Acts 5:1-16

Acts 5:1-16

Acts 5:1-16 | The Holy Church | March 3, 2024

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Acts 5:1-16 ESV

(1) But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, (2) and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. (3) But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? (4) While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God." (5) When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. (6) The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. (7) After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. (8) And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." (9) But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." (10) Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. (11) And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. (12) Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. (13) None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. (14) And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, (15) so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. (16) The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 4:32-37

Acts 4:32-37

Acts 4:32-37 | Sharing Community | February 18, 2024

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Acts 4:32-37 ESV

(32) Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. (33) And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (34) There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold (35) and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (36) Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, (37) sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 4:23-31

Acts 4:23-31

Acts 4:23-31 | The Prayer for Boldness | February 11, 2024

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Acts 4:23-31 ESV

(23) When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. (24) And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, (25) who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? (26) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'-- (27) for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, (28) to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. (29) And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, (30) while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." (31) And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 4:1-22

Acts 4:1-22

Acts 4:1-22 | Before the Sanhedrin | February 4, 2024

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Acts 4:1-22 ESV

(1) And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, (2) greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (3) And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. (4) But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. (5) On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, (6) with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. (7) And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" (8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, (9) if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, (10) let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man is standing before you well. (11) This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. (12) And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (14) But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. (15) But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, (16) saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. (17) But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." (18) So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. (19) But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, (20) for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." (21) And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. (22) For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

Ephesians 4:17-24 | Guest Speaker - Drew Yamamoto

Ephesians 4:17-24 | Guest Speaker - Drew Yamamoto

Ephesians 4:17-24 | Guest Speaker - Drew Yamamoto | January 28, 2024

Ephesians 4:17-24 ESV

(17) Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. (18) They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. (19) They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. (20) But that is not the way you learned Christ!-- (21) assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, (22) to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, (23) and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, (24) and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Acts 3:11-26

Acts 3:11-26

Acts 3:11-26 | Peter’s Second Sermon | January 21, 2024

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Acts 3:11-26 ESV

(11) While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. (12) And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? (13) The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. (14) But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, (15) and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. (16) And his name--by faith in his name--has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. (17) "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. (18) But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. (19) Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, (20) that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, (21) whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. (22) Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. (23) And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.' (24) And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. (25) You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' (26) God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness."

Numbers 27:2-11 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Numbers 27:2-11 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Numbers 27:2-11 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez | January 14, 2024

Numbers 27:2-11 ESV

(2) And they stood before Moses and before Eleazar the priest and before the chiefs and all the congregation, at the entrance of the tent of meeting, saying, (3) "Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah, but died for his own sin. And he had no sons. (4) Why should the name of our father be taken away from his clan because he had no son? Give to us a possession among our father's brothers." (5) Moses brought their case before the LORD. (6) And the LORD said to Moses, (7) "The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. (8) And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. (9) And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. (10) And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father's brothers. (11) And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the LORD commanded Moses.'"

Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:1-10

Acts 3:1-10 | Power in the Holy Spirit | January 7, 2024

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Acts 3:1-10 ESV

(1) Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. (2) And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. (3) Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. (4) And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." (5) And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. (6) But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" (7) And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. (8) And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (9) And all the people saw him walking and praising God, (10) and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42-47 | The Community | December 31, 2023

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Acts 2:42-47 ESV

(42) And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (43) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. (44) And all who believed were together and had all things in common. (45) And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. (46) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:36-41

Acts 2:36-41

Acts 2:36-41 | Pentecost Part 4: The Response | December 3-10, 2023

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Acts 2:36-41 ESV

(36) Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." (37) Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" (38) And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." (40) And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." (41) So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:14-36

Acts 2:14-36

Acts 2:14-36 | Pentecost Part 3: The Sermon | November 19, 2023

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Acts 2:14-36 ESV

(14) But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. (15) For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. (16) But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: (17) "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; (18) even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. (19) And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; (20) the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. (21) And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (22) "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- (23) this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (24) God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. (25) For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; (26) therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. (27) For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. (28) You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' (29) "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. (30) Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, (31) he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. (32) This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (33) Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (34) For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, (35) until I make your enemies your footstool."' (36) Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

Acts 2:5-13

Acts 2:5-13

Acts 2:5-13 | Pentecost Part 2: Reversing Babel | November 12, 2023

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Acts 2:5-13 ESV

(5) Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. (6) And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. (7) And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? (8) And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? (9) Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, (10) Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, (11) both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians--we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." (12) And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" (13) But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."

