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Title: God's Appointed Evangelist: YOU! Text: Acts 21:37-22:21 FCF: We often struggle feeling adequate enough to share our faith with others. Prop: Because God providentially equips us to share the gospel, we must be excellent at submitting to His prompting to share the clear truth of the gospel. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to Acts chapter 21. In a moment we'll read from the LSB starting in verse 37. You can follow along in the pew bible or whatever version you prefer. Last time in the book of Acts Paul was dragged out of the temple and accused of violating a cultural law which prohibited all gentiles from entering the temple grounds. The crowd attempted to kill him. But he was rescued by the Roman commander who was merely trying to keep the peace. We noted last time that because the gospel is offensive we must be ready to endure slander and persecution for it. But we also must be ready to use such opportunities to share the gospel. Today we will see Paul doing just that. From his example we'll be able to understand what that looks like and how the Lord has providentially helped us to do this. So please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the reading of the Word of God starting in verse 37 of Acts 21. Invocation: Heavenly Father, because we know that nothing happens outside of your decreed will and that all comes about to accomplish your purposes, we can rest assured that everything we have experienced in this life has been guided and directed by your providence. Therefore, we know that we are where we are because you have arranged it and that You have equipped us to do what You ask us to do. Let us then rest in this hope and strive to do all that You have asked us to. To make disciples and teach them all that You have commanded. Help us to see all this and more from the text this morning we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Transition: Let's get right to the text this morning. I.) God providentially equips us to share the gospel, so we must look out for opportunities He gives to share the gospel. (21:37-40) a. [Slide 2] 37 - As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? i. As they neared the Barracks, probably ascending the second stair case, Paul wishes to speak to the Jews, desiring to show compassion on them and share the gospel to them. ii. In this process he very politely addresses the Roman commander in Greek. Something that clearly catches the Roman officer off guard, but we are not exactly sure why. iii. The common language used in Judea would have been Aramaic. Hebrew would have been used in religious conversation and instruction, especially among Judean Jews. iv. Judean Jews in general would have avoided Hellenistic entanglements, chief among them being the Greek language. v. That being said, most Jews would have known at least a little Greek and been able to speak well enough to get by. vi. What makes this even more perplexing to us is what the commander says next… b. [Slide 3] 38 - “Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago raised a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” i. The translation of this question is something that is disputed. ii. We can talk more about it on Thursday. iii. But the guard clearly thinks or has thought up to this point that Paul is an Egyptian Assassin. iv. Again, we can go into the history of this on Thursday, but suffice it to say, something in Paul's speaking Greek has led the guard to ask this question of Paul. v. Paul quickly corrects the commander in the following verse. c. [Slide 4] 39 - But Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” i. Paul lays out his pedigree. He is a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia and a citizen of that city which is by no means a backwater no name city. ii. Tarsus was an important city for trade throughout the empire. It also had a rich history of education. It was also granted “free city” status, meaning it was permitted to govern itself within the Roman Empire. iii. In other words – Paul is definitely NOT the Egyptian assassin. iv. Furthermore, Paul's heritage and citizenship to a prominent city indicated that his social status was actually above even the commander himself. v. It is probably because of this that the commander permitted him to speak to the crowd who up till recently tried to kill him. d. [Slide 5] 40 - And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, i. The Commander no doubt standing next to him in approval helps to hush the crowd. ii. Then Paul begins to speak to them in the Hebrew language. Although there is a possibility that this means ancient Hebrew which we know was still known and spoken at that time, we also know that it was spoken mostly in religious situations and probably was not the common man's language. Indeed, Jews from Asia would probably not even know Hebrew. So most likely Luke means that Paul spoke Aramaic. e. [Slide 6] Summary of the Point: Today we see Paul taking the opportunity he is given to defend the gospel. But what gave him that opportunity? Paul's unique background, providentially ordered by the Lord, gives him the opportunity to defend the gospel. Paul having the pedigree he had, where he even had a higher social standing than the Roman commander arresting him, equipped him to be allowed to share the gospel that day. And the same is true for us. God has uniquely equipped each of us to share the gospel to people who other believers will never have opportunity. To the extent that where others may be silenced or killed, we will be permitted to at least provide a defense. Therefore, we must be like Paul and have the boldness and determination to speak up when we have an opportunity. Paul could have gone into the barracks and been safely secured against their attack, Instead, he used his social standing to gain an audience and defend the gospel. We should look for similar opportunities to share the gospel that are provided to us through our backgrounds which God arranged. Transition: [Slide 7(blank)] But what is Paul going to say? The crowd isn't exactly friendly. What is his responsibility in conveying the gospel to such a hostile group? Can he just be like Jonah and warn them that in 40 days they'll be destroyed? II.) God providentially equips us to share the gospel, so we must clarify misconceptions about the gospel. (22:1-16) a. [Slide 8] 1 - “Men, brothers, and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.” i. Paul begins his defense with a similar address that Stephen gave to the Sanhedrin when he was brought before them. ii. Of course, Stephen was accused of speaking against the law of Moses and against the temple too. iii. And Jesus before them was accused of blasphemy and speaking against the temple. iv. What is clear is that the Jews had created a trinity of their own. They worshipped God, the law, and the temple. All of which were intricately connected. v. And bound up into that trinity is their national pride of being the chosen people of God. To attack one of the three is to attack all and to attack their Jewish identity as a whole. vi. It is no accident that the charges brought against everyone the Jews wanted dead were the same. This is the way they can make sure that they can stir up every Jew against the one they want gone. vii. Paul begins his defense which is not only a testimony of his salvation and commission to ministry – but also a rich defense of his own Jewish heritage and standing. b. [Slide 9] 2 - And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter; and he said, i. Right off the bat, the people understand that this is not a Hellenized Jew – at least not entirely. ii. To speak Aramaic, and to do so well enough to make a defense before a hostile crowd, means that he is not rejecting Jewish heritage or culture. iii. The crowd responds with affording him their attention. c. [Slide 10] 3 - “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but having been brought up in this city, having been instructed at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today, i. Notice that Paul doesn't deny his birth city, but quickly moves past it to recount his early life. ii. From a boy, Paul was brought up in the city of Jerusalem. iii. While in the city, Paul was instructed according to the strictness of the Mosaic law by none other than Gamaliel. iv. The last time we heard that name was at Peter and John's trial before the Sanhedrin. v. Gamaliel's advice was to leave the apostles alone and see what happens of the Nazarene sect. If they are not of God, then they will dissolve to nothing. If they are of God, then the council would be caught fighting against God's will. vi. Pretty sound advice. Advice that they did not heed. vii. Still, from historical records, we know that Gamaliel was a Rabbi and head of a Rabbinical school in Jerusalem and even though they did not listen to his advice on that occasion, we know he was well respected in the Jewish community of that time. viii. Paul indicating that he was zealous for God just as the Jews were on this very day, is indicating that Paul does not see his persecutors as enemies. He too is zealous for God. And has been since being instructed in the ways of the Pharisees. ix. How devoted was he for God? d. [Slide 11] 4 - I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering both men and women into prisons, 5 - as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brothers, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished. i. He was so zealous for God that he persecuted the Nazarene sect called “The Way” to death. ii. Perhaps at this time some rumor or lie was being spread around indicating that Paul never really did this. But Paul appeals to the testimony of the high priest and all the council of Elders. iii. They can give you their testimony that this is the case. iv. They can also tell you how they gave him letters to Damascus to bring those following The Way back to Jerusalem to be imprisoned and punished. v. Paul was once the exact same as they are today. To the extent that he did to others what they have done to him. vi. Paul doesn't see them as his enemy. Because he was just like them at one time. vii. So this begs the questions… what happened to make him different today? And how different has he become? e. [Slide 12] 6 - But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, i. Visions from God have been and continue to be recognized as important ways that God communicates corrective truth to people in the middle east. ii. As Eric Lundquist was saying last week, Iranian Christians converting from Islam frequently speak of visions they have received from God imploring them to seek Christ. iii. Some of the greatest prophets of Israel's and even Islam's history have or have claimed to see visions from God to reveal truth. iv. If someone today said something similar to Paul, we would be right to test them thoroughly for signs of God working in their life beyond simply a vision. And Paul will provide that too. v. But the Jews would not be skeptical of this sign merely because it was a vision from heaven. f. [Slide 13] 7 - and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' 8 - And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' i. Voices from heaven are rare in the Old Testament. But when someone hears from heaven it is never anyone but God Himself who speaks. ii. This is probably why Paul assumed that this was the Lord speaking. iii. This is similar to the time when Moses asks what he should call God when he goes back to the Israelite captives to inform them that God was going to rescue them. Which God? iv. God says, tell them “I AM” has sent you. Yahweh. The proper name of God. v. By Paul asking Who are you, Lord – he is looking for confirmation that the God with whom He speaks is Yahweh Himself. vi. How shocking then… Is the answer? vii. I am Jesus the Nazarene whom you are persecuting. viii. In heaven, with God, is this one Jesus the Nazarene. ix. Without actually saying the words, Paul testifies clearly here that Jesus and Yahweh are one. They are One God in three distinct persons. x. The God who addressed Moses from the burning bush is the same God who addressed Paul on that road. xi. But to make such a claim that Jesus spoke to him from heaven, it would be necessary to have witnesses, wouldn't it? Especially since the name given was not Yahweh. xii. Who else was there to hear or see what happened? g. [Slide 14] 9 - And those who were with me beheld the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. i. The guards who went with Paul that day, did see the light. ii. And here we have our first discrepancy regarding the story of Paul's conversion. iii. In Acts chapter 9 it says that these guards did hear the voice, but here Paul says that they did not understand the voice. Now before you start pointing out to me that hearing and understanding aren't the same things… iv. The Greek word IS the same. The LSB, for some reason, translates it here as understanding instead of hearing. What a crummy translation… well, hang on. Let's investigate. v. So how do we deal with Luke recording that the men heard the voice but didn't see the person speaking, and Paul saying that they did not hear the voice? This seems to be quite the contradiction. vi. There is an easy explanation that we can actually demonstrate using a similar word in English. 