Podcasts about yet god

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org. 

In this episode we continue our sermon series, Summer in the Sand: learning from wilderness journeys in the Bible. For this sermon we will move to the sandy wilderness near the city of Nineveh where the Old Testament prophet Jonah, still recovering from his traumatic fishing story, contemplates his next move.  God had called the prophet Jonah to preach a message of repentance to the city of Nineveh, a place filled with people he deeply despised. Jonah resisted, not because he feared failure, but because he feared success—he knew that if the Ninevites repented, God would show them mercy, and that thought was unbearable to him. Yet God's lesson to Jonah was clear: His love and compassion extend to all people, even those we consider enemies. Jonah's story confronts us with a tough question—do we struggle with the same problem? Is it difficult for us to love those who have wronged us, even when God's heart is for their redemption? If God loves our enemies enough to pursue them with grace, shouldn't we at least be willing to do the same? This is a difficult teaching, but one that could radically transform your faith. Take a few minutes and check out Jonah chapter four and see what God wants you to do.

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org. 

Ministry is often lonely and discouraging, and Paul's journey to Corinth was no exception. Yet God surrounded him with community—old friends, new companions, and faithful provision. When results seem scarce and resistance is strong, we find our greatest encouragement not in outcomes, but in faithfulness to our calling. Be reminded today: your responsibility is obedience, and God handles the rest.

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, yet in the Old Testament there are accounts of what is essentially genocide. Yet God never changes, so lets look at why we don't have to choose between God's justice and God's love. Because at the cross, we see them perfectly united.

