Podcasts about Zephaniah

God Is Shaking His Church: Judgment, Restoration & the Return to Biblical Foundations | KIB 546 Kingdom Intelligence Briefing DESCRIPTION Is the shaking in the Church merely destruction—or could God be using judgment to prepare His people for restoration? In KIB 546, Dr. Michael Lake and Mary Lou Lake examine a powerful biblical pattern: when God's covenant people depart from His established foundations, judgment can become an instrument of restoration. Scripture repeatedly reveals a progression: ·      God establishes His order. ·      Mixture and compromise enter. ·      Prophetic warnings are given. ·      Repentance is resisted. ·      Judgment exposes and removes what is false. ·      A faithful remnant returns to covenant. ·      God restores upon the foundation He originally established. From the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding described in Ezra, to Jeremiah, Haggai, Josiah, Hebrews, Revelation, and the New Testament Church, the pattern remains remarkably consistent. Judgment does not necessarily mean that God has abandoned His people. His discipline can demonstrate precisely the opposite. Hebrews 12:6 teaches that the Lord disciplines those whom He loves. Dr. Lake explains why God may have to dismantle spiritual corruption, false doctrine, religious entertainment, prosperity thinking, celebrity culture, pagan mixture, and man-made traditions before genuine restoration can occur. The question for the remnant is not simply:  "God, will You revive what we have built?" A more important prayer may be:  "Father, remove everything we have built that prevents us from becoming what You intended." This episode examines the biblical sequence of judgment, remembrance, repentance, return, obedience, holiness, and restoration—and why understanding that process may be critical for the days ahead. God is not calling His people to invent another Christianity. He is calling His people back to the foundation. ·      Christ has not moved. ·      The Word has not changed. ·      The Kingdom cannot be shaken. The shaking reveals what God never built, so what He established can be seen clearly again. The remnant must return to Christ, biblical authority, holiness, obedience, covenant faithfulness, prayer, sound doctrine, the fear of the Lord, and the Holy Spirit's leadership. "Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken." — Hebrews 12:28 KEY SCRIPTURES DISCUSSED Jeremiah 30:11 Jeremiah 1:10 Jeremiah 7:4 Jeremiah 29:10–14 Deuteronomy 30:1–3 Isaiah 28:16 1 Corinthians 3:11–13 Haggai 1:5–9 2 Kings 22:11 2 Kings 23 Hebrews 12:5–11 Hebrews 12:26–28 Revelation 2:4–5 Revelation 3:19 1 Peter 4:17 Ezekiel 9:6 Isaiah 10:20–21 Zephaniah 3:12–13 John 15:2 CALL TO ACTION The time has come for believers to examine everything by the Word of God. Ask the Father to reveal anything in your life that has been built upon human tradition, cultural compromise, Babylonian thinking, or a false spiritual foundation. Choose now to cooperate with God's restoration process. ·      Return to His Word. ·      Return to holiness. ·      Return to obedience. ·      Return to covenant faithfulness. ·      Return to Christ. If this teaching strengthens you, please LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to Biblical Life TV, and SHARE this episode with believers who need to understand what may be happening in the Church during this season of shaking. Your engagement helps this message reach members of the remnant who may be searching for answers. Thank you to every friend and partner who faithfully stands with Biblical Life TV. Together, we are helping prepare and strengthen the remnant. TIMELINE / YOUTUBE CHAPTERS 00:00 — Biblical Life TV: Empowering the Remnant 01:31 — Welcome to Kingdom Intelligence Briefing 546 02:39 — Are We Coming Out of Babylonian Captivity? 05:33 — Understanding the Process of Judgment and Restoration 06:26 — Why Judgment Is Necessary in Covenant 08:00 — False Foundations, Compromise and Prophetic Warnings 10:00 — False Prophets and Religious Entertainment 13:30 — Judgment Can Be Corrective, Not Merely Destructive 14:00 — Jeremiah 30:11: God Disciplines His Covenant People 15:54 — God Is Bringing His People Back to Biblical Standards 17:00 — Jeremiah 1:10: God Tears Down Before He Rebuilds 19:00 — Pagan Mixture and End-Time Deception 22:09 — Babylonian Exile as Judgment and Purification 24:06 — False Confidence in Religious Institutions 25:00 — Jeremiah 29: Restoration After Exile 28:55 — Recognizing Mixture Within Modern Christianity 31:46 — SHUV: Return, Restore and Come Back to God 33:40 — Deuteronomy 30 and the Covenant Pattern of Return 36:32 — Judge Yourself Before Judgment Comes 37:45 — Judgment, Remembrance, Return, Obedience and Restoration 38:51 — Biblical Repentance Is Essential 40:50 — Christ Is the Only True Foundation 43:15 — Holy Fire Versus Strange Fire 46:08 — Haggai: When God Corrects Our Priorities 48:15 — Prosperity Begins With Covenant Faithfulness 49:00 — Josiah Rediscovers the Word of God 51:09 — Removing Idolatry Before Restoring Biblical Worship 54:21 — Judging Everything by the Word 57:45 — Build Your Life Upon the Written Word 58:44 — Rediscover the Word and Remove the Idols 01:01:19 — Christ, the True Cornerstone 01:02:23 — Hebrews 12: Discipline Produces Holiness 01:03:20 — Jesus Judges His Church in Revelation 01:04:40 — Judgment Begins at the House of God 01:05:30 — The Great Shaking of Hebrews 12 01:07:58 — God Reveals What Cannot Be Shaken 01:08:30 — Judgment Produces a Faithful Remnant 01:10:00 — Revival Versus Biblical Restoration 01:12:58 — A Different Prayer for the Church 01:13:52 — A Prophetic Framework for the Modern Church 01:15:20 — Christ and His Kingdom Have Not Moved 01:16:02 — Prayer: Remove Everything That Is Not of God 01:17:35 — Warning Against Financial Manipulation in Ministry 01:18:00 — Standing Through the Present Spiritual Attacks 01:20:26 — Believe God for Miracles During the Shaking 01:20:57 — Download This Week's KIB Study Guide

