Podcasts about accepting jesus

Scripture: Acts 2;22-41 Pastor continues our study of Pentecost with a look at part two of Peter's sermon as shared in Acts 2 on that first Pentecost. The Bible account of this story tells us that “Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” So let's dig into what Peter said that pierced their hearts, into what the Holy Spirit was doing and into their response.  Then, let's see what we can learn. In part one of Peter's sermon in Acts 2, he shared the story of Jesus' incarnation - of God coming to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. As we pick up with the rest of this sermon, Peter is talking about how Jesus is the Promised One that fulfills God's promises made in the Old Testament. Then Peter tells them of Jesus' suffering and crucifixion and states that they are the ones who crucified Jesus. As we consider this accusation, we ask who did put Jesus on the cross? Was it the Roman rulers who ran the Jesus trial? The soldiers that beat, whipped and nail Him to the cross? Was it the religious zealots that wanted Jesus stopped? Who put Jesus on the cross.  The Bible tells us that “everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.” Meaning we all need a Savior Jesus died for our sins.  WHO put Him on the cross? WE put Him on the cross.  Peter goes on with the good news of Jesus' resurrection from the grave and that death could not hold Him quoting King David, “‘…My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave….'” Acts 2:26b-27. Peter shares that this prophetic word from David was about Jesus who is the Messiah they have been awaiting. Peter tells them that after Jesus' resurrection He ascended to God's right hand and that the Holy Spirit was released just as Jesus had promised and tells them that is what they are witnessing this very day. Then the high point of the message is reached in verse 36, “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Jesus is the Chosen One, the Savior! In the next verse we see their response to hearing Peter's words.  It is the verse we started with today, “Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”  Their response was their hearts are pierced, cut to the heart by what Peter said, heart-broken, filled with sorrow, convicted. Having their hearts pierced, led them to see Jesus' story as personal and made them want to change so they say, “What shall we do?” Accepting Jesus as our Lord, our Savior, our Messiah requires a response. What He's done for each of us is personal and it requires a personal response. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Peter's message is one of the most important ever taught.      ⁃    Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophesied Messiah     ⁃    Repentance is recognizing that, “I'm a sinner. I need a Savior.” It is a change of heart and a change of mind.     ⁃    Baptism in Jesus' name for the forgiveness of sin.     ⁃    Holy Spirit - Jesus desires to pour the Holy Spirit out into us today and everyday! Peter's sermon brought thousands of people to faith in who Jesus is, to repentance, and to baptism. If you have walked away from Jesus or if you have not come to faith in Jesus, our prayer is that Peter's message pierces your heart and brings you to faith in Jesus your Savior and Messiah! Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website:  https://www.awakeusnow.com/40-10 Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service Watch via our app. Text HELLO to 888-364-4483 to download our app.

Plugged In's Adam Holz responds to a social media influencer trend talking about how accepting Jesus creates a healthy glow.  Yes, God grace transforms, but are we seeking Him or a beauty treatment?  Justin Whitmel Earley, author of "Made for People" and the new children's book "The Big Mess" talks about how we can walk with God and others to to make some of our biggest messes in life into something beautiful.  Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here  

Building Relationships on a Biblical FoundationIn this episode of Relationship Rock, Shirah Chante shares an original song and delves into its lyrics, emphasizing the importance of building relationships on a solid biblical foundation. She discusses how to maintain a Christ-centered focus in various types of relationships, including romantic, familial, and spiritual ones. She also shares personal testimonies about the power of calling on Jesus in times of trouble and provides a heartfelt prayer for those in domestic violence situations. The episode is filled with spiritual encouragement and practical advice for maintaining peace and strengthening one's relationship with God.00:00 Welcome to Relationship Rock00:54 Building Relationships on a Solid Foundation01:45 The Importance of a Relationship with God02:16 Understanding Jesus' Sacrifice04:43 Accepting Jesus into Your Heart05:43 Exploring the Song 'Righteous Forsaken'06:48 Focusing on the Pre-Chorus11:20 Keeping Your Mind on the Lord15:02 The Power of Calling on Jesus23:58 A Prayer for Those in Need25:22 Final Thoughts and FarewellGet godly counsel with Shirah Chante:Visit https://shirahchante.com/coaching/ Follow Shirah ChanteInstagramFacebookLinkedInYoutubeBlog

takeaways Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ. We are living in the last days and should be prepared. Accepting Jesus is crucial to escaping judgment. The Alpha and Omega represents the eternal nature of Christ. Worshiping God in spirit and truth is essential. The time is now to get serious with God. God is seeking true worshipers. Every eye will see Christ upon His return. Trust in God's provision during tough times. The seven churches represent the challenges faced by believers.

Following Jesus cost this Jewish man his marriage, but he gained so much more. On this weeks show 92 year old Don Bloch (and his wife Anne) talk to Kurt and Chad about how a decision to follow Jesus, at age 40, cost him his marriage, but his commitment to Jesus gave him a life he never would have imagined. A journey of healing prayer for others, and for themselves. (This is a repeat episode - enjoy!)

