Podcasts about Woe

In this episode of Scene N Nerd, hosts Sarah Belmont and Will Polk delve into the captivating world of Severance with a discussion on Season 2, Episode 3, titled "Who Is Alive." As Mark, Helly, Irving, and Dylan navigate the chilling secrets of Lumon, Sarah and Will unpack Dylan's compelling character arc and his struggle for identity amidst the severed experience. They explore the emotional weight of family visits and the implications of being a severed employee, highlighting the poignant moments that define Dylan's journey.

God has been preparing us - He has been speaking through His prophets that He is going to reveal all the evil deeds our enemy has been doing. Things have been put in place - people have been put in place to deal with this evil that is all around us. It's about the children - it's always been about the children. Woe unto the ones that have caused any of them harm for they will suffer the wrath of our Father in Heaven. And when He is ready, He will reveal all of it - and it will very quickly be followed up with His justice. Have faith and keep praying...His justice is coming. Amen. Resources: https://www.nateandchristy.co/prophetic-words/this-is-where-the-battle-turns https://laurapotter.us/my-justice-on-display/ https://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=32901 https://elijahlist.com/words/display_word.html?ID=32965 Kathy Zacca's website: https://kathyzacca.com/ Susan Offen's website: https://susanoffen.com/ Laura Potter's website: https://laurapotter.us/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A sermon for All Saints' Sunday, November 2, 2025. Luke 6:20-31 Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:20-31   Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:20-31Then Jesus looked up at his disciples and said:“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.“Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.“Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. There is a patron saint for almost anything. If you have a fear of caterpillars, meet St. Magnus - the Patron Saint for Protection against those creepy crawlers. Work at a gas station? St. Eligius is your saint. He was the patron saint of horses and blacksmiths, until cars came along and someone decided he should cover gas stations too. If you are a beer lover, Arnold is your saint. The tradition goes, some thirsty people prayed to him to give them what they lacked and a pot of beer appeared. And if the morning after gets rough, there's even St. Bibiana, the patron saint of hangovers. I'm not making that up. Then, there's Drogo, patron saint of unattractive people, not that any of you need to pray to him. I think you get the point. There is a saint for nearly every situation. One of my favorite saints, and the one I think we need inspiration from today, is Saint Aelred of Rievaulx, the patron saint of friendships. You've probably never heard of him, which is part of why I love him. Aelred wasn't known for miracles or dramatic conversions, but for the way he understood and practiced friendship as a path to God.He was born in northern England, the son of a married priest before that became outlawed, and he was well-educated and well-liked from an early age.In his twenties, he served in the Scottish court under King David I: respected for his intelligence, diplomacy, and trustworthiness. But at age twenty-four, he walked away from what was surely a promising career and entered the monastery at Rievaulx in Yorkshire. I'm sure his parents were thrilled since monking makes such good money. He quickly became known for his warmth and wisdom. He eventually rose through the ranks and became the abbot of the whole monastery, overseeing more than 600 monks. But he didn't lead the way we usually imagine leaders do—commanding, strict, or heavy-handed.Aelred was gentle and empathetic, rarely a harsh disciplinarian, and always attentive to the spiritual and emotional needs of the people entrusted to him.He's best known for his writing and preaching on friendship. Aelred had a gift for befriending the people others overlooked, those who were weak, temperamental, or thought to be less than holy. In his most famous work, Spiritual Friendship, he describes a true friend as:“the guardian of my very soul” the one who protects all the secrets of my spirit in loyal silence, the one who bears and endures anything wicked they see in my soul. For a friend will rejoice with my soul rejoicing, grieve with its grieving, and feel that everything that belongs to a friend belongs to themself”. That kind of definition might make us rethink who we call a friend. Aelred's idea of friendship isn't casual or convenient; it sounds more like the love of a spouse, a parent, a sibling, or that one person who walked with us through the best and the worst. And for many of us, that's the person we remember today on All Saints Sunday.Today is unusual in the church year. Instead of primarily giving thanks to the God we know in Jesus Christ, this Sunday is set apart to remember the people we have known and loved in Christ, the ones who have gone before us and now rest in him.And whether we realize it or not, we're also honoring the love shared between us: the risk of loving and being loved, or as Aelred might say, the holy work of friendship.On All Saints Sunday, we remember not just the people we loved, but the risk it took to love them and the risk they took in loving us. Every real relationship carries the possibility, maybe even the certainty, of hurting and being hurt.And that's true of the saints we remember today. Some of them were anything but saintly. Some were difficult. Some were wounded, and some were wounding. Even the best of them didn't consistently love their enemies, pray for those who hurt them, or give generously all the time.But in the Lutheran tradition, that's not what makes a saint. A saint isn't someone who got it right. A saint is someone who tried, failed, and is forgiven by God. That is what makes a saint: a forgiven sinner.Which means this loving and being loved is risky business, no matter who it is. C.S. Lewis puts it this way:“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe and dark, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.To love is to be vulnerable.”Is there anyone who knows this risk — this vulnerability — more than the God we know in Jesus Christ? He left heaven, only to be betrayed by his own people, abandoned by his friends, and to have his heart beaten and broken until it stopped on the cross. And he did it so that we might be made into saints — forgiven sinners. Truly, there is no greater love than that.This morning we don't just remember the saints in our lives, we remember the love it took to be in relationship with them, and the risk that love always requires. Saint Aelred reminds us that to love is to risk. And to follow Jesus is simply to keep risking love again and again. Which means this life of faith is never without risk.Today is not only All Saints Sunday; it's also the launch of our capital campaign. You've seen the plans, the pictures, and you've given feedback along the way. And today we want to show you where all of that has led us.Because at the heart of this campaign is not just more seats in a sanctuary, or a bigger building. At the heart of it is more relationships. Buildings don't make a church. Relationships do.But buildings can give us the space where those vulnerable, holy friendships can take root. That's what we're after: a sanctuary that makes room for more people to experience the grace of Jesus Christ, and one that finally allows everyone to enter, serve, and participate fully in worship. And a Community Hub: a space where neighbors can connect, where learning and conversation can happen, where kids can play and grow, where anyone can meet, make, or find a friend.Does this involve risk? Absolutely. Not just financial risk, though that's part of it. The deeper risk is opening ourselves to the people around us.We risk people coming into our space simply to use it — and nothing more. We risk people learning what we believe about God's grace and deciding they want nothing to do with it.And we risk forming new friendships that will stretch our hearts and our community to make room for the people God sends our way. We could get really attached to these people. We could give our hearts to them. And that requires vulnerability.But that's the life Jesus calls us to — a life of risk, of friendship, of love.And if that is not at the heart of why we're doing this — if all we want is a bigger building with more empty chairs and tables — then this campaign can be damned. But if we are willing to take the risk — to open ourselves, to make the kind of friends Aelred made, the ones others overlook and dismissed, and to share the love of Jesus with a community who needs to see it, hear it, and feel it — then we are truly rooted in grace and growing in mission.Since there's a saint for nearly every situation, let Aelred be our saint for this moment. Not because he built anything, but because he loved people others ignored. Because he believed friendship was holy work. Because he knew the work of grace was making room for the overlooked and the imperfect.This campaign is not about numbers or square footage. It is about making more room for that kind of love: the kind that turns strangers into friends, and friends into saints.Because as Aelred wrote, “True friendship draws us right up to the edge of what it means to know God and experience God.”Amen

All Saints' Day Old Testament Daniel 7:1-3,15-18 In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: "As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom for ever—for ever and ever." The Psalm Psalm 149 Cantate Domino 1 Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song; * sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. 2 Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; * let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his Name in the dance; * let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people * and adorns the poor with victory. 5 Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; * let them be joyful on their beds. 6 Let the praises of God be in their throat * and a two-edged sword in their hand; 7 To wreak vengeance on the nations * and punishment on the peoples; 8 To bind their kings in chains * and their nobles with links of iron; 9 To inflict on them the judgment decreed; * this is glory for all his faithful people. Hallelujah! The Epistle Ephesians 1:11-23 In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory. I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. The Gospel Luke 6:20-31 Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Have you heard this saying? “Don't major in the minors.”We can easily get distracted in life and become consumed by things that don't really matter.Jesus often condemned the Pharisees for this type of behavior, giving them a stern lecture in Luke 11:42.“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”Let's ask God to help us teach our boys to focus on the things that matter most: loving Him and loving our neighbors.For more information about a Proven Process that is helping boys grow into godly men, visit Trail Life USA or RaisingGodlyBoys.com.