The recent 50th anniversary celebrations of Pastor Wes's ministry as a pastor of KCI were a milestone in the history of this church. We were able to look back with great thankfulness and to rejoice at how the Lord has helped him to continue the gospel legacy of his father, Pastor Billy Richards, who started this church over 80 years ago. And now we must look forward to the challenge of each successive generation taking up the baton to develop the legacy that has been received in this church and in this nation. For God's purposes and promises are for all generations (Psalm 119:90).   From the beginning this was God's plan for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The blessing of God on these three generations paved the way for generations to come, notably through the 12 tribes of Jacob and the nation of Israel. But each generation must encounter and serve God in their generations. It's not guaranteed that every succeeding generation will serve the Lord. The fires of revival and Christian influence can go out if not attended to. That has happened time and again in history and in many churches and nations. Many colleges, including universities in the United States, started out as Christian institutions to train young people for ministry and Christian service. Schools like Harvard (Puritan), William and Mary (Anglican), Yale (Congregational), and Princeton (Presbyterian) were created for Christian higher education. The Great Awakening led to the founding of Princeton, Brown, Rutgers, and Dartmouth in the mid-eighteenth century. Over time, however, the revival spirit that founded these institutions was lost, and most of these former Christian colleges and universities became secular universities with little or no religious affiliation.    Generational blessings can be lost very quickly if the next generations do not walk in the godly ways of those who have gone before them. After the years of amazing leadership from Moses and Joshua we read these sobering verses in Judges 2:10-12: ‘After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord…. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them.'  Subsequently, we read in Israel's history of ongoing battles for godly legacy to continue in each generation. Specifically, we are focussing on three Bible Kings: David, his son Solomon and his son Rehoboam, for they serve as a warning and a challenge to us about how much can be lost, as well as gained, in just three generations.    1. David started well and finished well despite his failures (1 Kings 15:5) 2. Solomon started well and finished badly (2 Samuel 7:11-16; 1 Kings 11:1-12)  3. Rehoboam started badly and finished worse (1 Kings 12:12-16; 1 Kings 14:21-24; Revelation 22:16; Luke 1:30-33; Psalm 78:4-7) Apply  1. David started well and finished well despite his failures. David was just an ordinary shepherd boy, the youngest of eight brothers, seven of whom each seemed more impressive than him. But he was chosen by God to become the great shepherd king who united warring tribes and led Israel to many conquests. He killed a giant who was intimidating a whole nation. He escaped death many times from countless internal and external enemies including Saul, Israel's first king who became obsessively jealous of him. David was not without his faults. He had times of great depression and shockingly he had killed the innocent husband of a beautiful woman that he had a secret affair with. Yet God loved Him and helped him and forgave him because He knew that David had a heart after God. He loved God, worshipped God, honoured God and depended on God. David's heart was fully devoted to God (1 Kings 15:5). All his life David stayed humble in his walk with God, even when the prophet Nathan publicly rebuked him. David was a first-generation revivalist of sorts, a rugged and down-to-earth pioneer who had learned to depend on God and trust Him in all circumstances. It is this kind of raw and real relationship with the Lord that will sustain you if you will pick up the baton to keep the fires of God burning in your generation.   2. Solomon started well and finished badly. David had wanted his descendants to follow in the ways of the Lord and the Lord had made some powerful promises to him for his generations (2 Samuel 7:11-16). When David died, Solomon, his son by Bathsheba, began so well when he ascended the throne. He was careful to walk in obedience to the Lord, he built a great temple in Jerusalem and consecrated himself to God with a powerful prayer. He pleased God by asking above all for wisdom, not wealth or long life or the death of his enemies. But as the years passed and the leadership of his father became more distant, Solomon proved not to have the same passionate heart for the Lord that David had. He became proud and unfaithful. He lost his discipline, his focus and his heart especially to lots of women. He became obsessed with sex, pleasure and an easy life (1 Kings 11:1-12). An incredible spiritual decline took place in Solomon's reign. He didn't just cool in his relationship with God but he opened the nation to the worship of many detestable false gods. Chemosh and Molek were gods associated with practices involving child sacrifice. And it all came about because Solomon let godly standards slip in his time because his own heart was not right with God. In the UK as in other nations, so much paganism, ungodly practices and social disintegration has come about in our generation because of the spiritual disintegration in the hearts of so many church leaders and their unwillingness to preach and model Christian standards. It's no use first attacking the sins of society, when repentance needs to start in the church. And in how many Christian homes have Christian parents failed to teach and train their children in the ways of the Lord and have just gone along with children as they have grown up and walked in rebellion to God? If we want to see the continuation of legacy in each succeeding generation then our own hearts must be fully committed to God. We must always take stock of how we are walking with God today not how well we may have done in times past. For as Solomon's story shows it is possible to have a wonderful heritage, a great beginning. But it's not enough to start well but end up badly because we have allowed the pleasures of this world to gain our hearts. We must continue faithfully in the ways of the Lord. We must daily seek to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. We must pray with hunger for the Holy Spirit to help us. We must remain as humble and teachable disciples. We must unashamedly share the good news of Jesus. We must serve sacrificially and give generously to prioritise the building the house of the Lord, the church. Let's never become like Solomon who once was so wise but threw it all away. Don't let the passing years cool your fire for God.   3. Rehoboam started badly and finished worse. Rehoboam didn't inherit the best situation, but he still had the opportunity to be a wise and just king. But he preferred to listen to his young contemporaries who talked tough but had none of the wisdom of the older leaders who were trying to help him (1 Kings 12:12-16). And so began a great national division that lasted for centuries with ten of the 12 tribes following Jeroboam and calling their new nation Israel (the northern kingdom) and just two tribes remaining loyal to Rehoboam and calling their nation Judah (the southern kingdom). But even with his much-reduced Kingdom, Rehoboam totally lost his spiritual legacy (1 Kings 14:21-24). Terrible decline in just three generations had taken place because Solomon and Rehoboam did not value or continue their spiritual legacy. Fortunately, despite more bad kings, there were eight good kings in the Kingdom of Judah who were said to have pleased the Lord: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Azariah (Uzziah), Jotham, Hezekiah, and Josiah. Through all the contrasting reigns of good and evil however, the Lord remained faithful to His promise to David through Jesus, despite whole generations turning away from God (Revelation 22:16; Luke 1:30-33). The purposes and promises of God can never be stopped but we are called to play our part so that we keep the fires of God burning in each generation. To be faithful to God in our times means that: - We must love and serve the Lord whole heartedly. - We must put away all foreign gods and the idols of sex, money, pride, power and position - We must stay humble and teachable so that this can be reproduced in every generation. - We must spread the gospel of Jesus far and wide to generations who have not heard it (Psalm 78:4-7).   This is how we will develop the Christian legacy of this church and this nation. Today decide to give everything to taking on the baton to serving God in your generation. 

