Podcasts about Zebulun

Tonight… we continue our steady with the tribe of Zebulun. We take a look at who they were… what they were supposed to do… and how they failed.

Episode 2.83In this episode, Michael and Zach walk through Joshua 18–21, a section often dismissed as tedious land surveys but loaded with theological weight. As the conquest narrative slows, the focus shifts from battle scenes to boundary lines—yet the central theme remains unchanged: Yahweh keeps His promises.Joshua 18 opens at Shiloh, where the tabernacle is established and the remaining tribes are confronted for their hesitation. Though the land has been subdued, Israel has grown slack in fully possessing what God has given. Through the casting of lots, the inheritance is formally distributed—Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan—each territory marking tangible fulfillment of ancient covenant promises.The episode highlights the structural bookends of this section: Caleb's bold faith (Joshua 14), the hesitation of the Joseph tribes (Joshua 17), the sluggishness of the remaining seven tribes (Joshua 18), and finally Joshua's quiet reward (Joshua 19). The contrast echoes the twelve spies: faith versus fear, obedience versus delay.Joshua 20–21 then move to the “finishing touches” of the land. The Cities of Refuge reveal a profound theology of justice, mercy, and substitution—where freedom comes through the death of the high priest, pointing forward typologically to Christ. The Levites receive no territorial inheritance, yet are scattered throughout Israel as a reminder that worship and instruction remain central in a decentralized, kingless nation.The episode culminates in Joshua 21:43–45—one of the theological high points of the book—declaring that not one word of the Lord's promises failed. What appears mundane proves monumental. The dividing of the land is not administrative filler; it is covenant fulfillment in geographic form.Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/t9RNimPBL28Merch here: https://take-2-podcast.printify.me/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone⁠License code: 2QZOZ2YHZ5UTE7C8Find more Take 2 Theology content at http://www.take2theology.com

The story of Jesus beginning His ministry in Galilee reveals God's incredible strategy of bringing hope to the hopeless. When Jesus moved to Capernaum after John the Baptist's arrest, He chose a region that had been spiritually neglected for 700 years. This area of Zebulun and Naphtali had been the first to fall to Assyrian invasion in 732 BC, and its mixed population of Jews and Gentiles made it despised by Jerusalem's religious elite. The people there lived in comprehensive spiritual darkness - not just ignorance, but complete separation from God, with no hope beyond death and no light to guide their steps. Matthew reveals that this location was no accident but the fulfillment of Isaiah's ancient prophecy. God had been planning for 700 years to bring salvation first to the very place that experienced judgment first. The light that dawned was not a philosophy or program, but a person - Jesus Christ Himself. This light is described as great and dawning like the sun, bringing not just illumination but complete liberation from the shadow of death. Jesus' first word in His ministry was repent, which isn't merely feeling sorry but involves a complete reorientation of life toward God. This call to repentance is actually an invitation into His kingdom, demonstrating God's pattern of choosing the unlikely and despised to display His greatest works. For those living in any form of spiritual darkness today, the same light that dawned in Galilee continues to shine, offering hope, forgiveness, and new life through faith in Christ.

Revelation 7:1–8The 144,000 of Israel Sealed[1] After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. [2] Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, [3] saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” [4] And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:[5] 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,12,000 from the tribe of Gad,[6] 12,000 from the tribe of Asher,12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,[7] 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,12,000 from the tribe of Levi,12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,[8] 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. (ESV)Revelation 14:1–5The Lamb and the 144,000[1] Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. [2] And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, [3] and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. [4] It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, [5] and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. (ESV)

Subject: Salvation During The Tribulation Period Speaker or Performer: Pastor Grover Cleveland Scripture Passage(s): Revelation 7:1-8 Date of Delivery: February 15, 2026 1 After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

Our Election in Christ (6)  (audio) David Eells – 2/11/26 I'm going to continue where we left off last time about election and the manifestation of those He foreknew. There are some objections to election and predestination. The one I hear the most from people is that God loves the world. (Joh.3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. Of course, when people read this verse, they think it means that God loves the whole world. Well, as we've seen from the Scriptures, the Bible doesn't teach that God loves the whole world, and even in this verse, it doesn't say that because there is a condition given for God's love here. The condition is “whosoever believeth on him,” and that limits God's love to a very few. The majority are not going to believe on the Son, since the only way to have any hope of believing on the Son is to receive the gift of faith from God. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. You see, faith is a gift from God; believing on the Son is a gift from God. The people in the world who do believe on the Son are the ones to whom God has given the gift to come to the Son and have eternal life. If God did love the whole world, then He could have used a much better method for revealing His Son to the world; instead, God didn't make it easy for the world to receive that revelation. First of all, 99.9999% or more of the world has never seen His Son or the miracles that He has done. And the world is so contrary to the Son that it seems that if the Father really loved the whole world, He would make it easier for the world to receive this revelation and understanding. Jesus' teachings and principles are so contrary to the world that you have to go against everything that you are in order to follow Him. That's not natural, but then God's salvation isn't natural; it's supernatural. It says all through the Word that God limits His love to those who are His own. For instance, (Joh.13:1) Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end. A good reason for God to love the world is that His own are in the world, but notice in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43), Jesus Himself said that not everybody in the world is His own. Jesus was the sower, and He told us that the devil was the one who sowed the tares. (Mat.13:36) Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field. (37) And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; (38) and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil [one]; (39) and the enemy that sowed them is the devil. Jesus didn't claim the tares as His own, and, I might add, that a tare can never become wheat, nor can wheat ever become a tare because a wheat is a wheat and a tare is a tare. They are two different seeds, and that's true of everyone in the world; they are one seed or the other. They are either a child of God or a son of the devil. Jesus didn't claim everybody in the world and here's another good example of that: (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring (So they haven't come to Him yet.), and they shall hear (So they haven't even heard of Him yet.) my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. He's talking about a multitude of people who include us. We are included in this group. So at the time Jesus made this statement, there were people who didn't know Him, they hadn't heard of Him, and they hadn't even been born yet, but they have been His. God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world; therefore, our election has nothing to do with time. (Eph.1:3) Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ: (4) even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. We have belonged to Christ since the time God set His plan into action at the beginning. We were chosen in Him as our Savior at the very beginning. “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold” and they are going to become one flock with one Shepherd. So when He says, “having loved his own,” He's only talking about those who come from God, those who belong to God. He's only talking about the wheat. (Rom.9:10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac-- (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Before they had done anything, Jacob belonged to God; Jacob was God's before he was born. That makes it obvious that “God so loved the world” means He's only loving Jacob, or Israel, because these are the people who have been given the gift of faith to come to Him and believe on Him. (Joh.15:19) If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. God did not choose the world; He chose us “out of the world.” In effect, that means God chose not to choose the rest of the world. The Bible says God hates all workers of iniquity: (Psa.5:5) The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Jesus told us (Joh.14:21) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him. So, again, we see the love of the Father is shown only to those who love Jesus. Another verse, where the wisdom of God is speaking, says the same thing: (Pro.8:17) I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me. The Bible says three times in the New Testament that Jesus is the wisdom of God (Luke 11:49; 1 Corinthians 1:24,30). There is a condition to the manifestation of God's love. I say “manifestation” because God loved us before we were. God loved Jacob before he was born. God loved him even before he had done anything because it's not by works, it's by election. God put His love upon those whom He chose in Christ before the foundation of the world. They are the elect among the called, and they will love God. You see, when Wisdom says, “I love them that love me,” that is conditional love. (Rom.5:8) But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God wanted to show us His love in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God, Who sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 41:4), loved us for what He knew He was going to create from before the foundation of the world (Romans 8:28-30). God loved the end creation that He saw by faith. His love is manifested for those who walk according to His commandments because they love Christ. “God commended His own love toward us....” Who is He talking to here? (Rom.1:7) To all that are in Rome (You might think that he's addressing everybody in Rome, but he goes on to qualify this.), beloved of God, called [to be] saints.... That's very, very conditional. He's talking to those who are beloved of God and called “saints.” (Rom.1:7) To all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you (The only people who receive grace are the people who are beloved of God, called “saints.”) and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God didn't give grace to anyone else. The Lord promised salvation to those who were in Christ from the foundation of the world because Christ died for us. People always say, “Well, Christ died for the world.” No, the Bible says that Christ died “for whosoever will” (Mark 8:34; Revelation 22:17). God is the one Who works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Ephesians 1:5,11; Philippians 2:13), and “whosoever will” is only those who have the gift from God of being drawn to Christ. (Joh.6:44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. They're the ones who have the will. So, it is to “whosoever will” but, specifically, Christ died for us and for everyone in the world who is the called of God. They're the ones who are invited to partake of Christ. (Joh.14:22) Judas (not Iscariot) saith unto him, Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Why would He want to manifest Himself to these and not to the world? It's because He's very particular; He's revealing Himself only to God's chosen. (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. And in the next chapter it says, (15:10) If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. So the manifestation of God's love is for those who are obedient and who walk in Christ. And the manifestation of God's love by faith is for those who have not yet come to Christ, but will come to Him because Jesus said, (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. God loves them, not for what they are now, but for what they will be when they do come to Christ and walk in obedience to Him. Let me show you more proof that Christ died to redeem us and not the world. (Mat.20:28) Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Notice that it doesn't say “all,” it says “many.” Who are the “many” this is talking about? (1Co.15:22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. We know that all of us have been in Adam. Everyone born naturally is in Adam, but all of us who have been born spiritually are in Christ and if a person abides in Christ, Scripture says, (1Jn.3:9) Whosoever is begotten of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is begotten of God. And that's where eternal life is; it's in the Son. (5:12) He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life. A person who abides in Christ is that seed who was chosen from before the foundation of the world. A person who abides in Christ is the one whom God loves, the one whom God sent Jesus to ransom. A “ransom” is “the payment demanded for the release of someone from captivity” or, in other words, it's the price paid to deliver a prisoner from bondage. (Isa.53:1) Who hath believed our message? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? (4) Surely he hath borne our griefs (The Hebrew there is “our sicknesses.”), and carried our sorrows (The Hebrew there is “our pain.”); yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Notice, Isaiah says “our.” This is not for the world. This is for us; this is for those who are in Covenant with God. (Isa.53:8) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who [among them] Considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people (It doesn't say that He was cut off for the transgression of the whole world or, let me say, all the people in the world. It says, “for the transgression of my people.”) to whom the stroke [was due]? (11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many (Again, it's not “all”; it's “many.”); and he shall bear their iniquities. So He only bore the iniquities of those whom He justified. (12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Now I want you to look at this next verse one more time because people like to claim it for just anybody who says they're a Christian. (Rom.8:28) And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, [even] to them that are called according to [his] purpose. But people don't go on to consider the next verse. (29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. The promise here, to work “all things together for good,” is made to those who love God, and we know who loves God because Jesus told us those who keep His commandments are those who love Him. Those who walk by faith are able to obey. I'm not saying that they don't ever fail; I'm saying they are able to walk into obedience, getting closer and closer to God, because they walk by faith. We know that power comes from God because of faith (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 1 Peter 1:5). So Romans 8:28 is talking about those “whom he foreknew.” They are the ones He predestined to come into the image of His Son, 30-, 60-and 100-fold. Everything is going to work together for their good; even chastening and the curse work together for the good of those who are called of God to come into the image of His Son. In the prophecy given to Joseph, the husband of Mary, it said, (Mat.1:21) And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins. The only ones who are saved from their sins are the ones who are already His people. They are His people by election, not by manifestation. (Eph.1:1) And you [did he make alive,] when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins, (2) wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; (3) among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. That means when we were in the world, by our nature we looked just like the next sinner. Remember, the only difference between Jacob and Esau was election. (Rom.9:10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac-- (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. It has to do with God choosing the elect to be in Christ before the foundation of the world. The only people Jesus is coming to save are His people, as the Bible says, over and over and over. (Mat.1:23) Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us. One time, when I read that, I felt the Holy Spirit remind me about what the angel Gabriel spoke to Mary: (Luk.1:28) And he came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored (This is the Greek word charitoo, and it means “endued with grace.”), the Lord [is] with thee. Folks, this means, “God is with us.” The Lord is with those who have God's grace. You see, “Immanuel,” or “God with us,” is not talking about God physically walking among the worldly people; it's talking about God being with us. He was with Mary because she was given grace, and God is with us because we were given grace, which is the “unmerited favor of God.” (Luk.1:68) Blessed [be] the Lord, the God of Israel; For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people. People tell me, “That was just for the Jews, David.” Well, how many of the Jews received Him? How many of the Jews received redemption? It was only a very few. No, God's people are scattered throughout the world, and they are His people according to election because even before they were born, He chose them. Jesus brought redemption for His people. And He not only brought redemption, but He brought (Luk.1:71) Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. If salvation is for everybody, who would have an enemy? Salvation can't be for everybody if it is to deliver us from our enemies. (74) To grant unto us that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies Should serve him without fear. (77) To give knowledge of salvation unto his people In the remission of their sins. Jesus said, (Mat.5:44) But I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you. Jesus was talking about people being our enemies, and Paul said this, too: (Rom.12:14) Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. I want to show you a prophecy that many people discount because it was given by the High Priest Caiaphas, but they moved in prophecy in the Old Testament, just like God's New Testament people move in prophecy. (Joh.11:49) But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, (50) nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. (51) Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation (That was obviously a true prophecy; where he went wrong was that he thought he was the one who was supposed to carry it out because of his jealousy.); (52) and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad. Who were these children of God who were scattered abroad? Was it Israel? Maybe a very small portion of them were Jews, if you consider the day of Pentecost was when Jews from all nations were gathered together (Acts 2:1-14). However, the prophecy I'm thinking about is where Jesus said, (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. So Jesus is speaking of the Gentiles in this verse. Jesus died in order to gather together the Gentile children of God into one flock with the believing Jewish children of God. They were always children of God because, according to election, if you are a child of God, you are always a child of God. You were never a son of the devil. Never. The Bible never says that you were a son of the devil and converted to be a child of God. The Bible teaches there are two seeds: one is a wheat and the other is a tare. God sowed His Word in this carnal vessel, and that's the one whom He loves. (Joh.3:13) And no one hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven, [even] the Son of man, [who is in heaven.] Some versions add “who is in heaven,” but it doesn't belong there, according to the numeric pattern, and it's not in any of the ancient manuscripts. That's because Jesus was standing right there in front of them, so “who is in heaven” doesn't make sense. The only one who ascended into Heaven is the Son of God who descended out of Heaven and those in whom the Son of God lives will go to heaven. He's both the sower who sows the seed, which is the Word, and He is also the seed of God. What the Word is creating in us is what God loves. God doesn't love the flesh; the flesh is the enemy of God. (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. God doesn't love the carnal man. He loves what's been born from above, born from Heaven and will go to Heaven. Another verse that helps us to understand this is (Joh.17:18) As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. What does that mean? Isaiah says the same thing: (Isa.9:1) But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations (or gentiles). (2) The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (3) Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. (4) For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian. (5) For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire. (6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father (The Hebrew says literally, “The Father of Eternity.”), Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. He says that the Father sent the Son into the world. You see, God foreknew us, and what we are becoming is the Word of God that came down out of Heaven. One reason God foreknew us is because the Word came out of God Himself. We are born of God, as the Bible says (John 1:13; 3:5; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:4; 1 Peter 1:23, etc.), because your new man came out of God Himself, and that's who God loves. Your new man is the Word, which is the nature of Christ, and your new man has been born of God Himself. So, in that way, we've been sent. Jesus was sent from the Father and we've been sent, too. No, not the carnal man, but we, the spiritual man, have been sent of God into this world. The more of the Word we get into us, the more we come to know the Father. (Rom.11:25) For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; (26) and so all Israel shall be saved.... The completeness of God's people includes “the fulness of the Gentiles.” Jesus said, (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me.... I'm not saying “once saved, always saved” because there are many who will fall away. (Mat.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen. You see, we have to prove who we are by walking in obedience to Christ. We have to prove that we are part of those who are called “all Israel.” We have to prove that we are of the promised seed (Galatians 3:16) who is beloved of God. It may not seem reasonable, but there are many Scriptures in the Bible to back this up, such as, (1Jn.2:4) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; (5) but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: (6) he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. And so when we read verses like John 3:16, we have the level of revelation that God permits because of our lack of understanding. (Isa.28:9) Whom will he teach knowledge? and whom will he make to understand the message? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts? (10) For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little. I feel as if the Lord showed me that when we are carnal, it's easier for us to understand this as if God does love the whole world and therefore not attribute foolishness to God. But as we grow in knowledge, the more we see the plan and wisdom of God, and the more we fear God. (Rom.9:14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. Without enough understanding, we are liable to say what they said to Paul: (19) … Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will? And Paul would give us the same reply he gave back then: (20) Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? (21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? God permits people to believe that He sent His Son to the whole world until they can gain the understanding that God sent His Son only for all New Testament spiritual Israel, just as in the Old Testament God revealed Himself only to natural Israel (Psalm 127:20). (Pro.25:2) It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. God has hidden many revelations in His Word, but those who are honest and obedient to the Word will find those revelations. God has hidden His revelations on purpose so that He can reveal them to whom He wants to reveal them. God promised (Rev.2:17) To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna.... The people who will ultimately get the revelation of the hidden manna will be those who overcome. I've been asked, “David, can't you just give the revelation to someone?” Sure, you can give it to someone, but they'll lose it. I've shared the hidden manna with people who, because of sin, couldn't hang on to it. You see, God permits childish revelation. It's like what Paul said: (1Co.13:11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. (12) For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. He's talking about maturity. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; (10) but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. He's talking about growing up and changing your thinking. When your children were young, you didn't go into deep detail. You taught them very simply because that's all they could receive at the time. God is that way with us. When we first enter into the Kingdom, God allows us to believe some things that are not fully true, but they may be a foundation for deeper understanding later on. The scripture, John 3:16, is correct and very perfect, but what you think about it might not be perfect. Yes, “God so loved the world,” but if “God so loved” everybody in “the world,” that would mean He loves the tares that the devil sows in the world. What we've seen instead is that God only loves those who love Him. And those who love Him are those whom He foreknew from before the foundation of the world.

We read Isaiah 9 and trace its promise from a humbled Galilee to Jesus, who brings a great light into real, modern darkness. We talk about spiritual night, Gideon's odds, and how God places us in our towns to carry hope with courage and clarity.• Isaiah 9 read and unpacked• historical context of Zebulun and Naphtali• modern expressions of darkness and conscience• Jesus as the great light fulfilling prophecy• John's witness to light that darkness cannot overcome• Midian and Gideon as signs of God's power• Acts call to turn people from darkness to light• practical mission in our local communities• prayer to receive and reflect the light of ChristLet me pray for us. Heavenly Father, I know there are some pl some times when we feel we are in a very dark place, whether it's in our minds or out of our minds. God, I pray that we would allow the truth of your word to dispel the gloom, to dispel the darkness within us. But then, Lord, that light does not want to be contained. It needs to be shined out because there are those who are walking in darkness. There are those who are walking in deep darkness. And Jesus is the life that brings light to all mankind. So I pray for your people this morning that wherever they go, whatever sphere they are in, they would bring the light of Jesus, and we would expand your kingdom for your glory and for our good. In Jesus' name, Amen.Thanks for listening! Follow us on Facebook or YouTube.

(This podcast was previously published on March 25, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   The Bible teaches us so much about God's plan concerning men and women and the way God created men and women.  The world tries to make everything the same, same opportunities, even same roles.   It is difficult to enter into our assignment from God and to understand the way God created us unless we view some scriptures on this subject.   God ordained the following:   Genesis 2:7-8   And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.   8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there HE put the man whom HE had formed.   18  And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.   21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and HE (God) took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;   22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made HE a woman, and brought her unto the man.   ***   God created the woman to be an helper to the man.   Some women will not marry.  Some women will be assigned other roles by God.   But most women will marry and when they do marry, God has created them especially for that man to be his help meet.   ***   Eve was deceived by Satan and after the transgression, God put the following assignment on the man and the woman and there was a difference in the role of the man and the woman.   For the man:   Genesis 3   17-19 And unto Adam HE (God) said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;  Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.   For the woman:   Genesis 3   16 Unto the woman HE (God) said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.   (Already we see that God has created the woman for the man so she would be a help meet to the man.)   ***   So we go forth perfectly created and joined by God.   But men and women change the creation in their own wisdom and things fall apart.   As long as we accept our assignments, God blesses us in that to which HE has assigned to us.   And as long as we do what God wants us to do we are blessed and we bless others by our lives, whether we marry or whether we are single.   God said to Isaac:  Genesis 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee;   *****   Mark 10   Jesus says:   6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.   7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;   8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.   9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.   ***   Divorce was created because of the hardness of the heart:   Mark 10   2 And the Pharisees came to HIM (to Jesus) , and asked HIM, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting HIM.   3 And HE answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?   4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.   5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.   ***   Matthew 5:32   Jesus said:   But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.   * Woman who remarries after divorce commits adultery.   * Man who divorces a faithful wife will be the cause of her adultery if she remarries.   * Man who marries divorced woman commits adultery.   ***   Deborah, a married woman who judged Israel.   Judges 4   4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.   5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.   6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?   7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.   8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.   9 And she said, I will surely go with thee:   (So there are times God uses a woman for multiple purposes.)   ***   Women often want to fulfill themselves.   My mother wanted to be a teacher.  My dad did not want my mother to work outside the home.  So my mother did not try to get a job outside the home.  My dad wanted my mother to stay at home and take care of me and the house.   Pam Padgett's younger sister had 4 children.  This sister wanted to be fulfilled and she wanted to work in a day care center.  She convinced her parents to buy the day care center for her.  Her husband was against her working outside the home and he wanted her to stay at home and take care of their children.  But she got the day care center.  She and her husband ended up in divorce.   Today so much is upside down and opposite to that set forth in Bible.   Things are getting worse and they grow farther away from Bible.   ***   Some women will not marry and they will have other assignments from God.   I Corinthians 7     26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.   27  Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.   28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.   29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;   30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;   31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.   32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:   33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.   34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.   35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.   36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.   37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.   38 So then he that giveth in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth not in marriage doeth better.   ***   Most people will marry and here are very important instructions concerning those who marry.   I Corinthians 7   10-11 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:  But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.   12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.   13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.   14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.   15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.   16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?   39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.   40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.   ***   When we choose to follow that which is ordained by God for us by following the Spirit in that which is set forth in the New Testament Bible, we greatly bless ourselves and others.   It is good to focus on these scriptures concerning marriage, divorce, remarriage and remaining single.  

Fr. Eric reflects on the prophecy of Isaiah with regards to the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali (Isaiah 8:23-9:3), especially how that prophecy is fulfilled in Christ (Mt 4:12-23) in speaking about how we are meant to cooperate with God's grace in bringing hope to what seems to be an otherwise hopeless situation. This is a live recording of a homily that Fr. Eric gave on Jan. 25, 2026 at St. James in Colgan, Ontario. Watch Catholic Latte on YouTube and Facebook. An audio version of the podcast is available also on Spotify, iTunes and Podbean.

(This podcast was previously published on March 26, 2021)    Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   I was born again in 1975, by God speaking a word to me by His Spirit.   About two weeks later, in the night while I was sleeping, I was "transported" into heaven and was merged into the body of Christ, made one with the Word of God, God and Holy Spirit witnessing.  (I saw no physical images it was a spiritual experience.)   A few nights later, the exact same thing happened to me a second time.   What did this mean?   Later I came to believe at this time I was ordained to be a minister of Jesus in two offices, as apostle and prophet.   But how can I do this being a woman?   The apostle Paul said:   I Corinthians 14:34-35   Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.   The Spirit of God said to me:  "Look at what these women were doing?"   When I re-read the scripture, I realized these women were asking questions during the church gathering and were thereby interrupting the service.  Paul was stopping them.   The Spirit of God then reminded me that Philip had 4 daughters who did prophesy.  Acts 21:9   Prophecy is for the church, so these daughters would have to speak to the church to prophesy.   By these things, God persuaded me to do the work to which I am called, exhorting the church as an apostle/prophet.   I completely agree with Paul that women must be kept under control.  I've witnessed women taking over in the church and stopping the flow of the Spirit of God.  I would stop them also.   But when a woman has a Word from God she should be free to speak that Word from God to the church gathering that all may be edified in the church.   *****   Also God reminded me of Deborah. She was a prophet in OT.  She was married.  She judged Israel.  She even told the captain of the army to go to war.   Judges 4:4-5  And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.   6-7 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.   8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.   9 And she said, I will surely go with thee:   This example of Deborah and the way God used Deborah for the children of Israel shows us that God does as HE wills with women in the church.   ***   I love scripture.  But I also know sometimes humans misuse scripture and they bind themselves by scriptures in ways God never intended.   We must take scripture to God, and ask HIM to give us wisdom about those verses, and allow God to interpret scripture to us.   Once God gave me something to say to the church and I said to God, "If I say that, they will not understand and they will misinterpret what I am saying."   God said, "They misunderstood what Paul said didn't they?"   Peter said this concerning them misunderstanding what Paul wrote to them:   II Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;   16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.   (Those who have the Spirit will understand but the others will not understand.  For the sake of those who have the Spirit, we speak, and we suffer the persecution from the others.)   If we are led by God and HIS Spirit we will understand as one and be united by HIS Spirit.   Ephesians 4   4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;   5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,   6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.   But many try to understand with their natural mind and they end up setting up other denominations.  

Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee. And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “ The land of Zebulun and the land…

Ancient Israel was thrown into despair and hopelessness in 722 BC when Assyria conquered much of its land in the north (Zebulun and Naphtali). Yet the prophet Isaiah could foresee a time when gloom would turn to joy because “a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder, and of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” In many societies today we find ourselves in such darkness that gloom, fear, and despondency cover our lands. The Good News is that the Son and His invitation have been given: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Matthew 4:12-23 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,he withdrew to Galilee.He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,that what had been said through Isaiah the prophetmight be fulfilled:Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,Galilee of the Gentiles,the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by deathlight has arisen.From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.He said to them,“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”At once they left their nets and followed him.He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their fatherand followed him.He went around all of Galilee,teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Matthew 4:12-23 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,he withdrew to Galilee.He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,that what had been said through Isaiah the prophetmight be fulfilled:Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,Galilee of the Gentiles,the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by deathlight has arisen.From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.He said to them,“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”At once they left their nets and followed him.He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their fatherand followed him.He went around all of Galilee,teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Matthew 4:12-23 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,he withdrew to Galilee.He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,that what had been said through Isaiah the prophetmight be fulfilled:Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,Galilee of the Gentiles,the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by deathlight has arisen.From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.He said to them,“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”At once they left their nets and followed him.He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their fatherand followed him.He went around all of Galilee,teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Reading 1Isaiah 8:23—9:3First the Lord degraded the land of Zebulunand the land of Naphtali;but in the end he has glorified the seaward road,the land west of the Jordan,the District of the Gentiles.Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness:for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;upon those who dwelt in the land of glooma light has shone.You have brought them abundant joyand great rejoicing,as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,as people make merry when dividing spoils.For the yoke that burdened them,the pole on their shoulder,and the rod of their taskmasteryou have smashed, as on the day of Midian.Reading 21 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,that all of you agree in what you say,and that there be no divisions among you,but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,by Chloe's people, that there are rivalries among you.I mean that each of you is saying,“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”Is Christ divided?Was Paul crucified for you?Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.GospelMatthew 4:12-23When Jesus heard that John had been arrested,he withdrew to Galilee.He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea,in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,that what had been said through Isaiah the prophetmight be fulfilled:Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan,Galilee of the Gentiles,the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light,on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by deathlight has arisen.From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.He said to them,“Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”At once they left their nets and followed him.He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their fatherand followed him.He went around all of Galilee,teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom,and curing every disease and illness among the people.

January 25, 2026. Fr. Tyler's homily for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. Enjoy! Gospel Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Gospel Matthew 4:12-23 or 4:12-17 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

ENCORE EPISODE Jesus began his ministry in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali. “A people who sit in darkness have seen a great light.” It was here that he preached repentance, and called his first disciples. In this episode, you'll hear how he is calling you!Readingshttps://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012526.cfm

Father and Annie head to Zebulun and Naphtali and discuss why the people there are in darkness - and explore why these territories are so significant in the mission of Jesus to establish his kingdom as he begins his public ministry and gathers apostles.

Matthew 4:12-23   When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

Matthew 4:12-32Now, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken by the prophet might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan – Galilee of the Gentiles. Those who sat in darkness have seen a great light; those in the region and the shadow of death, on theme light has shined.”From that time, Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”As he walked along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the lake – for they were fishermen. He said to them, “Follow me and I'll make you fish for people.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed him. As he walked along a little further, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, in the boat with their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately, they left the boat and their father, and followed him.And Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. I have those walking monks from Texas on the brain lately. They are inspiring a piece of what we hope to do together during Lent in a few weeks, which you'll hear about soon enough. But I they came to mind as I read this morning's Gospel story about Jesus, making his way around Galilee.Surely, you've heard about the Buddhist monks from Fort Worth, Texas. They've been “walking for peace” since October, with plans to make their way to Washington, D.C., sometime in February. 2,300 miles, I believe. Just walking. Stopping every once in a while to give talks about what they're up to – which is nothing more and nothing less than walking as an invitation to and witness about being mindful of peace and compassion. They've been compelled and inspired, of course, by a world – and our nation, in particular – that displays the opposite of those things, too much of the time; peace and compassion, I mean.So, they're just walking. And passing out prayer cords and flowers along the way. Shining a light on the call to be generous and deliberate about loving-kindness.Just walking. With their rescue dog Aloka, who walks faithfully along with them, and who has almost 700,000 followers on Facebook.Just walking. Even though at least one of them was injured along the way, after being hit by a car, and having his leg amputated.Just walking. Receiving the grace and generosity of strangers in the form of food and water and blessings of support and encouragement.Just walking. And gathering crowds as they go – in fits and starts – in various places; in all kinds of weather; sometimes a dozen or so; sometimes it looks like hundreds or thousands walking along with them.And all of it made me wonder about what we just heard about the beginning of Jesus' ministry – and if it started out just as simply and profoundly – with him just walking.When Jesus heard that John the Baptist had been arrested – which we know happened because John had spoken out against King Herod's unlawful behavior – Jesus likely felt like things had taken a turn in his world … that things had taken a turn, perhaps, in the world at large … to the point that he may not have felt safe or settled anymore in his hometown of Nazareth … maybe that he just couldn't sit still any longer …In fact, while Matthew's Gospel says that Jesus “left” Nazareth, we know from Luke's Gospel that there was more to it than that. Jesus actually got run out of town. He was kicked out of Nazareth. His hometown friends, family, and neighbors threatened to hurl him off a cliff, remember – because Jesus had the nerve to proclaim good news for the poor and recovery of sight for the blind; because he promised release for captives and freedom for the oppressed; because he reminded people about God's prophets doing ministry with – caring for – loving – and tending to – the outsiders, the outcasts, and the foreigners in Minneapolis … I mean the outsiders, the outcasts, and the foreigners in their midst.But when he was threatened with that cliff after standing up for foreigners, outsiders and outcasts, the Gospel says Jesus “passed through the midst of them and went on his way.”He just walked.And in today's Gospel, Jesus is just getting started. I imagine him walking alone when he meets Simon and Andrew – that first set of brothers who leave their nets and tag along, with the simple curiosity of what it might mean to “fish for people,” instead of, say, small mouth bass, for a change. And then Jesus gathers up James and John, who leave their boat and their dad behind, to go wherever Jesus was headed next. And maybe all of that is why some followed and some didn't. Maybe Zebedee was just too old for all of that walking. Maybe Zebedee wanted his boys to get out of the house, off the payroll, and about their own business for a change. Or, maybe Zebedee – like all those people in Jesus' hometown – wasn't on board with everything Jesus was preaching and teaching and calling them toward: release for the captive, freedom for the oppressed, care for the widow and the orphan, concern for the outcast, the immigrant, and the resident aliens in their midst.All of this is to say that this way Jesus was walking – and calling his followers to follow – was a hard one. It was counter-cultural and anti-establishment. It was dangerous and lonely, at times. It was not for the faint of heart. It was open-hearted and gracious to a fault. It was not popular or powerful – it was worthless and weak by the world's standards.But it was full of hope … hope that in spite of the brokenness of the world … that precisely because of the world's brokenness … the kingdom of heaven had come near, in Jesus. Hope … that just like before … those who sat in darkness had seen a great light. Hope … that just like before … those who sat in the region and the shadow of death … would have the light of God shine upon them, again.We could surely use some light to shine in our darkness right about now. We could surely use some hope in the face of the bad news, the violence, the lies, the unnecessary and unwarranted death and despair that seem to be winning the day for so many.And I heard someone say recently that “hope is not something you HAVE, it's something you DO.”“Hope is not something you HAVE, it's something you DO.”And that's what I see in those walking monks … and it's what I imagine Jesus was up to as he walked, too: holding out hope – for himself as he worried about John the Baptist's arrest; manifesting hope – as he grieved the loss of his hometown and their threats against him; holding out hope - as he saw the struggle and suffering of the hurting world around him; manifesting hope – for those who dared to walk with him for all of the above, and for all of us, just the same.I know it's not enough all of the time – just walking certainly doesn't feel like enough for many of us these days. And I know there won't be a lot of walking in the storm and snow that has covered so much of our country this weekend. But let's follow Jesus when and however we're able – with actions that hold out and that manifest hope – in the face of what can be so disheartening so much of the time.When things seem so frustrating, so fearful, so hopeless, imagine that HOPE isn't something you HAVE or something you can LOSE, even. Imagine, instead, that HOPE is something we can DO.So let us worship, learn and serve. Let us pray and be generous and kind. Let us walk and march for peace whenever the opportunity presents itself. And let us repent, too, that thing today's Gospel says Jesus couldn't shut up about once he started making his way around Galilee. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”Repent for the things we've said and left unsaid.Repent for the things we've done and left undone.Repent for the actions we've taken and for the apathy we've shown.Repent for the ways we've ignored Jesus' invitation to follow him with faith, courage, justice, and love for all people.Let's repent because it means to change; because it means to turn around; because it means to do better now that we know better. Repent, because it means to exercise the Christ-like qualities of sacrifice, surrender, and humility.Let us repent, as a supreme act of faith, not because we HAVE to, but because we GET to. Repent, not full of shame or full of guilt or despair. But, let us repent and be filled with HOPE for the grace, mercy, forgiveness, and CHANGE that will come when we let the love of God, in Jesus, have its way with us, with our neighbor, with our enemies, and with the world God so loves.Amen.

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13 He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:  15 "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,   on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the gentiles—  16 the people who sat in darkness   have seen a great light,  and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death   light has dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."    18 As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.    23 Jesus went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 

Third Sunday after the Epiphany Old Testament: Isaiah 9:1-4 1But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. 3You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 5-13 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;   whom then shall I fear? *        the Lord is the strength of my life;        of whom then shall I be afraid? 5 One thing have I asked of the Lord;   one thing I seek; *        that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; 6 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *        and to seek him in his temple. 7 For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *        he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling        and set me high upon a rock. 8 Even now he lifts up my head *        above my enemies round about me. 9 Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation   with sounds of great gladness; *        I will sing and make music to the Lord. 10 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *        have mercy on me and answer me. 11 You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *        Your face, Lord, will I seek. 12 Hide not your face from me, *        nor turn away your servant in displeasure. 13 You have been my helper;    cast me not away; *        do not forsake me, O God of my salvation. Epistle: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 10Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." 13Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. 18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23 12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. 23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.  

Matthew 4:12-23; RIC Sunday; January 28, 2024 Rich Weingartner Grace to you and peace from God our parent, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Living in a world where politicians want more and more power. Minorities are treated as "others" and are not safe. Children aren't valued. The hungry are told to fend for themselves. Being judged by where you were born or grew up. Being condemned if you aren't the right religion. Dangerous to hang out with the "wrong crowd." Religious people who seek more power and control. A world where people cry "O God, How Long?!" Before we look more at that world - let's take a look at our readings for today. First, the people of Zebulun and Naphtali receive a message of promise and hope from the prophet Isiah. A promise that God will provide a glorious future. To learn more about this promise, if we read a bit further in chapter 9 of Isiah, we find a familiar text starting at verse 6: "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This isn't just a message of promise and hope for the people of Zebulun and Naphtali, but for us as well. Our psalm today is considered a Trust Psalm.  There are different types of psalms, like songs of thanksgiving, hymns of praise, prayers for help, and trust psalms.  The Lutheran Study Bible says that the "trust psalms express faith and confidence in God amid great difficulties, threats, and dangers." (Lutheran Study Bible, page 776) The psalm is a story of the psalmist expressing desires to God and knowing that God will deliver on the promises. So far we've had a message of hope and promise, and then a reminder to trust in God.  I don't know about you, but these are certainly messages I need to be reminded of on a daily basis. Today's new testament reading was picked specifically to tie in with today's RIC Sunday's theme of "Celebrating Diversity as God's Children." Once a year we celebrate RIC Sunday to remind ourselves of the public promise and commitment we've made as a congregation through our public welcome statement. Just like God constantly reminds us of God's love, we need to be constantly reminded of our commitment to our LGBTQIA+ siblings, our black and brown siblings, people of every age, marital status, neurodivergent status, political leanings, and people of all abilities. It can be easy to get into a routine and forget about the work we do as a congregation of being radically welcoming and inclusive. I remember back to our Diversity Sunday service when we received official recognition as an RIC congregation. It was so wonderful to see everyone celebrating what makes them unique as a diverse child of God. To be featured as the lead story on the 6 o'clock news and, based on the comments on Facebook, see people get riled up about our radical message of inclusive love. So, in case you haven't heard it today or in a while, here is your reminder.  You, yes you, are a vital part of God's diversity - you are a beloved child of God - exactly as you are. You don't need to change to receive God's love - God loves you unconditionally. Through this love you will find yourself changing in ways that bring you closer to the fullness of God's vision for us and the cosmos - the vision of radical and inclusive love. While we may feel lost in the world and not seen as important - remember that God sees us and we will see God's glory revealed. When I read today's Gospel, I started thinking about how this is the launching point of Jesus' ministry. If the Gospel was a TV show like the shows that had theme songs and images that basically set the scene for the entire series - a quick montage of how it all began, I think this would be the imagery that would be used for the TV show of Jesus.  Of course, the TV show "Jesus" would be the much more successful spin off of the prior series "John: Locust Eater". There are two parts of today's Gospel that I want to focus on.  The first is the phrase "fishers of people".  A phrase that many of us are familiar with and have heard many times - but have you thought about what it really means?  Putting a cookie at the end of a fishing line in hopes that someone will eat it and then you can reel them in? This may be an interesting way to try to bring people to the church, but probably not very effective.  When Jesus called his disciples, they weren't people out fishing as a hobby and catching a few fish for themselves or their family, no, they were in the business of fishing, bringing in large quantities of fish. To do this they used nets. When they used nets, they weren't selective in what fish ended up in the net - no, it collected a wide range of fish. The Lutheran Study Bible shares this comment about this passage: "This odd metaphor plays on the notion of a net collecting different types of fish. These disciples will become founders of a church that 'catches' people of all sorts (that is, attracts people who are diverse with regard to nationality, ethnicity, and social class.)" (Lutheran Study Bible, p. 1526)  Sound familiar?  It should - it is very similar to our welcome statement about who we welcome, or hope to "catch" with our work as a congregation. We don't want to selectively share the message of God's love to only certain select people - no - we want to share that message with the world as we celebrate the diversity of God's children. This is where the phrase "cast a wide net" comes from - the wider your net, the more fish, or people, you can "catch" or reach to share God's message with. Speaking of sharing God's message, the next part of the Gospel I want to look at is verse 23, where it states that "Jesus went throughout all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news." The "good news" or looking at the Greek –  "gospel".  So often we hear "preach the Gospel" or "share the Gospel".  After all we are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - Evangelical meaning to share the Gospel or the good news.  I don't know about you - but often when I think about sharing the gospel, I think about sharing the story OF Jesus - about his birth, death, and resurrection.  However, here we have Jesus starting to proclaim the gospel, the good news.  Now certainly Jesus made references to his birth, death, and eventual resurrection, but that wasn't the core of his teachings. No, Jesus mainly preached the good news of God's inclusive, radical, and counter-cultural love and belonging. That is the heart of the gospel, the message Jesus brought, not about Jesus himself. So, back to the world I described at the beginning.  A world that sounds pretty bleak and depressing. A world that might be struggling and losing hope. A world with downtrodden that are struggling against the government, or as Pastor Megan referred to it last week, the empire. Is this world I describe the world of today?  Is it the world at Jesus' time?  Yes.  And just like back then, we too continue to need the message of Good News that Jesus brings.  A message that runs against the norms, a message that brings a unique perspective to the world, a message that provides a promise - a message I know I'm longing to hear and need to hear these days - yes, Jesus' message brings A New Hope. After events of the past week and yesterday, it can be hard to want to hear a message of hope.  I know it isn't easy preaching about hope and good news amidst what is going on in our world, in our country, in Minneapolis and Minnesota. So be assured, that while I'm preaching on the message of hope - that doesn't mean that feelings of anger, fear, despair, and sadness aren't valid - those are valid and know that God is with you in all your feelings. Also know that the message of hope is there as well - just as the message ran counter cultural during Jesus' time - it does now as well. Back on Christ the King Sunday in November, the service spoke to me and I immediately knew I had to include part of it in my sermon today, as it summarized the message of Christ very well.  This was the Sunday when we were taken on a tour of the church calendar, exploring each of the seasons of the church year.  We are currently in the Time after Epiphany. Here is part of what was shared about Epiphany and the time after. In Epiphany, we look to that ancient star, and we see that the message of God's love knows no bounds: it is a message for people of every color and every tongue, every race and every nation. In the time after Epiphany, we remember that because of Jesus, the divisions that you and I create in our lives will someday be erased by God, who comes to make us all one. Love has come to let us know that there is no such thing as a people from the east or west or north or south. There are only people of God, all created by God, all loved by God, all within the realm of God's redemption through Jesus Christ. The light of the star brought the sages to Jesus, and Jesus is the light that brings God's love to all - to the poor, the lame, the sick, the hurting, the sorrowful, the outcast, those rejected by the world - even to you, in your own joy and sadness, goodness and brokenness, hope and challenges. That is Epiphany. It is the fulfillment of God's love-filled promise extended beyond all human boundaries. It is the light of God that breaks down walls and unites the human family. So, like Jesus, we are called to proclaim this Good News. Part of that Good News is that preaching the message from a pulpit isn't the only way to share the Good News. Just as Pastor Megan has shared, and based on what the Bible says, we are all called in our own diverse ways, based on our own diverse skills, to share the Good News in wide diverse ways. Simply being an RIC congregation is a way we show God's radical love - by emphatically stating that God's love belongs to all, to everyone, especially those that society wants to call "other" or "less than". You help proclaim the Gospel by simply being here - as part of a church that proudly proclaims to our queer siblings, our black and brown siblings, and anyone that society calls "others", that God loves them and they are part of the beautiful diversity of God's children. Some of the other ways we declare God's love include filling the micro pantries every day - where people have access to what they need - with no questions asked, no tests to pass - just God's love through food and personal care items. And it isn't just the people who actually put the items in the pantries, but everyone who buys or donates the items, those who package oatmeal to be ready to go out, those who coordinate it all.  Everyone who works with the young men in the parish house - you are proclaiming God's good news through your actions. Donating items or money to support them, driving them to where they need to go, providing connections in the community so they can get jobs, praying for them - all are part of being a proclaimer of the good news. When society might want to call them less than or unwanted - we, at Faith, proudly say that they are welcome and are loved by God and are part of the wonderful diversity of God's children.   There are so many ways we all partake in proclaiming the gospel - whether you do it through music, through education, through a hug or a meal to someone who is struggling, through just checking in with people to see if they are OK. So while often, we hear of people doing more noticeable or newsworthy things like being part of a large protest in Minneapolis, skipping school or work, or being clergy that go and take action to bring awareness and end up getting arrested for civil disobedience; we have to remember that all ways that proclaim the radical message of God's all inclusive love and redemption to all people, the message of A New Hope, are not only valid, but much needed in this world that is struggling.  So while "we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed" (1 John 3:2) we strive to continue to live into the message of hope and promise. We work together, as God's wonderfully diverse children, to proclaim the message that Christ shared, until we can all revel in the fullness of God's love revealed to us. Until then, we work together, as fishers of people, to cast a very wide net to proclaim and live into God's radical message of all-inclusive love and redemption for all people. We do all this through the freedom given to us by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Since God has declared that we are fully loved and included and nothing we can do can separate us from the love of God, we can boldly be proclaimers of Christ. We must always remember that when the Empire gets us down, we need to cling to the message of A New Hope, and even when the Empire strikes back because of our radical message of inclusion for the entirety of the diversity of God's Children, that in the end, we can rely on The Return of the Jesus to carry us through.  Amen.  

Friends for this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, our first reading from the prophet Isaiah and our Gospel from Matthew both have a section that's a little weird. While most preachers skip over these sections to get to the better-known and understandable parts, I want to dwell, on purpose, on the strange parts—and they have to do with the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali.

Fr James Arblaster says Jesus began his ministry in Zebulun and Naphtali demonstrating his pattern of starting work in places of weakness and failure. , Jesus shows that the rebirth of God's kingdom begins in places of failure and darkness, gathering all people, not just a few, back into harmony with God.

