Judah's Roar

David writes about the awesome wisdom of God's creation in Psalms 19, which then takes an interesting turn. He then starts talking about how the Word of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul and also "cleanse me from secret fault," "keep your servant back from presumptuous sin." Jesus' first sermon as recorded by Mark was simple. "The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel." The Word of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Repent and believe the Gospel. Paul said it was the power of God unto salvation. Repent in Hebrew means to turn. In the Greek it means to change the way you think. When you change how you think about the weight and sin that so easily besets us and turn away from that to God, and believe the Gospel, your life is transformed.

In John 4, a woman heaves a heavy waterpot to and fro at unusual times to avoid the crowd . A woman who has been rejected and divorced by many husbands. She comes across Jesus who offers her living water. Once she accepts who He is, she leaves the heaviness behind and runs to the people she used to avoid to proclaim Him. Perhaps she even went to some of her ex-husbands...no longer bitter, but excited and transformed by the Man who told her everything she ever did, as the promised well of everlasting life sprang up in her. Truly this is the Christ.

Christ was crucified. The disciples were in hiding. The women were mourning. The sun was rising. The mystery was beginning. The resurrection is not a day we celebrate...its a reality we live in. Despite being slain, He took the keys of death and hell back, took away death's sting and the grave's victory. May the Lord bless you greatly in this resurrection season.

Jesus enters into Jerusalem to the fanfare of people rife with Messianic fervor. The Pharisees are plotting, but everyone is trying to catch a glimpse of the Messiah, whom recently resurrected His friend Lazarus from the dead. Tension between Jesus, the politics of Herod and Rome, and the Pharisees trying to maintain balance is at an all-time high against the backdrop of the Son of God, setting records straight at the start of what will be His last five days before His crucifixion.

Long time friend of Jesus, Lazarus, is dead. Mary, Martha, and others mourn while Jesus shows up four days late with a promise that Lazarus will live again because Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. What follows next sets Jesus into the final climactic week of Jesus' earthly ministry. Stay tuned. John 11:17-56

Zaccheus was hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesus as He came through Jericho one final time. As Zaccheus, overcome with conviction in the presence of Jesus, vowed to restore those from whom he had stolen, Jesus stated that Zaccheus would also be restored. Restored with what? Salvation. As in Psalms 51, Zaccheus had the joy of salvation restored to him as he restored what others had lost - all because the Son of man came to seek and to save those who are lost.

Jesus usually taught, and then performed a miracle or miracles. After teaching that the Word of God must be received in good ground, He and the disciples set sail into a storm that threatened to sink the boat. Learn how the parable of the sower in Mark 4 is related to the lesson Jesus was teaching the disciples when the waves calmed down and the wind stopped whistling. Let the seed of God's Word fall on good ground and may we all learn to hear His voice over the windy storms of life. Mark 4:35-41

Have you ever said "I dont know how to pray." Get nervous about being able to pray in front of people? In this episode, we learn what prayer is and also what it is not. Jesus taught that motives means a lot more than the words we speak. We do it humbly, not for show. He gave us a model, a manner, and example of prayer that is pleasing to God. It is also a two way conversation, and if we take the time to speak, we should also make time to listen as well. Matthew 6:5-13

Exodus 10:1, according to Jewish commentaries isn't usually translated in English correctly. Rather than saying "Go to Pharaoh," God says "Come to Pharaoh," they argue. "Go" is a command, a directive. "Come," is an invitation. God may be inviting you to step out for Him, or to fulfill a calling in your life. Or maybe He is inviting you to go deeper in your relationship with Him. Or if youve never responded to His invitation, this is your reminder that He is inviting you to walk out of sin and darkness through the saving grace of the Lord Jesus. Either way, you're invited. How you respond is up to you.

Elijah is told to anoint three men - Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as prophet. Whomever escapes from one would not from the other. These three people represent needs we have in our lives. Physical needs like sustenance, physical health, finances, etc. The next represents spiritual warfare, being anointed in the secret place of God to take down demonic strongholds. The third represents prophetic insight, divine direction, and revelation. Whatever the need, God stands to supply all our need according to His riches in glory. 1st Kings 19:15-17*No acts of violence is condoned or endorsed in this message.*

Exodus...an unlikely New Years book of the Bible. Yet, it is a new year for Israel as they are delivered from Pharaoh. The birth pangs of 2025 have set the stage for spiritual birthing God wants to bring forth in 2026. God wants to take the travail of last year and bring forth new life this year in you!

Bethlehem got the proclamation "on earth, peace, and good will toward men." But Bethlehem saw hard times. Rachel dying, the captives of Judah departing into Babylon, the land of confusion. It saw the slaughter of innocent children, boys 2 years and under. The peace proclaimed at Bethlehem is not positive talk, not wishful thinking. It wasn't something nice to write on a Christmas card. The proclamation that the host of Heaven declared was made DESPITE all of those things. Why? Because the answer to them all, the Child born, the given Son, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, Immanuel God-with-us, the Prince of Peace was also found in Bethlehem. Despite this world and its sickness, it's greed, it's lack of love, the passing of loved ones, the heartache, on earth peace and good will toward men. Despite how you think God feels about you in light of your circumstances,the host of Heaven declares "on earth, peace, and goodwill" toward you. Luke 2:1-16Micah 5:2Jeremiah 31:15Matthew 2:1-18

We have entered the Christmas season. The lights are beautiful, the food is good, the family time is important, the presents are exciting. But beyond all of that, it is recognition of a birth. A Child born, a Son given. To recognize the manifestation of God's Son in the flesh and celebrate what He came to earth to do. The silence of 400 years were shattered by an infant's cry in Bethlehem's manger, but what does it all mean? Let's find out. Isaiah 1:18Isaiah 7:14-15Isaiah 9:6-7Luke 1:26-38Matthew 1:18-24

Part 2 of answering the question, "Why is Jesus the only way?" Jesus is the only one who did what was required by God for salvation. Sin seperated us from God, and only a sinless, spotless sacrifice could make the difference. Now our sins are cast away from us as far as the east is from the west, only by the grace through faith we have in Christ.

Christians say that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Why? Is it because of some kind of dogmatic rhetoric? Simply, because the Bible says. Can the Bible be trusted? Can it be true? Is the Word really infallible? In Part 1, I explore the Bible claims that Jesus is the only Name given under Heaven by which we can be saved, as well as how the Bible has been proven to be the written, divinely-inspired Word of God, which must be received by faith. Part 2 is coming soon. 2nd Timothy 3:16-17John 10:1-4Matthew 25John 14:5-6Acts 4:12Philippians 2:9-11

Even though you may be saved, do you still feel condemned? God has removed our sin as far as the east is from the west, but does it feel like you are next door neighbors with your past? Jesus was not sent into this world to condemn it but through Him it would be saved. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. When Israel crossed the Jordan River, they did so at a place called Gilgal. It was there God said "I have rolled the reproach of Egypt off of you." Let Him roll the reproach of sin and being held captive by your past off of you so you can enjoy the freedom in Christ.

How many works do I have to do to be saved? Is there a checklist? Do I need to give to charity, drop more money in the offering plate, be perfect in the commandments of the Bible? No. None of that saves you. We are justified by faith, and eternal life is a gift given that doesnt have to be earned or purchased but simply received. While we were in our most base and carnal/sinful state, Jesus died for that version of you so you could become a new creation in Him! Side note: some sins that were discussed in the selected Bible verses could be considered explicit, thus I have marked this podcast as having explicit content for this reason.

Psalms 102 says that this is the prayer of one who is afflicted and overwhelmed. If thats you, this is your message. In the psalm, the author feels like a lonely sparrow on a housetop. Sparrows were sold cheeply (get it?) back then. When man doesnt value you or see your worth, not one sparrow is forgotten by God, and even the very hairs on your head is numbered by Him. Receive encouragement from your heavenly Father today. Psalms 102:1-8Psalms 91:1-3Luke 12:6-8

The Song of Solomon describes His Name as flowing oil, and He kisses us with the kisses of His mouth. Moses' face shown with the glory of God, but it was veiled because of the people. An angel went through the city in Ezekiel 9 and marked those whose hearts were for the Father in their foreheads. Lastly, in Acts 4:13-14, the Pharisees knew that despite being unlearned and untrained, Peter and John could speak boldly because they had been with Jesus. Your life, your countenance, your identity gets marked by His presence!All scriptures used is from the NKJV.

Israel, at least biblically speaking is a reference to a people, not a political government, necessarily. With the frightfully growing tendencies of antisemitism cropping up in the nation, not even 100 years out from the Holocaust, how should Christians respond? Maybe some wonder what the big deal is with Israel, especially if you're a Christian. In the podcast, I scratch the surface about why Christians should pray for and support the Jewish people. This episode is marked for having explicit content because the current conflict in the Middle East is discussed.

Colossians 3:18-25 and 4:1 outline roles and responsibilities of covenantal relationships as well as hardships we experience - sometimes we may not feel like upholding our end of the covenant because we feel like the other person isn't honoring theirs. But in all covenants, we do as if doing unto the Lord. When it gets hard, we remember that He called us and it is to Him we look. In return, we gain the reward of inheritance.

Today on the Hebrew calendar marks the Day of Pentecost. On this day in Moses' day, Israel received the Torah, part of the Word of God. In Acts 2 on this sameqaday, the Church received the Promise, the Power, the Parakletos, the Comforter, the Teacher, the essence of God Himself - the Holy Spirit. We are His Temple and His Spirit dwells within us!

A son decided to go off on his own, away from his father's provision. It may be a parable but Jesus based it on a true story - you and me. But there comes a time that we return to the Father. He has a way of interrupting how unworthy we are, how bad we've been, and He welcomes us with open arms, restores our souls, and heals our relationship. If that's you, in a foreign place where the love of God is not, return to Him. He is longing for you to come back to Him. Luke 15:11-24, NKJV referenced.

Have you ever asked yourself this question? What does it mean to be saved? It doesnt matter how small we feel our sin is compared to others, none of us can measure up to God's holy standards. Thank God that it is by grace we are saved through faith. Perhaps God has been dealing with you about salvation, coming to Him. He is not angry with you, He is waiting to forgive you, receive you as a beloved child, and claim you as His own. Please consider listening to this podcast episode, if you feel that tug at your heart.

The Book of Revelation describes the powerful voice of Jesus as the sound of many waters. God has planted seeds through words, dreams, godly desires, and scripture. These seeds may have went through a dry season, but when the voice of many waters speaks activation to the seed of greatness inside of you, if you have prepared the soils of you heart, that seed will take root, mature, and grow fruit.

In Numbers 20:1-13, God told Moses to speak to the rock in the wilderness so water would come forth and give the rebellious nation of Israel, who were only after fruit and results, water to drink . Moses struck the rock twice, water still flowed but Moses missed out on the Promised Land. Many are so driven by getting to prophetic fulfillment and ministry fruitfulness, they will neglect the season of quail and manna (the Word of God) the Lord has provided to prepare them, and refuse to submit to spiritual leadership. We are not to be so result-focused that we are no longer relationship driven.

Silent Saturday. Beneath the surface of the grave, Jesus the Bible says, has descended to the lower parts of the earth to preach to those that were former disobedient. In that, He led captivity captive and took back the keys of death and hell. Even in death, Jesus is victorious and will lead out of the prison and into the resurrection with Himself. The story isn't over!

Good Friday. Full of sham trials, blasphemies, choices, and a long bloody trail from gabbatha to Golgotha. The Lamb of God is sentenced to death by Rome at the cheers of Pharaseic onlookers. His disciples are scattered, one betrayed Him, one denied even knowing Him, Jesus is dying on the cross for the sins of the world. We too have choices. Jesus chose to drank from the cup the Father gave Him, Judas chose betrayal, Peter chose to deny Him, John chose to go with Him, the Jews chose Barabbas...what will you chose?

Jesus greatly desired to have the Passover seder with His disciples. He released so much wisdom and so much knowledge about the Kingdom. In the Passover seder, He reveals that all of these things were concerning Him, He is the Passover lamb. He instituted the Lord's Supper from the unleavened bread of the Passover, illustrating His body would be broken for us, passing the third cup of the seder, the Cup of Redemption as the covenant of His blood which was shed for many. As we eat this bread and drink from this cup, we show His death until He comes.

Judas entered into a covenant relationship with the Pharisees to betray Jesus. People who become disillusioned with God will trade one covenant for another. He left the covenant of Christ and entered a covenant with Satan. Thirty pieces of half-shekel silver back then went for about $12.5 a coin. The Son of man was betrayed for $375 in today's currency. Virgins who had no oil in their lamp is compared to one who does not know the Bridegroom (Jesus). Dead flies putrefy the perfumers oil. Dead flies of thoughts like accusations against God, lustful enticements of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life will contaminate the anointing on your life as it did Judas, and you will no longer have the oil of relationship that makes you known to Jesus. The oil is not worth betraying Him for. Not when He suffered so much to make us children of God. Not when He reconciles us to the Father. God calls us back to the love of His Son, where He restores you by reaffirming your true love for Him as He calls you to feed His lambs and sheep. Don't let dead flies, dead thoughts contaminate what is supposed to be anointed, holy, and is loved by the Son.

Jesus cursed the fig tree that had no fruit on it. We know there are spiritual fruits. In Matthew's account, He says not only can we do this, but we can speak to this mountain to be removed and cast into the sea if we have faith and believe when we pray. I think it's interesting He started talking about faith right after finding no fruit. The word faith in Hebrew and Greek actually mean "faithfulness." Faith isn't "I have faith God can do it." Faith, or faithfulness is "If this is a mountain I speak to, or a mountain I have to walk over, get over, and get to the other side of, God is still good." Some mountains you have to get over, get to the other side of, and then there's some you can speak to and they are removed. Either way, it requires faithfulness to Him. Later that week, He would tell Peter, "Satan desires to have you, to sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith fails not." He wants the fruit of faithfulness in our lives.

After His arrival in Jerusalem, Jesus cleanses the Temple. It is called a House of Prayer, but religion and pursuit of money, financial gain, and greed turned it into a den of thieves. The zeal for the House has eaten Jesus up and we find Him overturning tables and driving out those who sold sacrifices. Sacrifices paid for are cheap. God wants the sincerest of our sacrificial praise. A person's life does not consist of the things he posseses. Laodicean lukewarm Christians are after your money, true like-minded believers follow after Jesus, overturns the tables of man and opens access God's house that religion has excluded. There is a cleansing in His house to prepare for what is to come - the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. What side of the table are you on?

Jesus rode from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem to the cheering of crowds as they laid their garments and palm branches along His path with great cries of "Hosanna!" I love the message this sends to us. Garments represent status or even labels that the devil, others, or that we give ourselves. Lay the garment of man's opinion at His feet and let Him trample that into the dust as He leads you through the Gate of His Mercies.

In Luke 10:1-3, Jesus commissions 70 disciples to go before Him into cities He would soon visit. Before Heaven starts a move, a messenger will usually show up. We say we are waiting on God but really He is waiting on us. Will you be one of the few laborers that will agree to go into His harvest?

In Luke 5:17-26, a group of four people go over the religious leaders' heads and get a paralyzed man to Jesus. He saw their faith and forgave the man, and healed him. Jesus attracts both religious spirited zealots and broken people alike. Pharisees love the commandments and do it out of obligation to keep Jesus rather than loving Him and thereby keeping His commandments out of love for Him, not religious obligation. Join us as we dive in to the scriptures and explore this further.

The scripture comes from Psalms 18:16-19 and 18:28-33. When the enemy comes in like a flood, God rescues us because He delights in us. Sometimes He draws us out of many waters instanteously, but more often than not, He becomes our support, gives us strength to fight the enemy, illuminates the darkness and by His standard-raising Spirit, provides a way of escape into a broad place. He makes our feet like the feet of the deer and sets us on high places, far above the enemy's flood.

In our own strength, our heart and flesh fails. When we abide in Him, however, we become strong at our weakest. The Kingdom of God turns carnal thinking on its head. It is where the last becomes first and first becomes last. The mightiest becomes the servant. The mourners are blessed. The persecuted ones receive the Kingdom. The meek inherit the earth. Two mites of a widow is worth more than what the rich gave. And in this Kingdom, when you become weak, then you are strong because it is not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit and His all sufficient grace. References Luke 5:1-11 2nd Corinthians 12:7-13 John 21:3-11

Beyond New Years resolutions and goals, what is the vision for 2025? What is God's vision for you, your family, your church? As we already of a mind to accept the freshness of a new time and season, it is also a good time to seek Him for what He wants us to accomplish this year and in every day of our lives. Proverbs 29:18 KJV Genesis 1:3-4 NKJV from here forward. Psalms 32:18-19 John 15:15

This a brief little reminder about the season we are entering in to. May each of your days be filled with longer lasting light!

God proved that He will always be with us by sending His Son and His Holy Spirit. To confirm this, He gave Isaiah a prophecy that a virgin would conceive and this son of hers would bear the title "Immanuel," or God with us. As we observe Christmas time, we focus on the advent of Jesus, the Word of God made flesh. It was to reconcile creation back to the Father and to establish His Kingdom through us. Be blessed and have a merry Christmas season. References Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 9:6 Luke 2:14 Isaiah 53:3-5 John 18:37 Jeremiah 23:6 Luke 17:21 Romans 10:9-10 KJV/NKJV

After Malachi and the return of Israel from Babylon, Heaven fell silent. There was 400 years of seeming silence for the most part. A whispered forthtelling of a birth to an aging priest and a young maiden from Nazareth, but still, silence. Then a darkness-shattering wail of a newborn's cry in Bethlehem brought the season of Heaven's seeming silence to an end. The angels that heralded the Messiah's birth made a profound statement - "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, and goodwill toward men." Jesus' birth was a sign of peace and goodwill toward mankind. Glad tidings of great joy for all people. Luke 2:4-14 Isaiah 9:6 2nd Corinthians 4:8-9

Most Christians don't give Hanukkah a second thought, and while there is no custom or obligation to celebrate it as a Christian, the events surrounding this holiday are prophetic whispers in between the testaments that points to the arrival of the Light of the World. John 10:22 bears witness that this was a celebration and one that involves the bridge between the two time periods of the Bible. Most importantly, it emphasizes God's sustaining power and light in the midst of great darkness. Exodus 26:35 Luke 4:20 John 10:22-40 KJV

In part 4 with disappointment amidst faith, I want to look at the last question people typically ask - is God silent? Students of His Word will say of course not, that's what His Word is for. We find however, He doesn't just speak through His Word but through His people. As God is in us through the Holy Spirit, the comfort our fellow members of the Church is an extension of God's comfort from God Himself, which includes not only prophetic functions of the Kingdom but simple acts of agape love by mourning with those that mourn, weeping with those that weep, or just being present to listen unjudgingly in a spirit of humbleness. Resources: Psalms 138:8 John 10:10 Hebrew 11 1st Peter 1:6-7 Luke 22:31-32 KJV Yancy, Philip. Disappointment With God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1988.

Following questions asked in Philip Yancey's book on disappointment amidst faith, we look at the second question, is God hidden? Why does God feel distant during fiery trials or during heart-wrenching moments of grief? Let's discover what the Bible says about it together. Resources: Romans 8:31-37 Matthew 18:2-4 James 1:3 Romans 5:3-5 Genesis 32:24-28 all KJV Yancy, Philip. Disappointment With God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1988

In part two in talking about disappointment as related to faith, I discuss a question Philip Yancey asks, and perhaps many of us when things go wrong even if we are trying our best to live right...is God unfair? Seems straight forward, but for those suffering under crushing life circumstances, it can be a question that keeps someone up at night. Let's investigate the truth of this matter. Resources: Yancy, Philip. Disappointment With God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1988.

Jesus taught the parable of the wicked vinedressers to illustrate how dogmatic religious beliefs can cause you to miss out on what He truly has for you.

We can have two faith responses to disaster, hardship, and sadness, even when we are praying for the opposite...keep on or give up. What is the response when everything you're believing God for doesn't happen? Those are some situations I've faced in my own life that has called my own perspectives into question. This is the first part of a series I'm planning to do on the podcast. Don't expect answers of why. If God doesn't give them, I certainly can't. Resources: Multiple resources from Hebrews 11, KJV. Yancy, Philip. Disappointment With God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1988.

Sometimes the outcome of faith looks like Red Sea crossings, Jericho walls crumbling, Lazarus being resurrected, three faithful Hebrews walking through the fire with Jesus, Daniel surviving the lions' den, and other notable moments of time in the Bible. But sometimes, it looks like martyrdom, trials, scourging, devastating loss, and wrestling with God while you walk with a limp the rest of your life. The substance of Hebrews 11, the substance of refined faith contains both, good and bad. Whether your experience looks exactly like what you're believing God for or whether you have to let your faith develop in the refiners fire, both instances make up the substance of faith.

We continue to dive into the teachings of Jesus, specifically the parable of the tax collector and the pharisee. In this story, we discover that Jesus illustrated how we should posture out heart to the Father in humble repentance.

In this episode, we cover the parable of the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, and the dragnet.