Good day, everyone, and welcome to the thirteenth episode of “Journey Through The Bible.” I’m your host, Pastor Mike Williams. Today, we continue our educational journey by exploring 1 Chronicles, the next book in our progression, building directly on what we learned from Genesis through 2 Kings. As someone passionate about sharing the truths of scripture, my aim is to keep this accessible and engaging, especially for those of you new to faith or just beginning to dive into the Bible. We’ll unpack 1 Chronicles step by step, highlighting its main message while weaving in deeper spiritual insights. 1 Chronicles is not simply a repetition of earlier history; it is a purposeful retelling of David’s reign and the preparations for the temple, written to encourage the post-exilic community that God’s covenant promises to David and the Levitical worship order remain valid and vital for their restoration. 

 This is no jolly elf. This is the bishop who slapped a heretic at Nicaea, who raised the dead, and who, through the twists of legend and love, became the face of Santa Claus. Tonight, we’ll trace his life from the shores of Lycia to the rooftops of the world. We’ll uncover the true story behind the stockings and the gifts. And we’ll pause to reflect: how has the Nativity of our Savior become a marketplace frenzy? How can we reclaim the giving heart of Christmas? 

Today we dive into a timely and timeless topic: “The True Meaning of Christmas: Reclaiming the Birth of Our Savior from Commercial Chaos.” In a season bombarded by ads, wish lists, and endless shopping sprees, it’s easy to lose sight of the miracle in the manger. Today, we’ll explore the biblical heart of Christmas—the birth of Jesus Christ and the joy of selfless giving—while confronting how greed and covetousness have hijacked the holiday. We’ll unpack the symbols like the tree and lights, trace the conspiratorial and historical roots of modern Christmas, and issue a bold call to believers: Don’t conform to the world; proclaim Christ’s birth with unashamed fervor. Whether you’re decking the halls or feeling the holiday blues, let’s rediscover the wonder together. 

 Tonight we lift our eyes to one of the most beloved and most fearsome icons in the Orthodox world: Saint Spyridon of Tremithous, the Wonderworker, bishop of Cyprus, whose feast we keep on December 12. In the icon he stands in full episcopal vestments, but his omophorion is simple shepherd’s wool, his panagia a plain wooden cross, and on his head the strange conical peasant cap woven from rushes that only he, among all bishops, is ever shown wearing. In his left hand he holds the Gospel; in his right, a small clay tile, because with a humble brick he once silenced the greatest philosophers of the empire. His face is gentle, almost shy, yet his eyes burn like coals under the Cypriot sun. 

 Today we are diving into one of the most profound and unrelenting books in the entire Bible: the book of Job. This ancient text confronts the rawest questions of human existence—why do the righteous suffer, where is God in the midst of unrelenting pain, and what does it mean to trust Him when every earthly explanation collapses? The book of Job does not offer pat answers or quick resolutions. Instead, it invites us into the furnace of suffering and beckons us to discover that true faith is forged not in the absence of trial, but in its very heart. Let us enter this story together and allow it to reshape our understanding of suffering, sovereignty, and surrender. 

 Today, we continue our educational journey by exploring the Book of 2 Kings, the next book in our progression, building directly on what we learned from Genesis through 1 Kings. As someone passionate about sharing the truths of scripture, my aim is to keep this accessible and engaging, especially for those of you new to faith or just beginning to dive into the Bible. We will unpack 2 Kings step by step, highlighting its main message while weaving in deeper spiritual insights. 2 Kings is not merely a continuation of royal chronicles; it is a sobering record of the inexorable consequences of covenant disobedience, showing the collapse of the northern kingdom of Israel and the prolonged decline of the southern kingdom of Judah, punctuated by the faithful witness of God’s prophets and the preserving mercy of God’s covenant promises. 

 You’ve tuned to 33.3 FM Icon Corner   – slow-spun stories of Orthodox saints, told like late-night requests from the saints themselves. Keep the dial right here. – where the saints come alive on the airwaves. Every episode we spin the stories of Orthodox Christian holy men and women like your favorite tracks: timeless, soul-stirring, and always in rotation. From desert fathers to modern martyrs, pull up a chair, grab your coffee, and let the saints ride shotgun.  

 Today we will delve into a profound piece of spiritual wisdom from the ancient Christian tradition—a quote that has echoed through centuries, challenging believers to examine the depths of their hearts and the direction of their gaze. The words are these: “It is impossible to look to the heavens with one eye, and the world with the other.” This insight comes from Saint John Climacus, a 7th-century monk whose teachings continue to illuminate the path to spiritual truth. In this speech, I will explore the origins and context of this quote, unpack its meaning, and demonstrate how it profoundly pertains to the concept of truth—both as divine reality and as authentic living. By the end, I hope you will see why this simple yet piercing statement calls us to a life of undivided devotion, free from the deceptions of a fragmented soul. 

Today we continue our educational journey by exploring 1 Kings, the next book in our progression, building directly on what we learned from Genesis through 2 Samuel. As someone passionate about sharing the truths of scripture, my aim is to keep this accessible and engaging, especially for those of you new to faith or just beginning to dive into the Bible. We’ll unpack 1 Kings step by step, highlighting its main message while weaving in deeper spiritual insights. 1 Kings is not merely a royal history; it is a sobering chronicle of glory, apostasy, and the beginning of the great division of God’s people, all while showing that the Davidic throne—and God’s ultimate purpose—remains secure only when leaders walk in covenant faithfulness. 

 The main message of 2 Samuel is God’s covenant with David—that his throne will be established forever—despite David’s grievous sins. It shows a gracious God who disciplines yet never revokes His promise, using even failure to advance His redemptive plan. For those of you new to faith, remember: 2 Samuel isn’t just royal drama; it’s a theological masterpiece, using David’s life to reveal God’s heart for covenant loyalty, the consequences of sin, and the hope of a coming perfect King—Jesus Christ.