Lesson 192I Have A Function God Would Have Me Fill.It is your Father's holy Will that you complete Himself, and that your Self shall be His sacred Son, forever pure as He, of Love created and in love preserved, extending love, creating in its Name, forever one with God and with your Self. Yet what can such a function mean within a world of envy, hatred and attack?Therefore, you have a function in the world in its own terms. For who can understand a language far beyond his simple grasp? Forgiveness represents your function here. It is not God's creation, for it is the means by which untruth can be undone. And who would pardon Heaven? Yet on earth, you need the means to let illusions go. Creation merely waits for your return to be acknowledged, not to be complete.Creation cannot even be conceived of in the world. It has no meaning here. Forgiveness is the closest it can come to earth. For being Heaven-born, it has no form at all. Yet God created One Who has the power to translate in form the wholly formless. What He makes are dreams, but of a kind so close to waking that the light of day already shines in them, and eyes already opening behold the joyful sights their offerings contain.Forgiveness gently looks upon all things unknown in Heaven, sees them disappear, and leaves the world a clean and unmarked slate on which the Word of God can now replace the senseless symbols written there before. Forgiveness is the means by which the fear of death is overcome, because it holds no fierce attraction now and guilt is gone. Forgiveness lets the body be perceived as what it is; a simple teaching aid, to be laid by when learning is complete, but hardly changing him who learns at all.The mind without the body cannot make mistakes. It cannot think that it will die, nor be the prey of merciless attack. Anger becomes impossible, and where is terror then? What fears could still assail those who have lost the source of all attack, the core of anguish and the seat of fear? Only forgiveness can relieve the mind of thinking that the body is its home. Only forgiveness can restore the peace that God intended for His holy Son. Only forgiveness can persuade the Son to look again upon his holiness.With anger gone, you will indeed perceive that, for Christ's vision and the gift of sight, no sacrifice was asked, and only pain was lifted from a sick and tortured mind. Is this unwelcome? Is it to be feared? Or is it to be hoped for, met with thanks and joyously accepted? We are one, and therefore give up nothing. But we have indeed been given everything by God.Yet do we need forgiveness to perceive that this is so. Without its kindly light we grope in darkness, using reason but to justify our rage and our attack. Our understanding is so limited that what we think we understand is but confusion born of error. We are lost in mists of shifting dreams and fearful thoughts, our eyes shut tight against the light; our minds engaged in worshipping what is not there.Who can be born again in Christ but him who has forgiven everyone he sees or thinks of or imagines? Who could be set free while he imprisons anyone? A jailer is not free, for he is bound together with his prisoner. He must be sure that he does not escape, and so he spends his time in keeping watch on him. The bars that limit him become the world in which his jailer lives, along with him. And it is on his freedom that the way to liberty depends for both of them.Therefore, hold no one prisoner. Release instead of bind, for thus are you made free. The way is simple. Every time you feel a stab of anger, realize you hold a sword above your head. And it will fall or be averted as you choose to be condemned or free. Thus does each one who seems to tempt you to be angry represent your savior from the prison house of death. And so you owe him thanks instead of pain.Be merciful today. The Son of God deserves your mercy. It is he who asks that you accept the way to freedom now. Deny him not. His Father's Love for him belongs to you. Your function here on earth is only to forgive him, that you may accept him back as your Identity. He is as God created him. And you are what he is. Forgive him now his sins, and you will see that you are one with him.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

The profound truth found in Jonah 3:1—"the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time"—serves as the foundation for a transformative message about God's relentless grace. When Jonah ran from God's call, was thrown overboard, and spent three days in a fish's belly, most would assume his opportunity was lost forever. Yet God's word returned, demonstrating a powerful reality: our God doesn't just call us; He calls us back.This message explores the beautiful paradox of divine second chances through biblical examples from Genesis to Revelation. Adam and Eve, Moses, David, Rahab, Zacchaeus, Peter, Thomas—all ordinary people who failed spectacularly yet experienced God's extraordinary restoration. Their stories mirror our own journeys of failure and redemption, reminding us that God's grace continues long after our initial salvation.The Ninevites' response reveals another crucial spiritual distinction—they didn't merely believe in God's existence; they believed God Himself. Their king stepped down from his throne, modeling the surrender required when we remove ourselves from the control center of our lives. True repentance isn't simply feeling remorse; it's a deliberate two-step process of turning from sin and turning toward God. When they repented, God immediately relented, showing compassion without demanding proof or perfection.What is God trying to show you again? Perhaps it's a sin He's saving you from or an opportunity He's calling you to. Whatever it is, remember that His word comes back repeatedly. His grace isn't conditional on your performance but flows from His unchanging character. No matter how far you've run or how badly you've failed, God's love never runs out.Ready to experience the freedom of second chances? Remember: don't doubt in the dark what God spoke to you in the light. His grace is greater than your greatest sin, and He actively longs to show you compassion. The question isn't whether God will give you another chance—it's whether you'll embrace it when His word comes to you again.Support the showMade a decision to follow Jesus? We want to know about it! Fill out our connect card here: https://local.churchcenter.com/people/forms/115766Thank you for your generosity. For information on how to give, visit https://localvineyard.church/give.