1. If I, in the midst of giving a command to my daughter, ask her if she is listening, and she says yes… in one sense we can see that she did listen to me. But if that story goes forward and we find out that she did not obey the command I gave, we could say that she did not listen. 2. Well how could she have listened and not listened at the same time? It is a matter of different definitions of the same word. Correct? 3. Listening can mean hearing and it can also mean obeying. vii. In a similar way, the semantic range of the word ἀκούω includes not only hearing the noise of something but also comprehending it. viii. So, in Luke's earlier account It is clear that he records that the soldiers heard the voice. ix. By Paul saying that they did not hear, we must take the second definition of the word which means to listen or to understand. x. Thus the LSB records for us the appropriate meaning. That the guards with him did hear the voice but were not able to comprehend what was said to Paul. xi. In short, he had witnesses to this event. And even though they did not understand the voice which spoke, they did hear it and they certainly heard and understood Paul's responses. h. [Slide 15] 10 - And I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been determined for you to do.' 11 - But since I could not see because of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those who were with me, I came into Damascus. i. Jesus the Nazarene instructs Paul to go to Damascus and wait for someone to come to him to tell him what to do. ii. The miracle of this would not be lost on anyone, since Damascus was a large city and all those of The Way would have feared Paul to the point of avoiding him. Who is going to come and talk to Paul in this state? iii. Paul continues the story of how he was blinded by this light and had to be led to Damascus. Once again this is something the guards could have borne witness to. i. [Slide 16] 12 - Now a certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well-spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 - came to me, and standing near, said to me, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight!' And at that very hour I regained my sight and saw him. i. Notice what Paul is doing with his testimony of conversion. ii. He is highlighting the important, Jewish, law abiding, zealous people who helped to shape and form him. iii. Now he moves to a man named Ananias, who is well known to be a devout law-abiding Jew, known by Jews who lived in Damascus. iv. But Ananias was CLEARLY of The Way. v. What is Paul saying? vi. They are not mutually exclusive. You can be zealous for the law of Moses and still be a follower of Christ. vii. That is not to say that they are the same thing or that the law is equal in importance to Christ. But it is to say that there is no conflict between abiding by the law of Moses and following Christ. viii. One must simply hold them in their appropriate places of importance. ix. Ananias commands Paul to regain his sight and at that moment his sight returned. j. [Slide 17] 14 - And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from His mouth. 15 - ‘For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 - Now why do you delay? Rise up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' i. Notice what Ananias says. The God of our fathers – Yahweh of course, has appointed, chosen, elected you to know His will and to see the Righteous One (Jesus the Nazarene) and to hear a voice from His mouth. ii. The Righteous One title is interesting because it is a title given to Yahweh's servant who is called Righteous and will justify many by bearing their iniquities. iii. The title “The Righteous One” implies sinless perfection having no blemish or spot in moral uprightness. Truly no person could claim such a thing. And so this human must be more than merely human. iv. Paul is commissioned to go to all men and bear witness of what he has seen and heard. v. At that moment Ananias commands him to rise up and be baptized and wash your sins away calling on His name. vi. Although many camps within Christendom would see the teaching of water baptism in view here whereby we are actually, as they would say, washed from our sin – it is clear that Ananias means not a literal physical washing only, but an inward, Spirit baptism. To be baptized by the Spirit is to be converted, to be justified, to be indwelled by the Spirit. vii. Baptism of the Spirit refers to the moment when a person who has been made alive with Christ repents and receives Him as Lord and Savior. viii. Notice that Ananias says to be baptized, wash your sins away, while calling on His name. ix. Thus, Paul is converted in this moment. x. And notice what the good Jew says to Paul… Get up, be baptized, be washed of your sins by calling on His name. xi. Whose name? xii. Is it the God of our Fathers or is it the Righteous One? xiii. Yes. Calling on Jesus' name IS calling on Yahweh's name. k. Summary of the Point: Notice still God's providential hand on Paul's testimony of salvation. The charges against Paul are primarily his rejection of the law, the Jewish people and their customs, and the temple itself. But he was zealous for the law, even opposing The Way, but was rebuked by a Jewish Messiah who spoke from heaven, a place higher than the temple, and led to faith in this Jesus by a well-respected Jew in Damascus. You can't get much more Jewish than that story! God providentially provided all of this to Paul in his conversion testimony, so that he could systematically cast down and defend the gospel he preached against all the accusations of being anti-Jew, anti-law, and anti-temple. We too must cast down arguments and defend the gospel against false caricatures of its teachings. We must do apologetics to prove that such things are lies. And God providentially provides each of our testimonies of faith as arguments against those false views. Transition: [Slide 19 (blank)] Paul has successfully defended the gospel. But what about the other component here? What about the Gentiles. Why is Paul mixed up with them? III.) God providentially equips us to share the gospel, but we must trust His leading not our own wisdom. (22:17-21) a. [Slide 20] 17 - Now it happened when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance, 18 - and I saw Him saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your witness about Me.' i. Although Luke does record Paul going back to Jerusalem in Acts 9, we are not told about this event. Luke there is focusing on Paul's relationship to other believers. That isn't what's happening here. What does he say? ii. While I was in the temple praying. iii. Well how much more devout could a Jew be to be praying in the temple? iv. And during a visit to the temple is when he sees another vision in a trance. v. In this vision, the Lord Jesus again speaks to him commanding him to get out of Jerusalem because “they” will not accept your witness about Me. vi. Who is they? vii. Paul's response to the Lord at that time makes it clear. b. [Slide 21] 19 - And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in You. 20 - And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and guarding the garments of those who were slaying him.' i. The “they” is the non-believing Jews. ii. Paul's rebuttal to the Lord Jesus is that he seems like the perfect candidate to send to the Jews. iii. Afterall, there are few in Jerusalem who do not know who he is. They know how he used to fight against the people of The Way and even stood in approval over the stoning of Stephen. iv. He has a powerful testimony toward these people. They SHOULD believe him. v. Why? vi. Because he used to be one of them. vii. But Jesus points out that often it is the opposite. viii. The Jews, as we have seen throughout the book of Acts, have either believed Paul's gospel message – or they have sought to kill him. And there really isn't any middle ground. ix. Jesus at this time commands him to leave. c. [Slide 22] 21 - And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'” i. You aren't the perfect person to go to the Jews. They are going to reject you and your message. ii. Instead I am sending you far away to the Gentiles. iii. First, to those in Tarsus… your home. iv. Then to those in Antioch of Syria. Then to Asia. Then to Greece. v. And soon to Rome and even Spain. vi. Paul would go to the Gentiles. vii. What a marvelous mission. viii. If only the Jews were not full of bigotry and hatred at this time… but more on that next week. d. [Slide 23] Summary of the Point: Here we see an interesting point that counterbalances all we have seen thus far. God providentially put Paul in a great position to share the gospel on this particular occasion. But keen observers would have noticed that all of his background was true before he left Jerusalem to go and preach the gospel to the Gentiles. So, we, and perhaps even his audience, would be wondering why Paul ever left if his background makes him an ideal candidate to share the gospel. Paul reveals in his testimony that he also wondered the same thing. From his perspective, he would be the ideal candidate to preach the gospel to the Jews. Nevertheless, God had other plans for him. Jesus commanded him to go. Why? Because the Jews would reject him and the gospel and because God had ordained him to take the gospel to the Gentiles. We too must be careful that we don't trust our own wisdom in analyzing who we are best equipped to take the gospel to. Instead, we must be sensitive to the Lord's leading in when and to whom we share our faith. Conclusion: So CBC, what have we learned and how shall we live? What are some basic teachings of belief and practice from this text? Basics of Belief and Practice: [Slide 24] The primary point of belief we should gain from this text is that God Himself providentially equips us to bear witness to the truth of the gospel. From this doctrinal point, revolving around God's role to sovereignly guide our backgrounds so we are the right tool for the job… we have several applications for us. First, is to seek and take opportunities to share the gospel. Second, we must clarify any known misrepresentations of the gospel as we give a defense for the hope we have in us. Thirdly, and serving as a counterweight to this, although God does providentially equip us to share the gospel, we must be careful that we don't make assumptions from our background of to whom we might be called to bear witness to the truth. But let me see if we can expand these truths out a little by first heading back to the text and then out from it to our lives. 