Podcasts about all scripture

Reformation Day, celebrated on October 31st, marks one of the most transformative moments in church history — the day Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517. In today's prayer and devotional, we reflect on the fact that though Luther never sought to divide the Church, his bold stand for truth and his devotion to Scripture became a catalyst for reformation and renewal across the Christian world. As Lynette Kittle reflects, Luther wasn’t a rebel or revolutionary — he was a truth seeker who rediscovered the heart of the Gospel: we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8). His translation of the Bible into German opened the Word of God to everyday people, making Scripture accessible to all who longed to know God personally. Today, we commemorate Reformation Day not only as a historic event but as a call to continue valuing God’s Word above all else. Scripture is living and active — teaching, correcting, and equipping us for righteousness. Let us be inspired by Luther’s example to study God’s Word deeply and boldly share the Good News of salvation by grace alone. Today's Bible Reading:“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. The Apostle Paul wrote those words to Timothy in chapter three of his second letter to the young clergyman. Today, Ron takes us to this important letter, written by Paul near the end of his life. Stay with us now as Ron continues his teaching series, “The Ultimate Road Trip Through The Bible: The Pauline Epistles.” 

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/the-god-who-made-it-all   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faith-love-trust--3493635/support.

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/the-work-that-matters   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible   

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/when-god-forgives  Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible   

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/growing-strong-in-god  Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible   

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/sharpened-by-iron   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible   

Reading 1Exodus 17:8-13In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel.Moses, therefore, said to Joshua,"Pick out certain men,and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle.I will be standing on top of the hillwith the staff of God in my hand."So Joshua did as Moses told him:he engaged Amalek in battleafter Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur.As long as Moses kept his hands raised up,Israel had the better of the fight,but when he let his hands rest,Amalek had the better of the fight.Moses'hands, however, grew tired;so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands,one on one side and one on the other,so that his hands remained steady till sunset.And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his peoplewith the edge of the sword.Reading 22 Timothy 3:14-4:2Beloved:Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed,because you know from whom you learned it,and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures,which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvationthrough faith in Christ Jesus.All Scripture is inspired by Godand is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction,and for training in righteousness,so that one who belongs to God may be competent,equipped for every good work.I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,who will judge the living and the dead,and by his appearing and his kingly power:proclaim the word;be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.GospelLuke 18:1-8Jesus told his disciples a parableabout the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.He said, "There was a judge in a certain townwho neither feared God nor respected any human being.And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,'Render a just decision for me against my adversary.'For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,because this widow keeps bothering meI shall deliver a just decision for herlest she finally come and strike me.'"The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen oneswho call out to him day and night?Will he be slow to answer them?I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/god-understands   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible   

On today's Quick Start podcast: NEWS: The government shutdown drags into its 20th day with no deal in sight. Tensions rise as national security and air travel face growing risks, while both parties play the blame game. Meanwhile, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy begins a five-year prison sentence — the first French leader since World War II to be jailed. FOCUS STORY: A new Dead Sea Scroll exhibit is coming to the Museum of the Bible. Dr. Bobby Duke explains how these ancient manuscripts deepen our understanding of Scripture and faith. MAIN THING: Former psychic Jenn Nizza joins Billy Hallowell and Raj Nair to expose the real dangers behind Ouija boards, tarot cards, and other occult practices — and why Christians should steer clear of them, especially around Halloween. LAST THING: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” A reminder that God's Word equips us for every good work. PRAY WITH US! Faithwire.substack.com SHOW LINKS Faith in Culture: https://cbn.com/news/faith-culture Heaven Meets Earth PODCAST: https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454 Navigating Trump 2.0: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-trump-2-0/id1691121630

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/calming-the-storm   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible   

2 Timothy 3:16–17 says this.... “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” How powerful and wisdom is the Scripture. Let's talk about this on today's Morning Manna.

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/great-enough-to-care  Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible   

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 NASB Rooted in the Word.We live in a world sick from a counsel of confusion and wickedness that scoffs at truth and reason.Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 NLTI have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 NLTAll Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLTYour word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NLT The Bible, when read rightly, brings humility that offers hope, not humiliation. While knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 NLTTruly loving the Word leads to loving the Author of the Word.You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. John 5:39 NLT The written Word must connect us to the living Word or we've missed the point of knowing the Word.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-5 & 14 NLTThen Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:31-32 NRSVThe bible is more than a book you're meant to get through, it's a book that's meant to get through you.And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:10-11 ESV-------------------------------------------------Download the 828 Church app!To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

Many of us first heard Bible stories as children—David and Goliath, Noah's Ark, the Good Samaritan. But St. Paul reminds us that the Scriptures we knew from infancy are meant to keep forming us throughout life. In this homily, Fr. Edward Looney reflects on how to approach God's Word with adult faith and deeper understanding. Using St. Paul's words—“All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, refutation, correction, and training in righteousness”—Fr. Looney invites us to rediscover the power of Scripture through three simple questions: 1️⃣ What does the text say? 2️⃣ How does it speak to me personally? 3️⃣ How is it calling me to live differently? Whether you've drifted from Bible reading or want to go deeper, this homily will help you encounter Scripture not just as a story from your childhood, but as a living Word meant to transform your adult life.

