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In today's video, we're joined by Pastor Steve Clifford to talk about this concept and how it's played out in his own life. Steve talks about how “whatever happens” has been an anchoring concept for him as he's walked through loss and transition. He works not to manufacture shining, but to simply live with confidence that God is shaping his life. Operating this way is a daily choice to trust that God is present. Together, we can do the same by acknowledging our life's goodness isn't determined by our circumstances… but by the One we serve. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

In today's devo, John talks about Jerry Hawthorne, a beloved teacher and mentor, and how he described Paul's teaching on joy as more than a mood; it is a worldview. True joy is not about forcing a smile or pretending everything is fine. It is a peace-filled posture toward life that accepts both hardship and blessing with trust in God's presence. This joy stands as “defiant nevertheless,” an attitude that refuses to let sorrow, fear, or loss have the final word.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

The way of reconciliation is one Jesus exemplified in his life and love. In today's devo, John talks about a story of feuding families in Ireland who literally “chanced their arm” through a cathedral door as a picture of the courage it takes to risk vulnerability for the sake of peace. Reconciliation is not about proving who is right or wrong, it's about remembering the shared humanity of the other person and choosing love over pride.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

In today's devo John talks about how this shift in perception is at the core of the Good Samaritan story. Two religious leaders saw a problem when they looked at a man beaten by robbers, but the Samaritan saw a person in need. He thought differently, felt compassion, and acted with mercy. Today, we are invited to “put on new glasses,” not artificial intelligence but Heavenly intelligence. By asking God to help us see others as He does, we can shine as lights in a world that desperately needs His love.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

The way of Jesus is the way of service. Chasing status is a hollow pursuit that Jesus turned on it's head. Though equal with God, Jesus took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2). He invites us to follow this same course of service, shining not by demanding to be seen but by giving ourselves away in love. To “shine like stars” is not about fame, wealth, or applause; it is about reflecting the humble, sacrificial light of Christ in our daily lives.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Today, John asks two simple but life-shaping questions: What am I learning? and What am I teaching? We often think of learning as classes, books, and information, but the most important learning is about how to live: how to love, how to know Christ, how to shine in the ordinary moments of our day.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Today is our day to shine, and where better to shine than the world of politics? John is joined in today's video by Michael Wear. He's the CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life and author of The Spirit of Our Politics. In this conversation, Michael reminds us that politics isn't just a stage where others act and we observe; in a democracy, we are participants. When people of faith treat politics like a place where ‘shining' doesn't apply, Michael suggests, we leave behind an opening for darkness that quickly fills the space. The thing about hate and contempt is that the moment we think we're using them, they're using us.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

What does the Bible actually say about the Antichrist, Armageddon, and the end times? In this episode, John Ortberg clears away the clutter of speculation—like presidential “666” theories, modern rapture charts, or end-times guessing games—and returns us to the words of Scripture itself. Drawing from 1 John, Revelation, and the prophets, John shows how terms like “Antichrist” and “tribulation” were meant for real people facing real suffering, not just future predictions. Along the way, you'll hear insights from Bruce Metzger's Breaking the Code and Dallas Willard's vision of our eternal destiny—not endless bureaucracy, but creative life with Christ. Instead of fear, we're invited into faithfulness, hope, and love, living today as people of God's kingdom while looking forward to the day when all is made new.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