1.) [Slide 25] Mind Transformation: “What truth must we believe from this text?” or “What might we not naturally believe that we must believe because of what this text has said?” We must affirm that God providentially equips us to share the gospel with unbelievers. a. We see this in Paul's life as everything he is doing is completely in keeping with the scope of Judaism, the law, the Jewish nation, and the temple itself. b. Paul has been uniquely equipped to take the gospel to the Gentiles while continuing to cherish and observe the teachings of Judaism. c. Paul is not only the right man to preach the gospel to the Gentiles he is also the right man to stand before the Jews at this very moment and confront them with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. d. And of course, he is only allowed to do this because God providentially gave him a social standing that supersedes the Roman commander who was trying to arrest him. e. You and I also have been providentially, from the beginning of our lives to this very moment, supplied with a unique background which equips us with all sorts of experiences, values, morals, virtues, and passions. And each of these are given both negatively and positively. f. Modern psychology attempts to tell us that our backgrounds shape us and mold us for the worse. We are a product of our environment and our upbringing. But this isn't the way Paul saw it. g. And this isn't the way the scriptures frame God's sovereign control of all things. h. All our background, positive and negative, serves to shape and form and mold us to be uniquely equipped to serve the Lord and His Kingdom and His righteousness. i. Paul even uses his shameful persecution of Christians as a point in his gospel presentation to prove that the gospel is NOT anti-Jew. j. Everything we have experienced and gone through, everything that has shaped us, was not done by some blind force or shapeless entity we call “the universe”. k. Instead – EVERYTHING that has happened to us has been guided and superintended by a Good and Loving God who prepares us to serve Him as Soldiers of the Cross of Christ. l. You may not use every experience in every situation where God has called you to share the gospel – but make no mistake, God has prepared you to bring the truth of the gospel to bear upon the souls of those who do not believe. m. Not everyone needs a scholarly presentation of the gospel. Not everyone needs a story presentation of the gospel. Not everyone needs a hyper logical presentation of the gospel. But everyone needs the Word of God shown to them in ways that your unique background can help to explain. n. There is no Christian that God has providentially prepared to sit in the pews. There is no Christian that God has providentially prepared to keep quiet while the others talk. o. You have a mission field that few if any will ever be able to reach. p. So, what do we do with this truth? 2.) [Slide 26] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must jump on opportunities God gives to share the gospel. a. Paul could have stayed quiet. b. In fact, many counselors may have advised him at this time to quit while he was ahead. c. It seemed like the Roman commander was going to deliver him safely from the mob. d. Instead, he uses his social influence to convince the commander to allow him to address the crowds who were just moments ago trying to kill him. e. We too must seek and boldly capitalize on evangelism opportunities that come our way. f. Unfortunately many of us choose to hide in the shadows hoping someone else will speak up concerning the gospel message. g. We are tortured by fears of inadequacy and rejection. h. Paul's example, at least this week helps us. Of course they did reject Paul – we'll get to that next week. i. Ultimately this shows us that our fear of inadequacy is unfounded and our fear of rejection must be rebuked. j. Inadequacy cuts directly against the point we just looked at, where God uniquely equips us to share the gospel with others whom we come into contact with. k. And Rejection is actually something we are guaranteed we will experience. Fearing rejection for preaching the gospel is like fearing getting dirty if you clean out the pig pen. If fear of getting dirty stops you from cleaning out the pig pen, then you don't understand what it means to own a pig. In the same way if fear of rejection stops you from preaching the gospel, you may not even understand the gospel in the first place. l. Let me try to help you out to know whether or not God is calling you to step up and share the gospel with someone… m. If you are a Christian in the room when people misconstrue the gospel or ask questions concerning its teachings… guess what… You can just take that as God's call for you to speak. You don't have to wait for a sign. You don't have to pray about it to make sure it is God's will. n. You can just go for it. Speak from the heart, speak about what God did for you, and make sure that you speak with words the scriptures use. Stay away from trite phrases not found in the bible. Like… i. Ask Jesus into your heart. ii. Say yes to Jesus iii. Accept Jesus into your life iv. Pray this prayer v. Make him the Lord of your life vi. Etc. o. Also… stay away from non-universal experiences that are not common to every single person who comes to Christ in the bible. Like… i. I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders… ii. I felt warm all over as if I was being hugged by God iii. I wept uncontrollably iv. I started convulsing on the ground because I realized how sinful I was v. I heard an audible voice from God calling me to believe. vi. I saw Jesus holding out his arms to me. vii. Etc p. Instead, focus on what the bible actually says – stick to the words it uses as closely as you can while still being clear… i. All men are wicked and have evil hearts which cannot be cured. All men are dead in their trespasses and sins and are enslaved to their passions and their lusts. All men love their evil deeds. All men do not seek God. ii. Jesus died for sinners. Jesus became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. Jesus was the substitute which absorbed sin's penalty for sinners and gave them a right standing before God. Jesus is the new representative for all who place their complete trust in Him. iii. Jesus was raised the third day and has ascended to the Father's side where He now continues to be with and help all those who are His people. And all who are in Him will also be raised and live with Him forever. iv. Repent- turn from your sin and believe and depend on this gospel. q. In short – we must understand that since God has prepared us for this very purpose, if we are lazy or afraid, we are falling short of God's calling on our lives. We are failing at one of the very reasons we are still on earth. r. We aren't here to work a job, support our family, or enjoy retirement. These are inherently part of being what God wants us to be – but it isn't why we are here. s. We are here to make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Triune God and teaching them to observe all the things He has commanded. 3.) [Slide 27] Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” We must clarify and defend the truth of the gospel. a. Paul, by his own testimony, proves without a doubt that everything about his conversion and his mission is NOT anti-jew. b. So we too must be apologists, seeking to defend the gospel against misconceptions and false summarizations of its teachings. c. Although the details are different, generally speaking all Christians are saved the exact same way. d. Romans 8 clues us in to some of that process and the 5 Solas of the reformation help to expound what the bible teaches on that process. e. Since this is the case, each of our testimonies serve as an anecdotal proof that all the misconceptions about the gospel fail when it is compared to the universal shared experience of all who are truly believers. f. We can go to the scriptures to show exactly what God did for us and how He accomplished it. g. We may not have understood it when we were saved – but we certainly understand it now or at least, we should. h. In this we can counter all the accusations of being brainwashed, deceived, or otherwise conned by this religious teaching. i. With the bible we can also address misconceptions about the gospel where people assume it is a works based salvation that is similar to other faiths, or an unnecessarily narrow religion of intolerance. j. In short, it is incumbent upon us as those who bear witness to the gospel of Christ, to clarify and defend the truth of the gospel. For if the gospel is tainted by untruth it stops becoming the gospel and is therefore unable to save anyone. k. But If we are to clarify and defend the truth of the gospel, we must be diligent in our study and understanding of it. We cannot be satisfied with a rudimentary understanding of nature of the gospel. For even though it is simple enough for children to believe, it is infinite enough that scholars still admit there are things we can't quite explain about God and what He has done for us. l. Just because it is simple enough for a child to believe, doesn't mean you should preach it with the understanding of a child. m. No Christian has an excuse. We must be theologians and understand as much as we can about this gospel we preach. 4.) [Slide 28] De-Exhortation: “What actions should we stop doing” or “What behaviors do we naturally practice that this passage tells us to stop doing?” We must stop assuming our background limits or reveals God's will for our mission field. a. Paul thought he was uniquely equipped to share the gospel with the Jews. b. And that is true in Acts 22. c. But this was only after God sent him to the gentiles. d. Because this is where God wanted him to go and because generally the Jews would see him as a traitor and not as an example to follow. e. Sometimes we can be abundantly convinced that we are best equipped to share the gospel to certain mission fields. Or that we are ill equipped to take the gospel to others. f. But this may be a terrible assumption which is counter to God's will. g. Former Mormons or Jehovah's witnesses can make excellent evangelists to some – but they can also be perceived as traitors and apostates and dismissed without even allowing them to speak. h. Former drug addicts could be effective at sharing the gospel to those still addicted – or they may be seen as a Christ figure, someone to be followed instead of Jesus Himself. i. In every case, as we consider where God would have us minister, our background can help to inform us where we might be best used, but ultimately, we must listen for the Lord's leading. 5.) Exhortation: “What actions should we take?” or “What is this passage specifically commanding us to do that we don't naturally do or aren't currently doing?” Why do you delay? Rise up, be baptized in the Spirit! Wash away your sins by calling on Jesus' name! a. Perhaps you are here today and the testimony of Paul and the songs about God's salvation and all that Jesus has done, have stirred your heart. b. Perhaps you have realized that you are a sinner in danger of the Lord's judgement and wrath? c. Perhaps you like Paul have opposed Christ at every turn. d. What are you waiting for? e. Call on the name of Jesus and wash yourself clean in His sacrifice for you. Follow Him and be His. Let me close with a prayer by the Scottish Reformed theologian Robert Rollock Lord, when we stand up to speak of the resurrection of Christ to others, give us grace so that we may be persuaded of it in our own hearts. May we find his gracious Spirit working in us, and as we speak of heaven and these joys to others, may we also find that joy in our own hearts. So that after this life is ended, we may reign with him in glory forever with Christ! To whom, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be all honor, praise, and glory forevermore. Amen. Benediction: And now let all people in Zion declare his gracious name, With one accord, So that all nations will fear the name of the Lord, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD. Until we meet again, go in peace.

