ThoughtSeeds

In the wilderness, the Israelites went to battle against the Amalekites. As Joshua led the army in battle, Moses went up on a nearby hill to watch. If he lifted his hands, Israel prevailed. If he lowered his hands, Amalek prevailed. His arms grew tired and heavy, so his brother and his helper each held up one of his arms for the entirety of the battle, and Israel won. In response, Moses made an altar to the Lord, calling Him "Jehovah-Nissi -- the LORD My Banner."

Join me as we discuss the importance of banners and why God chooses to be identified with them. Why do they matter for us?

https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Standard/
https://www.thoughtco.com/flags-importance-in-the-civil-war-1773716

Elisha Hoffman was born in 1839 and spent his 90-year life preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, but also writing and composing over 2,000 hymns. While we don't know the exact circumstances that led him to write "Is Your All on the Altar?," the words and melody deliver a rich sermon that asks us to think deeply about our commitment to our Savior. Join me as we study more about Elisha Hoffman and look at the hymn "Is Your All on the Altar?"

https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bhoffman.html

When God talks about tithing in the Bible -- and He talks about it a lot! -- He isn't just talking about money. He tells us to give Him the first tenth -- the tithe -- of EVERYTHING. What is He asking you to give? What might you be holding back? Join me to continue discussing and learning more about this concept of holding nothing back from our God.

In Exodus 22, God tells us to hold nothing back from Him in giving Him offerings, and in the Gospels, we find the account of Mary of Bethany pouring out the expensive perfume from her alabaster box onto the head and feet of Jesus, as she worshiped Him and wiped His feet with her hair. She obeyed that command from Exodus -- she held nothing back. Not her most precious material possession, her heart, her worship, her dignity. She gave it all to Jesus. Join me as we explore more into the Scriptures and discuss if we're holding anything back from God.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firstborn_(Judaism)#:~:text=The%20firstborn%20or%20firstborn%20son,to%20the%20nation%20of%20Israel.
https://gossipforjesus.com/2016/06/28/break-out-the-alabaster-box/

In Luke 9:23, Jesus tells us if we want to follow Him, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. In this hymn of consecration, Frances Ridley Havergal has gifted us with a prayer that helps us do that more fully. Join me as we learn more about her and how she came to write this particular hymn. "Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee . . ."

https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/frances-havergal-wrote-take-my-life-and-let-it-be-11630571.html
https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/take-my-life-and-let-it-be

Maybe you feel like you could never be an Esther or a David or a Moses. You're just an average everyday no-name. But God calls you, too. He calls each one of us to do some of the same things, like speak for those who have no voice, preach the Gospel, and more. And He calls us each of us individually with a unique purpose. Join me as we study more about being God's special possession -- His "peculiar people."

Throughout the Word of God, we find examples of God calling people. He called them for unique and individual purposes and reasons and tasks, and He calls each of us, too. Sometimes, it's tempting to resist that call, because what He's asking us to do is maybe downright terrifying! Or maybe, like Esther, we're kind of thrust into our call with no say in the matter. Whatever it is, God has a purpose for you, and He's known you since before you were born.

As he was shaving early on Easter morning and pondering his upcoming sermon, Pastor Alfred Ackley heard another preacher on the radio proclaim that even though it was Easter, it didn't matter to him if Jesus had ever risen from the grave, or if His bones were turned to dust. What mattered was that the truth of Jesus marched on. This so appalled and angered Pastor Ackley that he preached his own sermon with great fervor and passion. That, and a recent conversation with a young Jewish man seeking answers led him to write and compose this song. Perhaps the most powerful words in the entire hymn are at the end: "You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!" Join me as we learn more about this wonderful hymn and the life of Alfred Ackley.

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/he-lives/#.YGVCzHvPxPY

Bible scholars from all walks of faith -- from adamant agnostics to committed Christians -- agree that there is much historical evidence that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ actually did happen. What are some of those evidences? And did the apostles of Jesus make up a lie and spread it around the world, only to meet their deaths still holding fast to that lie? Join me in this episode to find out more about the historical evidence, and why those closest to Him were willing to forsake their own lives declaring that truth.

https://www.reasonablefaith.org/media/debates/is-there-historical-evidence-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus-the-craig-ehrman/

It is Passion Week right now, and as we remember each day leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, we look toward the Resurrection, when the tomb was empty. Explore with me why the Resurrection was and is absolutely vital to all of history.