives particular attention in our discussion. When someone says, "The Lord told me," they position themselves as either a true prophet or a false one. The metaphor in Ezekiel of a poorly built wall covered with attractive whitewash brilliantly illustrates how false teaching appears solid while being fundamentally unsound. We examine how many contemporary churches have built their ministries on what "seems right" rather than biblical foundations, incorporating entertainment and worldly elements that might attract crowds but cannot withstand divine judgment.The ultimate consequence for false teachers is sobering. Jesus' words, "I never knew you," echo Ezekiel's warning that false prophets will have no place among God's people. This episode serves as a challenging reminder that discernment is not optional for believers in any age. How firm is your foundation? Are you following God's revealed Word or chasing after new "revelations" that tickle your ears?Curious about idolatry in its most subtle forms? Subscribe now and join us next week as we explore Ezekiel 14 and God's warnings about the idols we harbor not just in our homes, but in our hearts.Support the showThank you for listening!! Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from salvation—while salvation is the Spirit working within you, the baptism is the Spirit working through you, empowering you for ministry and witness. Throughout Scripture, God's presence is consistently associated with fire that heats up cold Christianity, transforms lukewarm faith into boldness, and ignites divine appointments. Like the priests who had to add fresh wood to keep the altar fire burning, we are responsible for maintaining our spiritual fire through daily preparation and removing sin that dampens our passion. When we properly prepare ourselves, God's fire falls immediately, transforming us into effective witnesses for Christ.

Throughout Scripture, Jesus is revealed as the ultimate fulfillment of three key roles established by God in the Old Testament: Prophet, Priest, and King. In this message, we explore each role and how they uniquely display an aspect of His person and work, drawing us into a deeper understanding of who He is and what He has accomplished for us.

God's economy operates on the principle of enough, not excess. The Israelites receiving manna in the wilderness teaches us to trust God's daily provision rather than hoarding out of fear. Throughout Scripture, from the manna to the feeding of multitudes, we see that abundance isn't measured by excess but by trust in divine provision. John Wesley modeled this by living simply while giving generously. Practicing contentment means observing Sabbath rest, curbing waste, giving generously, and living more simply - finding that godliness with contentment is great gain.

Throughout Scripture, God always redirects his people to live according to His perfect will. His primary method was through specific individuals attuned to hear God's voice. These were the Prophets. In this series, Pastor Matt will take us through some unique stories of the Prophets' lives and how their actions and words continue to influence us today.

Today we're answering the question, “How do I bring my doubts into a new season?” Margaret Feinberg is back for her second time and y'all don't want to miss it. She has a brand new book about the Holy Spirit out called, The God You Need to Know and y'all ask OFTEN about how we hear from the Holy Spirit, so we're going there! We're also talk about what we picture when we picture the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit throughout Bible, and we even talk about bringing our dreams to God... If you're following along in your TSF Seasons Guidebook, we're on page 56. And as always, you can still get a guidebook at anniefdowns.com/seasons. . . . . . Find the show notes here Want to watch this episode? Watch on your Spotify app, or head on over to our YouTube Channel and be sure to like and subscribe! . . . . . Thank you to our sponsors! BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/THATSOUNDSFUN to get 10% off your first month. Thrive Causemetics: New customers can get the Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara and a mini-sized Brilliant Eye Brightener at a special set price with free shipping at thrivecausemetics.com/TSF. KiwiCo: Get $15 off on your Summer Adventure Series at kiwico.com/THATSOUNDSFUN. Geviti: Use code TSF for 20% off your first three months of membership at GoGeviti.com to learn more about how you can start optimizing your health without leaving home today. Location based restrictions apply. If you'd like to partner with Annie as a sponsor for the That Sounds Fun podcast, fill out our Advertise With Us form! . . . . . Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review! You can do the same on Spotify as well. Your ratings and reviews help us spread the word to new friends! And your feedback lets me know how I can better serve you. . . . . . If you loved this episode, we think you'll also love: The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, Counselor, & Comforter… Even in the Winter with Tyler Staton- Episode 955 Sign up to receive the AFD Week In Review email and ask questions to future guests! . . . . . NYTimes bestselling Christian author, speaker, and host of popular Christian podcast, That Sounds Fun Podcast, Annie F. Downs shares with you some of her favorite things: new books, faith conversations, entertainers not to miss, and interviews with friends. #thatsoundsfunpodcast -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout Scripture, the term “salvation” is used in many different senses and in many different tenses. Today, R.C. Sproul explains that we are saved, are being saved, and shall be saved as we look forward to our glorification with Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ultimately-with-rc-sproul/salvation/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts