Podcasts about yet paul

Let this mind be in youwhich was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not considerit robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking theform of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Todaywe're looking at Philippians 2:6, where Paul wrote, “Who, being in the formof God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.” Yesterday inverse 5, we saw Paul's command: “Let this mind be in you.” We arelooking at the greatness of the One who perfectly lived that mind—that mindwhere “He did not cling to His own rights.” Today, we're talking about Christ'smind and the importance of understanding the deity of Jesus Christ.  Thisis one of the clearest declarations of the deity of Jesus Christ in the Bible.The word “form” means the very essence and nature of something. Jesuswas not merely like God—He is God. Jesus never became God. He always was God. John1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and theWord was God.” In verse 14, John said, “And the Word became flesh anddwelt among us,” speaking of Jesus Christ. Colossians1:15-17 declares that Jesus Christ created all things: “He is the image ofthe invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things werecreated that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible,whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things werecreated through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all thingsconsist.” What a powerful statement on the deity of Jesus Christ and Hiseternal being. Hebrews1:3 says, “The brightness of His glory and the express image of His person.”Jesus did not become God at Bethlehem or in the Virgin Mary. He was, andhas always been, eternally God the Son. Yet Paul says here that He “did notconsider it robbery to be equal with God.” The idea here is that Jesus did notselfishly cling to His divine privilege. Thinkabout it. The One who was worshiped by angels, the One seated in heavenlyglory, the Creator of the universe, willingly laid aside His rights to come andrescue sinners. Contrast that with Lucifer in Isaiah chapter 14, where we aretold that Lucifer said, “I will exalt my throne. I will be like the Most HighGod.”Pridesays, “I deserve more.”Pride says, “I want recognition.”Pride says, “I will promote myself.”ButJesus demonstrated just the opposite spirit. Adamand Eve grasped for equality with God in the garden. But Jesus, who already wasGod and possessed equality with God, released His privilege for our salvation. Oh,my friend, what humility. Here is the application for us today: What rights arewe clinging to?Theright to be appreciated.The right to be comforted.The right to always be understood.The right to win every argument.The right to have our preferences met. Myfriend, the mind of Jesus Christ says, “I will surrender my rights for the goodof others.” This is the heart of Christian maturity. In 1 Corinthians 10:24 weread, “Let no one seek his own, but each one the well-being of others.” Imaginewhat would happen if, in our homes, husbands and wives stopped fighting forpersonal rights and started serving one another. Imagine churches filled withbelievers saying, “How can I help?” instead of, “How can I be recognized?” Oh,my friend, this is the mind of Christ. Humility is not weakness. It is strengthunder control. Jesus could have remained in His heavenly glory, but love movedHim toward the cross. We must continually remind ourselves to examine any areaof our hearts where pride has taken root. Then, consciously surrender that areato Jesus Christ.Maybelet someone else have the last word today.Maybe give up recognition.Maybe quietly serve without needing any praise. Thatis Christlike thinking. May God help us to have this mind which was also inChrist Jesus. Godbless you and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

Worship with us 9 + 11 AM 390 N 400 E Bountiful, UT 84010. For more information or to get connected, please visit: www.flourishinggrace.org/plan-your-visit What was Jesus' vision for His church and why does biblical community matter so much? In this powerful message from Ephesians 4, we continue the Why Church series by exploring one of the most important and challenging callings for followers of Jesus. Unity in the body of Christ. In a world shaped by division, isolation, and individualism, this sermon reminds us that Jesus did not design His people to follow Him alone. He calls us into deep spiritual community centered on Him. This teaching begins with a profound question. Is the version of Christianity we are living closer to Jesus' vision for His church or closer to a private and isolated faith shaped by culture? Drawing from Jesus' prayer in John 17 and Paul's words in Ephesians 4, this sermon reveals that God's desire is not simply individual spirituality but a people united together in Christ. Throughout this message, we see that unity is not something we create through personality, preferences, or agreement on every issue. True biblical unity is rooted in Jesus Himself. There is one body, one Spirit, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father over all. This changes how we see one another and how we live together as the church. This sermon also addresses the tension many believers feel when they hear about unity. It can seem impossible. People are different. Relationships are difficult. Pride, fear, selfishness, and hurt often stand in the way. Yet Paul reminds us that the Christian life is impossible apart from the power of God. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is at work in His people, making possible what feels impossible to us. As the message unfolds, we are challenged to examine our posture toward others. Are we living with humility, gentleness, patience, and love? Are we eager to maintain unity or are we allowing culture to shape the way we relate to people? This teaching honestly confronts the reality that many Christians have unknowingly embraced an individualistic faith that stands in contrast to the vision Jesus prayed for. One of the central themes of this sermon is that the church is not meant to be a performance or a weekly event. It is a people being formed together into the likeness of Christ. God uses community, prayer, worship, communion, Scripture, and shared burdens to shape His people. Spiritual growth was never intended to happen in isolation. This message also provides practical encouragement for how believers can move toward deeper community. Read Scripture together. Pray with others. Invite people into your life. Move toward relationships instead of withdrawing from them. As believers gather together around Jesus, the church becomes a powerful witness to the world of God's love, grace, and reconciliation. You will also hear powerful reminders about identity in Christ. Followers of Jesus are chosen, redeemed, forgiven, adopted, and filled with grace. Before any role, career, title, or achievement, believers are sons and daughters of the Most High God. This truth reshapes how we live, work, love, and serve. If you have ever felt disconnected, isolated, frustrated with church, or unsure of where you belong, this sermon will encourage you to rediscover God's design for His people. Jesus is not building isolated individuals. He is building a united family that reflects His love to the world. Join us as we continue the Why Church series and discover the beauty, challenge, and hope of unity in the body of Christ.

In Galatians 4:21–31, the Apostle Paul uses the historical account of Sarah, Hagar, Isaac, and Ishmael to illustrate the difference between slavery under the law and the freedom found through faith in Christ. Paul reminds believers that God's promises are fulfilled not through human effort or self-reliance, but through trusting Him and walking by faith.Through this powerful allegory, we see the danger of taking matters into our own hands instead of patiently trusting God's timing and promises. Abraham and Sarah struggled to believe God would fulfill His word, leading to painful consequences when they attempted to accomplish God's plan through human effort. Yet Paul points believers back to the gospel of grace—reminding us that justification comes by faith alone, not by works or religious performance.

In 1 Timothy 1:1–2, Paul reminds Timothy and the church that true gospel ministry rests on a solid foundation: God's authority and God's provision. The church is called to be built and sustained by truth. When a church drifts from God's Word it loses its health, purpose, and power. Timothy faced enormous pressures in Ephesus: false teachers, conflict, spiritual warfare, personal weakness, and the weight of leadership. Yet Paul begins not with strategy, but with the resources of heaven: grace, mercy, and peace from God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope. Faithful ministry is not sustained by human strength, personality, or creativity, but by the authority of the King and the provision He supplies.

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com      #The brotherhood manifesto #TripleCsurvivor      Acts 14 19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 1. Persecution is Real, But God's Purpose is Greater Paul faced brutal opposition—Jews from previous cities followed him, stirred up the crowd, and stoned him, dragging his body outside the city gates thinking he was dead. This shows the cost of bold gospel preaching. Yet Paul's story reminds us that opposition does not equal defeat. God can sustain His servants through physical danger, rejection, and apparent failure. Application: When you face pushback for your faith—at work, in relationships, or in culture—remember Paul. The same God who preserved him is with you. Difficulty doesn't mean you missed God's will; it may confirm you're on the right path. 2. The Strength of Community and the Power of Getting Back Up After the stoning, the disciples gathered around Paul, and “he rose up.” The text doesn't say an angel appeared or a dramatic miracle was described—simply that faithful believers surrounded him, and he got back on his feet. This highlights two powerful truths:   We need each other. Isolation makes recovery harder. God often uses ordinary acts of faithfulness (gathering, praying, encouraging) to bring supernatural strength.   Application: Don't try to endure hardship alone. Surround yourself with disciples of Jesus, and be the kind of person who runs toward the hurting instead of away from them. God specializes in raising up what the world writes off as finished. 3. The Mission Continues—Don't Stay Down The very next day, Paul got up, went back into the city (the same place that tried to kill him), and then traveled on with Barnabas to Derbe. He didn't quit, hide, or take an extended break. His resilience propelled the gospel forward. This is a picture of relentless obedience. The enemy's best shot wasn't enough to stop God's plan. Application: What “stoning” have you experienced—failure, criticism, health issues, betrayal? Paul shows us the next faithful step is often just getting up and taking the next step in obedience. The mission is bigger than our wounds. Keep moving forward. Key Takeaway for the Whole Passage: Faithfulness to Jesus doesn't guarantee safety, but it does guarantee that God can turn even stoning into a stepping stone for greater impact. Like Paul, may we rise up, lean on the community of believers, and keep advancing the gospel no matter the cost.