The Christmas story, as told in Luke 2, is filled with chaos and imperfection - from the unconventional conception to the humble birth in a stable. Yet, it's precisely in this mess that God chose to reveal His greatest gift. In this stirring sermon, Pastor Nate challenges the common belief that people are indifferent to Jesus, reminding us of the true essence of the Christmas story: Jesus entering our lives amidst chaos and mess. Whether it's the chaos of holiday preparations or deeper personal struggles, Jesus is ready to enter any space we open to Him. Join us as we celebrate the good news that brings joy to everyone and rekindle our confidence in sharing this news with the world. 00:00 The Good News for All People 06:00 The Messy Reality of Christmas 12:00 Jesus Enters Our Mess 18:00 Accepting Jesus in Any State 30:00 Jesus is Available Anytime

The Christmas season is a time to reflect on the profound gift of Jesus Christ, who came to save us from our sins and deliver us from the kingdom of darkness. In Matthew 1:21-23, we are reminded of the prophecy fulfilled through Jesus, who is called Emmanuel, meaning "God with us." This signifies that God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives. Jesus came not only to save us from sin but also to deliver us from fear, death, and condemnation. His coming ensures that we will never be separated from God, and we can live free from the fear of death and the power of sin. The name Jesus, or Yahshua, is not just a name but a declaration of His mission to save and keep us safe. The Greek word "sozo" encapsulates this mission, meaning to save, heal, and preserve. Jesus is our Savior, continually rescuing us from spiritual, physical, and emotional perils. He is the Christ, the anointed one, fulfilling the prophecies as the Messiah who rules over His people. His anointing as prophet, priest, and king empowers Him to bring truth, offer sacrifice, and establish a kingdom of righteousness. In this flawed world, adversity is inevitable, but it is through these challenges that God's favor and anointing are revealed. The story of Mary, who faced great adversity yet was blessed, illustrates that God's favor enables us to succeed despite difficulties. Adversity is not a sign of God's absence but an opportunity for His power to manifest in our lives. Jesus, our Emmanuel, is reliable and present in every trial, offering us the strength to overcome. The incarnation is God's way of writing Himself into our story, much like a writer inserting themselves into their creation. Jesus, as Emmanuel, is God with us, ensuring that we are never alone. This Christmas, we are reminded that God is not confined to our space but has entered it to be with us. Accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord is the most reliable decision we can make, as He promises to be with us through every adversity, offering His unfailing love and guidance.

Seeking kingdom and righteousness; Constructing doctrines; Missing the mark?; Government by force or by charity; What Jesus said; In, not of the "world"; Pilate's trial; Leaven of the Pharisees; Bondage of Egypt; Mark 1:15; The good news (gospel); Freewill offerings; Oaths?; "Idiotes"; Welfare systems; Accepting Jesus; Evidence in what you DO; Who is your salvation?; Cursing your children with debt; Daily ministration; Fleshpots?; Lowering debt; "Son of God"; Taking away the kingdom?; Following Jesus; Believing there is a God; Being God?; National Socialism; Grievous burdens; "Pessary"?; Moses stories; Wages/rewards of unrighteousness; Sharing vs force; Mt 6:33; Mt 7:7; Mt 28:5 Fear not!; Church government; Natural inclination to help others; Organized religion; Purposes of Christ; Coming out of the system?; Coming into the light; Understanding the kingdom; "Polity" for The Church; Ten Commandments; Are you (and your church) following Christ?; Elders?; Servant minister?; Free assemblies; Assembly of ministers; Ambrose the bishop; Sodom and Gomorrah; Was Jesus a socialist?; Constantine's "church"; Repentance; Family includes…; Responsibility of charity; Debt dependence; "Mammon"; Empowering choice to others; Chores; Altars of living stones; Understanding metaphors; Holy Spirit; Church FEMA?; Ex 20:24 Altar of earth?; Burnt offerings; Jews in the Early Church; Jesus king of Judea; Peace offerings?; Preparing for plagues; Saving others; Am I seeking the kingdom?; Wrath of God; Taking back your responsibilities; Seat of authority in The Church; Hearing God's voice; Born again?; Jubilee; Ministers separate from the world; Fealty/tribute; Saving yourself; The whole Jesus; The man behind the curtain; Meeting of elders; Sacrificing for others; "World"; Rom 12:5; Corporations of God; Inheritance tax; Property tax; Legal to seek His kingdom RIGHT NOW; 1 Cor 12:25; Ultimate happiness; 1 Cor 13:13; "Charity" = "Love"; Voluntarism; Pursuing The Way; Blessing or judging others; Eph 1:22; Grain shortages; Creating a network; Fleshpots; Biting one another; Mt 28:18; Lev 25:10; Returning every man unto family and possessions; Saving the whole world.

Accepting Jesus's invitation to follow him doesn't cost anything, but it demands everything. It demands that we go, “all in.” A term that simply means placing all that you are, and all that you have, into God's hands. Pushing it all in. The generations before you went “all in” on the local church and spread the message of God's love. We have benefited from what they did, and now it's our opportunity to go “all in” on the church for the sake of the next generation.

Accepting Jesus's invitation to follow him doesn't cost anything, but it demands everything. It demands that we go, “all in.” A term that simply means placing all that you are, and all that you have, into God's hands. Pushing it all in. And that's where we get stuck — spiritual no man's land. We're afraid that if we go all in that we might miss out on what this life has to offer. It's not true. The only thing you'll miss out on is everything God has to offer.

Salvation cannot be bought, at the same time, it is not free. Accepting Jesus brings responsibilities. Correction by Jesus (his authority) was rejected by the leadership, even as it is to this day. The leaders understood Jesus expectation and realized the identity of the Son of God. The mistake of their rejection did not lead to the path of humility and repentance - falling on the rock. Rather, they sought to destroy the son of the Lord of the vineyard. Jesus did not back down. They understood the message. They rejected their LORD.***95: Jesus Tells Three Parables of WarningMatthew 21:28-22:14; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19 The Two SonsRefusing to tell the chief priests, scribes, and elders the source of his authority, Jesus told a parable to his questioners, saying: “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, ‘I will not,' but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,' and went not. Which of the two did the will of his father?” The chief priests, scribes, and elders answered Jesus, saying: “The first.” Jesus replied: “Verily I say unto you that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not. But the publicans and the harlots believed him. And ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” The Vineyard And The Husbandmen Then Jesus told another parable to the chief priests, scribes, and elders, saying: “Hear another parable: ‘There was a certain householder which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that he might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants, more than the first; and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, “They will reverence my son.” But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, “This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.” And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.' When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?” The scribes, chief priests, and elders replied: “He will miserably destroy the wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.” Jesus said to them: “Did ye never read in the scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes'? Therefore I say unto you, ‘The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.' And whosoever...

