Podcasts about Abide

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

How can Christians remain faithful in a culture that constantly pressures them to compromise? In this episode of Michael Easley inContext, Michael sits down with pastor, author, and Portland Trail Blazers chaplain Mike Tatlock to discuss his book A Compelling Faith in a Compromising Culture. Together they explore what it means to engage culture without compromising biblical truth, identify the hidden idols that compete for our hearts, and discover how abiding in Christ transforms our daily lives. Mike shares practical wisdom for believers who want to grow spiritually, walk in the Spirit, share their faith with confidence, and develop a deeper relationship with Christ. Whether you're a pastor, parent, business professional, athlete, or simply seeking a stronger faith, this conversation offers biblical encouragement and practical next steps. In This Episode: -Why many Christians struggle to share their faith -The difference between disciple-making and church attendance -How culture shapes our hearts more than we realize -Identifying modern idols like comfort, approval, success, and control -What it truly means to abide in Christ -Walking in the Spirit versus relying on willpower -The power of slowing down and listening to God -Why spiritual growth requires dying to self -Biblical leadership, sacrifice, and serving others -Ministry opportunities in sports and culture Chapters 00:00 Why Most Christians Don't Share Their Faith 00:49 Introducing Mike Tatlock 01:45 Why Christians Must Engage Culture 03:09 A Third Way Between Compromise and Conflict 04:28 The Church's Discipleship Problem 07:03 The World, the Flesh, and the Devil 08:41 Modern Idolatry Explained 11:07 What Does It Mean to Abide in Christ? 12:56 The Benefits of Abiding 15:13 Practical Ways to Abide Daily 18:20 Walking in the Spirit vs. Willpower 21:02 The Power of the Pause 23:02 The Paradox of the Crucified Life 25:02 Dying to Self in Everyday Life 26:33 Marriage, Leadership, and Sacrifice 31:00 Vertical Pursuit and Discipleship Resources 32:08 Ministry as an NBA Chaplain 34:02 Reaching Athletes and Students for Christ 35:15 Final Encouragement Links Mentioned: A Compelling Faith in a Compromising Culture by Mike TatlockWatch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel. For more inContext interviews, click here.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by James Seawood, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. God wants your heart. Meditate on Acts 13:22. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation centers on the importance of living in continual awareness of God's presence and intentionally including Him in every aspect of daily life. Ron shares how his experience in Israel impacted his walk with the Lord, particularly through the Jewish practice of prayer, memorizing Scripture, and keeping God at the forefront of everyday activities. The discussion highlights how prayer is not merely a religious exercise but a way of welcoming God's presence into every moment. The family also reflect on a worship service at a Messianic Jewish Kehila in Jerusalem, where people of all ages participated by singing and reciting Scripture. This experience served as a powerful picture of the Body of Christ functioning together, with every member contributing. The conversation further explores the beauty of Israel, the faith and resilience of its people, the security provided by the IDF, and the fulfillment of biblical prophecies visible in modern Jerusalem. Throughout the discussion, the emphasis remains on recognizing God's faithfulness, cultivating His presence, and allowing His Word to become a living reality in daily life. Show Notes • Ron shares how his trip to Israel changed his perspective on prayer and daily fellowship with God. • The importance of memorizing Scripture and keeping the Word continually before the Lord. • Dale explains how Jewish culture intentionally includes God in every aspect of life. • Discussion of prayer as the gateway to living in God's presence. • Ron describes attending a Messianic Jewish Kehila where worship centered on Scripture, participation, and community. • The congregation demonstrated a living expression of the Body of Christ, with every person contributing. • Reflections on the beauty and fruitfulness of the land of Israel. • Observations of the security and vigilance of the Israeli people and the IDF. • Testimonies of feeling God's peace and protection while in Israel. • The fulfillment of biblical prophecy seen in the children playing in the streets of Jerusalem. • Recognition of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ongoing work among His people. Key Quotes • "When you do that, it really brings the Lord front and center in an awareness." • "I'm trying to memorize, memorize, memorize so that I can mumble all day long the Word of God." • "The drive of our hearts is to be in His presence always." • "The best way to welcome Him into our presence is prayer." • "To me, it was like an example of the Body of Christ moving where every member supplies." • "I never felt afraid at all, not even once." • "A lot of it had to do with the presence of the Lord." • "The children will be playing once again in the streets of old Jerusalem." • "These kids were having a ball. They were just having fun." Scriptural References Psalm 1 (2) "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night." Referenced through Ron's emphasis on memorizing and continually speaking the Word of God. Psalm 119 (11) "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." Reflects the discussion of hiding God's Word in the heart through memorization. Joshua 1 (8) "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night." Illustrates the practice of continually speaking and meditating on God's Word. 1 Thessalonians 5 (17) "Pray without ceasing." Supports the theme of including God in every aspect of life through continual prayer. John 15 (4–5) "Abide in Me, and I in you." Reflects the desire to live continually in God's presence and awareness. Ephesians 4 (16) "From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together... causes the growth of the body." Illustrates Ron's observation of every member participating during worship at the Kehila. 1 Peter 2 (5) "You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house." Supports the picture of a functioning spiritual community where every member contributes. Isaiah 35 (1) "The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom like the crocus." Connected to the discussion of Israel's land flourishing and becoming fruitful. Zechariah 8 (4–5) "Old men and old women will again sit in the streets of Jerusalem... and the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing in its streets." Directly referenced in the conversation regarding Rothschild Square and children playing in Jerusalem. Psalm 91 (1–2) "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." Reflects the testimony of experiencing peace and protection while in Israel. Takeaway Living in God's presence is not reserved for special moments of worship or prayer meetings; it is a daily lifestyle of intentionally including Him in everything we do. As believers fill their hearts with His Word, cultivate continual prayer, and remain aware of His nearness, they become increasingly sensitive to His presence and His leading. Out of that relationship flows peace, worship, fellowship, and a living expression of Christ through His Body. The more God becomes the center of everyday life, the more His reality is manifested in and through His people.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Chloë Elmore, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. Where do you find your joy? Meditate on Psalm 5:11. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