Ever encountered antagonism to your faith? Sometimes it's people we barely know. Other times, walls go up between people who live under the same roof. Or perhaps you're still seeking; some people are really helpful in the process, and others...not so much. The Apostle Paul often faced hostile audiences. Yet God used him to make a world-reverberating difference that is still being felt today. Discover strategies that can apply even today to build bridges and tear down walls.

Welcome to Daily Devotion with Pastor Balla for July 5, 2025. Today's meditation on Psalm 1:4–6, titled “The Wicked Shall Not Stand,” contrasts the fate of the righteous and the wicked. While those rooted in God's Word flourish like a fruitful tree, the wicked are like chaff blown away by the wind, with no foundation or endurance before God's judgment. Scripture warns that those who reject the Lord cannot stand among the righteous, for their path leads to destruction. Yet God knows the way of the righteous — those redeemed by Christ, rooted in His grace, and preserved by His mercy. Find encouragement to hold firm to Christ, whose saving work secures your place in God's congregation forever.

Some of us learn things the easy way, some of us learn things the hard way. Unfortunately, the children of Israel seemed to learn some lessons the hard way. Yet God was patient with them and forgave them again and again. Year A Quarter 3 Week 27All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Some of us learn things the easy way, some of us learn things the hard way. Unfortunately, the children of Israel seemed to learn some lessons the hard way. Yet God was patient with them and forgave them again and again. Year A Quarter 3 Week 27All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Romans 3 vs 20-26.For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Mosesi and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Romans 3 vs 20-26.For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Mosesi and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Some of us learn things the easy way, some of us learn things the hard way. Unfortunately, the children of Israel seemed to learn some lessons the hard way. Yet God was patient with them and forgave them again and again. Year A Quarter 3 Week 27All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Some of us learn things the easy way, some of us learn things the hard way. Unfortunately, the children of Israel seemed to learn some lessons the hard way. Yet God was patient with them and forgave them again and again. Year A Quarter 3 Week 27All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Send us a textThe ancient saying "beggars can't be choosers" takes on profound meaning when applied to salvation. What begins as a simple proverb transforms into a powerful theological framework revealing our spiritual bankruptcy and God's sovereign grace.Our journey through 1 Samuel 2:8 uncovers a vivid picture of salvation: "He raises up the poor out of the dust and lifts up the beggar from the dunghill to set them among princes and to make them inherit the throne of glory." This verse lays bare the complete transformation God works in the lives of believers.The imagery is striking—dust representing our lowly state, mortality, and spiritual poverty. When someone in biblical times grieved, they would throw dust on themselves as an expression of mourning and humility. The dunghill symbolizes our filth and corruption, the place where spiritually bankrupt humanity sits, unable to extract ourselves. Yet God reaches directly into this filth to pull us out.What emerges clearly is that salvation doesn't begin with human initiative but with divine action. God is the first cause of salvation, contrary to popular belief that humans initiate their salvation through decision or will. We cannot lift ourselves from spiritual poverty; we can only receive what God has done. Like true beggars, we bring nothing to the transaction but our need.The most beautiful part comes next—God sets former beggars "among princes" and makes them "inherit the throne of glory." Those who begin in dust are elevated to royal status, experiencing a complete reversal of their condition. We become part of God's kingdom as priests and kings, sharing in His glory despite our humble origins.Have you recognized your spiritual bankruptcy? Until we see ourselves as poor beggars sitting in dust and filth, we cannot experience God's lifting power. When we acknowledge we have nothing to offer, He transforms us from dust-dwellers to throne-inheritors through His amazing grace.Support the show

Some of us learn things the easy way, some of us learn things the hard way. Unfortunately, the children of Israel seemed to learn some lessons the hard way. Yet God was patient with them and forgave them again and again. Year A Quarter 3 Week 27All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