Father shows us that we must accept Jesus on His terms.

In this episode of Extraordinary Living with Bill and Roger, the discussion centers on the common misconception that one must be 'cleaned up' before coming to the Lord. Bill draws parallels to the biblical story of the Prodigal Son to emphasize that God's love and acceptance are unconditional. He shares his personal testimony from his youth through his spiritual rebirth, highlighting the transformative power of experiencing the love of Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit. This episode concludes with a call to faith and an invitation to partner with our ministry.   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:   00:00 Introduction: Misconceptions About Coming to the Lord 00:25 Welcome to Extraordinary Living 00:41 The Power of God's Word 01:42 Personal Testimony: High School Days 05:16 Marriage and Early Challenges 08:32 Spiritual Awakening: Walk to Emmaus 11:58 The Parable of the Lost Son 22:14 Invitation to Accept Jesus 25:19 Partnering with Bill and Roger Ministries     Connect with Bill & Roger Ministries: www.billandroger.com Email: roger@billandroger.com

Are you carrying the weight of guilt and searching for true peace? The Bible reveals that we are all guilty before God, but there is hope! Jesus paid the price for our sins, offering us the free gift of grace and eternal life. In this powerful message, Roderick Webster explains the role of conviction, the work of the Holy Spirit, and how you can move from guilt to grace.

Today's show sponsored by: Goldco — 10% Instant Match in BONUS SILVER, for qualified JLP Show listeners Learn more at https://JesseLovesGold.com or 855-644-GOLD JLP Fri 1-31-25 Express Yourself Friday… HOUR 1 DEI Air Traffic Control? Woman: "I'm a b—!" // HOUR 2 PhD lady attacks! John McCain, hero? Illegal amnesty? // HOUR 3 Face mama. Israel. "Accept Jesus"? Memory worshiper // Biblical Question: Are you a memory worshiper? JLP tees, coffee… https://jesseleepeterson.shop/ ⏰ TIMESTAMPS 0:00:00 HOUR 1 0:05:00 Friday: Real? 0:08:20 Spiritual battle… Air Traffic Control, DEI 0:22:40 Trump on DEI… Breaking down the country 0:31:30 Announcements 0:35:00 … They don't care! 0:36:30 SANDRA, GA, 1st: Evil 0:48:25 SANDRA: I'm a b— 0:50:04 Supers 0:55:04 NEWS 1:00:55 HOUR 2 1:04:00 "Karen," a black woman? Crying, Lying! 1:11:50 BILL, Detroit: JLP on spam sushi viral TikTok 1:15:35 PHILIP, Sweden: Stay with it 1:19:34 JAMIE, PA: Bringing common sense back 1:22:25 ROBERT, TN, 1st: John McCain, captured hero? … 1:31:20 GoldCo 1:33:40 ROBERT, 19, Trump: Divisive? Open borders? 1:51:25 Supers … Punchie's coffee 1:55:00 NEWS 2:00:55 HOUR 3 2:04:40 GEORGIA, MS, 1st: Fear, hate mama 2:09:38 TOMER, Israel: Red heifer? Dream Team: No Bibi? 2:23:00 ARDENE, CO, don't say DEI! Nick says… 2:31:40 If ever… 2:34:24 TODD, Phoenix, 1st: Why forgive? "Accepting Christ"? 2:48:30 JABRIL, VA, BQ: Memory worshiper, pork rinds 2:52:30 Supers: Heroes? Quit alcohol? 2:56:30 Closing… Get on the straight and narrow

  In this episode of 'Extraordinary Living with Bill and Roger,' we conclude our series on The Kingdom of God: The 4th Dimension.  Roger explains how to harness faith to apply the word of God in everyday life. Roger uses the biblical story of Jesus feeding 5,000  people with five loaves and two fish as a foundation to emphasize the power of faith and proclamation. Filled with personal stories, such as finding a lost dog through faith and declaring blessings over your life, this episode conveys the importance of maintaining a continuous belief in God's power. You will be encouraged to continuously declare God's word over your life and practice living by faith to manifest blessings and transformations in your life. This episode concludes with a call to accept Jesus Christ and an invitation to partner with our ministry.   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:   00:00 Introduction to Faith and Belief 00:38 The Miracle of Feeding the 5,000 in John Chapter 6 01:55 Understanding God's Provision 02:17 The Healed Land Vision 04:00 The Power of Words and Faith 05:44 Living by Faith, Not by Sight 06:21 The Importance of Speaking God's Word 09:31 Practical Applications of Faith 12:39 Personal Testimonies and Faith Exercises 14:42 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 15:03 Miraculous Recoveries and Faith Stories 15:31 The Lost Dog and the Power of Faith 17:11 The Supernatural Power of God 23:54 A Call to Renew Your Faith 24:49 Invitation to Accept Jesus 26:10 Partnering with the Ministry     Connect with Bill & Roger Ministries: www.billandroger.com Email: roger@billandroger.com