The Preacher again contemplates our seemingly unjust world.So I returned and considered all the oppression that is doneunder the sun and Look -- the tears of the oppressed; they have no comforter. And on the side of their oppressors thereis power. He acknowledges how the subjugated appear to have no redeemer.  He further observes how we can becomewroth instead of having proper reverence.  Our sorrow will never end if we cannot get beyond the earthly.  Yet there is so much more for those willing to transcend our “under-the-sun” nature.  Therefore I praised the dead, who are already dead, more than the living which are still alive. This is cryptic phraseology implies there are spiritually dead among us, as Jesus referenced in Matthew 8:22 (“Let the dead bury their dead.” ) Qohelet continues:  Better is he who has not been, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.  He considers whether man is better off to have never been born. An implication is the principled necessity of a coming judgment and afterlife.The Preacher then addresses the nature of envy and finds theenergy expended on this cardinal sin as vanity. The fool foldeth his hands together and eateth his own flesh.   This appears to discourage indolence. By stewing in jealousy and not being industrious, we bring ruin upon ourselves. Qohelet then speaks to the virtue of discretion:Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with toil and vexation of spirit.  Essentially, use Your time and energy wisely. Focus on the right and godly.  Act with  God-guided discretion and be discrete when successful.  Qohelet then speaks to the necessity of strong bonds.  There is one alone…he hath neither child nor brother; yet is there no end of his labour. Neither is his eye satisfied with riches.  He will come to says, “For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity. Such a man discovers that one alone, without family and friends to share in success, is the essence of vanity. Further, Qohelet realizes that no matter how rich one gets, those he may wish to pass his material wealth to may squander it. He then notes: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if one should fall, the other will lift up his fellow.  Woe to him that is alone. When he falleth; he hath not another to help him.He then moves this idea to the bedroom: If two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? Qohelet continues, And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.Some scholars proffer that the third cord is the power of God, and that a relationship with Your Spouse that is intertwined with God is a threefold cord not easily broken.The Preacher then touches on everlasting patterns in the political realm to close out the chapter.Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king,who no longer knows to be wary and will not be admonished.The idea is that there pattern of angst and futility from one generation to the next with respect to how power is acquired, exercised and passed along.  Wisdom will always remain the greatest trait of a King. For out of prison one cometh to reign as King; whereas, at times, he that is born in his own kingdom becometh poor.The Preacher also observes:I considered all the living...and notice how one rises to lead his fellows; when a second child shall stand up.There is often an example of one who is young unexpectedly assuming leadership.  Some will even come out of prison to reign. While others will fall from power and loss their status. When there is a new ruler, the populace often flocks for a myriad of reasons. Yet power is precarious.  Both rejoice and disappointment await those who are figureheads. The Preacher is highlighting how all he described, in the grand scheme, is short-lived.   

What makes a great leader … and what causes even good ones to stumble? Dr. Eric Scalise, president of Hope for the Heart, joins us again on Hope Talks. Drawing on decades of leadership experience across ministry, academia, and organizational life, Dr. Scalise shares key insights into the heart of healthy and unhealthy leadership. Together, we explore three common challenges every leader faces: insecurity, isolation, and lack of accountability. Dr. Scalise shares that the key to overcoming these challenges is finding your identity in Christ and surrounding yourself with truth-tellers—people who will both encourage and confront you in love. Drawing from Matthew 23 and the “seven woes” of Jesus, we also uncover some biblical principles for leading with humility and authenticity. Whether you lead a team, a family, or just want to help others grow, this episode will help you lead from a place of security and grace. Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.   So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.   Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.   Listen in to learn more : (01:51) Leadership Insights From Experienced Practitioner  (17:23) The Role of Priests and Prophets  (20:37) Accountability Partners and Insecurity  (27:36) Constant Communication With the Lord  (34:22) Leadership Qualities of George Washington  (51:50) Importance of Accountability in Leadership  (55:45) Appreciation for Leadership Conversation Hope for the Heart resources Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance  100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart    Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night   God's plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/   Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON    ---------------------------- Bible verses mentioned in this episode 1 Kings 4:5 - “Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and the king's friend.” Matthew 23:23–28 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the Law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean.  “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. John 13:3-5 – “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments and, taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”    

