Let us pray. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes upon him. Acts 13:9. Dear Lord, as I speak, I thank you that you are transforming me from a lamb into a lion. In the same way that you promoted Paul with a name change, today I receive my new name, Namaste. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, I was once called fearful, but now I'm called courageous. When I was once called doubtful, I am now called faithful. When I was once called invisible, I am now seen. When I was once ignored, I am now heard. At every new season in my life, I will now level up and step into a new dimension of who I am with an even greater influence and understanding. I declare that any and all old names that have ever limited my life are gone and done away with. Behold, I stand as a new creation, ready to proclaim the works of Jesus, in Jesus' name. Amen. Thanks for making prayer a priority in your life. To hear the Bible come to life, stay tuned for The Bible in a Year, brought to you by Bibleinayear.

Com.

I'm Cheryl McClellum, host of the Cold Case podcast, Zone 7. Join us every Wednesday to hear cases like the Long Island serial killer. Here, Carrie Lawson, daughter of the notorious serial killer, BTK, weigh in on the accused Long Island serial killer's children.

You show genuine interest, and you can't fake it. These guys can see right through to your soul. You have to be walled off, prepared. If you don't know your stuff, they're going to just call you out and they're going to be like, Nope, I'm talking to somebody else and not talking to you.

Hear great insight from one of New York City's finest, Detective Joe Jackalone, a cold case expert.

As.

Well as I do, cops.

Weren't even aware of it back then. They're going to have some difficulty putting those cases together.

Unless, of course.

He confesses. Listen to Zone 7 with Cheryl McCleom on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

Hello, I'm Bishop TD, Jake. I want to welcome you to my new podcast with pray. Com called Sleep Psalms.

Close your eyes and focus on God. Picture him as your shepherd that knows you.

And.

Surrender to him.

Each episode guides you on a serene exploration of Psalms, gently calming every nerve and restless, mind-turning adventure that keeps you up in the middle of the night, transposing you into the safety of his arms. 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 songs with Hishop, TV Jakes on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

Our world is blaring with the white noise of pop culture, politics, and products. Don't you think it's time for a message that goes beyond the pointless chatter?

You've perfected us by that one sacrifice. I can live in freedom and be the Christian you've.

Called me to be. Introducing Sunday Service, a podcast that brings the world's most respected pastors, teachers, and leaders with messages of hope, grace, and peace. Grow your faith and be inspired to tackle life's greatest challenges.

So Jesus, he is initiating life.

He's giving life. Find answers to some of life's deepest questions.

It is your.

Standing with.

God that puts you into a place where you can be effective in this world.

Whether you're gleaning from the wisdom of seasoned pastors like Dr. Tony Evans or hearing emerging voices like Adam Mesa, the Sunday Service podcast is the fuel you didn't know.

You.

Needed. And the blood of Jesus, the Son, cleanses us.

From all sins. So listen to Sunday Service by Pray. Com on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Saul to Paul. In our last story, we witnessed the tragic yet noble death of James. He would be the first apostle to be martyrd, and he would not be the last. As persecution of the Church increased, so did the risk of imprisonment. Yet death was no match for Jesus, nor is it a threat to those who believe in him. So Peter pressed onward. Now we focus on the ministry of Saul, who learns how to protect the sheep of God with his words and thus transitions into the ministry of apostleship, inspired by the Book of Acts.

Hello, once again. This is Jack Graham in the Bible in a Year podcast. Our goal in the Bible in a year podcast is to encourage you in God's word, the scriptures, so that we could not only know what the Bible says, but live out the truth of the scriptures. So welcome. In our last episode, we heard how Herod put James to death and imprisoned Peter. It seemed that the enemy had gained an upper hand. But the church gathered in fervent prayer, and God delivered Peter from his chains and dealt with Herod also, striking him down for seeking glory over God. The church continued to grow and multiplied, powered by the work of the Holy Spirit. These prayerful, faithful Christian shared courageously the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. Today we'll hear how and how Saul grows into his own ministry and stands firm in the truth. Saul, who was dramatically and dynamically converted on the road to the Damascus, is about to defend the flock against false teachers who try to lead them astray. Let's listen now to God's Holy Word.

The church and Antioch continued to strengthen day by day through the teaching and leading of Barnabas and Saul. As the leaders of the church prayed with one another, the Holy Spirit tugged on their hearts to depart from Antioch toward Cyprus. Barnabas and Saul listened and set sail for the island of Cyprus. They were filled with hope that the Lord would move, but there was no telling what dangers dwelled in the middle of the island. Barnabas and Saul stepped foot onto the shores of Cyprus. The peaceful port country was filled with sailors, fishermen, and synagogues. However, underneath the quaint exterior was a lingering evil. A presence that slowly poisoned the people without knowledge. Saul sensed it and kept alert as he met the people of Cyprus. The two men ventured to Paffos, which was at the end of the island. Saul sensed a shift in the air as they walked. Something was not right. Something was unsettling. Emerging from a home nestled on the shores of Parthos was a man by the name of Bar Jesus. He emerged from his home with staff in hand, glaring at the two travelers. The second Saul's eyes met his, he knew that this man was the source of the evil.

This man had a mind held by the enemy. Bar Jesus was a man of dark arts. He dabbled in things better left alone and sacrificed to them for power. Not only this, but he was also a man of great influence and intelligence. It made him dangerous. Saul and Barnabas went to preach in the city, but Bargesis would whisper lies into their ears and spin tales about them. Saul, filled with the spirit of God, confronted him. You are a son of the enemy himself, Saul said with commanding force. He took a step forward causing Bargesis to step back. You are an enemy of righteousness and filled with corruption. Look me in the eyes and hear what I am saying. Stop mudding the pure waters of God. Saul paused to look at Bargesist. There was no sign of remorse in his eyes. Saul pointed to him and said, The Lord's hand is upon you. For a time your eyes will be dimmed to the light of the sun. Blindness will overtake you as it once did to me. Every person watching saw Bartholomew's eyes fade into darkness. As if he was caught in a dark cloud, Bartholomew stumbled blindly onto the floor.

This was the moment Saul had truly felt the Spirit of God move through him. Bar Jesus was leading the sheep of God astray, and as Saul spoke, he felt the shepherding heart of God. He spoke in boldness and stepped forward in authority. This was the moment Saul of Tarsas ceased to exist. Now there was only Paul the Apostle. So Paul and Barnabas ventured forth to preach in Pomphalia. They sat in the synagogues and proclaimed the word of the Lord. Paul was able to take what he had learned as a child and weave the story of Israel and the story of Jesus together into a beautiful tapestry. At first they preached to the Jews and then droves of Jews and Gentiles alike gathered together to hear Paul speak. The Jews became jealous that the Gentiles were allowed to enter into Paul's presence and hear his teaching. They spat and reviled them, but Paul would not stand for it. The word of God was given to you first, yet you treat it like trash and toss it aside. So behold, we preach to those who have been far off. We preach to those who would listen. We preach to those who have not grown complacent in their hearing of truth.

So the Gentiles rejoiced that they were able to enter into God's presence. They looked to Jesus and believed. Yet some of the Antioch Jews were not without their bitterness. They plotted against the disciples and sought to destroy them as they once did Jesus.

In God's word today, we read that Barnabas and Saul are ministering in Antioch. Under their guidance, the church there had grown in numbers and in strength, with other leaders emerging to guide the body of Christ in that city. And so as Saul and Barnabas prayed and fasted, the Holy Spirit spoke to them saying they were to leave. There was work to be done in other places, brand new places. So the Christians in Antioch laid hands on them and sent them off to pursue God's calling. With them was John Mark, a young believer from Jerusalem. They set sail and arrived on the island of Cyprus, where they began proclaiming the gospel in the synagogues. These missionaries traveled across the island telling all who would listen about Jesus, the son of God who had come, lived, and died, rose again, in order that they might know eternal life. When they reached the far end of the island, they encountered a man named Bargesist. He was called a magician and was a false prophet who led many astray with his considerable influence. Persecution was not the only threat to the church and the work of spreading the good news.

