Podcasts about throughout scripture

Throughout Scripture, we see the power of words spoken in faith. Decrees are not wishful thinking or positive vibes; they are alignment. When we decree, we are coming into agreement with what God has already said and positioning ourselves to receive what Jesus already paid for.Listen to today's episode, save it, download and even use the following to revise as you see fit and record it for yourself. YOUR WORDS HAVE POWER!And if you're ready to get your financial house in order--aligned with God's Kingdom, join the K⁠ingdom Finance Masterclass: KINGDOM FINANCE MASTERCLASSmailchi.mp⁠⁠This is a 2-part masterclass--the first session is 1/25. Learn more and register here: KINGDOM FINANCE MASTERCLASSmailchi.mp⁠⁠Decree for 2026 .I decree that 2026 is a year of divine alignment, acceleration, and visible victory in Jesus' name.I decree health in my body, clarity in my mind, peace in my soul, and strength in my spirit. Every system in my body comes into order with the Word of God. I walk in divine health, supernatural energy, and sustained vitality.I decree breakthrough over every area that was delayed, resisted, or blocked in previous seasons. What was stuck is now moving. What was restrained is now released. What was hidden is now revealed.I decree prosperity with purpose. Increase flows to me, through me, and for me so the Kingdom of God is advanced, families are blessed, and needs are met without strain or fear. I will not chase provision. Provision will pursue me.I decree fresh revelation, spiritual clarity, and prophetic insight. My ears are open. My heart is sensitive. My spirit is tuned to the voice of the Lord. I will not be confused, distracted, or deceived. I walk in truth, wisdom, and discernment.I decree fresh oil and renewed anointing. I am not running on yesterday's grace. I receive new strength, new fire, new hunger, and new authority for this new season.I decree restoration of what was lost, stolen, delayed, or damaged. Time is redeemed. Joy is restored. Peace is returned. Relationships are healed. Hope is revived.I decree open doors no man can shut, divine connections, divine timing, and divine favor. I walk into rooms God prepared before I arrived. I stand in opportunities that only Heaven could arrange.I decree that I am fruitful, effective, and unstoppable in Christ. I do not merely survive 2026. I thrive. I do not shrink back. I advance. I do not settle. I build.I decree that the goodness of the Lord overtakes me, the blessing of the Lord surrounds me, and the purposes of God are fulfilled through me.This is my year of breakthrough, blessing, revelation, restoration, and harvest.I receive it.I walk in it.I build with it.I testify of it.In Jesus' mighty name, amen.

In this message, we're reminded of the most essential truth of the Christian life: God loves us, and He's calling us back to Him as our first love. Throughout Scripture, God constantly calls His people to turn from the mindset of obsessively doing things for Him without first being deeply in love with Him and letting that love be shared. The path back to our first love isn't trying harder—it's beholding the fact that we love because He first loved us.

Throughout Scripture we see God using unlikely people, flawed people, people who failed, people just like us. In today's PowerPoint message, Pastor Jack Graham makes clear what distinguished these great champions of our faith and assures us that we, too, will find strength for the battles we face when we call on the name of the Lord. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/395/29?v=20251111

God's heart is not only to bring relief, but to cultivate true flourishing. Throughout Scripture, we see God inviting His people into deeper, more faithful ways of caring for others. This week, we consider how listening well, showing up consistently, and walking patiently with others moves us beyond quick fixes into lasting transformation.⚫CONNECT WITH US:

In 2026, God has an assignment for every one of us, and answering that call requires faith. Throughout Scripture, God's promises are clear, but stepping into them often feels impossible and uncomfortable. The people of Israel experienced this as they stood at Kadesh, on the brink of the Promised Land. God had already delivered them from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and promised victory, yet fear and uncertainty caused them to hesitate. Instead of trusting what God had said, they focused on what they saw. The evaluation of the land produced fear, not faith, and their response was disbelief. They said, “We can't.” But faith sounds different. Faith says, “We can't, but God can.” As we stand at the beginning of a new year, the call is to walk by faith and not by sight. Do not let the unknown or the lack of details keep you from obedience. Trust God's Word more than what you see, and take the step of faith. Do not let 2026 be a place of missed opportunity. Don't let 2026 be your Kadesh. Stand on the brink of God's promise and move forward by faith.Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/zP4HD_F4vroSubscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zkLearn more about us at chestnutmountain.orgFollow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave a review, and let us know what you think.

Throughout Scripture, hunger is used as a powerful metaphor for desire, passion, and dependence on God. Just as physical hunger signals our need for food, spiritual hunger is a holy discomfort that reminds us we need more of God in our lives. This weekend we'll explore what fuels our hunger for God, what hinders it, and how we can intentionally cultivate a deeper desire for His presence, His Word, and His ways. As we continue our time of fasting and seeking the Lord, we're believing God to awaken fresh hunger and to satisfy us as we earnestly seek Him. Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon Scripture: Psalms 42:1-2, Matthew 5:6 Series: Stand Alone Messages Thank you for Joining. For more information visit www.BenDixon.org or fill out a Northwest Church Connect Card - https://nwc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/118663

Consecration is the act of realigning our whole lives to God's will for His purposes. Throughout Scripture, we see that when God is about to move, He calls His people to pause, set themselves apart, and put Him back at the center.

Dealing with Depression: Finding Hope and Victory in the God of All Comfort    Depression is a profound heaviness of soul that the Scriptures describe with raw honesty. The Bible does not employ our modern clinical term, but it portrays the experience vividly: the spirit overwhelmed, the heart cast down, the bones troubled, the soul in despair, even the wish that life would end. Yet the same Word that records this darkness repeatedly declares that God draws near to the brokenhearted, that He is the lifter of the head, that His comfort abounds in affliction, and that joy comes in the morning. Throughout Scripture we see God's choicest servants pass through seasons of deep discouragement. Their stories are recorded not to magnify their weakness but to display God's faithfulness in the lowest places. By examining these lives, and by listening carefully to the voice of God in His Word, we discover divine principles for enduring and overcoming depression from a thoroughly biblical standpoint. I. Elijah: Despair After Victory The prophet Elijah stands as one of the clearest examples. In 1 Kings 18 he experienced one of the greatest public triumphs in redemptive history—fire falling from heaven on Mount Carmel, the prophets of Baal defeated, the people confessing that the Lord is God, and rain ending a three-and-a-half-year drought. Yet in chapter 19, a single threat from Jezebel sends him fleeing in fear and exhaustion. Hear the Word of the Lord in 1 Kings 19:3-4 (KJV): “And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” Elijah, the man who had just called down fire, now prays for death. He feels his labor has been in vain, that he is no better than his fathers, that everything is “enough.” This is the language of depression: exhaustion, hopelessness, isolation, and suicidal ideation. But observe God's tender response. Verses 5-8: “And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.” God does not begin with rebuke. He begins with physical care—sleep, food, water—twice. The angel acknowledges the reality of Elijah's limitation: “the journey is too great for thee.” God remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). When Elijah reaches Horeb, he repeats his complaint in verses 9-10: “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” Depression distorts perspective. Elijah believes he is utterly alone. God gently corrects him in verse 18: “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” Then God gives Elijah new work and a successor. God meets Elijah in his depression with physical provision, truthful perspective, renewed purpose, and the quiet whisper of His presence (verses 11-13). II. Job: Prolonged Suffering and Overwhelming Grief Few stories portray sustained depression more graphically than Job's. A righteous man suddenly stripped of wealth, children, and health, Job sits in ashes, scraping his sores, wishing he had never been born. Job 3:1-3, 11-13, 20-26 (KJV): “After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. And Job spake, and said, Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived… Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck? For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest… Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I am not at ease, neither am I quiet, neither have I rest; but trouble cometh.” Job's anguish is physical, emotional, and spiritual. He cannot eat without sighing; anxiety and dread consume him. His friends' misguided counsel only deepens the wound. Yet through forty-two chapters God allows Job to pour out every complaint. God does not silence him. Finally, in chapters 38–41, the Lord speaks—not with easy answers, but with a revelation of His sovereign wisdom and power. Job's response in 42:5-6: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Seeing God afresh brings repentance, humility, and eventual restoration. Job's depression lifts not when circumstances immediately improve, but when he encounters the majesty and goodness of God in a deeper way. III. David: The Psalms of the Cast-Down Soul No biblical figure gives us more transparent language for depression than David. The Psalms are filled with his cries from the depths. Psalm 42:1-11 (KJV): “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Notice David's pattern: honest lament (“my tears have been my meat,” “all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me”), self-exhortation (“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? … hope thou in God”), remembrance of God's past faithfulness, and confident expectation of future praise. Psalm 43 continues the same theme, ending with the identical refrain. Psalm 77 shows Asaph following the same path—remembering God's mighty deeds until hope revives. Psalm 88 is perhaps the darkest psalm, ending without explicit resolution on earth, yet still addressed to “LORD God of my salvation.” Even unresolved sorrow is brought to God. IV. Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet Jeremiah's ministry spanned decades of rejection and judgment upon Judah. He is called “the weeping prophet” for good reason. Lamentations 3:1-20 (selected verses, KJV): “I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light… He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer… He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood… And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.” Jeremiah feels God has become his enemy, that prayer is blocked, that hope has perished. Yet in the very center of Lamentations comes one of the most hope-filled passages in Scripture, verses 21-26: “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Jeremiah preaches to himself the truth of God's character. Remembering God's steadfast love and faithfulness becomes the turning point. V. Other Examples: Moses, Hannah, Jonah, Paul Moses, burdened with leading a complaining people, cries in Numbers 11:11-15 (KJV): “And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? … I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.” God responds by sharing the burden with seventy elders and providing meat—practical help and companionship. Hannah, barren and provoked, is “in bitterness of soul” (1 Samuel 1:10). She pours out her soul before the Lord, and though her circumstances do not change immediately, “her countenance was no more sad” (1:18) after entrusting her grief to God. Jonah, angry at God's mercy to Nineveh, prays in Jonah 4:3 (KJV): “Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.” God patiently teaches him through a plant, a worm, and a wind. Even the apostle Paul knew despair. In 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (KJV): “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” Paul's despair drove him deeper into dependence upon the God who raises the dead. VI. The Lord Jesus: Sorrow Without Sin Our Savior Himself entered into sorrow. In Gethsemane, Matthew 26:38 (KJV): “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” He sweat as it were great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Yet He submitted: “not my will, but thine, be done.” Hebrews 5:7 speaks of His “strong crying and tears.” Christ identifies with our weakness and intercedes for us as One touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). VII. God's Promises of Comfort and Deliverance The Scriptures abound with assurances: Psalm 34:17-19 (KJV): “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Isaiah 41:10 (KJV): “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV): “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Psalm 30:5 (KJV): “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” VIII. How Believers Today Can Deal with Depression and Gain Victory from a Biblical Standpoint The examples and promises above yield clear, scriptural pathways for fighting depression today: Bring every feeling honestly before God. The Psalms model unfiltered lament. Do not hide your despair; pour it out. God invites it and can handle it. Preach truth to yourself. Like David and Jeremiah, recall God's character, past faithfulness, and unchanging promises. Speak Scripture aloud when feelings contradict truth. Care for the body God gave you. Elijah's story reminds us that exhaustion, hunger, and isolation exacerbate depression. Sleep, nourishment, exercise, and medical care when needed are acts of stewardship, not lack of faith. Seek godly community. Elijah felt alone, but was not. Isolation feeds depression; fellowship counters it. Confess faults, bear burdens, receive prayer (James 5:16; Galatians 6:2). Fix your eyes on Christ. He endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). Our light affliction works an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). The gospel assures us that nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39). Wait upon the Lord with hope. Seasons of darkness do not last forever. “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). Victory is not always immediate deliverance from the feeling of depression, but it is certain triumph through union with Christ. Even if the night lingers, the Morning Star has risen in our hearts (2 Peter 1:19). One day He will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). Until then, we walk by faith, anchored in the God who has never forsaken His own. The same God who sustained Elijah under the juniper tree, lifted Job from the ash heap, turned David's mourning into dancing, and carried Jeremiah through the furnace is your God. He is faithful. Hope in Him, and you shall yet praise Him, who is the health of your countenance and your God.

“She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.” (Mark 16:10–11 NLT) Satan was powerless to thwart God’s plan of salvation. Throughout Scripture, we see his efforts to sidetrack God’s plan by attacking His people. He tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, just after Jesus’ baptism and just before the start of His public ministry. He failed spectacularly. Three times he tried to get Jesus to go against His Father’s will. And three times Jesus countered his temptation by quoting God’s Word. Satan had no defense against Scripture, so he had no choice but to flee. So, the work of salvation unfolded according to God’s plan. Jesus lived a sinless life, something no one else has ever done. In doing so, He destroyed the power of sin once and for all. He gave His life as the perfect sacrifice. He who had never sinned took God’s wrath and punishment for the sins of the world. He gave His life on the cross to bridge the gap that sin created between God and humanity. And then, on the third day, he rose from the grave. And His resurrection destroyed the power of sin once and for all. Satan could do nothing to stop Jesus’ resurrection two thousand years ago. So, part of his strategy now is to make people doubt that Jesus really rose from the grave. He promotes lies, often cloaked in pseudoscience, to plant seeds of skepticism regarding the resurrection. One such lie is the mass hallucination theory. This theory proposes that everyone who claimed to see the risen Lord was hallucinating—a bodily response to an extreme desire to see Jesus alive again. The fact of the matter is that hallucinations typically occur with people who, in one way or another, are expecting them. But biblical evidence reveals that when Jesus was crucified, His disciples were devastated and destroyed. Their faith was, to a large degree, shattered. They had absolutely no hopes of ever seeing Jesus alive again (see Mark 16:10–11). Another thing to consider is that hallucinations, once started, are continual. The disciples saw Jesus only for a very limited time. Then they ceased to see Him again. There was nothing continual about their experience. Scripture records that Jesus not only appeared to His disciples on several occasions but also that He appeared to more than five hundred people at one time (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). What are the chances that five hundred people all hallucinated the same thing at the same time? If this evidence against the resurrection were ever brought forth in a court of law, it certainly would not hold water. Satan’s lies about the resurrection will never hold up because Jesus is alive. He fulfilled the Scriptures by rising again, conquering sin and death. He appeared over and over again to a multitude of eyewitnesses. And each appearance of Christ is a tender demonstration of His meeting the needs and easing the hurts of His children. As believers, we must spread the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for the world. Reflection question: How can you explain the truth about Jesus’ resurrection to someone who needs to hear it? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we enter a new year, instead of making resolutions based on our own willpower, we can partner with God to discover His purpose for our lives by naming our year according to His promises. Throughout Scripture, God changed people's names to match their assignments, giving them identity and direction. When we name our year, we're not naming what our circumstances currently are, but what God says they can be. This practice involves praying and asking God what He sees for you in the coming year. Just as Jesus called Simon 'Peter' (rock) before his transformation, God calls us by our destiny, not our history. Naming your year helps align your heart with God's purpose and brings rest as you agree with His completed work rather than striving in your own strength.

What does it look like to truly depend on God again? In this message, At His Feet, we explore how fasting is not about striving harder—but about returning to the posture of humility, surrender, and faith. Throughout Scripture, we see that breakthroughs happen when God's people choose to sit at His feet rather than stand in their own strength. Anchor Verse:

Practice the Way of Jesus Jesus does not flatter us with comforting abstractions. He speaks with piercing clarity. “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice…”—and there He draws the line that divides all humanity. Not between the moral and immoral, the religious and irreligious, the fortunate and the afflicted—but between the practiced and the merely informed. The striking truth of Jesus' words in Matthew 7 is that everything else is the same. The storm does not discriminate. Rain falls on obedience and disobedience alike. Winds beat against every house. The difference is not the weather of life but the weight-bearing obedience beneath it. One hears and does. The other hears and delays. And delay, in the kingdom of God, is already a decision. Throughout Scripture this pattern is relentless. God speaks; people respond—or refuse. Noah builds while the sky is blue and finds salvation when it turns black. Abraham keeps obeying long after obedience feels unreasonable and discovers that God keeps promises beyond biology. Moses lifts a staff, Israel walks, Naaman washes, blind eyes open, empty nets break with abundance. God's power is never detached from trust expressed through action. Equally clear is the sobering witness of those who heard and did nothing. They were invited. They were informed. They were near the truth. Yet they watched storms without experiencing salvation, commands without deliverance, Christ without transformation. It was not ignorance that robbed them—it was unpracticed truth. Jesus never asked for admirers. He commanded apprentices. “Teach them to obey,” He said—not merely to agree. Christianity left at the level of belief alone becomes weightless. It can grow numerically, organize efficiently, and yet remain untouched by the living power of God. But obedience—real, embodied obedience—becomes the narrow gate through which life flows. This is why practicing the way of Jesus feels so often unreasonable. Forgive when wounded. Give when anxious. Pray when exhausted. Speak when silence feels safer. These instructions offend our instincts because God has chosen the foolish-looking things to train our trust. We do not drift into this kind of life. We must aim. Jesus Himself told us it would be harder. Easier roads are always available—but ease is often destructive. What is easiest rarely fuels what is eternal. The narrow way is demanding, but it is alive. As Chesterton observed, Christianity is not tried and found wanting; it is found difficult and left untried. Yet hear the mercy in all this: Jesus never commands without empowering. He died not only to forgive sin, but to place His Spirit within us—to make obedience possible from the inside out. “It is God who works in you to will and to act…” Our responsibility is not self-powered righteousness, but surrendered cooperation. So where is the storm pressing hardest right now? Where do you long to see God's power break through? Do not ask first for relief—ask what obedience looks like there. Search the Scriptures. Seek counsel. Then act. Build there. Practice there. And you will find that the life you most truly crave is not found in hearing more—but in practicing what you already have heard.

Moving beyond the world of "oughts" and "shoulds," we discover the transformative power of saying "I will" to God. The determination to fulfill our sacred pledges stands at the heart of authentic faith, creating a testimony that impacts not just our lives, but those around us.The Psalmist declares, "I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people" (Psalm 116:17-18), showing us that our commitments aren't meant to be private matters, but powerful witnesses. Throughout Scripture, we find God's people making bold declarations—"I will give thanks," "I will sing," "I will fear no evil," "I will walk in your truth." These aren't casual statements but expressions of holy determination that shape their stories.What's your pledge to God? Perhaps it's "I will trust you in this difficult season" or "I will teach my kids your word" or "I will praise you in the valleys." Whatever God impresses on your heart becomes not just a personal commitment but a living testimony. When we fall short—as we all do—God doesn't demand perfection but invites us back to devotion, allowing His grace to sustain our "I will" statements.This devotion-driven discipleship forms the foundation of a life transformed by Scripture. We seek God in His Word, finding those verses that speak deeply to our hearts, and then we speak those truths to others. Our personal pledges become the bridge between our devotional life and our discipleship influence.As we conclude this series on finding life verses that shape our story, remember to look for the promises, prayers, purposes, praises, and pledges in Scripture that God can use to transform your journey. Don't settle for good intentions—rise up with strength and say "I will" to the Lord, allowing His Word to shape your story every day for the rest of your life.______________________The Family Disciple Me ministry exists to catalyze devotion driven discipleship in our homes and around the world. We believe that discipleship starts with a conversation, and FDM provides free, easily-accessible, biblical resources to encourage these meaningful conversations along life's way. Sign up through our website to be "the first to know" about upcoming releases and resources (including the FDM App - coming soon!!!) You can also follow Family Disciple Me on social media. Family Disciple Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry, and all donations are tax deductible. More information, blogs, statement of faith and contact info can be found at familydiscipleme.org

Welcome to our Reveal podcast,“The Weight of the Wait” is about the tension between God's promise and God's timing. Throughout Scripture, waiting is rarely passive it's formative. Abraham waited decades for Isaac, Joseph endured years before the dream made sense, David was anointed king long before he ever wore the crown, and even Jesus waited thirty years before beginning His ministry.In the Bible, waiting carries weight because it stretches faith, exposes motives, and builds endurance. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength but renewal comes in the waiting, not after it. The delay is not denial; it's preparation.The weight feels heavy because waiting confronts our desire for control. Yet Scripture shows that God often does His deepest work in the unseen seasons. Lamentations says the Lord is good to those who wait for Him, not because waiting is easy, but because God is present in it.The wait is where trust matures, character is shaped, and purpose is refined so when the promise arrives, we're strong enough to carry it.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

Christian Nationalism is a phrase that carries weight. For some, it sounds like faithfulness. For others, it feels like fear. Either way, it demands clarity. Pastor Nicole starts with a simple commitment: to put Jesus Christ at the center. Not a party, a platform, or a nation. Just Jesus. Throughout Scripture, Jesus consistently refused to align Himself […] The post Myth Busters // Christian Nationalism appeared first on Refuge.Church.

Throughout Scripture we see evil waging war against God and His redemptive plan, fulfilled in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet from the birth of Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection, that evil endeavor is shown to be a failure. Join Bill Busshaus as he leads us in a study from the book of Matthew, revealing the certainty of God's victorious plan.www.instagram.com/thehishillpodcast/www.hishill.orgkelly@hishill.org

This weekend we continue our Family of God series with our final message entitled “The Family That Welcomes the Stranger.”  Throughout Scripture, God reveals His heart for the foreigner, the outsider, and the displaced, calling His people to love, protect, and welcome those who are far from home.  As a church family, we want to better understand what it means to live out this calling in our own community. Today's message will take the form of a conversation as we hear the story and perspective of Medard Ngueita, Executive Director of World Relief Western Washington, whose own journey powerfully reflects God's work of turning strangers into family. Together, we will explore how the Gospel shapes our compassion and invites us to reflect the heart of Jesus to all. Speaker: Pastor Ben Dixon and Medard Ngueita Scripture:  Leviticus 19:34, Matthew 25:35-36 Series: The Family of God Thank you for Joining. For more information visit www.BenDixon.org or fill out a Northwest Church Connect Card - https://nwc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/118663

Peace, justice, renewal, reconciliation, and redemptionthese are the things we all long for. From the beginning of human history, every generation has desired Eden. We long for a world where everything is as it should be: where God dwells with His people, where sin and death no longer reign, where justice and peace finally embrace. Yet life east of Eden often feels far more like wandering in the wilderness than living in paradise. Scripture reminds us that we were not only made for Eden, but for something greater than the first Edena redeemed world where God dwells with His people forever. If you read the Bible as one unified story, you quickly discover that this longing for Eden never disappears. After the death of Solomon and the division of Davids kingdom, Gods people endured centuries of instability, exile, and oppression. Kingdoms fell apart, kings failed, and the land itself was lost. Yet through it all, God preserved a single, persistent promise: redemption would come through a childa king, a deliverer, a son. From the serpent-crushing offspring promised in Genesis 3, to the blessing pledged to Abraham, to the scepter of Judah, to the covenant God made with David, and finally to Isaiahs promise of a virgin-born son, God repeated His word again and again: salvation was coming. The Deliverer would crush the head of the dragon. Into the darkness of Galilee and the nations, a great light would shine. Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will name Him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:67) Thenastonishinglyfor four hundred years, heaven was silent. Imagine being born, living, and dying without hearing a prophetic word from God, yet clinging to promises handed down from your fathers and grandfathers. Empires rose and fellGreek, then Romanuntil a paranoid ruler named Herod sat on the throne of Judah. The world looked anything but ready for redemption. And it was precisely then that God spoke againnot to a king, not to a priest, but to a young girl in an obscure town. The Promise We Can Trust Mary was likely between fourteen and sixteen years old. Joseph was a carpenterfaithful, quiet, and largely unnoticed. They were not influential, powerful, or impressive by worldly standards. Yet God chose them. This should not surprise us. Throughout Scripture, God delights in working through obscurity. He does not wait for ideal circumstances or impressive rsums. He chooses ordinary people who trust Him. Obscurity is not a barrier to obedience, and faithfulness in small, unseen places is often where God begins His greatest work. When Mary was told she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, her response was an honest question:How will this be, since I am a virgin?This is in contrast to Zechariahs response after the angel Gabriel revealed to him that he and his wife, Elizabeth would have a son in their old age who would prepare the way of the promised Deliverer. Here is what Zechariah said: How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her years. (Luke 1:18-20). While Zechariah struggled to believe, Marys response was not unbelief; it was faith seeking understanding. Mary does not say, That cannot be, but How will this be? Biblical faith does not silence questionsit submits them to God. There is a world of difference between humble inquiry and hardened disbelief. Joseph, however, initially responded with disbelief. As a righteous man, he planned to divorce Mary quietly, sparing her public shame. But God intervened. Once Joseph understood that God was at work, he obeyed. He moved when God told him to move. He fled when danger came. He returned when it was safe. History remembers Herod as powerful; God remembers Joseph as faithful. Joseph is often treated as a footnote in Jesus story, but do not assume that there was not cost for him in following the will of God for his life. Think about the cost to his reputation, consider the courage he demonstrated from the news of Marys pregnancy throughout Jesus childhood years. There is a lesson to be learned through Josephs life in what faithfulness, fatherhood, and true masculinity really looks like. The gospel did not make Mary and Josephs lives easierit made them riskier. Gods promises often disrupt our plans. Obedience may cost comfort, reputation, and control, but it always leads us into Gods purposes. The Promise that Secures Our Good Gabriel proclaims five astonishing truths about Marys childeach one unveiling a facet of Christs unparalleled glory and majesty. First, His name will be Jesus (v. 31).JesusJoshuameans Savior and Deliverer. Before Gabriel speaks of crowns or kingdoms, he speaks of salvation. Jesus would exercise His kingship not by domination, but by deliverance. He did not come primarily to improve circumstances, but to rescue sinners. This is the heart of the gospel: a Savior before a Sovereign, mercy before majesty. Jesus will be great (v. 32).Gabriel offers no explanationonly a proclamation. Scripture later fills in the meaning. Jesus is Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Lord. He is the image of the invisible God, the One through whom all things were made and in whom all things hold together! Consider Colossians 1:15-20, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authoritiesall things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Fathers good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. He is the radiance of Gods glory, the exact imprint of His nature, who upholds the universe by the word of His power (Heb. 1:14). Words ultimately fail to capture His greatness. Gabriel simply declares it:He will be great.Jesus eternally existed within the fellowship of the Trinity, entered human history, clothed Himself in flesh, lived among us, died on a Roman cross for our sins, and rose on the third day. This is not a small Savior. This is a great one. Jesus will be called Son of the Most High (v. 32b). This does not mean Jesus was created or that He is merely another son of God like the angels. Gabriel is proclaiming something far deeper: Jesus is uniquely Gods Sonthe eternal Word, begotten not made, sharing fully in the divine nature from all eternity. When the Father spoke creation into existence, it was by Jesus and through Jesus that all things were created! Jesus is, before all things, and in Him all things hold together. It is the Son, who emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men...humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross (Phil. 2:7-8). The demons grasped with chilling clarity the truth that many humans do not. Consider their desperate plea in Luke 8:28: What business do You have with me, Jesus, Son of the Most Hight God? I beg You, do not torment me! Even the forces of darkness recognized that Jesus, as the Son of the Most High, possessed absolute authority and power over themHe alone holds the right to command, conquer, and torment the hosts of Satan. The spiritual realm itself trembles before His greatness. Jesus will inherit the throne of David (v. 32c). It is only fitting that Jesuswho is Savior, who is great, and who is the Son of the Most Highshould sit on the throne of David. Mary and Joseph were descendants of David, but this child would not merely restore an earthly kingdom. Jesus would reign over the nations as King. Isaiah foresaw this when he wrote, In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoplesof him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious(Isa. 11:10). When Simeon later held the infant Jesus in the temple, he declared that his eyes had seen Gods salvationa light for the Gentiles and glory for Israel. Yet Simeon also warned Mary that this child would be opposed and that a sword would pierce her own soul: Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and as a sign to be opposedand a sword will pierce your own soulto the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed (Luke 2:34-35). Redemption would come, but not without suffering. Glory would be preceded by rejection and the cross. The Son would be despised, rejected, struck down, and afflicted for our sins through a cross, and it would be on the cross that the Son would be crushed by the Father (see Isa. 53:3-10). Jesus will reign over the house of Jacob forever (v. 33) Finally, Gabriel assured Mary that Jesus would not only inherit Davids throne, but that His reign would be everlasting. He would rule over Israel for all eternitythe ultimate and final King whose kingdom would never end. Yet His rule would not be confined to the twelve tribes of Israel. Like a mustard seed that grows into a great tree, His kingdom would expand to encompass the whole world, welcoming people from every nation. It is to this Jesus that all the nations will one day bow, for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, just as the Scriptures declare:For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father(Phil. 2:911). The Promise that Will Not Fail Mary and Joseph were not sinless or perfect parents. They struggled as we do. Yet they were entrusted with the greatest news the world had ever received: salvation had come in the form of a child growing in Marys womb. One wonders whether, as Mary felt His small hands and feet and Joseph gazed at Him in awe, they ever reflected on Ezekiels promise that Davids servant would be king forever and that God would dwell among His people (see Ezek. 37:24-28). Their lives teach us four enduring lessons. 1) The Good News moved them to action. 2) They guarded what God entrusted to them. 3) They treasured the gift they received. 4) And they were faithful stewards, willing to step back and let Jesus be who He was sent to be. As Christians who have received the gospel, we too have been entrusted with this Good News. The question this story presses upon us is simple and searching:What will we do with the Good News we have received?Will it move us to action? Will we guard it as precious? Will we treasure it as the greatest news we have ever heard? And will we steward it faithfully, giving it away as ambassadors of the King of kings and Lord of lords? When Herod sought to kill Jesus, Joseph took his family to Egypt just as he was told to do to protect Mary and Jesus. Josephs obedience cost him something. Most of us will never be called to flee to Egypt, but we will be called to trust God when obedience costs us something! When Mary received the news that she was to be the mother of the promised Deliverer and Son of God, her response is simple and yet profound: I am the Lords bond-servant, may it be done to me according to your word (1:38). For centuries before Gabriel visited Mary, Gods people waitedthrough exile, through silence, through sufferingclinging to promises they could not yet see fulfilled. And then, in the fullness of time, God spoke again. Not with thunder, not from a palace, but through an angel sent to a young girl in an obscure town. The first coming of Jesus tells us something vital about the way God works. He does not bypass weakness; He enters it. He does not avoid suffering; He redeems it. He does not wait for the world to be ready; He comes to save it. The King arrived not with armies, but in a womb. The Savior came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. The child promised to Mary is the King who now reigns. The Savior who came in humility will come again in glory. The Jesus who was laid in a manger will one day return as Judge and King, and His kingdom will have no end. So we live now in the in-between. We wait as a people who know the promise is true, even when the world still feels broken. We wait with hope, not because circumstances are easy, but because Christ has comeand because Christ will come again. As you wait with hope, what kind of bond-servant will you be? What kind of bond-servant is Jesus calling you to be?What does faithfulness look like for you in 2026?