Cutting Off Spoilers (1) (audio) David Eells – 10/29/25 Apostate Leaders Fleecing the Sheep B. A. - 04/01/2012 (David's notes in red) I dreamed I was in some type of city. It was strange because there were no people on the sidewalks nor cars on the streets. There were these strange-looking brick buildings (buildings made by the flesh) everywhere I looked. (Sounds like the people of God slaving to make bricks for Pharaoh's buildings.) I decided to go inside one of these buildings. Once inside, I saw a familiar female TV preacher who was hosting an event. I recognized several other female preachers as well, and others whose faces I recognized but could not remember their names. (Father said, (1Ti.2:12) But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness. Read Word, Women and Authority.) There were elaborate tables set up with all kinds of party foods, and everyone was playing games. (If you are not submitting to scripture, you are just playing Church.) Each time the hostess presented a new game, she was wearing a different outfit. (Like chameleons changing to blend in) I watched this for a while, then I decided to leave and go see what was going on inside one of the other buildings. Once back out on the street, I saw a long, rectangular, brick building, so I went inside to check it out. It was very dimly lit; I could barely see where I was going. The building was huge inside, and it appeared to be a kind of art gallery. There were statues on the floor and statues mounted on the walls. (worshipping those who have no life) Further on up ahead, I saw some people standing around a picture on the wall, so I went to see what they were looking at. As I got closer, I noticed all the people were dressed up like pilots and they were looking at and admiring a picture of various airplanes. Some were elaborate jets and some were small Cessna-type planes. I recognized some of these people to be leaders in the apostate church. (Big-time prosperity preachers can't fly with us common folks. They have to have at least one private jet. Poor Jesus, He walked or rode a donkey.) Further on up ahead, I saw another group of people standing around a picture on the wall. As I got closer to these people, they were all dressed up like gladiators, looking at a picture of a large coliseum (I believe this to be representative of megachurches) and bragging about their own personal coliseum. (The competitive spirit is always trying to best those who are also a part of the body to see who is the greatest, as Jesus rebuked the disciples for.) Then, all the way to the back of the art gallery, I saw several rows of people seated and listening to a man standing at a podium. Behind this man was a large mural of TV and radio stations (the apostate leaderships bragging rights. To them more people is success.). He was teaching these people how to successfully get more money from their viewers and God's people in general. (Using mass media to make mass money and live in luxury while not doing the works of the kingdom. Jesus said, (Mat.10:8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give.) As I stood there listening to this, I cried out to the Lord, “Do you see what they are doing? They are scheming and preparing a plan on how they are going to fleece your sheep during tough economic times!” Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Don't be concerned; their days are numbered”. Then I woke up. (Their greed, debt and sins against God's people will take them out.)   Rescuing the Sheep Lorrie Deeter - 07/22/2007 (David's notes in red) In a dream, a little cat with what appeared to be a cat mask on. (These leaders are self-willed and masking their true selves.) He was seated in a high-backed throne with a crown upon its head. He was seated up high, as on a platform above people. (Like most churches do.) He had a ruler in his hand and was pointing to different people, as if giving orders or instructions. From out of nowhere, a great big lion (Lion of Judah) appeared and leaped upon the throne of the little (rebellious) cat and placed it before him and then under his feet, as a footstool. (The ruler represents measurement. (Mat.7:1) Judge not, that ye be not judged. (2) For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. (3) And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (4) Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? (5) Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.) Next, sheep, cattle and goats, appeared before me, all sitting in rows in what appeared to be a building. Some fat, some skinny and some bloated. Some had blindfolds on, some wore earmuffs, and some had earplugs placed within their ears. Some appeared to be blind and others deaf. A man then appeared before them, dressed in a suit and tie. I could not see his face, but as the sheep would come forth, he would bend down and take from them what appeared to be money and lay hands upon them as he looked up. I then saw the face of a wolf turn into view. (Plundering the body) Then out of nowhere, the sheep were plucked out of his hand one by one, as the eagles swooped down and snatched them from him. (Eagles represent overcomers who spread truth to give wisdom, which sets free like this dream.) Then all the sheep disappeared! (As I went back to lie down, I thought of the cattle and goats... and then this was spoken: “The cattle are raised up for destruction. (Cows only eat grass, which Peter said represented flesh, and they only feed milk. They represent perpetually immature Christians.) The goats are those who pretend to be of the sheepfold. (They represent the rebellious who Jesus separated on the left. (Eze.34:10) Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them.) Then this is what was spoken forth: “The fur shall drop and the masks shall be pulled away!” (The true sheep will see the false shepherds for what they are, wolves.)   Word Given: (Luk.6:46) And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? MY daughter, I have many woes and this, MY first of many woes, is to the shepherds and also to the leaders and to those who speak (falsely) in MY name, sayeth the Lord. Woe to those who have raised themselves up, led many, many of my people astray. (Self- or Babylon-ordained preachers, as in Jesus' day) These are they who have erred from MY TRUTH, MY WORD. I shall bring down the crown of their pride. I will bring down the haughty and those high-minded, who have not sought counsel from ME nor sought MY FACE, says the Lord, but of themselves and that of man. To those who have sought counsel from man shall I bring down, for they have not spoken the TRUTH of MY WORD. I, the Lord thy God am sending MY sons and daughters forth, and they shall surely take from the leaders and bring back which is ALL MINE and bring them forth unto ME, says the Lord. (I.e.,The “eagles swooped down and freed them”.) For these leaders are the ones who have deceived MY children and are deceived of themselves, continually deceiving My people, My chosen! These are they who have not walked in MY ways, for they did NOT bring to ME, MY sheep. For they have kept them for themselves and led them away from seeking MY FACE, MY WORD. For I shall surely bring the wicked down and tear down from them all their high places. You are MINE, says the Lord. For BEHOLD, I AM coming quickly and MY reward is with ME! (Eze.34:7) Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah: (8) As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely forasmuch as my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my sheep; (9) therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah: (10) Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them. (11) For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. ... (16) I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. (Isa.28:3) The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim (who worshipped the golden calf), shall be trodden under feet: ... (9) Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. ... (17) Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. (Isa.29:10) For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. ... (15) Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? ... (18) And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. ... (30:1) Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:   Separating the Sheep in the Wilderness Donna Gipson (David's notes in red) God has put on my heart to share a vision He gave to me several years ago. I believe it was late 1994 or early 1995. I was a baby in the Lord, saved for less than a year, so I didn't think to write down exact dates or time. This was a type of trance vision that the Apostle Peter described. I was in a prayer meeting with several people praying near me. Separating of the Sheep As I sat and was praying with my eyes closed, a vision appeared like a big movie screen in my mind. I was totally unaware of everything else around me except for what was happening in this vision. I saw what appeared to me as a vast wilderness. The ground was hard and sandy, not a piece of vegetation in sight. There was a long line of sheep walking across this wilderness. As I watched, a lamb would break off from the line and go to the right. These lambs would line up in rows, one behind the other, like a military formation would. They were all lying down resting with their front legs folded underneath them. I noticed there were no big sheep but only small lambs in this resting group. As I again looked towards the line of sheep who had not stopped with the lambs, I felt in my spirit that these sheep were very fat and woolly and were trudging across the wilderness. I did not understand this vision right away. Over time, the Lord revealed to me several scriptures in Ezekiel 34. I'm sure He will continue to reveal more concerning this vision. God Bless. The Lord is indicating He will separate His lambs from the fleshly fat sheep in the wilderness and cause them to rest from their worldly laboring through faith in His Word. Lambs are those who have their youth renewed as the eagle and have become as a child, a kingdom requirement. (Eze.34:15) I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord Jehovah. (16) I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice. (17) And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, the rams and the he-goats. (18) Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have fed upon the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pasture? and to have drunk of the clear waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet? (19) And as for my sheep, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet, and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet. (Misplaced respect for leaders cause their disciples to fall into their sins.) (20) Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto them: Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat sheep (full of flesh) and the lean sheep. (21) Because ye thrust with side and with shoulder, and push all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; (22) therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. (23) And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. (Jer.31:2) Thus saith Jehovah, The people that were left of the sword found favor in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest. (Mat.25:32) and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; (33) and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.   God Will Cut Off the Playpen Crowd Laura Lehning - 03/03/2016 (David's notes in red) I had a short dream that I was in a convenience mart following a person to the checkout; we were leaving the store. The person was very somber and austere in his demeanor. As we left, at the end of the aisle, I was surprised to see an empty playpen set up on the floor. (David has said that religions are like playpens: meant to be outgrown and climbed out of.) Then the man reached down into the playpen, which I thought was empty, and he pulled out a pair of sharp scissors. He said to me, “Remember what you have seen”. I answered, “Yes, a playpen and scissors”. (The playpen represents apostate Christianity, and the scissors represent a future cutting off of those who are perpetual children there who bear no fruit of the true Word.) When I awoke, I wondered if the dream had something to do with the apostate churches being 'cut off'. I prayed for a Bible verse about this dream and my finger came down on the word “reproach” in (AMP)(Psa.4:2) O sons of men, how long will my honor and glory be [turned into] a reproach and a shame? How long will you [my enemies] love worthless (vain, futile) things and seek deception and lies? Selah. Those who do not climb out of the playpen will be cut off. The “cutting off” can represent physical death or spiritual death or both and by many methods: (Eze.14:21) For thus saith the Lord Jehovah: How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon [apostate] Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the evil beasts, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast!   Examples of the meaning of “cut off” (Exo.31:14) Ye shall keep the sabbath [meaning to cease from your own works] therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. (15) Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day [We are now in the 7th thousand year day.] is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah; whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. (In New Testament terms, this could mean spiritual death.) (Lev.23:29) For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day; he shall be cut off from his people. (30) And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any manner of work in that same day, that soul will I destroy from among his people. (Jdg.21:6) And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day. (They were killed for justifying evil.) Those who don't leave their fleshly life behind will be cut off: (Gen.17:14) And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin [meaning ceasing to sow flesh], that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. Those who feed on the religions and their lies will be cut off. (Exo.12:15) Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day [the end of the tribulation 7 day/years], that soul shall be cut off from Israel. ... (19) Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a sojourner, or one that is born in the land. (Rom.11:22) Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. All but the true remnant who follow God will be cut off. (Zec.13:8) And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith Jehovah, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. (14:2) For I will gather all nations against [apostate] Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. The apostate Eli ministry will be cut off: (1Sa.2:27) And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Did I reveal myself unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in bondage to Pharaoh's house? (28) and did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up unto mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire? (29) Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation, and honorest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people? (30) Therefore Jehovah, the God of Israel, saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now Jehovah saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. (31) Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thy house. (32) And thou shalt behold the affliction of my habitation, in all the wealth which God shall give Israel; and there shall not be an old man in thy house for ever. (33) And the man of thine, whom I shall not cut off from mine altar, shall be to consume thine eyes, and to grieve thy heart; and all the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age. (34) And this shall be the sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas: in one day they shall die both of them. (35) And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in my heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever… Samuel The Saul ministry was cut off too: (1Sa.31:9) And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto the house of their idols, and to the people. Like him, all of David Man-child's apostate enemies will be cut off: (2Sa.22:41) Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, That I might cut off them that hate me. The Lord cut off those who factioned Israel away from the house of David: (1Ki.14:10) therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every man-child, him that is shut up and him that is left at large in Israel, and will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam, as a man sweepeth away dung, till it be all gone. (14) Moreover Jehovah will raise him up a king over Israel, who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam that day: but what? even now. All Ahab leaders and those who follow in their steps will be cut off. (2Ki.9:8) For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab every man-child, and him that is shut up and him that is left at large in Israel. The Beast cut off apostates from Israel: (2Ki.10:32) In those days Jehovah began to cut off from Israel: and Hazael smote them in all the borders of Israel; Many so-called people of God will be cut off from the Kingdom. (Psa.34:16) The face of Jehovah is against them that do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. (Psa.37:22) For such as are blessed of him shall inherit the land; And they that are cursed of him shall be cut off. (Psa.94:23) And he hath brought upon them their own iniquity, And will cut them off in their own wickedness; Jehovah our God will cut them off. (Pro.2:22) But the wicked shall be cut off from the land, And the treacherous shall be rooted out of it. (Isa.9:14) Therefore Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day. (Isa.29:20) For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scoffer ceaseth, and all they that watch for iniquity [to judge others] are cut off; (Jer.44:8) in that ye provoke me unto anger with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye are gone to sojourn; that ye may be cut off, and that ye may be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth? (Jer.50:16) Cut off the sower from Babylon, and him that handleth the sickle in the time of harvest: for fear of the oppressing sword they shall turn every one to his people, and they shall flee every one to his own land. (Jer.51:6) Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life; be not cut off in her iniquity: for it is the time of Jehovah's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense. Idolaters among God's people who love the world, religion and apostate leaders more than following the Word of the Lord will be cut off. (Eze.14:6) Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Return ye, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. (7) For every one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that separateth himself from me, and taketh his idols into his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet to inquire for himself of me; I Jehovah will answer him by myself: (8) and I will set my face against that man, and will make him an astonishment, for a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah. God will cut off the Edomites, Esau's seed, who are types of the factious who hate and persecute their brothers. (Eze.35:7) Thus will I make mount Seir [their factious leadership- Eve saw them all die at one time] an astonishment and a desolation; and I will cut off from it him that passeth through and him that returneth. (Oba.9) And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one may be cut off from the mount of Esau by slaughter. (10) For the violence done to thy brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever. Because factious Esau cut off his brother Israel, he was cut off: (11) In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that strangers carried away his substance, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them. (12) But look not thou on the day of thy brother in the day of his disaster, and rejoice not over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither speak proudly in the day of distress. (13) Enter not into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, look not thou on their affliction in the day of their calamity, neither lay ye hands on their substance in the day of their calamity. (14) And stand thou not in the crossway, to cut off those of his that escape; and deliver not up those of his that remain in the day of distress. The two spirits fighting against the righteous the most are Faction and Jezebel, whom God hates. These always go after the true leadership, all the way through the Bible. They will be cut off. (Rev.2:20) But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. (21) And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication. (22) Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works. (23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works. A factious person is always immature because this spirit causes them to ignore the Word without conscience, and so they are to be cut off from the body. (Tit.3:10) A factious man (is one who blasphemes, rails against, or slanders others to make disciples) after a first and second admonition refuse; (11) knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned. The nature of factious people: (Jas.3:14) But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. ... (16) For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion [Babylon] and every vile deed. These people are commonly unforgiving, judgmental, fornicators, liars, slanderers, thieves, etc. It says, “every vile deed”. Any fellowship with people like this is disobedience and will bring their spirits and sins or leaven into your life. (1Co.15:33) Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. (1Co.5:6) Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (7) Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ: (8) wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (9) I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; (10) not at all meaning with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: (11) but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. (12) For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? (13) But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves. So that you are not infected with their spirits. Those who do not partake of unleavened bread do not have a Passover of the destroyer. Leaven comes from people who pass on lies to separate you from others, as in faction or denominationalism. At the Passover, God's people were warned: (Exo.12:15) Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. (19) Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a sojourner, or one that is born in the land. (Rom.16:17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly (pride, lust, selfish ambition, usurping authority); and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. (19) For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil. All factious spirits cause their victims to disobey. (Mat.18:15) And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. (16) But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. (17) And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican. All factious spirits disobey (1Ti.5:19) Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses. These people always go after righteous elders because their demons lust after a position of authority. They cause all others to sin and receive their spirits by accusing elders without two witnesses, and the people sin because they do not demand another witness of sin, not just anything. (Mat.6:14) For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Notice the sins of one who does not forgive are not under the blood; they are not forgiven and their sins are not forgotten without repentance. (Mic.7:19) He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (Heb.10:17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. This is for those who are in covenant with God through repentance and faith but God remembers the sins of those who walk in willful disobedience to the Word until they are punished and repent. (Eze.3:20) Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thy hand. You are warned. (Eze.21:24) Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand. (Heb.10:26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. Notice that when God judges someone, it is because He does not forget their sin, because they are not under the sacrificial blood. Because factious people do not forgive, their wives, husbands and children who associate with them are taken into bondage. (1Co.15:33) Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. Jesus pointed out that the wife and children of a man in unforgiveness are also sold into bondage: (Mat.18:23) Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants. (24) And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents. (25) But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The Lord points out that those who, for selfish purposes, wanted Daniel's position, they, their wives, and children were thrown to the lions. (Dan.6:24) And the king commanded, and they brought those men that had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.