Send us a textDo not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:16-17Lust of the flesh: internal cravings and addictionsLust of the eyes: external desires, envy, and materialismPride of life: pursuit of status, position, and recognitionSimplicity – an inward contentment that leads to an outward way of life.  1.  Accept Jesus' Strong ____________. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16:26“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Luke 16:132. _________ Down.“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSGHurry sickness: A behavior pattern characterized by continual rushing and anxiousness.  3.   Examine Your ______________.Am I buying this for its usefulness or rather for its status?Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:234.  Reject the _______________ .Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5 ______________ before you _______________ .5. ____________ More Things Away.Freely you have received; freely give.  Matthew 10:86.  Build _____________  over ______________ .Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:31Discussion Questions:What stood out to you this week?Do you ever feel too busy or overwhelmed with the pace and pursuit of your life?Which of the 6 Ways to Simplify your life resonated with you most? Why?  Which one is the hardest for you?Discuss some practical steps you can take this week to set a better pace for the rest of the year.Resources:https://www.relatecommunity.com/challengehttps://www.bible.com/reading-plans/16928-the-ruthless-elimination-of-hurry Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today's message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

  In the second part of our series on The Kingdom of God: The 4th Dimension, Roger discusses the spiritual principles found in Luke chapter 5, where Peter's obedience to Jesus results in a miraculous catch of fish. Roger emphasizes the importance of living  from the inside out, surrendering businesses to God, and believing in the supernatural. He also touches on the importance of speaking a positive confession, the power of God's word, and staying persistent in faith.  This episode concludes by giving you an opportunity to accept what Jesus Christ has already provided for you.   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:   00:00 From Drought to Draught: A Divine Transformation 00:29 Introduction to Extraordinary Living 00:45 Peter's Miracle Catch: A Lesson in Faith 02:07 Kingdom Laws in Action 03:19 The Power of Obedience and Blessings 07:13 Miracles and the Fourth Dimension 13:24 The Feeding of the 5,000: A Supernatural Provision 16:34 The Importance of Persistence in Faith 25:37 Living by Faith: A Personal Testimony 26:53 Invitation to Accept Jesus     Connect with Bill & Roger Ministries: www.billandroger.com Email: roger@billandroger.com

  In the conclusion to our series on "Faith Is Now" we dive into the transformative power of faith and grace as key principles in the Christian life. We highlight examples of faith from biblical figures like Noah and Abraham found in Hebrews Chapter 11. Roger Morris explains the diferent types of faith stealers and how they can rob us of our joy and keep us from experiencing all the goodness God has for us. He also addresses the role of Christians in politics and societal issues, underscoring the need to actively stand for biblical values. The episode concludes with an invitation to accept Jesus Christ and encouragement to partner with Bill & Roger Ministries.   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:   00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:01 The Power of Faith and Grace 00:45 Political Commentary and Christian Responsibility 02:29 Understanding True Faith 08:24 Biblical Examples of Faith 11:39 The Hall of Fame of Faith 16:26 The Importance of your Thought Life 24:56 Invitation to Accept Jesus 26:27 Partnering with our Ministry   Connect with Bill & Roger Ministries: www.billandroger.com Email: roger@billandroger.com

In this episode of 'Extraordinary Living with Bill and Roger,' we dive into Hebrews 11:1 and explain the role the Holy Spirit plays in every believers' life. Roger explains the importance of living out your divine assignment with unwavering faith, being fully persuaded that God will fulfill His promises.  Scriptures such as Hebrews 11:1 and Romans 4:21, illustrate how faith manifests in action. We also discuss the necessity for Christians to be active and influential in all spheres of life, including politics. This episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and a reminder of God's desire to empower ordinary people to live extraordinary lives.   EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:   00:00 Introduction: Faith in Action 00:21 Welcome to Extraordinary Living 01:10 The Unchanging Nature of Jesus 02:02 The Role of the Holy Spirit 02:53 The Power of the Word 03:57 Faith and the Holy Spirit 05:18 The Importance of Political Engagement 06:44 Understanding True Faith 22:14 The Hall of Fame of Faith 26:46 Invitation to Accept Jesus   Connect with Bill & Roger Ministries: www.billandroger.com Email: roger@billandroger.com

In this video, the speaker shares a heartfelt message about the power of faith and God's ability to deliver us. He starts by recalling his first church visit and hearing the gospel, eventually accepting Jesus Christ. The talk highlights the importance of showing our faith through our actions, referencing biblical stories like Rehab's faith in the Book of Joshua. The speaker also emphasizes that true faith is evident and urges everyone to trust in Jesus for salvation. He encourages viewers to share the message and let God's word touch their lives. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Testimony 00:32 Encouragement to Accept Jesus 01:34 The Power of Faith and Works 05:05 Rahab's Story of Faith 07:30 The Significance of the Scarlet Cord 08:53 The Cleansing Power of Jesus' Blood 10:15 Invitation to Accept Jesus and Final Words

In Part 3 of Calvary's Is the Church Relevant? series, Pastor George Sawyer explores the church's unique role as the foundation of truth in our world. In a time when truth seems flexible and often overlooked, this message highlights the critical relevance of standing firm in biblical truth. Pastor Sawyer unpacks the meaning of truth, its profound impact on today's culture, and why the church is needed more than ever to demonstrate truth authentically. Learn how to live out your faith in a world that's watching, embrace truth without compromise, and experience the transformational power of living in God's truth. Don't miss this vital message on why the church remains deeply relevant and necessary in our modern society! 00:00 | Is the Church Relevant Today? Exploring the Church's Role 00:38 | Defining Relevance and Truth in Today's World 01:24 | The Church as the Pillar of Truth: Biblical Foundations 03:16 | What Happens When We Drift from Truth: Cultural Consequences 05:59 | The Church's Role in Demonstrating and Upholding Truth 09:14 | Living Out the Truth: A Call to Action for Believers 10:26 | Hypocrisy vs. Authenticity: Why the World is Watching 12:22 | Jesus as the Ultimate Embodiment of Truth 15:44 | Practical Ways to Embrace and Demonstrate Truth in Your Life 22:33 | Navigating Relationships: Family, Neighbors, and Living Out Truth 22:47 | Living Your Faith Beyond Words: Actions Speak Louder 23:14 | Personal Testimony: From Churchgoer to True Believer 25:04 | The Transformative Power of Embracing Truth 26:29 | Compassion and Action: The Heart of Living in Truth 28:57 | Why Truth Matters in Politics and Everyday Life 32:39 | Growing in Faith, Unity, and Living in Truth 36:27 | A Call to Live Authentically and Demonstrate Truth in Your Life 38:40 | Invitation to Accept Jesus and Closing Prayer Check below for important links! Digital Connect Card: https://connect-card.com/O1rQqw88UTddtVVY6dXi Giving: https://calvarylive.churchcenter.com/giving I said that prayer! https://calvarylive.churchcenter.com/people/forms/781218 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CalvaryLiveAL/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CalvaryLive/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calvary_live/ Need prayer? https://www.calvaryassembly.org/prayer ===================================================== Calvary Assembly exists so that people can experience life at the highest level through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Located at 4839 Calvary Blvd., Tanner, Alabama 35671 Two miles west of I-65 & I-565 Intersection on HWY 20 Service Times: Sundays 10AM Contact us at (256) 355-7440 or email us at calvary@calvaryassembly.org Learn more at our website: calvaryassembly.org

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Hi! and welcome back to Tamar's Testimony!Just a servant of The Most High.Matthew 7:21-23 | Titus 1:16This is a teaching on what it really mean to "ACCEPT" Jesus Christ because I know I've heard frequently, "Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?", and people are quick to say, "I accept Him--", but do you know what and who you are accepting? Do you know the terms and conditions, if you will, of accepting Jesus Christ?If not, let's break it down.* Breakdown of Matthew 7:21-23* Who is Jesus Christ?* What does ACCEPT mean?* Breakdown of Titus 1:16* What's the true love of The I AM?Timestamps0:00-1:12 Introduction1:13-4:35 Matthew 7:21-234:36-7:19 Who is Jesus Christ?7:20-20:24 What does "ACCEPT" mean? (Hebrew definitions)20:25-21:05 Reflection21:06-22:17 Titus 1:1622:18-23:39 What is the true LOVE of The I AM?23:40-24:55 ClosingAdditional information:The Greek word for “accept” (Acts 24:3) is G588 apodechomai, which means “to accept from, receive” or “to accept what is offered from without”. A synonym is “receive”, which ties into the Hebrew words I used. The lexicon also defines it as “to receive into the mind”; “to approve”; and “to believe”. The first definition of “to receive into the mind” ties into the Hebrew words I used. The word, “accept” is ONLY mentioned ONCE in the New Testament (KJV), which is why I primarily used Hebrew words.Apple, Spotify, & BuzzSprout Podcast @TamarTalks Socials Ministry www.tamarstestimony.com Instagram @tamarstestimony TikTok @tamarstestimony_YouTube @tamarstestimony