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/casting-cares  Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/a-prayerful-posture   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/gods-way-is-love  Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/pursued-by-god  Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 - But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

On today's Quick Start podcast: NEWS: China launches its harshest Christian crackdown in years — arresting dozens of pastors from one of the country's largest underground churches. Plus, Turkey labels Christians “national security threats,” deporting missionaries and pastors without charges. FOCUS STORY: Oracles of God — a powerful new film exploring how the Gospel was preserved and compiled, debuting at a time when spiritual revival is spreading across America. MAIN THING: Italy reignites the battle over cultural identity with a new bill proposing a nationwide ban on Islamic face coverings — a bold move that could reshape Europe's religious freedom debate. LAST THING: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” PRAY WITH US! Faithwire.substack.com SHOW LINKS Faith in Culture: https://cbn.com/news/faith-culture Heaven Meets Earth PODCAST: https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth NEWSMAKERS POD: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/newsmakers/id1724061454 Navigating Trump 2.0: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/navigating-trump-2-0/id1691121630

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.  Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/walking-in-christs-light  Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.    Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.    All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9    More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org  God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​  Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​  App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​  Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/it-takes-two  Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

Many people coming out of Mormonism ask, “So now that I'm free to choose, how do I pick a church?” In this episode, we explore what it really means to find a healthy, biblical Christian church — one that's Jesus-centered, Bible-based, and grace-driven.--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 --Leaving Mormonism can feel like losing your spiritual “home base.” In LDS culture, wards are assigned by address. In biblical Christianity, you're free to choose a local church family. But freedom raises a wise question: How do you pick a healthy, Bible-teaching, Jesus-centered church?Start with Scripture, Not a SystemMany former Latter-day Saints have heard 1 Timothy 3:15 used to imply that the “true church” must be a single organization with one earthly headquarters and priesthood keys: “This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (NLT) Paul isn't describing a corporate institution; he's describing a community of believers built on Christ with qualified local leaders (read all of 1 Timothy 3). The foundation is Jesus himself—not a modern hierarchy. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11, NLT) “Together, we are his house… built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.” (Ephesians 2:20, NLT)In other words, the “pillar and foundation of the truth” is the global family of men and women who belong to Jesus and uphold his Word in local congregations.Three Non-NegotiablesHealthy churches are:Jesus-centered (the person and work of Christ are central),Bible-based (Scripture is the final authority),Grace-proclaiming (the gospel is good news, not good advice).“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT)“There is salvation in no one else!” (Acts 4:12, NLT)“For everyone has sinned… Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.” (Romans 3:23-24, NLT)A Loving but Discerning Warning about the Prosperity GospelSome churches teach that God guarantees health, wealth, and constant success if you have enough faith. That's not the New Testament gospel; it's motivational religion with Bible words. Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23, NLT) The Bible prepares us for valleys as well as victories: “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” (Psalm 23:4, NLT) Don't swap LDS performance religion for a health-and-wealth counterfeit.Look for Real CommunityJesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my...

Many people coming out of Mormonism ask, “So now that I'm free to choose, how do I pick a church?” In this episode, we explore what it really means to find a healthy, biblical Christian church — one that's Jesus-centered, Bible-based, and grace-driven.--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 --Leaving Mormonism can feel like losing your spiritual “home base.” In LDS culture, wards are assigned by address. In biblical Christianity, you're free to choose a local church family. But freedom raises a wise question: How do you pick a healthy, Bible-teaching, Jesus-centered church?Start with Scripture, Not a SystemMany former Latter-day Saints have heard 1 Timothy 3:15 used to imply that the “true church” must be a single organization with one earthly headquarters and priesthood keys: “This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (NLT) Paul isn't describing a corporate institution; he's describing a community of believers built on Christ with qualified local leaders (read all of 1 Timothy 3). The foundation is Jesus himself—not a modern hierarchy. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11, NLT) “Together, we are his house… built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.” (Ephesians 2:20, NLT)In other words, the “pillar and foundation of the truth” is the global family of men and women who belong to Jesus and uphold his Word in local congregations.Three Non-NegotiablesHealthy churches are:Jesus-centered (the person and work of Christ are central),Bible-based (Scripture is the final authority),Grace-proclaiming (the gospel is good news, not good advice).“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT)“There is salvation in no one else!” (Acts 4:12, NLT)“For everyone has sinned… Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.” (Romans 3:23-24, NLT)A Loving but Discerning Warning about the Prosperity GospelSome churches teach that God guarantees health, wealth, and constant success if you have enough faith. That's not the New Testament gospel; it's motivational religion with Bible words. Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23, NLT) The Bible prepares us for valleys as well as victories: “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” (Psalm 23:4, NLT) Don't swap LDS performance religion for a health-and-wealth counterfeit.Look for Real CommunityJesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my...

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/gratitude-to-god   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