For this All Saints Sunday, Sarah Stenson teaches us what it means when Jesus describes those who are blessed. To be blessed means God has expended his benefits to you. And what are God's benefits? Mercy and unfairness. In this old world, you'd expect the poor to get food, shelter, and money, yet when the Holy Spirit gives us faith in the promise of Christ, the poor get a sermon. She concludes with the Golden Rule. All the other world religions treat others how they want to be treated because it ultimately benefits them. We do this because we have Christ's Word in our ear. CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTIONIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those struggling with life's challenging situations: addiction, death, family disharmony, and more. Rooted in the theology of the cross and the Lutheran tradition of radical grace, this series offers both theological depth and practical guidance for pastors, church workers, and lay leaders.With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the broken places of addiction not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about fixing people—it's about preaching the Gospel.Listen to Care of Souls wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Luther House website: Care of Souls - AddictionCONFIRMATION Does your church have a confirmation class? Luther House of Study is excited to present a comprehensive online confirmation curriculum. The curriculum includes interactive digital lessons and supplemental teacher guides featuring custom videos, quizzes, drag and drop tasks, discussion questions, scripture passages, and prayers about the Apostles' Creed, the 10 Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Sacraments. Visit lutherhouseofstudy.org/confirmation to dive into the curriculum and share it with your church or your pastor. GOSPEL Luke 6:20-3120 Then he looked up at his disciples and said:  "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21  "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24  "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25  "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.26 "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. 27 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. Support the showInterested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

In this episode of Porn and the Gospel, host Spencer Sutton invites brothers in Christ to take the first step on the ladder of blessing—becoming “poor in spirit.” Drawing from Matthew 5:3 and insights from Jerry Bridges, Charles Spurgeon, and Dane Ortlund, Spencer explores what true humility before God looks like for men striving for purity and holiness. Through Scripture, reflection, and prayer, he reminds us that we cannot lead our families, workplaces, or ourselves without first surrendering our pride and acknowledging our spiritual poverty. This is where grace begins—and where real transformation takes root. Key Takeaways Poverty of spirit is an attitude of the heart. True humility isn't about behavior—it's about posture before God. God blesses the humble. He dwells with the contrite and revives the heart of the lowly (Isaiah 57:15). Confession is freedom. Like the tax collector in Luke 18, we come to God not with good works, but with open repentance. Seeing God clearly reveals our need. When Isaiah saw the Lord, he said, “Woe is me!” before receiving cleansing and calling. Humility magnifies grace. As Dane Ortlund writes, Christ is a billionaire in mercy—our dependence only deepens His display of grace. Spiritual ambition and humility can coexist. Christ modeled both: total commitment to God's mission and total lowliness of heart. Scripture References Matthew 5:2–3 — “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Deuteronomy 8:2 — God humbles to reveal what's in our hearts. Isaiah 57:15 — God dwells with the contrite and lowly. Luke 18:11–14 — The Pharisee and the tax collector. Isaiah 6:5 — “Woe is me, for I am lost.” Philippians 4:13 — Contentment through Christ, not self-sufficiency.

The danger of ignoring God... song: I've Come Too Far to Look Back.  Sister Jennifer and BIsaiah 6: 1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 ¶Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Sunday Service (10/19/25) // Revelation 8:1-13 (ESV) The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer8 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings,[a] flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.The Seven Trumpets6 Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.7 The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.8 The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.10 The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood.[b] A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.12 The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!Footnotesa. Revelation 8:5 Or voices, or soundsb. Revelation 8:11 Wormwood is the name of a plant and of the bitter-tasting extract derived from it#DanielBatarseh #Revelation #BookofRevelation #BibleStudy #mbchicago #mbcchicago #Bible #versebyverse #sermon #sermons #sermononline #bookofrevelation #bookofrevelations #revelation #revelations #newtestament #scripture #verses #lessons #church #chicago #livechurch #churchlive #chicagochurch #chicagochurches #prophecy #prophetic #jesus #jesuschristWebsite: ⁠https://mbchicago.org⁠ FOLLOW US Facebook: ⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠ Instagram: ⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠ TikTok: ⁠  / mbc.chicago  ⁠ Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others TO SUPPORT USZelle to: info@mbchicago.orgWebsite: ⁠https://mbchicago.org/give⁠ Venmo: ⁠https://venmo.com/mbchurch⁠ DAF Donations: ⁠https://every.org/mbc.chicago⁠ PayPal: ⁠https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but...⁠

Woe! You Have Become Worse Then Sodom - The Book of Ezekiel - Chapters 15-16 - 2025 Study by Shawn Ozbun

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

Discover unique observations about the two witnesses from the conclusion of the second woe in Revelation 11; as well as some parallels they had with Jesus and how we can personally apply some of what the Bible says of their ministry.

All Have Temptation, Which Is Not the Sin; But Jesus Followers Can Resist All Temptation Through Their Faith and Relationship with God MESSAGE SUMMARY: You will be tempted again and again, but the temptation itself is not the sin. The sin resides in your grabbing onto the temptation; dwelling on the temptation; and following through on the temptation. Jesus was tempted, and He {Jesus} always faced temptation by quoting scripture to the temptation source. As Jesus tells you about Temptation and sin in Matthew 18:7-8: “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.". From James 1:13, we know that God does not create the temptation we face: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.". Since all are tempted, it is great to know, from 1 Corinthians 10:13, that Jesus Followers will not be tempted beyond their capability to resist the temptation and act on it through sinning: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." You can follow Jesus' example by using scripture to deal with a temptation – there is scripture to deal with every temptation that you may face.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I come this day inviting you to cut those deeply entrenched chains that keep me from being faithful to my true self in Christ. In doing so, may my life be a blessing to many. In Jesus' name, amen.      Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 44). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I will seek God's perspective on my situation. For I know that in all things God works together for good to those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose. From Romans 8:28 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16; Psalms143:1-12; James 1:13 A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: ““New Day for Humanity ” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

The absence of God from the soul, by his departure, withdrawing, or hiding himself from it, is that which principally casts the soul into its depths. "Woe unto them," saith the Lord, "when I depart from them!" Hos. 9:12. And this woe, this sorrow, doth not attend only a universal, a total departure of God from any; but that also which is gradual or partial, in some things, in some seasons.

Just in time for Halloween comes a spooky story of speculation and specters in the world of real estate. Joshua Comaroff, a professor at National University of Singapore, is the author of Spectropolis: The Enchantment of Capital in Singapore. He tells Unfrozen that, despite being one of the most assertively modern nations in the world, mysticism and geomancy are very much part of the design and construction process in the island nation-state. Woe be to the development (and its occupants) that does not undertake elaborate rituals and pay the requisite respect (and sometimes burnt “hell money” offerings) to ghosts that may be resident on the site. We hope you enjoy this tale of spirits and the material world… -- Intro/Outro: “Beancounter,” by the Cooper Vane -- Discussed: Hell money, in sextillion-dollar denominations Feng shui People's Action Party Ghost Month (Ghost Festival) Bomoh (Malay spirit doctor) Winchester Mystery House ION Orchard Gateway, by I.M. Pei AI Ghosts John Calvin's hatred of speculation The Clayford Sisters Thanatechnology

Woe to me! For I amLike harvests of summer fruit, like gleanings of grapes.There is not a cluster of grapes left to eat,Nor an early fig, which [a]I crave.2The [b]godly person has perished from the land,And there is no upright person among mankind.All of them lie in wait for bloodshed;Each of them hunts the other with a net.3As for evil, both hands do it well.The leader asks for a bribe, also the judge,And the great one speaks the capricious desire of his soul;So they plot it together.4The best of them is like a thorn bush,The most upright like a thorn hedge.The day [c]when you post your watchmen,Your punishment is coming.Then their confusion will occur.5Do not trust in a neighbor;Do not have confidence in a close friend.Guard [d]your lipsFrom her who lies [e]in your arms.6For son disavows father,Daughter rises up against her mother,Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;A person's enemies are the people of his own household.God Is the Source of Salvation and Light7But as for me, I will be on the watch for the LORD;I will wait for the God of my salvation.My God will hear me.8Do not rejoice over me, enemy of mine.Though I fall I will rise;Though I live in darkness, the LORD is a light for me.9I will endure the rage of the LORDBecause I have sinned against Him,Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me.He will bring me out to the light,And I will look at His [f]righteousness.10Then my enemy will see,And shame will cover her who said to me,“Where is the LORD your God?”My eyes will look at her;[g]At that time she will [h]be trampled downLike mud of the streets.11It will be a day for building your walls.On that day your boundary will be extended.12It will be a day when [i]they will come to youFrom Assyria and the cities of Egypt,From Egypt even to the Euphrates River,Even from sea to sea and mountain to mountain.13And the earth will become a wasteland because of her inhabitants,On account of the fruit of their deeds.14Shepherd Your people with Your scepter,The flock of Your [j]possessionWhich lives by itself in the woodland,In the midst of [k]a fruitful field.Let them feed in Bashan and GileadAs in the days of old.15“As in the days when you went out from the land of Egypt,I will show [l]you miracles.”16Nations will see and be ashamedOf all their might.They will put their hand on their mouth,Their ears will be deaf.17They will lick up dust like a snake,Like [m]reptiles of the earth.They will come trembling out of their [n]fortresses;To the LORD our God they will come in trepidation,And they will be afraid of You.18Who is a God like You, who pardons wrongdoingAnd passes over a rebellious act of the remnant of His [o]possession?He does not retain His anger forever,Because He delights in mercy.19He will again take pity on us;He will trample on our wrongdoings.Yes, You will cast all [p]their sinsInto the depths of the sea.20You will give [q]truth to JacobAnd favor to Abraham,Which You swore to our forefathersFrom the days of old.FEAR IS A SIN! Let's move our lives into God and receive His rest and peace on all sides no matter how much of a drama queen the Enemy is. DOWNLOAD THE APP!fringeradionetwork.com DON BASHAM MINISTRIES 1,000,000,000 GIVE SEND GO:https://www.givesendgo.com/bashamPAYPAL:spiritforce01@gmail.comBITCOIN:3H4Z2X22DuVUjWPsXKPEsWZmT9c4hDmYvyVENMO:@faithbucksCASHAPP:$spiritforcebucksZelle:faithbucks@proton.mePATREON:Michael BashamHOME BASE SITE:faithbucks.com

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Luke 11:47-54 - The Lord said: "Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute' in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter." When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward Him and to interrogate Him about many things, for they were plotting to catch Him at something He might say. Memorial of Saint Hedwig, Religious Memorial of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin Saints Hedwig and Margaret Mary, pray for us! Bishop Sheen quote of the day