Bob shares an incident from Facebook where he, as a Jewish-Christian, proclaimed solidarity with Israel. A Jewish man responded by saying that there is no such thing as a Jewish-Christian. This same person assumed that Bob defended Israel only because of Bible prophecy and not for “moral” reasons.   For more on the subject matter […]

Bob shares an incident from Facebook where he, as a Jewish-Christian, proclaimed solidarity with Israel. A Jewish man responded by saying that there is no such thing as a Jewish-Christian. This same person assumed that Bob defended Israel only because of Bible prophecy and not for “moral” reasons.   For more on the subject matter […]

If you accept Jesus, but your life doesn't change, are you not saved? Ben and Tyler break this idea down and more!CONTACT US:podcast@tobethechurch.comfacebook.com/tobethechurchtwitter.com/tobethechurchinstagram.com/tobethechurchyoutube.com/tobethechurch

Let's face it, we all mess up. We fall short, we disappoint. Pastor Jeremy DeWeerdt walks us through the story of Peter, a man, who like many of us, missed the mark and ran back to his old way of life. But Jesus meets him right where he is at. And He's doing the same for us today. Lean in and listen as we hear another one of the questions Jesus asked. 00:19 - Questions Jesus Asks 01:05 - The Saint and Sinners: Peter 04:06 - The Story of Peter 08:39 - Expectations in Life 15:33 - Jesus' Love for His Disciples 21:36 - Jesus' Love for the People 25:47 - Jesus Meets Me Where I Am 28:17 - Jesus Reminds Peter of His Love 33:39 - How to Realize You're a Failure 36:35 - Peter and His Track Record 39:21 - Post-sermon ------------------------------------------ Need PRAYER? https://cityfirst.church/prayer Ready to ACCEPT Jesus into your life? https://my.cityfirst.church/acceptjesus SUPPORT our Mission: https://cityfirst.church/give SHARE your Story: https://my.cityfirst.church/shareyour... SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to receive all new content! City First Church exists to be a movement of God's Love so that Cities are Full of Hope and People are Full of Purpose! Find Hope and Connection wherever you are with our City First App! Download it Today! https://www.cityfirst.church/app/ #cityfirstchurch #hope #purpose #God #Jesus

Let's face it, we all mess up. We fall short, we disappoint. Pastor Jeremy DeWeerdt walks us through the story of Peter, a man, who like many of us, missed the mark and ran back to his old way of life. But Jesus meets him right where he is at. And He's doing the same for us today. Lean in and listen as we hear another one of the questions Jesus asked. 00:19 - Questions Jesus Asks 01:05 - The Saint and Sinners: Peter 04:06 - The Story of Peter 08:39 - Expectations in Life 15:33 - Jesus' Love for His Disciples 21:36 - Jesus' Love for the People 25:47 - Jesus Meets Me Where I Am 28:17 - Jesus Reminds Peter of His Love 33:39 - How to Realize You're a Failure 36:35 - Peter and His Track Record 39:21 - Post-sermon ------------------------------------------ Need PRAYER? https://cityfirst.church/prayer Ready to ACCEPT Jesus into your life? https://my.cityfirst.church/acceptjesus SUPPORT our Mission: https://cityfirst.church/give SHARE your Story: https://my.cityfirst.church/shareyour... SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel to receive all new content! City First Church exists to be a movement of God's Love so that Cities are Full of Hope and People are Full of Purpose! Find Hope and Connection wherever you are with our City First App! Download it Today! https://www.cityfirst.church/app/ #cityfirstchurch #hope #purpose #God #Jesus

On Youth Takeover Sunday, we're pausing our current series on Exodus to hear a message from this past school year's youth series on Mark. In Mark 6:45-52 we see an incredible display of Jesus' deity, which raises the question do we respond to His deity the way the disciples do in this passage?

Join Pastor Zion Rempel at 29:11 Church as he delves into the profound concept of holiness in this stirring sermon, "Unpacking Holiness." Explore the critical role of imagination and faith in perceiving and embracing the divine dimensions of a holy life. Pastor Zion skillfully intertwines biblical teachings with personal anecdotes, drawing from Ephesians 1 to emphasize the 'eyes of our heart'—a metaphor for spiritual discernment and deeper understanding.This message challenges believers to reflect on their spiritual journey and uncover the timeless truths about God's sanctity and the pursuit of holiness. Through engaging storytelling and scriptural insights, Pastor Zion discusses the transformative power of seeing beyond the physical and recognizing the spiritual workings around us.If you're seeking to deepen your understanding of holiness and how it shapes our daily lives and faith, this sermon offers a compelling exploration. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring messages from 29:11 Church. Join us on this journey to uncover the unique plan God has for your life through the teachings of Jesus.#Church #Jesus #Sermon #Faith #Holiness #SpiritualGrowth #2911church CHAPTERS:0:00 - Welcome to Sermon3:29 - Tale of Three Kings Analysis4:44 - Isaiah 6 Explained15:35 - Striving for Holiness Discussion21:36 - Dangers of Ignoring Holiness23:53 - Redirecting Life through Faith27:24 - Overcoming Spiritual Apathy33:15 - Understanding the Name of God37:25 - Consequences of Neglecting Holiness49:00 - Decision to Accept Jesus51:30 - Jesus Healing Brokenness----------Follow 2911 Church on Social Media:FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/2911churchINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/2911churchWEBSITE: https://www.2911church.com/GIVING: https://2911church.churchcenter.com/giving----------Subscribe to 2911 Church's Podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6SiLmBl5TcTGD63CTNwU4f?si=98186b325cf94ee6Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/29-11-church/id1456498714

Explore the transformative power of embracing brokenness in our spiritual lives in this insightful sermon from #2911Church. In "Why Brokenness Equals Strength in God's Eyes," we delve into the biblical narrative of David, revealing how surrender and brokenness are not signs of weakness, but rather pathways to divine strength and authority.This video unpacks the misconceptions about brokenness and teaches us how true spiritual depth is achieved through surrender to God's will. Learn why God favors the broken-hearted who come to Him with humility and a willingness to be molded by His hands. Discover the unique plan God has for your life and how you can align more closely with His purposes through the challenges and trials you face.Join us as we uncover the timeless truths about God's strength in our vulnerabilities and how we can transform our personal trials into triumphs with faith. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to #2911Church for more inspiring messages and sermons that will uplift and challenge you on your spiritual journey. Embrace the call to be broken, for it is in our brokenness that His strength is made perfect.#Willingness #SubmissionToAuthority #TaleThreeKings #Surrendering #SubmissionToGod #GodsInfluenceThroughBrokennessCHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro2:02 - Tale of Three Kings Analysis6:05 - Understanding Surrender12:22 - Requesting a King in Biblical Times17:44 - David's Divine Selection20:56 - Comparing Brokenness and Pride23:48 - Types of Biblical Students27:56 - Serving Through God's Authority30:18 - God's Perspective on Humanity33:43 - The Virtue of Humility36:20 - Choosing Brokenness40:39 - Selflessness in Surrender44:58 - Invitation to Accept Jesus46:15 - Closing Prayer----------Follow 2911 Church on Social Media:FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/2911churchINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/2911churchWEBSITE: https://www.2911church.com/GIVING: https://2911church.churchcenter.com/giving----------Subscribe to 2911 Church's Podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6SiLmBl5TcTGD63CTNwU4f?si=98186b325cf94ee6Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/29-11-church/id1456498714