Friends for this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, our first reading from the prophet Isaiah and our Gospel from Matthew both have a section that's a little weird. While most preachers skip over these sections to get to the better-known and understandable parts, I want to dwell, on purpose, on the strange parts—and they have to do with the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali.

Jesus calls his first disciples, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Dr. Chris Croghan and Lars Olson explain how Matthew's version is unique compared to Mark's version and Luke's version as well as the importance of realizing when Jesus says, “Repent!” and “Follow me!” they're imperatives, they're not optional. Jesus is not waiting for you to answer the call. He's claiming you as His own. CARE OF SOULS - ADDICTIONIn Care of Souls, a special mini-series podcast from Luther House of Study, Lutheran pastors and theologians come together to explore the deeply personal and pastoral task of preaching to and caring for those struggling with life's challenging situations: addiction, death, family disharmony, and more. With conversations, real-life stories, and reflections from the front lines of ministry, Care of Souls equips listeners to enter the broken places of addiction not with easy answers, but with the crucified and risen Christ.Because in the end, it's not about fixing people—it's about preaching the Gospel.Listen to Care of Souls: Care of Souls - AddictionCOURSES Do you like what you learn in the conversations on Scripture First? Luther House of Study has numerous interactive courses available for free on subjects ranging from the Lutheran Catechism to core Christian beliefs. Visit lutherhouseofstudy.org to see their available courses, create an account to track your progress, and dive deeper into your learning. SING TO THE LORD Martin Luther said, "Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Lars Olson and Mason Van Essen sit down with Zachary Brockhoff to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel. 

1.1 These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7 But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. 13 So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.15 Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. 18 So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20 So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:12-17At that time, when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

1.1 These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7 But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.40.34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.

Today’s Topics: 1) Gospel – Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 – When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, He withdrew to Galilee.  He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet  might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.  His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to Him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and He cured them.  And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed Him. Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop Saint John, pray for us!Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Terry discusses Pope Leo’s 10 New Year Resolutions for 2026

#top .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-bd07e9d40c709205c08520f2bc575ca9{ padding-bottom:10px; } body .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-bd07e9d40c709205c08520f2bc575ca9 .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{ font-size:25px; } .av-special-heading.av-gs9o3p-bd07e9d40c709205c08520f2bc575ca9 .av-subheading{ font-size:15px; } Through My Bible Yr 03 – January 07Revelation 7 LISTEN HERE Through My Bible – January 07 Revelation 7 (EHV) https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/tmb-ehv/03-0107db.mp3 See series: Through My Bible The Church on Earth 1 After this I saw four angels, who stood at the four corners of the earth. They were holding back the four winds of the earth so that the wind could not blow on the earth, the sea, or any tree. 2 And I saw another angel coming up from the east, who had the seal of the living God. He called out with a loud voice to the four angels who were given power to harm the earth and the sea. He said, 3 “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees until we have placed a seal on the foreheads of God's servants.” 4 And I heard the number of those sealed: 144,000 sealed from all the tribes of the people of Israel: 5 from the tribe of Judah, 12,000, who were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000, from the tribe of Gad, 12,000, 6 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000, 7 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000, from the tribe of Levi, 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar, 12,000, 8 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin, 12,000, who were sealed. The Church in Heaven 9 After these things I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing in front of the throne and of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. 10 They called out with a loud voice and said: Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from     the Lamb. 11 All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. They fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, 12 saying:             Amen. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and     power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen. 13 One of the elders spoke to me and said, “These people dressed in white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” And I answered him, “Sir, you know.” 14 And he said to me: These are the ones who are coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of     the Lamb. 15     Because of this they are in front of the throne of God,     and they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 They will never be hungry or thirsty ever again. The sun will never beat upon them, nor will any scorching heat, 17     for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-aocsdx-89cb4ca21532423cf697fc393b6fcee0{ height:10px; } The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. #top .hr.hr-invisible.av-4vzadh-3f04b370105df1fd314a2a9d83e55b26{ height:50px; } Share this entryShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare by MailLink to FlickrLink to InstagramLink to Vimeo

Gospel Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.  He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet  might be fulfilled: Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen. From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.  His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them.  And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him. Reflection This entire week is focused on the coming of Jesus, the major transformation that's happening. John the Baptist is setting himself out of the picture, and into the picture comes this incredible figure of Jesus. And it's interesting that he goes to a Gentile town, not to Jerusalem. And there he starts his ministry, which is so impossible to believe that everyone he encountered, he would heal them. And it was just this beautiful image of a great light comes into the world so bright that it destroys pain and suffering and darkness and evil. It was almost too much for people to grasp, and that's exactly what happened. The beginning of his ministry was difficult because people had no idea what the kingdom of God was really about. Closing Prayer When Jesus came to initiate the kingdom of God, he changed everything. And the most important thing for us, and we pray for it always, is that we'll grasp fully what this new light and life really means. It's not just that we become the receiver of healing, but we also become the partner with God in the work of healing. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.

Isaiah 9 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 9 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond […]