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” (1 John 1:8 NLT) Visitors to San Francisco can’t help but be amazed at the architectural marvel that is the Golden Gate Bridge. But its beauty and innovation came at a tremendous cost. During the initial phases of construction, several workers lost their balance and plunged to their deaths in the San Francisco Bay. The builders were concerned about the human tragedy, of course. But they were also concerned about the delays in the schedule because of the deaths. They needed to find a way to keep their workers safe under the most dangerous conditions. The solution they arrived at was something that had never been done before. The builders installed a giant safety net under the construction area. The workers knew that if they fell, the net would catch them. The experience wouldn’t necessarily be pleasant for the unfortunate worker, but at least he would live to tell about it. Thanks to the net, workers could go about their business without the fear of dying. With the threat removed, they were able to move quickly and finish the project. Did you know that God has put a safety net under you? By that I mean, when you slip, when you fall, when you make a mistake, you don’t have to worry that your name will be blotted out of the Book of Life. You don’t have to face the prospect of becoming persona non grata with God. The apostle Paul wrote, “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” (Romans 3:23–25 NLT). If you believe in Christ, you have a spiritual safety net. You have a barrier against spiritual death. Because Jesus came into your heart, forgave you, and committed Himself to you, He now protects you, seals you, and justifies you because of that commitment. The fact is that we as Christians will sin and fall short. The Scriptures, as well as our own experiences in life, tell us this is true. According to 1 John 1:8, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth” (NLT). This isn’t an excuse for ungodly living. Nor is it a license for sin. It’s a simple acknowledgment of reality. Yet Paul wrote, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38 NLT). Nothing can dismantle our safety net. Reflection question: What does your spiritual safety net mean to you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philippians 1:12 Todaywe are continuing to look at Philippians 1:12. The Apostle Paul is writing backto the church of Philippi from prison in Rome. He is in chains, and he writes, “ButI want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me haveactually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” You can imagine hisfriends back at Philippi are concerned. Paul is in prison. He might be beaten,like he was when he was in jail in Philippi years ago when he founded thechurch there. Paul might be hungry. He might be terribly hurt. He might betortured. Maybe he is even facing death. They could have been so concerned. YetPaul writes to them this letter of encouragement. He says, “But I want you toknow, brethren, that the things that have happened to me have actually turnedout for the furtherance of the gospel.” Theymight have been thinking that Paul is such a great minister. He has otherchurches and cities to go to. He has churches to plant. He is a church builder.He is a church planter. Now he is in prison. How could God allow that tohappen? Yet Paul is saying, “No, no, that is just the opposite. God has me herefor a purpose.” Overthe years, I have talked about divine appointments. One of the most excitingthings in my life over the years—especially as we traveled, or even in everydaylife—is that I believe we should be looking for divine appointments. God hassomebody, somewhere in our path, that He wants us to tell about Jesus Christ.Sometimes it ends up being in the strangest places. Iwill never forget when I went to visit a man in the hospital. I had his name.He was a friend of mine, and I had known him for years. I looked up his name atthe hospital, found his room number, and went to that room. I looked in, and itwas not him. There was someone else in that bed. I went back down to thenurse's station and said, “Hey, listen, I am looking for so-and-so. I know heis here. Here is his name, and this is the room number.” They looked it up andsaid, “That is the man. He is in that bed. He is in that room.” I said, “No, heis not. I know him. He is not in there.” They said, “He is too. That is the manin that room.” Iwent back and looked, and sure enough, the man in the bed had the exact samename as the man I was wanting to visit—but he was a totally different person. Isat there and began talking to him and asked him where he went to church. Hesaid he did not go anywhere. I shocked him by saying, “That is great. That isreally good.” He said, “What? You are a pastor. You would expect me to go tochurch.” I said, “Oh no. One thing I do not have to worry about is that you arenot thinking going to church will get you to heaven.” I had the opportunity towitness to him, lead him to Christ, and later baptize him and his wife. Adivine appointment. I never would have expected it. I was not in the wrongroom—I was in the right place at the right time, on God's timing, in God'sdivine appointment.  Thereare so many opportunities that take place. Paul says, “I want you to know,brethren, that the things that have happened to me have actually turned out forthe furtherance of the gospel.” Doors open for us that would not have openedany other way. God places us in unexpected situations—not to stop us, but touse us. It might be the workplace. It might be a hospital room, as we said. Itmight be a difficult season in our life. Iremind you of Proverbs 16:9: “A man's heart plans his way, but the Lorddirects his steps.” Proverbs 20:24: “A man's steps are of the Lord; howthen can a man understand his own way?” And then Psalm 37:23: “The stepsof a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”  

In the fifth week of Lent, Nico Angleys leads us through Romans 11:13–14:12, a powerful section that moves from God's mysterious plan of mercy to the practical shape of Christian discipleship. Using the image of the olive tree, Paul reminds Gentile believers that we have been graciously grafted into God's covenant story. This invitation calls us to humility, gratitude, and deeper unity with God's people. As the week unfolds, Paul turns from theology to practice: presenting our lives as living sacrifices, loving others sincerely, honoring authorities, awakening from spiritual complacency, and learning not to judge one another. In this season of Lent—through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—we are invited to renew our minds, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and grow in humble love for others. This episode also offers daily reflection questions to guide your prayer throughout the week. Daily Reflection Questions Monday – Romans 11:13–24 In what areas of my life do I risk spiritual pride by looking down on others God has chosen? Where do I exalt myself over others? How can I cultivate gratitude for being “grafted in” by His mercy? Tuesday – Romans 11:25–36 How does this passage inform our attitudes and practice of Ecumenism in daily life? Where am I tempted to question God’s timing or wisdom in others’ lives and stories? How might surrendering to His “unsearchable judgments” deepen my worship today? Wednesday – Romans 12:1–8 Reflect on and names some of these “mercies of God” in your own life. How do these prompt me to offer my body as a living sacrifice to God? Where in my relationships do I struggle with comparison and potentially judgment of my brothers or sisters? How can I discern and steward my unique gifts to serve the body of Christ without comparison? Thursday – Romans 12:9–21 This could be a slightly longer exercise, but list out each of the imperatives that Paul writes in this passage. Which one of these is the Holy Spirit nudging me today or this week to make a more active practice in my life? Where does pretense or retaliation creep into my relationships? In what ways can I actively “overcome evil with good” (v.21) by clinging to what is holy and honoring others above myself? Friday – Romans 13:1–14 Consider who was the emperor when Paul was writing this… Nero, perhaps one of the worst emperors when it comes to how he treated Christian. Yet Paul wrote what he did in Romans 13. How can I submit to earthly authorities as unto the Lord with my thoughts, speech, money, and my whole life? What sleep-like complacency in sin do I need to awaken from this hour and how can I put on Christ today? Saturday – Romans 14:1–12 Is there someone in my life who might “be weak in faith” that I might be unknowingly judging or causing to stumble? Paul gives the example of food and use of time (or perhaps even Sabbath practice). How can I stand before God’s judgment seat with a heart focused on pleasing Him rather than being right or judging my brother or sister? The entire list of this year’s readings can be found at 40 Days 2026 Readings & Podcast. https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/df806769-c34c-4764-a0f4-e247f16ee05a.mp3  

7 key takeaways from this study The world reeks of death, but God creates a distinct aroma of life. The unique incense in the Mishkan/Temple and the “soothing aroma” of burnt offerings contrast with the stench of death from sin (beginning in Genesis 3, developed in Romans 5). God's presence and appointed patterns (incense, offerings, festivals) mark out a different “smell” in the world. The Tabernacle is a beachhead of Heaven on earth. Like D‑Day or Incheon, God establishes a beachhead in history through Avraham, Israel, and the Mishkan, then breaks out into the nations. Israel is not an accidental or failed project; it is God's chosen instrument to bring life and blessing to all nations. Redemption is a cycle and a journey, not a one‑off event. The seven festivals (Pesach, Matzot, Shavuot, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret) form a yearly pattern of ransom, reform, and regeneration. Israel's journey from Egypt to the Land pictures our own journey from bondage to freedom, from old life to being “born again” as a new people. Yeshua is both the Pesach Lamb and the fragrance of life. His blood on the “doorposts” blocks the destroyer and the wrath against the kingdom of oppression. In 2Corinthians 2, believers become the “fragrance of Messiah” — to some, an aroma of life; to others, an aroma from death to death. The “ministry of death” and the “ministry of the Spirit” are connected, not enemies. The Torah engraved on stone exposes sin and death (ministry of death/condemnation), but within it is also the pattern of reconciliation (sacrifices, priesthood, appointments). In Messiah and by the Spirit, that same pattern reaches its fullness: the Word written on hearts, not just on stone (2Corinthians 3; Romans 7–8). Believers are now the living Mishkan and a letter from Messiah. We are living stones (1Peter 2) and living sacrifices (Romans 12), a spiritual house and royal priesthood. Our lives function as a letter and as incense — visible and fragrant testimony of whom we've been with and who indwells us. True tikkun olam (renewing of the world) begins from the inside out. Material help (food, housing, etc.) is vital but incomplete if the inner “hole” in people is never addressed. God planted Israel — and now the enlarged people of God — to bring inner transformation (by the Spirit, through the Word and Messiah), not just external patching of problems. The rock song “That Smell” has a refrain common to reflections about the interplay between self-destruction and death: “Can’t you smell that smell? … The smell of death surrounds you.” Scripture similarly uses the senses to contrast the smell of death versus the aroma of life. This picture is rooted first in Gan Eden, the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Chavah (Eve) chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil as their source of wisdom, sin entered and death spread to all humanity (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). Since then, the world has carried a spiritual stench. Decay, corruption, and suffering permeate human history. Humanity tries to mask that smell. Medieval plague doctors stuffed their beak-like masks with flowers and herbs to cover the odor of death. Modern professionals who deal with death use ointments and tricks of the trade to do the same. In the same way, people attempt to paper over spiritual death — pleasure, distraction, ideology, even religion without transformation. Yet Scripture presents a different kind of aroma. Not a mask, but a change at the root. God introduces קָרְבָּנוֹת korbanot (things that “draw near,” offerings) and קְטֹרֶת ketóret (incense) in the מִשְׁכָּן Mishkan, (“dwelling place,” Tabernacle). These are not mere rituals. They become signs of Heaven's answer to the smell of death. Unique aromas in the Mishkan The Torah gives a precise, non-copyable recipe for the incense on the golden altar in the Holy Place (Exodus 30:34–38). That fragrance must never become a common household scent. It belongs exclusively to the presence of God. When someone smells that aroma, there should be only one association: the dwelling place of the Holy One, blessed be He. In the Heichal (Holy Place), just before the פָּרֹכֶת paróchet (veil) that guards the קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים Kódesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies), the golden altar sends up a continual column of smoke. This is not about air freshening. It is a constant symbol of heavenward attention, prayer, and worship. Outside, in the courtyard, another aroma rises from the מִזְבֵּחַ הָעוֹלָה mizbeach ha’olam (altar of burnt offering), the bronze altar. The Torah calls those offerings a רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ reach nichóach (“soothing aroma to the LORD,” Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17). From a human nose's point of view, burning animal flesh, hide, and hooves is not soothing. Yet in God's economy, it is the people's total gift — coming in, going up in smoke — that pleases Him. Therefore, two key aromas emerge: The bronze altar: the whole burnt offering, life laid down. The golden altar of incense: continual fragrance of worship and intercession. Both speak to the same reality. The smell of death fills the world, but God establishes particular, holy aromas that signal reconciliation and life. The Mishkan as a demonstration of life The Mishkan is not just a religious structure. It is a visible, mobile demonstration of life. It is the dwelling place of the Creator of heaven and earth, the One who gives and restores life. The people bring offerings. They draw near. They receive cleansing and communion. The presence of God in their midst redefines the camp. Later, King David longs for a more permanent resting place for the Divine Name. He notes the mismatch: he lives in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains under tent curtains (2Samuel 7:2). Eventually, the בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ Beit HaMikdash (“House of the Dwelling,” the Temple) in Jerusalem becomes that resting place. Even then, Scripture insists that no building can truly contain God. Solomon prays: “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built!” 1Kings 8:27 NASB95 Still, God chooses to cause His Name to dwell there. 1Kings 8 describes the cloud of glory filling the house, echoing the cloud that once filled the Mishkan (Exodus 40:34–35). The Temple becomes a focal point for all nations. Solomon prays that foreigners who come and pray toward this house would be heard in heaven, so that “all the peoples of the earth may know Your name” (1Kings 8:41–43). This is already the blueprint for a “house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7; cited in Matthew 21:13). Israel's sanctuary is never meant to be a private club. It is the visible evidence that Heaven is taking up residence on earth. Israel as God's beachhead On D‑Day, Allied forces established a beachhead in Normandy, France, to free Europe from Nazi Germany. It was not enough to land. They had to break out or be crushed on the shore. Similarly, in the Korean War, U.N. forces nearly lost the peninsula, pushed back to Busan. The landing at Incheon became a new beachhead, which allowed a breakout that trapped the enemy. Israel is Heaven's beachhead on earth. God calls Avraham out of Ur, promises him a land, seed, and blessing for all families of the earth (Genesis 12:1–3). That calling grows into a nation, enslaved in מִצְרַיִם Mitzrayim (Egypt), then redeemed at Pesach (Passover, Exodus 12). Pesach marks the beginning of months (Exodus 12:1–2). It is the start of a journey from bondage to freedom, from one kingdom to another. Yet, before Israel can enter the Land, the first generation must die in the wilderness. The second generation enters. In that sense, Israel must be “born again” before entering the rest of the Land (cf. Numbers 14; Deuteronomy 1–2). From this angle, the cycle of the מוֹעֲדִים mo'adim (appointed times) — Pesach, Chag HaMatzot (Unleavened Bread), Shavuot (Pentecost), Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), and Shemini Atzeret — traces a pattern of ransom, reforming and regeneration. Heaven is not just visiting. Heaven is establishing a front line. That beachhead pushes outward until it fills the earth. Ministry of death and the ministry of the Spirit Paul in 2Corinthians 2–3 writes that God “manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place” (2Corinthians 2:14, NASB95). Believers become a fragrance of מָשִׁיחַ, Mashiach (Messiah, Christ) to God (2Corinthians 2:15–16): To those being saved, an aroma from life to life. To those perishing, an aroma from death to death. This is the same theme as the Mishkan. The same incense that delights God may expose death in those who reject Him. Paul contrasts two kinds of “letter” using Greek terms: γράμμα grámma: the written letter, that which is engraved or inscribed. ἐπιστολή epistolḗ: a letter or epistle, a communication sent. In 2Corinthians 3, he speaks of “the letter” (grámma) that kills, but “the Spirit” that gives life (2Corinthians 3:6). He points to the “ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones” — the tablets given to Moshe (Moses, 2Corinthians 3:7). This ministry came with glory. Israel could not stare at Moshe's shining face (Exodus 34:29–35). Yet Paul does not pit Torah against the Spirit. Instead, he uses a classic Hebrew קַל וְחֹמֶר kal va-chomér (light and heavy) argument. If the ministry that condemns comes with glory, how much more will the ministry of the Spirit overflow with glory (2Corinthians 3:8–9). The תּוֹרָה Torah (instruction) on stone reveals sin and pronounces death. It says, “Here is life, here is death. Choose life!” (Deuteronomy 30:19). At the same time, embedded in the Torah are the patterns for reconciliation — offerings, priesthood, the Day of Atonement. The “ministry of death” exposes the need. The “ministry of the Spirit” accomplishes the inward change. Paul says: Not that we are adequate in ourselves… but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. 2Corinthians 3:5–6, NASB95 The בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה brit chadasháh (new covenant) promise in the Prophets includes God writing His Torah on hearts, giving a new spirit and a new heart, and cleansing from iniquity (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:25–27). This as fulfilled in Messiah Yeshua. From tablets of stone to tablets of the heart In 2Corinthians 3, Paul changes imagery. He says the believers themselves are his “letter” (epistolḗ), not written with ink but “with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2Corinthians 3:3). The transformation of people becomes a visible epistle, read by all. This directly connects back to Moshe. Moses' face reflected God's glory because he spoke “face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). That relationship left a visible mark. Israel asked him to veil his face because the radiance unsettled them. Paul explains that a spiritual veil still lies over many hearts when Moshe is read. Only in Messiah is it removed (2 Corinthians 3:14–16). When a person turns to the Lord: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NASB95 Then, with unveiled face, believers behold the glory of the Lord “as in a mirror” and are “being transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2Corinthians 3:18). The pattern of Moshe, whose face shone, becomes the pattern of all who walk in Messiah by the Spirit. This does not cancel Israel's calling. Instead, it fulfills it. The Torah's goal is not abolished. It reaches its τέλος télos (goal/destination) in Messiah, who embodies Israel's mission and opens it to the nations (cf. Romans 10:4; Romans 11). ‘Living sacrifice,’ ‘living stones’ Apostles Paul and Peter address this in Romans 6–12 and 1Peter 2. Romans 6 describes identification with Messiah's death and resurrection. Believers are buried with Him through immersion and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4). Romans 7 faces the tension: the righteous standard of the Torah confronts human inability, leading to the cry, “Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). Romans 8 announces the answer in Messiah and the Spirit. Romans 9–11 then wrestles with Israel's calling. Did God plant Israel only to abandon her? Paul answers “no.” Israel is like an olive tree. Natural branches may be cut off for unbelief. Wild branches (from the nations) may be grafted in. Yet the root — God's covenantal work in Israel — supports all (Romans 11:17–24). God did not create Israel “to be nothing.” He created Israel to fill the earth with blessing. Then Romans 12 begins: Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God…. Romans 12:1 NASB95 This is Mishkan language. Instead of animal life going up in smoke, the believer becomes a living sacrifice. Life is placed on God's altar. The mind is renewed. Behavior changes (Romans 12:1–2). This is the practical outworking of Mishkan lessons in everyday discipleship. Similarly, 1Peter 2:4–10 speaks of coming to Messiah as a “living stone” rejected by men but choice and precious to God. Those who come to Him become “living stones… built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 2:4–5 NASB95). Peter applies titles from Exodus 19 — “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession” (1Peter 2:9) — to this community. This is not replacement but expansion. God takes the original calling of Israel and extends it through Messiah to Jew and Gentile together, without revoking Israel's promises (Romans 11:28–29). The Mishkan pattern is now embodied in a people, not just a building. True tikkun olam: Reformation from the inside out The modern interpretation of תיקון עולם tikkún olám (repair of the world) often focuses on social, political, or environmental repair. These are not unimportant. Feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and protecting the vulnerable echo the Torah's concern for the widow, orphan, and stranger. However, this study stresses that if tikkun olam stays external, it never truly repairs the world. It may become a sophisticated game of “whack‑a‑mole,” hitting surface problems while deeper issues in the human heart remain untouched. Housing a person without addressing the “hole” within may leave the core problem unsolved. Likewise, nations may shift policies without healing the underlying rebellion, idolatry, and fear. Through Israel and through Messiah, God's plan is ransom, reform, and regeneration. This involves: Cleansing from sin and death (Pesach, Yom Kippur). Ongoing formation as a holy people (Torah, Shabbat, mo'edim). Final renewal of creation with new heavens and a new earth, where death and pain are no more (Isaiah 65–66; Revelation 21:1–4). This work begins in the heart, by the Spirit, through the Word. It then flows out into practical mercy, justice, and witness. Guarding the Word and avoiding counterfeits The study also warns about those who “peddle the word of God” for profit (2Corinthians 2:17). The Greek term there describes a dishonest merchant. Such teachers may start well, building trust with correct first steps, then make a subtle or dramatic leap into error. If hearers are not grounded in Scripture, they may follow. In an age of YouTube prophets and endless online content, discernment becomes essential. Believers are urged to sow to the Spirit rather than the flesh (Galatians 6:8), which includes prioritizing serious engagement with the written Word over sensational voices. The TaNaKh and New Testament together, read in context, with attention to continuity and fulfillment. The Mishkan, the festivals, the prophets, the Gospels, and the epistles form one coherent story. That story centers on Messiah Yeshua and God's desire to dwell among His people and renew the world. The aroma that remains The bronze altar of the Mishkan speaks of what goes up in smoke — old life, old bondage, old attachments. The golden altar of incense speaks of what continues — prayer, worship, intercession. Revelation portrays an altar of incense and speaks of “the prayers of the saints” rising before God like incense (Revelation 5:8; 8:3–4). Some of those saints are martyrs, killed for bearing witness behind enemy lines. Their lives were not wasted. Their aroma still rises. For those in Messiah, life in this age may still carry the smell of death all around. Yet, in the midst of that, God creates a new fragrance. The people of God, Jew and Gentile, become: Living sacrifices on the altar. Living stones in the temple. Letters written by the Spirit. Incense rising before the throne. To some, that aroma will expose death and provoke hostility. To others, it will signal life, hope, and the nearness of the Kingdom. In either case, the fragrance belongs to Him. As Paul writes: For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 2Corinthians 2:15 NASB95 In a world saturated with the smell of death, God is forming a people who carry the fragrance of life, rooted in Israel's calling, fulfilled in Messiah, and empowered by the Spirit. The post From smell of death to fragrance of life: The Gospel in Israel’s Tabernacle (Exodus 12; 2Corinthians 2–3) appeared first on Hallel Fellowship.