June 14, 2021 sermon from Providence Reformed Church Las Vegas by PRC Elder Candidate, John kersey

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated byJennifer Clark, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. God’s steadfast love endures forever! Meditate on Psalm 89:1. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood What if Jesus wants more than your belief? What if He wants your complete union with Him? In Episode 165 of 2 Minute Disciple, we meditate on John 6:52–59, one of the most challenging and misunderstood passages in all of Scripture. As the crowd struggles to understand Jesus' teaching, He does something surprising. He doesn't soften His words. He doesn't explain them away. Instead, He presses deeper. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.” These words shocked His listeners, and they continue to challenge readers today. Jesus is not describing a distant relationship built on admiration, agreement, or occasional spiritual activity. He is describing a relationship as intimate and essential as food itself. Food becomes part of us. It nourishes us from within. It sustains our lives. In the same way, Jesus invites us to receive His life so deeply that His presence becomes the source of our strength, wisdom, peace, and identity. This is the language of abiding. “Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.” The Christian life is not merely following Jesus from a distance. It is living in continual communion with Him. His life becomes our life. His strength becomes our strength. His presence becomes the atmosphere in which we live and move. This passage reminds us that Christianity is not simply about believing truths about Jesus. It is about participating in His life. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why Jesus intensified His teaching when the crowd objected • What it means to “feed” on Christ spiritually • The biblical meaning of abiding in Jesus • How union with Christ transforms everyday life • A practical habit for practicing the presence of God Scripture John 6:52–59 (NLT)