Prophetic Christmas Judgment? (audio) David Eells 12/24/25 Christmas 2025 Alison Pound - 12/21/25 (David's note in red) It's worth noting that I received the following word just 14 days out from Christmas Day. He previously said that we are right in the season for some specific events He has been warning about for some years now, to come to pass. This is the time of sorrows. Increasing magnitude and occurrence of earthquakes, of wars, deaths, mourning, floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes……. As I was preparing to post this, the Lord said read Psalm 68 [1] Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. [2] As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. The Psalm also says “LET THE RIGHTEOUS BE GLAD”. We are to PRAISE HIM, BECAUSE HE IS A GOOD GOD. ALL HIS JUDGMENTS ARE RIGHTEOUS! The whole chapter can be read below. This is what the Lord said to me on December 11. “That Christmas I told you about, where it would not be celebrated as in other years, this is the one. This year of 2025, Christmas will not be at all like other Christmases. All around the earth, every household will be affected by what I Am doing in the earth. Remember that My judgments are now in the earth and are upon its people. I Am dealing with believers. My people. Those who claim to know Me. I Am about to test all believers in the hardest test they have ever had to endure. Many will not make it. They will be taken away and the next time they awaken they will be standing in front of Me, being asked to account for themselves. This is a very serious time. All of heaven has paused. They take this time very seriously. Most of those on earth are completely unaware of what goes on in heaven, and what I Am about to do on the earth. But this Christmas, they will be right in the midst of My judgments. You know of what I speak. (He has warned of imminent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods in various places, and wars.) Many this year will have no home. Many homes, whole communities have (already) been destroyed by flooding. Lives have been lost. I speak of the fires also. (lives have been lost) And there will be more of both flood and fire.” Psa 68:1-35 For the Chief Musician; A Psalm of David, a Song. Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered; Let them also that hate him flee before him. (2) As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: As wax melteth before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. (3) But let the righteous be glad; let them exult before God: Yea, let them rejoice with gladness. (4) Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him that rideth through the deserts; His name is Jehovah; and exult ye before him. (5) A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation. (6) God setteth the solitary in families: He bringeth out the prisoners into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a parched land. (7) O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, When thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah. (8) The earth trembled, The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God: Yon Sinai trembled at the presence of God, the God of Israel. (9) Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, Thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. (10) Thy congregation dwelt therein: Thou, O God, didst prepare of thy goodness for the poor. (11) The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host. (12) Kings of armies flee, they flee; And she that tarrieth at home divideth the spoil. (13) When ye lie among the sheepfolds, It is as the wings of a dove covered with silver, And her pinions with yellow gold. (14) When the Almighty scattered kings therein, It was as when it snoweth in Zalmon. (15) A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; A high mountain is the mountain of Bashan. (16) Why look ye askance, ye high mountains, At the mountain which God hath desired for his abode? Yea, Jehovah will dwell in it for ever. (17) The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands upon thousands: The Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the sanctuary. (18) Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led away captives; Thou hast received gifts among men, Yea, among the rebellious also, that Jehovah God might dwell with them. (19) Blessed be the Lord, who daily beareth our burden, Even the God who is our salvation. Selah. (20) God is unto us a God of deliverances; And unto Jehovah the Lord belongeth escape from death. (21) But God will smite through the head of his enemies, The hairy scalp of such a one as goeth on still in his guiltiness. (22) The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring them again from the depths of the sea; (23) That thou mayest crush them, dipping thy foot in blood, That the tongue of thy dogs may have its portion from thine enemies. (24) They have seen thy goings, O God, Even the goings of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. (25) The singers went before, the minstrels followed after, In the midst of the damsels playing with timbrels. (26) Bless ye God in the congregations, Even the Lord, ye that are of the fountain of Israel. (27) There is little Benjamin their ruler, The princes of Judah and their council, The princes of Zebulun, the princes of Naphtali. (28) Thy God hath commanded thy strength: Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. (29) Because of thy temple at Jerusalem Kings shall bring presents unto thee. (30) Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, The multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces of silver: He hath scattered the peoples that delight in war. (31) Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands unto God. (32) Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; Oh sing praises unto the Lord; Selah. (33) To him that rideth upon the heaven of heavens, which are of old; Lo, he uttereth his voice, a mighty voice. (34) Ascribe ye strength unto God: His excellency is over Israel, And his strength is in the skies. (35) O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: The God of Israel, he giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.   Tragedy is Coming Just Praise Him – Glynda Lomax October 25, 2016 (David's note in red) A tragedy is coming that is so immense, so widespread in its effect that all the world will mourn with America. This tragedy will bring about a financial crisis like nothing before it. The shock will cause all to take an inventory of their lives. Many lost will run to Me then, to know more of Me, and you must be ready for this time. You must be ready to answer their inquiries about Me. You must be walking in My ways to model Me before them. I will begin soon to call more of my aging saints home to Me. I do not desire they to see this tragedy. These are the ones who have served Me long and well, and their rewards are great in heaven. The scope of this tragedy will be shocking. Many souls will be lost in what is going to happen. This is My last judgment call to the world to turn away from their sins, to turn to Me, to give Me their hearts. At the same time, many who know Me shall turn away, blaming Me for this tragedy, and laying down their faith. Satan will enter their hearts then and their end shall be far worse than their beginning. Hold tight to your faith, My precious children, do not let the enemy have your souls. Remain steadfast, for I have not forsaken you, and the end of all things is near. NOTE: I had been praying for days about why I keep feeling there will be no Christmas celebrations this year when I got this word. (It seems she had some reluctance. However many prophetic utterances don't come to pass the year they are spoken, but later so many can take warning. Many are just hearing this warning now when others are getting the same warning. Joseph taught that when a revelation is doubled it will come to pass.) I know it would take something huge to stop Christmas in America. Suddenly, I heard rumbling, and what came to my mind was an earthquake. I cannot say it is one, because He did not say that. I cannot say for sure that this (earthquake) will happen before Christmas, because the Lord did not say that. I was concerned about the term “judgment call” as it generally means a summary judgment based on known facts, but then I realized “call” could mean “calling” the lost to Himself. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 2 Peter 2:20-21 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (We have certainly seen this sign.) Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. What we see in these revelations below is the faction in Church and state are trying to take down the righteous, but God is directing their wrath to take them down instead, just as Pharaoh at the Red Sea, or Sennacherib at Jerusalem, or the 3 armies against Jehoshaphat at Jerusalem, etc. The glory of the Lord is going to be seen by the whole world at our Red Sea. The fear and respect of the Lord will be on many from among the nations. A common timing theme in these dreams is Christmas time, which symbolizes the time of the Man-child's birth. The day cannot be ruled out either. Individuals in these dreams represent corporate bodies of people around the world.   Coming Attack and Man-child Provision  Eve Brast - 11/27/18 (David's notes in Red) I had a dream where I was in my paternal grandparents' house in Highland Park in Dallas, Texas. I was in the living room and decided to go down to the basement (in real life there was no basement) to check on my three sons. As I went down the basement stairs, I saw my husband moving large containers of some sort from outside the house through the left brick wall of the basement, as if the wall was an illusion of some kind. (The breaching of a wall on the left symbolizes breaking with our sanctification, or separation from the world.) My sons were all younger in the dream: Noah was 9, Elijah was 6, and Josiah was 4. I called out to my husband over the commotion and asked if I could spend some time with the boys. He never stopped what he was so busily doing, only replied, “They are busy helping me. We don't have time for that.” (The left has always hindered the fellowship of the Bride with the children and this actually came to pass.) Then I heard and felt a shaking sound (I wrote this interpretation in 2018 before the recent revelations: This could represent the shaking coming at Christmas time, OR the time of the Man-child Body's birth, or both? - Even though the timing of Christmas and its traditions are false, it can represent the time of the Man-child's birth, whenever that comes. Why Christmas? We will see.) coming from behind me and I could see a large red CGI dragon in the spirit coming for me. (A realistic 3D animated dragon. The dragon in Revelation 12 is the beast of the first 3 1/2 years, who fails to devour the Man-child and then seeks to devour the Woman Church. From other dreams, we know that we are NOW in the time of the immature dragon, hence a cartoon dragon. I had a dream where this exact dragon was sneaking in a back window of our assembly to devour us. It came and failed.) I then hurried down the stairs and went around the stack of containers that he had brought into the basement, and turned around to see the dragon coming down the stairs. It had yellow eyes. (It looked just like the dragon Smaug from The Lord of the Rings movies.) It said, “I'm coming for you.” I hid behind the containers as it stomped past. Once it was past where I was, I noticed a Christmas tree over to the side of the basement. (Another Christmas time/Man-child birth revelation) So I hurried over and knelt down behind the tree and was praying and telling myself, “If I'm very still, he won't be able to see me.” Noah came over and began to ask me, “What are you doing, Mom?” I told him, “If I'm very still, he won't see me.” Noah laughed and said, “You mean him?”, pointing to the dragon. I said, “Yes.” He then started pushing on me and making me move. The dragon saw me and narrowed his eyes and said, “I see you!” He began to lumber over towards me as I woke up. (Children who are temporarily in the camp of the Left do not understand the true nature of the Dragon. The Woman escaped the Dragon in the dream here by waking up.) I asked Father for a couple of words by faith at random concerning this dream, and my finger was on “I have broken Moab” in Jeremiah 48:38 (Moab was the Children of Lot who factioned away as leftists from their brethren of Israel as a type of the Church) Jer 48:35-46 Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith Jehovah, him that offereth in the high place, and him that burneth incense to his gods. 36 Therefore my heart soundeth for Moab like pipes, and my heart soundeth like pipes for the men of Kir-heres: therefore the abundance that he hath gotten is perished. 37 For every head is bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands are cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth. 38 On all the housetops of Moab and in the streets thereof there is lamentation every where; for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein none delighteth, saith Jehovah. 39 How is it broken down! how do they wail! how hath Moab turned the back with shame! so shall Moab become a derision and a terror to all that are round about him. 40 For thus saith Jehovah: Behold, he shall fly as an eagle and shall spread out his wings against Moab (the factious in Church and state). 41 Kerioth is taken, and the strongholds are seized, and the heart of the mighty men of Moab at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs. 42 And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself against Jehovah. 43 Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of Moab, saith Jehovah. 44 He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon him, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith Jehovah. 45 They that fled stand without strength under the shadow of Heshbon; for a fire is gone forth out of Heshbon, and a flame from the midst of Sihon, and hath devoured the corner of Moab, and the crown of the head of the tumultuous ones. 46 Woe unto thee, O Moab! the people of Chemosh is undone; for thy sons are taken away captive, and thy daughters into captivity. (Both of these texts involve a visitation of the Lord to punish the wicked and reward the righteous. The Lord is coming, manifested in the Man-child body ministry by Word and Spirit. Jesus was first born as a baby and later was anointed to Minister. These two stages happen to the Man-child body of our day also.) The second one I received by faith at random, my finger was on “he will carry them in his bosom” in Isa.40:11 (The right and righteous will escape)  In context Isa 40:1-11 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem (the Bride); and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she hath received of Jehovah's hand double for all her sins. 3 The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low (The humble will be exalted and the proud humbled); and the uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain: 5 and the glory of Jehovah shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Jehovah hath spoken it. 6 The voice of one saying, Cry. And one said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever. 9 O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (the Bride), get thee up on a high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God! 10 Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm (Jesus in the Man-child) will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. (Judgment on the Factious Edomites just before He rewards the Righteous) 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young. Notice the same words “his reward is with him, and his recompense before him” when God saved the Bride from the factious Edomites. And here it is in Isa 62:11-63:3 Behold, Jehovah hath proclaimed unto the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 12 And they shall call them the holy people, The redeemed of Jehovah: and thou shalt be called Sought out, A city not forsaken. 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winevat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yea, I trod them in mine anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my raiment. When the Lord separates the factious spirits from some of the factious people, they will return to righteousness, although they will have missed the Bride. Others will die in their sins.   A Remnant of the Faction Begins to Return Around the Birth of the Soloman Man-child Body Eve Brast - 08/08/18 (David's notes in Red) I dreamed this morning that our local UBM assembly was meeting on an upper floor of an apartment building (An apartment represents a body of houses built together into a holy temple in the Lord, as Ephesians says.). The living room was smaller than the Shaw's and there was a small room to the right of the long entry way that was a kitchenette (Where the spiritual food is prepared). We were all sitting in a large circle singing acapella praises to the Lord. David was sitting along the wall where the entryway led into the living room. Michael was on his left, and I was on his right. I (As a type of the last Adam's Bride, Eve) was wearing a beautiful dress with a floral pattern on it. (A symbol of Fruit and beauty being born as in Springtime, by the corporate Bride body.). But I was very weak and thin from fighting a long illness. (Representing the corporate Bride fighting off the faction infection. Faction is division through unforgiveness, criticism, slander, etc. We fought it off in the Church and we saw the same spirits in the government. At this time, Eve actually was fighting off this infirmity, which the medical Journal says comes from an abusive relationship that she has been through. When she had this dream, she wasn't suffering from this, and we wondered what this dream spoke of. This shows us the timing is near for these things. (I believe I represent a corporate body sick of faction. But once the factious leader below was born again and he and others came back into an inferior fold, I was recovering as a body of people. Part of the text was good concerning those Father knows and will bring them back to Him, and the other part is concerning those in the dream who were too fearful to enter the door again.) I couldn't stand or move around for long before I had to sit down and rest. David and Michael had to help me by each holding my arms for support when I needed to stand or walk. But I was slowly regaining my strength day by day. (At that time, there were factious people returning.) Suddenly, the factious leader came through the front door and was encouraging others who had factioned away to enter also. The others had followed him to the door but wouldn't enter. (This represents the outer court of God's house) A couple of men came right inside the door, but were fearful to come any further. (Content to be in the holy place but not the Holy of Holies.) The factious leader himself came all the way up to the threshold of the entryway where the living room began, but wasn't interested in joining our praise and worship. (Not going to return to the Bride in the Holy of Holies, but to a lesser degree, the holy place) He was concerned more about undoing some of the damage he'd caused by factioning some away from the truth. He was trying to get them to come through the door. (The door being Jesus). He kept gesturing to the two men with an inviting motion to come into the entryway further. But they only stood right inside the door. The factious leader was wearing a white Polo shirt and tan shorts. He had an old baby blanket (Infected by memories from childhood), the size of a large shawl, draped around his shoulders. It had a silk edge sewn all the way around it and pink and baby blue stripes. Since it was from the 1970s it was not as white as it used to be and it was faded because of many washings. (He had fallen away from his new birth many times and had many washings so it has faded.) His right hand clutched it at his neck, like he didn't want it to fall off of him. (He didn't want to forget and lose his salvation again) I was shocked to see him with that blanket around his shoulders. I said, “Hey, everyone, the factious leader is here!” And I wanted to go over to give him a hug. So David and Michael helped me over to him. But Brandy was angry and alarmed and said, “He's not for real. He's just here to spy on us all and cause us more damage! Don't touch him!” (We have had dreams and attempts of faction acting as though they are cured to sneak into the body and cause damage. So suspicion is natural.) David and Michael said, “We asked the Lord if it was okay for him to come and got two heads for ‘yes'. But Brandy became incredulous and offended about it. I didn't know what to believe, so I didn't hug him. I decided to go to the kitchenette and wash the dishes. So David and Michael helped me to the counter, and I was able to lean against it for support so I could wash them. After our plates were clean, (Symbolizing the end of faction) I came back out and sat down, R. S., who was sitting at the 12:00 position, was directing the acapella singing and said, “Let's all sing Silver Bells! We'll sing it 6 times.” David was at the 6:00 position. So David and Michael helped me back up and we all held hands and walked in a circular, clockwise direction. (Time going forward) We sang, “Silver bells, Silver Bells, it's Christmas time in the city...” (Symbolizing the time of the Man-child's birth) I became tired and had to go sit down, and I thought, “Christmas time??” Then there was a couch behind the kitchenette in a little room and David was sitting wearing a blue shirt (representing heavenly) and blue socks and he had a baby diaper on. (The birthing of the David Man-child. The anointing could come shortly after, since the Man-child grows up very quickly). Then I woke up. I asked for a general text that covers this dream, and my finger was on Psalm 50:11, “I know all the birds of the mountains” (1-23) 1 A Psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, hath spoken, And called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined forth. 