Todaywe come to Ephesians 6:23, where the Apostle Paul finishes this letter with abeautiful blessing: “Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from Godthe Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” First,Paul speaks about “peace to the brethren”. Earlier in the letter,remember in Ephesians 2:13-17, the Apostle Paul wrote about this: “But nowin Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the bloodof Christ. For He Himself is our peace... And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off andto those who were near.” Jesus Christ Himself is our peace. Remember,this peace comes in two ways as far as the believer is concerned. First, wehave “peace with God”. Romans 5:1 says: “Therefore being justified by faith,we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Also inEphesians 2:8-9 we read: “For by grace are you saved through faith, and thatnot of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man shouldboast.” We are justified. We are made right before a holy God. We have aright standing before Him. We are without guilt, without shame, and without theburden of sin when we stand before God. Why? Because we have peace with God byfaith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Thenthere is another kind of peace. As believers we can experience the “peace ofGod”. Philippians 4:6 says: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything byprayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known toGod; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guardyour hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This is the peace of God thatcomes when we commit and yield everything we are facing—our circumstances, oursituations, and our lives—to the Lord Jesus Christ. We give it over to Him. Thenin Philippians 4:9, Paul says: “And the God of peace will be with you.” Whenwe do the things Paul instructed the believers in Philippi to do—when wemeditate on the right things and live according to the truth—then we can havethe confidence and assurance that the God of peace is with us. Myfriend, peace comes first. After that, notice Paul mentions “love with faith”.Three powerful words: peace, love, and faith. Faith and love belongtogether. Love is the source, and faith is the strength that sustains theChristian life. Love reaches down from God to us. Faith reaches up from us toGod. Love provides everything we need. Faith takes hold of what God hasprovided. Throughout this book, the Apostle Paul repeatedly emphasizes thesetruths. We are saved by faith, and then we are called by faith to walk in love,just as Christ loved us. Noticealso something very important: these blessings come from God the Father and theLord Jesus Christ. Every spiritual blessing originates with God. Peace does notcome from circumstances. Love does not come from human effort alone. Faith isnot something we produce in our own strength. These gifts flow from ourrelationship with God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. He alone is thesource. Jesus is the source of every spiritual blessing. Itis remarkable that the Apostle Paul was writing these words while sitting in aRoman prison. From a worldly perspective, his circumstances looked verydiscouraging. Yet Paul spoke about peace, love, and faith. Why? Because hisconfidence and his joy were not rooted in his surroundings. They were rooted inthe unchanging character of God. Ohmy friend, that is the same way it should be for us today. No matter what weface in life, our peace, our love, and our faith come from the Lord Himself andfrom our daily relationship with Him. As we dive into His Word, as we take timeto meditate on who He is and what He is doing for us right now—“ever living tomake intercession for us”—we can experience that peace.  Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful, peaceful day.