Closing Thought: Beloved, it is the last hour. Deceivers are real. Lies about Christ are deadly. But you do not need a newer gospel, a deeper secret, or a more impressive Christ. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. Confess the Son. Trust the Spirit's anointing. Abide in Him now, so that when He appears, you may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Dianne Jackson, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. Let the Spirit of God be your advocate. Meditate on John 14:16. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Lonein Lara, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. When your faith is quaked, let God be your security. Meditate on Psalm 27:5. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by James Seawood, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. Beginning to wonder if you’ll ever find peace? Meditate on Romans 16:20. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Melissa Disney, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. How are you kept safe? Meditate on John 17:12. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Season 22: Abide | #8 – Reciprocal AbidingSHOW NOTES: NEW! Watch us ONLINE! Click here!God invites believers to “Abide” by immersing ourselves in His Word. It is His desire for each of us to walk in the same way Jesus walked. We are Christ's followers, and these words apply to each of us. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12When we abide in God's Word, we experience guidance by the Spirit. The Spirit's job is to take the truths about Jesus and make them known to us. He is our helper, teacher, and constant companion. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:13-14 This reciprocal abiding – we abide in Him, God in us – is the fullest expression of fellowship with God. This is only possible through the gift of His Spirit, by whom the relationship with the Father and the Son is sealed eternally. When we abide in God's Word, we deepen our relationship with Him. We abide in Him! And He abides in us.SONG: Abide - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA-Wi4fdcVE&list=RDBA-Wi4fdcVE&start_radio=1

Live from the Abide Women's Conference 2026, we sit down with Sister Mary Madeline Todd of the Nashville Dominicans for a joyful conversation about vocation, identity, friendship with Jesus, and the transformative power of God's love.Sister Mary Madeline shares the beautiful story behind her religious name, inspired by Saint Mary Magdalene, whose encounter with Christ became a witness to resurrection and hope. Together, we explore the significance of names in the Catholic tradition, the role of the saints in our lives, and how God calls each of us to become the person He created us to be.We also dive into the Dominican charism of preaching and evangelization, discussing Saint Dominic's passion for helping people know God's truth and how that mission continues today through teaching, ministry, and joyful witness.Whether you're discerning your vocation, seeking deeper friendship with Jesus, or simply looking for encouragement in your faith journey, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that Christ makes all things new. Episode Highlights The story behind Sister Mary Madeline's religious name  Finding saints who inspire and guide us  Encouraging our children to become the saints God created them to be  Friendship with Jesus as the foundation of every vocation  Living with joy as a witness to Christ Support the show

One year ago, a man detained by ICE in the Phelps County Jail died. That led a group of concerned residents in Rolla to form Abide in Love — an organization dedicated to helping immigrants and their families. The movement has spread to seven chapters across three states. St. Louis Public Radio's Jonathan Ahl was there as members of the group celebrated the one-year commitment to their efforts.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Tyler Boss, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. Feeling insecure? Meditate on Hebrews 3:14. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Send us Fan MailI Am That (Nisargadatta Maharaj): Abide in “I Am,” Non-Dual Awakening & the Fire of EarnestnessIn this episode, Dr. Downes and Adam Rizvi discuss Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj's Advaita Vedanta classic I Am That and his non-dual teaching to “abide in the I AM.” They describe Nisargadatta's background as a Bombay cigarette vendor, his fiery demeanor, and how he realized freedom after three years of single-pointed trust in his guru's simple instruction, without mantras or scripture. They explore key ideas from the book's Q&A dialogues: the “inner teacher” as the witness of mind, the shift from identifying as a body moving through time and space to recognizing all experience arises in awareness, and the importance of repeatedly returning to the immovable sense of being. They also unpack “earnestness” as intense longing—orientation, intensity, sincerity, and consistency—and recommend reading short passages nightly.00:55 Introducing I Am That01:19 Who Was Nisargadatta04:02 Why This Book Matters05:27 Lineage and Anti Scripture08:00 Abide in I Am Practice11:51 Effort and Awareness14:32 Reading a Key Passage18:59 Time Space as Experience25:36 Making It Practical28:52 Habit of Returning30:03 Earnestness and Desire31:34 Inner Renunciation33:36 Awakening Drive Question34:30 Earnestness Explained37:19 Fire for Awakening41:10 Embers Into Intensity43:17 Mystics Across Traditions46:13 Sufi Ishq and Fana47:55 Quote Off Returns48:54 Beyond God Concept54:06 Reading Practice Tips56:20 Closing and CigarettesSupport the showCopyright 2026 by Letters to the Sky