"Accepting Jesus" Watch Here: https://youtube.com/@GodSexandLove?sub_confirmation=1 Listen Here: https://anchor.fm/godsexandlove Supporting Verses: Romans 10:9, Acts 2:38, 1st John 1:9 Go Deeper: 10 Practical Steps to Accepting Jesus: 1. Understand the Gospel 2. Acknowledge your need for Jesus 3. Pray for Guidance 4. Share your Decision 5. Engage in Faith Community 6. Read Bible Regularly 7. Pray Continually 8. Live out Faith 9. Seek Discipleship 10. Remain Open to Growth Bible Verse of the Day: John 3:17 Let Me Help You! https://calendly.com/miraclesims/cultivation-consultation GodSexandLove.com Support Us! https://anchor.fm/godsexandlove/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/godsexandlove/support

Support our channel & Become a Partner ⇨  https://www.missiondelafe.org/ Submit Your Testimony ⇨ https://www.missiondelafe.org/get-involvedSpeak with a leader near you who can help you  ⇨ https://bit.ly/483VdDA Listen on Podcast Spotify Podcast ⇨ https://spoti.fi/3RBKdq3Apple Podcast ⇨ https://apple.co/3evzCuuWant to connect with Alexander?Fsglexycm@gmail.comhttps://www.instagram.com/fsglexy/https://www.facebook.com/FSGLEXYhttps://www.youtube.com/@foreverservinggodministryCredits:Directed by Eric Villatoro Interviewed by Eric VillatoroEdited By Joshua GayleAudio Mixed by Paul Nicholas Production Assistant: David Pauta, Travis MitchellTestimony Recorded in FloridaDelafé Testimonies is a global evangelistic project with the mission of creating the world's largest archive of Jesus testimonies. Our vision is to save souls, build community, and set people free through the testimony of Jesus.Connect with ushttps://www.facebook.com/delafetestimonieshttps://www.instagram.com/delafetestimonies/Chapters00:00 My Introduction to Voodoo04:41 Getting Involved in Demonic Parties 08:16 They Tried to Kill Me10:48 Accepting Jesus... but it wasn't genuine14:13 Baptizing My Daughter into Voodoo15:16 Going Deeper into Voodoo (blood rituals, orisha)19:00 Trained by Voodoo High Priest21:58 Voodoo Rituals in Cuba28:34 God Sends Woman to Pray for Me30:18 Christian Girlfriend Confronts My Witchcraft33:05 I Surrender to Jesus Christ36:44 Struggle to Get Rid of the Witchcraft... 40:20 Freedom in Jesus!45:59 My life now vs. then46:55 Who is Jesus to You?47:17 Prayer 48:47 Words for the Youth

Jesus is God and also was born as a human with God as His Father, making Him the firstborn of God's new children. Accepting Jesus as Lord means being born again through the Spirit, becoming part of God's family and sharing Jesus' spiritual DNA. This allows us to function like Jesus on earth, healing, having our needs met, and accessing God directly. God's foreknowledge of our belief in Jesus means our lives and purposes were planned before creation. He forgives all our sins and shares His glory with us, honoring and unifying us as a family, which serves as a testament to the world that Jesus is Lord. This shared glory elevates our self-perception and mutual respect.

Jesus says that one reason He teaches in parables is to reveal and yet conceal. In other words, it's a tangible way to deliver a spiritual revelation. But it requires The Holy Spirit to discern. That is to say that Jesus' true followers will understand because of the work of The Holy Spirit, but the unresponsive to Jesus, will not understand.  Jesus chose this method because He is teaching about the kingdom of heaven. The parables are about the reign and rule of Jesus. Today we are talking about the Parable of the Sower, also called the Parable of the Soils.

Once someone is in God's hand, no one, or nothing can change that status. That's an unshakable eternity. And that kind of security has some amazing results.

The renewing of our minds is a fundamental principle of Christianity. It highlights that transformation through mind renewal is necessary for believers to fully experience and enjoy the new life God offers. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior guarantees salvation but does not automatically align our thoughts with His. Growth in Christ requires a continuous process of learning and transformation through the Holy Spirit, moving from old ways of thinking to new ones that align with God's word. This transformation is a lifelong journey, requiring constant re-evaluation and reflection. Believers are encouraged to pray for God's guidance in identifying areas of their lives that need renewal and to embrace the process of mind renovation to fully receive God's promises.

Hi friend, I'm reminded how much the harm the hard things we've walked through in this life affect us. They leave their mark on us at times, so to speak... So, if you're walking "through it," I'm sorry for the pain... but keep walking... you will get through this. You've survived all of your worst days so far. ;) Glad you're here, and I hope today's episode encourages you. If you need prayer, email me at hello@danisumner.com Also, in today's episode, I mentioned a survey--if you'd like to participate, that would be amazing. I love hearing from those who listen to the show. Here's the link. Here's the song, quote, and verse I mention: Quote: "you will never outperform your own self-image." Verse: Isaiah 40:26 "Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." Song: "Another in the fire" Hillsong United  iTunes // Youtube // Spotify Glad you're here.  Much love, Dani