คอลัมน์ “สดแต่เช้า”ปีที่5 (ตอนที่197) เมื่อความคิดและประสบการณ์ของเราขัดแย้งกับพระวจนะของพระเจ้า!“พระคัมภีร์ทุกตอนได้รับการดลใจจากพระเจ้า และเป็นประโยชน์ในการสั่งสอน การว่ากล่าวตักเตือนการแก้ไขข้อบกพร่อง และการฝึกฝนในความชอบธรรม”~‭‭2ทิโมธี‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭TNCV‬‬“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”‭‭ ~2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬คำเตือนสติประจำวันนี้ คือ“อย่าเอาประสบการณ์ส่วนตัว ความคิดเห็น ความเชื่อ หรือความพอใจของเรามาสร้างเป็นศาสนศาสตร์หรือวิถีปฏิบัติของตนและคนอื่น ทั้งๆที่เห็นแล้วว่าขัดกับคำสอนหลักการของพระคัมภีร์!”ทำไมเราจึงไม่ควรเอาประสบการณ์ หรือความคิดของเราเป็นหลักปฏิบัติ เมื่อขัดแย้งกับหลักคำสอนในพระคัมภีร์ นั่นเป็นเพราะ​ประสบการณ์เป็นสิ่งที่ไม่เที่ยงแท้ของมนุษย์“ประสบการณ์อาจเปลี่ยนแปลงได้แต่พระวจนะของพระเจ้านั้นไม่เคยเปลี่ยนแปลง!“(Experiences may change,but God's Word never changes.)คือกล่าวได้ว่า“ความเชื่อแท้ของคริสเตียนตั้งอยู่บนพระวจนะของพระเจ้า ไม่ใช่บนประสบการณ์ของมนุษย์.”(True Christian faith is built on God's Word,not on human experience.)และเนื่องจากว่าพระคัมภีร์ได้รับการดลใจจากพระเจ้าไม่ได้มาจากความคิดของมนุษย์ เราจึงไม่อาจเอาความคิด ความคิดเห็น ความรู้สึก หรือประสบการณ์ของเราหรือของมนุษย์คนใด1).มาตีความหมายของพระคัมภีร์2).มาหักล้างกับสิทธิอำนาจของพระคัมภีร์ หรือ3).มาแทนที่พระคัมภีร์​ความรู้สึกและความคิดเห็นของเรา เป็นสิ่งที่ไม่เที่ยงแท้เราไม่ควรนำอารมณ์ ความคิดและความรู้สึกของเราที่แปรปรวนง่ายมาเป็นตัวนำหรือตัวกำหนดแนวทางการดำเนินชีวิตหรือการประพฤติปฏ้บัติของเราและคนอื่นเสมือนหนึ่งว่ามีสิทธิอำนาจเหนือกว่าพระคัมภีร์ เหมือนดังคำเตือนที่ว่า“อย่าให้ความรู้สึกหรือความคิดเห็นส่วนตัว หรือประสบการณ์ มาเป็นตัวกำหนดสิ่งที่คุณควรเชื่อ แต่จงให้พระวจนะของพระเจ้ากำหนดทิศทางและท่าทีหัวใจของคุณ!!”(Let God's Word shape your heart, not your feelings or opinions or experiences.)​พระคัมภีร์เป็นสิ่งทรงคุณประโยชน์ที่เที่ยงแท้จากพระเจ้าอาจารย์เปาโลยืนยันว่า พระคัมภีร์เป็นพระวจนะของพระเจ้า“พระคัมภีร์ทุกตอนได้รับการดลใจจากพระเจ้า (“All Scripture is God-breathed )และเป็นประโยชน์( and is useful for)​ในการสอน( teaching)​ในการตักเตือนว่ากล่าว (rebuking)​ในการแก้ไขสิ่งผิด (correcting) และ​ในการอบรมในความชอบธรรม (training in righteousness)~‭‭2 ทิโมธี‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭THSV11‬‬สรุปความเชื่อของคริสเตียนตั้งอยู่บนพระคัมภีร์!ดังนั้นจงให้พระคัมภีร์หรือพระวจนะของพระเจ้า เป็นหลักและแนวทางในการนำ​ทางชีวิต ​พฤติกรรม​การทำงานปรนนิบัติรับใช้ ของเรามีคำเตือนว่าจงอย่าให้ความรู้สึก ความคิดเห็น หรือประสบการณ์ของเรา ​มาเปลี่ยน​มานำ ​มากำหนด และ​มาควบคุมวิถีชีวิตของเราและของคนอื่นด้วย ด้วยความเชื่อว่า ความคิดเห็นของเราถูกต้องและเหนือกว่าพระคัมภีร์ เหมือนดังคำกล่าวที่ว่า“เมื่อใดก็ตามที่พระวจนะของพระเจ้าขัดแย้งกับความคิดเห็น(และประสบการณ์)ของเราเราจงยอมให้พระวจนะของพระเจ้าเป็นฝ่ายที่ถูกต้อง!”(When God's Word disagrees with us,let God's Word be right.)…เห็นด้วยไหมครับ?~~~~~~~~~~~~~ธงชัย ประดับชนานุรัตน์ 14ตุลาคม2025 (ตอนที่197 ของปีที่5)#YoutubeCJCONNECT#คริสตจักรแห่งความรัก #Churchoflove #ShareTheLoveForward #ChurchOfJoy #คริสตจักรแห่งความสุข #NimitmaiChristianChurch #คริสตจักรนิมิตใหม่ #ฮักกัยประเทศไทย #อัลฟ่า #หนึ่งล้านความดี

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/communion-with-god   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/access-through-christ   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/prayer-of-the-desperate   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

Free Podcast Downloads 189 - The Better Covenant As Christians, we understand that the entire Bible, Old Testament and New Testament, is inspired, or “God breathed.” 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” The word “inspiration” literally means “breathed”, in other words, all scripture is “God breathed.” We also know that the two parts of the Bible represent two separate Covenants. The word testament is from the Greek diathēkē, which means covenant. A covenant is an agreement or contract. A theological covenant is an agreement between God and mankind. Therefore, the Bible represents two covenants. The Old Covenant was a covenant between God and the Hebrews, and the New Covenant was a covenant between God and the followers of Jesus, Christians. Every theological covenant has a mediator. The dictionary defines a mediator as one who attempts to bring people involved in a conflict to an agreement, serving as a go-between. In the Old Covenant, Moses was the mediator; that is why the covenant was often called the “Law of Moses.” The New Covenant mediator is Jesus, who gave His life willingly to save us from sin and gave us eternal life with Him in Heaven. Notice that I said, “Jesus gave His Life.” That giving of life is why the New Covenant is called the Covenant of Grace. Back to the dictionary, grace is defined as: “(in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.” Put another way, Jesus giving His life for us is the very definition of grace. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Here is the crucial point: you can't have two mediators! Too many Christians are trying to live under the Law and under Grace. Grace and Law are mutually exclusive, meaning that it must be one or the other; it can't be both. Look at what the Apostle John said in John 1:17, “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” And then the Apostle Paul in Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.   Read along with today's devotional: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/a-cautionary-tale   Want to get Our Daily Bread's daily devotionals delivered to your inbox or mailbox? Subscribe for free here: https://odbm.org.     Our Daily Bread Ministries helps millions of people connect with God each day. For more than 75 years, our purpose has remained the same: to reach people with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.     All Scripture from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.    SUPPORT Our Daily Bread  Your generous support helps us make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to people around the world. https://donations.ourdailybread.org/intm9.html?motivation=INTM9     More Podcasts from Our Daily Bread:  Discover the Word: https://www.discovertheword.org   God Hears Her: https://www.godhearsher.org/podcast    Ways To Connect With Us:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/ourdailybread ​  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdailybread/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/ourdailybread​   Print Subscription: https://odb.org/getprint​   App: https://odb.org/mobile-resources​   Web: https://odbm.org    #ourdailybread #dailydevotional #bible  