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Chloë Elmore, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. How does waiting on God renew your strength? Meditate on Isaiah 40:31. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How can you know that you have eternal life? In the final message of our Abide series, we look at 1 John 5:6–21 and John's closing words about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. John writes to believers who may struggle with doubt, guilt, fear, and uncertainty, and he reminds them that eternal life is found in Jesus. This message explores why Jesus' humanity matters, why His death on the cross was necessary, and how believers can have confidence before God. John reminds us that whoever has the Son has life, and that those who belong to Jesus are heard by God, protected by Christ, and helped by the Holy Spirit in the fight against sin. In this sermon, we explore what it means to know that we have eternal life, how to pray with confidence, how to intercede for brothers and sisters caught in sin, and why John ends his letter by warning us to keep ourselves from idols.

Thank you for joining us this week as we continue our series in Abide but this week, we are entering phase ✌️ of our Abide series where we are learning what it looks like to REFLECT Jesus in our life. To kick us off, Pastor Tyler leads us in James 1 to discuss how we can reflect on our trials! We hope you are encouraged and convicted by this message, and we can't wait to see you next week! As always — love God, love others, and make disciples!

Sermon Series: Invited to Abide Sermon Title: A Walk in The Light Scripture: John 8:12, 12:46; 1 John 2:1-17 Date: 6.7.2026 Message by: Pastor David Adams

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Johnathon Eltrevoog, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. Do you regularly and intentionally do good to all people? Meditate on Galatians 6:10. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Go Again | Abide's 6th Birthday by Pastor Dan DeBell

For this sermon in our Abide series, Pastor Shaddye gives us a message urging us to really look at what we really are depending on.

Go to sermon webpage: THE WAY TO THE CROSS

The key to obedience is abiding in Christ.

In our ongoing series Above All Else, Grant Clark turns to the seventh and most misunderstood of the deadly sins: sloth. Far from simple laziness, sloth -- or acedia -- is a spiritual apathy and quiet resistance to Jesus that can live just as easily in the heart of the overachiever as in the one on the couch."Acedia is ultimately a failure of love. It's a place of apathy toward life and a kind of spiritual boredom... Whether midday, midlife, halftime or halfway through a big project, we're tempted to give in, give up or distract ourselves. Acedia tempts us to abandon the life we have for some imagined better option somewhere else -- as in 'anywhere but here'! Acedia can also be the temptation to live our lives in imagined fantasies of what might be rather than living in the gift of what is." - Alan Fadling (An Unhurried Life)What is acedia?- The Cambridge Dictionary defines sloth as "an unwillingness to work or to make any effort" -- but the biblical concept runs far deeper- Derived from the Greek a ("not") + keedos ("to care") -- acedia is a failure of love, a resistance to the transformation God is calling us into- Pope John Paul II defined acedia as "a sadness arising from the fact that the good is difficult"- It is not just laziness -- it is a selective laziness that can look like overwork, busyness, and productivity while neglecting the most important thingWhat does acedia look like?- The story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42): Martha was productive and active, but distracted from the one thing necessary -- attentiveness to Jesus- "Acedia is 'a restlessness that entices us to pursue everything but our most important duties. Acedia distracts. It makes us lazy and sluggish toward our spiritual and practical responsibilities. It is a selective laziness that makes everything else appealing.'" - John Cassian- "Slothful people are not only found lying around on couches or beds. They are often found in the gym every morning at 5:00 A.M., leading large organizations and companies, writing books, achieving goals, and even working hundred-hour weeks. Yes, the same sin can be at work in the heart of the person glued to the TV and the person who does not have time for TV. Christian thinkers have always seen links between laziness and overwork, though the definition of sloth has morphed through the years." - Trent Casto (The Death of the Deadly Sins)- Sloth wears many masks: variety-seeking, escapism, distraction, commitment-phobia, procrastination, and never finishing what we start- The "noonday demon" of the Desert Fathers -- the midday restlessness that whispers anywhere but here- Delayed obedience: like Augustine's prayer, "Lord, give me chastity and self-control -- but not yet"- Acedia is avoiding the responsibilities that loving God and loving neighbor require - Trent CastoFrom sloth to zeal (Romans 12:11)- "Do not be slothful in zeal. Be fervent in spirit. Serve the Lord." (ESV) / "Do not lack diligence in zeal. Be fervent in spirit. Serve the Lord." (CSB)- Zeal = earnest commitment with haste and diligence; fervent = to boil, to burn -- a passion for Jesus- The word diligent in Latin (diligere) means "to love" -- to be diligent in zeal is to love- "Look at the intensity in this verse. The Christian life is neither cold nor indifferent... We face many temptations to be passive or lazy today. So let's heed this word: live on fire for Christ! And let's see that God is gracious in giving us such a command. He knows our frames. He knows our passions can cool. So he exhorts us in love. I believe every Christian in a privileged part of the world must always ask, 'Do I love comfort too much? Has it become an idol? Has it caused me to shrink back from passionate service to the Lord Jesus?'" - Tony Merida- "Since acedia is a failure to appreciate the gifts of the present moment or the present season, the classic remedy for acedia has always been to abide in the good relationships and to engage in the good work before us." - Alan Fadling- Practical response: (1) Obey straight away -- identify and repent of any area of delayed obedience; (2) Abide -- stay where God has placed you, persevere in the ordinary, and trust that God is at workVerses- Proverbs 4:23- Luke 10:38-42 (CSB)- Luke 10:40- Romans 12:11 (ESV + CSB)- Ephesians 2:8-10- Hebrews (for the joy set before him, he endured the cross)- Psalm 72