As actress Danica McKellar reflects on then and now since she became a Christian, she is amazed at how much faith in Jesus has changed her life.   AND   Eliza Bahneman, a new mom, insists her daughter deserves to be celebrated after no one congratulates her on the birth.   To see videos and photos referenced in this episode, visit GodUpdates! https://www.godupdates.com/danica-mckellar-then-and-now/  https://www.godupdates.com/eliza-bahneman-daughter-treacher-collins/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Talk 16   Mark 6:1-13   Preaching the gospel in a hostile environment Welcome to Talk 16 in our series on Mark's Gospel. Today we'll be looking at Mark 16:1-13. We'll be concentrating on verses 1-5 where Mark tells us that Jesus was unable to do any mighty miracle in his home town because of the people's unbelief, and then we'll see how this relates to verses 6-13 where Jesus sends out the twelve apostles. We'll begin by reading verses 1-6.   1 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour." 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith…   1 Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. Jesus leaves the home of Jairus and travels with his disciples away from the shore of Lake Galilee to his home town of Nazareth. He had been born in Bethlehem, and, as we've seen in previous talks, the base for his ministry was Capernaum, but he was always known as Jesus of Nazareth because that is where he had been brought up. So by Jesus' home town Mark means Nazareth.   2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue He does in Nazareth exactly what he has done elsewhere. He begins to teach in the synagogue. By saying that Jesus began to teach Mark is indicating that Jesus might well have continued to teach there if only the people had accepted him. Mark doesn't tell us here what Jesus' message was, but he would expect us to assume that it was in line with what he has already told us in Mark 1:14-15:   … Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!   But the people of Nazareth would not believe the good news. They took offense at him (v3). Why? Because the good news is Jesus! They were amazed. They asked, Where did this man get these things?  They recognised that he had been given wisdom and acknowledged that he worked miracles. But they could not look beyond the fact that they had known him as the carpenter. So in verse 3 they say:   3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” Despite the supernatural evidence of the miracles they had heard about, they refused to look beyond the natural. Yes, he was the carpenter. Yes, he was the son of Mary – if they had heard the story of his virgin birth, they had clearly not believed it. Yes, he was the half-brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon and his sisters. But didn't the miracles show that he was so much more! He was, in the opening words of Mark's  Gospel, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.   And they took offense at him. The verb that's used here is closely connected with the noun skandalon which is frequently used in the New Testament to mean a stumbling block or something that trips you up. What tripped up the people of Nazareth was their refusal to see beyond the humanity of Jesus. And Paul, using the same word in 1 Corinthians 1:23, tells us that the Jews in general stumble at the message of Christ crucified. There is a danger that our preconceived ideas prevent us from seeing the whole truth about Jesus.   4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his home town, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour." This reminds us of Luke 4:24 which records Jesus as saying, No prophet is accepted in his home town. Note the word accepted. The problem with the people of Nazareth was that they refused to accept Jesus. It's interesting that Luke's account of this whole incident is far more detailed than Mark's. He tells us that Jesus read from the passage in Isaiah where it says:   The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour (Luke 4:18-19, quoting Isaiah 61:1-2).   Luke goes on to tell us that Jesus went on to say, Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing (v21), and that the people spoke well of Jesus and were amazed at the way he spoke. As in Mark 6, their amazement sprang from the fact that they knew his family. Their familiarity with his humanity prevented them from seeing his divinity. They had heard of the miracles Jesus had performed in Capernaum and were expecting him to do something similar in Nazareth (v23).   But Jesus knew that they would not accept him, and provocatively stated: I tell you the truth… no prophet is accepted in his hometown. 25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed – only Naaman the Syrian (vv24-27).   As a result, Luke tells us that: All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. 29 They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff. 30 But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way (vv28-30).   So they not only refused to accept him. They actually tried to destroy him! But, perhaps surprisingly, Mark leaves out all this detail and simply tells us in verses 5-6:   He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith… Does Mark really mean that Jesus could not do any miracles there? Couldn't Jesus do anything? We may be tempted to say that Jesus could have but chose not to do any miracle there. But that is not what Mark says. The Greek literally means he was unable to do. So how do we explain this? Of course, God can do anything, but he has sovereignly chosen to work in response to faith. Jesus only did what he saw the Father do (John 5:19). He was unable to work outside of the parameters by which God has chosen to operate. So he was unable to do any miracle (literally, powerful thing) there because of their lack of faith, although presumably a few sick people had enough faith to be healed.   I personally believe that this teaches us a very important principle. We know from experience that miracles seem to happen more frequently in some places than in others and we wonder why. The answer lies in this passage. Community unbelief inhibits the miraculous. If even Jesus could do no miracle in a place because of unbelief, we must not be surprised if we find that the same is true for us today.   But why is faith so important? The answer lies in the message of salvation. Salvation is by faith. Jesus preached, Repent, and believe the good news. He came because God loves us. He came to give his life a ransom for many. He came to take the punishment our sins deserved, so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. He knew that we would never be good enough for Heaven by our own self effort. That's why he made a way for us to be saved by faith. Accepting Jesus, believing in him, is the only way to be saved. That's why faith is important.   And that's why Jesus worked miracles and why he commissioned his disciples to do so. He came to die for us. He wanted people to have faith in him for salvation, and miracles encourage faith. They give a practical demonstration of God's love for us. By working miracles Jesus was giving people every opportunity to believe. But if they refuse to believe despite the evidence of the miracles, they will have no excuse when they stand before God on the day of judgment. Our eternal destiny is determined by whether or not we accept Jesus. But sadly, for the time being at least, the people of Nazareth would not, and so Jesus leaves them and goes around teaching from village to village (v6). But now let's read verses 7-13.   7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. 8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." 12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits We know from Mark 3:14-15 that Jesus had already chosen his twelve apostles so that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These verses express Jesus' purpose in choosing them, but it's not until now in chapter 6 that Jesus actually gives them that authority and sends them out. God's timing is so important. He often reveals his purposes for us before he intends us to begin to fulfil them. And he gives us the authority we need as and when we need it. In the case of the Twelve, it was almost certainly so that they might have time to learn from his teaching and example before he gave them authority and sent them out to preach. It was by following him that he would make them fishers of men (1:17).   The specific instructions Jesus' gave on this occasion are recorded in more detail by Matthew, where it is clear that this was a specific mission to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:6), but not at this time to the Samaritans or the Gentiles. That would come later. And where Mark only mentions that Jesus gave them authority over evil spirits, Matthew includes authority to heal every kind of sickness and disease, to cleanse lepers, and even raise the dead.   Some Christians take the view that these passages are intended to indicate that as Christians we all have the right to ‘take authority' over these things, but that ignores the fact that nowhere in the Bible are we told to take authority. We only have authority if we are given it. Even Jesus' authority was given him by God (Matthew 18:19). The fact that Jesus gave this authority to twelve specific disciples at a specific time and for a specific mission does not automatically mean that he has given it to you or me today.   Indeed, these very disciples, after Jesus had ascended into Heaven, had to wait to receive the power of the Spirit. In the Gospels they worked miracles with a specific authority given them by the Lord Jesus, but in Acts he would continue to work miracles through them as they were led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And so it is with us. We can, and we should, expect the Lord to work through us in miraculous ways, but only as we are led by the Spirit.   The fact that he sent them out in pairs provides us with a wise example of how we should work today. Teamwork is essential. However great our gifting or experience, none of us is infallible, and we all need the wisdom, support and encouragement that comes from others who work alongside us. This principle was followed by the disciples in Acts – e.g. Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas etc., although Paul's apostolic teams were often larger than two. The basic principle is that we should not go it alone.   8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Again, these instructions were given with regard to a specific mission, and we should certainly not assume that when we go out on evangelism we must never take any money with us and that we should wear sandals rather than shoes! But we can certainly learn from the principles Jesus was teaching. We can trust the Lord to meet our needs as we seek to proclaim the good news. How can we have faith to work miracles if we cannot trust God to provide for our basic needs? The Christian life is by faith from first to last.   10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." Amazed at the lack of faith of the people of Nazareth (v6), Jesus was only too aware of the opposition that he and his disciples were facing. Nevertheless, people must be given the opportunity to accept him, or to reject him. So he sent his disciples out to preach the good news to the surrounding villages, knowing that some would not listen. The disciples were to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against those who rejected the message.   This was something Jewish people did when passing through a Gentile town or village. It was a sign that they were distancing themselves from them because they were different. They were the people of God. But Jesus' disciples were not visiting Gentile towns or villages on this mission (Matthew 10:5). They were visiting Jewish villages. So by shaking the dust off their feet the disciples were showing the Jews that there is a distinction between those who believe the good news and those who reject it. Only those who accept Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile, are truly the people of God.   In most cultures today shaking the dust off one's feet would mean nothing to those who might be watching, but as Christians we need to show by what we say and how we live that we are different from those who deny Christ. We have a different lifestyle and a different destiny.   12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them. We saw in Mark 1:15 that Jesus' message was, The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news. The miracles were the evidence. They helped people to believe. Sadly, as we have seen in today's passage, there were those who refused to believe despite the evidence. Could this have been because they were not willing to repent? It's much the same today. There's plenty of evidence for the truth of the Christian message, but many refuse to believe it because of the implications it has for their lifestyle.   So what can we learn from this passage about preaching the gospel in a hostile environment? Follow the example of Jesus. Proclaim the good news. Expect miraculous confirmation of the message. Miracles demonstrate God's love and make it easier for people to believe. Remember that Jesus gave his disciples authority for that specific mission. After he had returned to Heaven they received their authority from the Holy Spirit. As we keep filled with the Spirit he will lead us and empower us. The Holy Spirit will enable people to repent and believe, but he will not force them to do so. If people adamantly refuse our message we should move on to those who will accept it. Whether they accept it or reject it, it's our responsibility whether people accept it or not to tell them the truth. We are not to blame if people refuse to accept Christ. But it is our responsibility to point out the consequences of doing so.