Zechariah 6:20-23 (Many peoples shall come to seek the Lord in Jerusalem) 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching)

Series: RootedWeek 3 Title: God Speaks, Are You Listening?Scripture: Hebrews 1:1–3; John 1:1,14,18; John 16:12–15; Acts 13:2; Proverbs 11:14; Hebrews 10:24–25Big Idea: God is not silent. He has spoken most clearly through Jesus Christ, and He continues to speak through His Spirit and His people.I. God Speaks Through His SonIn the past, God spoke through prophets and visions (Hebrews 1:1).Now, He has spoken most clearly through Jesus (Hebrews 1:2–3).Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14).All Scripture points to Him (John 5:39–40).To see and hear Jesus is to see and hear the very Word of God.II. God Speaks Through His SpiritThe Spirit convicts, reveals truth, glorifies Jesus, and guides believers (John 16:8,13–14).The Spirit actively leads God's people (Acts 8, Acts 10, Acts 13, Acts 16).The Spirit convicts while the enemy accuses.The Spirit reveals truth while the enemy confuses.The Spirit glorifies Jesus while the enemy glorifies self.III. God Speaks Through His PeopleWise counsel (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22).Encouragement and healing (Proverbs 12:25; 16:24).Influence (1 Corinthians 15:33).The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and encouragement (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24–25).Following Jesus is not a solo pursuit; we need each other to hear God's voice.IV. Application / ChallengeDon't overcomplicate the divine—God is speaking clearly.Ask: Are you in His Word? Are you listening to His Spirit? Are you walking with His people?God speaks. The question is: are you listening?

Books of the Book: Week 2 - The Book of Jude ### Introduction This week's sermon delves into the **Book of Jude**, exploring its profound relevance for modern believers. Despite being one of the shortest books in the Bible, Jude's message is powerful and urgent, calling Christians to contend for their faith amidst ancient and contemporary challenges. ### The Importance of Scripture The sermon begins by emphasizing the foundational role of Scripture in the life of a believer. Echoing the words of Jesus, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God," and Paul in **2 Timothy 3:16**, which states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." This underscores the necessity of engaging with all of God's word to be equipped for every good work. ### Understanding Jude Jude, Jesus's half-brother, addresses his letter to those who have come to God through faith in Jesus Christ. Despite his familial connection to Jesus, Jude identifies himself foremost as a servant of Christ, highlighting humility and obedience over personal prestige. The core of Jude's message is a call to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people" (**Jude 1:3**). This faith, established through Jesus' death on the cross, is unchanging and must be defended against distortion. ### The Threat of False Teachings Jude warns against individuals who have infiltrated the church, perverting the grace of God into a license for immorality and denying Jesus Christ as Lord (**Jude 1:4**). He references historical examples of rebellion against God, such as the Israelites who were delivered from Egypt but later judged for unbelief, the fallen angels, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (**Jude 1:5-7**). These false teachers are described as dangerous and destructive, akin to "clouds without rain" and "autumn trees without fruit" (**Jude 1:12-13**). They are accused of leading believers astray by promoting a message that cheapens grace and denies the call to righteousness. ### Call to Action Jude's letter is not just a warning but a call to action. Believers are urged to: - **Build themselves up in their most holy faith** - **Pray in the Holy Spirit** - **Keep themselves in God's love** - **Show mercy to those who doubt** - **Save others by snatching them from the fire** These actions are crucial for personal growth and maintaining the faith community's integrity. ### Conclusion The sermon concludes with a prayer for strength and wisdom to contend for the faith with mercy and love. It emphasizes the church's responsibility to uphold the truth of Scripture and to resist the divisive and destructive influences of false teachings. In a world where beliefs and morals are constantly challenged, Jude's message is a timeless reminder of the importance of standing firm in the faith "once for all delivered to the saints" (**Jude 1:3**). As believers, we are called to be pillars of truth, reflecting God's mercy and grace to a world in need of hope and salvation.

On Sunday we ended our When in Doubt series with Paul's words to Timothy: “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful… so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)Here's a thought I didn't get to share: our culture often treats truth like a playlist—you just add or skip depending on your mood. But Paul insists truth isn't curated by us, it's breathed by God. Which means the Bible isn't just one voice among many competing for attention; it is the voice that makes sense of all the others. If we sideline it, we don't just lose information—we lose orientation.That's why Paul pictures Scripture as equipping us, like a soldier with armor or a ship with supplies. You and I are not sent into Monday empty-handed. God has given us His Word as a compass that cuts through the spin, the noise, and the deception. And the more we steep ourselves in it, the more it points us beyond itself—to Jesus, the Word made flesh.

