Transcribe your podcast
[00:00:00]

Let us pray. Behold, I will stand before thee, there upon the rock in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6. Dear heavenly Father, as I look back on my life, I will not become like the children of Israel and live with entitlement, forgetting all you've done for me. I will be mindful of the many blessings you have brought and are continuing to bring into my life. When fear and doubt try to drive me out of my promised position, and land. I will no longer look at myself as a slave to limited thinking, but as a warrior, hungry to keep my freedom. I will not back down when the enemy tries to attack my peace. Instead, I will lift my hands like Moses in worship and fight like Joshua to keep the freedom that you've blessed me with. I declare that a new dawn is rising over my mind. I declare that courage and hope is rising up within me. I am an overcomer, and I am powerful beyond measure.

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Thank you, Lord, that your promise has always come with the ability for me to overcome any and every thought that is contrary to the marvelous vision you've shown me about my life. I am a fighter and an overcomer because you are the God that refreshes me like water and brings me victory over the challenges in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you for praying with me today. Continue listening for an incredible Bible story brought to you by Bible in a Year ready for a weekend outside the ordinary?

[00:02:04]

A city where you can mix it up and craft your own adventure? Sacramento is a vibrant blend of flavors you can savor, see, and experience. We've got IPAs for days, festivals that bring the city to life, and so many ways to wind down, get outside, or turn up the music. So why wait? Come shake up your routine, seize the moment, and leave the ordinary behind. Head to visit sacramento. Com to start planning your escape and defy your expectations. Relations.

[00:02:31]

Every year, Lent helps us remove distractions and focus on the Lord.

[00:02:35]

This year for Lent, give up tossing and turning in your sleep by listening to Sleep Psalms with Bishop TD Jakes. He is going to lay you down in green pastures and restore your soul. Join me and let the Lord be your shepherd tonight. Listen to Sleep Psalms with Bishop TD Jakes on our hard radio app wherever you get your podcast.

[00:03:05]

Attention, Beckdil Gas listeners.

[00:03:07]

We're going on tour.

[00:03:10]

We really are. And it's not just any tour. It's a tour in the UK, and it's a tour where we are covering Titanic and Shrek.

[00:03:20]

Brilliantly titled the Shrektanic Tour. Yes. Shrektornik. We're working on it. There's a couple of months before the But yes, we are really excited. We're currently doing five shows in the UK with more shows to be added. Stay tuned at the end of May. Yes.

[00:03:40]

Starting with two shows in London on May 22nd. One's at 6:30, that's a Shrek show, one at 9:00 PM. That is a Titanic show. Then we are scooting over to Oxford on May 24th. We are covering Titanic. Okay. That show is a part of the Saint Audio podcast festival in Oxford, so be sure to check out our show as well as other shows at the festival. Then we're scooting up to Edinburgh on May 26th and doing Shrek.

[00:04:16]

If you're a Scottish Titanic fan, you are going to have to commute. And I know that that's not... But listen, you live in Edinburgh. We're covering Shrek. I'm sorry.

[00:04:29]

I'm sorry, but also you're welcome. And then if you do want to see Titanic, you can head down to Manchester. We're doing a show on May 28th, and that's a Titanic show. So you're just going to want to come to all of them. If you live in the UK, if you live anywhere in Europe or just anywhere in the world.

[00:04:51]

As your Bechtal cast allies in the US can attest to, our live shows are super fun. It is like a live episode plus a bunch of fun stuff. We dress up, we bring audience members on stage. Sometimes we do. It's big and goofy and silly, and we're covering two of our favorite movies that are Bechtal cast canon. So we want to have a good time. We'll be bringing exclusive merch, and we will be doing meet and greets before and after the show. We want to meet everybody, and we're really, really excited. And tickets are already going fast because we released it to Matreons first. Just plugging the Patreon really quick.

[00:05:32]

Little perk for the matrons. Yep.

[00:05:35]

So if you if you live in those areas, get those dang tickets, because these shows will sell out.

[00:05:40]

Yes, they will. So head over to our Linktree, linktree/bectalcast. Grab your tickets for the Shrektanic Tour.

[00:06:00]

The Lord gives water and victories. In our last story, we learned about the protecting power of God. Pharaoh had pursued the Israelites to reca them, but God parted the seas so they could run to freedom. God defeated Pharaoh once and for all. We also learned about the providing power of God and how he gave Israel water and food when they were wandering in the wilderness. In this story, we learn about God's continued provision and how the Israeli slaves are forced to become warriors as well as inspired by the Book of Exodus.

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Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible in a Year. In our last episode, we saw God lead the Israelis to safety, delivering them from Pharaoh's hand and out of bondage into freedom. They crossed the parted waters of the Red Sea. What a miracle. We also witnessed the Israeli's complaining and grumbling like impatient children who quickly forgot about God's care for them. Through it all, God continued to provide and promised that as long as they followed him and trusted him, things would go well. Today, we will see how God provides once again, even as complaints continue. Listen to Moses' exasperated response to the people, calling them out for their forgetful unfaithful hearts. Then listen to what God commands Moses to do. We'll also hear a new chapter in their story. Their wandering will stop as they set up a camp in enemy territory, and God will call them to battle. Let's listen now to this reading.

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The sweet joys of freedom from slavery lasted only a moment. Now they wandered in the heat of day and slept in the cold of night. Their lips were parched and their feet were tired. Israel camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for them to drink. Already forgetting the past provision of God, the people quarreled and complained, 'Give us water, ' they demanded to Moses. Growing more and more annoyed with their childish complaining, Moses replied, Why do you argue with me as if God has not already been faithful? ' But the people continued to grumbble. Thirsty and tired, they cornered Moses and said to him, Why did you bring us out of Egypt just to kill us and our children? ' with thirst. They grew more and more violent, angry, and entitled towards Moses. Moses rubbed his forehead, also thirsty and tired. He turned to God and said, What am I going to do with these people? Lord, they are getting ready to stone me. God spoke to Moses with a patient and loving voice, depart from the people with some of the elders. Make sure to take your staff with you. So Moses did as God commanded and departed to the rock of Horeb.

[00:09:03]

Strike the rock and water shall come out of it for the people to drink, God said. And Moses did so in front of all the elders of Israel. He took his staff and broke the rock, and water flowed endlessly from it. God commanded the elders to watch so they might see his provision with their own eyes. They would need to see God at work and trust him for greater problems than thirst were approaching. In the land of Repidim, where Israel camped, was the Kingdom of Amalek. Desiring to drive them out of the land, the Amalekites attacked Israel frequently. Men, women, and children were killed and taken. This was a new threat Israel had not expected. Israel, once slaves, had to become warriors. Moses called Joshua, a young man who had shown great promise and leadership. Choose men to go out and fight with Amalek Hek, Moses commanded. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God. Joshua left to go gather men able and willing to battle. They armed themselves with spears and swords they had taken from Egypt, along with any staffs, hammers or farming tools they had with them.

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Israel was not yet a polished nation. They had no commanders, no armor, and no battle strategy. Instead, they had a group of men hardened from years of slavery, desperate to keep their freedom. They had faithful leaders who loved them, and they had a God who was able to call fire from heaven and part seas to free them. So Joshua gathered his men and they marched to fight the Amalekites. They marched forward, afraid and untested in battle, but hearts filled with confidence in God. Their marching turned to running as they clashed swords and clubs with the armies of Amalek. The screams from battle could be heard in the distance. On the hill overlooking the battle stood Moses. Moses held up his staff as he had done when God parted the Red Sea. His hands were held high, the universal symbol of victory. Moses's old bones grew tired. While his arms were up, Israel would begin to prevail over the Amalekites. When his arms wained or rested, the Amalekites would begin to overtake Israel. Moses Moses's arms grew weary and his shoulders trembled. Sweat beat down his brow, and his eyes were fixed on his people below.

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Aaron and her came up the hill with Moses and held up his arms under him. Moses would not leave, and the sun began to set over the battle. Joshua swiped his sword through the crowded battlefield, drenched in the blood of his enemies. His movements were like a dance as he cut the flesh of the Amalekites. Roars of righteous anger bellowed from his throat. Occasionally, Joshua would catch a glimpse of Moses with his arms stretched out over the battlefield. The strength of the Lord filled Joshua and all the warriors with him. As the sun departed over the horizon, God gave Israel their first victory. Blood and dust covered the men of God. Weery smiles laced their faces, and tired laughter could be heard for miles. Moses gazed at his men from a distance, hearing the voice of the Lord in his ear. Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it to Joshua continually, God said. And Moses built an altar to the Lord there. God had freed Israel from slavery, parted seas to protect them, and provided sustenance for them to survive. Now God had given them a new work. They unified and protected one another.

[00:13:00]

They bled for each other and put their lives on the line to save the ones they loved. The beautiful beginnings of a mighty nation was unfolding before their eyes.

[00:13:14]

Attention. Back to the Gas, listeners. We're going on tour. We really are. And it's not just any tour, it's a tour in the UK, and it's a tour where we are covering Titanic and Shrek.

[00:13:30]

Brilliantly titled the Shrektanic Tour. Shrektornik. We're working on it. There's a couple of months before the tour. But yes, we are really excited. We're currently doing five shows in the UK with more shows to be added. Stay tuned at the end of May.

[00:13:49]

Yes. Starting with two shows in London on May 22nd. One's at 6:30, that's a Shrek show. One at 9:00 PM, that is a Titanic show. Then we are scooting over to Oxford. On May 24th, we are covering Titanic. Okay. That show is a part of the Saint Audio podcast festival in Oxford, so be sure to check out our show, as well as other shows at the festival. Then we're scooting up to Edinburgh on May 26th and doing Shrek.

[00:14:26]

If you're a Scottish Titanic fan, you are going to have to commute. And I know that that's not... But listen, you live in Edinburgh, we're covering Shrek. I'm sorry.

[00:14:38]

I'm sorry, but also you're welcome. And then if you do want to see Titanic, you can head down to Manchester. We're doing a show on May 28th, and that's a Titanic show. So you're just going to want to come to all of them if you live in the UK, if you live anywhere in Europe or just anywhere in the world As your Bechtal cast allies in the US can attest to, our live shows are super fun.

[00:15:06]

It is like a live episode plus a bunch of fun stuff. We dress up, we bring audience members on stage. Sometimes we do it It's big and goofy and silly, and we're covering two of our favorite movies that are Bechtal cast canon, so we want to have a good time. We'll be bringing exclusive merch, and we will be doing meet and greets before and after in the show. We want to meet everybody. And we're really, really excited. And tickets are already going fast because we released it to Matreons first. Plugging the Patreon really quick.

[00:15:41]

Little perk for the Matreons. Yep.

[00:15:44]

So if you if you live in those areas, get those ding tickets because these shows will sell out.

[00:15:49]

Yes, they will. So head over to our Linktree, linktree/bectalcast. Grab your tickets for the Shrektanic Tour.

[00:16:03]

God has faithfully provided passage and provision for his people, but their hearts are so easily filled with faithlessness and fear and dissatisfaction. Scarce water at camp drives them to complain again. The grumbling spreads like a virus, toxic through the camp as they go to Moses once again and complain. Why isn't God coming through? Why is God not taking care of us? So Moses is exasperated with his people. He is angry, angered that they seem to be so easily forgetting what God has done. So he rebukes the people sternly, Why do you act like God is not faithful? God speaks to Moses and has him call elders to witness as God commands Moses to strike a stone with his staff. Water freely pours from this place where water shouldn't be. A miracle in the desert. Water in the desert. Something that only God could do. The elders and the people needed to see this with their own eyes because they were about to face conflict in a whole new way. As they settled in the camp near the Amalekites, they find themselves under attack. They're like sitting ducks. Men, women, and children are killed by Amalekite warriors.

[00:17:18]

These former slaves knew nothing of battle, but they believed God and gathered weapons and tools. A young man by the name of Joshua steps up as a leader. He'll be a leader for many years to come. Joshua leads them into battle, and Moses, led by God, watches from a hill with his staff in his hands. Moses raises his arms, calling on the Lord in prayer to win the fight for the people of God. As long as his hands are raised, the Israelis prevail in the battle. He may not actually be engaged on the front lines of the battle, but Moses is being the man of prayer, the leader that God has called him to be. Moses is is now a different man. He is no longer that fugitive living in the desert. But his encounter with God in the burning bush and to see the hand of God moving in Pharaoh's palace and through the Red Sea, Moses is now a man of God, one of the greatest men who ever lived. He's filled with God's power, and he prays, and he prays with victory in his heart and in his hands. But Moses, being an older man, begins to tire in his arms begin to sag, and the Amalekites begin to get the upper hand.