This week on Unpacking the Mass, we look at the readings for Palm Sunday. In this episode, we will explore ideas such as: Expectations for Jesus How to worship extravagantly Accepting Jesus for his plan, not ours  The readings can be found here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032424.cfm Join Keith's Locals community to interact and get exclusive content. https://keithnester.locals.com For more info about Keith, visit: https://down2earthministry.org/

What does it mean to accept Jesus? Tune in as Gary Zimak explores this important issue.

In this conversation, Bryan, Ross, Bo and KD discuss the misinterpretation of Mormon doctrine into the Bible. They explore passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:39-42, 1 Peter 3:19, and James 2:17-18, which Mormons use to justify their beliefs. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the language, context, and author's intent when interpreting biblical passages. They debunk the Mormon interpretations and emphasize the biblical teachings of salvation by grace through faith, while exploring the role of works in Mormonism and comparing it to the Christian perspective. The episode dives into the interpretation of James 2:14-26 and the relationship between faith and works. It concludes with a personal testimony of experiencing newness in Christ.Takeaways:Misreading Mormon doctrine into the Bible can lead to a distorted understanding of biblical passages.Understanding the language, context, and author's intent is crucial for accurate interpretation of the Bible.Mormon interpretations of passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:39-42, 1 Peter 3:19, and James 2:17-18 are not supported by the larger context of the New Testament.The biblical teachings emphasize salvation by grace through faith, not by works or ordinances. Mormonism places a strong emphasis on works as evidence of faith and as a means of salvation.In contrast, Christianity teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and good works are the result of genuine faith.James 2:14-26 is often misunderstood, but it emphasizes that true faith will produce good works as evidence of its genuineness.Accepting Jesus and experiencing newness in Him brings a transformation in motivation and a reliance on the Holy Spirit.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Mentioned in this episode:Donate Now

