Beloved, when Paul says in Philippians 2 that Jesus “emptied Himself,” some have tried to argue that He emptied Himself of His deity. But the Scriptures won’t let you go there. John stands up in his Gospel and declares with thunderous clarity: “The Word became flesh.” That little baby in Mary’s lap was not a fragment of God, not a percentage of God, not a diluted version of God. He was—He is—100% God wrapped in 100% humanity.

That infant hand could have waved the universe out of existence. Those newborn lips could have spoken galaxies into collapse. His power was not diminished. His essence was not reduced. His deity was not surrendered.

So what did He empty Himself of?
Not His God‑nature, but His God‑privileges.
Not His deity, but His divine prerogatives.
He laid aside the visible blaze of His glory. He veiled His majesty beneath the garment of humanity. He chose humility over honor, service over splendor, obedience over outward display.

And at Christmas, we celebrate shepherds, angels, and wise men—and that’s beautiful. But hear me: that’s not how it should have been. He is the Lord of glory. The whole creation should have gathered. Every nation should have bowed. Every human being on earth should have been there to welcome the King.

People will cross oceans to attend the funeral of a political leader. They will travel continents to honor a dignitary. But when the Lord of glory stepped into time, wrapped Himself in flesh, and entered the world He Himself created—the world barely noticed.

Yet He did not demand the honor He deserved.
He did not summon the worship He could have claimed.
He laid aside His glory and walked among us in humility.

But don’t misunderstand—He didn’t lose His glory.
He only laid it down for a moment.
And now, having finished the work the Father gave Him, He is ready to return—
back to the glory that was always His, before the world ever was.

Each month, Elder Tolliver offers a spiritually encouraging book to help you in your walk with Christ for any size donation. Please go to biblicaltalks.com website to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com

This is a Spotlight on the Scriptures: John 13:3-5 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Heaven’s King stooped low. Jesus—the Son of God, the Lion of Judah, the Lord of Glory—wrapped a towel around his waist and got down on his knees. He washed the dust-covered feet of men who should’ve been washing his. Why? Because he didn’t come to be served—he came to serve (Mark 10:45). And now, that same spirit of servanthood? That same posture of humility? That same call to kneel before the needs of others? The Lord is calling you… me… us all to walk in it.

This is a Spotlight on the Scriptures 

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com

The infinite omnipotence of God, contrasting limited human technology and natural forces with the absolute power of the Creator. The text emphasizes that God’s might is not merely a characteristic he possesses but is the very essence of his divine nature and sovereign will. By examining various scriptural figures like Abraham, Jeremiah, and Mary, the author illustrates that nothing is impossible for a deity who created the universe from nothing. The message encourages believers to overcome doubt by yielding their hearts and waiting faithfully for God to act in their lives. Ultimately, the source serves as an exhortation to trust in a God who is able to save, heal, and deliver beyond all human expectation.

Each month, Elder Tolliver offers a spiritually encouraging book to help you in your walk with Christ for any size donation. Please go to biblicaltalks.com website to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com

Biblical Talks Encouraging Word for the Week, I am Rachel Tolliver, 

 “There are some problems you can’t laugh your way out of. You can’t study your way through. You can’t buy your way around. When the issue is incurable, untouchable, unfixable by human hands—you don’t need entertainment, education, or economics. You need an encounter with God!”  “James 5:13 says it plain: ‘Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.’ That means when the pain hits, don’t reach for a distraction—reach for divine connection. When the joy comes, don’t just celebrate—worship!”

 “Because prayer is not your last resort—it’s your first response. Praise is not your emotional overflow—it’s your spiritual warfare. When you’re hurting, heaven is listening. When you’re rejoicing, heaven is echoing. So stay in touch with God—because He’s the only one who can touch what nobody else can reach.”

For more encouraging, words please go to biblicaltalks.com or listen to biblical talks podcast on your favorite media app 

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com

Beloved, we’ve got to stand on God’s truth in a world that keeps moving the line.
Listen—this culture will shift, slide, bend, and blur every standard God has set.
But the people of God cannot afford to drift with the tide.

We must hold the line of holiness while the world keeps lowering the bar.
We must stay rooted when the world keeps redefining right and wrong.
We must stay anchored when the winds of compromise blow strong.

So I’m calling you—stand firm, saints.
Stand when others fold.
Stand when others fear.
Stand when others follow the crowd.

Because when the world moves the line,
God’s truth stays right where He put it.

Each month, Elder Tolliver offers a spiritually encouraging book to help you in your walk with Christ for any size donation. Please go to biblicaltalks.com website to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com

This is a Spotlight on the Scriptures: Luke 1:38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

When Gabriel showed up with heaven’s announcement, Mary didn’t have all the answers. She didn’t know the weight of the calling, the cost of the assignment, or the pain that would pierce her soul. But she said yes. She surrendered. She trusted God when the path wasn’t clear. And that kind of faith? That kind of obedience? That’s the kind we need today. Mary didn’t just carry the promise—she carried it with humility. She’s not just a mother of Jesus; she’s a model for us all.