Send us a textPride, locusts, and divine justice take center stage as three voices from our community unpack powerful lessons from the Minor Prophets. Far from being footnotes in Scripture, these ancient messengers offer timely warnings that speak directly to our modern hearts.Barbara Burke begins by examining Obadiah's pointed message to Edom. What happens when generational bitterness festers into active hostility? The Edomites—descendants of Esau—not only refused to help their brother nation during invasion but actively participated in their destruction and gloated over their downfall. Their pride became their undoing. As Barbara powerfully reminds us, "Pride of heart is the attitude of a lie that declares its ability to live without God." How often do we walk out of worship only to live as if we can handle everything ourselves?Dave Henderson brings Joel's message to life, describing waves of locusts that stripped Judah bare—a divine wake-up call that eliminated even their ability to offer sacrifices. Yet God's message wasn't merely judgment but invitation: "Rend your hearts, not your garments." When genuine repentance followed, God promised restoration beyond imagination: "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten." For those feeling stripped bare by life's difficulties, Joel offers hope that nothing is beyond God's restorative power.Angie concludes with Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh, revealing God as patient, powerful, and just. Though temporarily spared after Jonah's reluctant preaching, Nineveh returned to brutal practices and faced divine judgment. Yet even in pronouncing judgment, Nahum reminds us that "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble. He knows those who take refuge in him."These prophetic voices collectively challenge our spiritual complacency and the small, incremental steps that gradually lead us away from God. Our culture prioritizes instant gratification—likes, follows, success without sacrifice—but the Minor Prophets remind us that temporary pleasure pales compared to lasting relationship with our Creator. As Angie perfectly summarizes, "Life with Jesus may not be easy, but it is always worth it."Have you examined your heart lately? What pride, injustice, or complacency might be keeping you from experiencing God's restoration? Draw near to Him today, and watch the impossible become possible.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-jesusLife Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-groupsGiving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.com/givingChurch Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-church-center/id1357742931?mt=8&ls=1&ign-mpt=uo%3D4Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ministrycentered.churchcenter----Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cornerstoneazFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/cornerstoneaz.orgTwitterhttps://twitter.com/cornerstoneaz.org

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Some of us learn things the easy way, some of us learn things the hard way. Unfortunately, the children of Israel seemed to learn some lessons the hard way. Yet God was patient with them and forgave them again and again. Year A Quarter 3 Week 27All Bible verses are from the NKJVFind the Lessons Here: https://mybiblefirst.org/?module=products&func=product&id2=25Connect with Us:Website: https://startingwithjesus.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingwithjesusFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/startingwithjesus

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Psalm 119:117, "Hold me up, and I shall be safe!" There is a glorious humility in this brief prayer. It is the cry of one who knows both his weakness, and his heavenly Father's ability. The psalmist does not say, "I will hold myself up!" or "I will stand in my own strength!" He knows better. He has learned the painful lesson of his own weakness and instability, and proneness to wander from God. Instead, he casts himself entirely upon the Lord: "Hold me up, and I shall be safe!" Only God can uphold His redeemed people, with corruption in their hearts, in a world full of spiritual dangers and deceits. This verse is a declaration of the utter necessity of God's sustaining grace. The redeemed are not kept by their own will-power, intelligence, or resolve--they are "kept by the power of God through faith" (1 Peter 1:5). It is sovereign grace that chose them, grace that effectually called them, grace that redeemed them, and grace that will preserve them to the end. Were it not for God's moment-by-moment upholding grace, no believer could endure to the end. The world entices, the flesh rebels, the devil accuses--and divine grace alone keeps the feet from slipping. The Lord's people shall not fall away finally or totally. They may fall foully, but they shall not fall finally. He who began the good work in them, will carry it on until He completes it. The same hand which gave us spiritual life, must preserve that life. Grace in the heart, is like a spark in the ocean; it would be utterly quenched, unless the Lord kept it alive. Yet God's sustaining grace is not merely a necessity--it is a comfort beyond all measure. What greater security could the believer have, than to be uph

