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Serenity Life Motivations with Monica BlackwellThere are seasons you didn't survive because you were strong. You survived because you were carried.In this February 2026 episode of Serenity Life Motivations, we come together to reflect on renewal, resilience, and recognizing the quiet grace that sustained you when your own strength ran low. Through lived moments — a late-night drive filled with uncertainty and a powerful conversation with a woman fighting for her life — this episode explores what it means to be supported, sustained, and strengthened beyond explanation.Scripture reminds us:“Underneath are the everlasting arms.” — Deuteronomy 33:27“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.” — Psalm 55:22This episode invites thoughtful reflection:• Where were you carried when you thought you were walking alone?• What did not happen in your life that later revealed itself as protection?• How might gratitude, rather than urgency, shape your next decisions?As we move through a season associated with love and renewal, Remember the Carry encourages you to honor the seasons that shaped you and move forward with awareness, humility, and strength.Welcome to Serenity Life Motivations. I'm Monica, and I'm honored you're here on this inward journey of connection, healing, and positivity. Whether returning or new, your presence matters and your time is appreciated.This space is dedicated to uplifting conversations, spiritual growth, purposeful living, and cultivating inner peace. Each episode helps you step out of overthinking and into alignment with what is loving, grounded, and true.New episodes drop monthly.Show notes and additional content:https://serenitylifemotivationswmonicablackwell.wordpress.com/Blackwell's Mobile Notary & Wedding Officiant — Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serenity-life-motivations-w-monica-blackwell/id1548394011Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/6dLSoFIOmdOOYANiFD5yKiGoogle Podcastshttps://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80NmVjMzQ0OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==Leave a voice message or support on Anchorhttps://anchor.fm/serenitylifembEpisode reference:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/serenitylifemb/episodes/S1E27-Unveiling-Tranquility-e2dp3emPlease subscribe, rate, and leave a review — your support helps us reach more hearts.Instagram: @serenity_lifembFacebook: Serenity Life Motivations w/ Monica Become part of the family and stay updated on new releases.We are grateful for listeners in Indonesia, South Africa, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Welcome to the Serenity Life community.If this podcast encourages you, share it with someone who may need hope or inspiration. We are all facing something. We are all growing through something. Your sharing can make a difference.We are a community devoted to spiritual growth, prosperity, and living a life of purpose. Thank you for being part of this village.We love you — and God loves you even more. Come grow with us.CashApp: $MBmobilenotaryVenmo: @Monica-Blackwell-8Donations of any amount are appreciated.Background music and sound effects courtesy of Pixabay.com.“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” — Dalai Lama#peaceofmind #tranquility #innerpeace #podcastlife #monicablackwell

The first message in our 'Return Of The King ' series. Revelation 3:19-22This message was recorded during our Sunday morning gathering.We are a warm and friendly church and you are very welcome to join us. Find us at www. riverviewchurch.uk

This episode was taken from our Wednesday Noon Bible Study (NBS) at First Christian Church of Lubbock on January 28, 2026. In this episode, Pastor Paul Carpenter teaches on Revelation 3:14-22This is First Christian Church Lubbock, where we exist to share the Gospel and edify the church through bible-based teachings and content. Follow us on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or your favorite podcasting platform!

Text: John 2:13-22This sermon is part of our current series: John: Life in His NameWe are continuing our series on the book of John.Recorded live at Bethany Bible Church on: Nov 23, 2025Bethany Radio is a production of Bethany Bible Church in LeRoy, MN.More content and info is available on our website: bethanybibleleroy.com 2025 — Bethany Radio

reference: Sri Aurobindo, Bases of Yoga, Chapter 2, Faith — Aspiration — Surrender, pg. 22This episode is also available as a blog post at https://sriaurobindostudies.wordpress.com/2025/10/16/the-complete-dedication-and-consecration-required-by-the-integral-yoga/Video presentations, interviews and podcast episodes are allavailable on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@santoshkrinsky871More information about Sri Aurobindo can be found at www.aurobindo.net  The US editions and links to e-book editions of SriAurobindo's writings can be found at Lotus Press www.lotuspress.com

Monday Sermon ReplayThe Redeemer's RewardRuth 4:1–22This week's message takes us into the closing chapter of Ruth, where Boaz redeems Ruth and Naomi at the city gate. His act of redemption is about more than property as it restores family, hope, and legacy. From this union comes Obed, the grandfather of King David, reminding us that God often works through the unexpected to carry out His purposes.The sermon connects Ruth's story to the coming of Christ, showing how redemption turns pain and brokenness into beauty and meaning. Much like the art of kintsugi, where cracked pottery is mended with gold, God weaves our scars into His greater story of salvation.Take time to revisit this powerful reminder that in Christ, every broken piece can be made whole.#UnionChurchGuatemala⁠ ⁠#UCG⁠ ⁠#UCGFamily⁠ ⁠#SoliDeoGloria⁠ ⁠#SundaySermon⁠ ⁠#InternationalChurch⁠ ⁠#Guatemala

7For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,2and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.3He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. 4See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!5And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers,[a]though these also are descended from Abraham.6But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.7It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.8In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.9One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham,10for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. Jesus Compared to Melchizedek 11Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?12For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.13For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.14For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,16who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.17For it is witnessed of him, You are a priest forever,after the order of Melchizedek. 18For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness19(for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,21but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: The Lord has swornand will not change his mind,You are a priest forever. 22This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,24but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[b]those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.27He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.28For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Read Online“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Matthew 19:21–22This is the conclusion to the conversation that Jesus had with a rich young man who came to Him and asked, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus went on to tell him to keep the commandments. The young man said he has done so from his youth and wanted to know what else he could do. So Jesus answered his question. But the answer was more than the young man could accept.“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Do you want to be perfect? If so, then Jesus has set a high bar for such a goal. It seems that many followers of Christ are okay with simply being okay. In other words, it seems that it is rare to find a person who is wholeheartedly committed to perfection. Many may have good intentions, but it seems that there are few who fully commit themselves to all it takes to truly obtain the perfection to which we are all called. It's interesting to note that Jesus' initial response to this rich young man explained the requirements for entering eternal life, that is, the minimal requirement for obtaining Heaven. Simply put, Jesus said that if you refrain from serious sin by keeping the commandments, then you will inherit eternal life. Of course, that also presumes that you have the gift of faith and are thus open to the gift of salvation. So is that what you are content with? Are you satisfied with doing the minimum it takes to get to Heaven?The idea of perfection can appear to be beyond us. Too often we can think, “I'm only human.” But as a human who is called by God, we are invited to work toward the obtainable goal of greater holiness. Though we will always fall short, we must strive to become as holy as we can, holding nothing back.Though the invitation given to this young man to “go, sell what you have and give to the poor” is not a requirement that our Lord places on everyone, He does call some to do this literally. But for everyone else, the invitation still remains—but in a spiritual sense rather than a literal sense. This is the spiritual call to interior poverty of spirit. Everyone of us is called to be interiorly detached from the things of this world in a complete way, even though we retain our possessions. We must have as our single possession the love of God and the service of His will. This depth of spiritual detachment means that God and His holy will is all we desire in life. And if He ever were to call us to literally give everything up, we would do it without hesitation. And though that may seem extreme, it is, in fact, exactly what will benefit us the most. It is the only way to become fully human and fully the person we were meant to be. And the end reward is not only the attainment of Heaven but an incomprehensible amount of glory in Heaven. The holier we become here on earth, the greater will our eternal reward be in Heaven. Do not hesitate to do all you can to build up that treasure that will be with you forever.Reflect, today, upon the high calling to perfection given to you by God. Ask yourself in a very sincere way whether or not you are simply okay with being okay or if you want so much more. Do you want the greatest riches in Heaven? Do you want your eternity to be one in which the spiritual treasures you build up now are with you forever? Do not hesitate to accept this high calling from Jesus. Allow His invitation to this rich young man to echo within your heart as His personal invitation to you, also. Say “Yes” to Him and know that you will be eternally grateful you did. My loving Lord, You invited the rich young man to strive for perfection. You also invite me and all Your children to this holy and high calling. Give me the grace I need to detach from all that hinders this goal so that I can make You and Your holy will the central and only goal of my life. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Nheyob, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

In this episode, I pull no punches. We're living in a world obsessed with fake beauty and plastic solutions — and it's killing us. From the pride and vanity of Botox injections to the reckless craze for Ozempic, people are willing to poison themselves in the name of looking good. And now? They're dying like flies.This isn't just about health — it's about idolatry, vanity, and how the world has replaced truth with deception. What does the Bible say about pride, unnatural living, and trusting man instead of God?“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools…” – Romans 1:22This is more than a warning. It's a wake-up call.Fake. Plastic. Poison. Don't take the bite.Melchizedek Chronicles Truth Seekers Ministries by Kenny WilliamsonIf you are considering donating to Truth Seekers Ministries, please understand that your contribution is a 'gift' and is not tax deductible. As a non-501c3 organization, we rely on the generosity of individuals like you to cover the costs of producing more Podcasts and paying the hosting fees, which are crucial for us to continue sharing the truth.All of our materials are Copyright-free, and WE ARE NOT MONETIZED. Our main desire is, and has always been, to show people the truth according to God's Holy word, the King James Version. We now have t-shirts for sale on our website if you want to support us by purchasing some merch. Please note that this is not a commercial venture but a way for you to show your support for our cause.https://patreon.com/MelchizedekChronicleshttps://tithe.ly/give?c=6960112Itsflatbro.comtruthseekersministry.orgkennywilliamson.com truthseekers2012@gmail.comHello. My name is Kenny Williamson. I am a Christian and a King James Bible-only believer. My focus is on getting the truth to those who seek it. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thanks, Kenny

Mama, being a mom is full of comparison and self-doubt-but don't let the enemy catch you in his snare! You are a child of God and you have the ability to overcome!"Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is going to betray you?') When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?' Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.'” John 21:20-22This devotional is from our book, The Wise Woman Enjoys.

In this powerful episode of Empower Connect Conversations, we're shifting the way you approach the Word of God. Reading the Bible isn't about checking off a spiritual to-do list — it's about allowing the Word to read you.Minister Carolyn McClain invites you to slow down, grab your journal, and open your heart as she explores the difference between passive reading and transformational reading. With scripture, real-life reflection, and five practical tools, this episode will challenge you to stop skimming and start soaking in God's truth.You'll learn:Why the Bible is living and active (Hebrews 4:12)How to invite the Holy Spirit into your study timeWhat it means to read with your heart, not just your eyesThe power of obedience after revelationHow transformational reading leads to inner healingIf you've been reading the Bible but still feeling stuck, this episode is your invitation to change — not just your reading habits, but your life.Key Scripture References:Hebrews 4:12James 1:22This week, open your Bible and ask:“Lord, what do You want to transform in me today?”Then sit still until He answers.Tune in now and let the Word do the work it was meant to do in you.#EmpowerConnectConversations #TransformationalReading #FaithTools #BibleStudy #SpiritualGrowth #HeartShift #ReadToBeChanged

To Be Like Him | He Taught Them | Mark 2:13-22This year, we're studying the gospels as one harmonious story in order to see the glory of God as revealed through them with the clearest picture of God in the person of Jesus painted for us and “To Be Like Him.”In today's sermon, CORF Discipleship Pastor Joanne DiLeo discuss the relationship to which Jesus invited His disciples as He taught them.

Today's Scripture: Ephesians 2:14-22This world's a mess. When someone talks about new humanity here and now, it seems so unbelievable.Jesus wants more for you than what you think is possible. Do you want more? Then stop drawing your conclusions based on the sin, death and distractions of the world. Instead, explore what Jesus made available to us.

Leviticus 16:1-22This message was a three part message recorded during a Good Friday Reflection.We are a warm and friendly church and you are very welcome to join us. Find us at www. riverviewchurch.uk

What does it mean to be fruitful, and how do we do live fruitful lives? Gavin Bennett, Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Bridgetown Church, talks about the theme of fruitfulness throughout the Gospels, challenging us to steward our entire lives as gifts from God – even the areas that we feel aren't worth stewarding. Key Scripture Passages: Matthew 25v 14-30, Matthew 21v18-22This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Scott from Reading, Massachusetts; Rachel from Richardson, Texas; Brandon from Peoria, Illinois; Joanne from Lebanon, Ohio; and Mallory from Peoria, Arizona. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Throwback Thursday! Do You Have Meeting Goals? featuring Dr. Thomas Van SoelenOriginally Released On: 10-21-22This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode:✅ Dr. Van Soelen discusses why schools chronically experience poorly-facilitated meetings.✅ Dr. Van Soelen shares strategies to effectively and efficiently use time wisely when meeting.Whether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.