Acts 2:1-4

Acts 2:1-4

Acts 2:1-4 | Pentecost Part 1: The Spirit Shows Up | November 5, 2023

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Acts 2:1-4 ESV

(1) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. (2) And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. (3) And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 1:12-26

Acts 1:12-26

Acts 1:12-26 | The Church As The People of God | October 29, 2023

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Acts 1:12-26 ESV

(12) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. (13) And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. (14) All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. (15) In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, (16) "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. (17) For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." (18) (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. (19) And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) (20) "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.' (21) So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, (22) beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." (23) And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. (24) And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen (25) to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." (26) And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Jonah 4 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Jonah 4 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Jonah 4 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez | August 27, 2023

Jonah 4:1-11

(1) But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. (2) And he prayed to the LORD and said, "O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. (3) Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live." (4) And the LORD said, "Do you do well to be angry?" (5) Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. (6) Now the LORD God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. (7) But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. (8) When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, "It is better for me to die than to live." (9) But God said to Jonah, "Do you do well to be angry for the plant?" And he said, "Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die." (10) And the LORD said, "You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. (11) And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?"

Jonah 2-3 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Jonah 2-3 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Jonah 2-3 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez | August 20, 2023

Jonah 2:1-10 ESV

(1) Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, (2) saying, "I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. (3) For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. (4) Then I said, 'I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.' (5) The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head (6) at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. (7) When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. (8) Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. (9) But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!" (10) And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land.

Jonah 3:1-10 ESV

(1) Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, (2) "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you." (3) So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth. (4) Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" (5) And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. (6) The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. (7) And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, (8) but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. (9) Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish." (10) When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.

Jonah 1 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Jonah 1 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez

Jonah 1 | Guest Speaker - Josue Henriquez | August 13, 2023

Jonah 1:1-17 ESV

(1) Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, (2) "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." (3) But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. (4) But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. (5) Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. (6) So the captain came and said to him, "What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish." (7) And they said to one another, "Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us." So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. (8) Then they said to him, "Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?" (9) And he said to them, "I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land." (10) Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, "What is this that you have done!" For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. (11) Then they said to him, "What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?" For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. (12) He said to them, "Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you." (13) Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. (14) Therefore they called out to the LORD, "O LORD, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you." (15) So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. (16) Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows. (17) And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Ezekiel 33

Ezekiel 33

Ezekiel 33 | Watchman; Jerusalem Has Fallen | July 23, 2023

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Ezekiel 33:1-33 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, speak to your people and tell them, 'Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land select a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman. (3) "And suppose he sees the sword coming against the land and blows his ram's horn to warn the people. (4) "Then, if anyone hears the sound of the ram's horn but ignores the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his death will be his own fault. (5) "Since he heard the sound of the ram's horn but ignored the warning, his death is his own fault. If he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. (6) "However, suppose the watchman sees the sword coming but doesn't blow the ram's horn, so that the people aren't warned, and the sword comes and takes away their lives. Then they have been taken away because of their iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.' (7) "As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me. (8) "If I say to the wicked, 'Wicked one, you will surely die,' but you do not speak out to warn him about his way, that wicked person will die for his iniquity, yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. (9) "But if you warn a wicked person to turn from his way and he doesn't turn from it, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have rescued yourself. (10) "Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, 'You have said this: "Our transgressions and our sins are heavy on us, and we are wasting away because of them! How then can we survive? " ' (11) Tell them, 'As I live ​-- ​this is the declaration of the Lord GOD ​-- ​I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent, repent of your evil ways! Why will you die, house of Israel? ' (12) "Now, son of man, say to your people, 'The righteousness of the righteous person will not save him on the day of his transgression; neither will the wickedness of the wicked person cause him to stumble on the day he turns from his wickedness. The righteous person won't be able to survive by his righteousness on the day he sins. (13) "When I tell the righteous person that he will surely live, but he trusts in his righteousness and acts unjustly, then none of his righteousness will be remembered, and he will die because of the injustice he has committed. (14) " 'So when I tell the wicked person, "You will surely die," but he repents of his sin and does what is just and right ​-- ​ (15) he returns collateral, makes restitution for what he has stolen, and walks in the statutes of life without committing injustice ​-- ​he will certainly live; he will not die. (16) None of the sins he committed will be held against him. He has done what is just and right; he will certainly live. (17) " 'But your people say, "The Lord's way isn't fair," even though it is their own way that isn't fair. (18) When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, he will die for it. (19) But if a wicked person turns from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live because of it. (20) Yet you say, "The Lord's way isn't fair." I will judge each of you according to his ways, house of Israel.' " (21) In the twelfth year of our exile, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and reported, "The city has been taken! " (22) Now the hand of the LORD had been on me the evening before the fugitive arrived, and he opened my mouth before the man came to me in the morning. So my mouth was opened and I was no longer mute. (23) Then the word of the LORD came to me: (24) "Son of man, those who live in the ruins in the land of Israel are saying, 'Abraham was only one person, yet he received possession of the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as a possession.' (25) "Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: You eat meat with blood in it, you look to your idols, and you shed blood. Should you then receive possession of the land? (26) "You have relied on your swords, you have committed detestable acts, and each of you has defiled his neighbor's wife. Should you then receive possession of the land? ' (27) "Tell them this: 'This is what the Lord GOD says: As surely as I live, those who are in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I have given to wild animals to be devoured, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague. (28) "I will make the land a desolate waste, and its proud strength will come to an end. The mountains of Israel will become desolate, with no one passing through. (29) "They will know that I am the LORD when I make the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable acts they have committed.' (30) "As for you, son of man, your people are talking about you near the city walls and in the doorways of their houses. One person speaks to another, each saying to his brother, 'Come and hear what the message is that comes from the LORD! ' (31) "So my people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don't obey them. Their mouths go on passionately, but their hearts pursue dishonest profit. (32) "Yes, to them you are like a singer of passionate songs who has a beautiful voice and plays skillfully on an instrument. They hear your words, but they don't obey them. (33) "Yet when all this comes true ​-- ​and it definitely will ​-- ​then they will know that a prophet has been among them."

Ezekiel 28, 32

Ezekiel 28, 32

Ezekiel 28, 32 | Secular Leaders | July 9, 2023

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Ezekiel 28:1-26 CSB

(1) The word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, "I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea." Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. (3) Yes, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! (4) By your wisdom and understanding you have acquired wealth for yourself. You have acquired gold and silver for your treasuries. (5) By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has become proud because of your wealth. (6) " 'Therefore, this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you regard your heart as that of a god, (7) "I am about to bring strangers against you, ruthless men from the nations. They will draw their swords against your magnificent wisdom and will pierce your splendor. (8) "They will bring you down to the Pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the sea. (9) "Will you still say, "I am a god," in the presence of those who slay you? Yet you will be only a man, not a god, in the hands of those who kill you. (10) You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of strangers. For I have spoken. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' " (11) The word of the LORD came to me: (12) "Son of man, lament for the king of Tyre and say to him, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. (13) "You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone covered you: carnelian, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold; they were prepared on the day you were created. (14) "You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. (15) "From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you. (16) "Through the abundance of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. (17) "Your heart became proud because of your beauty; For the sake of your splendor you corrupted your wisdom. So I threw you down to the ground; I made you a spectacle before kings. (18) "You profaned your sanctuaries by the magnitude of your iniquities in your dishonest trade. So I made fire come from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of everyone watching you. (19) "All those who know you among the peoples are appalled at you. You have become an object of horror and will never exist again.' " (20) The word of the LORD came to me: (21) "Son of man, face Sidon and prophesy against it. (22) "You are to say, 'This is what the Lord GOD says: Look! I am against you, Sidon, and I will display my glory within you. They will know that I am the LORD when I execute judgments against her and demonstrate my holiness through her. (23) "I will send a plague against her and bloodshed in her streets; the slain will fall within her, while the sword is against her on every side. Then they will know that I am the LORD. (24) " 'The house of Israel will no longer be hurt by prickly briers or painful thorns from all their neighbors who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD. (25) " 'This is what the Lord GOD says: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are scattered, I will demonstrate my holiness through them in the sight of the nations, and they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. (26) "They will live there securely, build houses, and plant vineyards. They will live securely when I execute judgments against all their neighbors who treat them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.' "

Ezekiel 32:1-32 CSB

(1) In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: (2) "Son of man, lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him, 'You compare yourself to a lion of the nations, but you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churn up the waters with your feet, and muddy the rivers. (3) " 'This is what the Lord GOD says: I will spread my net over you with an assembly of many peoples, and they will haul you up in my net. (4) "I will abandon you on the land and throw you onto the open field. I will cause all the birds of the sky to settle on you and let the wild creatures of the entire earth eat their fill of you. (5) "I will put your flesh on the mountains and fill the valleys with your carcass. (6) "I will drench the land with the flow of your blood, even to the mountains; the ravines will be filled with your gore. (7) " 'When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. (8) "I will darken all the shining lights in the heavens over you, and will bring darkness on your land. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (9) " 'I will trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring about your destruction among the nations, in countries you have not known. (10) "I will cause many peoples to be appalled at you, and their kings will shudder with fear because of you when I brandish my sword in front of them. On the day of your downfall each of them will tremble every moment for his life. (11) " 'For this is what the Lord GOD says: The sword of Babylon's king will come against you! (12) "I will make your hordes fall by the swords of warriors, all of them ruthless men from the nations. They will ravage Egypt's pride, and all its hordes will be destroyed. (13) "I will slaughter all its cattle that are beside many waters. No human foot will churn them again, and no cattle hooves will disturb them. (14) "Then I will let their waters settle and will make their rivers flow like oil. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (15) "When I make the land of Egypt a desolation, so that it is emptied of everything in it, when I strike down all who live there, then they will know that I am the LORD. (16) " 'The daughters of the nations will chant that lament. They will chant it over Egypt and all its hordes. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.' " (17) In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: (18) "Son of man, wail over the hordes of Egypt and bring Egypt and the daughters of mighty nations down to the underworld, to be with those who descend to the Pit: (19) "Who do you surpass in loveliness? Go down and be laid to rest with the uncircumcised! (20) "They will fall among those slain by the sword. A sword is appointed! They drag her and all her hordes away. (21) "Warrior leaders will speak from the middle of Sheol about him and his allies: 'They have come down; the uncircumcised lie slain by the sword.' (22) "Assyria is there with her whole assembly; her graves are all around her. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. (23) "Her graves are set in the deepest regions of the Pit, and her assembly is all around her burial place. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword -- those who once spread terror in the land of the living. (24) "Elam is there with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword -- those who went down to the underworld uncircumcised, who once spread their terror in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. (25) "Among the slain they prepare a bed for Elam with all her hordes. Her graves are all around her. All of them are uncircumcised, slain by the sword, although their terror was once spread in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. They are placed among the slain. (26) "Meshech and Tubal are there, with all their hordes. Their graves are all around them. All of them are uncircumcised, slain by the sword, although their terror was once spread in the land of the living. (27) "They do not lie down with the fallen warriors of the uncircumcised, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war, whose swords were placed under their heads and their shields rested on their bones, although the terror of these warriors was once in the land of the living. (28) "But you will be shattered and will lie down among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword. (29) "Edom is there, her kings and all her princes, who, despite their strength, have been placed among those slain by the sword. They lie down with the uncircumcised, with those who descend to the Pit. (30) "All the leaders of the north and all the Sidonians are there. They went down in shame with the slain, despite the terror their strength inspired. They lie down uncircumcised with those slain by the sword. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit. (31) "Pharaoh will see them and be comforted over all his hordes -- Pharaoh and his whole army, slain by the sword." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD. (32) "For I will spread my terror in the land of the living, so Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid to rest among the uncircumcised, with those slain by the sword." This is the declaration of the Lord GOD.