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Fasting is one of the more mysterious aspects of walking with God. Yet God gives us clear instructions about what a true fast looks like, and it's probably not what we'd expect. Today we look at Isaiah 58 which unpacks God's clear purposes for this important aspect of spiritual life. Join us! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    When you think of the spiritual discipline of fasting, what comes to mind? Have you ever fasted? If so, why? What for? How did you do it?  2.    According to verse 1, what is the general subject matter of this message for God's people? What is Isaiah to declare to the people?  3.    The podcast warned that verse 2 is tricky to understand unless we notice that word “as”. What does the word “as” indicate? Why is this key to understanding why (in verse 3) they are not seeing “results” from their spiritual deeds? 4.    These people were “fasting” but in the wrong way. Why were they fasting in verse 4? Why would that be a problem? How do people still fast in these ways today?  5.    What is the right way to “fast” in verses 5-7? Why is this true fasting? Given what you know about fasting, is this a surprise? In light of these teachings, would you say that fasting is to seek God to align your will with these pursuits? Why or why not?  6.    What promises does the Lord give in verses 9-11? How would you describe or characterize these blessings? Why does proper fasting ensure these kinds of blessings?  7.    In verse 12, what kind of society will this kind of fasting produce? How do you think “fasting” factors into this kind of reform?  8.    Looking over verse 13, what kind of attitude ought they to have for the sabbath? What does this kind of attitude demonstrate? How is this different from the predominant attitude they had towards the sabbath? When they have these kinds of attitudes, what kinds of blessings will they receive in verse 14?  9.    How has this chapter changed your understanding of fasting? What is its purpose? What does it accomplish?  10.    Think over the next few weeks in your life. Is there a time when you can apply these principles to your own life and “fast” in the way that we see in Isaiah 58? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Isaiah lived during one of the saddest times in the history of God's people.  He saw God's judgment unleashed on his cousins to the north - the Northern Kingdom of Israel for their stubborn and consistent unbelief.  God sent the powerful nation of Assyria to conquer their land and carry off their people. Isaiah's message to people of Jerusalem and Judah was that the same fate was coming their way, too.  They had committed many of the same sins and had angered God just the same.  Isaiah called the people to repentance and warned them that God would come down in justice against them as well.  How sad it must have been for Isaiah to record his God given prediction of the future fall of his beloved city, Jerusalem.Yet God spoke hope to his people as well - to his people in Isaiah's day and ours.   Isaiah proclaimed the mercy and compassion, the forgiveness and love that God would show to his people in bringing back the remnant from captivity and to all believers in the sending of the Messiah to be our Savior from sin.  Indeed, the meaning of Isaiah's name is true, the LORD is our salvation. We are hoping that you will join us in reading one chapter of the book of Isaiah each weekday and then in listening in on our discussion of each chapter.    If you have any questions about this series or our Most Certainly True Podcast, please reach out to Pastor Hackmann at bhackmann@gracedowntown.org.  If you'd like to learn more about Grace Lutheran Church, check out our website www.gracedowntown.org.  

Have you ever caught yourself dismissing the Jewish lessons you learned as a child? Those Uncle Moishe songs and "simple" Torah stories might contain more wisdom than we give them credit for.The mountains competed for God's attention. Mount Tabor and Mount Carmel—majestic, impressive peaks—proudly proclaimed their worthiness to host the giving of the Torah. They boasted of their grandeur and demanded recognition. Yet God chose neither. Instead, the humble, unassuming Mount Sinai—which made no claims about its importance—was selected for the most momentous event in Jewish history. This wasn't coincidence but divine instruction: true honor finds those who don't chase it.The Medrash Rabbah teaches us that humility isn't just a nice character trait—it's so essential that God designed the very staging of the Torah revelation to demonstrate it. Similarly, when God says "Let us make man" in Genesis, the Creator of the universe models the importance of consulting with those perceived as lesser, even at the risk of the text being misinterpreted. These seemingly simple stories contain profound wisdom about how we should move through the world—listening more than speaking, valuing others' perspectives, and recognizing our own limitations.As adults, we have the capacity to engage with these teachings at a deeper level than we could as children. Instead of dismissing them as stories we've outgrown, what if we approached them with fresh eyes? The melodies may have introduced us to these concepts, but our mature minds can now appreciate their profound implications for our relationships and spiritual development. Take a moment today to reconsider a Jewish teaching from your childhood—its wisdom might be exactly what you need most right now.Support the showJoin The Motivation Congregation WhatsApp community for daily motivational Torah content!Elevate your impact by becoming a TMC Emerald Donor! Your much-needed backing is crucial for our mission of disseminating the wisdom of the Torah. Join today for just $18.00 per month. (Use your maaser money!) https://buy.stripe.com/00g8xl5IT8dFcKc5ky---------------- SUBSCRIBE to The Weekly Parsha for an insightful weekly talk on the week's Parsha. Listen on Spotify or 24six! Access all Torah talks and listen to featured episodes on our website, themotivationcongregation.org ----------------Questions or Comments? Please email me @ michaelbrooke97@gmail.com

The Christian's hope does not rest in his own strength or steadfastness, but in the mighty, preserving power of God. Jude 24-25, "To Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy--to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude closes his epistle with this soaring doxology, lifting our gaze to the triumphant and unshakable glory of our great God and Savior, "To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy!" What comfort is found in those words! Left to ourselves, we would surely fall. Our flesh is weak, the world is alluring, and the devil is deceitful. If we had to keep ourselves, we would be like the spider's web--swept away by the first rough wind of trial or temptation. Yet God assuredly upholds His people, because He is faithful. The believer is kept, not barely, but perfectly. God does not merely preserve us in a state of struggle and guilt, limping into Heaven bruised and soiled. No, He will present us "without fault"--blameless in His sight, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, and cleansed from every stain. And this will be done "with great joy". Not only our joy, but His! He who began a good work in us, will carry it on to completion. The Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep, promises that He will give them eternal life, and that none of them shall ever perish. Jude reminds us that all glory, majesty, power, and authority belong to God--not only in eternity past, not only in the present age,