We are back with Ajai Chowdhry as he launches his latest book, 'Just Aspire', a thought-provoking account of his entrepreneurial journey and insights on technology, innovation, and the future. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of HCL's rise to success, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a global IT leader. Join us as we explore HCL's pioneering achievements, its impact on Indian computing, and Ajai Chowdhry's vision for the future of technology in India.Resource list - Just Aspire by Ajai Chowdry - https://amzn.in/d/2c7uXE7 The HCL story - https://hcl.com/hcl-story/ HCL's first computer - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/story-hcl-8c-first-personal-computer-india-rama-ayyar?utm_source=share&utm_medium=guest_desktop&utm_campaign=copy What is Unix? - https://www.hpc.iastate.edu/guides/unix-introduction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix HCL's collaboration with Nokia - https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2018/06/21/nokia-signs-five-year-global-it-infrastructure-and-application-services-deal-with-hcl-technologies/#:~:text=%22This%20expansion%20of%20the%20HCL,of%20key%20IT%20systems%20&%20processes.&text=We%20create%20the%20technology%20to,of%20products%2C%20services%20and%20licensing.  https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/how-hcl-nokia-partnership-made-mobile-phones-affordable-for-indians-in-the-1990s/1517817/ 

"What would you do if you weren't afraid?" John Mark delves into the idea that true peace is more than the absence of conflict—it is a profound inner state offered as a gift from God. He encourages listeners to cultivate this peace of heart as a vital part of their discipleship and witness in a world filled with fear and anxiety. Key Scripture Passage: John 20v19-22This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: John from Chapin, South Carolina; Corey from Hixson, Tennessee; Dalton from Liberty, Kentucky; Nick from San Antonio, Texas; and Rhonda from San Jose, California. Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

Text: 1 Samuel 24:1-22This sermon is part of our current series: Not by MightRecorded live at Bethany Bible Church on: January 26 2025Bethany Radio is a production of Bethany Bible Church in LeRoy, MN.More content and info is available on our website: bethanybibleleroy.com 2024 — Bethany Radio

No Agenda Episode 1731 - "Cyber Timebombs" "Cyber Timebombs" Executive Producers: Zaryn Dentzel Sir 'Imp'erfect - sirlibre.com/lightning-thrashes Skylar Firestone Sir Nick Sir Kevin Dills Gavin and Caitlynne McMahan Dame Sandcat Associate Executive Producers: Kurt K. Elon Musk Eli the Coffee Guy Linda Lu Duchess of jobs and writer resumes Darin Kirby Become a member of the 1732 Club, support the show here Boost us with with Podcasting 2.0 Certified apps: Podverse - Podfriend - Breez - Sphinx - Podstation - Curiocaster - Fountain Knights & Dames Art By: KorrektDaRekard End of Show Mixes: Lee O LaPuke - Clip Custodian Neal Jones - Secret Agent Paul Engineering, Stream Management & Wizardry Mark van Dijk - Systems Master Ryan Bemrose - Program Director Back Office Jae Dvorak Chapters: Dreb Scott Clip Custodian: Neal Jones Clip Collectors: Steve Jones & Dave Ackerman NEW: and soon on Netflix: Animated No Agenda Sign Up for the newsletter No Agenda Peerage ShowNotes Archive of links and Assets (clips etc) 1731.noagendanotes.com Directory Archive of Shownotes (includes all audio and video assets used) archive.noagendanotes.com RSS Podcast Feed Full Summaries in PDF No Agenda Lite in opus format Last Modified 01/19/2025 16:58:22This page created with the FreedomController Last Modified 01/19/2025 16:58:22 by Freedom Controller

Throwback Thursday! Title: Episode #46_Teaming for Well-Being - A Whole New Type Of Leadership featuring Jen BaldwinOriginally Released On: 11-18-22This week, we're revisiting one of our timeless episodes from Leading Out The Woods! In this episode, we explore:✅ Strategies to address Mental-Health concerns (post-pandemic)✅ Addressing SEL in a proactive mannerWhether you're hearing it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this conversation is packed with insights that still resonate today.