John addresses a surge of rapture predictions (Sept 23rd) and reminds us the word “rapture” never appears in the Bible. He traces failed predictions from Millerites in 1844 to Harold Camping in 2011, showing how speculation damages faith. Revelation, he explains, was not written as a secret code for our timeline but as pastoral encouragement for persecuted believers. Babylon symbolized Rome, 666 symbolized unfaithfulness, and the central message is endurance and hope: God is redeeming creation, not abandoning it. The call is not to predict dates but to trust Christ and live faithfully in anxious times.00:00 — Did The Predicted Rapture On September 23 Really Happen?00:27 — Why Do People Keep Predicting The End Of The World?01:11 — What Should Christians Believe About The Rapture?03:01 — What Does 1 Thessalonians 4 Really Teach About The End Times?06:25 — How Should Christians Read The Book Of Revelation?09:34 — What Do Babylon And 666 Actually Mean In Revelation?11:54 — What Are The Main Christian Views On The Millennium?14:05 — What Does The Mark of the Beast Really Mean?16:00 — How Revelation Predicted Rome's Fall And Babylon's Ongoing Power20:49 — What Romans 8 Teaches About Creation, Hope, And RedemptionBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Paul says to shine, we need joy… so joy is what we study today. Paul wrote to the Philippians from the grimmest of circumstances - in jail, facing death, brutally beaten, and yet his letter was filled with calls to rejoice. How could that be? Paul seems to have figured out the secret that joy isn't rooted in success or control. It's grounded in something much deeper: that Christ has risen and death itself has been defeated.00:00 — What do I actually know to be true?00:28 — Why science can't tell you what matters most01:16 — Paul's command in Philippians 3:16 explained01:38 — Reflecting honestly: what do I know?02:06 — Truth #1: It is good to be alive03:17 — Why life is a gift worth celebrating05:25 — Gratitude: letting “good to be alive” shape your day06:10 — Truth #2: I ought to pursue the good07:15 — Truth #3: Why despair is always wrong08:34 — Truth #4: I need help (12 steps and prayer)09:26 — Truth #5: People are immensely valuable10:32 — Paul's invitation: live up to what you already knowBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Paul tells the Philippians: “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” John takes this personally and asks: “What do I actually know to be true?” He names five convictions — life is good, I ought to pursue the good, despair is wrong, I need help, and people are immensely valuable. These aren't abstract doctrines but lived truths that can guide each moment. To shine is to be activated by what you know, not paralyzed by what you don't.00:00 — What do I actually know to be true?00:28 — Why science can't tell you what matters most01:16 — Paul's command in Philippians 3:16 explained01:38 — Reflecting honestly: what do I know?02:06 — Truth #1: It is good to be alive03:17 — Why life is a gift worth celebrating05:25 — Gratitude: letting “good to be alive” shape your day06:10 — Truth #2: I ought to pursue the good07:15 — Truth #3: Why despair is always wrong08:34 — Truth #4: I need help (12 steps and prayer)09:26 — Truth #5: People are immensely valuable10:32 — Paul's invitation: live up to what you already knowBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Rest in this truth today: We don't actually need to know any more than we know right now to have a good day. That's the concept John covers in today's video, along with some wisdom about how to read your Bible in such a way that will change your life.00:00 — Two truths that bring freedom today00:21 — Why you don't need more knowledge to live well01:04 — What Paul means by “not attained yet” in Philippians 301:50 — Why thinking you've arrived is spiritual danger03:48 — How Dallas Willard Read the Bible (Ontology)04:24 — Reality is what you can count on06:53 — Why pain is what happens when we run into reality07:57 — What truths you can always count on08:19 — Psalm 23: the most real world is God's world09:25 — A Story about Dallas' calm presence10:34 — How to live present to God anywhere, anytimeBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Today, we're talking about the rule of forgetfulness. Paul had a few words to say on the matter. In Philippians 3, he says he presses on, “forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” That's spiritual forgetting. Paul wasn't a proponent of amnesia or repression or wishful thinking, but rather a disciplined letting go that makes room for healing and growth. That's what we can choose to take part in, too. 00:00 — What is the art of spiritual forgetting?00:35 — Why forgetting is one of the mind's great successes01:24 — What Paul says about forgetting in Philippians 302:12 — Why spiritual life is about progress, not perfection03:40 — What is the “one thing” life is about?05:22 — The three benefits of forgetting: healing, clarity, creativity06:54 — Forgetting wrongs and achievements that paralyze us07:24 — The Ted Lasso goldfish lesson on memory08:39 — Why forgetting is not repression or denial09:57 — How to practice biblical forgetting by pressing on10:30 — Miroslav Volf: why forgetting is “not coming to mind”11:59 — Punch ignore: how to stop being tormented by the past12:47 — What guilt or hurt do you need to release today?Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

In Philippians the word “Knowing” takes on a new meaning. Paul uses the word to distinguish the collection of facts from intimate understanding. What Paul calls “knowing Christ” isn't merely theology to be recited; it's participation: sharing in his life, teachings, sufferings, and resurrection. When we put the gleam of résumé-building accomplishments beside the surpassing worth of this present, personal relationship with Jesus, the choice becomes clear: let go of what inflates pride so we can be shaped by his life.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Today's reflection comes out of a rich conversation with friends (John, Jim, Alyssa, and Kevin) where they interact honestly with Paul's words in Philippians 3. Paul once carried a “resume” filled with achievements, education, and status. But after meeting Jesus, he called all those accomplishments *scubala (*garbage) compared to knowing Christ. That shift was not about denying his abilities but recognizing they could never define his worth or bring him fulfillment.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

We all carry an invisible resume, trying to prove our worth through titles, accomplishments, or image. Paul names his old resume — circumcision, tribe of Benjamin, Pharisee, zeal — then calls it all loss compared to Christ. John shares his own “impressive-itis” and failures, then draws from Henri Nouwen and John Wesley's line “I submitted to be more vile” to show the new resume: weakness, humility, and love. To shine is to let go of self-promotion and live from God's love.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Shining for Jesus is like burning, it gives off light but not without pain. Paul tells the Philippians that Epaphroditus (his brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier) nearly lost his life serving the cause of Christ. This was not a story of calm detachment or stoic control. Instead, Paul openly describes homesickness, distress, grief, and anxiety. Real love is messy, and real relationships are risky. Yet, it is in that risk, not in protecting ourselves, that we understand more about God.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Life is deep, complex, and beautiful. In many ways life has a way of giving us more depth, complexity and beauty if we let it. But it's important to remember that becoming deep is not about pretending to be better or wiser than we are. Paul wrote about this to the Philippians, where he reminded them that Jesus showed the way—humbling himself, becoming a servant, and pouring himself out for others. To follow Jesus means turning from shallow living, where vanity and ego dominate, toward a life that reflects self-giving love.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Safe places and safe people are a good thing… but there's something even better. John brings today's teaching from Ireland, and fittingly so, our learnings are inspired by Saint Patrick. As a teenager, Patrick was kidnapped, enslaved, and suffered greatly. In the middle of his suffering, though, he discovered God's presence. Patrick wrote that he would pray constantly during the daylight hours. He described that sometimes in a day, he would say as many as a hundred prayers, and at night nearly as many again. His faith continually grew.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Today, we grieve. We pause. We remember. We mourn. And we cling to the hope of Jesus that transcends all.Join John and Become New in this short video for some thoughts on Charlie Kirk's assassination, remembering September 11th, and reckoning with darkness. As a community, we are praying for our nation and for God to bring comfort, peace, and healing.

One of the most famously quoted verses in the Bible comes from Paul: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It's not only often quoted, it's arguably even more commonly misunderstood. Today, Laura Ortberg Turner joins us with John to unpack what Paul truly meant with these words.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Paul calls the Philippians to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” for God is already at work within them. The life that shines is not grumbling or self-promoting but open to God's Spirit. John contrasts grumbling vs. groaning, shows how Moses' radiant face came from being with God, and ends with the blessing: “The Lord make His face shine upon you.” To shine is to live from God's shining face turned toward us.00:00 — What does it mean to shine with inner light?00:32 — Why some people radiate joy and gratitude01:45 — How Philippians 2 explains shining02:17 — What does “work out your salvation” mean?03:00 — Is spiritual life a motorboat, raft, or sailboat?04:03 — What does “fear and trembling” really mean?05:13 — Do everything without grumbling06:14 — What's the difference between grumbling and groaning?07:25 — Why groaning invites God but grumbling shuts Him out08:18 — Shine like stars in a dark world09:12 — How Moses' face shone after meeting God11:15 — What it means that God's face shines on you13:02 — Today is your day to shineBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Philippians 2 is called the “hinge of history.” Jesus, though in very nature God, humbled Himself to death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him, giving Him the name above every name. John calls this the greatest strategy for life: double down on the cross. True greatness and true life flow from self-giving love, and the simple but ultimate confession: Jesus Christ is Lord.00:00 — What is the greatest strategy for life?00:22 — What is the most important phrase Christians can say?01:16 — Philippians 2: the oldest words about Jesus01:57 — Jesus humbled Himself to death on a cross02:31 — Why “as a consequence, therefore” matters03:17 — The hinge of history explained04:03 — Why humility always leads to exaltation05:06 — What does it mean to double down on the cross?06:33 — What name is above every name?07:19 — Why “Jesus Christ is Lord” seemed ludicrous then08:19 — Why Jesus, not Caesar, defines history09:25 — How calendars themselves point to Christ10:23 — Why love, not power, defines reality11:05 — What it means to double down in daily life11:55 — How to shine by serving othersBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Jesus, though in very nature God, did not cling to privilege but poured Himself out, becoming a servant. Paul lived this by refusing to claim his Roman citizenship until after suffering in prison, choosing solidarity with the powerless. Greatness in God's kingdom is not about grasping but giving, not about climbing status ladders but coming down them. The “great inversion” is joyfully using gifts and privilege for others, not yourself.00:00 — What does Philippians 2 teach about privilege?00:28 — Did Jesus give up His privilege?01:16 — Paul in Philippi: the backstory02:35 — Why did Paul wait to claim Roman citizenship?03:29 — How Roman society defined status and rank04:26 — Who were the elites, citizens, and slaves?05:46 — Why gold rings and togas signaled privilege06:58 — How laws reinforced status in Rome08:19 — Jesus' great inversion: down, not up09:03 — Why washing feet was shocking in Israel10:00 — Paul chooses to suffer with the powerless11:08 — How the church became a community of equals12:03 — Give till it pinches: Lewis on generosity12:24 — Why God has a thing for servers13:00 — What the great inversion means for us todayBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

We all long for greatness, but Jesus redefines it. In Philippians 2, Paul quotes one of the oldest hymns about Christ: though He was in very nature God, He poured Himself out, became a servant, and humbled Himself to death on a cross. Greatness is not climbing the ladder of success — it's coming down the ladder in self-giving love. This reveals God's true nature: to serve, not to grasp.00:00 — What does Philippians 2 teach about greatness?00:20 — Why we all want to be winners01:10 — The problem with the ladder of success01:40 — How Jesus redefined greatness02:15 — The oldest hymn about Christ in the New Testament03:11 — “Being in very nature God” explained05:54 — What does it mean that Jesus emptied Himself?07:30 — The very nature of God is to serve08:32 — Jesus revealed God by becoming a servant10:14 — Why the way of Jesus is down, not up11:20 — How to have the same mindset as Christ12:00 — Why Jesus changed the world through humilityBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

The light we have to shine comes from God. We are like the moon; our radiance comes from another source. In Philippians 2, Paul says that we are given gifts like encouragement in Christ, comfort from His love, fellowship with the Spirit, and tenderness and compassion. These qualities reflect who God is, given to us to know how to live, act, and love. Just as Jesus glowed with light on the Mount of Transfiguration, we too are invited to carry his presence into our daily relationships.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

“This is our day to shine.” Not tomorrow, not in easier circumstances, not when life finally evens out. Today. But the temptation is to believe that it would be easier to shine if life was a bit easier. Paul talks about that temptation in Philippians 1:27: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Whatever happens (good or bad, easy or hard, expected or surprising) Paul is saying that shining in the light of Christ is not about the absence of pain. It is about the presence of meaning.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Paul's words — “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain” — confront us with life's deepest questions. But what if we struggle to believe? Through C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, George MacDonald, and others, we see that even when certainty wavers, we can choose to live as if the gospel is true. Faith is not just mental assent; it's the decision to live a life worth following, even amid doubt and darkness.00:00 — What does “to live is Christ, to die is gain” mean?01:05 — Why is it harder today to believe in life after death?01:36 — What do we really know about what happens after death?02:24 — C.S. Lewis on doubt and faith in The Silver Chair03:36 — Is the Christian story just a fairy tale?04:25 — Puddleglum's answer: why I choose faith anyway06:05 — Tolkien, courage, and fighting on the losing side07:06 — George MacDonald: why I would live my life believing08:24 — Would you still follow Jesus even if you doubted?09:28 — Why living as if Christ is true is the only way worth living10:24 — How to keep going with faith through grief, doubt, and lossBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team

Today we continue our series, Shine, as we explore the book of Philippians and understand how to stand out as the light of Jesus in our daily lives. Let's start the week with some good (but not always easy) news: your circumstances do not have to determine your perspective. As we continue through Philippians this lesson is a consistent theme.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamWEBSITE: BecomeNew.comPODCAST: https://becomenew.buzzsprout.comSOCIAL MEDIA:

As we kick off today's episode of Shine, consider this question: Who is the most difficult person in your life right now? A family member? Maybe a coworker or a friend? Paul knew people like that, too. In Philippians 1, he talks about brothers and sisters in Christ who were trying to cause trouble for him while he was in prison. Paul says that some were operating out of love, but some were motivated by selfish ambition. His response to this is remarkable. Translated from the Greek, he uses two little words: “So what?” The motives of others didn't derail the direction of his life. The gospel was still being advanced.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamWEBSITE: BecomeNew.comPODCAST: https://becomenew.buzzsprout.comSOCIAL MEDIA:

This is your day to shine. The only thing is… (tough news incoming) shining won't be in your ideal situation. Shining means right now, right where you are, right in the middle of your current circumstances. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamWEBSITE: BecomeNew.comPODCAST: https://becomenew.buzzsprout.comSOCIAL MEDIA:

Very often, we plan about the things in our lives, but it's not often that we plan the person we will become. Today, as we continue through Shine, we're asking these questions: What are your spiritual goals? Who would you like to become today? Keep those in your back pocket as we dive into our teaching. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamWEBSITE: BecomeNew.comPODCAST: https://becomenew.buzzsprout.comSOCIAL MEDIA:

When should we be confident? That's what we're studying today as we look at Paul's teachings to the church of Corinth. The world often lives by self-confidence. Do we have it all together? Are we successful? Are we winning? But Paul was confident in a different way. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamWEBSITE: BecomeNew.comPODCAST: https://becomenew.buzzsprout.comSOCIAL MEDIA:

We greet you in the name of a brand-new series, Shine! Throughout the next many weeks, John Ortberg will walk us through Paul's letter to the Philippians, and here's our kick-off thought: God can be found even in our greetings to others. Through something as simple as how we greet someone, we can demonstrate the love of Christ.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.TEXT US at 855-888-0444EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.comGET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribeGET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our teamWEBSITE: BecomeNew.comPODCAST: https://becomenew.buzzsprout.comSOCIAL MEDIA:

Episode: Forgiving YourselfSeries: PASSAGE TO WISDOMBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Episode: Idiot Lights for the SoulSeries: BECOME NEWBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Episode: Ambition EditionSeries: MADE TO COUNTBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Episode: Humility 1; Hubris 0Series: BECOME NEWBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Episode: FollowSeries: MADE TO COUNTBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Episode: Overcoming Your "Limiting Belief"Series: HABITBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Episode: Wax On, Wax OffSeries: IN THE BEGINNINGBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Episode: Angry Thoughts, Second ThoughtsSeries: SECOND THOUGHTSBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Episode: A Problem and a PurposeSeries: IN THE BEGINNINGBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Episode: Pass the ZestSeries: CHARACTERBecome New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Our devices promise constant connection, but too often, they leave us isolated, anxious, and spiritually numb. When we lose signal or misplace a phone, we feel unmoored, unable to navigate, communicate, or find joy. That's the invitation at the heart of today's reflection: to ask, Am I truly connected? Not to Wi-Fi, but to God, to my values, to the people I love. Technology can serve connection, but it cannot substitute for it. We were made for something deeper.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Life's greatest lessons often come from unexpected places. In today's devo, John tells a story of a little boy in a developing village who hears about tithing for the first time. After giving a single fish to his teacher, he responds to the question “Where are the other nine?” with something unforgettable: “Oh, they're still in the river. I'm going to go catch them now.” That is how faith responds. It's a childlike confidence that God's provision isn't scarce or hidden, but abundant, always flowing like a river.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

When was the last time you were genuinely wowed? With all the content we consume on the daily it's getting more and more difficult to find these moments of amazement. But the truth is that we were made to be astonished. Whenever we neglect that part of who we are our souls shrink a little. Psychologist Jonathan Haidt observes that screen addiction damages our capacity for transcendence. His research and others' affirm what the Bible has been talking about for millennia: the heavens are telling the glory of God. Awe is a gateway to God. It reminds us of our smallness and God's grandeur.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

We learn through imitation. This is why we have role models and icons. Those who have gone before us and shown us what's possible. Whether we know it or not, we are followers first. The Apostle John talks about this in 3 John, where he writes, “Do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” In other words, you will imitate what you watch, so watch wisely. From spiritual mentors to social media influencers, the people and patterns we imitate form our character and ultimately how we make our way in the word.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Today's We Should Get Out More brings us to this phrase, straight from Dallas Willard: Bless what you dread. We were blessed by God and we are made to be a blessing. For fun and to put this into perspective, we're taking a lesson from the Hokey Pokey song and applying it to blessing others: you put your whole self in. (Sing it with us: You put your right foot in, take your right foot out…) To truly bless is to do so intentionally and with your whole heart and spirit. The very act of blessing is something we see in the Bible from the beginning of time. God creates, God gives, God adds value. He blesses the trees and the seas and the sky and the earth. The world exists to be blessed, and you were made to be a blessing.Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.

Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.