This powerful message takes us on a journey through Psalm 22, exploring one of humanity's most profound questions: how do we respond when He feels absent? We begin with David's desperate cry—the same words Jesus would later echo from the cross—'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' Yet this psalm doesn't end in despair. It transforms into a declaration that all nations will worship the Lord. What changes between abandonment and worship? The answer is beautifully simple yet profound: the nearness of God leads to worship. Throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, we see God's relentless pursuit to dwell among His people. The tabernacle wasn't built so God could receive worship, but 'so that I may dwell among them.' The incarnation of Jesus—Emmanuel, God with us—represents the ultimate expression of this divine desire for closeness. When we feel forsaken, we must remember that God's entire story is about drawing near to us. His presence communicates His love more powerfully than words ever could. Just as we want to be with those we love during difficult times, God wants to be with us. This isn't just theological truth; it's lived reality through community. We're called to embody God's nearness to each other, showing up not just for the big moments but for the ordinary, everyday experiences that truly build connection and reveal divine love in action. If you want help in starting this journey, please don't hesitate to reach out! If you want to talk to someone about going deeper in your faith or starting to walk with Jesus on a daily basis, please reach out to us at office@graceva.com

Throughout Scripture, God communicates in many ways because He desires a relationship with us. In the birth story of Jesus, we see God speaking clearly through angels, the Holy Spirit, dreams, and divine confirmation—all working together to reveal His redemptive plan. In today’s episode, we explore how God speaks in the Bible and what the Christmas story teaches us about hearing God’s voice today. By examining these moments surrounding Christ’s birth, we’re reminded that God still speaks with purpose, clarity, and love—and He invites us to listen with faith and expectancy. Find more Faith-filled podcasts at Lifeaudio.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Jesus once cursed a fig tree—and it wasn't because He was having a bad day. It was a living picture of a deeper story. Throughout Scripture, Israel is described as God's vine—planted, cared for, and called to bear fruit for the world. But when the vine failed, God didn't abandon the story. At Christmas, the promised Branch arrived—and that Branch grew into the True Vine. And Jesus, the Vine, invites His followers to be branches—abiding in Him, allowing His life to flow to us, and producing fruit for others. The message: Where we see a dead, cut-down stump, God sees new life.