This week's scripture: Psalm 147v12-20, Luke 3v21-22This week Adam explores the idea of what God was doing before creation and the importance of the trinity as we think about Theophany.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous personthough perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Rom 5:1-11 ESV) As we begin a new year, many of us are filled with hope and expectation. We set resolutions and goals in anticipation of making even more of the year ahead. However, we dont really have control over the actual outcomes. Illness can beset us. We may experience the sudden loss of someone close to us. National or global events beyond our control can intrude upon our lives, affecting our businesses, jobs, or financial situations. On top of the uncertainty of life, we are constantly bombarded with stories of what could potentially go wrong. Will the stock market crash and take your retirement fund along with it? Will the economy enter a recession and cause my company or department to downsize? What if this country goes to war with that country? Now, the question that I want to address today is: how do we, as Christians, think about and address the uncertainty of this world and suffering when it happens to us and those close to us? When contemplating this passage in Romans, I thought of a story and what it means to rejoice in suffering as a believer in the risen Messiah. This story is about a Chicago lawyer and businessman named Horatio Spafford. Now, Horatio had invested much of his wealth in real estate in the city. Unfortunately, most of these properties, and thus much of his investment, were reduced to ash during the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871. The fallout from this loss and the work that he and other property owners in Chicago had to undertake to rebuild and restore would take years. The scale of this tragedy cannot be overstated. Over 17,000 buildings were destroyed, and more than 100,000 people (1/3 of Chicagos population) were homeless. If this were not enough, the Spaffords young son died of scarlet fever at the age of four not long after the fire. A couple of years after the fire, Horatio decided to take his family on a trip to Europe to escape the constant work and stress of rebuilding. Who wouldnt want to get away after all that had happened? He and his family were also going to meet up with and help the famous evangelist D.L. Moody, who was working on the continent at the time. However, some urgent business came up that needed his attention as the trip neared, so Horatio sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him. One week after the ship set sail, it was violently struck in an accident by another boat at two in the morning. Because of how the ships collided, the vessel the Spafford family was on sank within 12 minutes. Of the 313 people on board, 226 perished. All four of Horatios daughters perished that night. His wife, Anna, was found unconscious, held up by floating debris. Nine days after the accident, Anna landed in Europe and sent a telegram. It read, Saved alone. What shall I do? Upon receiving the message, Horatio booked the first passage he could find. However, this was during the 1800s, so this was far from a rapid process. One night, the captain called Horatio aside and informed him that they were currently sailing over the location where the ship carrying his family had sunk. As I contemplate this situation, I cant help but ask myself how I would have responded. Would I be overcome by anguish or anger? Would I have broken down and wept or shouted out words of rage at God for allowing such a thing to happen? Instead of either of these things, Horatio returned to his cabin to attempt to try to sleep and felt a sense of comfort and hope overcome him. He wrote down these words, It is well; the will of God be done. These words would soon become his timeless hymn that resounds with so many gospel truths. The name of that hymn is It Is Well with My Soul. It is worth reflecting on that there is a similar story in the Bible. Job, the man God Himself called blameless and upright, lost everything he owned in a single day. Additionally, his sons and daughters all died that very same day. Job responded to these events with the statement, Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21). Notice the similarities? These are not words of quiet resignation or defeat. The LORD may give, and He may take away. In the words of Horatio, the will of God will be done. However, regardless of what happened to these two men, their response is instructive and encouraging beyond belief. Despite what comes, the believer can say, Blessed be the name of the LORD, and It is well with my soul. Now, these stories may be inspiring, but youd be right in asking, How do I develop that kind of abiding faith and trust in God? It is so easy to marvel at the faith of others. But the reality is that knowing the stories is not enough. These same types of tragedies, and many more besides, can happen in our lives. Thankfully, as in all things, God does not leave us alone. And I know this because the verses we are looking at today have been my anchor through the most challenging times in my life. They acted as my north star, the way that God guided me through trials and kept me traveling on the path that leads to Him. So, lets dive in. 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. The chapter opens with the word, therefore. This means that what Paul, the apostle who wrote this letter, is about to say directly follows what he has already said. It is essential to keep this at the forefront of our minds as we read scripture; what is the context? Uncountable numbers of irresponsible teachings have come through taking verses out of context and misapplying them. So, lets take a high-level view of what was said in the letter before our passage today. Paul was writing to the believers in Rome in anticipation of him traveling there, something he had long wanted to do. He wanted to accomplish several things. The letter to the Romans primarily concerns the gospel; Paul wanted to unify the church in Rome around the good news of Christ. Romans is a great place to start if you want a comprehensive understanding of the gospel message. Additionally, Paul wanted to prepare for the missionary journey he was planning to Spain; he wanted the Roman believers to help him on his way after he was able to visit them. Finally, Paul wanted to get in front of a growing division in the church between Jewish and Gentile believers. The focus for our study today aligns with the primary purpose for which Paul was writing: the good news of what Jesus has done. Or, as we more commonly call it, the gospel. Paul starts his letter by pointing to the grandeur of the universe as proof of Gods existence and that we can even learn some things about Him through creation. However, many, instead of worshiping the God who created everything, worshiped the things He made. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but theybecame futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22Claiming to be wise, they became fools,23andexchanged the glory ofthe immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24ThereforeGod gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, tothe dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,25because they exchanged the truth about God fora lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator,who is blessed forever! Amen. (Rom 1:20-25) Paul addressed this because pagan worship was the norm in the Roman Empire. It is important to note here that the people Paul is talking about were the ones who exchanged God for created things in nature. God allowed them to choose and gave them up to what they wanted. N.T. Wright perhaps sums up this concept best. You become like what you worship. When you gaze in awe, admiration, and wonder at something or someone, you begin to take on something of the character of the object of your worship. N.T. Wright This is a critical point that Paul made. It spoke directly to the heart of Roman culture and society. And it speaks directly to ours as well. The Romans, like the Greeks, worshipped a pantheon of gods who were very human in nature. They were spiteful, filled with lust, and sought their own pleasure above the good of others. Paul was saying that if you venerate that type of activity, you will act the same way. Now, consider our culture today; we may not wrap it up in religious language and ritual, but it is the same. Think about the lyrics of many of the most popular songs today. Consider the lives and actions of celebrities and others that our society lifts up and puts on a pedestal. Reflect on how often we are told in advertising by the rich, powerful, and famous how if we only buy this item or consume this service, we will be as happy and fulfilled as they are, or supposedly are. Think about how society as a whole treats marriage as trivial or that it is entirely ok to objectify other human beings, especially with what is deemed acceptable to view on the internet for our own pleasure. Paul then addresses those who did know about the one true God, namely the Jewish nation. However, instead of commending them, Paul has a very different message. What he said was precisely what Jesus did. It doesnt matter that you come from the line of Abraham or how well you know the Old Testament Law. God cares about and judges people based on what we actually do. 12For all who have sinnedwithout the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.13Forit is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. (Rom 2:12-13) And if we stop for a minute and honestly look at our own lives, this is what we see. We know at our core that there is an absolute standard for good and evil. We know that saying one thing and then doing another is both hypocritical and wrong. We have all, myself included, done things that genuinely hurt other people, damaged relationships, and were contrary to what we know in the deepest parts of ouor being are good and right and holy. Paul quoted the Psalms to sum up this point. 10None is righteous, no, not one;11no one understands;no one seeks for God.12All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;no one does good,not even one. (Rom 3:10b-12) Now, this is a pretty bleak letter so far. This is not something that you read at the beginning of a year to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Were left with all of these questions that seem pretty important and rather urgent. What if there is a creator of the universe? Spoiler alert: there is. And what if He genuinely cares about right and wrong and how we treat each other? Another spoiler alert: He does. If weve all fallen short, and there are consequences for that, is there something that can be done to restore ourselves to God? And here is the best spoiler alert: There is. Paul tells us how this happens. 21But now apart from the law the righteousness of Godhas been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.22This righteousnessis given through faithinJesus Christto all who believe.There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,23for all have sinnedand fall short of the glory of God,24and all are justifiedfreely by his gracethrough the redemptionthat came by Christ Jesus.25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,through the shedding of his blood (Rom 3:21-25a, NIV) And there it is, the gospel, the good news that Paul based his entire letter around. There is a God who created both us and the universe we live in. He is perfectly good and, therefore, has made a moral law that we all are to live by. However, all of us fall short and sin. This causes a separation between us and God. However, God did not see fit to leave us as we are. He sent Jesus to live the life we never could and die the death we deserved so that we could be reconciled to Him. This is the good news that Paul was proclaiming. So, we return to the opening verses of our passage today. 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. We now see what the therefore is there for. We were separated from God, but we can now be justified before him by faith. And because of this good news, that we have been justified by faith, certain things happen in the believer's life. First, we have peace with God. You see, it wasnt that we were just separated from God. We were, in fact, working against Him and were enemies. In another letter, Paul said, 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemiesin your mindsbecause ofyour evil behavior. But now he has reconciledyou by Christs physical bodythrough death to present youholy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Col 1:21-22, NIV). We just wrapped up an extremely deep study of the book of Ephesians here at Meadowbrooke. Remember what we were told in that letter about the state we were in before being saved? And you weredead in the trespasses and sins2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, followingthe prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work inthe sons of disobedience3among whom we all once lived inthe passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyand the mind, andwere by naturechildren of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Eph 2:1-3) When Paul says that we now have peace with God, he doesnt mean that we have a tranquil state of mind or something like that. Instead, when we become followers of Jesus, we go from being against God or an enemy of God to having peace with Him. Remember what Paul said earlier in the letter. Nobody is righteous; nobody does good. But it doesnt stop there. We arent just in some truce or ceasefire with God. What has happened is so much more glorious and incredible than that. We also, through Jesus, have obtained grace. Now, grace can be a mysterious-sounding religious word. All it means is that somebody has received unmerited or unearned favor. It means we dont deserve the favor or good things God freely bestows on us. Remember, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God; we all were, by nature, children of wrath. The Greek word that is translated here as access literally means to approach or to bring into. We are brought into Gods grace and can actually have a personal relationship with Him. How much has changed because of what Jesus has done for us. We who were enemies not only have peace with God but also can draw near to Him and have a personal relationship with our Creator. Finally, we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And given what we have just read, there is so much to rejoice in. But again, there is something even more glorious behind these words. We rejoice not just in our newfound peace with God or our ability to be brought into His grace. We rejoice in the hope of something else. The word hope in our English language is quite weak. Typically, it means something like, I hope this year is better than the last or I hope my team wins the Super Bowl this year. It expresses the desire for something to be true, but with the realization that it may not turn out that way. However, the Greek word employed here means something more like joyful and confident expectation. Our hope is in something that we are confident and sure of. Tim Keller remarked on this passage that, Christian hope is not a hopeful wish it is a hope-filled certainty. But what is it that we are hopeful for? If we were to poll random people about what they most hoped for or were most looking forward to regarding the promises of God, we would likely get a broad range of answers. Many would almost certainly revolve around seeing loved ones again or being eternally happy and without pain or suffering. However, notice what Paul says here. His focus is on the glory of God. More than his own happiness or desires, the reason for Pauls rejoicing is in the hope of being in the presence of Gods glory. John Murray remarked on this passage, [Believers] are interested in the manifestation of the glory of God for its own sake. The glory of God is their chief end and they long for and hasten unto that day when with undimmed vision they will behold the glory of God in its fullest exhibition and vindication. What this means is that the hope of the Christian is not in the hope of our wants, desires, and comfort. Instead, our hope is in being with and living within the glory of God. The focus is on God, not on us. John Piper put this better than anybody else I have heard. He said, The critical question for our generationand for every generation is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there? Pauls answer would be a resounding no. What makes the restored heaven and earth what they will be is that we will finally be with God in all His infinite glory. Everything else pales in comparison to that. And any heaven without that is no real heaven at all. Now, Paul has covered a lot of ground in his letter so far. The people listening to this being read for the first time would have been on a real rollercoaster of a ride. First, they heard about this God who is powerful and mighty enough to create the entire universe in which we live. But then they heard that this God is also perfectly good and, therefore, has a moral law. They, just like all of us, broke that law. And they, just like us, broke it repeatedly. They heard about how this created a separation between humanity and God, a chasm we could not overcome ourselves. However, when everything seemed lost and without hope, they heard about how God, through Jesus, redeemed them, and they were now justified. This justification was not through anything they had done but what Jesus had done for them. They heard that they did not have to try to earn Gods merit, and in fact, they never could. They heard that what God really sought after was their hearts and faith in Him. Finally, because of that faith, the believer has peace with God, access to Gods grace, and the hope-filled certainty of witnessing God in His full glory one day. What an experience it must have been to be the first people to hear this letter being read. Can you imagine hearing this fantastic news? Then, the church in Rome would have heard the words, Not only that Wait! There is more!?! What more could there be after being told this fantastic news? I can only imagine sitting there and anticipating new promises and hopes the apostle was about to relay. Instead, the audience heard, Not only that, but werejoice in our sufferings. Wait what? We rejoice in our suffering? Werent we talking about drawing close to God and witnessing His glory? But this is reality, isnt it? When we decide to follow Jesus, all the hardships and suffering weve experienced dont magically disappear. We still get sick. Our finances dont magically improve; we all dont suddenly receive private jets and mansions. We still lose loved ones, and we all certainly still experience getting older and all the wear and tear that comes from that. As I reflect upon this past year, the single word that comes most to mind is difficult. This was a challenging year for our church family, and we had to go through things, including church discipline and the termination of a staff person in a pastoral role. Individuals and families in our church have also been going through extremely difficult things. There have been cancer diagnoses, losses of family members, struggles with chronic illnesses, sudden visits to the ER, heart issues, urgent and completely unexpected surgeries, and many, many more things besides. Personally, this last year, especially the past six months, has, if Im being completely honest, been extremely difficult. Due to an autoimmune disease, my health spiraled to a place I have not experienced in over a decade. This resulted in a 10-day stay in a hospital after losing 15% of my body weight and a substantial amount of internal bleeding. But, more importantly, it put a lot of strain on my marriage and meant I was less present as a father than I should be. The stark reality is that suffering is still a part of our lives. It has real impacts on us and those around us. But, as well see, faith in Jesus is not about the cessation of pain and suffering but instead giving that suffering over to God in faith that He will use it for good. Paul lays out how this looks for us: 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Notice here that Paul says we rejoice in our sufferings, not because of our sufferings. Paul does not say that suffering suddenly becomes pleasurable for us or trivially easy to endure. He does not say that God is giving us a way to prove ourselves to Him or earn His favor by persevering through hardship. Instead, we rejoice in our sufferings because of something we know. We know that suffering can produce something within us. That something is endurance. For most of my life, and by that, I mean since I was eight, I have participated in endurance sports. This has included distance running, cycling over 100 miles in a day over multiple mountain passes, and summiting 20,000 ft peaks. I bring this up because I have learned a lot about myself and quite a bit about endurance through these activities. The first is that endurance is not something magical you hope to have on the day of your event. It is something that you train for diligently. It may take months or even years in some cases to train your body and mind to accomplish the goal you have set before yourself. It is possible to train and not reach the goals you set. However, if you dont train, the goals will forever remain out of reach. And the thing about training is that a substantial amount of suffering can be involved. Mile repeats hurt. Hill training on a bike can be painful. Interval sessions have left me draped over the handlebars of my indoor trainer like a rag doll. Watching cyclists or other endurance athletes achieve the incredible can be awe-inspiring, often making it look easy. However, it isnt. What we witness when we watch world-class athletes is the outcome of a lifetime of training and preparation. And I can tell you from experience, every day Ive had where Ive looked like this, cycling up mountain passes feeling in great shape and like I could tackle the biggest of obstacles, Ive had many more days where Ive looked a bit more like this. The key here is that, like in athletics, in life, endurance is not something that happens automatically or magically. It is something that is produced. And often, the production of endurance happens through the crucible of suffering. But, unlike endurance training for sports, the type of endurance Paul talks about is not the end goal. It serves a greater purpose. You see, our character is also changing when we develop spiritual endurance. Now, this word in Greek doesnt just mean something like, He is a really good person and has good character. Instead, it is about something proven, or something tested and found to be approved. An example of this can be seen in Pauls letter to the Philippians concerning his protg, Timothy. 22But you know Timothy'sproven worth, howas a sonwith a fatherhe has served with me in the gospel.(Phil 2:22) The phrase proven worth is the same word that is translated as character. And to some extent, weve all experienced this. If we have endured something before, when we have to endure it again, there is a confidence we didnt have before. Or, thought of in a different way, if you had to go into battle with somebody, would you rather go with a special forces soldier who had been on multiple deployments or somebody who has never been through military training but plays their fair share of Tom Clancy video games? The choice is easy, right? What Paul is saying here is that when we go through suffering, endurance is produced. And when we endure our trials and tribulations, we are tested successfully or, as Paul says, our worth is proven. But Paul does not stop there. He says that this testedness produces something else: hope. And here we return to this idea of hope. Remember, this idea Paul is talking about can be best thought of as a hope-filled certainty. As we go through suffering, the endurance and character that result produces an ever-greater certainty that God is exactly who He has said He is and that His promises are sure. Paul then offers a proof of this. He states that hope will never put us to shame because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. In fact, the relationship between the believer and the Holy Spirit is so close that he has been poured into our hearts. I had mentioned earlier that these verses have been my anchor verses through suffering. That is not an understatement in any way. I had grown up in the church. In fact, I heard hymns and the words of the Bible before I was born. As I grew up, I did all the church things, camps, and confirmation; I even started participating in lay-level leadership roles in my church. If any of those things sound a bit foreign, it is because I grew up in the Episcopal tradition. Ultimately, instead of letting God into my heart and being the Lord of my entire life, I was going through the motions. Especially in college, my life looked no different than anybody elses. Remember those verses from Ephesians about living in the passions of our flesh and carrying out the desires of the body and the mind? That was me. Until that is, God got ahold of my heart. A group of us in ROTC decided that we wanted to start getting serious about our faith and started going to church together. We formed our own Bible study and as a small community of college-aged believers, we began trying to figure out what it meant to be Jesus followers. To make a long story very short, one of the members of this group would ultimately become my wife. As we deepened in our faith together as a group, I was drawn to what God was doing in her life. However, two weeks after we started dating, I started noticing an immense amount of pain in my abdomen and, even more concerning, evidence of internal bleeding. I started losing weight at an alarming rate and was ultimately diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called ulcerative colitis. Effectively, my immune system goes into overdrive and starts attacking and causing ulcers and a crazy amount of inflammation in my large intestine. Unfortunately, I have a rather severe form of the disease that affects not just a part of the intestine, but the entire thing. As is common with autoimmune diseases, finding the therapy that worked for me took a long time. Because of the severity of my diagnosis, this ultimately led me to being hospitalized seven times in the first 18 months following the onset of my symptoms. In addition to the pain, frustration, and confusion over what was happening, other things also started falling apart. A military career was now no longer an option for me. Because of the impact the disease was having on my body, I was sleeping 12-16 hours a day and was unable to continue pursuing my master's program. What is more, because of how the insurance I had purchased through the university was structured, it did not cover costs from chronic illnesses beyond $20,000. But through it all, God was working on my heart and my mind. He was showing me things about himself that I would likely never have learned had it not been for this. He was teaching me that my future job was not what defined me. Who I am in Jesus is what defines me. He was teaching me that the highest goal in life is not academic or professional achievement (Im a bit of an A-type personality and struggle with making my life about accomplishments). Instead, He showed me that following Him is the highest purpose in life. Now, perhaps the most incredible thing about this entire story is that Michaela stayed by my side throughout all of it. We had only recently started dating, but she was there for everything. I can still remember her voice as I was coming out of anesthesia after the scoping procedure that resulted in the diagnosis of the disease. I was insanely sick, my planned career was completely shattered, treatments werent working, and I had a sum of medical debt that was growing increasingly large. There were so many times when I felt absolutely lost and without hope. Yet, because of this community of people, especially Michaela, I was constantly reminded of God's goodness and how He works all things for the good of those who love Him, even if we dont see it in the moment. The Bible was my source of refuge, reminding me of the eternal promises of God that transcend our momentary afflictions. Things ultimately improved for me, and through a lot of help from my doctors and a lot of prayer, my condition was able to be controlled. There were still some rough points, and I experienced the occasional flare-up, but things returned to normal. Michaela and I got married, we found a way to pay off the medical debt, and life seemed to be going just fine. But what I didnt know at the time was that as I was going through all my medical issues and seeing Michaelas character displayed, God was showing me what it means to stand beside somebody as they are suffering. About two years after we got married, Michaela started showing symptoms of something, but the doctors couldnt figure out what it was. Finally, they had her stay on a heart monitor for an extended time, and the results were so concerning that the hospital in Laramie told us that we needed to come to the hospital here in Cheyenne because they were not prepared to deal with whatever the issue was. When Michaela arrived here, they took an Xray, and they found out that there was a mass about 12cm in diameter in her chest next to her heart. We were once again told that she needed to go to another hospital because the one here had no idea what was going on. However, this time, she had to travel via ambulance. We had come in the same vehicle, but as she was leaving in an ambulance, I followed in the car we brought over. It was such a good thing that it was the middle of the night because I was an absolute mess. If there had been any traffic whatsoever, I probably would have crashed. On that drive, I was confronted with an absolutely petrifying truth. There was nothing I could do for my wife but pray. I was helpless in the face of whatever it was that she had to face. I could not protect her, and I could not save her. And this was an earth-shattering realization for me. Of course, we all intellectually know that our time here is limited and that when it is time for us to leave this world, there is nothing we can do to stop it for ourselves or those we love. However, facing that reality directly is an entirely different notion. The radical realization that I had was that in this situation, she was entirely in the Lords hands. The even more radical realization I would only have reflecting later on, was that this is true every moment of every day. I just dont live like it. To capture this idea in his book The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis wrote, God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. This has been precisely my experience. The eternal truths that God exists, that we desperately need Him, and that He alone is sufficient for all our needs are sometimes most clearly heard when we are in our most desperate times of need. Upon arriving at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, we learned that the mass was a tumor, and it was an advanced stage of lymphoma. The doctors recommended that she start an aggressive form of chemotherapy immediately. We didnt have time to go home and talk about it. We didnt have time to prepare in case the therapy made it difficult or impossible to have kids. It was almost as if everything had been put onto tracks, and we were just along for the ride. Now, soon after all of this happened a good friend of mine who has been a mentor in many ways to me came by and prayed with us. Her prayers included pleas for healing, comfort, and everything else we typically lift up to God during these types of events. However, she prayed something else as well. She prayed that our hearts and minds would be open to what God had to teach us during this time of trial. It literally felt like a physical switch turned in my head. Despite all that I had been through, and all God had done in my own heart during my battles with illness, I had not stopped to consider that God may have something to teach us here as well. And teach He did. I learned how incredibly strong of a woman He made when He created my wife. I learned that I am not sufficient for her; only Jesus is. I learned that life can be extraordinarily fleeting and what we consider normal and act like will go on forever can end in an instant. Michaela spent the following months going to Denver for a week of treatment every three weeks. I tagged along and slept on the pullout bed on the couch in her room. That was our lives for almost four months: two weeks at home and one in the hospital. When I had to travel for work, her mom took my place. Now, you may be wondering who the better caretaker in our relationship is when the other is undergoing adversity. The answer is Michaela. You may also be wondering who deals with suffering better. The answer is also Michaela. Ultimately, Michaela completed the chemo regimen and has been in full remission for almost 10 years. Despite not being able to make alternative preparations, we have two incredible boys who are miracles in the fullest sense of the word. It can be easy to praise God and extol His greatness when things work out the way we hope and pray they will. However, there will come a day when I and everybody else whom I love will draw in their last breath. And in those moments, God still deserves all the glory and all the praise. I want to relay one more story before I wrap up about one of those times. My stepmoms father, my grandfather, or as we called him, Papou (that part of my family is Greek), had been extremely sick for a long time. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt. His wife, my Yaiyia, was a missionary in Kenya when he proposed to her in a letter. After starting their young family, they moved to Athens so he could pastor a church while they served as missionaries. When they moved back to the States, their home was always a place of love where all were welcome. Toward the end of his life, he was unable to care for or even feed himself and had to be placed in a home to receive the care he needed. As the end of his life was drawing ever closer, he came down with a severe infection that left him almost entirely incapacitated. One day, some of our dearest family friends were visiting him. As they prepared to leave, everybody gathered to pray, potentially for the last time, over this man who had lived his life faithfully for God. However, before anybody else had a chance to speak, this saint (by the way, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are a saint as well) who could not feed himself or even sit up started to pray. I was not there to hear these words, but they still reverberate in the deepest part of my being more than a decade later. Our precious heavenly father, he said, we just cant thank you enough. You have been so good to us. That is the strength that a life lived in the service and love of God bestows upon a person. The Christian lives not in quiet resignation in the face of a world that can be so cruel and cause so much suffering. Instead, the Christian can raise a triumphant cry that in our weakness, the strength of the Lord will be made perfect, and that is enough. We can, as Job did, bless the name of the Lord, come whatever may. We see this in the letter to the Corinthians: 9But he [God] said to me [Paul],My grace is sufficient for you, formy power is made perfect in weakness.Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so thatthe power of Christ may rest upon me.10For the sake of Christ, then,I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Forwhen I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:9-11) This is why Paul ends this passage with a reiteration of the gospel message. Even though each of us who follow Jesus has the real experience of having the Holy Spirit residing within us, there also is an objective truth for all to see. Christ came and died for us while we were still sinners. And this point is even more important than the point that we are physically broken and endure sufferings in this world. That point is that we are spiritually broken and separated from God, desperately in need of a Savior. Reflect with me on these closing verses. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous personthough perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Jesus did not wait until we were perfect and had everything figured out before he came to die in our place. Instead, he came when we were still in sin, weak, and enemies of God. Unlike us, who so often act out of self-regard or do something because we view somebody as good and deserving, Jesus came to save us while we were still standing in complete opposition to God. This is the incredible news of the gospel. As much pain and suffering, as much physical brokenness that we may experience in this world, it is nothing compared to the spiritual sickness we suffer because of our separation from God. We all were far from God before coming to Christ, but he died in our place regardless and rose again, conquering death. We are justified, reconciled, and saved by what he did. And if you dont know Jesus yet, all you must do is accept him as your Lord and Savior and begin walking with him. Before we leave, I wanted to review some of the things I have learned from other believers and scripture about how to endure times of suffering. None of this is groundbreaking, but it works. Dont wait until you are in suffering to prepare If you wait until the morning of a marathon to train, it wont go well for you. The same is true here. If you wait until the moment of your trial to prepare, you are too late. Be in your Bible daily The stories of those who suffer in scripture are incredibly instructive and helpful. The principles you will learn from this book will help you in your time of need. But I never would have had these verses constantly in my mind and nourishing my soul if I had not read them. God uses scripture to help His followers in their time of need. Build relationships with fellow believersWhen Michaela and I have experienced times of suffering, it is the people of God, the Church, who have helped us more than anybody else. I have experienced the benefit of having somebody just come sit with you. Recently, while I was in the hospital, several friends visited throughout my stay. Mostly, we talked about the goodness of God. It helped me raise my eyes above my situation and stay focused on my Lord and Savior. Pray without ceasing Pray for those who are going through trials. Ask others to pray for you as you endure suffering. The Church was designed so that each member could help one another. And as you pray, follow Gods Spirit in how you can help. If you feel drawn to visit somebody who is ailing, go. If you feel called to cook them a meal, do it. Look for what God is trying to teach you Until our dying breath, we are running our race. As believers, we are walking down that narrow path that leads to Jesus. That path can be difficult and filled with obstacles sometimes. But even in our worst suffering, God is faithful, and He works all things for the good of those who love Him. If you let Him, He will develop in you: endurance, character, and a hope which will never be put to shame. Even in our greatest trials, He is still so incredibly good.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous personthough perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Rom 5:1-11 ESV) As we begin a new year, many of us are filled with hope and expectation. We set resolutions and goals in anticipation of making even more of the year ahead. However, we dont really have control over the actual outcomes. Illness can beset us. We may experience the sudden loss of someone close to us. National or global events beyond our control can intrude upon our lives, affecting our businesses, jobs, or financial situations. On top of the uncertainty of life, we are constantly bombarded with stories of what could potentially go wrong. Will the stock market crash and take your retirement fund along with it? Will the economy enter a recession and cause my company or department to downsize? What if this country goes to war with that country? Now, the question that I want to address today is: how do we, as Christians, think about and address the uncertainty of this world and suffering when it happens to us and those close to us? When contemplating this passage in Romans, I thought of a story and what it means to rejoice in suffering as a believer in the risen Messiah. This story is about a Chicago lawyer and businessman named Horatio Spafford. Now, Horatio had invested much of his wealth in real estate in the city. Unfortunately, most of these properties, and thus much of his investment, were reduced to ash during the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871. The fallout from this loss and the work that he and other property owners in Chicago had to undertake to rebuild and restore would take years. The scale of this tragedy cannot be overstated. Over 17,000 buildings were destroyed, and more than 100,000 people (1/3 of Chicagos population) were homeless. If this were not enough, the Spaffords young son died of scarlet fever at the age of four not long after the fire. A couple of years after the fire, Horatio decided to take his family on a trip to Europe to escape the constant work and stress of rebuilding. Who wouldnt want to get away after all that had happened? He and his family were also going to meet up with and help the famous evangelist D.L. Moody, who was working on the continent at the time. However, some urgent business came up that needed his attention as the trip neared, so Horatio sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him. One week after the ship set sail, it was violently struck in an accident by another boat at two in the morning. Because of how the ships collided, the vessel the Spafford family was on sank within 12 minutes. Of the 313 people on board, 226 perished. All four of Horatios daughters perished that night. His wife, Anna, was found unconscious, held up by floating debris. Nine days after the accident, Anna landed in Europe and sent a telegram. It read, Saved alone. What shall I do? Upon receiving the message, Horatio booked the first passage he could find. However, this was during the 1800s, so this was far from a rapid process. One night, the captain called Horatio aside and informed him that they were currently sailing over the location where the ship carrying his family had sunk. As I contemplate this situation, I cant help but ask myself how I would have responded. Would I be overcome by anguish or anger? Would I have broken down and wept or shouted out words of rage at God for allowing such a thing to happen? Instead of either of these things, Horatio returned to his cabin to attempt to try to sleep and felt a sense of comfort and hope overcome him. He wrote down these words, It is well; the will of God be done. These words would soon become his timeless hymn that resounds with so many gospel truths. The name of that hymn is It Is Well with My Soul. It is worth reflecting on that there is a similar story in the Bible. Job, the man God Himself called blameless and upright, lost everything he owned in a single day. Additionally, his sons and daughters all died that very same day. Job responded to these events with the statement, Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD (Job 1:21). Notice the similarities? These are not words of quiet resignation or defeat. The LORD may give, and He may take away. In the words of Horatio, the will of God will be done. However, regardless of what happened to these two men, their response is instructive and encouraging beyond belief. Despite what comes, the believer can say, Blessed be the name of the LORD, and It is well with my soul. Now, these stories may be inspiring, but youd be right in asking, How do I develop that kind of abiding faith and trust in God? It is so easy to marvel at the faith of others. But the reality is that knowing the stories is not enough. These same types of tragedies, and many more besides, can happen in our lives. Thankfully, as in all things, God does not leave us alone. And I know this because the verses we are looking at today have been my anchor through the most challenging times in my life. They acted as my north star, the way that God guided me through trials and kept me traveling on the path that leads to Him. So, lets dive in. 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. The chapter opens with the word, therefore. This means that what Paul, the apostle who wrote this letter, is about to say directly follows what he has already said. It is essential to keep this at the forefront of our minds as we read scripture; what is the context? Uncountable numbers of irresponsible teachings have come through taking verses out of context and misapplying them. So, lets take a high-level view of what was said in the letter before our passage today. Paul was writing to the believers in Rome in anticipation of him traveling there, something he had long wanted to do. He wanted to accomplish several things. The letter to the Romans primarily concerns the gospel; Paul wanted to unify the church in Rome around the good news of Christ. Romans is a great place to start if you want a comprehensive understanding of the gospel message. Additionally, Paul wanted to prepare for the missionary journey he was planning to Spain; he wanted the Roman believers to help him on his way after he was able to visit them. Finally, Paul wanted to get in front of a growing division in the church between Jewish and Gentile believers. The focus for our study today aligns with the primary purpose for which Paul was writing: the good news of what Jesus has done. Or, as we more commonly call it, the gospel. Paul starts his letter by pointing to the grandeur of the universe as proof of Gods existence and that we can even learn some things about Him through creation. However, many, instead of worshiping the God who created everything, worshiped the things He made. 20For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.21For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but theybecame futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22Claiming to be wise, they became fools,23andexchanged the glory ofthe immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24ThereforeGod gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, tothe dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,25because they exchanged the truth about God fora lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator,who is blessed forever! Amen. (Rom 1:20-25) Paul addressed this because pagan worship was the norm in the Roman Empire. It is important to note here that the people Paul is talking about were the ones who exchanged God for created things in nature. God allowed them to choose and gave them up to what they wanted. N.T. Wright perhaps sums up this concept best. You become like what you worship. When you gaze in awe, admiration, and wonder at something or someone, you begin to take on something of the character of the object of your worship. N.T. Wright This is a critical point that Paul made. It spoke directly to the heart of Roman culture and society. And it speaks directly to ours as well. The Romans, like the Greeks, worshipped a pantheon of gods who were very human in nature. They were spiteful, filled with lust, and sought their own pleasure above the good of others. Paul was saying that if you venerate that type of activity, you will act the same way. Now, consider our culture today; we may not wrap it up in religious language and ritual, but it is the same. Think about the lyrics of many of the most popular songs today. Consider the lives and actions of celebrities and others that our society lifts up and puts on a pedestal. Reflect on how often we are told in advertising by the rich, powerful, and famous how if we only buy this item or consume this service, we will be as happy and fulfilled as they are, or supposedly are. Think about how society as a whole treats marriage as trivial or that it is entirely ok to objectify other human beings, especially with what is deemed acceptable to view on the internet for our own pleasure. Paul then addresses those who did know about the one true God, namely the Jewish nation. However, instead of commending them, Paul has a very different message. What he said was precisely what Jesus did. It doesnt matter that you come from the line of Abraham or how well you know the Old Testament Law. God cares about and judges people based on what we actually do. 12For all who have sinnedwithout the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.13Forit is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. (Rom 2:12-13) And if we stop for a minute and honestly look at our own lives, this is what we see. We know at our core that there is an absolute standard for good and evil. We know that saying one thing and then doing another is both hypocritical and wrong. We have all, myself included, done things that genuinely hurt other people, damaged relationships, and were contrary to what we know in the deepest parts of ouor being are good and right and holy. Paul quoted the Psalms to sum up this point. 10None is righteous, no, not one;11no one understands;no one seeks for God.12All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;no one does good,not even one. (Rom 3:10b-12) Now, this is a pretty bleak letter so far. This is not something that you read at the beginning of a year to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Were left with all of these questions that seem pretty important and rather urgent. What if there is a creator of the universe? Spoiler alert: there is. And what if He genuinely cares about right and wrong and how we treat each other? Another spoiler alert: He does. If weve all fallen short, and there are consequences for that, is there something that can be done to restore ourselves to God? And here is the best spoiler alert: There is. Paul tells us how this happens. 21But now apart from the law the righteousness of Godhas been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.22This righteousnessis given through faithinJesus Christto all who believe.There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,23for all have sinnedand fall short of the glory of God,24and all are justifiedfreely by his gracethrough the redemptionthat came by Christ Jesus.25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,through the shedding of his blood (Rom 3:21-25a, NIV) And there it is, the gospel, the good news that Paul based his entire letter around. There is a God who created both us and the universe we live in. He is perfectly good and, therefore, has made a moral law that we all are to live by. However, all of us fall short and sin. This causes a separation between us and God. However, God did not see fit to leave us as we are. He sent Jesus to live the life we never could and die the death we deserved so that we could be reconciled to Him. This is the good news that Paul was proclaiming. So, we return to the opening verses of our passage today. 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. We now see what the therefore is there for. We were separated from God, but we can now be justified before him by faith. And because of this good news, that we have been justified by faith, certain things happen in the believer's life. First, we have peace with God. You see, it wasnt that we were just separated from God. We were, in fact, working against Him and were enemies. In another letter, Paul said, 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemiesin your mindsbecause ofyour evil behavior. But now he has reconciledyou by Christs physical bodythrough death to present youholy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Col 1:21-22, NIV). We just wrapped up an extremely deep study of the book of Ephesians here at Meadowbrooke. Remember what we were told in that letter about the state we were in before being saved? And you weredead in the trespasses and sins2in which you once walked, following the course of this world, followingthe prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work inthe sons of disobedience3among whom we all once lived inthe passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the bodyand the mind, andwere by naturechildren of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Eph 2:1-3) When Paul says that we now have peace with God, he doesnt mean that we have a tranquil state of mind or something like that. Instead, when we become followers of Jesus, we go from being against God or an enemy of God to having peace with Him. Remember what Paul said earlier in the letter. Nobody is righteous; nobody does good. But it doesnt stop there. We arent just in some truce or ceasefire with God. What has happened is so much more glorious and incredible than that. We also, through Jesus, have obtained grace. Now, grace can be a mysterious-sounding religious word. All it means is that somebody has received unmerited or unearned favor. It means we dont deserve the favor or good things God freely bestows on us. Remember, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God; we all were, by nature, children of wrath. The Greek word that is translated here as access literally means to approach or to bring into. We are brought into Gods grace and can actually have a personal relationship with Him. How much has changed because of what Jesus has done for us. We who were enemies not only have peace with God but also can draw near to Him and have a personal relationship with our Creator. Finally, we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And given what we have just read, there is so much to rejoice in. But again, there is something even more glorious behind these words. We rejoice not just in our newfound peace with God or our ability to be brought into His grace. We rejoice in the hope of something else. The word hope in our English language is quite weak. Typically, it means something like, I hope this year is better than the last or I hope my team wins the Super Bowl this year. It expresses the desire for something to be true, but with the realization that it may not turn out that way. However, the Greek word employed here means something more like joyful and confident expectation. Our hope is in something that we are confident and sure of. Tim Keller remarked on this passage that, Christian hope is not a hopeful wish it is a hope-filled certainty. But what is it that we are hopeful for? If we were to poll random people about what they most hoped for or were most looking forward to regarding the promises of God, we would likely get a broad range of answers. Many would almost certainly revolve around seeing loved ones again or being eternally happy and without pain or suffering. However, notice what Paul says here. His focus is on the glory of God. More than his own happiness or desires, the reason for Pauls rejoicing is in the hope of being in the presence of Gods glory. John Murray remarked on this passage, [Believers] are interested in the manifestation of the glory of God for its own sake. The glory of God is their chief end and they long for and hasten unto that day when with undimmed vision they will behold the glory of God in its fullest exhibition and vindication. What this means is that the hope of the Christian is not in the hope of our wants, desires, and comfort. Instead, our hope is in being with and living within the glory of God. The focus is on God, not on us. John Piper put this better than anybody else I have heard. He said, The critical question for our generationand for every generation is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there? Pauls answer would be a resounding no. What makes the restored heaven and earth what they will be is that we will finally be with God in all His infinite glory. Everything else pales in comparison to that. And any heaven without that is no real heaven at all. Now, Paul has covered a lot of ground in his letter so far. The people listening to this being read for the first time would have been on a real rollercoaster of a ride. First, they heard about this God who is powerful and mighty enough to create the entire universe in which we live. But then they heard that this God is also perfectly good and, therefore, has a moral law. They, just like all of us, broke that law. And they, just like us, broke it repeatedly. They heard about how this created a separation between humanity and God, a chasm we could not overcome ourselves. However, when everything seemed lost and without hope, they heard about how God, through Jesus, redeemed them, and they were now justified. This justification was not through anything they had done but what Jesus had done for them. They heard that they did not have to try to earn Gods merit, and in fact, they never could. They heard that what God really sought after was their hearts and faith in Him. Finally, because of that faith, the believer has peace with God, access to Gods grace, and the hope-filled certainty of witnessing God in His full glory one day. What an experience it must have been to be the first people to hear this letter being read. Can you imagine hearing this fantastic news? Then, the church in Rome would have heard the words, Not only that Wait! There is more!?! What more could there be after being told this fantastic news? I can only imagine sitting there and anticipating new promises and hopes the apostle was about to relay. Instead, the audience heard, Not only that, but werejoice in our sufferings. Wait what? We rejoice in our suffering? Werent we talking about drawing close to God and witnessing His glory? But this is reality, isnt it? When we decide to follow Jesus, all the hardships and suffering weve experienced dont magically disappear. We still get sick. Our finances dont magically improve; we all dont suddenly receive private jets and mansions. We still lose loved ones, and we all certainly still experience getting older and all the wear and tear that comes from that. As I reflect upon this past year, the single word that comes most to mind is difficult. This was a challenging year for our church family, and we had to go through things, including church discipline and the termination of a staff person in a pastoral role. Individuals and families in our church have also been going through extremely difficult things. There have been cancer diagnoses, losses of family members, struggles with chronic illnesses, sudden visits to the ER, heart issues, urgent and completely unexpected surgeries, and many, many more things besides. Personally, this last year, especially the past six months, has, if Im being completely honest, been extremely difficult. Due to an autoimmune disease, my health spiraled to a place I have not experienced in over a decade. This resulted in a 10-day stay in a hospital after losing 15% of my body weight and a substantial amount of internal bleeding. But, more importantly, it put a lot of strain on my marriage and meant I was less present as a father than I should be. The stark reality is that suffering is still a part of our lives. It has real impacts on us and those around us. But, as well see, faith in Jesus is not about the cessation of pain and suffering but instead giving that suffering over to God in faith that He will use it for good. Paul lays out how this looks for us: 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Notice here that Paul says we rejoice in our sufferings, not because of our sufferings. Paul does not say that suffering suddenly becomes pleasurable for us or trivially easy to endure. He does not say that God is giving us a way to prove ourselves to Him or earn His favor by persevering through hardship. Instead, we rejoice in our sufferings because of something we know. We know that suffering can produce something within us. That something is endurance. For most of my life, and by that, I mean since I was eight, I have participated in endurance sports. This has included distance running, cycling over 100 miles in a day over multiple mountain passes, and summiting 20,000 ft peaks. I bring this up because I have learned a lot about myself and quite a bit about endurance through these activities. The first is that endurance is not something magical you hope to have on the day of your event. It is something that you train for diligently. It may take months or even years in some cases to train your body and mind to accomplish the goal you have set before yourself. It is possible to train and not reach the goals you set. However, if you dont train, the goals will forever remain out of reach. And the thing about training is that a substantial amount of suffering can be involved. Mile repeats hurt. Hill training on a bike can be painful. Interval sessions have left me draped over the handlebars of my indoor trainer like a rag doll. Watching cyclists or other endurance athletes achieve the incredible can be awe-inspiring, often making it look easy. However, it isnt. What we witness when we watch world-class athletes is the outcome of a lifetime of training and preparation. And I can tell you from experience, every day Ive had where Ive looked like this, cycling up mountain passes feeling in great shape and like I could tackle the biggest of obstacles, Ive had many more days where Ive looked a bit more like this. The key here is that, like in athletics, in life, endurance is not something that happens automatically or magically. It is something that is produced. And often, the production of endurance happens through the crucible of suffering. But, unlike endurance training for sports, the type of endurance Paul talks about is not the end goal. It serves a greater purpose. You see, our character is also changing when we develop spiritual endurance. Now, this word in Greek doesnt just mean something like, He is a really good person and has good character. Instead, it is about something proven, or something tested and found to be approved. An example of this can be seen in Pauls letter to the Philippians concerning his protg, Timothy. 22But you know Timothy'sproven worth, howas a sonwith a fatherhe has served with me in the gospel.(Phil 2:22) The phrase proven worth is the same word that is translated as character. And to some extent, weve all experienced this. If we have endured something before, when we have to endure it again, there is a confidence we didnt have before. Or, thought of in a different way, if you had to go into battle with somebody, would you rather go with a special forces soldier who had been on multiple deployments or somebody who has never been through military training but plays their fair share of Tom Clancy video games? The choice is easy, right? What Paul is saying here is that when we go through suffering, endurance is produced. And when we endure our trials and tribulations, we are tested successfully or, as Paul says, our worth is proven. But Paul does not stop there. He says that this testedness produces something else: hope. And here we return to this idea of hope. Remember, this idea Paul is talking about can be best thought of as a hope-filled certainty. As we go through suffering, the endurance and character that result produces an ever-greater certainty that God is exactly who He has said He is and that His promises are sure. Paul then offers a proof of this. He states that hope will never put us to shame because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us. In fact, the relationship between the believer and the Holy Spirit is so close that he has been poured into our hearts. I had mentioned earlier that these verses have been my anchor verses through suffering. That is not an understatement in any way. I had grown up in the church. In fact, I heard hymns and the words of the Bible before I was born. As I grew up, I did all the church things, camps, and confirmation; I even started participating in lay-level leadership roles in my church. If any of those things sound a bit foreign, it is because I grew up in the Episcopal tradition. Ultimately, instead of letting God into my heart and being the Lord of my entire life, I was going through the motions. Especially in college, my life looked no different than anybody elses. Remember those verses from Ephesians about living in the passions of our flesh and carrying out the desires of the body and the mind? That was me. Until that is, God got ahold of my heart. A group of us in ROTC decided that we wanted to start getting serious about our faith and started going to church together. We formed our own Bible study and as a small community of college-aged believers, we began trying to figure out what it meant to be Jesus followers. To make a long story very short, one of the members of this group would ultimately become my wife. As we deepened in our faith together as a group, I was drawn to what God was doing in her life. However, two weeks after we started dating, I started noticing an immense amount of pain in my abdomen and, even more concerning, evidence of internal bleeding. I started losing weight at an alarming rate and was ultimately diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called ulcerative colitis. Effectively, my immune system goes into overdrive and starts attacking and causing ulcers and a crazy amount of inflammation in my large intestine. Unfortunately, I have a rather severe form of the disease that affects not just a part of the intestine, but the entire thing. As is common with autoimmune diseases, finding the therapy that worked for me took a long time. Because of the severity of my diagnosis, this ultimately led me to being hospitalized seven times in the first 18 months following the onset of my symptoms. In addition to the pain, frustration, and confusion over what was happening, other things also started falling apart. A military career was now no longer an option for me. Because of the impact the disease was having on my body, I was sleeping 12-16 hours a day and was unable to continue pursuing my master's program. What is more, because of how the insurance I had purchased through the university was structured, it did not cover costs from chronic illnesses beyond $20,000. But through it all, God was working on my heart and my mind. He was showing me things about himself that I would likely never have learned had it not been for this. He was teaching me that my future job was not what defined me. Who I am in Jesus is what defines me. He was teaching me that the highest goal in life is not academic or professional achievement (Im a bit of an A-type personality and struggle with making my life about accomplishments). Instead, He showed me that following Him is the highest purpose in life. Now, perhaps the most incredible thing about this entire story is that Michaela stayed by my side throughout all of it. We had only recently started dating, but she was there for everything. I can still remember her voice as I was coming out of anesthesia after the scoping procedure that resulted in the diagnosis of the disease. I was insanely sick, my planned career was completely shattered, treatments werent working, and I had a sum of medical debt that was growing increasingly large. There were so many times when I felt absolutely lost and without hope. Yet, because of this community of people, especially Michaela, I was constantly reminded of God's goodness and how He works all things for the good of those who love Him, even if we dont see it in the moment. The Bible was my source of refuge, reminding me of the eternal promises of God that transcend our momentary afflictions. Things ultimately improved for me, and through a lot of help from my doctors and a lot of prayer, my condition was able to be controlled. There were still some rough points, and I experienced the occasional flare-up, but things returned to normal. Michaela and I got married, we found a way to pay off the medical debt, and life seemed to be going just fine. But what I didnt know at the time was that as I was going through all my medical issues and seeing Michaelas character displayed, God was showing me what it means to stand beside somebody as they are suffering. About two years after we got married, Michaela started showing symptoms of something, but the doctors couldnt figure out what it was. Finally, they had her stay on a heart monitor for an extended time, and the results were so concerning that the hospital in Laramie told us that we needed to come to the hospital here in Cheyenne because they were not prepared to deal with whatever the issue was. When Michaela arrived here, they took an Xray, and they found out that there was a mass about 12cm in diameter in her chest next to her heart. We were once again told that she needed to go to another hospital because the one here had no idea what was going on. However, this time, she had to travel via ambulance. We had come in the same vehicle, but as she was leaving in an ambulance, I followed in the car we brought over. It was such a good thing that it was the middle of the night because I was an absolute mess. If there had been any traffic whatsoever, I probably would have crashed. On that drive, I was confronted with an absolutely petrifying truth. There was nothing I could do for my wife but pray. I was helpless in the face of whatever it was that she had to face. I could not protect her, and I could not save her. And this was an earth-shattering realization for me. Of course, we all intellectually know that our time here is limited and that when it is time for us to leave this world, there is nothing we can do to stop it for ourselves or those we love. However, facing that reality directly is an entirely different notion. The radical realization that I had was that in this situation, she was entirely in the Lords hands. The even more radical realization I would only have reflecting later on, was that this is true every moment of every day. I just dont live like it. To capture this idea in his book The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis wrote, God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. This has been precisely my experience. The eternal truths that God exists, that we desperately need Him, and that He alone is sufficient for all our needs are sometimes most clearly heard when we are in our most desperate times of need. Upon arriving at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, we learned that the mass was a tumor, and it was an advanced stage of lymphoma. The doctors recommended that she start an aggressive form of chemotherapy immediately. We didnt have time to go home and talk about it. We didnt have time to prepare in case the therapy made it difficult or impossible to have kids. It was almost as if everything had been put onto tracks, and we were just along for the ride. Now, soon after all of this happened a good friend of mine who has been a mentor in many ways to me came by and prayed with us. Her prayers included pleas for healing, comfort, and everything else we typically lift up to God during these types of events. However, she prayed something else as well. She prayed that our hearts and minds would be open to what God had to teach us during this time of trial. It literally felt like a physical switch turned in my head. Despite all that I had been through, and all God had done in my own heart during my battles with illness, I had not stopped to consider that God may have something to teach us here as well. And teach He did. I learned how incredibly strong of a woman He made when He created my wife. I learned that I am not sufficient for her; only Jesus is. I learned that life can be extraordinarily fleeting and what we consider normal and act like will go on forever can end in an instant. Michaela spent the following months going to Denver for a week of treatment every three weeks. I tagged along and slept on the pullout bed on the couch in her room. That was our lives for almost four months: two weeks at home and one in the hospital. When I had to travel for work, her mom took my place. Now, you may be wondering who the better caretaker in our relationship is when the other is undergoing adversity. The answer is Michaela. You may also be wondering who deals with suffering better. The answer is also Michaela. Ultimately, Michaela completed the chemo regimen and has been in full remission for almost 10 years. Despite not being able to make alternative preparations, we have two incredible boys who are miracles in the fullest sense of the word. It can be easy to praise God and extol His greatness when things work out the way we hope and pray they will. However, there will come a day when I and everybody else whom I love will draw in their last breath. And in those moments, God still deserves all the glory and all the praise. I want to relay one more story before I wrap up about one of those times. My stepmoms father, my grandfather, or as we called him, Papou (that part of my family is Greek), had been extremely sick for a long time. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt. His wife, my Yaiyia, was a missionary in Kenya when he proposed to her in a letter. After starting their young family, they moved to Athens so he could pastor a church while they served as missionaries. When they moved back to the States, their home was always a place of love where all were welcome. Toward the end of his life, he was unable to care for or even feed himself and had to be placed in a home to receive the care he needed. As the end of his life was drawing ever closer, he came down with a severe infection that left him almost entirely incapacitated. One day, some of our dearest family friends were visiting him. As they prepared to leave, everybody gathered to pray, potentially for the last time, over this man who had lived his life faithfully for God. However, before anybody else had a chance to speak, this saint (by the way, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are a saint as well) who could not feed himself or even sit up started to pray. I was not there to hear these words, but they still reverberate in the deepest part of my being more than a decade later. Our precious heavenly father, he said, we just cant thank you enough. You have been so good to us. That is the strength that a life lived in the service and love of God bestows upon a person. The Christian lives not in quiet resignation in the face of a world that can be so cruel and cause so much suffering. Instead, the Christian can raise a triumphant cry that in our weakness, the strength of the Lord will be made perfect, and that is enough. We can, as Job did, bless the name of the Lord, come whatever may. We see this in the letter to the Corinthians: 9But he [God] said to me [Paul],My grace is sufficient for you, formy power is made perfect in weakness.Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so thatthe power of Christ may rest upon me.10For the sake of Christ, then,I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Forwhen I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:9-11) This is why Paul ends this passage with a reiteration of the gospel message. Even though each of us who follow Jesus has the real experience of having the Holy Spirit residing within us, there also is an objective truth for all to see. Christ came and died for us while we were still sinners. And this point is even more important than the point that we are physically broken and endure sufferings in this world. That point is that we are spiritually broken and separated from God, desperately in need of a Savior. Reflect with me on these closing verses. 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous personthough perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Jesus did not wait until we were perfect and had everything figured out before he came to die in our place. Instead, he came when we were still in sin, weak, and enemies of God. Unlike us, who so often act out of self-regard or do something because we view somebody as good and deserving, Jesus came to save us while we were still standing in complete opposition to God. This is the incredible news of the gospel. As much pain and suffering, as much physical brokenness that we may experience in this world, it is nothing compared to the spiritual sickness we suffer because of our separation from God. We all were far from God before coming to Christ, but he died in our place regardless and rose again, conquering death. We are justified, reconciled, and saved by what he did. And if you dont know Jesus yet, all you must do is accept him as your Lord and Savior and begin walking with him. Before we leave, I wanted to review some of the things I have learned from other believers and scripture about how to endure times of suffering. None of this is groundbreaking, but it works. Dont wait until you are in suffering to prepare If you wait until the morning of a marathon to train, it wont go well for you. The same is true here. If you wait until the moment of your trial to prepare, you are too late. Be in your Bible daily The stories of those who suffer in scripture are incredibly instructive and helpful. The principles you will learn from this book will help you in your time of need. But I never would have had these verses constantly in my mind and nourishing my soul if I had not read them. God uses scripture to help His followers in their time of need. Build relationships with fellow believersWhen Michaela and I have experienced times of suffering, it is the people of God, the Church, who have helped us more than anybody else. I have experienced the benefit of having somebody just come sit with you. Recently, while I was in the hospital, several friends visited throughout my stay. Mostly, we talked about the goodness of God. It helped me raise my eyes above my situation and stay focused on my Lord and Savior. Pray without ceasing Pray for those who are going through trials. Ask others to pray for you as you endure suffering. The Church was designed so that each member could help one another. And as you pray, follow Gods Spirit in how you can help. If you feel drawn to visit somebody who is ailing, go. If you feel called to cook them a meal, do it. Look for what God is trying to teach you Until our dying breath, we are running our race. As believers, we are walking down that narrow path that leads to Jesus. That path can be difficult and filled with obstacles sometimes. But even in our worst suffering, God is faithful, and He works all things for the good of those who love Him. If you let Him, He will develop in you: endurance, character, and a hope which will never be put to shame. Even in our greatest trials, He is still so incredibly good.