Zephaniah turns his final woe on Jerusalem, describing the people as rebellious and defiled; a city that listens to no voice and accepts no correction. Judgment gathers the nations, and on the far side of it God purifies the lips of the peoples so that all of them may call on His name and serve Him together. Then He commands daughter Zion to sing and gives her the reason: The LORD her God is in her midst, a mighty one who will save, and He rejoices over His people with gladness and exults over them with loud singing.  The Rev. Christopher Maronde, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Hastings, IA, and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oakland, IA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zephaniah 3:1-20. To learn more about St. John Lutheran, visit facebook.com/StJohnsLutheranChurchMoSynod. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

“Gather together, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect, before the day passes like chaff.” Zephaniah pleads with Judah to seek the LORD while there is still time. To seek righteousness, seek humility. Why? “Perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the LORD's anger.” Then the oracle sweeps the compass, Philistia to the west, Moab and Ammon to the east, Cush to the south, and at last Assyria to the north, where Nineveh is described as nothing more than a lodging place for wild beasts.  The Rev. Matthew Kusch, pastor of King of Glory Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zephaniah 2:1-15. To learn more about King of Glory, visit kogelgin.org. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

There are so many stages of life. Some are longer than others, but none of them last forever. How do we steward each stage in a way that glorifies our Savior and Creator? This podcast series focuses on the practical in different seasons of life with women who are all seeking to be rooted in Christ. In our final episode of this series, we invited Barbara and Elaine to talk about how they stay rooted in the Lord as they walk through the loss of their spouses. Make sure you have your tissues nearby!   References: Isaiah 43:2; Joshua 1:9; 1 Samuel 7:12; Psalm 86:1; Psalm 109:22; Matthew 11:28-30; John 16:33; Psalm 71:9-13; 1 John 3:2; Romans 14:8; Psalm 48:14;   Zephaniah 3:17; Isaiah 46:4   Resources: Episode 148: Our Words and HIS Word, With Elaine Fowler Under His Wings group   Contact us: devotedpodcast@atheycreek.com women@atheycreek.com https://atheycreek.com/ministries/women Follow us on IG: @atheywomen @ammcreynolds

"I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth," declares the LORD. In the days King Josiah, Zephaniah speaks God's Word of judgement. Focusing on Judah, he admonishes the worshipers on rooftops bowing to the stars, priests swearing to the YHWH in one breath and by Milcom in the next. His prophecy is clear: the great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast, a day of wrath, distress, and thick darkness, and neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them.  The Rev. Greyson Grenz, pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Flat Rock, MI, and Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Zephaniah 1:1-18.  To learn more about Trinity in Monroe, visit tlcmonroe.org. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder! Nahum's last chapter moves like the assault itself, the crack of the whip, the rattle of the wheel, the galloping horse and bounding chariot, and then a question: are you better than Thebes? That Egyptian city sat secure behind her waters, and Assyria herself dragged the people of Thebes (No' ‘Amon) into exile. For Nineveh there is no easing of the hurt and no healing of the wound, and the book's last line explains why the nations clap when the news arrives: “upon whom has not come your unceasing evil?” God's judgment has come upon them as Law, but as comfort to those the Assyrians terrorized.  The Rev. Dr. Keith Haney, Assistant to the President for Missions, Human Care, and Stewardship in the LCMS Iowa District West, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nahum 3:1-19. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Nahum walks Judah through the fall of Nineveh before it happens: red shields at the wall, chariots flashing through the squares, the river gates thrown open, the palace melting away. Assyria styled her kings as lions and their capital as the den where the prey was dragged home; Nahum asks where the lions' den is now. Behind all the poetry stands the one sentence that decides the outcome: "Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts." The city that tore the nations apart is torn apart, and the LORD restores the majesty of Jacob.  The Rev. John Shank, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nahum 2:1-13.  To learn more about Trinity in Edwardsville, visit trinitylutheranministries.org. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Nineveh heard Jonah preach and they repented, but over a century later the cruelty was back in force. So Nahum opens with who God is: jealous and avenging, slow to anger and great in power, one who will by no means clear the guilty, whose way is in whirlwind and storm. In the middle of the storm stands verse 7: the LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him. The chapter ends with a runner on the mountains bringing good news of peace, a line Isaiah also carries, and Paul applies to the preaching of Christ.  The Rev. Mark Duerr, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe, MI, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Nahum 1:1-15. To learn more about Trinity in Monroe, visit tlcmonroe.org. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