In today's message, Pastor Galen walks us through the powerful theme of light versus darkness—from creation, to Christmas, to our calling as followers of Jesus. Drawing from Ephesians 5:8–11, 14, we're reminded that once we lived in darkness, but now, in Christ, we are children of the light. This light produces goodness, right living, and truth, and it calls us to wake up, rise, and let the light of Christ shine through us. Throughout Scripture, light is central to God's story: At creation, God spoke light into existence (Genesis 1:1–4). The prophets foretold a great light dawning in darkness (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus came as the true light that darkness cannot overcome (John 1:4–5; John 12:46). In heaven, there will be no need for sun or moon, for Jesus Himself is the light (Revelation 21:23). Through vivid imagery, familiar Christmas moments, and visual reminders—from candlelit temples to dark caverns—this message challenges us to reflect on an important question: If we are living in the light, what does our life illuminate? Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14–16 that we are the light of the world—meant to shine, not be hidden. And as 1 Peter 2:9 declares, we are called out of darkness to proclaim His marvelous light. This message is both a celebration of Christmas and a call to action: Live like children who belong to the light. Let Christ's light shine through your words, choices, and witness. If this message encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone who needs hope and light this season.

Let's turn together in our Bibles to the book of Genesis, chapter 3, and focus our attention on verse 15. This is one of those pivotal verses in Scripture that has rightly been called the protoevangelium—the first announcement of the good news of salvation. In the King James Version, which we'll use throughout our study today, it reads: "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Imagine the scene in the Garden of Eden just moments after the fall. Adam and Eve have disobeyed God, eaten the forbidden fruit, and now they stand before Him in shame and fear. The harmony of creation is shattered. Sin has entered the world, bringing with it death, curse, and separation from God. It seems as though Satan, working through the serpent, has scored a complete victory. Yet right here, in the midst of pronouncing judgment, God speaks a word of incredible grace—a promise that shines like a beacon in the darkness. This verse is the seed from which the entire message of redemption grows. It's the foundation for everything that follows in the Bible, pointing us ultimately to the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, I want us to unpack this promise carefully, phrase by phrase, and trace how it unfolds through Scripture. We'll see God's sovereign grace at work, the conflict between the two seeds, the suffering and triumph of the Savior, and what it all means for us personally. My prayer is that as we study this together, we'll gain a deeper appreciation for the gospel and a stronger confidence in God's unbreakable plan. 1. The Divine Initiative: "And I Will Put Enmity" Notice first who takes the initiative here. God says, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman." The "thee" refers to the serpent, and as Revelation 12:9 and 20:2 make clear, this is none other than Satan himself: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." God doesn't command Adam or Eve to start fighting the devil. No, He declares sovereignly, "I will put enmity." This is pure grace from beginning to end. Fallen humanity, left to ourselves, has no natural hostility toward Satan. In fact, we're at peace with him and at enmity with God. As Ephesians 2:1-3 reminds us: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others." And Colossians 1:21: "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled." By nature, we love the darkness and hate the light (John 3:19-20). But when God plants this enmity in a heart, everything changes. The one who once listened eagerly to the serpent's lies now becomes his enemy. This is the beginning of regenerating grace—the Holy Spirit turning a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. Think about it: Eve had just been deceived by the serpent, yet God promises to create hostility between them. From that moment, humanity is divided into two spiritual lines: those who remain friends with the serpent and those in whom God has worked to make them hate sin and love holiness. This isn't something we muster up on our own; it's God's doing. What encouragement this is! If you're a believer today, that enmity toward sin in your heart is evidence of God's grace at work in you from the very foundation of the gospel promise. 2. The Two Seeds: "Between Thy Seed and Her Seed" Next, God speaks of the ongoing conflict: "and between thy seed and her seed." Throughout Scripture, this theme of two seeds runs like a thread, dividing all humanity spiritually. The serpent's seed are those who belong to him by nature and choice. Jesus said it plainly in John 8:44: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." We see this line early on with Cain, who murdered his brother Abel. It continues through history: Pharaoh oppressing Israel, Haman plotting against the Jews, Herod slaughtering the innocents, Judas betraying Christ, and every unregenerate person who opposes God and His people. But there's another seed—the seed of the woman. This is unusual language. Everywhere else in Genesis, offspring is described as the seed of the man: Abraham's seed, Isaac's seed, Jacob's seed, David's seed. Why here "her seed"? Because this points to the virgin birth. The promised Redeemer would have no human father. He would be conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a woman alone. Paul understood this clearly in Galatians 4:4: "But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." And Isaiah prophesied it in Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." This singular wording in Genesis 3:15 is God's early hint at the miraculous incarnation. The Champion who would defeat Satan would be fully human—born of a woman—yet fully God, without a sinful human father to pass on Adam's guilt. As we trace this promise, we see it narrowing. From the seed of the woman, to Seth's line, to Noah, to Shem, to Abraham (whose seed would bless all nations—Galatians 3:16 points this to Christ), to Judah (Genesis 49:10: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be"), to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16, the everlasting throne), to the virgin's Son in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting"). Every type and shadow in the Old Testament points forward to this Seed: Abel's acceptable lamb, the ark preserving Noah through judgment, the ram provided for Isaac, the Passover lamb, the bronze serpent lifted up (John 3:14), the scapegoat bearing away sins, the daily offerings—all crying out, "The Seed is coming!" 3. The Conflict and Victory: "It Shall Bruise Thy Head, and Thou Shalt Bruise His Heel" Now we come to the heart of the promise: "it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Note the pronouns carefully. In the Hebrew, it's singular and masculine: "He shall bruise thy head." This isn't a general conflict between groups; it's personal. One individual—the Seed of the woman—will deliver the decisive blow. The bruising of the heel speaks of real suffering. The serpent will strike, causing pain, humiliation, even apparent defeat. But a bruised heel is not fatal; it heals. A crushed head, however, is final—total destruction of the enemy's power. This is a preview of the cross and the resurrection. At Calvary, Satan bruised Christ's heel. From the manger onward, the enemy opposed Him: Herod's massacre, the temptations in the wilderness, the opposition of religious leaders, the demons' fury, and finally the horrors of Gethsemane and Golgotha. Philippians 2:6-8 describes the depth of this humiliation: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." The eternal Son veiled His glory, entered a virgin's womb, lived as a servant, and died a criminal's death. On the cross, darkness covered the earth, and He cried, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, quoting Psalm 22:1). Satan seemed triumphant—the Seed was dead and buried. But the promise was only a bruised heel, not a crushed head. On the third day, Christ rose victorious! As Psalm 16:10 prophesied: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." Hebrews 2:14 declares the result: "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." And Colossians 2:15: "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." At the cross, Jesus disarmed the demonic forces. Death's sting is gone for believers (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Satan's head received a mortal wound, though he still thrashes about. The full crushing awaits Christ's return. Then, as Revelation 20:10 promises: "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." The King will return in glory (Revelation 19:11-16), and the ancient Eden promise will be completely fulfilled. 4. The Incarnation: God Manifest in the Flesh To accomplish this victory, the Seed had to become one of us. Galatians 4:4-5 again: "But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." 1 Timothy 3:16 captures the wonder: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." The infinite God became finite, the eternal entered time, the Creator became a creature—yet without ceasing to be God. He who upheld the universe lay in a manger. This is the heart of the gospel: Immanuel, God with us. Personal Application: Living in the Victory What does all this mean for us today? Genesis 3:15 isn't just history; it's our story. By nature, we were all seed of the serpent—children of wrath. But if God has saved you, He has planted enmity in your heart toward sin and Satan. You've begun to hate what you once loved and love what you once hated. At the cross, Christ's heel was bruised for you, and Satan's head was crushed on your behalf. By faith in Him, you've passed from death to life, from darkness to light. Now we live out this victory daily. When you resist temptation, bear suffering for Christ, or share the gospel boldly, you're participating in the ongoing conflict—and the outcome is certain. Satan may bruise your heel through trials, slander, or temptation, but he cannot touch your Head, who sits at God's right hand (Psalm 110:1: "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool"). So stand firm. The battle is the Lord's. The victory is already secured. And soon, the Seed of the woman will return to make all things new. May this first gospel promise encourage your heart today. The God who spoke grace in Eden is the same God who speaks it to us now through His Son. Trust Him. Walk with Him. Look for His coming.

Welcome to Day 2751 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – From Eden to New Jerusalem: The Pattern of Ascent, Fall, and Redemption Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2751 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2751 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled From Eden to New Jerusalem: The Pattern of Ascent, Fall, and Redemption. Throughout Scripture, a pattern emerges—one that contrasts the fall of those who grasp at divinity with the exaltation of those who receive it by grace through believing loyalty. From Eden to Hermon, Babel, and ultimately to the New Jerusalem, the Bible traces the path of human ambition, divine descent, and final restoration. The first segment is: Eden: Seizing Divinity, Ending in Death In the beginning, Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, placed in sacred space, and destined to reign with Him. Yet they were not content to reflect His glory. Tempted by the serpent, they reached for equality with God on their own terms: “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis three verse 5 By attempting to grasp what had not been offered, they fell. Cast out of the garden, barred from the Tree of Life, and sentenced to die, their descent began not just physically but spiritually. They traded divine fellowship for exile and mortality. The second segment is: Hermon: Divine Rebellion and the Corruption of Mankind The next great rebellion came not from humans alone, but from the spiritual realm. According to 1 Enoch 6, the sons of God descended upon Mount Hermon and made a pact to defy God by taking human wives and producing the Nephilim. Their actions unleashed chaos and violence across the earth. This attempt to force a merger of heaven and earth on their own terms brought catastrophic consequences. God judged the Watchers, bound them in the Abyss, and destroyed their offspring in the Flood. Yet their spirits—demons—remained to corrupt mankind. The descent from Hermon marked not exaltation but divine exile, and it echoes the same pattern: those who attempt to seize divine authority fall into judgment. The third segment is: Babel: Ascending in Pride, Scattered in Judgment The next great act of rebellion came at Babel. Humanity, unified in language and purpose, sought to reach the heavens: “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves…” Genesis Eleven verse 4 Though the text says they were “one people,” this unity was likely driven by demonic influence—a renewed attempt to reopen the spiritual gateway severed at the Flood. Some modern theological reconstructions suggest the builders, influenced by demonic forces, may have sought to create a gateway that would allow the imprisoned Watchers to rise again and make war on Heaven itself. But the plan was doomed. God had already sentenced the Watchers to the Abyss, and no human or spiritual force could overturn that...

Carl Gallups is the senior pastor for Hickory Hammock Church down in Florida. He has authored 14 books, including his most recent ‘Golgotha’s Groaning.’ Carl Gallups online: http://carlgallups.com/ Golgotha’s Groaning: http://www.carlgallups.com/golgotha/ www.worldviewmatters.tv © FreedomProject 2025

Nothing is impossible with God. In this message, we are invited to trust what God has spoken and to rest in his timing. Our hope is not in outcomes but in the Lord himself. Waiting is not punishment. It is often preparation. Throughout Scripture, we see that the way we respond to what God says shapes our faith and draws us closer to him. Recorded at Hope Church in Springfield, MO.

Magnifying the Christ of Christmas, Week 1The Promised Christ2 Samuel 7:12–16, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2, Luke 2:10–14 | King's Chapel Live StreamThe story of Christmas did not begin in a manger. It began long before, in the promises of God. Throughout Scripture, God spoke through David, Isaiah, Micah, and even the angels themselves, revealing that a Savior would come and that His kingdom would never end.This first message in our Advent series looks back at the promises that pointed to the birth of Jesus. We see God's promise to David of a King whose throne would last forever. We hear Isaiah describe a Child who would be called Mighty God. We listen as Micah identifies Bethlehem as the place where the Ancient of Days would arrive in flesh. And we rejoice with the angels who announced good news of great joy for all people.Every one of these promises leads to one truth. Jesus is the Promised Christ. His birth brings hope in our darkness, life in our death, and the guarantee that God always keeps His word.If you are longing for hope this Christmas or needing to be reminded of God's faithfulness, this message will encourage you to lift your eyes to the Savior who has come and who will come again.Connect with King's Chapel in Longwood, FL - ▶️ www.kingschapelfl.com▶️ https://www.facebook.com/KingsChapelfl▶️ https://www.instagram.com/kingschapelfl/For the GLORY of our Great GodFor the GOOD of our NeighborAdvent sermon, Christmas prophecy fulfilled, Promised Christ sermon, King's Chapel Longwood FL, Isaiah 9 Christmas message, Micah 5 Bethlehem prophecy, Jesus Son of David sermon, hope in Christ Christmas, Christmas Bible teaching, good news of great joy sermon

This weekend we welcomed pastor Travis Eades from Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, for a message built around one simple truth. God is still with us in our fear.The first human response to the birth of Jesus was fear, but God answered that fear with His presence. Throughout Scripture, every “do not fear” comes with a promise that God is near, God is working, and God is holding what we cannot.If you have been carrying anxiety, pressure, sleepless nights, or a heart full of “what ifs,” this message offers real hope. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Today's Message Notes: https://bible.com/events/49527260Stay Updated on our Campus: https://linktr.ee/nlcsearcyOnline Giving: http://newlifechurch.tv/givingMailing Address: 2851 West Beebe-Capps Expy, Searcy, AR 72143For more information on our campus, email us at searcy@newlifechurch.tv or visit newlifechurch.tv. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram @nlcsearcy!

Life is filled with seasons of waiting, from medical results to relationship healing. Throughout Scripture, God's people have always been waiting people - Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and even Jesus all experienced extended periods of waiting. The Hebrew word for wait is the same as hope, revealing that biblical waiting is active and expectant. During waiting seasons, we can maintain hope through three key practices: establishing consistent prayer to commune with God, trusting His character and timing rather than forcing our own solutions, and actively doing good works right where we are. Our hope as Christians is different because it's a living hope found in Jesus, who experienced waiting just as we do and serves as both our example and foundation.

Episode Summary: While Norman Rockwall paints pictures of the holiday season as times of cheerful family togetherness, many feel unseen, especially during the holidays. Maybe you’re walking through this season feeling like no one really sees you. Maybe you’re single and longing for companionship, grieving the loss of a loved one, or feeling disconnected even in a crowd. The holidays can be a stark reminder of what we feel is missing in our lives. We see others celebrating with their families, opening presents, and engaging in joyful traditions, while we may feel forgotten or left behind. But even when the world seems to overlook you, God never does. Join me as we into a topic that touches so many hearts, especially during the holiday season: Finding Hope and Purpose When You Feel Invisible. Quotables from the episode: Loneliness isn’t just about being physically alone. It’s about feeling unseen, unheard, or unimportant. And during the holidays, this feeling can be magnified. We see families gathering, couples exchanging gifts, and social media flooded with highlight reels of happy moments—but what if you feel left out of that joy? There are many reasons why people feel overlooked during the holidays. Some have lost loved ones and feel their absence more acutely this time of year. Others may be estranged from family or struggling with difficult relationships. Some are facing financial hardship, making it hard to participate in the celebrations around them. Still, others feel overlooked in the workplace, in friendships, or even in ministry, wondering if what they do truly matters. Friend, just like He saw Hagar, He sees you too. No situation is too small or too big to escape His loving gaze. Maybe you feel invisible in your workplace, like your efforts go unnoticed. Maybe you feel unseen in your own family, where your needs seem to take a backseat to everyone else’s. Or maybe you’ve been crying out to God for an answer, and it feels like the heavens are silent. I want to assure you that God is not distant. He is near, and He sees every part of your heart. The enemy wants us to believe we are forgotten, but that’s a lie. The truth? God has always had His eye on you. God sees every detail of your life. He sees your silent tears and hears the prayers you can’t even put into words. He knows the longing in your heart and the dreams you’ve tucked away. You are not invisible to Him. I have to wonder if perhaps Jesus felt the same way when He asked His closest disciples to stay awake with Him in the garden, and yet they slept. Yet in that place He poured out His heart to His Heavenly Father. Throughout Scripture, we see God’s attentive love. Jesus noticed the outcasts—the woman at the well, the lepers, the woman with the issue of blood, the blind man begging on the roadside. He saw the ones society ignored, and He still does today. When you feel unseen, remember this: Jesus stops for the one. He stops for you. Even Jesus experienced feeling forsaken when He cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”(Matthew 27:46). But God had not abandoned Him, just as He will never abandon you. Even in our darkest moments, God is working behind the scenes. He is near, even when we don’t feel it. Anchor Yourself in God’s Word – Fill your mind with Scriptures that remind you of God’s deep love for you. Shift Your Focus – When we focus on what we lack, we feel emptier. But when we focus on God’s presence and His promises, our hearts find peace. Start by playing uplifting praise and worship music, then consider starting a gratitude journal, writing down ways God has shown up in your life, comforted you, or helped you feel seen. Reach Out – Sometimes, we isolate ourselves when we feel unseen. I encourage you to take a step—send a text, call a friend, or join a community where you can encourage others too. Spend Time in His Presence – God is enough. Sit with Him. Talk to Him. Let Him fill the spaces where you feel unseen. One of the beautiful ways we can reflect God’s love is by helping others feel seen. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us that God comforts us so we can comfort others. When we encourage others, God blesses us as well. Notice the unnoticed – Look for those who may feel left out and extend kindness to them. Speak life – A simple encouragement can make someone’s day. Be present – Sometimes, the greatest gift is simply being there for someone. God sees us, and He invites us to see others the way He does. My friend, if you feel invisible today, remember this: You are fully known and fully loved by the God who created the universe. God is the God who sees you, and He loves you deeply. Hold onto hope. Scripture References: Genesis 16:13 Hagar called God, El Roi, “The God Who Sees Me.” Psalm 139:1-3 “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” Matthew 27:46 “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” Isaiah 49:16 says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.” Zephaniah 3:17 tells us, “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Proverbs 11:25 “Those who refresh others will be refreshed.” Recommended Resources: Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host: For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week's message invites us to slow down and recognize the incredible gift we've been given in the Holy Spirit. Throughout Scripture, we see the Spirit of God hovering over darkness, moving upon God's people, being poured out in power, coming upon believers, and continually filling them with strength, joy, and boldness. From Genesis to Acts, we're reminded that the Holy Spirit is not distant—He is active, present, and working in our lives. You were never meant to just survive. The Holy Spirit helps you thrive. Join us as we explore what it means to be truly thankful for the Holy Spirit and how His presence changes everything.

This Sunday is the Last Sunday of the Church year and focus our attention on Jesus' return and the eternal joy of heaven. Throughout Scripture, the Holy Spirit makes comparisons between the promised land of Israel or the city of Jerusalem with the promised land of Heaven. The Bible refers to the new heaven and earth as "the new Jerusalem" (Revelation 21:2). Many of our hymns pick up this comparison and use it to describe Heaven as well. This week we will be singing a hymn that does that, based primarily on the books of Hebrews and Revelation. This hymn, "Jerusalem, My Happy Home" (TLH 618), describes the longing of the Child of God to be delivered from this world of sin to the promised glories of heaven. The poet writes: "When shall my labors have an end? Thy joys when shall I see?" (verse 1). But the hymn writer goes on to describe what heaven will be like using the pictures given in Scripture: Gates of pearl, streets of gold, and heaven built walls (verse 2). And who will be there? The angels (verse 3), apostles, martyrs, prophets (verse 4), and our fellow saints in Christ will also be present (verses 4,6). John writes: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:1-6). This hymn has a very interesting history, possibly dating back to St. Augustine and the 4th century, and it still serves to encourage God's people still today.  Sing it with joy and expectation this weekend, and with confidence that Jesus has opened the narrow door for us by His life and death!

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.

We wrapped up our Holy Spirit series by addressing two major challenges that hinder Spirit-filled community: consumerism and control. In 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul describes a church where everyone showed up ready to contribute—a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation. The Corinthian church was messy and broken, but the Spirit had freedom to move among them.We're shaped by consumer culture from birth, training us to evaluate church by what we get rather than what we give. Discipleship has always been about formation through imitation and practice, not just accumulating information. We gather to contribute and receive, not to consume a service.The second challenge is our need for control. Paul commanded things be done "decently and in order," but we've taken this to an extreme. Jesus said the Spirit is like wind that blows wherever it pleases. We can't schedule or manufacture the Spirit's movement. That makes us nervous, especially when someone shares something vulnerable in a Table Group or we sense a word during prayer. At those moments, we face a choice: stick to the plan or lean into what the Spirit is doing.Throughout Scripture, God calls people who feel unqualified. Joshua following Moses. Gideon hiding in a winepress. God doesn't wait for us to feel ready. The miracle happens after we step into the river, not while we're standing safely on the bank. We move from theology to practice to culture by consistently taking risks in community until hearing God and stepping out in faith becomes second nature.URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowship

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 ★

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

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

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, 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.

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