Whiskey Review: Maker's Mark 101 Special Proof Follow us on all your podcast platforms and: Instagram: @manhoodneat X: Manhood Neat (@ManhoodNeat) / X Youtube: Manhood, Neat Podcast - YouTube Reach out: manhood.neat@gmail.com   Show Notes: What if the health of your church isn't measured by its size or popularity, but by how faithfully its leaders shepherd the flock?  In a world of shifting cultural winds, why does the Bible insist on structured leadership? Overview why church leadership matters,  its God-ordained roles in teaching, correcting, sending, and encouraging; the unyielding accountability to Scripture over congregational whims  the necessity of ongoing biblical evaluation; and a snapshot of biblical church  "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12, ESV).  "The true shepherd is one who leads the flock by going before it, not by driving it from behind." – Charles Spurgeon   Section 1: Why Church Leadership and Its Structure Are So Important Key Statement: Church leadership isn't optional—it's God's blueprint for unity, growth, and protection against chaos. Without it, the church drifts into individualism or cultural compromise. Points: Leadership provides direction in a fallen world, preventing division  1 Corinthians 1:10: "I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you". Structure ensures accountability and order, mirroring God's order in creation and the Trinity. Historical context: The early church exploded in growth under apostolic leadership (Acts 2:42-47), but faltered when structure was ignored (Corinth's factions in 1 Corinthians). "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account" (Hebrews 13:17, ESV) leaders as soul-watchmen.  "The church is not a debating society but a body under authority." – John Stott  highlighting the need for structured submission for spiritual flourishing. Share a brief anecdote of a church thriving under strong leadership vs. one fractured by leaderless drift. Section 2: The Roles of Church Leadership – Teaching, Correcting, Sending, and Encouraging. Teaching – Grounding in Truth Leaders proclaim sound doctrine to build mature believers.  "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV).  "The pulpit is the Thermopylae of Christendom." – J.C. Ryle  underscoring teaching as the church's frontline defense. Correcting – Restoring the Wayward Gentle yet firm rebuke to prevent sin's spread, fostering holiness.  "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV). "Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower." – John Wesley  balancing correction with grace. Sending – Equipping for Mission Leaders commission members outward, advancing the gospel. "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'" (Acts 13:2, ESV) the Antioch church sending Paul and Barnabas.  "The church exists for the salvation of the world." – Lesslie Newbigin,  reminding leaders to propel the church beyond its walls. Encouraging – Building Up the Weary Sustaining hope amid trials, spurring one another on. "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV). "A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success." – Unknown Which role have you seen most in your church? Least? These roles are powerful, but they're only effective when leaders anchor them in something unchanging Leadership's Accountability – To the Gospel and Bible, Not Congregational Feelings  True leaders serve God first, resisting the temptation to pander for approval, which dilutes the gospel. Points: Accountability to Christ ensures fidelity to truth, even if unpopular Galatians 1:10: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ". Dangers of emotion-driven decisions: Leads to moral relativism and church splits. Paul's farewell charge  Acts 20:24: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus". "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2, ESV) unwavering proclamation. "The pastor must be a man of conviction, not convenience." – A.W. Tozer warning against crowd-pleasing. Have you witnessed leaders prioritizing feelings over the Gospel?" Section 4: The Crucial Need for Constant Evaluation of Traditions and Practices  Churches must regularly test their customs against Scripture to avoid idolatry of tradition, ensuring relevance and purity. Points: Traditions can ossify into legalism if unchecked  Mark 7:8: "You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men". Benefits: Renewal, unity, and gospel-centeredness. Model: The Bereans Acts 17:11: "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so".  "Test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21, ESV).  "Tradition is the living faith of the dead; traditionalism is the dead faith of the living." – Jaroslav Pelikan  distinguishing helpful heritage from harmful habit. Encourage listeners to start a "Berean group" in their church for verse-by-verse checks.   Section 5: A Brief Overview of Biblical Church Structure  The New Testament envisions a simple, plural, servant-hearted model: Plurality of elders (overseers/pastors) for spiritual oversight, deacons for practical service, all under Christ's headship. Roles ( we will break these down in upcoming Episodes further): Elders: Plural, qualified men leading by teaching and example  (1 Timothy 5:17: "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching" Deacons: Servants handling logistics to free elders for prayer and word (1 Timothy 3:8-13). Congregation's Role: Active participation in discipline, giving, and mutual edification (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 14:26). No CEO-style hierarchy; mutual accountability and local autonomy. "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God" (Acts 20:28, ESV). "The New Testament knows nothing of a one-man ministry." – John Piper  advocating elder plurality. Does your church match this?

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17 NLT) Over the next few days, we’re going to address some frequently asked questions about the Christian faith. It’s likely that none of these questions will be new to you. You’ve probably heard them—or maybe even asked them yourself—more than once. I want to emphasize that these questions are valid. They often indicate a thoughtful approach to the Christian faith. But sometimes questions are nothing more than a smokescreen—a way of deflecting the truth of the gospel. They are excuses for not making a decision for Christ. With that in mind, let’s proceed. In Isaiah 1:18, God says, “Come now, and let us reason together” (NKJV). Christianity is a logical faith. It was only after I became a Christian that the world began to make sense to me. Prior to becoming a believer, I thought that mankind was basically good. And I really struggled with the horrible things that people did to people. But after I became a believer and discovered that the Bible teaches that mankind is sinful, I began to understand. I also discovered that God can change the human heart. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean you have to check your brain at the door. Bring your questions, even the tough ones. Find out what God says in His Word. Of course, if we’re going to search for answers in God’s Word, we need to be able to trust it. So, our first question is: How do we know the Bible is true? We can point to its amazing origin. The Bible is actually sixty-six different books written over a span of 1,500 years by some forty different authors from every walk of life, including kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, and scholars. Yet every one of them wrote about the same theme, God’s redemption of mankind. Because God Himself directed their words. We can point to archaeology. For many years, scholars used archaeology to argue that the Bible was unreliable. They could find no evidence of certain names, places, and events mentioned in Scripture. As archaeologists uncover more and more of the ancient world, however, they are discovering that the Bible is quite accurate. We can point to prophecy, specifically prophecies about the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies—including being born of a virgin, being born in Bethlehem, and being crucified—centuries after the prophecies were made. Perhaps most importantly, we can point to what the Bible says about how to know God and how to live in these troubled, crazy times. It’s the only book that speaks with authority in this realm. And it’s the only book whose promises resonate deep within us. Ultimately, the best way to discover that the Bible is true is to experience its truths in your own life. Reflection question: How have you experienced the Bible truths in your own life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's our story with God, but do we really know it? These are stories so many of us have heard since we were tiny humans. This season we will take some time to revisit these childhood stories and go deeper into their true meanings. No more surface level learning for us!  Scripture References  2 Timothy 3:16–17 – All Scripture is God-breathed and equips us.  Luke 24:27 – Jesus shows that all Scripture points to Him.  1 Corinthians 10:11 – These things were written as examples for us.  Main Takeaways  - God as Creator of order and intimacy.  - The fall fractured creation and humanity.  - The first gospel promise in Genesis 3:15.  Reflection Questions  Which Bible story from childhood do you remember most vividly?  How has your understanding of that story changed as an adult?  What do you hope to gain by diving deeper into these familiar stories?  Resources Mentioned  Reading plan is found at:  https://www.chrystanferrell.com/podcast   Connect with Chrystan  Website: www.chrystanferrell.com  Instagram: www.instagram.com/chrystanferrell  Tik Tok: @chrystanferrell  Facebook: https: www.facebook.com/ChrystanFerrellFaith 

How can you tell if a teaching lines up with God’s truth? In this devotional, we explore how reading the Bible protects us from false teaching and equips us to recognize deception before it takes root. By understanding Scripture deeply, we can confidently discern God’s truth and avoid being led astray by misleading doctrines and counterfeit beliefs. ✨ Highlights Why studying the Bible is key to recognizing false teachers How God’s Word exposes manipulation, error, and deception Practical ways to hide God’s Word in your heart How the Holy Spirit guides us in discerning spiritual truth Scriptures to help strengthen your faith and guard against lies

“You teach what you know, but you reproduce what you are.” Howard HendricksIn this episode, Pastor Eric and Andy look at the pour, the fill, and the overflow of discipleship. Every disciple needs someone pouring into them, so that they can be filled up, and then overflow into others.

“You teach what you know, but you reproduce what you are.” Howard HendricksIn this episode, Pastor Eric and Andy look at the pour, the fill, and the overflow of discipleship. Every disciple needs someone pouring into them, so that they can be filled up, and then overflow into others.

Sermon Title - The Biggest Sinner of All Scripture - 1 Timothy 1:12-17 What happens when we feel inspired by the Holy Spirit but unqualified or unworthy to do anything about it? The self-proclaimed “biggest sinner of all” has some thoughts.    

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptGood morning. My name is Spencer. I am one of the pastors here. We started a new series last week. We finished up First Samuel. We'll get back to Second Samuel in the new year. We started a series called Remember where We Are Remembering. We are walking through what it looks like to be a member here as we walk through our membership commitment. So we're taking the next few months to walk through this commitment. Normally, as we study through books of the Bible, we get to look at the text and follow along with what God is doing in his redemptive story in this world. But this is something where we get to walk through 14 membership commitments that we have written that our membership abides by and see where these actually come from, the scriptures, to see why we believe these things and why it is good to be bound by these beliefs together as a church, as we seek to be a gospel centered community on mission. So this commitment actually a lot of ways, when you read it, actually functions a lot like a discipleship game plan. And that's one of the things that we'll see over the next couple of months that this is if you want to figure out who we're called to be and how we're called to make disciples. These 14 statements kind of provide an outline for that. So if you're new and you've been coming around for a bit, this is actually a very good time to walk with us as we walk through this membership commitment to see the things that bind us together in belief and practice. But if you've been here for a few years, my hope is that this would be an encouragement, that this would be a shot in the arm. This would be galvanizing. This would help us remember why we commit to be members of this church and what we hope to do. So what we're going to do is look at two statements this morning. The first two statements that are foundational for really the rest of the statements that flow out of them. So we're going to see these first two foundational statements. But let me tell you first about how 98 people lost their lives a few years ago. So a few years ago in Florida, there was a condo building that collapsed. I mean, it just looked like a demolition. It just completely collapsed. And 98 people instantly lost their lives. And I remember watching the video from that. I remember me kind of echoing the same sentiments that so many people have, which is, how in the world does that happen in America in 2021? Like, how is it possible for an entire building to just collapse? And everyone was like, I mean, you've seen throughout history, this has happened with different buildings, but with all the building codes, all the things we have here, how does a building just fall? And as they started to do the studies on it, it became very clear that what happened with this building is what happens with a lot of buildings over time. But the foundation of this building was not sound. It seemed they had cut corners. It seemed they had neglected things, and the foundation was crumbling, and it was unable to support the weight of everything above it. And when they did this, when they neglected the foundation of this building, catastrophe ensued. It was a disaster. It was awful. And I can think of no better metaphor than to think about what happens if you build your life upon the wrong foundation. That as you think about faith, what it means to build your life on the wrong beliefs. Because if you do not have a solid foundation to build your faith upon, it will crumble under the weight of everything above will not last. It will break and it will fall. And these first two commitments are unbelievably important to us. They're important for us. They are the foundation upon which we build the rest of our faith. So we're going to walk through these two commitments. We're going to see how important they are, because they are how we view the Bible and how we view our God. So let me pray, and then we'll walk through this together.Heavenly Father, I pray that you might help us either discover or for some of us, rediscover what it means to be a people that build our lives upon you. And may that be so compelling to our hearts that we not just be hearers of the Word, but we would be doers of the Word in responding in faith and in repentance and reorienting our lives in a way that honor you. In Jesus name, Amen.All right, so we're gonna get this first. Commitment number one. The Bible is God's inerrant revelation of Himself to us. And I accept it as the authority over my life. Life. That's the Bible. The first 60 or the 66 books in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. If there's a blue Bible around you, that's it. That that Bible is God's inerrant, meaning it is truthful, it is trustworthy, the inerrant revelation of Himself to us that God reveals Himself to us in His Word. It's how we know God. And I accept it as the authority over my life, meaning I submit myself to this God through His Word and trusting him and believing him and being obedient. To his will. That's what this commitment says. And some will ask, wait a second, why are you starting with the Bible? Why don't you start with God? Why would you elevate the Bible above God? That seems out of order. And I could understand how it may seem that way. When you read a lot of systematic theologies, which are just theology textbooks that have organized our beliefs in a way that's systematic. That's why it's called systematic theology, you guys. In case you didn't know, they start with the Word. And the reason why is because before we get to who God is, we have to start with a baseline. How do we actually know who this God is to begin with? How can we actually know Him? What is our source? Now, there are two sources for how God reveals Himself to us. The first is what's called general revelation. This is creation revealing who our God is. That when you look at the Milky Way, that when you look at the Grand Canyon, when you feel that there's something bigger than yourself and you feel small and you start to see someone had to have made this. That is how God reveals Himself generally. Romans chapter one captures this in verses 19 and 20.