God gathers the nations into the valley of Jehoshaphat and reads the charges: they scattered His people, divided His land, cast lots for captives, traded a boy for a prostitute, and sold a girl for wine. Then a line every listener knows arrives in reverse: beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. The LORD roars from Zion, the heavens and the earth quake, and in the same breath He is a refuge to His people. Joel ends with sweet wine dripping from the mountains and a fountain flowing from the house of the LORD.  The Rev. Robert Smith, pastor emeritus in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joel 3:1-21.  Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Today's Bible Verse: "The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." — Zephaniah 3:17 A restless heart can come from many places. Anxiety about the future, regret over the past, uncertainty in the present, and the pressure to keep everything under control can leave us searching for peace. Zephaniah 3:17 offers a powerful reminder that true peace begins not with having all the answers, but with remembering who God is and how deeply He cares for us. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Meet Today’s Host: Reverend Jessica Van Roekel

Verse 18 reveals, “The LORD became jealous for His land and had pity on His people.” Grain, wine, and oil come back, and with them God's promise that He will restore the years that the swarming locust has eaten along with the fields. The promise then expands: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” When the Pentecost crowd asked what was happening, Peter stood up and answered with this text.  The Rev. Ryan Kleimola, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joel 2:18-32.  To learn more about Trinity in Toledo, visit trinitylutheran.org. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain. The army Joel saw in chapter 1 now darkens the whole horizon, and at the head of it the LORD utters His voice; the swarm turns out to be His. That is what makes the appeal in verse 12 possible: return to me with all your heart. Rend your hearts and not your garments, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Everyone is summoned, elders and nursing infants and the bridegroom from his chamber, while the priests weep between the vestibule and the altar: spare your people, O LORD.  The Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding, pastor emeritus in Fort Myers, FL, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joel 2:1-17. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

We live in a world where nothing seems to stick. Bad decisions don't have consequences, people who cause harm walk away clean, and it starts to feel like none of it matters. Which is its own kind of despair. In this second message of our series, Seen: You Are Not As Invisible As You Feel, a book study through Zephaniah, Lead Pastor Clay Monkus turns to Zephaniah 1:14–2:3 to show that God takes what happens in the world seriously. And instead of that being a threat, it's actually the best news you'll hear all week. Text: Zephaniah 1:14–2:3 The invitation this week: the sense that what we do and how we live actually matters—not because God is keeping score, but because he's too invested in us to let us sleepwalk through our own lives. This is Week 2 of Seen, a book study through Zephaniah for anyone who's wondered whether any of it matters and needs to hear that it does.

Join Pastor Kent Christmas as he explores the divine communication in 'The Language of God.' In this compelling sermon, Pastor Christmas discusses how believers can connect with the divine through understanding and speaking the language of heaven. Delve into the biblical teachings from Genesis to Zephaniah and learn how developing a spiritual vocabulary can transform your relationship with God. Discover the significance of speaking God's language and how it can empower your faith journey.

Teaching from the book of Zephaniah, Lesson 8 Chapter 3 concluded. End of Book. The post Lesson 08 – Zephaniah Ch 3 concl END appeared first on Torah Class.