This is a Spotlight on the Scriptures

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com

God’s wrath is not a flaw in His character; it is His necessary and righteous response to sin. We

may not enjoy thinking about divine wrath, but it is just as essential to who God is as His love,

His mercy, or His holiness. In fact, Scripture speaks more often about the wrath of God than the

love of God, because the Bible refuses to let us create a God who is soft on sin.

Hear me: God’s wrath flows from the very necessity of His nature. Because He is holy, He must

judge sin. Because He is righteous, He cannot overlook evil. Because He is just, He cannot

pretend rebellion does not exist. Judgment is not God losing His temper; judgment is God being

true to Himself.

And yet—don’t miss this—God takes no pleasure in the punishment of the wicked. His heart is

not eager to condemn; His heart is eager to save. But His goodness demands that sin be dealt

with, and His holiness demands that evil be answered.

So when we speak of God’s wrath, we are not speaking of a divine outburst. We are speaking of

the settled, necessary, righteous opposition of a holy God against everything that destroys His

creation and defies His glory.

Each month, Elder Tolliver offers a spiritually encouraging book to help you in your walk with Christ for any size donation. Please go to biblicaltalks.com website to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com

Biblical Talks Encouraging Word for the Week, I am Rachel Tolliver, 

When students step foot on that college campus, they get an orientation—a crash course on how to make the most of their education, how to manage their time, how to walk with purpose. But let me tell you something: if Mama and Daddy find out their child is spending more time at the party than in the classroom, they’re going to be hot! Why? Because college costs too much to waste time playing games. Tuition isn’t cheap, and parents didn’t break their backs for their child to major in foolishness!”

 “Now saints, if earthly parents get upset over wasted tuition, how much more do you think our heavenly Father feels when we waste the price He paid for our salvation? Jesus didn’t die so you could drift. He didn’t bleed so you could binge. He paid a high price—His own blood—so you could grow, so you could develop, so you could be discipled!” “Paul said it like this in 1 Corinthians 7:23: ‘God paid a great price for you. So don’t become slaves of anyone else.’ That means don’t let culture chain you. Don’t let sin own you. Don’t let distraction define you. You’ve been bought with a price—so walk like it, live like it, and grow like it!”

“This isn’t the time to play—it’s the time to pursue. Don’t waste the fire. Don’t squander the sacrifice. Jesus paid it all—so give Him your all!

For more encouraging, words please go to biblicaltalks.com or listen to biblical talks podcast on your favorite media app May 4

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com

The Christian on his knees can see farther than the philosopher on his tiptoes. Why? Because spiritual truth is never grasped by human brilliance—it is revealed to a spiritually prepared mind. The truths of God are foolishness to the carnal mind. They sound trivial, unnecessary, even offensive to a heart that has not been humbled.

The only way to understand spiritual truth is to yield to the Author of truth—the Holy Spirit.
Not by intellect.
Not by imagination.
Not by human reasoning.
But by surrender.

You don’t climb your way into revelation—you bow your way into it.
You don’t figure God out—you submit to Him.
You don’t master the Scriptures—the Spirit must master you.

And when the Spirit opens your eyes, the simplest saint sees farther than the sharpest skeptic.
Because truth is not discovered—it is revealed.
And revelation comes to the one who kneels

Each month, Elder Tolliver offers a spiritually encouraging book to help you in your walk with Christ for any size donation. Please go to biblicaltalks.com website to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com

This is a Spotlight on the Scriptures: Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 

Jesus—that name isn’t just a label, it’s a mission statement. It’s the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua, or Joshua, which means “The Lord saves.” And when the angel spoke to Joseph, he didn’t just give a name—he gave a revelation. “You shall call His name Jesus,” the angel said, “for He shall save His people from their sins.”

That name tells the whole story. It tells us why He came. Not to entertain. Not to impress. Not to build an empire. But to save. To rescue. To redeem. To snatch souls from the grip of hell and bring them into the arms of grace.

So every time you say “Jesus,” you’re declaring deliverance. You’re announcing salvation. You’re calling on the One who came down through forty-two generations, wrapped Himself in flesh, and walked into the world with heaven’s agenda on His shoulders.

Jesus—the Lord saves.

Not might save. Not could save. Not hopes to save. He shall save. That’s power. That’s promise. That’s purpose.

This is a Spotlight on the Scriptures 

Support the show

Have a blessed day, and thanks for listening! Visit my website to learn more at https://www.biblicaltalks.com