Satan does not employ one single tactic to lead people away from God and His truth. This false prophet worked to undermine Saul and Barnabas's preaching and turned people away from the one true God. Saul saw the danger of this false teacher, Bargesist, and so he says in Acts 13:10-11, You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the son for a time. As Paul spoke these words to Barges us, the man became blind, dependent upon others to lead him around. This man whose name literally meant son of Jesus was anything but the son of Jesus. He was the son of the enemy, and Saul was not going to allow him to lead others away from the Lord. Here we see the zeal of Saul, now Paul, the missionary. Paul was defending the truth with passion and conviction, and this was his high calling as a missionary of the good news of Jesus. From this point on in the scriptures, Saul is referred to as Paul.

This was not a new name, rather, it was his Roman name, whereas Saul was his Jewish name. It is symbolic as Paul has now become a minister not only to the Jews, but to the Romans, to the Gentiles everywhere. And so Paul and Barnabas continued to travel around the region, speaking not only in synagogues but to the Jews in the town squares, to Gentiles who came to hear the word of God. This was God's plan all along, that everyone would hear the good news of Jesus Christ and experience his grace. Many Jewish people, however, were angry and still felt that salvation was not for the Gentiles. But Paul stood against this false teaching, rebuking those who tried to turn the Gentiles away from God's grace and mercy. The Gentiles rejoiced and received the gospel gladly, but the Jews in Antioch grew angrier and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who now had to run to a new place, Iconium. The gospel was still on the move, and those whom God was working through were filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit as they courageously took the message of Christ to as many people as they could.

Paul and Barnabas ministry would bear great fruit, but it would not be without challenges. The next time, we'll hear as Paul experiences, the pain of persecution firsthand. Let's pray. God, we thank you for your word. Thank you for reminding us to stand firm on the truth and to be watchful of false teachers who would undermine the message of Jesus and the Gospel. Give us the boldness to take the good news not only to the nations, but to our neighbors as we share the love of Christ and his power to save in Jesus' name, Amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a year podcast. Again, this is Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. I would encourage you to download the pray. Com app and make Bible study and prayer the priority of your life. If you are enjoying this podcast, let someone else know, pass the good news around to others. If you want to know more about the Bible and how to live God's truth in your life, go to jackgraham. Org. That's jackgraham. Org. There are resources and Bible studies there available for you that you may know and grow in your faith.

We want to equip you and encourage you in the word of God. God bless you. Thank you for joining us today.

This episode is sponsored by MediShare, an innovative healthcare solution for Christians to save money without.

Sacrificing quality.

Hello. I'm Dr. Tony Evans, and I'm excited to have you join me on this new podcast, Heroes in the Bible.

Come to me, boy. You and your God.

Will.

Crumble beneath my feet.

He beckened the giant and said.

I.

Come to you in the.

Name of the Lord of hosts and of the stars.

We all have giants that we face in our life. When you understand that the greatness of God affects our ability to handle the giants of life, it will encourage, inspire and challenge all of us to our faith in God and our growth in Jesus Christ.

Look past his height and appearance, Samuel, for.

Man.

Sees the outward appearance.

They.

See the strength of.

The man's arms.

But the Lord looks.

Into the heart.

Listen to Heroes in the Bible with Dr. Tony Evans on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

I'm Cheryl McClellum, host of the Colcais Podcast, Zone 7. Join us every Wednesday to hear cases like the Long Island serial killer.

You show genuine interest and you can't fake it, but these guys can see right through to your soul. You have to be like, prepared. If you don't know your stuff, they're going to just call.

You out. Listen to Zone 7 with Cheryl McClellum on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

Hello, I'm Bishop TV, Jake, and I want to welcome you to my new podcast with pray. Com called Sleep Song. He is going to lay you down in green pastures and restoreyour soul, join me and let the Lord be your shepherd tonight. Listen to sleep songs with Bishop T. D. Jakes on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

Pray. Com's meditative prayers podcast is the best way to bring God's perfect peace into your night. Each meditative prayer helps you focus on God, fight anxiety, sleep better, and more.

As you close your eyes, ask God to come and have fellowship with you. Open yourself to the Holy Spirit and ask him to minister to you.

Listen to meditative prayers on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. Immersed herself in the most extraordinary narrative in history with Prae. Com's podcast, Stories of the Messiah with me, Rabbi Kurt Schneider. The light has been in the skies, revealing the agony of the Messiah's face. In that moment, people beheld the full weight of God's judgment, release onto his shoulders. Listen to story to the Messiah on iHeart Radio app, the Apple podcast app, or wherever you get your podcasts.