The book of Joel begins in a year everyone in Judah would remember. Locusts had come through in wave after wave and eaten the harvest down to nothing, and the priests had no grain and no wine left to bring to the altar. Joel summons the land group by group: drunkards to wake and weep, farmers to wail over the wheat, priests to spend the night in sackcloth. Then he calls all of them to the house of the LORD to cry out. He tells them to remember this year and to make sure their grandchildren hear about it, because he has seen what the swarm points toward.  The Rev. John Lukomski, pastor emeritus and co-host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Joel 1:1-20. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Shame  and being set free from shame is such a hot topic, in both Christian and secular circles. Resources abound, but what does the Bible actually say? As we completed a biblical survey on shame, we were surprised at how much the Bible had to say on this topic! Listen in as we share key biblical principles that are necessary in order to deal with the universal emotion of shame. Biblical Survey on Shame: I. Genesis 2-3- Naked and unashamed… No sin, nothing to hide from one another or God, perfect unity in relationships, acceptance of one another. After sinning, they hid and covered themselves and were afraid… shame leads to fear, hiding parts of ourselves, isolation, and disconnection. Shame came when sin entered the world.  Now, there are two general sources of shame- directly from personal and/or corporate sin, or indirectly due to the brokenness in the world.  There are also biblical examples of people trying to make others feel ashamed for things they shouldn't feel ashamed of, such as barrenness. So there is appropriate shame and inappropriate shame.  II. Appropriate shame due to sinful behavior in Proverbs and prophets:Proverbs: There are ways of foolish or sinful living, such as dishonesty, gluttony, and laziness, that are shameful, that bring shame on oneself and one's parents or spouse. -Prov 10:5 -Prov 12:4 -Prov 13:5 -Prov 17:2 -Prov 18:13 -Prov 19:26 -Prov 28:7 -Prov 29:15Sexual sin/misconduct is especially shameful: -Lev. 20:17 -2 Sam. 13:12-13 -Matt. 1:19 -Rom. 1:27Isaiah: A life of rejecting God and worshipping idols is the most shameful life. Idolatry always leads to shame and disappointment. -Is 30:3-5 -Is 41:8, 10, 11 -Is 42:9-11 -Is 42:17 -Is 45:16-17, 19, 24-25 -Is 49 -Is 50:6-9 -Is 51:7, 12-13 -Is 61:7 Sometimes shame is due to both sin and resulting defeat from enemies and/or God's judgment: -Ezra 8:22 -Ezra 9:6-7 -Neh. 1:3 -Daniel 9:7 III. Shame not directly due to personal sin, but due to perceived failure, deficiency, or defeat:Barrenness was considered shameful by society: -Gen. 30:23 -1 Sam. 1:6 -Luke 1:6 Being defeated by enemies feels shameful: -1 Sam. 17:26 -2 Sam. 10:5 / 1 Chron. 19:5 -2 Kings 18 -2 Chron. 32:21 2 Sam. 19:3, 5-Shame due to disapproval from others, but not necessarily personal sin.Sometimes shame is a result of seeing others' devotion and our lack of devotion (comparison): 2 Chron. 30:15 Now let's see how God responds. IV. When shame is an appropriate response to sin and a part of true confession and repentance, God is always ready to receive His children, welcome them into His Presence, replace their shame with gladness, and heal their faithlessness.  -Jer. 3:19-25; 4:2, 4, 14 -Jer. 31V. When people continue in shameless sin, pride, and idolatry, God shames and judges them. In the book of Jeremiah, God's people are persisting in unrepentant idolatry, defiling God's places of worship with idolatry, and prophets are lying to the people in the name of God. God warns His people many times, but they are stiff-necked, stubborn, and unashamed of their idolatry. “They do not know how to blush.” God shames Israel and sends judgment upon them- for their unrepentant idolatry, for changing their glory (God) for that which does not profit (false gods), which is appalling, evil, and bitter. But God's heart is ALWAYS that His judgment (and shaming words) would lead to them feeling a proper shame over their sin, confess, turn back to God, and be restored. He remains ready to receive them, heal them, and turn their shame into joy. God's judgment of Israel's shameless idolatry and refusal to repent in Jeremiah:-Jer. 2:11-13, 26, 36-Jer. 5:3, 30, 31; 6:13-15-Jer. 6:13-20-Jer. 7:18-20 -Jer. 8:5-6, 9-Jer. 10:14-16-Jer. 11:12-15-Jer. 13:24-27-Jer. 17:13-Jer. 23:40 The book of Jeremiah ends with God's judgment on foreign nations and Israel's enemies who rejected God and continued in shameless sin, pride, and idolatry (Jer. 46-51). Their sin and idolatry led to their shame, disappointment, and God's judgment. This is the fulfillment of God's promise that His enemies would be ultimately shamed, and His people would be ultimately honored.  Jer. 46:12, 24 Jer. 51:17, 47-53 Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Zechariah all continue the theme of unrepentant idolatry leading to shame and God's judgment, and when repentant, to restoration with God.  Ez. 7:18; Ez. 16:61, 63; Ez. 32:24, 25, 30 Ez. 39:25-26 Ez. 43:10-11 Ez. 44:10-13 -Hosea 2:5; Hos. 4:7, 18; Hos. 9:10; Hos. 10:6. NT examples of God shaming prideful, unrepentant, shameless people: -Luke 13:16-17 -1 Cor. 1:27 -Rev. 3:18 VI. God promises not to let His people be put to shame (be ultimately defeated, ridiculed, or proven wrong), but to in the end to defend them, give them justice, honor, and eternal life. God's enemies will ultimately be put to shame. -Psalm 25:2-3, 20 -Psalm 34 -Psalm 71:1, 13, 24 -Ps 97:7 -Daniel 12:2 -Rom. 5:3-5 -Rom. 9:33 -Rom. 10:11 -Phil. 1:20 -Heb. 11:16 -1 Peter 2:6-7 VII. Jesus was shamefully treated (ridiculed, mocked, considered a failure, embarrassed, dishonored)- by others and b/c of our sin- in our place on the cross. On the cross he took not only our sin, but also the accompanying shame, for us. On the cross, he defeated Satan and all his enemies, putting them to shame. -Psalm 22 -Isaiah 53 -Luke 18:32 -Heb. 12:2 -Col. 2:15 -Rom. 8:1VIII. Jesus-followers are commanded by Jesus to follow Him and not be ashamed of Him, the gospel, or suffering for the gospel, at all cost. -Jeremiah warned the people of judgment for their sin and idolatry, in the face of persecution and rejection (and feeling shamed), and trusted God to ultimately honor him and shame the people.-Jer. 17:  -Jer. 20:11, 18-  -Jer. 37-38- -Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26 -Rom. 1:16 -1 Thess. 2:2- -2 Tim. 1:8, 12 -2 Tim. 1:16 -1 Peter 4:16 -Heb. 2:11 IX. Believers have been set free from sinful lifestyles that lead to shame, unfruitfulness, and death. Believers should live honorable lifestyles that will not put them to shame, but that results in fruit, sanctification, and eternal life, and puts their opponents to shame. -Rom. 6:21-22 -Phil. 3:19 -2 Tim. 2:15 -Titus 2:8 -1 Peter 3:16  -1 Peter 5:2 -Jesus taught His followers to purposefully humble themselves, take lower positions, and allow other people to exalt us, instead of exalting ourselves, which could lead to shame (embarrassment). Luke 14:9. -Believers can be put to shame by other believers' behavior. 2 Cor. 7:14. X. Sometimes believers need to rebuke one another for doing shameful things. -1 Cor. 6:5 -1 Cor. 14:35 -1 Cor. 15:34 -Eph. 5:12 -2 Thess. 3:14 -Titus 1:11 -We also can call out and rebuke others' sin without shaming them. 1 Cor. 4:14. XI. Sometimes, people “shame” others in order to express their anger, contempt, or criticism, and when it is unfair, we can refuse to be ashamed. -1 Sam. 20:30, 34 -2 Sam. 6:20-22 -Job's friends tried to shame him many times: 6:20; Job 8:22. Job 10:15 Job 11:3; Job 19:3In the face of unfair criticism, Paul defended his ministry and refused to be ashamed: 2 Cor. 10:8; 2 Cor. 11:21