In today's episode, we're declaring war on the biggest propaganda machine on the planet: the mainstream media. This isn't just about bias—it's a calculated assault designed to mock believers, normalize sin, and rebrand biblical truth as hate.There's a war being waged for your soul, and the battlefield is your screen. Every headline, every segment, every viral clip isn't just news—it's a sermon from the gospel of godless humanism, designed to ridicule believers, normalize sin, and silence the Church.The mainstream media isn't biased; it's a propaganda machine for the enemy. It ignores Christian persecution, magnifies our mistakes, and systematically rebrands biblical conviction as dangerous extremism. The world calls it journalism. God calls it deception. The world calls it progress. The Bible calls it rebellion.In a culture saturated with lies, will you keep consuming the poison? Or will you join the fight to reclaim the truth?Buckle up. This episode exposes the enemy's playbook and calls the army of God to fight back."Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness." – Isaiah 5:20Episode Highlights:07:24 - When was the last time you saw a mainstream story that portrayed Christianity in a positive, intelligent or balanced way? It almost never happens. But let a so-called Christian leader fall from grace and it's plastered everywhere. They love to highlight hypocrisy, not holiness, scandal, not salvation. Because their goal is not to inform but to indoctrinate.12:21 - According to Barna research, the average American teen now spends 2,700 hours per year consuming media, compared to 150 hours in church. My God, that's an 18:1 ratio. If discipleship is about what shapes your mind, who do you think is winning that battle?39:36 - The greatest weapon the media has is our fear of being disliked. They know that most Christians crave comfort and reputation more than conviction. So they bully us with labels—bigot, extremist, intolerant—hoping that we're going to shut up and sit down. But silence ain't love. Silence is surrender.Connect with Paul M. NeubergerWebsite 

! JOIN SHERI HORN HASAN @ https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speaking FOR THIS WEEK'S “ASTROLOGICALLY SPEAKING!” PODCAST WHICH DROPS OCTOBER 17!As we wax now toward the Libra New Moon on October 21, we can see that the Libra Sun opposes wounded healer Chiron, & Eris, the dwarf planet of chaos, discord, & strife. And that this opposition is forming a square to Jupiter as it waxes toward an opposition to Pluto.That this is occurring as we head into the nationwide No Kings protest day on October 18 is troublesome to say the least. Republican governors from Texas, Virginia, & Missouri have already called up their National Guard in preparation for these protests.And that means, even before the Libra New Moon hits on Tuesday, October 21, that protesters must call upon their inner Libran archetype to emphasize their peacefulness rather than fall prey to any coercive actions by others who try to make them respond otherwise (read: aggressively.)Billed as the largest protest in American history, millions will gather in all 50 states to protest the current policies ordered by President Trump & his administration since he took office in January 2025. The caution here is not to get sucked in to losing one's cool, as the heavens are telling us that even the slightest provocation might land one in trouble now.Given that political rhetoric has coarsened to the point of becoming radicalized since Mercury, the god of communication, entered Pluto-ruled Scorpio on October 6, now is not the time to release anger in any way other than verbally. However, the tension increases since Mercury will join Mars in Scorpio exact late on October 19/early October 20—depending on your time zone--making this waxing energy extremely strong on October 18's No Kings day. Take this as a warning not to lose your cool now, whether you're part of these protests or engaged in any other dispute personally with those with whom you disagree. Rather, as stated, channel your inner Libran archetype to simply stay calm & carry on!  GIVE ME THE MAN & I WILL FIND THE CRIMEMeanwhile, more vindictive prosecutions were announced this past week as we head toward the Libra New Moon on October 21. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), which has been weaponized against Donald Trump's perceived enemies—as Attorney General Pam Bondi & Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche now serve as his personal lawyers--indicted former National Security Advisor John Bolton accusing him of releasing classified information to unauthorized individuals.Whether the charges stick or not, the fact that Trump has stated publicly that he's going after his “enemies” & is hell bent on “retribution” is clearly reflected by the waxing Mercury/Mars energy in Scorpio now. Trump has already forced his DoJ to indict former FBI Director James Comey, NY Attorney General Letitia James, & District Attorney Fani Will of Fulton Country, Georgia, (& others) against experienced DoJ attorneys' advice & with little evidence. “Vindictive prosecution” is a great way to define not only the Mercury/Mars conjunction, but also the Sun waxing toward its exact square to Pluto on October 24 & Jupiter's current out of sign opposition to Pluto. All of those smell of “retribution” against one's enemies through legal recourse. The Scorpionic & Plutonic nature of these aspects, however, reek of underhanded methods to achieve one's goals. And that is part & parcel of what the No Kings day protests are about. In the short-term, however, it's clear that the U.S. Government shutdown is on peoples' minds as well, as the fight between the two congressional parties--where one refuses to negotiate & compromise with the other--continues.Why? Because the capitalist-oriented GOP majority in Congress believe they are being “responsible” by cutting the federal budget's Medicaid & Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies—along with a host of other aid to poorer citizens--to offset the growing federal deficit.However, they fail to acknowledge (though clearly they MUST realize) that part of the reason for the expanding budget deficit is due to the Big Ugly Bill they passed at the behest of Donald Trump in July which granted huge tax relief to the richest among us in the country.At the same time, the same people who refuse to compromise accuse anyone who disagrees with them—particularly the millions of citizens (many their own constituents) scheduled to protest on October 18--of being members of Antifa.Woe to the poor soul who doesn't have the intellectual capacity to understand that Antifa stands for ANTI FASCIST. Or that this country has been anti-fascist to its core, particularly since its citizens fought & died during WWII against the FACIST Nazis in Germany. Apparently, they never read George Orwell's “1984,” let alone understand that Antifa is NOT an actual organization. Rather, it's simply a non-existent group made up by Trump & Republicans, labeled "terrorists," & designed to attack liberals or anyone who disagrees with them.K, there's a lot more Astro News You Can Use—including about the upcoming Libra New Moon, & how we're definitely  in the throes of the fight for democracy since U.S. Pluto Return (& no, it wasn't a one-off aspect here today, gone tomorrow!)--in this week's podcast, so be sure to tune in starting today @ https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speaking Till then, namaste…

Gospel Luke 11:47-54 The Lord said: "Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute' in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter." When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. Reflection Once Jesus ministry became public, he made it clear that there was a problem with the scribes and Pharisees. The leaders of the people. And in a way, diplomatically you might say, he was careful to point out things that they were doing wrong. But then he got to the point when his ministry was about an end, and he was tired of holding back. He wanted to make clear to them how deadly they had become, how much damage they were doing to the people. And so you can see in this passage that it finally gets down to a shouting match, probably between the scribes and Pharisees and Jesus. And they're always trying to trip him up, and they can't. They're losing. And that's when they decided to destroy him. Closing Prayer Jesus, often, when we are working at exposing our weaknesses, our shortcomings to ourselves, when we become more and more conscious. It gets a little bit more and more frightening at times if it gets to a point where we see more and more darkness. But unlike the scribes and Pharisees, we don't want to turn that into a rejection of you, the truth teller. And we want to embrace the truth. And we ask this in Jesus ‘name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lord said:"Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophetswhom your fathers killed.Consequently, you bear witness and give consentto the deeds of your ancestors,for they killed them and you do the building.Therefore, the wisdom of God said,'I will send to them prophets and Apostles;some of them they will kill and persecute'in order that this generation might be chargedwith the blood of all the prophetsshed since the foundation of the world,from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariahwho died between the altar and the temple building.Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!Woe to you, scholars of the law!You have taken away the key of knowledge.You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter."When Jesus left, the scribes and Phariseesbegan to act with hostility toward himand to interrogate him about many things,for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

Read OnlineWhen Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. Luke 11:53–54Over the past few days, we have been reading Saint Luke's version of Jesus' “Woe to you” rebukes of the scribes, Pharisees and the scholars of the law. Today's Gospel concludes these rebukes of love by pointing out that these religious leaders did not convert. Instead, they began plotting against Jesus so as to “catch him at something he might say.” This is what happens when people use God's holy law as a weapon to attack.Normally, we take inspiration from the Holy Scriptures in a positive way, meaning, by reflecting upon Jesus' words and actions and applying them to our lives. However, we can also learn from the evil others commit and allow their actions to inspire us to avoid their sin. In today's Gospel, we are invited to ponder the obsessive plotting of these religious leaders so as to consider whether we also are guilty of their sin.First, note that at the conclusion of Jesus' rebukes, these religious leaders “began to act with hostility” toward Jesus. Normally, when we act with hostility toward another, it is done with the mindframe that we are right and they have done something wrong. We justify our hostility by pointing to their perceived sin. However, it must be understood that every act of hostility on our part is a clear indication that we have started down the road of sin and are not justified in our obsession.Notice also that these religious leaders exercised their hostility toward Jesus by interrogating Him. In other words, in their anger, they kept asking Him questions so as to find some fault with Him. They tried to trick Him and trap Him with their speech using God's very Law handed down through Moses and the prophets. But they manipulated that Law so as to justify their hostility and, out of pride, to falsely accuse Jesus.Think about any times in your life in which you found yourself somewhat obsessed with what you judged to be the sin of another. Hostility in this case can even be passive, meaning you may present a kind disposition on the surface, but interiorly you are obsessively thinking about how you can condemn the person. Often when this happens, we can feel justified in that we convince ourselves that justice must be done and that we are the dispensers of that justice. But if God is in control of our lives, He will not call us to obsessive plotting in regard to another. Instead, when we are following the will of God, we will sense Him inspiring us to act with immediacy, calm, joy, kindness, honesty, and freedom from all anger and obsession. Reflect, today, upon any way that you have seen this misguided tendency within your own life. If you can identify a time when you struggled with hostility toward another, look at the fruit it bore. Was God glorified through your actions? Did this leave you at peace or agitated? Were you fully objective in your thinking? Be honest with these questions and you will begin to discover the road to freedom from such obsessive thinking. God wants you to be at peace. If there is injustice, trust that our Lord will sort it out. You, for your part, must continually work to forgive, act with charity, and direct your attention to the will of God as it is gently presented to you. My patient and kind Lord, You were falsely accused and condemned by many of the religious leaders of Your time because You spoke the pure truth with love, clarity and boldness. When I act with hostility and anger toward another, help me to turn from these sins so that I will never condemn, never judge and never manipulate Your divine Law for my own purposes. Fill me with Your peace and charity alone, dear Lord. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Duccio di Buoninsegna, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Gospel Luke 11:42-46 The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces.   Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.” Reflection Jesus had an intention, not necessarily to insult those that were leading the temple as much as it was to change their understanding of who they were. They were blinded by their darkness. And what we see in this is that they are making other people enter that darkness with him without even knowing it. To step on a grave would make a person unclean, to be in the web of the Pharisees and scribes would also make them unclean. So Jesus is worried about the impact he's having on the people, and as he reveals it, all they can hear is an insult that is unfairly offered. Closing Prayer Father, bless us with the understanding of the fullness of who you want us to be. If it was just about you and us, it would be different. But it's about us and everyone around us. Help us to understand how contagious we can be, both for the light and for the darkness. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lord said:“Woe to you Pharisees!You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb,but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God.These you should have done, without overlooking the others.Woe to you Pharisees!You love the seat of honor in synagoguesand greetings in marketplaces.  Woe to you!You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply,“Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.”And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law!You impose on people burdens hard to carry,but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”

6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; 6:14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 6:15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, 6:16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. 6:17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 6:18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Read OnlineThen one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”  Luke 11:45–46This scholar of the law had been listening to Jesus firmly rebuke the Pharisees. As he listened, his own conscience was pricked, and he challenged our Lord. What does Jesus do? He quickly and firmly rebukes the scholar of the law, pointing out that the scholar uses the law to impose heavy burdens on people. Jesus did not back down in this rebuke of love. Instead, He directed it to the very place that His rebuke was bearing fruit: in the conscience of this scholar of the law.This experience of the scholar of the law teaches us two important lessons. First, we learn from him the importance of paying attention to our conscience when it is “pricked.” Second, it teaches us that when this happens, it is very easy to become defensive.What is it that pricks your own conscience? Think back over the past month and reflect upon anything that you became defensive about. Did something someone said bother you? If so, pay attention to this. Sometimes we are bothered for reasons other than our own sin. But oftentimes, what actually bothers us is that we come face-to-face with some sin with which we struggle, and we do not want to admit it.What if this scholar of the law would have listened to Jesus and, instead of being offended, became grateful for Jesus' words? What if he would have humbly looked at his own life and realized that he was also guilty of the very things that Jesus was condemning the Pharisees for? If he would have done that, he would have been put in a position to sincerely examine his actions and begin a process of change. But this is hard to do. Reflect, today, upon anything that has recently offended you. Be honest and admit that it is often the case that when God presents you with your sin through some means such as the loving rebuke of another, you must work diligently to overcome any pride. And when you feel defensive, you must immediately see that as an indication that there is something in your life that you need to change. A pricked conscience is a gift from God. Rejoice when that happens, rather than being offended, and you will discover one of the best ways by which you can grow in holiness of life by becoming free of the very sin our Lord is presenting to you. My challenging Lord, You are constantly speaking to me in various ways. Sometimes You are gentle, and at other times You lovingly rebuke me. Please help me to see my sin. As I do, I pray that I will not become defensive or dismissive, rationalizing my erroneous actions. May I learn to rejoice in all that You say to me, especially when You speak Your rebukes of love. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Jacob Jordaens, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

On Sunday, we continued Binge the Bible: Season 2 with this truth: God's holiness convicts us, His mercy redeems us, and His grace compels us to serve.That's what we saw in Isaiah's vision of the Lord in Isaiah 6. In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord seated on the throne, high and exalted. His response wasn't joy but dread: “Woe is me! I am ruined.” God's holiness exposed Isaiah's sin, and he knew he was undone.But God didn't leave him there. A burning coal from the altar touched his lips, and in a moment the declaration was made: “Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” That's the gospel—at the cross, judgment fell on Jesus so that mercy could fall on us.Isaiah then heard the Lord's call: “Whom shall I send?” and responded, “Here am I. Send me.” That's the journey we're invited into: from conviction, to cleansing, to calling.So here's the invitation this week: Don't stop at being convicted; receive God's mercy, and then live sent.

It's Tuesday, October 7, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Nigerian military opened fire on Christians Christian persecution at the hands of Muslim terrorists in Nigeria was tough enough. Now, Truth Nigeria reports that the Nigerian military has opened fire on Christians in the Benue State — this time killing three young men. Ten others sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds and are receiving medical treatment in Jato-Aka. The local chief said, “We no longer need the military in our land. … They have joined Fulani to kill us and take over our land. They have turned their guns against us. … The betrayal is unbearable. Enough is enough. President Tinubu and Governor Alia should hear this message and take immediate action.” Newsweek urges State Dept to declare Nigeria “Country of Particular Concern” Newsweek.com has joined the voices of comedian Bill Maher and others, pointing to the egregious level of Christian killings in Nigeria. The Nigerian government has “categorically” denied that terrorists are waging a systematic genocide against Christians in the country. Newsweek noted that the Trump State Department has thus far failed at making Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.” Europe's swirling politics France just lost its third prime minister in about a year. Sébastien Lecornu was the latest, and he just resigned yesterday after only 27 days in office. This marks the most instability for the French government in 70 years. France's nationalist, anti-immigration party increased from obtaining 4% of parliamentarian seats in 2008 to 37% in 2024. Germany lost its government earlier this year.  Germany's anti-immigration party is supported by 24% of the country, up from virtually nothing ten years ago.  And Portugal faces instability, still run by a minority government, having completed its third election in three years in May.  Portugal's nationalist party increased from half percent in 2019 to 23% in the 2025 elections. Also, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and Italy have experienced wide swings in governance — shifting to a nationalist position over the last 5-10 years. Daniel 2:21 reminds us that it is God who “changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” Cuba sends 5,000 troops to aid Ukraine despite grinding poverty Reuters reports that Cuba is supporting the Ukrainian War now with up to 5,000 troops. The communist country's economy is lagging badly — suffering a four-year decline in its Gross Domestic Product, with another decline forecasted for this year, reports InDepthNews.com. Inflation is running at 28%. The nation has suffered at least five energy blackouts this year so far.  And 89% of the populace suffers from “extreme poverty” according to a recent survey. Seven out of ten Cubans have stopped eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner due to lack of money or food shortages. Only 15% have been able to eat three meals a day without interruption. That compares with the next poorest countries in Central America. Just 16% of Guatemalans  and 27% of folks in Honduras have to deal with these levels of extreme poverty. Supremes consider Trump's tariffs, Hawaii's gun restrictions, &  trans sports As the US Supreme Court reconvenes, the docket holds a slew of cases. They include the legitimacy of the Trump Tariffs, the president's removal of high level administrative bureaucrats, Colorado's ban on counselors helping minors out of homosexual sin, Hawaii's gun restrictions, and bans issued by red states on boys pretending to be girls playing in girls' sports in public schools.  Trump's FDA approve a new Abortion Kill Pill The Trump Administration's Food and Drug Administration approved another abortion kill pill to accommodate the killing of children in their mother's wombs. Last week, the FDA approved Evita Solutions' generic abortion drug for the US market. This is hardly in line with the administration's pledge to “review all the evidence—including real-world outcomes—on the safety of the drug” issued just last month. Ostensibly, the big concern is the health of the mother. The FDA reports 36 deaths attributed to the abortion kill pill thus far, but 7.5 million murdered babies. 63% of the annual abortions committed in the country today are attributed to the abortion kill pill.  Isaiah 29:15-16 speaks to this. The prophet wrote, “Woe to you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?” You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker,  “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Mt. Everest hiker died, 200 others stranded in shock blizzard And finally, one hiker has died and 200 others are still stranded in a shock blizzard on Mount Everest over the weekend. The blizzard took about 1,000 hikers by surprise.  Thus far this year, five people have died on Everest. Last year's total was eight, and 18 others died on the treacherous slopes in 2023. About 800 people attempt to summit the tallest mountain in the world each year. Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, October 7th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In this powerful and sobering episode, we reflect on the recent deaths of Charlie Kirk and Pastor Voddie Baucham — two bold men who shaped our generation and challenged Christian men to stand firm in truth. Their sudden passing reminds us of life's fragility and the urgent call to live faithfully, boldly, and ready. What does it mean to be “ready” in our time? Spiritually, morally, practically, and missionally? This episode challenges Christian men to confront their mortality, examine their legacy, and rise to the calling God has placed on their lives.

Im back to share my thoughts on all things cultural.  In this episode, I break down a series of stories that highlight entitlement, power, and injustice. I discuss the unnecessary killing of Charlie Kirk and the outrage over Diddy's sentencing, i share my thoughts on how the judge used acquitted conduct to justify an upward departure from the sentencing guidelines, which I see as an abuse of power and a miscarriage of justice.I also dive into a CNN report about Black women being laid off by DOGE. Over 300k black women were pushed aside. While I understand the government needs to improve, I feel these actions represent a direct attack on the Black community.Plus, I explain why I started Season 6 for just five episodes instead of extending Season 5... the break was too long, but hey, you guys are entitled! This episode is all about entitlement, justice, and the imbalance of power in society.RIP Bettye McElrath, Woe to them that call evil good and good evil. 

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Joshua Charles joins Terry for Friday with the Fathers: Saint Irenaeus Gospel - Luke 10:13-16 - Jesus said to them, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, 'Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.' Whoever listens to you listens to Me. Whoever rejects you rejects Me. And whoever rejects Me rejects the One Who sent Me." Bishop Sheen quote of the day

Gospel Luke 10:13-16 Jesus said to them, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, 'Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.' Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.” Reflection To watch Jesus perform miracles was thought, in most people's minds, as the major way in which Jesus changed people's lives and drew them into his teaching. But the fact is that many people witness these miracles and never, ever believed in Jesus because they didn't listen to his message. It wasn't the power he had to heal, it was his message that they had to embrace. And if one focused only on one, the other just seemed to melt away. Jesus even had a hard time going to certain places because they were there only for a miracle. And Jesus longed for his message to take root in our hearts. Closing Prayer Father, we humans have a problem with power. If you give us a great gift that everybody recognizes and we feel empowered by that, our ego just goes crazy. We end up getting caught up in something that's about our self-importance. Bless us with a consistent focus on your message. Yes, we have power to help and to heal people, but the real issue is whether we are understanding the role that you have created for us. Giving us the wisdom we have to reach whatever level you wish, and not to let our ego start running the show. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesus said to them,"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!For if the mighty deeds done in your midsthad been done in Tyre and Sidon,they would long ago have repented,sitting in sackcloth and ashes.But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidonat the judgment than for you.And as for you, Capernaum, 'Will you be exalted to heaven?You will go down to the netherworld.'Whoever listens to you listens to me.Whoever rejects you rejects me.And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

Read OnlineJesus said to them, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.” Luke 10:13Have you ever sat in sackcloth and ashes? In the Gospel passage above, Jesus gives clear indication that doing so is a holy sign of responding to His preaching. He states that the pagan towns of Tyre and Sidon would have certainly sat in sackcloth and ashes if they would have been privileged to witness the mighty deeds done in the Jewish towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida.“Sackcloth and ashes” were a common sign used to indicate interior repentance and sorrow for sin. There are many times throughout the Old Testament when this happened. Recall, for example, that when Jonah preached to the people of Nineveh, everyone from the king down to the common citizen responded by expressing their repentance in this way (Jonah 3:5–7). Sackcloth was a rough and uncomfortable material usually made out of black goats hair, symbolizing the rejection of the false consolation of sin. Ashes symbolized desolation and destruction resulting from purifying fire. Of course, all of us do sit in ashes every Ash Wednesday as an external manifestation of our desire to repent. And though putting on actual sackcloth for clothing today may not be our literal practice, it is good to see the spiritual fruitfulness of these actions and to consider ways in which these actions can still be performed in our day and age. How might you sit in sackcloth and ashes today? What practical action can you take to publicly manifest your desire to turn from sin and toward the Gospel?First of all, to properly answer this question, it's important to recognize the fact that turning from sin should not only be a personal and interior act, it must also be exterior and manifest for others to see. Sin not only does harm to us individually, but it also damages others in varying degrees. Therefore, if your sin has done clear harm to others, it's important to realize that you not only need to repent to God but that you must also repent in such a way that others see your repentance and sorrow.So how might you repent in sackcloth and ashes today? There are many ways to do this. The essential quality present in such an act will be that it is clear to others that you are sorry for your sin and that you are attempting to change. If the sin you have committed toward another is grave, then your interior repentance must match the seriousness of your sin, and the exterior manifestation of that repentance must also measure up. Reflect, today, upon some practical ways in which God is calling you to publicly manifest your “sitting in sackcloth and ashes” as a sign of your sorrow toward those against whom you have sinned. For example, if your sin is that of anger and you have regularly harmed another by that sin, then don't only repent to God, look also for external ways to manifest your sorrow to them. Perhaps do some form of manifest service for them. Or engage in a public act of penance, such as fasting, as a way of showing them you are sorry. Manifest charitable good works, service, prayer, public penance and the like are all ways that you can spiritually and practically sit “in sackcloth and ashes” today. My merciful Lord, You call me to daily repent of my sin and to do so through the manifest signs of sitting “in sackcloth and ashes.” Give me the grace of true sorrow for my sins and help me to sincerely repent as I trust in Your mercy. As I do, please also guide me so that I may humble myself and express my sorrow in manifest ways toward those against whom I have sinned. May this humble act bring healing and unity in You. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Day of Judgement by Lawrence OP, license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Does it feel like end of times? The mark of the beast is being discussed. Did you hear Larry Ellison of Oracle say that we need a digital footprint, as it would encourage people to do good. People think they can legislate morality. Man will do what he will do no matter what rules. Romans 1:1818 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;Isaiah 5:2020 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode John discusses the Trump sycophants that are ripping their hair out trying to find a way to blame democrats for the recent mass shootings when if fact it was one of their own. He also talks about Congressional democratic leaders who met with their Republican counterparts, begging for bipartisanship and compromise as the clock ticks toward a government shut down. Then, he welcomes back Professor Corey Brettschneider to talk about the James Comey indictment and the potential government shutdown. Next, John speaks with Annie Laurie Gaylor, who is Co-President and Co-Founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Annie Laurie is the author of Woe to Women: The Bible Tells Me So, Betrayal of Trust: Clergy Abuse of Children, and Women Without Superstition: “No Gods – No Masters”. They discuss the Freedom From Religion Foundation's 49th National Convention which will take place Oct 16-19 in South Carolina. Then finally, comedian Rhonda Hansome rounds it out with wit and wisdom for all who need it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Exploring FaceLikeTheSun's Beyond the Verse "The Small Scroll" Lamentations, joy, mourning, honey, Woe, Etc. A conversation for the world and God's plan for redemption.