Partakers Christian Podcasts

Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 82

Psalm 82

(as read by Justine)

82:1 God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.
82:2 "How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked?"

Selah.

82:3 "Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless.
Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
82:4 Rescue the weak and needy.
Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked."
82:5 They don't know, neither do they understand.
They walk back and forth in darkness.
All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
82:6 I said, "You are gods, all of you are sons of the Most High.
82:7 Nevertheless you shall die like men, and fall like one of the rulers."
82:8 Arise, God, judge the earth, for you inherit all of the nations.

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Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 79

Psalm 79

A Psalm by Asaph.

79:1 God, the nations have come into your inheritance.
They have defiled your holy temple.
They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
79:2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants to be food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your saints to the animals of the earth.
79:3 Their blood they have shed like water around Jerusalem.
There was no one to bury them.
79:4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors,
a scoffing and derision to those who are around us.
79:5 How long, Yahweh?
Will you be angry forever?
Will your jealousy burn like fire?
79:6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that don't know you;
on the kingdoms that don't call on your name;
79:7 For they have devoured Jacob, and destroyed his homeland.
79:8 Don't hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us.
Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are in desperate need.
79:9 Help us, God of our salvation, for the glory of your name.
Deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name's sake.
79:10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?
" Let it be known among the nations, before our eyes,
that vengeance for your servants' blood is being poured out.
79:11 Let the sighing of the prisoner come before you.
According to the greatness of your power,
preserve those who are sentenced to death.
79:12 Pay back to our neighbors seven times into their bosom
their reproach with which they have reproached you, Lord.
79:13 So we, your people and sheep of your pasture, will give you thanks forever.
We will praise you forever, to all generations.

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Partakers Bible Thought - Food Sacrificed To Idols - 1 Corinthians 8

Food Sacrificed To Idols (1 Corinthians 8)

1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘We all possess knowledge.’ But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.

4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘An idol is nothing at all in the world’ and that ‘There is no God but one.’ 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling-block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. (1 Corinthians 8)

Ancient Corinth was one of the largest, wealthiest and therefore most important cities of the ancient world. It had a large mixed population of Greeks, Romans and Jews. The streets of Corinth were lined with temples to all manner of gods. Not only Greek gods but also because Greece was now under the Roman empire, temples paying homage to Roman gods. This of course included those giving homage and worship to the Roman Emperor, who at the time this letter was written, was probably the Emperor Nero. More than that, some of the Greek gods were merged with Roman gods, in order to make new gods and therefore more temples were constructed.

In these temples, sacrifices were made to appease these gods and were acts of worship to and of them. For if the gods were not appeased then it was thought that all manner of things may happen to a person, internally and externally, for the gods would be angry and send their demons and spirits to inflict all manner of ill on a person. The meat from these sacrifices was then, in part, given to be eaten by the priests conducting the sacrifice, and the rest sold to the general public for consumption.

We see therefore, from a Christian perspective, Corinth was a city deeply immersed in idolatry and immorality. What of the Church there in the midst of such a place? Paul had helped start the Church about 6 years ago. You can read about that in Acts 18.

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Partakers Bible Thought 27 May 2022 - The Christian and the Government

Partakers Bible Thought

27 May 2022

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour. (Romans 13:1-7)

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor. (1 Peter 2:13-17)

All people all over the world live under a form of leadership or government. That government may be democratically elected, a monarchy or even an oppressive dictatorship. Whatever kind of government we find ourselves with, we have one. What is the relationship between the Christian and the Government to be?

Come and explore what the Bible has to say about the Christian and their relationship with Government. What functions of Government does the Bible offer? How and in what way are Christians to be responsible citizens? These and other questions we seek to answer! So come on it! Let’s discover together more about the relationship between the Christian and the Government, by listening to the podcast!

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Partakers Bible Thought 26 May 2022 - 2 Corinthians 1

Partakers Bible Thought

Paul Under Attack for Change of Plans

26 May 2022

12 Now this is our boast: our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write to you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to let you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’?
18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us – by me, Silas and Timothy – was not ‘Yes’ and ‘No’, but in him it has always been ‘Yes’. 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:12-22)

Introduction
Part 1 – Paul Under Pressure
Part 2 – Rock Solid on the Rock
Part 3 – Yes in Christ
Part 4 – Signed, sealed and guaranteed
4a God the Holy Spirit
4b Work of the Holy Spirit
4c Controlled by the Holy Spirit
Conclusion

Let's ask ourselves these questions as we conclude:

• Have I been falsely accused, gossiped and rumour mongered about? If I have, how did I respond/react?
• When was the last time I told somebody else the good news concerning Jesus Christ?
• Will there be somebody in heaven that I can boast and glorify God about?
• Will there be somebody in heaven who will boast and glorify God about the work that I have done with them?