4/8/24. Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: Romans 11:15. Resources: enduringword.com; biblehub.com; logos.com; Matthew Henry Commentary; and Life Application Study Bible. Listen daily on WKDM Praise 96.1 Online Radio! https://kingdompraiseradio.com/November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" LISTEN, LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailydevotional #christianpodcaster #prayforpeace

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma. Lenten Weekday, Day of Abstinence from Meat (Age 14 and Up) First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 10-13 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 18: 2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7 Verse Before the Gospel: John 6: 63c, 68c Gospel: John 10: 31-42 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma. Lenten Weekday, Day of Abstinence from Meat (Age 14 and Up) First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 10-13 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 18: 2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7 Verse Before the Gospel: John 6: 63c, 68c Gospel: John 10: 31-42 Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

While Bob did convert to Christianity out of a Jewish background, most Jews do not accept Jesus as their Messiah. Bob gives three main reasons for their doubt.     Click on your podcasting platform below to subscribe to The Bob Siegel Show: Apple  | Google | Spotify | TuneIn | Amazon | iHeartRadio | Blubrry | Deezer | Android | RSS Feed  Subscribe by email and get Bob's show delivered directly to […]

While Bob did convert to Christianity out of a Jewish background, most Jews do not accept Jesus as their Messiah. Bob gives three main reasons for their doubt.     Click on your podcasting platform below to subscribe to The Bob Siegel Show: Apple  | Google | Spotify | TuneIn | Amazon | iHeartRadio | Blubrry | Deezer | Android | RSS Feed  Subscribe by email and get Bob's show delivered directly to […]

This is a special interview, because my very own mom, Myra Carter, is joining me to unpack the subject of how to know when your child is ready to accept Jesus? And once they are, how do you lead them? Answering these questions and equipping you with some great resources, from a woman with 20 years+ experience in children's ministry.   Shownotes & Links   How to Become a Christian FREE PDF at the bottom of our homepage: https://faithful31moms.com To Download the 25 Days of Anticipation Ebook go here: https://www.lwf.org/get-the-25-days-of-anticipation-ebook   To Join the 25 Day study for December: https://www.lwf.org/faithful-31-moms#challenge    Names of God Ornaments Premium offered from Love Worth Finding: http://go.lwf.org/3em5oe   *For more products go to https://www.lwf.org/faithful-31-moms and use code F31M10 for 10% off your purchase!   Originally published November 2022.

Savor the beauty of being alive, and most importantly, revel in the joy of being a child of God. This touching script guides you through embracing the spiritual journey by trusting in Jesus Christ and admitting sins. As you navigate through this journey, discover John the Apostle's teachings on humility and repentance. By weaving in the scriptures and teachings of Jesus and other apostles, you will grasp the importance of baptism, both by the water and spirit. See Jesus' role as a humble servant become clearer when he washed the disciples' feet, teaching us how to serve others, no matter who we are. To cap it off, this script encourages listeners to connect with God through prayer and humble service. So join us on a journey of faith, humility, and love. 00:00 Introduction and Invitation to Accept Jesus Christ 00:05 The Joy of Being a Child of God 00:50 Invitation to Accept Jesus as Savior 01:44 The Importance of Confession and Belief 02:17 The Grace and Mercy of God 03:17 The Significance of Repentance and Baptism 04:09 The Importance of Scripture and the Word of God 06:10 The Humility and Servitude of Jesus 07:34 The Lesson of Washing Feet 11:23 The Meaning of True Servitude 11:42 Closing Prayer and Blessing --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gnbc/message

We are for the first time encountering some resistance to Jesus' testimony. Throughout the Gospel of John we will encounter a mixed reception of Jesus and his ministry. Some will not understand, others simply cannot commit to following Jesus, others flat out reject him, and others embrace him, longing for Jesus to fill their lives with redemption, renewal, meaning, fulfillment and purpose. The post Podcast: 2024-01-21: Gospel of John: Who Can Accept Jesus' Testimony? (You Can!) first appeared on Crestview Church.

Hi friends we all will die one day. There is ONE way to God .. you can know where you will be.. death is not to be feared when you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior. God bless you. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/maria5056/support

Accept Jesus in our life for he is the cornerstone! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john6345/message

Quick reminder of how much The Lord loves you so much !

In this inspiring video, we delve into the undeniable truth that there is no reason to reject Jesus Christ and face a devil's hell. God's love for us is boundless, and salvation is a free gift available to all who accept Him by faith, confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, offering eternal life to those who embrace Him as their Lord and Savior. We address the false teachings of purgatory and the belief in a second chance of salvation after death, reaffirming that our eternal destiny is determined in this life by our relationship with Jesus. There is no need to fear hell as a mere loss of self-esteem or an earthly experience; instead, we embrace the biblical truth of a real hell and a real heaven. Let us discover together the intended occupants of hell and understand that it was prepared for the devil and his angels, not for humanity. God desires us to be with Him for all eternity, but it's our choice to accept or reject His love and grace. Don't wait until it's too late; let's open our hearts to Jesus Christ and experience the joy of salvation! Join us in this powerful exploration of God's love and the truth of His Word. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gnbc/message

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Church service with Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith where Pastor Elder Richard Blocker and wife Minister Annie Blocker are both proven leaders who both participate in the community and are members of ministerial alliances that span across all facets within the community. Romans 8: 16-18 (KJV)16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10: 9-11 (KJV)That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.     Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith is located at: 570 E. Midway Ave. Lake Alfred, Florida 33850Website: http://lacogbf.com/Phone: (863) 956-4798To Give: Go to LACOGBF.com and hit donate.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast recording do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Purpose Prep. The content and opinions contained in this podcast recording are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, company or individual.Support the show

Harpazo Rapturo --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aei-leon/message

Church service with Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith where Pastor Elder Richard Blocker and wife Minister Annie Blocker are both proven leaders who both participate in the community and are members of ministerial alliances that span across all facets within the community. John 9:1-12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.These things I command you, that ye love one another.Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10: 9-11 (KJV)That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith is located at: 570 E. Midway Ave. Lake Alfred, Florida 33850Website: http://lacogbf.com/Phone: (863) 956-4798To Give: Go to LACOGBF.com and hit donate.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast recording do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Purpose Prep. The content and opinions contained in this podcast recording are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, company or individual.Support the show

The MOST important DECISION you'll every make is to ACCEPT Jesus as Lord and Savior. From there, ALL DECISIONS are GOOD in that WORD/Living WORD directs your way. The Perfect Law of Liberty Perfected! Contact Us; Covenants.LLC1@yahoo.com; CovenantsOnLine.com; On FB @Covenants; or call 304-528-9220.

Father shows us that we must accept Jesus on His terms.

Church service with Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith where Pastor Elder Richard Blocker and wife Minister Annie Blocker are both proven leaders who both participate in the community and are members of ministerial alliances that span across all facets within the community. Luke 5: 1-111 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.6 And when they had this done, they in closed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.   Romans 10: 9-11 (KJV)9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith is located at: 570 E. Midway Ave. Lake Alfred, Florida 33850Website: http://lacogbf.com/Phone: (863) 956-4798To Give: Go to LACOGBF.com and hit donate. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast recording do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Purpose Prep. The content and opinions contained in this podcast recording are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, company or individual.Support the show

Join us for church service with Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith where Pastor Elder Richard Blocker and wife Minister Annie Blocker are both proven leaders who both participate in the community and are members of ministerial alliances that span across all facets within the community. Genesis 22:5-95 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.   Romans 10: 9-11 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith is located at: 570 E. Midway Ave. Lake Alfred, Florida 33850 Website: http://lacogbf.com/Phone: (863) 956-4798To Give: Go to LACOGBF.com and hit donate. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast recording do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Purpose Prep. The content and opinions contained in this podcast recording are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, company or individual.Support the show

Church service with Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith where Pastor Elder Richard Blocker and wife Minister Annie Blocker are both proven leaders who both participate in the community and are members of ministerial alliances that span across all facets within the community. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  Romans 10: 9-11 (KJV)9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith is located at: 570 E. Midway Ave. Lake Alfred, Florida 33850Website: http://lacogbf.com/Phone: (863) 956-4798To Give: Go to LACOGBF.com and hit donate. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast recording do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Purpose Prep. The content and opinions contained in this podcast recording are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, company or individual.Support the show