“And for me, that utterance may be given to me,that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,  for which I am an ambassador in chains;that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.” As we look at thesetwo verses, Paul is now asking for prayer for himself. What's striking is whathe does not ask for. He does not ask for release from prison. He does not askfor comfort, healing, or even safety. Instead, he asks the church at Ephesus topray that God would grant him boldness to speak the gospel of Jesus Christ. Wemust remember that Ephesians is one of the four Prison Epistles. The others arePhilippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Paul is in prison in Rome when he writesthese letters. To be a prisoner in Rome was no small matter. It was not apleasant place. No doubt he was suffering greatly—experiencing hardship, pain,and difficulties we can scarcely imagine. Yet Paul does not say, “Oh, pray thatI get out.” He says, “Pray that I have boldness. Pray that I have the grace ofGod to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ.” Inanother Prison Epistle, Philippians 1:12–14, Paul writes: “But I want you to know,brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for thefurtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palaceguard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of thebrethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more boldto speak the word without fear.”  Paul issaying that his testimony in chains has encouraged others. The guards know heis imprisoned for Christ. Fellow believers have grown more confident. They arespeaking the Word without fear because they see his faithfulness. Afew years ago, Iread the book, “The Insanity of God” by Nik Ripken. In it, he recountsinterviews with persecuted believers in places like China and Russia. Thosesuffering saints did not ask him to pray for relief from persecution, torture,or hardship. They asked him, “Pray that we will be faithful.” On oneoccasion, they even said, “Persecution is good for us. It purifies the church.”We are called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ wherever we are. Today,I am asking for special prayer for a dear friend of mine. Just this week, hewas forcibly taken from his refugee work in a war-torn country and placed onthe front lines of conflict. He is 55 years old—a precious friend, someone withwhom I have shared mission trips and many meaningful times of ministry. Thiswas not something he was prepared to face. Yet he is not asking for prayer forrelease. We have not heard from his family that he is saying, “Pray that I getout.” Instead, they are asking us to pray for grace and for wisdom. He wouldwant us to, like Paul, to pray for boldness—to be a faithful witness whereverhe finds himself right now. Please,I'm asking you to pray for him. I cannot share his name or more details at thistime, but please pray for my friend. He is in a special place of need, and heis asking for boldness to be a witness where he is. Of course, we can also praythat he will be brought home safely to his family who are here in America.Please do pray for him. Aswe reflect on these passages of Scripture, we are reminded that prayer producesboldness. I thank God for the prayers that have been offered for me as apastor, as a believer, and during mission trips. I can sense those prayers.They make a tremendous difference. Prayer overcomes distance. Prayer dispelsfear. Prayer strengthens boldness. Myfriend, we must also remember that our spiritual leaders are special targets ofSatan. That is why we must pray for our missionaries, pray for our pastors, andpray for spiritual leaders across America. May God grant them grace to befaithful to the Lord for all they must face. Maythe Lord bless you as you think on these things. And as Paul says—"prayfor me”. Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.

In this episode, we dig into Hosea 13:14 and its surprising afterlife in 1 Corinthians 15:54–57, where Paul turns an ancient oracle into a triumphant proclamation of resurrection hope.Hosea 13:14 has a significant amount of ambiguity in its wording. In the Hebrew text, key verbs related to ransom and redemption—and even the tone of the passage itself—can be read either as a promise of deliverance from death, God's intentions towards Israel but their refusal to receive, or as a trash-talking taunt announcing death's inevitability. The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint (LXX) preserve these tensions in different ways, leaving open the question: is God declaring victory over Death, declaring his intentions that Israel refuses, or summoning death and the grave as an agent of judgment?Paul knows this ambiguity—and he leverages it.By drawing on the Greek rendering of Hosea, Paul applies this oracle as a defiant challenge: “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” In doing so, he stands firmly within Hosea's poetic world, where Death and the Grave are not abstract ideas but hostile powers—personal, invasive, and destructive.Yet Paul sharpens the image even further. For him, Death is not merely tragic; it is an enemy. Not simply because it ends biological life, but because it violently interrupts the human vocation. Death cuts our developmental journey short. It fractures the unity of body and person. It traps humanity in a condition God never intended—existence separated from embodied life.This is why resurrection matters.Jesus' resurrection is not just a reversal of death; it is the beginning of Death's defeat. In Christ, healing from our sins is inseparable from healing from corruption, decay, and disintegration. What Death stole—our embodied future—God restores through resurrection.We close the episode by fixing our hope on what is still to come: the resurrection of all people, when Death itself will finally be overcome—not by escape from the body, but by the gift of glorified, healed, and fully restored embodied life in Christ.Key Passages: Hosea 13:141 Corinthians 15:54-57Explainer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Video⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

To be “disposable” for the Lord is a difficult idea in a world that urges us to build our own platforms, protect our reputations, and preserve our comfort. Yet Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:6 paint a different picture: “I am already being poured out like a drink offering.” His life was not guarded for personal gain—it was surrendered for God’s purposes. Being poured out means living open-handedly. It means recognizing that our achievements, dreams, ministries, relationships, and even our suffering ultimately belong to God. What He gives, He can redirect. What He builds, He can reshape. What He allows, He can use. Paul’s life did not revolve around personal comfort or recognition. He endured hardship, imprisonment, and rejection, yet remained focused on Christ’s Kingdom rather than his own. His confidence was not in earthly success but in finishing the race faithfully. This kind of surrender challenges us to ask hard questions. Are we building our own kingdoms, or Christ’s? When others interact with us, do they see our ambition—or His grace? Are we willing to release not only our accomplishments but also our expectations? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:39 that losing our life for His sake is the path to truly finding it. The paradox of the Christian life is that surrender brings freedom. When we loosen our grip, we discover deeper trust. When we release control, we gain eternal perspective. To be disposable for the Lord is not to be worthless—it is to be fully available. It is to live in such a way that Christ is magnified above all else. Main Takeaways Being “poured out” means living with open hands before God. Our achievements and opportunities ultimately belong to Him. Paul’s example shows a life centered on Christ, not comfort. Surrender applies to every area—success, relationships, health, and recognition. True fulfillment is found in finishing the race faithfully. Today’s Bible Verse "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.” 2 Timothy 4:6 NKJV Your Daily Prayer Prayer excerpt for listeners: “Help me to live open-handedly, making much of You instead of myself.” Listen to the full prayer here. To view the prayer in written format, visit the links below. Continue growing in faith and encouragement: LifeAudio.com – Christian podcasts and devotionals Crosswalk.com – Daily prayers, articles, and Bible study resources This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.orgTrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In 2 Corinthians 4:7–18, Paul reminds us that the treasure of the gospel has been placed in fragile jars of clay. Our weakness is not an accident or a liability in God's plan—it is the very stage on which His strength is displayed.As we live between the process and the promise, we often feel unfinished, fragile, and worn down. Yet Paul shows us that affliction is not the end of the story. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead is renewing us day by day and preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.In this message, we discover two life-giving implications: we can be honest in the process, and Jesus is good reason to endure in the process. Our weakness does not disqualify us—it magnifies the surpassing power of God.For more information about Integrity Church, visit our website, http://liveintegritychurch.org Connect with us on social media throughout the week to stay up to date on events and things happening at Integrity! Instagram: @integrity_church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveintegrity/

Keep Moving Forward Philippians 3:13–14 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. There is something powerful and important about the word press. It implies resistance and It suggests something that takes effort. It seems to acknowledge that moving forward is not always easy. Yet Paul said, “This one thing I do.” Not ten things, Not some kind of divided focus. One thing keeps him moving forward, and that is the constant mark set before him in Jesus. Intro Music By: Eddie B. Woodard

What is the opposite of joy? Sadness? No, because "Christian" joy is not really an emotion like sadness. It is an objective settlement and peace that is concretely outside their control. It looks like happiness, but it's really not. Joy can be present with the Christian even when our circumstances are at its worst. Like death. Yet Paul declared that a Christian can say, "For or to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Phil 1:21). But even Christians can have an unbiblical, culturally influenced view of death that parasitically robs us of our God-promised joy. That's the discussion of today's Church for Normies Podcast! ▶️ Nate's Message on YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/ytp4e3df

Pastor Tyler's new book "Firebrand" is available NOW! https://www.ironworks.media/bookstore/p/firebrand Check out IronWorks Media, our Christian resource network! https://www.ironworks.media/ Give to support the ministry of Calvary Chapel Trussville! https://tithe.ly/give?c=411758 More info on Calvary Chapel Trussville!

Pastor Tyler's new book "Firebrand" is available NOW! https://www.ironworks.media/bookstore... Check out IronWorks Media, our Christian resource network! https://www.ironworks.media/ Give to support the ministry of Calvary Chapel Trussville! https://tithe.ly/give?c=411758 More info on Calvary Chapel Trussville!