Beyond Trouble #RTTBROS #Nightlight Beyond Today's Troubles"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11"God's plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day."When we find ourselves overwhelmed by the weight of today's challenges, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. The bills on your kitchen table, the tension in your relationships, the uncertainty at work, or the health concerns that keep you awake at night can feel all-consuming. In these moments, our vision becomes narrow, focused only on what we can see right in front of us.But God's perspective is infinitely different from ours. While we see today's struggles, He sees the masterpiece He's creating through every season of our lives. The very circumstances that feel like obstacles may actually be the tools He's using to shape us, strengthen us, and prepare us for the good works He has planned.Consider Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery. In that moment, his circumstances seemed hopeless. Yet God was orchestrating events that would eventually place Joseph in a position to save nations from famine. What appeared to be a devastating setback was actually a divine setup.The same God who worked through Joseph's difficulties is working through yours. Your current chapter is not your final story. The financial pressure you're facing doesn't define your future provision. The broken relationship doesn't determine your capacity for love. The closed door doesn't mean there isn't a better one waiting to open.God's plans for you are not merely about getting you through today, though He will. They're about transforming you into who He created you to be and positioning you for purposes you haven't even imagined yet. His thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace, hope, and a future filled with meaning.Today, when the circumstances feel heavy, remember that they are temporary, but God's plans for you are eternal. Look beyond what you can see with your eyes and trust what He has promised with His word. Your best days are not behind you – they're ahead of you, woven into the perfect plan of a God who loves you more than you can comprehend.Prayer: Heavenly Father, when I can only see today's troubles, help me to trust in Your eternal perspective. Remind me that You are working all things together for my good and Your glory. Give me faith to believe that Your plans for my life far exceed anything I can see or imagine today. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

“Even the darkness is not dark to you”. Jesus sees our whole lives, and he sees it completely. Yet God loves us so much, he came into our darkness and bridged the chasm between us, and him. By Chris Taylor

LESSON 165Let Not My Mind Deny The Thought Of God.What makes this world seem real except your own denial of the truth that lies beyond? What but your thoughts of misery and death obscure the perfect happiness and the eternal life your Father wills for you? And what could hide what cannot be concealed except illusion? What could keep from you what you already have except your choice to see it not, denying it is there?The Thought of God created you. It left you not, nor have you ever been apart from it an instant. It belongs to you. By it you live. It is your Source of life, holding you one with it, and everything is one with you because it left you not. The Thought of God protects you, cares for you, makes soft your resting place and smooth your way, lighting your mind with happiness and love. Eternity and everlasting life shine in your mind, because the Thought of God has left you not, and still abides with you.Who would deny his safety and his peace, his joy, his healing and his peace of mind, his quiet rest, his calm awakening, if he but recognized where they abide? Would he not instantly prepare to go where they are found, abandoning all else as worthless in comparison with them? And having found them, would he not make sure they stay with him, and he remain with them?Deny not Heaven. It is yours today, but for the asking. Nor need you perceive how great the gift, how changed your mind will be before it comes to you. Ask to receive, and it is given you. Conviction lies within it. Till you welcome it as yours, uncertainty remains. Yet God is fair. Sureness is not required to receive what only your acceptance can bestow.Ask with desire. You need not be sure that you request the only thing you want. But when you have received, you will be sure you have the treasure you have always sought. What would you then exchange for it? What would induce you now to let it fade away from your ecstatic vision? For this sight proves that you have exchanged your blindness for the seeing eyes of Christ; your mind has come to lay aside denial, and accept the Thought of God as your inheritance.Now is all doubting past, the journey's end made certain, and salvation given you. Now is Christ's power in your mind, to heal as you were healed. For now you are among the saviors of the world. Your destiny lies there and nowhere else. Would God consent to let His Son remain forever starved by his denial of the nourishment he needs to live? Abundance dwells in him, and deprivation cannot cut him off from God's sustaining Love and from his home.Practice today in hope. For hope indeed is justified. Your doubts are meaningless, for God is certain. And the Thought of Him is never absent. Sureness must abide within you who are host to Him. This course removes all doubts which you have interposed between Him and your certainty of Him.We count on God, and not upon ourselves, to give us certainty. And in His Name we practice as His Word directs we do. His sureness lies beyond our every doubt. His Love remains beyond our every fear. The Thought of Him is still beyond all dreams and in our minds, according to His Will.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

