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 2:1-16

Micah 5:2

Jeremiah 31:15

Matthew 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 1:18

Isaiah 7:14-15

Isaiah 9:6-7

Luke 1:26-38

Matthew 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 3:16-17

John 10:1-4

Matthew 25

John 14:5-6

Acts 4:12

Philippians 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 102:1-8

Psalms 91:1-3

Luke 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.