Jesus had a way of disregarding religious traditions that enraged His opponents. It was one major reason they demanded He be crucified. Yet Paul praised the Corinthians because they kept the traditions he introduced. Catholics revere what they call “sacred traditions” to such a degree, it is considered equal to “sacred Scripture” in that belief system. So, are religious traditions good or bad?Comparative religion website: www.thetruelight.netMinistry website: www.shreveministries.orgThe Catholic Project website: www.toCatholicswithlove.orgVideo channel: www.YouTube.com/mikeshreveministriesAll audio-podcasts are shared in a video format on our YouTube channel.Mike Shreve's other podcast Discover Your Spiritual Identity—a study on the biblical names given to God's people: https://www.charismapodcastnetwork.com/show/discoveryourspiritualidentityMail: P.O. Box 4260, Cleveland, TN 37320 / Phone: 423-478-2843Purchase Mike Shreve's popular book comparing over 20 religions:In Search of the True LightPurchase Mike Shreve's new book comparing Catholicism to biblical Christianity:The Beliefs of the Catholic Church

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is 1 Corinthians 3:5-9. We live in a culture obsessed with taking credit. Who built this? Who made that? Who gets the recognition, the spotlight, the applause? Yet Paul cuts through all of it with one simple reminder: What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. — 1 Corinthians 3:5–9 Paul says the part we don't say out loud: Workers matter, but they're not the ones who make anything grow. Paul planted. Apollos watered. Both worked hard, served faithfully, and played their part. But only God made anything come alive. That's the point Paul wants the Corinthians to swallow: You're not as important as you think — and that's the good news. Because if you made the growth happen, then you must maintain it, sustain it, and defend it. And you cannot handle that. But if God gives the growth, then the pressure comes off your shoulders. You plant. You water. You obey. You show up. You serve faithfully. And God — not your skill, strategy, charisma, or talent — produces the fruit. You plant. You water. God grows. Let that truth unclench the pressure in your chest. Paul isn't minimizing your role. He's clarifying it. You're a servant, not the source. You're a worker in the field, not the one who makes the field fruitful. You're faithful in your assignment, but God alone creates life. And that truth should free you today. You don't have to impress anyone. You don't have to compete with anyone. You don't have to carry outcomes that belong to God. Your job is faithfulness. God's job is growth. And He has never failed at His job. DO THIS: Identify one place you feel pressure to "produce results." Then pray: "Father, I'll plant and water today. But only You can make this grow." ASK THIS: Where are you carrying pressure God never asked you to carry? Are you more focused on the results or your obedience? What "planting" or "watering" do you need to do today? PRAY THIS: Father, free me from the pressure to produce. Help me plant faithfully, water wisely, and trust You with the growth. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Do It Again"

Garth Heckman The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com      A. Twelve disciples chosen and commissioned. 1. (Matthew 10:1-4) The twelve disciples are listed. And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. a. When He had called His twelve disciples to Him: The main feature of this list is its diversity. Jesus chose His disciples from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. About all they had in common was it seems that none of them were privileged or from backgrounds of high status. This is very much in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. b. He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease: Jesus did not only call the twelve; He also gave them power to do what He had called them to do. The same principle holds true today: whom God calls, God equips. The equipping may not be completely evident before the ministry begins, but it will be evident along the way. c. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: These twelve (excepting Judas, of course), have an important place in God's plan of redemption, including some particular role in the future judgment (Matthew 19:28), and in the founding of the church (Ephesians 2:20). The Bible promises that their position and work will be remembered through eternity (Revelation 21:14). i. This is the first and only time in Matthew that the twelve are called apostles. “The word apostle literally means one who is sent out; it is the word for an envoy or an ambassador.” (Barclay) “Called here for the first and last time apostoloi, with reference at once to the immediate minor mission and to the later great one.” (Bruce) The word apostle can mean a mere messenger, as in John 13:16, referring to he who is sent. Jesus is called an apostle in Hebrews 3:1: consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. Paul sometimes used the word in the sense of messengers or representatives, as in 2 Corinthians 8:23: they are messengers [apostles] of the churches; possibly also in Romans 16:7. Yet Paul also used the term in a more narrow sense, referring to the Twelve and himself by special dispensation (1 Corinthians 9:1-5 and 15:7-10; Galatians 1:17 and 1:19 following).

Today we continue in Ephesianschapter 6, looking at verses 5 through 8, where the Apostle Paul turns hisattention from the home to the workplace. The word "servants," or inthis translation, “bondservants”, undoubtedly refers to Christian slaves, butwe may certainly apply these words to the Christian employee today. There wereprobably 6 million slaves in the Roman Empire in that day, and slavery was anaccepted institution. While the New Testament does not launch a politicalattack against slavery, the Gospel itself undermines it from the inside. Paul'smission was not to overthrow governments, but to transform lives throughChrist. History shows us that when hearts are changed by the Gospel, societieseventually change as well.The principles Paul gives hereapply directly to us today as Christian employees and workers. The workplaceis one of the most important mission fields God has given us. Paul givesseveral reasons why Christian servants—and Christian workers today—are to beobedient and faithful in their work.  First, we are reallyserving Christ. Paul reminds these servants that although they have“masters according to the flesh,” their true Master is the Lord. When aChristian goes to work, he does not leave his faith at the door. He carriesChrist with him into the office, the factory, the classroom, or the job site. Beinga Christian employee means showing respect, diligence, and integrity. The factthat an employer and employee may both be Christians is never an excuse to doless work. Instead, it is a reason to be even more faithful. The Christianworker should give full attention and energy to the task at hand, working withwhat Paul calls “singleness of heart.” Paul specifically warns against “eyeservice”—workingonly when the boss is watching, or trying to impress people rather than beinggenuinely faithful. The best testimony on the job is not just what we say, buthow we work. A good day's work done with integrity speaks volumes for Christ. Second, doing a good job isthe will of God. Paul says we are to be “doing the will of God from theheart.” Christianity makes no distinction between sacred and secular work.Any honest job can be an act of worship when it is done for the Lord. Some ofthese servants were assigned tasks they disliked or found difficult. Yet Paultells them to do their work wholeheartedly, as long as it did not requiredisobedience to God. The key issue is the heart attitude. When we work “fromthe heart,” we are acknowledging that our labor ultimately belongs to the Lord. A Christian does not workmerely for a paycheck or for human approval. He works to glorify God. WhenChrist is our true Master, even ordinary tasks take on eternal significance. Itis also good to remember that our vocation or job is God's means of supporting theministry God has called us to. Our first ministry is our family and after thatis our church and other believers. It also gives us the opportunity to support ourresponsibility to fulfill the Great Commission of reaching the lost people withthe Gospel of Jesus Christ. To bear fruit that glorifies God (John 15:8 &16) “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit" Third, we will be rewardedby the Lord. In Paul's day, slaves were often treated as property,regardless of their abilities or character. A Christian slave might even sufferunjust treatment because of his faith. Yet Paul assures them—and us—that no actof faithful service goes unnoticed by God. God is no respecter of persons. Earthly status does not determine heavenlyreward. We serve Christ, not men, and our ultimate reward comes from Him. Thistruth is especially comforting when our work is unappreciated, misunderstood,or unfairly criticized. God sees. God remembers. God rewards. In summary, the Christianworkplace ethic is built on three great truths: We work for Christ, wework according to the will of God, and we work with the assurance ofeternal reward.

One of the hardest times to practice good listening is with people who have opposing viewpoints. Indeed, the polarization in our society seems to be getting worse, not better, over time. Yet Paul is clear with the Christians in Ephesus: Unwholesome speech, bitterness, and anger have no place in civil conversation. Instead, we need a mutual willingness to listen to each other.   Find out more at HydeParkUMC.org/NextSteps

Life inevitably wears us down, leaving us feeling broken and fragile. Yet Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4 that we are like clay jars carrying the precious treasure of Christ's light. Our cracks and struggles aren't disqualifying flaws - they're the very places where God's power shines brightest. When we try to appear strong and polished, we push Jesus to the sidelines. But our weakness and brokenness actually magnify God's strength and grace. We may be afflicted, perplexed, and struck down, but we are never crushed, driven to despair, or destroyed. Our struggles connect us with others and point them to Jesus, showing that even broken vessels can carry eternal light.