ACTS of the Holy Spirit - A Study on the Book of Acts - Lesson 4Acts 4:23-5:42. Satan's attacks came from without and from within. First through the intimidation of the religious leaders and then through the hypocritical and deceptive behavior of two people who claimed to follow Christ. Yet God protected the church through it all!To learn more about Michele and to support this international ministry, please visit https://intheword.com

(Matthew 11:1-6) We all have our disappointments and questions when things do not turn out as we hoped. Yet God's Word reveals in the response of John the Baptist the way to finish well. You cannot choose your circumstances but you must choose your reponse. (09135250604)  Keep Studying  Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God. 

(Matthew 11:1-6) The first witness became the first martyr. We all have our disappointments and questions when things do not turn out as we hoped. Yet God's Word reveals in the response of John the Baptist the way to finish well. You cannot choose your circumstances but you must choose your reponse. (09134250603)  Keep Studying  Whether you're a new believer or have walked with the Lord for years, you'll find thousands of free devotionals, Bible studies, audio series, and Scripture tools designed to strengthen your faith, deepen your understanding of the Bible, and help you stay rooted in the Word of God. 

“What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-11Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I might be weird in this, I don't know many other people who would say Ecclesiastes is their favorite. To me, it's one of the most human books in the whole Bible. Not only does it have some of my favorite verses, but it's such a relatable look at one man's struggles. Ecclesiastes is another entry in the Wisdom Literature of the Bible, along with Job, Psalms and Proverbs and, even though it may not seem like wisdom literature at first glance, it becomes clear why the more you spend time in it.To help us navigate the book of Ecclesiastes is Dr. Richard Belcher. Dick is the John and Frances Gwin Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary and author of the Mentor Commentary on Ecclesiastes. Doable Discipleship is a Saddleback Church podcast produced and hosted by Jason Wieland. It premiered in 2017 and now offers more than 400 episodes. Episodes release every Tuesday on your favorite podcast app and on the Saddleback Church YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/saddleback).Resources Related to This Episode:https://www.amazon.com/Ecclesiastes-Commentary-Richard-Belcher-Jr/dp/1527100413Subscribe to the Doable Discipleship podcast at Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doable-discipleship/id1240966935) or Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1Zc9nuwQZOLadbFCZCmZ1V)Related Doable Discipleship Episodes: Navigating the Bible: Proverbs - https://youtu.be/DytRT5AsZg8Navigating the Bible: Psalms - https://youtu.be/oZeesooAYUINavigating the Bible: Job - https://youtu.be/14jaf2T1eCQNavigating the Bible: Esther - https://youtu.be/7RZ7ATWQZucNavigating the Bible: Nehemiah - https://youtu.be/Gok4WDgwn5INavigating the Bible: Ezra - https://youtu.be/aBC0nEjYeyoNavigating the Bible: 2 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/OG3rHTgMgEINavigating the Bible: 1 Chronicles - https://youtu.be/lQ_Qc4zbfgANavigating the Bible: 2 Kings - https://youtu.be/04q9gDhBKTkNavigating the Bible: 1 Kings - https://youtu.be/aS-KoeQXl2kNavigating the Bible: 2 Samuel - https://youtu.be/ZbpafGgOW7cNavigating the Bible: 1 Samuel - https://youtu.be/lY8wPElSFMYNavigating the Bible: Rute - https://youtu.be/YaH-t-ZzTaMNavigating the Bible: Judges - https://youtu.be/qNGcOf2o0NUNavigating the Bible: Joshua - https://youtu.be/hF28aThBtFsNavigating the Bible: Deuteronomy - https://youtu.be/HzmNgPOM4zUNavigating the Bible: Numbers - https://youtu.be/H1HO6V9HDxsNavigating the Bible: Leviticus - https://youtu.be/08RhDCXYex4Navigating the Bible: Exodus - https://youtu.be/NB9UTpS1F3MNavigating the Bible: Genesis - https://youtu.be/ddhjMfOoasAInspiring Dreams by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoonMusic promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/Creative Commons CC BY 4.0https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Few of us would make the wrath of God our first choice for a Bible study. Yet God's prophets thundered words of His judgment to the people of their day. In this message, Pastor Lutzer lists the first of seven different ways that God judged Israel. God's warnings to the nations have not changed. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/172/29