In this conversation, Bryan, Ross, Bo and KD discuss the misinterpretation of Mormon doctrine into the Bible. They explore passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:39-42, 1 Peter 3:19, and James 2:17-18, which Mormons use to justify their beliefs. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the language, context, and author's intent when interpreting biblical passages. They debunk the Mormon interpretations and emphasize the biblical teachings of salvation by grace through faith, while exploring the role of works in Mormonism and comparing it to the Christian perspective. The episode dives into the interpretation of James 2:14-26 and the relationship between faith and works. It concludes with a personal testimony of experiencing newness in Christ.Takeaways:Misreading Mormon doctrine into the Bible can lead to a distorted understanding of biblical passages.Understanding the language, context, and author's intent is crucial for accurate interpretation of the Bible.Mormon interpretations of passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:39-42, 1 Peter 3:19, and James 2:17-18 are not supported by the larger context of the New Testament.The biblical teachings emphasize salvation by grace through faith, not by works or ordinances. Mormonism places a strong emphasis on works as evidence of faith and as a means of salvation.In contrast, Christianity teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and good works are the result of genuine faith.James 2:14-26 is often misunderstood, but it emphasizes that true faith will produce good works as evidence of its genuineness.Accepting Jesus and experiencing newness in Him brings a transformation in motivation and a reliance on the Holy Spirit.--The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Mentioned in this episode:Donate Now

In 1952, John Elliot and his missionary friends embarked on a perilous journey to an Ecuadorain island to spread the gospel among the Houarani Indians. Tragically, they faced hostility and were killed by the tribesmen. This incident raises the question of why some Christians are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the gospel while others remain lukewarm and indifferent. Understanding the gospel's significance is crucial here. Many Christians attend church without fully grasping the need to serve others. Based on Ephesians 2:1-10, we can comprehend our state before salvation and our new life in Christ. Accepting Jesus as our Savior compels us to serve Him and be carriers of His love because salvation is a gift of grace. This realization should motivate us to dedicate ourselves to Him and share His love with those around us.

In 1952, John Elliot and his missionary friends embarked on a perilous journey to an Ecuadorain island to spread the gospel among the Houarani Indians. Tragically, they faced hostility and were killed by the tribesmen. This incident raises the question of why some Christians are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the gospel while others remain lukewarm and indifferent. Understanding the gospel's significance is crucial here. Many Christians attend church without fully grasping the need to serve others. Based on Ephesians 2:1-10, we can comprehend our state before salvation and our new life in Christ. Accepting Jesus as our Savior compels us to serve Him and be carriers of His love because salvation is a gift of grace. This realization should motivate us to dedicate ourselves to Him and share His love with those around us.

When we welcome Jesus into our lives, it's like flipping a page in the book of our existence. The old chapters, filled with mistakes, regrets, and brokenness, are left behind. Accepting Jesus means embracing a fresh start, a chance to live with purpose and grace. It's not about erasing our past but allowing His love to rewrite our story. In this episode, we read Bible Verses to help us let go of the baggage, and embark on a journey where love, forgiveness, and redemption guide our every step. It's a daily choice to leave the old behind and walk hand in hand with Jesus towards a brighter, transformed life. Once we are done reading, I will be answering a few questions from my audience. Check out new episodes every week! Use the code "Podcast20" to get 20% off our entire store. This is a special code specifically for our podcast listeners! See all our our hoodies, t-shirts, caps and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.livingchristian.org/store.html⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. MY BIBLE: Every Man's Bible: New Living Translation - Find it here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/3MuDAUS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE BELOW FOR CHRISTIAN APPAREL, PRODUCTS, BLOGS, BIBLE VERSES AND MORE: Website | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.livingchristian.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Store | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.livingchristian.org/store.html⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.livingchristian.org/podcast.html⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL: Instagram | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/living_christian/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/livechristian1 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/livechristian1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pinterest | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.pinterest.com/living_christian/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@livingchristian⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ABOUT US: Living Christian believes that our Christian faith isn't just for Sunday mornings in Church. Our faith impacts every aspect of our lives and the challenges we face every day of the week. We want to connect to people who are seeking to determine what Living Christian means in their own day-to-day lives.  We are focused on providing resources and products to a community of believers. We provide daily biblical inspiration, motivation and guidance through social posts, blogs and Christian apparel and products. This work contains Music Track The 126ers - Winds of Spring that is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license. Source: https://directory.audio/free-music/pop/5092-the-126ers-winds-of-spring Author: The 126ers --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livingchristian/support

In this video, the concept of Christian baptism is thoroughly explained in tandem with biblical texts like Matthew Chapter 3 and Acts chapter 19. The speaker clarifies the significance of accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and the requirement of repentance before baptism. The video emphasizes that acts of faith should be carried out for the glory of God and the benefit of the Kingdom. The speaker also elaborates on the difference between water baptism and spirit baptism, promising to further discuss the topic of spirit baptism in a subsequent video. 00:00 Introduction and Reflection on a Hymn 00:59 The Importance of Living for God's Glory 01:42 Understanding Baptism: John's Perspective 02:27 The Significance of Accepting Jesus as Savior 03:44 John's Baptism and the Coming Messiah 06:55 The Meaning of Being Born Again 07:43 Salvation: A Personal Relationship with Jesus 08:26 The Baptism in the Name of Jesus 10:51 The Baptismal Formula: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit 11:43 Closing Prayer and Gratitude 12:41 Final Words and Blessings --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gnbc/message

Pastor Benson kicks off 2024 with a new series entitled, ‘Built to Last'. Follow along as he talks through how to successfully build a lifelong relationship with God!