What if everything we thought we knew about power and wisdom was completely upside down? This exploration of 1 Corinthians challenges us to rethink our most basic assumptions about what makes someone valuable, influential, or worth following. Paul's message to the Corinthian church cuts through our cultural obsession with influence, success, and worldly achievement by pointing to something scandalous: a crucified Savior. In the ancient world, crucifixion was so vulgar and shameful that polite society wouldn't even mention it in conversation. Yet Paul declares this is the very heart of God's wisdom and power. The cross reveals a God who doesn't follow our rules about who matters and who doesn't. Instead of choosing the influential, the educated, or the powerful, God deliberately chose the foolish, the weak, and the marginalizedthe people nobody else picked. This isn't just ancient history; it's an invitation to examine our own hearts and communities today. Do we value people the way God does, or have we adopted the world's measuring stick? Are we drawn to those with social media influence and worldly success, or do we recognize the inherent worth of every personthe elderly, the disabled, those society overlooks? Living a cross-shaped life means embracing this radical reversal of values, seeing strength in vulnerability, and finding God's power expressed not through dominance but through sacrificial love. How does Paul's statement 'I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified' challenge or expand your understanding of what it means to center your life on Jesus? In what ways do our modern definitions of power and success contradict the 'foolishness' and 'weakness' of the cross that Paul describes? When have you found yourself attaching your identity to a particular Christian leader or teacher rather than to Christ alone, and what led you to recognize this? How does viewing the cross as 'social stigma' and 'vulgar' in the ancient world change your perspective on what it meant for early Christians to follow a crucified Savior? What would it look like for our church to genuinely value and embrace the 'nothings and nobodies' that God chooses, rather than seeking influence and status? In what areas of your life are you most tempted to claim your rights rather than follow Jesus' example of setting aside His rights and taking the form of a servant? How might our church be unconsciously reflecting the world's values by marginalizing certain groups like the elderly, disabled, or those without influence? What does it mean practically to exercise dominion 'not by capturing positions of power and influence, but by servanthood to the larger society'? How does the cross reveal not just how we are saved, but also how we should view and treat every person we encounter? If we truly lived as a 'cross-shaped community,' what specific changes would be visible in how we relate to one another and those outside our church?

A Letter Written from Prison, Not Comfort Paul's words in Philippians 4 were not written from a comfortable place. He was imprisoned, isolated, and waiting for a trial that could possibly end his life. There was no certainty and no guarantee of freedom. Yet Paul writes with joy, telling the Philippian church that he has […] The post Philippians // And With Enough appeared first on Refuge.Church.

In this Bible Story, Paul is saved from certain death by the judge of Jerusalem. The jews spit and spite Paul, planning to take his life. Yet Paul remains protected by God through the Roman legal system. This story is inspired by Acts 22:30-23:35. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 23:3 from the King James Version.Episode 238: As Paul stood before the judge and a council of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Elders, he saw his opportunity to shift the attention from himself. He addressed the crowd in a loud voice saying that it was because of the hope of the resurrection from the dead that he was on trial. And at that, the crowd became divided, the Pharisees and Sadducees broke out into an argument so fierce that once again the judge had to send men to rescue Paul. While there in prison once again he received a word from God that He was sending him to Rome.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, Paul is nearly stoned to death by Jewish Christians who seek to control Gentiles by the law. They are dangerous and controlling. Yet Paul does not let the stones stop him. This story is inspired by Acts 14. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 14:19 from the King James Version.Episode 229: As Paul and Barnabas entered Iconium to preach, both Jews and Gentiles were receptive and restored by the message of love and mercy in Jesus that they brought. But not everyone in the city was happy about this change. Certain men of influence added poison to these teachings and stirred the people against Paul and Barnabas. So they fled to Lystra where they healed a man and were called gods by the men of the city. Just as Paul and Barnabas convinced the crowd that they were mere men, the elders of Antioch came and captured Paul, bringing him out to the city to be stoned. But because of what God did for him, Paul went right back to the city the next day to continue preaching the good news of Jesus.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This powerful message from Philippians 3:8-11 invites us into a radical understanding of what it means to truly pursue God. At its core, we discover three essential movements in our spiritual journey: losing, gaining, and knowing. The apostle Paul's declaration that he counts everything as loss—even as rubbish or dung—for the excellence of knowing Christ challenges our modern sensibilities. We live in a culture that celebrates accumulation and achievement, yet here we're confronted with a different calculus entirely. The pursuit of Christ demands that we recalibrate what we value, recognizing that knowing Jesus intimately surpasses every earthly pursuit, position, or pleasure. The sermon draws a compelling parallel to romantic pursuit—how we naturally count other relationships and activities as secondary when we're pursuing someone we love. This same passionate, all-consuming pursuit should characterize our relationship with Christ. What's particularly striking is the acknowledgment that this pursuit carries real cost: social rejection, lost opportunities, even persecution. Yet Paul declares it worth it all. The message doesn't shy away from the reality that following Jesus might mean standing alone, losing friends, or facing opposition. But in that loss, we discover gain—not the self-righteousness of religious performance, but the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. This is transformative faith, not treadmill faith that runs but never moves forward. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1425/29

In Mark 6:36, the disciples were ready to rest, but the multitudes followed them, and they told Jesus to send them away. But what was about to happen was a miracle that would teach them a life lesson out of a frustrating difficulty.

The church in Ephesus stood in the shadow of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis. It was massive, beautiful, and filled with idols. Yet Paul reminded Timothy that the true wonder of the world was not made of stone but of people.   In this message, Gene Coleman, an elder at CrossPointe, teaches from 1 Timothy 3:14–16, showing that the church is the household of God, the gathering of the living God, and the pillar and foundation of the truth. The world may build temples of pride and self-worship, but God is building a family that displays His truth through godly conduct, gospel identity, and the mystery of Christ.

Send us a textEpisode Notes.In this episode of The Bible Project Daily Podcast, we continue our exploration of Paul's  teaching on being “unequally yoked.” Having considered the wider spiritual principle in Part 1, we now turn to one of its most personal applications: marriage.Paul's image of the yoke — two animals pulling together in the same direction — is a vivid picture of the unity required in marriage. When husband and wife are not united in Christ, the strain on both the relationship and spiritual life can be immense. Yet Paul's words are not meant to condemn, but to protect, encourage, and call us to lives marked by holiness and hope.Key Points:Why Paul uses the metaphor of the yoke to describe relationships.The unique challenges of marriages where one partner is not a believer.The call to holiness and separation — not isolation, but dedication to God.How to seek God's wisdom, grace, and patience in marriage and family life.Takeaway:Being yoked with Christ means walking in step with Him. In marriage, as in all of life, Paul calls us to relationships that strengthen our faith and glorify God.Support the showTo listen to my monthly church history podcast, subscribe at; https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com For an ad-free version of my podcasts plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month whilst also helping keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free for listeners everywhere support me at;|PatreonSupport me to continue making great content for listeners everywhere.https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

A peaceful life feels elusive. Problems at home, pressures at work and troubles in the world fuel our anxiety. Yet Paul, writing from prison, shows us how to find true, supernatural peace in any circumstance.

Disagreements are inevitable—whether in families, friendships, or even the church. As our daily prayer and devotional, taken from Paul's words in 1 Corinthians, reminds us, while differences of opinion will always exist, division doesn’t have to. Because we are united in Christ, we have the power to pursue unity, even in the midst of disagreement. Unity is not about ignoring conflict or pretending everyone thinks the same. Instead, it’s about choosing grace over pride, peace over division, and Christ’s love over personal preference. The church in Corinth struggled with this, and so do we today. Yet Paul’s reminder is clear: our shared identity in Christ outweighs anything that could divide us. Today's Bible Reading: "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." – 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) Key Takeaways Unity in the church begins with personal holiness—reflecting Christ in our own lives. Disagreement is not the same as division; we can disagree and still walk in unity. Paul’s call to unity isn’t just for the early church—it’s God’s will for believers today. When tempted to let differences divide, we must remember that we are one family in Christ. Let’s Pray Together Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Help us to pursue unity in our relationships and within the church. When disagreements arise, give us wisdom to respond with grace and humility. Remind us that we are one family, united in Christ, and called to reflect His love to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Calls to Action Ask God to show you one way you can promote unity in your church this week. When conflict arises, pause and pray before responding. Share this devotion with someone who needs encouragement in a season of division. Related Resources What Does It Mean to Live in Unity with One Another? – Crosswalk.com 7 Bible Verses about Unity – BibleStudyTools.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome back to the podcast! Today, we wrap up our Thessalonians series with the "O" word. In this lesson, we'll see why Paul made "Obedience" his closing challenge.--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --The O Word: Obedience (2 Thessalonians 3:1-18)As we close our Thessalonians series, Paul leaves his readers with one final reminder: the Christian life is not only about believing the right things (orthodoxy), but also about practicing the right things (orthopraxy). And the word that ties it all together—the “O word”—is obedience.For many of us, “obedience” feels like a word for children. But in Scripture, obedience is at the very center of what it means to follow Jesus. Paul's final lesson in 2 Thessalonians 3 is simple yet profound: God cares deeply about how we live.1. Prayer Fuels the MissionPaul begins by asking the Thessalonians to pray for him and his team. He longs for the gospel to spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes. He also asks for protection from wicked and evil people. The lesson is clear: prayer is not a side activity; it is central to God's mission. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-32. Obedience Is an ExpectationPaul expresses confidence that the Thessalonians will continue to do the things he commanded. That word—command—makes many modern Christians uncomfortable. Yet Paul reminds us that obedience is not optional for true believers. Casual Christians may resist authority, but disciples embrace it because it comes from Christ Himself. 2 Thessalonians 3:4-53. Laziness Is a Spiritual ProblemPaul then gives one of the most practical commands in the New Testament: don't live idle lives. He even tells the church to separate from believers who refuse to work and to stop enabling cycles of dependency. Instead, Paul points to the dignity of work and the example he himself modeled. Obedience is not just about avoiding “big sins”—it includes everyday faithfulness, diligence, and integrity. 2 Thessalonians 3:6-104. Imitation Is a Key to DiscipleshipPaul reminds the Thessalonians to imitate his example. He worked with his hands so as not to burden the church, even though he had the right to receive support. His life matched his teaching—orthodoxy and orthopraxy together. This kind of modeling is essential for healthy Christian discipleship. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-95. Correction Is Done in LoveFinally, Paul addresses those who refuse to obey. They are to be warned firmly, even shamed by the community if necessary—but never treated as enemies. Correction in the church should always be motivated by love, aiming to restore brothers and sisters to faithful obedience. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15Paul closes his letter with a blessing of peace and grace, reminding us that obedience flows out of God's love and presence in our lives. 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18Big Idea: Obedience isn't just for children. It's the daily calling of every follower of...