Obadiah addresses Edom, the nation descended from Esau. When Babylon sacked Jerusalem, Edom stood at the crossroads and watched his brother burn, then gloated, looted, and cut down the refugees who ran. Safe on the high rock, Edom asked, "Who will bring me down to the ground?" God, through the prophet Obadiah, answers him. The answer widens past Edom to every nation and ends on Mount Zion, where the kingdom belongs to the LORD.  The Rev. Dr. Richard Davenport, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, AR, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study the prophet Obadiah.   To learn more about Our Redeemer in Fort Smith, visit OurRedeemerFortSmith.360unite.com. Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Edom stands at the crossroads and watches his brother Judah dragged off in chains, and Obadiah announces that the day of the LORD is coming for the bystander, too. Joel sees a locust swarm strip a nation bare in a single season, calls the people to rend their hearts and not their garments, and promises a Spirit poured out on all flesh. Nahum returns to Nineveh a century after Jonah's revival, and this time the superpower does not repent. Zephaniah spends two chapters on the day of wrath and then ends with the Lord singing over the people He has rescued. This series on Thy Strong Word works through these selected books of the so-called "minor" prophets verse by verse, showing how the Lord judges the nations while also keeping his promises to gather His people home.  Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Nobody has ever sat across from a pastor and said, “My problem is I love to be first.” It doesn't feel like a spiritual problem. It feels normal. That's what makes it dangerous.In week one of The Ghost of Diotrephes, Pastor David opens the shortest book in the Bible to meet a man remembered for a single sentence, and walks through three truths about who gets to tell you who you are.You can't tell yourself who you are. You've never once seen your own face, and you can't judge your own qualities either. We all need a word from the outside, and we all have our places we go looking for it: work, kids, a parent's approval that never comes.Attention is not love. King Saul had the crowd's song until somebody else got a louder one, and the comparison poisoned him for life. The approval of people is great candy and terrible food. Build a life on it and you'll starve with your mouth full.You are who the Father says you are. The Father has already spoken over you, lavished his love on you, and he sings over you. Your obedience can please the Father, but it can never produce the Father's love.The message ends where Jesus lived: secure in the Father's “This is my son,” with no need to be first.Scriptures: 3 John 1:9, Philippians 2:3, James 3:16, 1 Samuel 18:7, 1 John 3:1, Hebrews 13:16, Zephaniah 3:17Facebook: / believerscenter Instagram: / believerscenter Giving: https://pushpay.com/g/believerscenter First Time: https://believerchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/797243 Salvation / Rededication: https://believerchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/797600#BelieverChurch #Identity #FathersLove #TheGhostOfDiotrephesThanks so much for listening to the Believers Center podcast! Service Times:   Sundays at 10AM (online + in-person)Tuesdays at 7PM (in-person only)Follow us on Instagram @believerscenterTo learn more about Believers Center, visit https://www.believerscenter.com​​To submit a prayer request, or to get connected with a pastor, visit https://www.believerscenter.com/prayforme

Happy Sunday Calvary family! We are so excited you're joining us for service today. Check out our website, https://calvarychristian.church to stay connected with everything going on at Calvary! Thanks again for joining us today, we hope you enjoy the service, and welcome home.Sermon Notes available on our Calvary AppApple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/calvary-christian-church/id1513630496Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplashconsulting.s_BFKRWD&hl=en_USDecided to follow Jesus today?: https://calvarychristian.church/jesusConnect with us: https://calvarychristian.church/connect/Request Prayer: https://calvarychristian.church/prayer/Give Online: https://calvary.link/giveTo stay up to date with Calvary text CALVARYCC to 97000FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/calvaryccFacebook:   / calvarycc Calvary Podcast: Calvary Website: https://calvarychristian.church/podcastsApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/calvary-christian-church/id1495879695Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1alPXhYbPfZuAXt3S3Wio1Calvary Christian Churchhttps://www.calvarychristian.church#calvarychristianchurch #churchonline #churchSupport the show

A look at Zephaniah 1.