Podcast: Cyber Security Weekly Podcast (LS 38 · TOP 2% what is this?)Episode: Episode 413 - Operational Technology (OT) Cybersecurity - Episode 4Pub date: 2024-09-22This episode dives into OT Cybersecurity and discusses:SCADA, ICS & IIoT CybersecurityHow do we define an OT-related cyber incident?What are the leading standards and guidelines for managing OT Cybersecurity and resilience?Threat intelligence and suitable ISAC modelsVendor platform insights and cyber maturity landscapeSpeakers include:Daniel Ehrenreich, Secure Communications and Control ExpertsLesley Carhart, Director of Incident Response - DragosIlan Barda, Founder - RadiflowRahul Thakkar, Team Lead, System Engineering, ANZ, ForescoutDean Frye, Solutions Architect ANZ, Nozomi NetworksTo visit and subscribe to the full series visit https://mysecuritymarketplace.com/security-risk-professional-insight-series/#mysecuritytv #otcybersecurityFurther reading:https://mysecuritymarketplace.com/reports/your-guide-to-nis2-compliance/ https://www.forescout.com/research-labs/ot-iot-routers-in-the-software-supply-chain/https://cyberriskleaders.com/critical-infrastructure-organisations-remain-poorly-prepared-against-cyber-attacks/The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from MySecurity Media, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

We'll often phrase questions about the existence of evil as, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"There's a problem with this question: there are no good people. If we view the problem evil through the lens of our goodness, we will see ourselves as victims. But when we see the problem of evil through the lens of God's goodness, we will see ourselves as victors.Scripture tells us that God is good. James 1:16-17Like the lights in the sky, His goodness is constant. When life is bad, God is good. Don't get mad at God during times of pain, run to God during times of pain. John 10:10God is the solution to, not the author of life's tragedies. Matthew 7:11If your theology has your heavenly Father doing things that we would put an earthly father in jail for doing, you need to change your theology.Why do bad things happen? Bad things happen for three reasons:1. We make badGod didn't create evil, He created the ability to make choices. Evil is not a thing but an absence of a thing, like dark and light. When we "turn down" God, we turn down good and we are left with bad. Every one of us is good at making bad decisions. Romans 5:12Why did God create choice? So we could love Him and love others. You can't love without the possibly of not loving. Joshua 24:15The pain in this world doesn't reflect on God's goodness, it reflects on our brokenness.2. Our spiritual 1 Peter 5:8-9We have an evil and active adversary. 1 John 5:19Ephesians 2:22 Corinthians 4:4We live behind enemy lines. Don't blame God for what the devil does.3. Our broken Romans 8:19-22This planet is sick with sin, just like humanity is. Natural disasters aren't "acts of God" but "results of sin." Genetic disorders, viruses, contagions, infections are the natural result of a fallen world.Why doesn't God just stop bad things from happening?1. God isLove does what's best for the other person. Pain is necessary to let us know something is wrong. If God shielded you from your spiritual sickness, you would think everything is fine, and die in your sins before receiving the antidote.2. God is a good . Good parents know that children must experience consequences.How can we fear no evil?1. Deal with . 2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.Worry is a fear response when you feel out of control. Renew your mind and retrain your brain.2. Be prepared to .Ephesians 6:10-113. Expect things.Romans 8:28Anything bad that happens to us, God is going to make good.4. Be ready to meet           Luke 13:1-5  Do you fear evil or do you fight evil?