Excited to kick off season 6 with Cherie Denna's story interview! Cherie Denna is an author, speaker, and writing coach. In this interview, she describes her dysfunctional childhood, which was comprised of mob members from her mom's family and outlaw bikers from her dad's family. Violence occurred daily. Additionally, Cherie and her sister were abused by her stepfather. At 17, she knew she had to get away from that toxic environment. She began to process the violence, abuse, and fear she experienced in her childhood home. The resulting trauma caused PTSD, suicidal ideations, and infertility. Many years later, Cherie accepted an invitation to a ladies retreat at a church from a friend. This event became a turning point for her. She accepted Jesus and discovered her identity and belonging in Him. Cherie's memoir, Beloved Outcast: The Quest for True Belonging, is releasing in February. Notable quotes from this episode with Cherie Denna: * "Just the nature of the culture of belonging to a mob family and being associated with outlaw bikers. Everything had to stay within the family. Nobody outside the family can be trusted." * "I grew up immersed in fear." * "I knew I had to get out of there. I thought I was running from it all. You can't. You can run from the environment, but the after effects of all the trauma goes with you." * [Jesus] set me on a whole different path. I had a way now through Him - through Christ - to truly learn who I was born to be. And who I truly belonged to." Scripture references:2 Corinthians 5:17: "if anyone is in Christ, he is a newcreation; the old has gone, the new had come!" Connect with Cherie Denna: On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheriedennaOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriedenna/Her website: https://cheriedenna.com/

In this video, we delve into the context and significance of Christmas, addressing disputes about its observance, and placing particular emphasis on the birth of Jesus Christ. We dive deep into the Biblical account of Jesus' birth, highlighting key figures like Mary and Joseph, and their roles in the divine story. Through exploration of various Biblical scriptures, we gain insight into the life and family ties of Mary. Join us as we recount the moments leading up to the birth of Christ and reflect upon the profound impact of these events. The session concludes with a prayer and reminder of the importance of keeping Christ at the center of the Christmas season. 00:00 Introduction and Thoughts on Christmas 00:47 The Significance of Celebrating Christmas 02:32 The Revelation of the Messiah's Birth 05:11 The Story of Mary, Mother of Jesus 07:38 Mary's Encounter with the Angel 10:39 The Importance of Accepting Jesus as Savior 11:05 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gnbc/message

God's Final Call: Salvation and the Importance of Responding The sermon discusses the songwriter, John W. Peterson, and his song entitled 'God's Final Call'. Drawing from a biblical story in Luke 14:15-24, the speaker emphasizes the importance of responding to God's call of salvation, warning against making excuses to avoid this call. Noting that many make excuses not to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the speaker highlights the necessity to repent and seek the Lord while there's still time. The sermon concludes with an invitation to the listeners to trust in Jesus Christ while there's still time, and a prayer for the strength to stop making excuses and serve God better. 00:00 Introduction to John W. Peterson's Song 00:05 Understanding the Lyrics of 'God's Final Call' 01:16 Exploring the Parable of the Great Supper 02:47 The Consequences of Rejecting God's Invitation 03:40 The Excuses People Make to Avoid Salvation 04:58 The Wrath of God and the Need for Repentance 06:16 The Importance of Accepting Jesus as the Messiah 07:31 The Urgency of Seeking God and Repenting 08:41 Final Call to Accept God's Invitation 09:16 Closing Prayer and Gratitude --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gnbc/message

Accepting Jesus into your life isn't about becoming a better version of yourself; it's about becoming new. Like Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus, there is a call to actively engage in the ongoing transformation that occurs in your life through our relationship with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11 (ESV) 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of […]

Examples in scripture of changed lives after accepting Jesus Luke 19:1 -10 (NASB) 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. 3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable […]

This week Nathaniel and Matt discuss the following: Did Jesus have long hair? Does Jesus sleep now that He is in Heaven? Is “accepting Jesus into your heart” biblical? A reaction to David Platt Thoughts on altar calls. How do you shepherd a new believer? David Platt video can be found on youtube: https://youtu.be/JPhEEzjU8xQ?feature=shared

Accepting Jesus means devoting yourself to the same things He was devoted to.

Accepting Jesus means devoting yourself to the same things He was devoted to.

Accepting Jesus' invitation to believe in Him and follow Him is just like accepting someone's marriage proposal! He invites us to a life-long (and eternity-long!) marriage of love and grace! But too often people treat their faith as a casual, not a committed, relationship. Are you married to Jesus, or are you just dating? Is He your beloved, your one true love?!

We, humans, are not without flaws. We all make mistakes and end up in difficult situations, whether at work or in relationships. Even though we are not perfect, we like to think of ourselves as such. But how much perfection does God demand of us, and how can we attain it? Pastor Mark explains in today's message how you can achieve perfection in God's eyes by being sinless. However, because we are all born sinners, being sinless can be difficult. Accepting Jesus as your personal Saviour and repenting of your sins is the only way to be perfect in God's eyes. Only then will God consider you righteous and without any flaws.