Church service with Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith where Pastor Elder Richard Blocker and wife Minister Annie Blocker are both proven leaders who both participate in the community and are members of ministerial alliances that span across all facets within the community. Mark 10: 46-52 (KJV)46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  Romans 10: 9-11 (KJV) 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  Lake Alfred Church of God by Faith is located at: 570 E. Midway Ave. Lake Alfred, Florida 33850 Website: http://lacogbf.com/Phone: (863) 956-4798To Give: Go to LACOGBF.com and hit donate.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast recording do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Purpose Prep. The content and opinions contained in this podcast recording are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, organization, company or individual.Support the show

Today in the SimplyHIS coffee shop, Allie Anderson and Reverend Donna Howell break down the often overlooked story of Ruth and relate it to the kinsman redeemer of Christ, who will redeem humankind at the end of days! Stay tuned as we delve into the new trilogy The Mystery of Jesus: From Genesis to Revelation in the upcoming weeks!   Make sure to subscribe so as to not miss out on this amazing 4-part series!   MAKE SURE TO GET THE INFLATION-BUSTING MEGA GIVEAWAY NOW! AVAILABLE FOR A VERY LIMITED TIME:   Sold separately these items hold a retail value of over $2,000.00, yours now for your donation of only $35.00 plus S/H. The Mystery Of Jesus Grand Giveaway includes the following: • All 3 groundbreaking volumes of THE MYSTERY OF JESUS FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION—YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW (summaries linked below). • The NEW Best-Of Defender Publishing E-book collection on data disc! This eBook collection is 120 of our best-selling and most impactful books all in one set —This digital collection is valued at thousands of dollars all by itself! Now for the first time, this must-have assortment features 120 of the most information-packed and best-selling books in Defender history, including the never-before digitally-released version of the Defender Family Bible, featuring Old and New Testament WITH Expanded Apocrypha! These unabridged works are in popular E-book formats so you can read them on Kindle, E-Pub, PDF, and other hand-held electronic devices! Give this collection as the ultimate gift to somebody you know this holiday season, or take them with you wherever you go! • That's not all, with the holidays just around the corner you'll also receive bonus overstock merchandise to add to your library, or to give away as gifts this coming holiday season!  

This is a special interview, because my very own mom, Myra Carter, is joining me to unpack the subject of how to know when your child is ready to accept Jesus? And once they are, how do you lead them? Answering these questions and equipping you with some great resources, from a woman with 20 years+ experience in children's ministry.   Shownotes & Links   How to Become a Christian FREE PDF at the bottom of our homepage: https://faithful31moms.com To Download the 25 Days of Anticipation Ebook go here: https://www.lwf.org/get-the-25-days-of-anticipation-ebook   To Join the 25 Day study for December: https://www.lwf.org/faithful-31-moms#challenge    Names of God Ornaments Premium offered from Love Worth Finding: http://go.lwf.org/3em5oe   *For more products go to https://www.lwf.org/faithful-31-moms and use code F31M10 for 10% off your purchase!   A podcast for Christian moms. Meeting you in the midst of motherhood to encourage you to grow in your faith, so you can better point your kids to Jesus daily! Hosted by Mallory Allen, walking through a series of devotionals on different moms of the Bible and a variety of interviews. Check out faithful31moms.com today for more!

The FREE Masculinity Reclaimed Foundations training is back for the last time this year. If you missed it previously, join on September 12 -- sign up at delightyourmarriage.com/menstraining --  First of all. I'd like to tell you that I'm right in all that I do.  In fact, I'd like to say that I'm right... all the time.  I'd also like to tell you that I'm right even when others think I'm wrong. I'd especially like to tell you that I'm right when other people think I'm right. (I mean, isn't that extra confirmation that I am definitely right...?)   So, the truth is... [I have] become like something unclean, and all [my] righteous acts are like filthy rags (Is 64:6).   Even the things I think I did that are right... are filthy.  Even the things you think I did that were right... are filthy.    Oh, but then the things I did that were wrong! (The things I am sure were wrong... eek!)    I hope you see where I'm going with all of this.  You're in the same sad boat that I am.    And... it's sinking.    Seriously. Can you imagine being on a boat in the middle of the ocean, and it sprung a leak... and then another... and then another...  Seriously, take a moment to put the picture in your mind... breathe fast... your stomach is turning and feel utter alarm and desperation.  The ONLY way you could survive is by being saved.    That's what's happening here. You and me. We are in a leaky boat in the middle of the ocean. We desperately need to be saved.  Every single time we sin and we hammer a hole in our boat, we need a Savior to restore it. We can't do that ourselves.    When we try to defend our sin, we continue to hammer through the sides of our boat.   What does this look like in your marriage... As an example, when you are rude and cruel to your spouse (disrespecting and/or making them feel unsafe), you hammered a hole in your "marriage boat". And then you defend your own righteousness by saying they triggered you... thus hammering another hole in your "marriage boat". Making your marriage worse. The marriage boat is sinking and your self-righteousness is making it worse... it's going to continue to make it worse and worse and worse. You can't fix it.   We can't hammer our way out of a leaky boat. -- How hopeless this is for people who don't depend on Jesus. If you don't, here's how it is... You know you're on a leaky boat. You've made mistakes and your whole sense of self is tied up to being a good person. So, when you see evilness in yourself, it threatens you're whole identity of being a good person. And you can't erode your whole identity by humbling yourself and saying you were wrong (!?) Of course not! It wasn't your fault, you were triggered, someone didn't do something they should have... it was someone else's fault. -- Do you see yourself in that description? Are you following Jesus? Do you really believe in Him? Is He really your King, Master, Lord? Is He mine? Every. Single. Day?   Our boat is sinking.    That's why only in Jesus is there hope.   We need forgiveness for our sin against God and others.  We need Jesus over and over and over again.    Every day. Every single action.    It's pride to think we can do it ourselves.  It's pride to think we're good enough. It's pride to think we are righteous.  It's pride, to defend our own righteousness.  It's even pride to think we can do something great for God without Him.  That's why our burdens are heavy. We think it's our job to do what only God can do. We just need to be grateful slaves. Humbled servants. Dying to ourselves and doing it God's way.    Humility means depending on Him. Humility is coming before Him.  Humility is needing Him. Humility is resting in Him. Humility is being faithful to Him.   Humility is not contriving and defending an identity of perfection, it's boasting in our weaknesses.   Instead, go before Jesus, hand your worry, your issue, your burden, your identity, your pride to Him.    Humble yourself... you can't fix your sinking boat.  You need to be saved. Over and over again.   If you're married... you have hurt your spouse. You have hurt others in your life.    And that was sinning against a precious child of God.  That was sinning against God.  That was tarnishing God's name in front of them. You represented God and you did evil to them. That was sin.   Here's your hope. This is the process. 1- Repent to Jesus -- Confess your need for Him. Accept His sacrifice for all of your sins, and believe in Jesus to be saved. Make Him truly your Lord. (Start reading the Bible and find a Bible-believing church to be discipled). 2- Every day after your first conversion, continue in the same way --- repent of that new sin that He reveals. Come closer to Him over and over and over. That is His invitation. 3- Regarding marriage, your next step is to repent -- tell them the wrong you did, own it, listen to and validate their hurt, and say genuinely how sorry you are that you hurt them like that. That you were wrong.    Guess what that means?  You're strong! Because you humbled yourself, that means you're strong. [God said:] "'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness' [Paul said:] For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12:9 & 10b)   Humble yourself today.  Accept Jesus' sacrifice today. Accept Him saving your boat today.    And then apologize to others you've hurt.   Don't squander today.  You don't know how many days you have left.    I don't do right. You don't do right. Jesus is right. :)   Love,  Belah   PS -- If you're a husband, you want to love your wife the way she was designed by God to be loved. Maybe you know you have hurt her, you've accepted Jesus sacrifice but you don't know what to do next... this free training is going to be a big help. The free Masculinity Reclaimed Foundations course will be coming on September 12, 2022 -- Sign up here. delightyourmarriage.com/menstraining