8-9-26 | Thru the Bible- HAGGAI/ ZEPHANIAHFor more information about FCC, please visit our website at www.fccsantamaria.org

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:  Zephaniah 1–3; John 9 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus' kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible, where we journey together through the pages of Scripture and warm our hearts by the fires of God's love. In today's episode, join Hunter, your Bible reading coach, as we explore Zephaniah chapters 1 through 3 and John chapter 9. We'll witness God's call to repentance and restoration, the powerful healing of a man born blind, and reflect on how Jesus—the light of the world—opens our eyes to God's true nature of love and mercy. Settle in for a time of prayer, encouragement, and renewed perspective as we remember that we are God's beloved children, invited to walk in His joy and peace each day. TODAY'S DEVOTION: He opens our eyes to see who God really is. What was God going to do with a human race that's incapable of seeing? God, being good, came in person to shine his light into our darkness. The light of the world stood before a blind man, took the dust of the earth, spit upon it, and remade what was once incapable of sight. God's power was shown in this healing—this man truly saw the light. And yet there is still so much that keeps us all in the dark. Lies imprison us—even good Christian folks. Lies about God: that we are separate from him, that he is distant and angry, ready to strike because of our past, eager to judge us or our parents, ready to make an example of us. Blinded to the true nature of God, we've convinced ourselves he is mainly about retribution instead of restoration, that he is primarily a judge instead of a Father. So often, even our religion blinds us to who God really is. We paint all our fears and anxieties onto the face of God, and so we do not see—even when the light is right in front of us. Are you tired of the darkness? Let Jesus open your eyes to who God truly is. Remember the words to Philip: Show us the Father and we will be satisfied. And Jesus answered, "Philip, have I been with you all this time, and you still don't know me? When you see me, you see the Father. I and my Father are one." There is no shadow side behind Jesus. Do you see him reaching out and healing those others think are cursed and condemned? Do you see him loving the poor, the unlovely, the outsider? Do you see his self-giving, radically forgiving, co-suffering love? Then what you see is what you've got: you've got the light of the world. Let Jesus open your eyes to who God is and who you already are in him. Let him show you. Let him open your eyes and see. That's a prayer I have for my own soul. That's a prayer I have for my family, for my wife and my daughters and my son. And that's a prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

FROM TODAY'S RECAP: - Video: Zephaniah Overview - Video: Jeremiah Overview - TBR Bookshelf Graphics - Finishers Page - Join the RECAPtains Note: We provide links to specific resources; this is not an endorsement of the entire website, author, organization, etc. Their views may not represent our own. SHOW NOTES: - Follow The Bible Recap: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube - Follow Tara-Leigh Cobble: Instagram - Read/listen on the Bible App or Dwell App - Learn more at our Start Page - Become a RECAPtain - Shop the TBR Store PARTNER MINISTRIES: D-Group International Israelux The God Shot TLC Writing & Speaking DISCLAIMER: The Bible Recap, Tara-Leigh Cobble, and affiliates are not a church, pastor, spiritual authority, or counseling service. Listeners and viewers consume this content on a voluntary basis and assume all responsibility for the resulting consequences and impact.

Zephaniah 1-3

Reading by Donna Robinson ---   Zephaniah   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zephaniah%201-3&version=ESV&interface=print

Today's chronological Bible readingincludes Zephaniah 3 and Jeremiah 1-2.Visit www.listentogodsword.org for our daily Bible reading schedue, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and more.If you're benefiting from this daily podcast, please take a moment to rate and review it, and share it with a friend as well. Questions or comments, email us at info@listentogodsword.org. We'd love to hear from you.The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain.

Day 218: Zephaniah 1-3✝️Daily Scripture: Chronological Bible Readings (KJV)The complete King James Bible in a year, in chronological order. Read by C Levi Farrell.This podcast is free, and ad-free. To support its creator or purchase lossless audio, visit CLeviFarrell.comChapters:(00:00) Zephaniah 1(03:10) Zephaniah 2(05:58) Zephaniah 3

Today's chronological Bible readingincludes 2 Chronicles 35 and Zephaniah 1-2.Visit www.listentogodsword.org for our daily Bible reading schedue, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and more.If you're benefiting from this daily podcast, please take a moment to rate and review it, and share it with a friend as well. Questions or comments, email us at info@listentogodsword.org. We'd love to hear from you.The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee. This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain.

Daily Dose of Hope August 5, 2026   Scripture: Genesis 1   Prayer:  Holy God, We come before you with humility and expectation as we start a new reading plan, going deep into Genesis and Exodus.  Thank you for the opportunity to read your Word and hear your voice.  We want to hear from you today.    Thank you for another day, another chance to be a change agent in our world, your world.  Guide us, Lord.  Guide our words, actions, and thoughts.  We want to be more like you.  Help us see others as you see them.  We love you.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope daily Bible reading plan.  Today, we begin a new reading plan – a deep dive into Genesis and Exodus.  So, we get to go back to the very beginning, really the very beginning of all time – Genesis 1.    In Genesis 1, we read about God creating the world and everything in it in six days and resting on the seventh day (the rest portion is actually in Genesis 2).  God declares everything he made good and the humans were very good.  The human beings were actually made in God's image.  The Scripture is very clear on this.  To be made in God's image is to be made to reflect God's character and values.  And because we are made in his image, this means we have inherent worth.  All human beings, every single person, has value and worth because they are made in the image of the Almighty God.    This text gives a beautiful over-arching picture of creation, emphasizing the transcendence of God, and it provides the introduction for the rest of the book of Genesis and the Bible as a whole.  As we move into Genesis 2 tomorrow, you will see that there really are two different creation accounts.  The purpose of each creation story is different but I believe they actually complement one another.  We will get into that a bit more tomorrow.   What I really want to focus on today is the concept of creation itself because it sets the scene for the whole Biblical narrative.  Just for some context, the Bible wasn't intended to be a science textbook.  The author of Genesis wasn't concerned with chronological or geological details.  The right question for us to ask is not HOW exactly did creation occur.  The author wasn't trying to give us a good answer about dinosaurs or young earth or old earth.  Rather, this was about explaining the truth about who God is and what God expects of his people.  The question is not HOW but WHO and WHY.    It was Yahweh, GOD, who created.  That is clear from the very beginning.  God created the heavens and the earth and then everything on the earth.  But why?    And this is a hugely important question.  Let's start here:  God didn't "need" creation.  He didn't need us; he wasn't lonely.  He didn't create us because he needed a friend.  Maybe that sounds silly but it is critical.  The Biblical picture we have of God is that he is complete and sufficient and flawless, and without any defect or deficiency. That means, before creation and apart from creation, God was completely and flawlessly God.  Remember, he said I AM who I AM.  And the doctrine of the Trinity, which we tend to struggle with, it helps explain God's self-sufficiency.  God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  There was already fellowship there.  Because the Trinity implies in the relationships between the Father and the Son and the Spirit is that God is love and has always been love. 1 John 4:16 emphasizes that , "God is love." Before there was even a world to love, God was love.   Okay – then why did God create?  Colossians 1:16 reads, For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Through him and for him.    I think this is kind of a simplistic analogy but it helps me understand this concept.  Often, when we get married, we have a desire to have children.  I think about Richard and myself.  We knew from the beginning that we wanted to try to have a family.  Why?  Because it was an expression of our love.  Putting our labor and emotions into our family was about love. We didn't have to have children, we didn't necessarily need children, but we truly wanted to have them.  We chose to have them. Creation was an expression of God's amazing love too.  Even though God does not need us, He wanted us.  Just like we are still kind of obsessed with our kids' lives because we love them so dearly, God is still intensely interested in our lives. He deeply and tenderly loves us beyond comprehension—not because He has to (out of need), but because He chooses to (out of love).  "The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).  God rejoices in us!   Creation was also an expression of God's glory. "Glory" describes all the things God is full of—it includes his love but it is also his wisdom, creativity, beauty, strength, compassion—all the things that make him weighty and wonderful, made manifest for us to see and experience.     Throughout the Bible, we see Scripture telling us that God created to demonstrate his glory.  Psalm 19:1, The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Why is it that we see a beautiful sunset and we are in awe?  Or we look at snow-capped mountains and their majesty and we just feel the presence of God in our midst?  Or we experience childbirth and we marvel at how it all worked out so beautifully and perfectly and we say, wow – this didn't happen by chance.  This was not an accident.  Because all of creation – from gorgeous mountains to stars to a beautiful butterfly to the birth of a baby to scientific principles like gravity --- they all declare God's glory, his wisdom, his beauty, and his love, for this world.  When have your experienced God's glory in creation?   We'll stop there for today.  Looking forward to tomorrow!   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

The most dangerous place to be isn't far from God—it's close enough to go through the motions and feel nothing. We don't drift from God all at once. We get busy, life gets chaotic, and somewhere along the way faith slips into the background. The people in Zephaniah aren't atheists—they're just living like God isn't watching. Most of us know exactly what that feels like. In this opening message of our new series, Seen: You Are Not As Invisible As You Feel, a book study through Zephaniah, Pastor Bradley Medford turns to Zephaniah 1:1–13 to show that spiritual numbness is something that happens to everyone who stops paying attention. And the fact that God addresses it instead of ignoring it is the first sign he's moving toward you, not away. Text: Zephaniah 1:1–13 This is Week 1 of Seen, a book study through Zephaniah for anyone who's wondered whether any of it matters and needs to hear that it does.

Teaching from the book of Zephaniah, Lesson 7 Chapter 3 continued. The post Lesson 07 – Zephaniah Ch 3 cont appeared first on Torah Class.

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Zephaniah1:1–3:20;Psalm105:1–45 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

Is your daughter learning to follow Jesus—or simply learning to follow the rules?  Many Christian parents long to raise daughters who are kind, obedient, respectful, and wise. But somewhere along the way, it's easy to confuse good behavior with a transformed heart. In this episode, Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden unpack one of Jesus' most familiar parables—the Prodigal Son—and reveal a truth we often overlook: both sons needed the Father's grace. Whether your girl tends to be a rule-follower or a rebel, her greatest need is the same—to know the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.  As the Raising Godly Girls podcast begins a week focused on God's power to redeem and restore, Rachael and Melissa explore the subtle dangers of legalism, behavior-focused parenting, and placing our worth in performance rather than in the finished work of Christ. They remind parents that true heart transformation doesn't begin with outward obedience—it begins with the Gospel. Through a moving Raising Godly Girls Minute from AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay, listeners are also encouraged by the story of Mary Magdalene, whose life beautifully demonstrates God's heart to redeem, restore, and honor those who belong to Him.  Practical encouragement rounds out the conversation as Rachael and Melissa discuss how parents can lead with both truth and grace: teaching the Gospel before behavior modification, modeling genuine forgiveness in everyday family life, and lovingly addressing the condition of a daughter's heart without labeling her by her successes or failures. It's a timely reminder that God's grace is the foundation upon which lasting character is built.  Whether you're parenting a daughter who naturally follows every rule or one who frequently tests the boundaries, this episode will encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on the Father's heart—a heart that lovingly pursues, forgives, restores, and invites every child to walk in the freedom of His grace.    Three Things to Consider:  Teach the Gospel before emphasizing the Fruit of the Spirit. Lasting obedience grows from a transformed heart, not behavior modification alone.  Model forgiveness in your home. As parents confess, repent, and extend grace, daughters gain a living picture of the Gospel.  Speak honestly and gently to your daughter's heart. Whether she's a rule-follower or a rebel, she needs both truth and love as she grows in Christ.    Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:  Luke 15:11–32  Luke 8:2  Mark 16:9  Zephaniah 3:17  Galatians 5:22–23  1 John 1:9    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.      Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.   

There isn't a single surviving original manuscript for any book of the Bible, so how do scholars decide what the earliest recoverable text actually said? This week, it's a primer on textual criticism: why King James onlyists despise it (despite the KJV being a product of it), what Erasmus did when he ran out of Greek manuscripts for the last chapter of Revelation, and how one scribe's wandering eye can quietly delete an entire paragraph from Samuel. Then it's chapter and verse on Zephaniah — three short chapters of unrelenting doom that promise to sweep humans, animals, birds, and fish off the face of the earth, before pivoting rather abruptly to "sing aloud, O daughter Zion." Support Data Over Dogma and get every episode early and ad-free, plus exclusive bonus content — become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma Get your Data Over Dogma merch at our online store: https://data-over-dogma-shop.fourthwall.com/ Watch every episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dataoverdogma Follow us: Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/dataoverdogmapod TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@data.over.dogma.pod Threads — https://www.threads.com/@dataoverdogmapod X — https://x.com/data_over_dogma Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod Get Dan McClellan's New York Times bestselling book, The Bible Says So: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/bible-says-so-9781250347466/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many of us grew up believing God is a judge waiting to catch us doing wrong, but today, Pastor Chris walks through Zephaniah, John 21, and the story of Peter's greatest failure to show a different picture. A God who delights in you, sings over you, and meets you with breakfast on the beach when you fall.

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at motivating you to apply God's word while strengthening your heart and nurturing your soul. Today's Bible reading is Zephaniah 3. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional. Browse other resources from Kristyn Getty. ESV Bible narration read by Kristyn Getty. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter

Welcome to Valleybrook Church Online! A place where all are Welcomed to Community & Challenged by the Gospel✝️ Today's Message is Zephaniah: Judgment and Joy, part of our small but MIGHTY series.

SHOW NOTES: Deuteronomy 11:18, Proverbs 1:32, Amos 6:1, Zephaniah 1:12, Luke 12:16-21, Romans 8:35, 37-39www.mattzemanek.com https://gofund.me/7a975076b

Pastor Doug reads and comments on Zephaniah 1.

In this message, we'll explore the book of Zephaniah and its powerful message about the Day of the Lord—a day that brings both judgment and restoration. While God confronts the sin, complacency, and idolatry of His people, His ultimate purpose is not destruction but redemption. Zephaniah reminds us that God is faithful to keep His covenant, restoring a humble people to Himself and replacing shame with joy, fear with peace, and judgment with His presence. Through Christ, these promises find their fulfillment, assuring us that God's grace has the final word for all who seek refuge in Him.———————————————————————————————If you'd like this message's notes, click the link here!

We hope you enjoy today's Scripture reading and devotional aimed at equipping you for moral and spiritual transformation. Today's Bible reading is Zephaniah 3. To read along with the podcast, grab a print copy of the devotional. Follow us on social media to stay up to date: Instagram Facebook Twitter

Teaching from the book of Zephaniah, Lesson 6 Chapter 3. The post Lesson 06 – Zephaniah Ch 3 appeared first on Torah Class.

In one of the most stunning verses in the entire Bible, we learn that God rejoices over His children with singing. This short message could change your perspective of God!

Fr. Mike breaks down God's incredible promise of redemption to Zion and reminds us that God always wants to fight for us, so that our shame may be turned into glory. Today's readings are Isaiah 30-31, Zephaniah 3, and Proverbs 11:13-16. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Zephaniah 3:14-17 - Resting in his Celebration

As we begin reading the Book of Zephaniah, Fr. Mike draws our attention to the first five accusations Zephaniah declares against the people of Judah: idolatry, lack of prayer, poor leadership, superstitions, and lack of belief in God's judgment. Today we read Isaiah 28-29, Zephaniah 1-2, and Proverbs 11:9-12. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

Zephaniah 3:14-17 - The Father's Delight