[00:18:34]

But Aaron and a man named Her support his arms. It's a beautiful picture of prayer. Joshua and his army are given the victory. So untrained, weary slaves emerge victorious over seasoned Amalekite soldiers. But the people know it was God's protection, not their own strength. And Moses built an altar to acknowledge the victory that God gave them. It It can be tempting to take credit for what God does when something amazing happens in our lives, or to forget that God gives us the victory, or even forget to pray and ask for the victory. But let today's reading be a reminder that God is the one who gives us victory over every enemy in our lives. In spiritual warfare, we have victory in Christ. Though we do not build physical altars to remember our victories, let us find ways to show ourselves and others that God goes before us to fight our battles. It is not our own strength that brings deliverance, but God's strength, his power working through us. In fact, our victory is in Jesus. Next time, we'll hear God reaffirm his covenant and give his people simple rules for life. Let's pray. Dear God, thank you for today's scripture that you miraculously delivered your people in the face of a seasoned army and in a battle that apparently they could not win, but did win because of the power of prayer and your power upon the people's lives.

[00:20:06]

We thank you that in our battles, you are fighting for us and that we fight our battles on our knees praying. Help us to pray for one another and hold each other's arms high in victory in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the pray. Com app and make a prayer a priority in your life. If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love. By sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in someone's life. If you want more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living, be sure to visit jackgraham. Org. God bless.

[00:20:50]

Ready for a weekend outside the ordinary? A city where you can mix it up and craft your own adventure? Sacramento is a vibrant blend of flavors you can savor, see, and experience. We've got IPAs for days, festivals that bring the city to life, and so many ways to wind down, get outside, or turn up the music. So why wait? Come shake up your routine. Seize the moment and leave the ordinary behind. Head to visit sacramento. Com to start planning your escape and defy your expectations.

[00:21:19]

Every year, Lent helps us remove distractions and focus on the Lord.

[00:21:24]

This year for Lent, give up tossing and turning in your sleep by listening to Sleep Psalms with Bishop TD Jakes. He is going to lay you down in green pastures and restore your soul. Join me and let the Lord be your shepherd tonight. Listen to Sleep Psalms with Bishop TD Jakes on our hard radio app or wherever you get your podcast.

[00:21:52]

Attention, back to the cast listeners.

[00:21:56]

We're going on tour.

[00:21:59]

We really are. And it's not just any tour. It's a tour in the UK, and it's a tour where we are covering Titanic and Shrek.

[00:22:09]

Brilliantly titled The Shrektanic Tour. Yes. Shrektornik, We're working on it. There's a couple of months before the tour. But yes, we are really excited. We're currently doing five shows in the UK with more shows to be added. Stay tuned at the end of May.

[00:22:28]

Yes. Starting with with two shows in London on May 22nd. One's at 6:30, that's a Shrek show, one at 9:00 PM, that is a Titanic show. Then we are scooting over to Oxford on May 24th. We We're covering Titanic. Okay. That show is a part of the Saint Audio podcast festival in Oxford, so be sure to check out our show as well as other shows at the festival. Then We're scooting up to Edinburgh on May 26th and doing Shrek.

[00:23:05]

If you're a Scottish Titanic fan, you are going to have to commute. And I know that that's not... But listen, you live in Edinburgh, we're covering Shrek. I'm sorry.

[00:23:17]

I'm sorry, but also you're welcome. And then if you do want to see Titanic, you can head down to Manchester. We're doing a show on May 28th, and that's a Titanic show. So you're just going to want to come to all of them if you live in the UK, if you live anywhere in Europe or just anywhere in the world.

[00:23:39]

As your Bechtal cast allies in the US can attest to, our live shows are super fun. It is like a live episode plus a bunch of fun stuff. We dress up, we bring audience members on stage. Sometimes we do. It's big and goofy and silly. And we're covering two of our favorite movies that are Bechtal cast canon. So we want to have a good time. We'll be bringing exclusive merch, and we will be doing meet and greets before and after the show. We want to meet everybody. And we're really, really excited. And tickets are already going fast because we released it to Matreons first. Plugging the Patreon really quick.

[00:24:20]

Little perk for the Matreons.

[00:24:23]

So if you if you live in those areas, get those ding tickets, because these shows will sell out.

[00:24:28]

Yes, they will. So head over to our Linktree, linktree/bectelkast. Grab your tickets for the ShrekTanic Tour.