Idolatry isn't just an ancient problem with golden calves or temple feasts—it's the daily battle of the human heart. In Corinth, Paul warned believers that to sit at the table of idols was to share in their worship. Today our idols may look different—success, approval, comfort, control—but the danger is the same: they promise much, but only enslave. Yet Paul points us to the good news: God is faithful, and in Christ He always provides a way of escape. As we flee idols, we run to Jesus—the only One who satisfies.

When in Rome - "Leadership Is Partnership" - Romans 16 Romans 16 reminds us that leadership is really partnership—every hand and every gift matters in the mission. Yet Paul points us higher: it is the Lord who secures the victory. Verse 20 captures it perfectly—the God of peace will soon crush Satan. Peace and triumph are not opposites, but the echo of the gospel from beginning to end.

Communion points us back to the cross, the “second tree” where Christ made right what was lost in the first. Through His body and blood, Jesus carried our sins and made healing available: spiritual, physical, and emotional. Yet Paul warns the Corinthians that Communion is not a ritual to check off but a checkpoint for the heart, calling us to examine our worship and conduct. In this message, Pastor Mike Adkins reminds us that true Communion realigns our lives with Christ, renews our unity with one another, and restores our focus on the One who gave Himself for us.

Communion points us back to the cross, the “second tree” where Christ made right what was lost in the first. Through His body and blood, Jesus carried our sins and made healing available: spiritual, physical, and emotional. Yet Paul warns the Corinthians that Communion is not a ritual to check off but a checkpoint for the heart, calling us to examine our worship and conduct. In this message, Pastor Mike Adkins reminds us that true Communion realigns our lives with Christ, renews our unity with one another, and restores our focus on the One who gave Himself for us.

The Gospel never advances without opposition, which is why Paul urges the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 to pray. We must pray for missionaries—that God's word would spread powerfully and that His servants would be protected from those who resist the truth. Yet Paul also reassures us: “The Lord is faithful.” He will strengthen us and guard us from the evil one. Our perseverance does not rest on our willpower but on God's faithfulness. And so we fix our hearts on His love and Christ's endurance, learning to pray boldly and persevere steadfastly for the sake of the Gospel.Series: Encouragement for Pilgrims on the WayScripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5Speaker: Pastor David Hallett

2025, like most years, hasn't been easy. Yet God remains at work—we may have been “roughed up,” but in His hands, we are neither forgotten nor abandoned. Paul wrote Philippians while imprisoned in conditions of unspeakable horror: overcrowded prisons with suffocating air, sleepless nights in chains, underground chambers devoid of light, corroding iron shackles, and appalling filth. Yet Paul wasn't deterred by these devastating circumstances. Instead, he found something far more devastating: the life he used to live before Christ. Paul demonstrates three key principles: what he left behind, what he pressed toward, and how we can follow his example. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

God had promised the Apostle Paul that he would deliver him safely to Rome so he could testify about Jesus before Caesar. Along the way, Paul and his companions encountered a terrible storm that threatened to take their lives. Yet Paul continued to trust in God's promises and to live like they were true. He continued to trust in God through the fiercest of storms.

Paul Jones

Most people wouldn't expect the God of peace to go around crushing thingsespecially heads. Yet Paul says that's exactly what God plans to do: crush the head of Satan. And somehow, we're involved. This week on The Bible Study Hour, Dr. James Boice examines this intriguing teaching from Paul's letter to the Romans. Be sure to join us this week for The Bible Study Hour. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes to those who had been heavily influenced by Greek thought and culture. Yet Paul taught that as Christians, it is the character of Jesus that influences and transforms us into the likeness of Christ. As we hunger and thirst for God and grow in His purposes, we can be led by the Holy Spirit and receive true freedom.   Speaker: Pastor Chris Manginelli Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26 Series: Guest Speakers   For more information visit www.BenDixon.org

You may have heard of Timothy but not know much about him. Epaphroditus is even less known. Yet Paul tells the Philippians to esteem them highly for their service to the Lord through their service to Paul and the church. They are faithful men who put the needs of others above their own agendas. And … Continue reading Faithful to Serve →

Paul Taylor just had open-heart surgery. It was addressing a genetic (not a self-induced lifestyle) issue but nonetheless, not everything went smoothly for Mr. ‘hard-as-a-cat's-head’ and as you'll learn in this chat, things got a little intense, serious and excruciating for a bit. This was an interesting chat where we managed to open the philosophical, psychological, physiological, medical, stoicism and psychedelic doors (all the biggies). Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Indiana school teacher suggested her students write notes of encouragement and inspiration for their peers in “random acts of kindness.” Days later, when a school tragedy occurred in a different part of the country, their plans took on even more meaning; their notes became a means of buoying the spirits of their fellow students as they dealt with the resulting fear and pain that something could happen to them too. Many of the 5,100 students so cherished the note that they’ve left it taped to their locker as a reminder of the kindness shown. Encouragement and mutual concern were on Paul’s mind too when he wrote the people at Thessalonica. They had lost friends and Paul instructed them to hope in Jesus’s eventual return to bring their loved ones to life again (1 Thessalonians 4:14). While they didn’t know when that would occur, he reminded them that as believers they needn’t wait in fear of God’s judgment when He returned (5:9). Instead, he suggested they wait with confidence in their future life with Him. And in the meantime, they could “encourage one another and build each other up” (v. 11). When we experience painful losses or senseless tragedies, it’s easy to be overcome with fear and sadness. Yet Paul’s words are helpful to us today, just as they were two thousand years ago. Let’s wait in hopeful expectation that Jesus will restore all things. And in the meantime, let’s encourage each other—with written notes, spoken words, acts of service, or a simple hug.

In this Bible Story, Paul is saved from certain death by the judge of Jerusalem. The jews spit and spite Paul, planning to take his life. Yet Paul remains protected by God through the Roman legal system. This story is inspired by Acts 22:30-23:35. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 23:3 from the King James Version.Episode 238: As Paul stood before the judge and a council of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Elders, he saw his opportunity to shift the attention from himself. He addressed the crowd in a loud voice saying that it was because of the hope of the resurrection from the dead that he was on trial. And at that, the crowd became divided, the Pharisees and Sadducees broke out into an argument so fierce that once again the judge had to send men to rescue Paul. While there in prison once again he received a word from God that He was sending him to Rome.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Bible Story, Paul is nearly stoned to death by Jewish Christians who seek to control Gentiles by the law. They are dangerous and controlling. Yet Paul does not let the stones stop him. This story is inspired by Acts 14. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Acts 14:19 from the King James Version.Episode 229: As Paul and Barnabas entered Iconium to preach, both Jews and Gentiles were receptive and restored by the message of love and mercy in Jesus that they brought. But not everyone in the city was happy about this change. Certain men of influence added poison to these teachings and stirred the people against Paul and Barnabas. So they fled to Lystra where they healed a man and were called gods by the men of the city. Just as Paul and Barnabas convinced the crowd that they were mere men, the elders of Antioch came and captured Paul, bringing him out to the city to be stoned. But because of what God did for him, Paul went right back to the city the next day to continue preaching the good news of Jesus.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.