No Agenda Episode 1694 - "Gorgeous" "Gorgeous" Executive Producers: Arch-Duke of Central Florida Sir Douglas of The Bahamas Sir Mista Bob Dobalina Bowman McMahon - In loving memory of James Patrick McMahon Sir Luca Minister Kat Duchess Kim Keeper of the nutty fluffers Nathan Rottier Associate Executive Producers: Mark The Harper Team Sir Eternus Quievi Dame Beth Bailey Davies Eli the Coffee Guy beach view farm Linda Lu Duchess of jobs and writer resumes Anonymous Become a member of the 1695 Club, support the show here Boost us with with Podcasting 2.0 Certified apps: Podverse - Podfriend - Breez - Sphinx - Podstation - Curiocaster - Fountain Title Changes Duke of Central Florida > Arch-Duke of Central Florida Knights & Dames Douglas Ellis > Sir Douglas of The Bahamas Art By: Data End of Show Mixes: David Keckta - Oystein Berge - Tom Starkweather Engineering, Stream Management & Wizardry Mark van Dijk - Systems Master Ryan Bemrose - Program Director Back Office Jae Dvorak Chapters: Dreb Scott Clip Custodian: Neal Jones Clip Collectors: Steve Jones & Dave Ackerman NEW: and soon on Netflix: Animated No Agenda Sign Up for the newsletter No Agenda Peerage ShowNotes Archive of links and Assets (clips etc) 1694.noagendanotes.com Directory Archive of Shownotes (includes all audio and video assets used) archive.noagendanotes.com RSS Podcast Feed Full Summaries in PDF No Agenda Lite in opus format Last Modified 09/12/2024 17:06:22This page created with the FreedomController Last Modified 09/12/2024 17:06:22 by Freedom Controller

Welcome to the Kids Ministry and Leadership Podcast. This month we are delving deep into what an Outcome Based Ministry looks like and how it can bring tangible outcomes. Show notes for this ep will be below.Check us out!WebsiteInstagramThe OneHope framework consists of five crucial steps: Discover, Design, Do, Document, and Dream. Matthew 7:16.1. DiscoverEffective ministry begins with having a crystal-clear understanding of reality. We need to put on the hat of a learner and start asking questions. Proverbs 4:7We must use various methods such as formal or informal inquiries, collecting qualitative or quantitative information, or consulting primary or secondary sources. Proverbs 18:172. DesignNext, we move to Design. This step envisions what a church or ministry worker should do and what Kingdom change should happen.It is our chance to solve the issues identified in the Discover phase. Proverbs 29:18We need to put on our thinking hats together with a good team, bringing key partners and influencers to the table. Our aim is to design solutions that lead to action. As we plan, we remember Proverbs 16:3.For example, based on our earlier discovery, we could design a mentorship program for at-risk youth, with specific goals for academic improvement, character development, and spiritual growth. Good design always leads to action.3. DoThe third step is Do, which means implementing the designed program effectively and efficiently. James 1:22This is our chance to try our solutions: to execute our plans and allow real members of our ministry groups to interact with our designs, programs, and products.The Church exists to make disciples and elevate the Gospel. We must not be afraid to try new ideas and new ways of doing things, as Psalm 96:1.In our example, we would implement the mentorship program with weekly sessions, incorporating tutoring, life skills workshops, and spiritual guidance. Matthew 28:194. DocumentThe fourth step is Document. Documenting is crucial for evaluating fruitfulness.We want to keep track of our progress to evaluate where we have succeeded and where we have opportunities to improve. Habakkuk 2:2We need to collect data on participation, engagement, and progress towards goals. Peter Drucker once said, 'What gets measured, gets done.'If transformation is our pursuit, we should look to document and measure indicators that show evidence of transformation.For instance, we might document improvements in the youths' academic performance and collect personal testimonies of life changes. Matthew 7:16 I love the quote “It doesn't take a leader to start something but rather a leader to STOP something”. This all comes about as we document and see if what we thought was the solution actually is working.5. DreamFinally, we come to Dream. Dreaming is looking to the future.After assessing our progress in the Document stage, dreaming allows us to imagine more solutions and more ways to impact lives.Jeremiah 29:11We need to identify what needs to change or be dropped in our ministry approach and shape the future through continuous improvement. Ephesians 3:20.For example, based on the success of our mentorship program, we could dream of expanding it to additional communities and incorporating new elements such as career counselling and family support."By following these steps, we ensure our ministry efforts are purposeful, impactful, and continually evolving to meet the needs of those we serve.Consider these questions:How are you pursuing outcomes? In what areas is your ministry bearing fruit? What transformations are you measuring?

Read Online“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Matthew 19:21–22This is the conclusion to the conversation that Jesus had with a rich young man who came to Him and asked, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus went on to tell him to keep the commandments. The young man said he has done so from his youth and wanted to know what else he could do. So Jesus answered his question. But the answer was more than the young man could accept.“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Do you want to be perfect? If so, then Jesus has set a high bar for such a goal. It seems that many followers of Christ are okay with simply being okay. In other words, it seems that it is rare to find a person who is wholeheartedly committed to perfection. Many may have good intentions, but it seems that there are few who fully commit themselves to all it takes to truly obtain the perfection to which we are all called. It's interesting to note that Jesus' initial response to this rich young man explained the requirements for entering eternal life, that is, the minimal requirement for obtaining Heaven. Simply put, Jesus said that if you refrain from serious sin by keeping the commandments, then you will inherit eternal life. Of course, that also presumes that you have the gift of faith and are thus open to the gift of salvation. So is that what you are content with? Are you satisfied with doing the minimum it takes to get to Heaven? The idea of perfection can appear to be beyond us. Too often we can think, “I'm only human.” But as a human who is called by God, we are invited to work toward the obtainable goal of greater holiness. Though we will always fall short, we must strive to become as holy as we can, holding nothing back.Though the invitation given to this young man to “go, sell what you have and give to the poor” is not a requirement that our Lord places on everyone, He does call some to do this literally. But for everyone else, the invitation still remains—but in a spiritual sense rather than a literal sense. This is the spiritual call to interior poverty of spirit. Everyone of us is called to be interiorly detached from the things of this world in a complete way, even though we retain our possessions. We must have as our single possession the love of God and the service of His will. This depth of spiritual detachment means that God and His holy will is all we desire in life. And if He ever were to call us to literally give everything up, we would do it without hesitation. And though that may seem extreme, it is, in fact, exactly what will benefit us the most. It is the only way to become fully human and fully the person we were meant to be. And the end reward is not only the attainment of Heaven but an incomprehensible amount of glory in Heaven. The holier we become here on earth, the greater will our eternal reward be in Heaven. Do not hesitate to do all you can to build up that treasure that will be with you forever. Reflect, today, upon the high calling to perfection given to you by God. Ask yourself in a very sincere way whether or not you are simply okay with being okay or if you want so much more. Do you want the greatest riches in Heaven? Do you want your eternity to be one in which the spiritual treasures you build up now are with you forever? Do not hesitate to accept this high calling from Jesus. Allow His invitation to this rich young man to echo within your heart as His personal invitation to you, also. Say “Yes” to Him and know that you will be eternally grateful you did. My loving Lord, You invited the rich young man to strive for perfection. You also invite me and all Your children to this holy and high calling. Give me the grace I need to detach from all that hinders this goal so that I can make You and Your holy will the central and only goal of my life. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Cathedral Church of Saint Patrick (Charlotte, North Carolina) – stained glass, Christ and the rich young man By Nhevob, via Wikimedia Commons

Jesus Is Better | The Death that Redeems | Hebrews 9:15-22This year, we're on a series of teachings based on the book of Hebrews and centered on the preeminence of Jesus Christ, “Jesus Is Better.” In today's sermon, pastor Abie Kulynych talks about a different death, “The Death that Redeems.”

Trotz Sommerzeit und Sommerloch sind wir für euch da. Blast from the Past CrowdStrike on Linux Bug#1069642 CrowdStrike AGB Uber Eats Gutscheine Firefox Ladybird: A new cross-platform browser project Toter der Woche Humble Games Interview with a dying Company’s Project Manager Recaro Chrome Privacy Sandbox Chrome warnt vor Manifest v2 Extensions (ublock origin) Musterfragebogen Selbstauskunft AI der Woche Inside the AI technology trained on B.C. wildfires Openai new voice Fake trump Shooting Aider Friend AI Heise Stable fast 3D News Schweiz: Public Money - Public Code! ARD Mediathek: Erdrückende Papierflut OctoPrint’s anonymous usage stats were manipulated OctoPrint authors Gina Häußge github profile More manipulation of OctoPrint’s anonymous usage stats Google Docs with Markdown support Gollum 6.0 Ubiquity Ben the floating benchie Themen Teaser: Ingo und Felix haben nen 3d Drucker Mimimi der Woche Lesefoo Delphinhaut für Schiffspropeller Wie ein bisschen Rate-Limiting uns schleichend ruiniert hat, und jetzt nicht mehr Scaling One Million Checkboxes to 650,000,000 checks The linux audio stack demystified pw-cli load-module libpipewire-module-raop-discover Pi It takes 68 steps to deploy odoo with nixos twenty Picks BSDCan 2024 videos Star Trek Prodigy Sunny LibreOffice Document viewer Firefox: about:processes tab auto-gc (chrome+ff) neues Jolla Phone Jolla Mind2 Live Train Board

Dobber Prospects Report #66: Org Ranks #2Welcome to Dobber Prospects Report, a member of the Hockey Podcast Network. This is report #66. I'm Victor Nuño, one of the co-hosts here and with me is Peter Harling. In today's report, we are going to talk about organizational ranks 27 - 22This episode is brought to you by The Hockey Podcast Network, and DraftKings. Follow @hockeypodnet for more great hockey podcasts. You can use our DraftKings promo code THPN for listening to this show, more on that in a bit.We are also proudly sponsored by Fantrax, the ultimate league manager for any dynasty sport you play. It is completely customizable for however you want to set up your league from scoring categories, an amazing draft room to host the draft, draft pick tracking and a treasury option and so, so much more. Use our promo code to sign up for a free league using this linkfantrax.com/dprshow #27 - Pittsburgh PenguinsSergey Murashov - 5:50Mikhail Ilyin, - 11:21#26 - Vancouver CanucksTom Willander - 17:25Autu Raty - 23:19#25 - Las Vegas Golden KnightsIvan Morozov - 30:36Grigori Denisenko - 33:13#24 - Ottawa SenatorsTyler Kleven - 36:55#23 - New York RangersZac Jones - 44:21Dylan Garand - 51:27#22 - Boston BruinsGeorgi Merkulov - 56:03Brandon Bussi - 1:00:12Manscaped Live Read - :00Draft Kings Live Read - :29:59For feedback on the show or to chat with us, follow us on Twitter: @dpr_show @pharling @victornuno12 @sabourin91  Don't forget to follow @hockeypodnet and all the great podcasts on the network Please subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or the podcast aggregator of your choice and leave us a 5 star review, it really helps the show Gambling problem?Call one eight hundred gambler or visit W W W dot one eight hundred gambler dot net. In New York, call eight seven seven eight HOPE NY or text HOPE NY (four six seven three six nine). In Connecticut, Help is available for problem gambling call eight eight eight seven eight nine seven seven seven seven, or visit C C P G dot org. Please play responsibly. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (in Kansas). Twenty one plus age varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario. Bonus bets expire one hundred sixty eight hours after issuance. See D K N G dot com slash hockey for eligibility and deposit restrictions, terms, and responsible gaming resources. NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. © Copyright NHL 2024. All Rights Reserved.

Do you think of Sabbath as a weapon? In a culture that is addicted to the twin drugs of accomplishment and accumulation, Sabbath is how we “fight” back against Egypt, Pharaoh, and his empire. Join us as John Mark continues his biblical theology on Sabbath with an exploration of work and rest in the story of the Exodus.Key Scripture Passages: Exodus 20v8; Deuteronomy 5v12-15; Nehemiah 13v15-22This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Mical from Statesville, North Carolina; Taylor from Granger, Washington; Tim from Burbage, Leicestershire; Emily from Portland, Oregon; and Brendon from Doha, Qatar.Thank you all so much!If you'd like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.

We are not quite home yet.Friday • 7/5/2024 •This morning's Scriptures are: Psalm 140; Psalm 142; Numbers 24:1-13 [12-25]; Romans 8:12-17 [18-25]; Matthew 22:15-22This morning's Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6–11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

We are not quite home yet.Friday • 7/5/2024 •This morning's Scriptures are: Psalm 140; Psalm 142; Numbers 24:1-13 [12-25]; Romans 8:12-17 [18-25]; Matthew 22:15-22This morning's Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6–11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)

The Chronicles of Noah - Voyage of the G_d Fearerhttp://www.battle4freedom.com/studio/?dtt-the-chronicles-of-noahNetwork: https://www.mojo50.comStreaming: https://www.rumble.com/Battle4Freedomhttps://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A23&version=CJBMatthew 25:23His master said to him, "Excellent! you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been faithful with a small amount, so I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and join in your master's happiness!"https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A8&version=CJBGenesis 6:8But Noach found grace in the sight of Adonai.https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A17&version=CJBJames 1:17Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father who made the heavenly lights; with him there is neither variation nor darkness caused by turning.https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A9-10&version=CJBGenesis 6:9-10Here is the history of Noach. In his generation, Noach was a man righteous and wholehearted; Noach walked with G_d. Noach fathered three sons, Shem, Ham and Yefet.https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A11-12&version=CJBGenesis 6:11-12The earth was corrupt before G_d, the earth was filled with violence. G_d saw the earth, and, yes, it was corrupt; for all living beings had corrupted their ways on the earth.https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A13-14&version=CJBGenesis 6:13-14G_d said to Noach, "The end of all living beings has come before me, for because of them the earth is filled with violence. I will destroy them along with the earth. Make yourself an ark of gofer-wood; you are to make the ark with rooms and cover it with pitch both outside and inside. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A15-16&version=CJBGenesis 6:15-16Here is how you are to build it: the length of the ark is to be 450 feet, its width seventy-five feet and its height forty-five feet. You are to make an opening for daylight in the ark eighteen inches below its roof. Put a door in its side; and build it with lower, second and third decks."https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A17-18&version=CJBGenesis 6:17-18"Then I myself will bring the flood of water over the earth to destroy from under heaven every living thing that breathes; everything on earth will be destroyed. But I will establish my covenant with you; you will come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife and your sons' wives with you."https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A19-21&version=CJBGenesis 6:19-21"From everything living, from each kind of living being, you are to bring two into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they are to be male and female. Of each kind of bird, each kind of livestock, and each kind of animal creeping on the ground, two are to come to you, so that they can be kept alive. Also take from all the kinds of food that are eaten, and collect it for yourself; it is to be food for you and for them." https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+6%3A22&version=CJBGenesis 6:22This is what Noach did; he did all that G_d ordered him to do.https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+15%3A22&version=CJB1 Samuel 15:22Sh'mu'el said, "Does Adonai take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying what Adonai says? Surely obeying is better than sacrifice, and heeding orders than the fat of rams."

Grace has one school: the church.Monday • 7/1/2024 •This morning's Scriptures are: Psalm 106; Numbers 22:1-21; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 21:12-22This morning's Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2–6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94)

The tangled history of Israel has led to this singular Son, Jesus Christ.Monday • 6/24/2024 •This morning's Scriptures are: Psalm 89:1-18; Numbers 16:1-19; Romans 3:21-31; Matthew 19:13-22This morning's Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 9 (“The First Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 12:2–6, BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 19 (“The Song of the Redeemed,” Revelation 15:3–4, BCP, p. 94)

Text: 1 Samuel 8:1-22This sermon is part of our current series: Not by MightRecorded live at Bethany Bible Church on: 5/12/24Bethany Radio is a production of Bethany Bible Church in LeRoy, MN.More content and info is available on our website: bethanybibleleroy.com 2024 — Bethany Radio

Lesson 13: You Are Unlimited SpiritSection 5: Bringing Awareness to the Limiting Definitions of YourselfParagraphs: 21-22This episode is a revelation, peeling back the veneer of self-imposed identities to illuminate our cosmic true self. We're diving deep into the art of self-transformation, exploring how the commitments we make to ourselves propel us on an ever-ascending spiral of personal growth. Unlock the secrets to seeing through the mirage of ego, as we celebrate the joy of embracing our infinite nature and creative power. Together, we'll scrutinize the limiting beliefs that have long confined us, and learn to live authentically with the understanding that we are indeed beings of boundless potential.We also expand into the concept of Christ Consciousness, interpreting it as a profound recognition of our divine capacity for love and creation. I'll share insights on how your self-image can either erect walls or lay down bridges to your dreams, urging you to affirm your innate worthiness and the Christ-like Love you embody. As we wrap up this episode, I invite you to join the conversation, to become an integral part of this journey. If you're interested in the Living The Way of Mastery Year-Long Program, click here.If you'd like to support the podcast, you can donate here:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thewayofmasteryIf you would like to experience Revelation Breathwork, you can get our FREE 3-part Breathwork for Beginners series here.Purchase The Way of Mastery here. (This is a link to the Shanti Christo website, not Amazon. I want to support the organization. I don't receive any commission from this.)You can purchase access to the Lesson 5 Guided Meditation Prayer that Jason recorded here for $4.44

Proverbs 10:22; 2 Corinthians 9:6-12, especially verse 1; Philippians 4:10-20, especiallyverse 112-13.The key point, when it comes to especially silver and gold, is that in our servicefor the Lord's all situations are not the same: There are times of want(hungry) andplenty(being well fed). What is common to both is Philippians 4:13.We are in the process of learning by experience that “We can do everything Heasks us to do, through Him who gives us strength or enables us to perform Hispurposes. So in all our endeavors whether we consider them sacred or secular, there isno real difference, we have to rely and serve Him(We pray and live for Him “withoutceasing” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17) And whether we are going through a period of wantor plenty, they are both permitted by God, we have to continue to trust in Him andcontinue to do all things, sacred or secular for the glory of God: 1 Corinthians 10:31,Colossians 3:17.Proverbs 10:22 further reminds us that wealth and earthly provisions, that issilver or gold or the sacred, God is involved in all things concerning us; He wants toprovide on all levels of existence (remember Matthew 6:32-33 etc). And when it is Godenabled and given prosperity it will also be God glorifying a blessing to others andourselves. And this prosperity will not cause us trouble spiritually with God that wealthcan sometimes cause (note James 5:1-6, God is against selfish rich hoarders). Again,they can cause trouble for our relationship with the Lord. But note my paraphrase ofProverbs 10:22, placed in the context of 2 Corinthians 9:6-12: “The blessing of Yahweh,which also includes physical blessings, can bring wealth to those he chooses to blesswithout anxiety, stress and troubles they can cause.”Philippians 4:10-20 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 provide N.T. illustrations for whatProverbs 10:22 is stating.A) Philippians 4:10-20a) That while God permits periods and experiences of need and want Healso provides times great provision even wealth for His children. But, Hispersona & Spirit never leave us nor forsakes us: Philippians 4:13 to learn“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength”. What is implied byPaul, from his own experiences is that even in periods of great provisionswe still need him in one way or another. It just feels more difficult when weexperience more conscious needs. But, for example, remember thelessons illustrated in the Scriptures: Elijah, fed by the ravens 1 Kings17:4-6; The Manna from heaven John 6:5-8; Jesus multiplies the loavesand fishes Matthew 14:17-19 and especially Matthew 6 etc.B) 2 Corinthians 9:6-15: Here Paul reminds us that God can bless or make us rich inevery way. (Verse 11) And of course this includes the physical as Proverbs 10:22tells us, but for a purpose, note again, verse 11, so that God will be glorified byyour growing generosity, others helped and we are blessed (The basic holytriangle for all things spiritual)a) So that when Luke 6:20 states “blessed are the poor for theirs is theKingdom of God etc” What's implied is the community th;at is part of thiskingdom, now as well as forever, can and should step in to help, especiallythose who are experiencing wealth (read also, Acts 2:44; 4:32-37 andJames 1:26-27). Paul corroborates this in 2 Corinthians 9:11-15, “... Godloves a cheerful giver verse 7.”C) Proverbs 10:22This sharing of God given wealth can avoid much of the troubles andstress that fleshly, hoarded wealth can cause in our sinful world, becauseit's God given and managed. (e.g. The rich versus the poor, class warfareetc.)Amen

With Much going on in the NBA we catch up on a few things1- What's going on with everybody scoring 60 and 70 points? 0:182- Kevin Is or Isn't The Goat? 42:183- Doc River already on the hot seat with the Bucks? 1:17:22This was a good one so don't miss the insight and different perspective on the talksSupport the showShow some support for the showhttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2008789/supporters/newFollow the Podcast TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@beballjonespodcast Follow BeBall Jones on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Facebook @BeBallJones Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beballjones/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeBallJonesTikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdAFqYm9/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeballJones0

No Agenda Episode 1624 - "Bub" "Bub" Executive Producers: Sir Render of the Granite Town James Morrin Frank Bourne David Lerma Associate Executive Producers: Sir Cal of Lavenderblossoms.org Rob Moreira Brandon Brown Linda Lupatkin 1624 Club Members: Become a member of the 1625 Club, support the show here Boost us with with Podcasting 2.0 Certified apps: Podverse - Podfriend - Breez - Sphinx - Podstation - Curiocaster - Fountain Title Changes Sir Trickles of Greenwich > Baron Trickles of Beds, Herts and Bucks Knights & Dames Scott Bilik > Sir Render of the Granite Town Gabe Grider > Sir Gabe, Blue Collar Knight of the Building Trades Art By: Matt Boisvert End of Show Mixes: Stef Jacobsen - Mike Petere - REXO Engineering, Stream Management & Wizardry Mark van Dijk - Systems Master Ryan Bemrose - Program Director Back Office Jae Dvorak Chapters: Dreb Scott Clip Custodian: Neal Jones Clip Collectors: Steve Jones & Dave Ackerman NEW: and soon on Netflix: Animated No Agenda Sign Up for the newsletter No Agenda Peerage ShowNotes Archive of links and Assets (clips etc) 1624.noagendanotes.com Directory Archive of Shownotes (includes all audio and video assets used) archive.noagendanotes.com RSS Podcast Feed Full Summaries in PDF No Agenda Lite in opus format Last Modified 01/11/2024 16:36:22This page created with the FreedomController Last Modified 01/11/2024 16:36:22 by Freedom Controller

No Agenda Episode 1619 - "Flash to Bang" "Flash to Bang" Executive Producers: Sir Onymous of Dogpatch and Lower Slobbovia Mike & Becky Chinni Baronet and Baronettes of The Great Katy Prarie Anonymous Dame Kristin of Carmel-By-The-Sea John Greer Bill Mountney anonymous USA Toy Sales Eric Makarewicz Dame Janice of the Bombing Range. Jon from Immediate Casualty Care Benjamin Domzalsk Jesse Skallerud Priscilla OLeary Dylan Associate Executive Producers: Bowman McMahon Kathryn Boudreau Jamie Forsythe Sir Pursuit of Peace & Tranquility Dame Astrid Duchess of Japan and all the Disputed Islands Dave the broke air traffic controller Sir Jeremy Chum-Phatti IAN WATT JS Brandon Trainque Linda Lupatkin Become a member of the 1620 Club, support the show here Boost us with with Podcasting 2.0 Certified apps: Podverse - Podfriend - Breez - Sphinx - Podstation - Curiocaster - Fountain Title Changes mike Chinni, Knight of the Great Katy Prairie > Baronet Becky Chinni, , Dame of the Great Katy Prairie > Baronetess Knights & Dames Nick Ridge > Baronet Nickster of the Highgrove overlooking the Grand Terrace of the Inland Empire. Art By: Dirty Jersey Whore End of Show Mixes: Jesse Coy Nelson - Bill Mountney - Jesse Coy Nelson Engineering, Stream Management & Wizardry Mark van Dijk - Systems Master Ryan Bemrose - Program Director Back Office Jae Dvorak Chapters: Dreb Scott Clip Custodian: Neal Jones Clip Collectors: Steve Jones & Dave Ackerman NEW: and soon on Netflix: Animated No Agenda Sign Up for the newsletter No Agenda Peerage ShowNotes Archive of links and Assets (clips etc) 1619.noagendanotes.com Directory Archive of Shownotes (includes all audio and video assets used) archive.noagendanotes.com RSS Podcast Feed Full Summaries in PDF No Agenda Lite in opus format Last Modified 12/24/2023 17:21:22This page created with the FreedomController

Fresh off her inclusion on Variety's TOP 40 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN REALITY TV, TORI DEAL has been added to Challenge Mania Live CHICAGO at Zanies Rosemont on February 3rd!Join Tori, Tony, Jonna, Corey & Scott & Mark!www.ChallengeManiacs.comPRE-SALE ON 11/21www.ChallengeMania.LiveON SALE TO EVERYONE 11/22This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/2987894/advertisement

EPHESIANS 1: 1-22This week we explore hope and what it means to have faith in God through out all chapters of our lives. Join us as we are invited to bare beloved-ness as we look at our view of the future and how it fully determines how we are living now.

Saint Euphrosynos the Cook of Alexandria (September 11), patron of cooks & kitchensReference materials for this episode:https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/09/11/102581-saint-euphrosynos-the-cook-of-alexandriaThe Great Collection of the Lives of the Saints, Volume 1 - ISBN-10: ‎0963518372 & ISBN-13: 978-0963518378Scripture citations for this episode:Genesis 2:15-17Genesis 3:17-19Genesis 4:10-12 & 17-24Genesis 9:1-7Matthew 14:13-21Luke 10:38-42John 6:22-69Revelation 21 & 22This episode is a joint production of Paradosis Pavilion & Generative soundsAll music in this (& every) episode of The Christian Saints Podcast is a production of Generative SoundsParadosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555Generative Sounds - https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.comIconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these imagesPrints of all of Nick's work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.comDistribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative SoundsCopyright 2021 - 2023

“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Matthew 19:21–22This is the conclusion to the conversation that Jesus had with a rich young man who came to Him and asked, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus went on to tell him to keep the commandments. The young man said he has done so from his youth and wanted to know what else he could do. So Jesus answered his question. But the answer was more than the young man could accept.“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Do you want to be perfect? If so, then Jesus has set a high bar for such a goal. It seems that many followers of Christ are okay with simply being okay. In other words, it seems that it is rare to find a person who is wholeheartedly committed to perfection. Many may have good intentions, but it seems that there are few who fully commit themselves to all it takes to truly obtain the perfection to which we are all called. It's interesting to note that Jesus' initial response to this rich young man explained the requirements for entering eternal life, that is, the minimal requirement for obtaining Heaven. Simply put, Jesus said that if you refrain from serious sin by keeping the commandments, then you will inherit eternal life. Of course, that also presumes that you have the gift of faith and are thus open to the gift of salvation. So is that what you are content with? Are you satisfied with doing the minimum it takes to get to Heaven?The idea of perfection can appear to be beyond us. Too often we can think, “I'm only human.” But as a human who is called by God, we are invited to work toward the obtainable goal of greater holiness. Though we will always fall short, we must strive to become as holy as we can, holding nothing back.Though the invitation given to this young man to “go, sell what you have and give to the poor” is not a requirement that our Lord places on everyone, He does call some to do this literally. But for everyone else, the invitation still remains—but in a spiritual sense rather than a literal sense. This is the spiritual call to interior poverty of spirit. Everyone of us is called to be interiorly detached from the things of this world in a complete way, even though we retain our possessions. We must have as our single possession the love of God and the service of His will. This depth of spiritual detachment means that God and His holy will is all we desire in life. And if He ever were to call us to literally give everything up, we would do it without hesitation. And though that may seem extreme, it is, in fact, exactly what will benefit us the most. It is the only way to become fully human and fully the person we were meant to be. And the end reward is not only the attainment of Heaven but an incomprehensible amount of glory in Heaven. The holier we become here on earth, the greater will our eternal reward be in Heaven. Do not hesitate to do all you can to build up that treasure that will be with you forever.Reflect, today, upon the high calling to perfection given to you by God. Ask yourself in a very sincere way whether or not you are simply okay with being okay or if you want so much more. Do you want the greatest riches in Heaven? Do you want your eternity to be one in which the spiritual treasures you build up now are with you forever? Do not hesitate to accept this high calling from Jesus. Allow His invitation to this rich young man to echo within your heart as His personal invitation to you, also. Say “Yes” to Him and know that you will be eternally grateful you did.My loving Lord, You invited the rich young man to strive for perfection. You also invite me and all Your children to this holy and high calling. Give me the grace I need to detach from all that hinders this goal so that I can make You and Your holy will the central and only goal of my life. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Acts 6:1-7:22This week, we pick up in the first century church, where there is some discussion amongst the brethren about serving, and a need arising. We begin to see Stephen and his servant hood for our Lord alongside others in chapter 6 as the need arises in the church, his gifts,  and then as we move into chapter 7, we begin our look at Stephen's  defense of our Lord and his faith. 

No Agenda Episode 1509 - "The Best Clips Of The Day" "The Best Clips Of The Day" Executive Producers: Sir Cumference, Adam Curry, John C Dvorak Become a member of the 1510 Club, support the show here Boost us with with Podcasting 2.0 Certified apps: Podfriend - Breez - Sphinx - Podstation - Curiocaster - Fountain Art By: Darren O'Neill Engineering, Stream Management & Wizardry Mark van Dijk - Systems Master Ryan Bemrose - Program Director Back Office Jae Dvorak, Aric Mackey Chapters: Dreb Scott Clip Custodian: Neal Jones NEW: and soon on Netflix: Animated No Agenda No Agenda Social Registration Sign Up for the newsletter No Agenda Peerage ShowNotes Archive of links and Assets (clips etc) 1509.noagendanotes.com New: Directory Archive of Shownotes (includes all audio and video assets used) archive.noagendanotes.com RSS Podcast Feed Full Summaries in PDF No Agenda Lite in opus format NoAgendaTorrents.com has an RSS feed or show torrents Last Modified 12/04/2022 09:09:22This page created with the FreedomController Last Modified 12/04/2022 09:09:22 by Freedom Controller