3 Our God cometh, and doth not keep silence (The visitation of the Lord in the Man-child): A fire devoureth before him, And it is very tempestuous round about him. 4 He calleth to the heavens above, And to the earth, that he may judge his people: 5 Gather my saints together unto me, Those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. 6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; For God is judge himself. [Selah] 7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify unto thee: I am God, even thy God. 8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices; And thy burnt-offerings are continually before me. 9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, Nor he-goats out of thy folds. 10 For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. 13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; And pay thy vows unto the Most High; 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. 16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, And that thou hast taken my covenant in thy mouth, (We have received this text for the faction) 17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, And castest my words behind thee? 18 When thou sawest a thief, thou consentedst with him, And hast been partaker with adulterers. 19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, And thy tongue frameth deceit. 20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; Thou slanderest thine own mother's son. 21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: But I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: 23 Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me; And to him that ordereth his way aright will I show the salvation of God.   Remnant of Faction Returns  Anna Stewart - 12/07/18 (David's notes in Red) I dreamed we arrived at the Shaw's for a Wednesday Bible study and a factious leader had returned and was sitting in his old place against the front wall. Brandy was sitting next to him because Michael had left Brandy to share in the bible study because neither he nor David could make it yet. I had the sense that David knew the factious leader had returned, but I felt very uncomfortable that David and Michael were not there. He was thinner in the dream (less flesh) and wearing dark blue (heavenly, yet still in darkness?) and at one point showed his new guitar to someone. More and more people from our local body kept coming in, even those who normally cannot be there, until every person was there. The house changed at some point with two very large rooms to the back added on (Incoming brethren joining us from other places) and the main room where we were become an upper story (Symbolizing the people from the Upper room receiving the outpouring? Original foundation of people on higher level of leadership) with a sliding glass door opening onto a deck on each side of the house. David and Michael finally showed up and David had told the factious leader he couldn't be in there with us. (In Eve's dream, he also did not come into the assembly but was in an outer room. We believed this was a sign that he would come back, but not be in the Bride or be trusted yet because of falling away into faction.) The factious leader was outside on the deck, sometimes on his knees and forearms, sometimes sitting cross-legged. Everyone inside ignored his presence. Every once in a while, he would tap on the glass as if asking for some compassion from someone to let him in. Several times I saw him sitting out there with a pile of quarters on his knee and each time they were either all heads or all tails. I was wondering if he was asking the Lord questions. Things inside went on as normal, some people had brought food, others were eating a little bit and fellowshipping. David was in the back room working hard and I knew he was very busy and tired. At some point I felt led to look up my niece's name, Natasha, who has come to live here, and found in this dream that it meant something along the line of “to take authority and cast out spirits”. (This may be a sign of timing to begin to cast out the factious demons) In real life Natasha means born on Christmas day; resurrection. [In Eve's dream, this man came back with others when we were singing “Silver Bells, It's Christmas time in the city”. The Man-child is coming to the Bride, Jerusalem.] I felt it was from the Lord concerning this man [and likely a body of people he represents] and that I needed to tell David but I was afraid of getting out of place and doing something I shouldn't. I decided to find David and asked if he had a minute. He looked tired and said, “Not really. I have two seconds.” As quickly as I could, I told him what I felt the Lord told me, “to take authority and cast out spirits”. The scene changed and it was getting late and people began leaving for home until there were just a few of us left. Mostly the morning prayer meeting people remained: Eve, Matthew and me, and a few others. Everyone was sitting down, and things were pretty quiet. I realized that I wasn't doing what I should've been doing all along, and got down on my knees and began to intercede for the factious leader who was still outside. (Amen, it is a good time to pray restoration to a remnant of the faction) Then the dream ended.   The Last Holiday, Christmas  Sandy Shaw - 12/03/18 (David's notes in Red)  In this dream was like a scene from the movie, The Last Holiday (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Holiday_(2006_film). A man was sitting on the very edge of a building's top with a bottle of alcohol, contemplating whether he should jump. The building was old and tall, and like the architecture of the Swiss Alps. It was castle-like. Queen La Tifah walks out and says, “What are you doing here?” He says, “I think I'm going to jump!” She says, “It ain't worth it.” Then she sits down next to him. (The last Holiday is Christmas, symbolizing the time of the Man-child's birth. The Queen here represents the Bride and has a false sentence of death on her, which she later finds out is false. The drunk man committing suicide represents the left-wing, delusional, factious people who are committing spiritual suicide through spiritual drunkenness.)  LL Cool J (Jesus) says, “What are you doing?” She (The Bride) says, “I'm trying to get this guy to back into the hotel.” The guy on the ledge says, “I'm not going!” (Factioned away from the body of Christ built together into a Holy Temple as Ephesians says) LL Cool J says, “Well, you let that fool fall then. And you get back in there!” (I.E., separate yourself from them until they repent. Tit.3:10 A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; 11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.) LL is reaching for Queen La Tifah. But she is a few inches short and he can't reach her, and I'm standing behind him. I say, “Just grab her.” (I.E., Man-child rescues the Bride from the spiritually drunken faction.)  Then, when I saw that he grabbed her, I got his legs and we fell through the window into the building. (The Bride is rescued from the suicidal faction by Jesus in the Man-child)  As I'm trying to get up, I'm no longer there...I'm in a car, in the back seat. The doors are locked, I can't get out, and I'm in a seatbelt that won't unsnap. A big spider was coming toward me and was going to bite me on the leg. But back in reality, I got shook up because I'm on dialysis. And the nurses are shaking me, one was shaking my leg in the area where the spider was going to bite me. (A warning the Pharmakeia is poison and deadly. Many now know this.) The spider was the size of a golf ball, though oblong, the size of one I saw in our garage. (The Bride is rescued in parallel to the first scene)  I received by faith at random (About the factious in Church and government.) Eze.11:7. (In context, 7-12) 7 Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Your slain whom ye have laid in the midst of it, they are the flesh, and this city is the caldron; but ye shall be brought forth out of the midst of it. 8 Ye have feared the sword; and I will bring the sword upon you, saith the Lord Jehovah. 9 And I will bring you forth out of the midst thereof, and deliver you into the hands of strangers, and will execute judgments among you. 10 Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you in the border of Israel; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah. 11 This city shall not be your caldron, neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; I will judge you in the border of Israel; 12 and ye shall know that I am Jehovah: for ye have not walked in my statutes, neither have ye executed mine ordinances, but have done after the ordinances of the nations that are round about you. (Judgment on the faction)    Christmas Eve - What is Coming   Winnie Osegueda - 6/8/22 (David's notes in red)  ... I prayed and asked the Lord to show me what was coming and when I fell asleep He gave me the following dream: I dreamt that I was in a very nice suburban area and it was the evening time of Christmas Eve. (Wow Christmas again!  Another confirmation that the baby boy Man-child is coming.) I could see all the houses decorated with colorful Christmas lights throughout this neighborhood on my left. My mother's house was also located on the left side of this suburban neighborhood. (Winnie's mom is being used to represent the apostate church on the left  that all of God's elect are born out of. Many apostates are in idolatry with the world and its traditions of men represented by the celebration of Christmas which is a pagan holiday. There is a connection between the modern day Christmas tree and the ancient symbol for the fertility goddess named Asherah  Jer. 10:1-5 Hear ye the word which Jehovah speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 thus saith Jehovah, Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are like a palm-tree, of turned work, and speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.) There was a remake of an older movie being made except it wasn't actually a movie; it was really happening. Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.   I recognized and remembered this old movie that they were remaking and it was starring Kiefer Sutherland who is an actor who played a great villain in movies in the 80s and 90s, and he was a villain in the movie in this dream as well). (The meaning of the name “Keifer” is a German nick name for someone who was quarrelsome, from an agent of Middle High German kiben, kiven 'to quarrel'. All of the factious are quarrelsome.) They brought in a new "actor" for the remake of this movie who looked just like a younger, rounder-faced version of Kiefer Sutherland. His haircut was like the one Kiefer Sutherland had in the movie "The Lost Boys," a film in which he played a vampire. ("The life of the flesh is in the blood." The spiritual vampires of the apostate churches who are “lost” children who “bite and devour” and suck the life out of people with their contentious and slanderous ways.) Because I had already seen and knew this movie very well, I knew that this Kiefer Sutherland look-alike had a plan to enter into each suburban home in this neighborhood and kill every family. I could see him lurking in the shadows of his brick house spying on the neighborhood through his window on the top floor. (Their leaders are stalkers and “peeping Tom's”.) These families were not suspicious, as he made himself appear to be trustworthy and friendly…  (Rom 16:17-18  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.  18  For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent. Remember, they are actors.) I was now inside my mother's home... and this new "actor" was there as well. He handed my mother a box of Marlboro Red cigarettes and she accepted them. (She actually smoked these in real life when I was much younger.)  As soon as this actor walked off, I said "NO! NO! Why did you accept them?! Now you're marked!" and she said, "I like Marlboro Reds, so if he gives me Marlboro Reds, I'm going to take them.” (The cigarettes represent receiving bad and false spirits.) (Breath and spirit are the same word in scripture and taking in smoke represents taking in an unclean spirit. If you receive slander from a factious person, you will receive their same spirits.)  She seemed to be very bothered by my objections to her receiving these cigarettes, but I knew how this movie was going to play out, so I was desperately trying to warn her to no avail. (Many in apostasy aren't heeding our warnings currently. They will have to experience judgment before they turn back to righteousness, and still, many won't repent of their wickedness and they will be killed spiritually with an eternal death.) At this point, I knew that this actor was going to come back and kill her because she was marked, and that I had to go. (The mark of the beast) I couldn't stay with her there, or I would be killed as well, as much as it pained me to know what was going to happen. I didn't understand why no one else could see what was happening here. Since this movie was a remake of an old film, it should have been obvious what was going on, but it wasn't to them. (I know people who have seen this happen to others fall into the trap because of disobedience.  John 12:37-40  But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and he hardened their heart; Lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, And should turn, And I should heal them.) I left this suburban area to find an escape and I entered into the city. I stopped by a clothing store that I used to go to when I was younger. (We should not shrink back represented by visiting the younger clothing store. Heb. 10:39 But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul.)  I recognized one of the women that worked there in the dream, but not in real life. She was an overweight black lady with a fake ponytail. (This represents people who are walking in darkness; who feed the flesh.) She met me outside with a hug and said "Merry Christmas!" I said Merry Christmas as well ... (I don't personally celebrate Christmas, but I believe the Lord is just using this as a parable.) (A parable of judgment on the apostates at the time of the Man-child's birth.)   I noticed that I had a large overweight, gray, striped cat with me and it walked into the store. The cat wanted to stay behind and I agreed that it was best, because I could not escape what was happening with this cat tagging along. (The fat cat represents an abundance of flesh, self will and rebellion. Grey symbolizes lukewarm people, not white or black. These type people will not escape the faction demons because they must be separated from the Bride and ultimately the body itself.) I thought about the verse Hebrews 12:1-2  Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.) (We must leave the weight of our rebellious sin nature behind, represented by the fat, grey cat, if we want to escape the judgment of faction that is coming.) The lady in the store agreed that the cat could remain there in the store, but again, I was sad because I knew what was coming and that they would not be safe if they did not escape. This "actor" would come and kill them too, including the cat. (Psa 37:38 As for transgressors, (or the “rebellious”) they shall be destroyed together; The end of the wicked shall be cut off. And   2Pe 2:12  But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed.) I left the store and continued up a flight of stairs to leave this area as well, and then I woke up. The dream felt so real that when I woke up I felt like this was still happening, and I was trying to figure out what movie this was that they were trying to remake. (The people who don't learn from His-story are doomed to repeat it.) I asked the Lord for a verse by faith at random and received: Joel 2:19 (15-20 in context)  Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; 16 gather the people, sanctify the assembly, assemble the old men, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. (Notice: At the time of the attempted attack on the Bride she and the Man-child will be revealed and delivered.)  17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God? 18 Then was the Lord jealous for his land, and had pity on his people. 19 And the Lord answered and said unto his people, Behold, I will send you grain, and new wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations; 20 but I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because it hath done great things. (The northern army is like Pharoah's army at the Red Sea. It is the end of the persecutors and the beginning of the wilderness tribulation.)

Big Idea: The Gift that keeps on giving. Isaiah 9:1-61. The great light.Isaiah 9:1-2Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he jumbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. 2. A joyful future.Isaiah 9:3-4You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoiced when dividing spoils. For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressors, just as you did on the day of Midian. 3. The Ultimate Gift. Isaiah 9:5-6For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.Next Steps: Believe: I believe Son of Man wants us to follow his example this week.Become: I will put trust in Son of Man past this holiday season.Be Sent: I will share my faith with someone this month. Discussion Questions: 1.     Do you love giving gifts or receiving them?2.     Do you enjoy the holidays, or do they make you sad?3.     How do you think the people hearing this prophecy felt, knowing they will not live long enough to see it fulfilled?  4.     Which of the titles in verse 6-Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father or Prince of Peace- impact you the most?  5.     How would you describe the Son of Man as the light of the world to someone?  6.     How does “the government will be on His shoulders” change how you view authority and leadership?  7.     Pray for the Holy Spirit to show you where to serve this week.

Philippians 2:5-11 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.     Isaiah 9:1-7 1  But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.  2 The people who walked in darkness  have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.  5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom,     to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.   Galatians 4:4-7 4  But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

The descendants of the tribe of Zebulun are notable for their shipbuilding and mining skills.  Many of them settled in Holland and from there spread out to Indonesia, the West Indies and America.  They played a great role in preserving and propagating the Bible in print and fighting for religious freedom. Watch, Listen and Learn 24x7 at PastorMelissaScott.com Pastor Melissa Scott teaches from Faith Center in Glendale. Call 1-800-338-3030 24x7 to leave a message for Pastor Scott. You may make reservations to attend a live service, leave a prayer request or make a commitment. Pastor Scott appreciates messages and reads them often during live broadcasts. Follow @Pastor_Scott on Twitter and visit her official Facebook page @Pastor.M.Scott. Download Pastor Scott's "Understand the Bible" app for iPhone, iPad and iPod at the Apple App Store and for Android devices in the Google Store. Pastor Scott can also be seen 24x7 on Roku and Amazon Fire on the "Understand the Bible?" channel. ©2025 Pastor Melissa Scott, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved

Isaiah 9:1-2 The land of Zebulun and Naphtali had suffered greatly when the Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser, invaded. Though Isaiah lived through the growth of the Assyrian threat from paying taxes (2 Kgs 15:19-20) to outright invasion (2 Kgs 15:29), he prophesied about a light that would dawn on this dark situation. Isaiah 9:3-5 Isaiah prophesied a great military victory when their yoke would be broken like the day of Midian (Jdg 6:1-6, 11-16; 7:2-3). Isaiah 9:6-7 This prophecy is in the past tense. By Isaiah's time, the child had already been born. The name was “(A) miraculous strategist (is the) warrior God; (the) everlasting Father (is the) commander of peace.” Theophoric names are about God and not the child: Hezekiah = “Yah (is) my strength”; Eliab = “(The) Father is my God.” 2 Kings 18:5-7; 19:32-37 Although it seemed utterly impossible, God employed a miraculous strategy to defeat the Assyrian army, breaking the yoke from Judah in the south and Israel in the north. Luke 1:76-79 The birth of John the Baptist relates to another fulfillment of Isaiah 9:2 when the light shines on those sitting in darkness (cf. Jn 1:5-8). Matthew 4:12-17 Jesus picked up where John left off. He began his ministry of bringing God's light and deliverance from oppression in the ancestral lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. When he returns, he will fulfill the rest of the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6-7 (cf. Rev 19:11-16). Jesus is the true and better Hezekiah who defeats evil, delivers us from oppression, and establishes peace forevermore.The post For Unto Us a Child Is Born first appeared on Living Hope.

This sermon explores Isaiah 9:6's prophecy of the Messiah by examining the historical context of 8th century BC Israel, when both northern and southern kingdoms had fallen into political corruption, moral debauchery, and spiritual darkness. Pastor Joe Fant demonstrates how God, through the prophet Isaiah, promised a coming child who would be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This prophecy was fulfilled 700 years later when Jesus began His ministry in Galilee—the very region Isaiah identified. The sermon emphasizes that while human governments and political alliances fail, Jesus established an eternal kingdom of justice and righteousness. God pursues His people even in their darkest moments, and the baby in the manger represents God's zealous love for His people, offering hope, victory over sin and death, and eternal joy to those who turn to Him in faith. Key Points: The historical context reveals three types of darkness in Isaiah's time: political (corrupt kings seeking pagan alliances), moral (idol worship and child sacrifice), and spiritual (turning to demons and necromancers instead of God) King Ahaz in the south and King Pekah in the north both rejected God and led the people into wickedness, seeking protection from Assyria through political alliances rather than trusting God Isaiah prophesied that the regions first devastated by darkness (Zebulun and Naphtali in Galilee) would be the first to see the great light Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by beginning His ministry in Galilee, bringing the light of the gospel to the darkest places first The victory Jesus won through His death and resurrection surpasses even Gideon's miraculous victory over 135,000 Midianites with only 300 men Jesus is the child born and son given who possesses perfect government, eternal wisdom, divine power, and brings true peace The solution to darkness is unwavering loyalty to Scripture and proper fear of the Lord, not looking to worldly solutions God pursues His people even when they are far from Him, demonstrating His zeal and love through sending prophets, His Word, and ultimately His Son Scripture Reference: Isaiah 9:1-7 (primary focus on verse 6) Isaiah 8:12-22 (context of darkness and calling to Scripture) Isaiah 1:2-4, 21-23 (description of Israel's moral corruption) 2 Kings 16 (King Ahaz's wickedness) 2 Kings 15:27-28 (King Pekah's evil reign) Matthew 4:12-17 (Jesus beginning ministry in Galilee, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy) John 1:1-14 (Jesus as the Light of the world) 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (victory over death through Christ)

Your Chriamas service might mention Isaiah 9, calling Jesus the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. That's great, but I have never heard the REST of Isaiah 9 quoted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Chriamas service might mention Isaiah 9, calling Jesus the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. That's great, but I have never heard the REST of Isaiah 9 quoted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Advent sermon from Flourishing Grace Church, Pastor Benjer opens Isaiah 9:1-7 and invites us to see the Christmas story as the ultimate great reversal. Just like our favorite Pixar stories that move from ordinary life to crisis and then to a surprising, beautiful resolution, the Bible tells the true story of people walking in deep darkness who suddenly see a great light. Long before Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied to a people under judgment, weighed down by their own sin, injustice, and idolatry. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali felt the brunt of God's discipline first, but in the kindness of God they were also the first to see the grace and mercy of Jesus when He began His ministry in Galilee. Where there was gloom, anguish, and spiritual night, God promised joy, freedom, and a decisive victory over every oppressor. As we walk through Advent, Pastor Benjer explains that this season is not just sentimental buildup to Christmas. It is a season of honest waiting, longing, and hope, where we learn to pause, rejoice, ask, and yield before God. Isaiah 9 shows us that the light of Christ is not something we produce by trying harder or fixing ourselves. When you stand in deep darkness, you cannot make your own light. Instead, God Himself breaks in. The Messiah shines into the very places we cannot manage, clean up, or control. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light because the light came to them. At the center of this message is the truth that we are not the heroes of our own story. We try to carry the weight of our pain, our sin, our responsibilities, and our fears on our own shoulders. We put our hope in careers, relationships, possessions, or our own strength, only to end up exhausted and disappointed. Isaiah reminds us that the government is on Jesus' shoulders, not ours. He is given four titles that reach beneath our surface desires into our deepest longings. As Wonderful Counselor, He brings divine wisdom and miraculous guidance right into the mess of real life. As Mighty God, He is not just a helpful friend but the victorious warrior who fights the battles we cannot win. As Everlasting Father, He is nothing like the broken or absent fathers many of us have known. His love is constant, protective, and never ending. As Prince of Peace, He does more than calm our circumstances. He gives us peace with God through His life, death, and resurrection. Pastor Benjer shows how the increase of Christ's government and peace will never end. Jesus keeps taking ground in human hearts, homes, churches, and communities. The more we hand over the hidden corners of our lives to His rule and reign, the more we experience true peace, even when circumstances are still hard. The most hopeful line in the passage is that the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this. It does not depend on our effort, our goodness, or our consistency. God is passionately committed to rescuing, restoring, and redeeming His people. He is zealous for His glory and for your good, and that is why the light of Christ is a gift, not a reward you earn. If you are watching this and feel stuck in darkness, shame, or quiet despair, this message is for you. Your darkness does not disqualify you from the light. It is exactly why the light came. To us a child is born. To us a son is given. Today can be the day you stop trying to be the hero and instead receive Jesus as your Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. If you are in or near Bountiful, Utah, we would love to welcome you in person at Flourishing Grace Church. If you are watching from elsewhere, we are grateful to walk with you online as you follow Jesus. Subscribe for more Christ centered teaching, share this message with someone who needs hope, and let us know in the comments how we can be praying for you this Advent season.

Angel Studios https://Angel.com/HermanJoin the Angel Guild today where you can stream Thank You, Dr. Fauci and be part of the conversation demanding truth and accountability.  Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comBe confident in your portfolio with Bulwark! Schedule your free Know Your Risk Portfolio review. Go to KnowYourRiskPodcast.com today. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/ToddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeOne Question for Mark Kelly and His Supporters // The Tim Walz Matrix // The OTHER Christmas MiracleEpisode Links:Kelly: “People should be able to tell the difference between something that is unlawful and something that is lawful." Welker: "That puts a lot of burden on the troops to make a decision in real time." Kelly: "A reasonable person can tell something that is legal and something that is illegal." Kelly is openly encouraging dissent and threatening prosecutions for actions that Democrats will deem illegal should they reclaim power.The "Double Tap" War Crimes Hoax is a complete joke. Democrat Senator Mark Kelly accidentally admits on air to Rachel Maddow that there were no specific illegal orders from President Trump behind the viral video stunt warning the military to defy the White House.Tim Walz says he takes no responsibility for the Somalis who've been robbing Americans of billions in Minnesota and funneling those dollars back to terr*rists in Somalia. You'll notice he doesn't deny it's happening, of course. Walz is complicit.Tim Walz's new flagWhat Does God's Word Say?Isaiah 9:1-79 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—2 The people walking in darkness    have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness    a light has dawned.3 You have enlarged the nation    and increased their joy;they rejoice before you    as people rejoice at the harvest,as warriors rejoice    when dividing the plunder.4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat,    you have shatteredthe yoke that burdens them,    the bar across their shoulders,    the rod of their oppressor.5 Every warrior's boot used in battle    and every garment rolled in bloodwill be destined for burning,    will be fuel for the fire.6 For to us a child is born,    to us a son is given,    and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of his government and peace    there will be no end.He will reign on David's throne    and over his kingdom,establishing and upholding it    with justice and righteousness    from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty    will accomplish this.

Today’s Bible Verse:“Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. ” — Isaiah 9:1–2 Isaiah 9:1–2 sits at the beginning of one of the Bible’s most beloved Messianic prophecies and is a cornerstone passage during Advent. This verse speaks directly into seasons of gloom, spiritual darkness, national anxiety, and personal distress — and answers it all with light breaking in, not fading out. Meet Today’s Host: Carol Ogle McCracken

[Isaiah 9:1] Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.Darkness doesn't always mean __________________.God does some of His best work in the ________________.[Isaiah 9:2 NIV] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.Faith isn't denying the __________________, it's declaring the __________________.[Isaiah 9:6 NIV] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.God's Light rarely arrives the way we __________________, but always in the way we __________________.[Daniel 8:13-14] Then I heard two holy ones talking to each other. One of them asked, "How long will the events of this vision last? How long will the rebellion that causes desecration stop the daily sacrifices? How long will the Temple and heaven's army be trampled on?" [14] The other replied, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the Temple will be made right again."[John 8:12] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."The Light that came into the world still _________________, still breaks through, and still __________________.[John 1:4-5 NIV] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.Darkness doesn't _________________ a ________________ against the light![2 Corinthians 4:6-7] For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Cale continues Genesis 49 and discusses how the name “Jews” comes from Judah. He also talks about St. Justin Martyr’s views on Judah and compares Judah and Jesus. Cale also discusses the writings of St. Ambrose and how they compare to Judah and Jesus. Cale explains who Zebulun is.