Seth and Luke talk about what it means to abide or remain in Christ, how we can do that, and some of Dallas Willard's wisdom on practicing spiritual disciplines.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Ben Little, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. Are you persistent in prayer? Meditate on Matthew 15:27-28. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Tyler Boss, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. God is merciful to us, even when we make mistakes. Meditate on Luke 18:13. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

George Whitefield didn't just preach the Word — he lived it. In this episode, we explore the fiery preaching ministry of George Whitefield, the power of Scripture memory, and why God's Word must move from our heads into our hearts and daily lives.Too many Christians know verses without truly being transformed by them. Whitefield's life reminds us that Scripture was never meant to stay inactive. The Word of God is living, powerful, and life-changing when it is obeyed, treasured, and proclaimed.

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4–5

In this episode of Arise and Abide, Curtis and Sally read and reflect on Proverbs 4, a chapter centered on a father's wise instruction to his children. Together, they explore the image of wisdom as a guiding path that protects, corrects, and leads God's people toward life. Sally reflects on the importance of staying on the path God has given rather than turning aside to our own understanding or following the way of others. Curtis connects the passage to discipleship, parenting, humility, and the need to receive correction with an open heart. The conversation highlights the contrast between the way of righteousness, described as the first gleam of dawn growing brighter, and the way of wickedness, described as deep darkness. Curtis and Sally also connect Proverbs 4 to the words of Jesus in John 8 and John 12, reminding listeners that Christ is the true light who leads us away from darkness and into life. While wisdom calls for attention, discipline, and obedience, this episode also emphasizes God's grace: even when we stumble or lose our way, God continues to draw us back to Himself.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Wherever you are today, this biblical meditation, narrated by Bonnie Curry, offers a quiet space to pause and reconnect with God. Your inheritance in heaven is guaranteed. Meditate on Ephesians 1:13-14. Abide is a Christian meditation app that helps you experience peace and grow in your relationship with Christ through Scripture, prayer, and reflection. Try Abide free for 30 days and explore our premium, ad-free meditations here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Trump administration now says it will abide by a court ruling to pause the creation of a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate those who the administration says were wrongly targeted by the government. The pause was ordered by a federal judge in Virginia last week.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices