Podcasts about throughout scripture

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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