In this episode, I dive into the incredible 45-year law enforcement career of Susan Welch Rodriguez, an author, speaker, private investigator, songwriter, and musician from Texas. We explore her journey from starting as a clerk in 1978 to adapting to numerous changes in the field, such as the transition to semi-automatic weapons and the introduction of computers in squad cars. We also discuss her memoir, "She's a County Mountie: From Bulletproof Vest to Armor of God," recounting her encounters with fugitives, dangerous situations, and the emotional impact of these events on her life. Susan shares her struggles with identity, depression, and post-traumatic stress after retiring from law enforcement and how her faith in Jesus and the transformative power of God led her to a new beginning in prison ministry. We also touch on her work with inmates, the importance of forgiveness, and the impact it can have on changing lives. Finally, we wrap up the episode by discussing the process of writing and publishing a book from the perspective of someone in law enforcement and our new coffee brand, Blue Java, which supports first responders through our partnership with Fund the First. Don't miss this inspiring and captivating episode!About Susan Welch-Rodriguez45 Yrs in LEAuthor & SpeakerPrivate InvestigatorSongwriter and MusicianTexasFollow Susan Welch-RodriguezWebsite: https://www.susanthecop.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.rodriguez.7731Chapters:(0:00:00) - Law Enforcement Transition(0:10:29) - Enforcing the Law(0:22:07) - Writing a Law Book(0:26:02) - Accepting Jesus for a New Beginning(0:40:03) - Supporting First Responders Through CoffeeChapter Summaries:(0:00:00) - Law Enforcement Transition (10 Minutes)In this episode, we dive into the fascinating 45-year law enforcement career of Susan Welch Rodriguez, an author, speaker, private investigator, songwriter, and musician from Texas. Susan shares how she started as a clerk in 1978, eventually finding her way to the streets in 1984. Over the years, she has adapted to numerous changes in the field, from the transition to semi-automatic weapons to the introduction of computers in squad cars. Despite retiring in 2009, Susan continues to serve as a volunteer in the sheriff's posse, patrolling on horseback and working special events.(0:10:29) - Enforcing the Law (12 Minutes)In this segment, we explore the inspiration behind Susan Welch Rodriguez's memoir titled "She's a County Mountie: From Bulletproof Vest to Armor of God" Susan shares the challenges she faced while writing and how her experiences as a police officer influenced her writing process. The book recounts her encounters with fugitives, dangerous situations, and the emotional impact of these events on her life. We also discuss the importance of sharing her experiences to help others navigate through difficult trials and crises. The memoir is available on Amazon.com.(0:22:07) - Writing a Law Book (4 Minutes)We discuss the process of writing and publishing a book from the perspective of someone in law enforcement. The key takeaway is to just start writing and not worry about what others might think - the hardest part is getting it on paper. Once the story is written, it can be cleaned up and refined....

- Your Daily Portion Sabbath School Lesson with L. David Harris- Please sign up for the Your Daily Portion Community here: https://yourdailyportion.com

Episode 175- From Old to New We all know this foundational scripture found in 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” I've always read this scripture in regard to salvation and it is about that, but it is about so much more than the moment of salvation. Accepting Jesus as our Savior, does make us new. Then, the Holy Spirit continues that work teaching us how to live as a new creation.    When we accept Christ, we have another choice. We can choose to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit or we can continue to live in our old ways. This episode will explain more about this process. Overcomers Link: https://Teresashieldsparker.com/overcomers/  

Jesus invited everyone to a special wedding celebration, with no limitations on attendance. Some people chose not to attend, despite the invitation. God wants us to help others and put Him first, and be a good example to our children. Accepting Jesus allows us to join the wedding feast and be ready for when the […] The post The Church, Christ's Holy Bride appeared first on Bethel Mennonite Church - Gladys VA.

Exodus = coming out - of bondage; Moses' mission; Declaration of Independence; Nature's God; Right reason; Two trees; Inspiration; Simplification; Coaxing you out of the Tree of Knowledge back to Tree of Life; "Church" discussion; Idea ology; Distorting the puzzle; Knowing Moses; Children of God; God's plan for Christ; Piecing together truth; Church networking; Returning to bondage; Fair shares?; Ekklesia = "called-out assembly" to do something; Little flock; Free people under God; Plight of Joseph; "Stimulus"; Exodus 3:1; "Horeb"; Burning bush; Nature replenishing itself; Bringing Moses out; Grounding; Oppression - strengthening; Are hard times coming soon?; Reasons for being in bondage; Taxing the rich?; Sabbath; 1 Sam 8:18; 2 Cor 6:17; Taskmasters; Serving God - being bondservants; God's "name"?; "I AM THAT I AM"; Serving through faith; (abad?) tav-ayin-beit-daleth-vav-nun + aleph-tav; Finding the right path; Seek first the kingdom and righteousness; Ex 3:15; "Levites" and "Church" called out; One form of government; Legal charity; vs Fervent charity; God of their fathers; Teaching elders; Ex 3:19; Altars; Judging begets judgement; Thriving through hard times; Portable wealth; Are you in the bondage of Egypt?; Ex 3:22; Borrow = vav-shem-aleph-lamad-hey (ask); Neighbor?; Gifts by faith; Plunder/spoil?; Moses account; Don't bind yourself; Love and charity; Kingdom through generations; Believing without signs; Becoming alive to Christ; Church authority; Public religion; Jesus' transfer of kingdom; World jealousy; Saul's folly; Servant government; Gauging your Christianity; Accepting Jesus as king; Synagogues; Losing your (pure) religion; Welfare snare; Live by faith.

New age to New Creation with Meredith Swift Meredith was originally a farm girl, being raised on a sheep and dairy farm in Victoria, Australia, She now reside in the city of Townsville in beautiful, tropical Far North Queensland. Writing has always been a big part of her life – through journaling and each of her four books ( also contributed a devotional piece to a fifth book). Each of book comes from a foundation of faith and covers an aspect of her life – struggles with drugs, alcohol, depression, domestic violence, and the challenges of raising a child with special needs. All are available on Amazon and she is humble and grateful to have received many great reviews and hear of lives that have been touched by her work. Accepting Jesus into her heart and being born again has transformed her life, which had a lot of pain and sadness in it. But God has given her beauty for ashes, and He has transformed this pain and sadness through her writing. Meredith's, hope is that her books give encouragement and healing, and help people know they are not alone in their pain. Her author website is www.meredithswift.org and you can follow me on Instagram @MerryFree2015 or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GardenOfPromisJoin this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLrZriCc01bnp0Amb2gXDtQ/join Ask your bible question https://www.quora.com/profile/Anthony-Wilson-973/Subscribe https://www.youtube.com/c/AnthonyWilson73 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/anthony-wilson/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/anthony-wilson/support