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Partakers Prayers 25 May 2022 - Ukraine Russia War Молитви за Україну - Molytvy za Ukrayinu

 

G'day! Today we are praying a series of prayers concerning the Ukraine Russian conflict and war. Молитви за Україну / Molytvy za Ukrayinu Come! Let's pray together!

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Partakers Podcasts Christian Testimony - John

People meeting Jesus

The testimony of John from Hampshire, UK...

We continue apace into the twentieth century and hear the story of a friend of mine. His name is John and he is from Hampshire in the UK! Come on in, and listen to his story about his own Christian journey and the relevancy of Jesus Christ to his life.

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Partakers Bible Thought 19 May 2022 - Daniel 8

Partakers Bible Thought

19 May 2022

 Daniel 8 - Worlds In Conflict

We are looking today at an intriguing piece of Scripture - Daniel 8! In Chapter 7, the prophet Daniel had a dream of 4 animals, which were a winged lion, a bear, a winged leopard and a beast.

v1-4 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, even to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first. I saw in the vision; now it was so, that when I saw, I was in the citadel of Susa, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in the vision, and I was by the river Ulai. Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; and no animals could stand before him, neither was there any who could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and magnified himself.

v27 I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick certain days; then I rose up, and did the king's business: and I wondered at the vision, but none understood it.

Here in Daniel 8, we look together at the bear, which is described here as a ram, and a winged leopard that is described as a goat. Unlike his previous two visions which occurred at night, this one occurs during the day. Daniel was transported in the Spirit to Susa, a major city of the Babylon & Persian empires. He sat down beside the Ulai canal, nine hundred feet wide and connected two large rivers so that boats could easily pass from one to the other. Spiritually seated by the river, he lifted up his eyes. He saw a ram, a male sheep, that had two horns, and as he watched, one of its horns became larger than the other.

Grab your Bible, and listen to the podcast to find out more about this intriguing and wonderful piece of Scripture!

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Partakers Bible Thought 18 May 2022 – Spiritual Armor

Partakers Bible Thought

18 May 2022

17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. (Isaiah 59:17)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full Armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full Armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:10-20)

To help His people resist satan and to fight spiritual warfare, God has designed spiritual Armor for Christians to wear during our constant battle with sin & temptation. That’s what Paul talks about in Ephesians 6! This Armor is what God wears according to Isaiah 59:17, when He goes out to battle!

Today we explore the Christian in Spiritual Armor, answering questions including: What is “Spiritual Armor?” How is it used by God to help the Christian believer? How is the Spiritual Armor “worn” by the Christian?

Listen or download the mp3 podcast to find out more about the Christian and your Spiritual Armor!

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Partakers Bible Thought - Psalm 103

Psalm 103

(read by Pammy)

103:1 Praise Yahweh, my soul!

All that is within me, praise his holy name!

 103:2 Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don't forget all his benefits;

 103:3 who forgives all your sins; who heals all your diseases;

 103:4 who redeems your life from destruction;

who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies;

 103:5 who satisfies your desire with good things,

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

 103:6 Yahweh executes righteous acts,

and justice for all who are oppressed.

 103:7 He made known his ways to Moses,

his deeds to the children of Israel.

 103:8 Yahweh is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.

 103:9 He will not always accuse;

neither will he stay angry forever.

 103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

nor repaid us for our iniquities.

 103:11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him.

~~~~~~~~~~

103:12 As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

 103:13 Like a father has compassion on his children,

so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.

 103:14 For he knows how we are made.

He remembers that we are dust.

 103:15 As for man, his days are like grass.

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

 103:16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone.

Its place remembers it no more.

 103:17 But Yahweh's loving kindness is from

everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him,

his righteousness to children's children;

103:18 to those who keep his covenant,

to those who remember to obey his precepts.

 103:19 Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens.

His kingdom rules over all.

 103:20 Praise Yahweh, you angels of his,

who are mighty in strength,

who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word.

 103:21 Praise Yahweh, all you armies of his,

you servants of his, who do his pleasure.

 103:22 Praise Yahweh, all you works of his,

in all places of his dominion.

Praise Yahweh, my soul!

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