> because what may be known of God is plain to them, for God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:19–20 ESV)What we see in that is this reality that the heavens, the stars, the beautiful mountains and valleys and sea and rivers, all of it in its grandness, reveals the. The invisible attributes of God, namely His divine power, that a creator made this, that feeling that everyone feels that's built into us because God has revealed Himself through creation. When you read Psalm 19, which is a psalm that regularly shows up in our call to worship, the first half of that psalm is picturing how God reveals himself to creation, how it shows his glory. So that's one way God reveals himself. The second way is what's called special revelation. This is how God specifically specially reveals Himself to us through His Word, through the Scriptures, through from Genesis to revelation, these 66 books in the Bible. And that's how we get to know God. Specifically the Book of Hebrews, which is a New Testament letter that is capturing how Christ fulfills the old covenant. So it very helpfully ties together the Old Testament and the New Testament.> Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV)Then we get this picture of he talks about our fathers by the prophets. That is the Old Testament, that God spoke through the prophets. That's how we have the Old Testament, the Old Covenant. But in the new covenant of Christ, Jesus speaks. And when you play that out, what that is is the Gospels, the recordings of Jesus teachings. And then the apostles who God used to write Scripture to. We saw this last week to churches in the New Testament, to people of the New Testament. These are the apostles who carried the teachings of Christ with them and God spoke through them to us. The Old, the New Covenant together, the Old and New Testament. This is God's word to us that reveal more of who God is in a way that creation cannot, in a way that is powerful. In 2 Timothy 3, 16, 17, it says all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training and righteousness. That the man of God may be complete equipped for every good work.> All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV)That language of breathed out. That's where we get the word inspired. That God inspires through men his eternal wonderful truth. And God uses this to bring us into faith. But he uses this to teach, to reproof, to correct, to train us in righteousness that we may be equipped for every good work that God has called us to do. The Scriptures are powerful and they are true. That God has spoken truthfully. We use the phrase inerrant means devoid of any error. This is something we've taught for years in our church. We've talked over and over again about how God speaks truthfully, that our Bibles are trustworthy. And after teaching this for years, this is something that actually in our membership commitment, we've added this word inerrant. And we'll talk about this at family meeting to help clarify. This is something that we've always believed and it's something we should build our faith upon to trust God that when he has spoken, he has spoken truthfully. That certainly there are times in the Bible where it's hard to figure out what this text means versus this text. But as at the end of the day, when the dust settles, we can trust our Bibles unbelievably trustworthy. There's so many people who've dedicated their lives to helping see some of the nuances of how the Greek and the Hebrew were transcribed over time and how it's completely trustworthy. We spent some time in this in the past to help us see that our Bibles are so unbelievably trustworthy. We've looked at some stuff from like, Wesley Huff. We've done some video work on that in the past to help us see that man. There's so much that we can see that we can build our lives upon this as being true. And the Bible testifies to this. We look at Psalm 19, the second half of Psalm 19. It begins in verse 7.> The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Psalm 19:7–8 ESV)Law, testimony, precepts, commandment. These are all phrases that mean the word of God. And it is perfect and it is sure and it is right and it is pure. And you'll see this over and over again. The Scriptures are trustworthy. They're reliable. That when God speaks, we can trust him. And not just trust him, but obey him. That we would see him as the authority in our lives. The Scriptures are authoritative. The way God speaks, we respond. So much so that when he says, flee from sexual immorality, we say, yes, my flesh wants this, but I'm going to flee. I'm going to run from this. Because I know ultimately I'm going to trust you over my own desires. That when God says, keep yourself from the love of money and be content with all things, we say, I know that I live in a culture that pushes me to build my life on success, the American dream, but I'm going to run from that. I'm going to keep myself free from that. I'm going to trust you above my own instincts, God. That when God speaks, we respond. This is unbelievably important. This is foundational. Because the Bible has to be part of this foundation that helps us trust who our God is. When he says who he is and it reveals who God is, which is our second commitment that we would know this God commandment number two. The God that scripture reveals has existed forever as a trinity. God the Father, God the Son, Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit.So the God that scripture, that's the Bible that you have reveals, just talked about, has existed forever, meaning that God is outside of time in a way that breaks our brain. That time is a linear thing that he has created and eternity past, which we don't know how that works. God forever existed. He exists in outside of time. And when time ends after time and eternity future, God forever exists, which again, we don't Know how that works. Our finite minds can't understand that, but has existed forever as a trinity. God the Father, God the Son, Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit. Now, Trinity is not a word you will find in the Bible. It's not a word that you'll see in the Scriptures in the same way that inerrant is not a word you'll find in the Bible. But over time, we've had to. We've had to come up with words and concepts to describe what's happening in the Scripture and also answer false teachings over time. And that's where the doctrine of the Trinity came. In the first few centuries, as the early church fathers were looking at the Scriptures, trying to understand who our God is, we came up with the doctrine of the Trinity, built upon the Scriptures, which just means tri unity, our triune God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, three distinct persons, completely and fully one God. Which, as we try to understand that, again, our brains do not compute. I got three kids, 10, 8, and 6. When we read the Bible together, when we talk through different theological things I'm trying to instill and teach to them, they get to the Trinity and we've had this conversation, and they'll be like, wait a second, wait a second, wait a second. Our God is one, but he's three. But three isn't one. And they just go, what? That doesn't make sense. And I say, welcome to the party. Christians for centuries have sat in the mystery of who our God is, that he is one and that he's three. And, yep, what you're feeling right now is very normal. And there have been ways to try to explain who our God is as a triune God. There's a symbol that's been used for years in church history that I find helpful, and it's been very, very, very common for many centuries. And it helps us see that the Father is God, but the Father is not the Son, and is not the Holy Spirit. And Jesus is God, but he's not the Holy Spirit. He's not the Father. The Holy Spirit is God, but he's not the Father, and he's not the Son, Distinct, but all God. And it's like, what I know. It's hard. It's hard for us to understand it. It's paradoxical. It may seem contradictory to us because we operate in finite rules, in finite order of the universe. Our God is infinite and stands outside of the finite order that he created. So we take this in faith to understand who our God is. And the Church did this. Y' all looking at the Scriptures, looking at Genesis 1:26, it says, then God said, let us make man in our image after our likeness.> Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." (Genesis 1:26 ESV)That is God, us, our in conversation with himself, making humanity in his image. That when Jesus gives the great commission, he says, go therefore, make disciples of all nations baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit.> Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19 ESV)That when we baptize people in the name of our God, it is Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Three in one. In the New Testament, when you get to certain sections that are encouragements, you see 1 in 2nd Corinthians 13:14. It says, the grace of the Lord Jesus and the love of God, the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.> The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV)And it's this language of Father, Son, Holy Spirit, that God the Father, in his deep love for us, sends Christ the Son to be crucified for us to conquer the power of death, of the resurrection, to bestow grace upon us. That the work of the Holy Spirit renews and brings to life in our hearts and carries us through to completion until we see God face to face. This is the work of our triune God. And it's something that the Church has grappled with for a very long time. That's one thing I don't think we appreciate in the modern setting. We don't appreciate that the first few centuries of the Church was really trying to understand this, really trying to get this right, really having big debates and trying to understand our God correctly. And I think we take those battles for granted. I do. We'll try to explain God with cheap illustrations that don't, not only don't do justice, but speak wrongly about our God. I've heard this for years. This is a classic illustration. Some will say that, you know, God is like water, and at room temperature it's a liquid, but when you freeze it, it turns into a solid because it's ice. That's the second form of water. But the third form of water is when you heat it up and it turns into a vapor, it's a gas. So it's all one substance. One substance, but three different forms. And people go, oh, yes, that's a great way to understand it. And church history goes, no, no, no, that's a historical heresy called modalism. One God, three forms. That is not what I just put on the screen earlier. No, that's something the Church fought over for a very long time. To not see as one God and three substances. No, one God, three distinct persons, three and one. And it's hard to wrap our minds around this, but we should go with what the Scriptures give us. We should not try to go outside of it. We should not try to oversimplify this for human understanding. No way. And we should acknowledge those false teachings that get the Trinity wrong and realize that there's danger in that it leads to judgment. That Jehovah's Witness, Mormonism, Oneness, Pentecostals, Christian Scientists, Unitarians, all preach a heretical view of the Trinity and that leads to judgment. We should seek to remember our history and to remember our Bibles, because those versions are not true in any real biblical sense or historical sense at all. The Bible reveals our triune God, that we get to know who he is and all of his mystery and all of his wonder without trying to oversimplify this for our finite minds. I heard a lecture in seminary once. We had a guest lecturer who came in and he was lecturing on Trinitarian theology. And I so appreciated. He was quoting a guy named Gregory of Nazi Ansus as a church father. So don't get humbled on his last name. He's like 3rd, 4th century, so has nothing to do with the Nazis, just has an unfortunate last name for history. But he was quoting Gregory who said, I cannot think on the one without quickly being circled by the splendor of the three, nor can I discern the three without being straightway carried back to the One. And the lecturer was making a point that we should be overwhelmed by the threeness of our God, that our God is three. And we were so blown away and captivated by his three ness that we should run back to the oneness of God and see who our God is as the one true God. And we've thought too much of the oneness of our God. We should be driven to the splendor of the three ness of God and be driven back between three and one, three and one. And to keep our minds always there. And I've always found that to be wildly helpful for my soul. To think of our God as the one true God, and also to think about the Father and how loving and how wonderful he is, and how sovereign and wonderful our God is, and think of Christ and His beautiful work that's been given to us that we don't deserve, and to think of the nearness of the Spirit at work in us. We should be thinking about our God in trinitarian language, in our souls, in our speech regularly.So that's our first two commitments. The Bible is God's revelation of Himself to us. And I accept it as the authority over my life. And the God that revealed the scripture reveals has existed forever as a trinity. God the Father, God the Son, Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit. These two commitments are foundational, foundational to Christian belief. If you reject them, you're in danger of judgment. Listen, they cannot be just nice thought exercises. They can't just be neat ideas that are just floating. That we ascent. We agree. We agree to. It's like, yeah, I get that. And then just mentally agree with it without believing in it, building our life upon it and orienting our reality in line with it. Because if we don't do that, we're in danger. This cannot be just head knowledge. It cannot be. I mean, you can, with head knowledge, agree that gravity exists. In theory. You can have mental agreement that says, you know what? Yeah, it makes sense. It's a decent idea. In theory, that makes sense. But if you don't actually believe in gravity, if you don't actually orient your life as if gravity is a reality, you're in danger. You will find yourself on the Gervais street bridge thinking, I don't know, I mean, maybe it's true. Mentally it makes sense. But I also, I think I can invent my own beliefs here. Maybe I can fly. Maybe I'll float off this bridge. And if you do that, you will crash into the congaree. And if the crash doesn't kill you, one of those gators they've been taking pictures of near the bridge will snatch you up. You can't. This, this cannot be just mental. Yeah, yeah, no, no. Our reality has to be built upon this. And if it does, if that's not what we do, we are in trouble. We're in danger. But life is so much better when we orient ourselves on what is actually true and build our lives upon that.So I have two challenges as we close up to think through these two commitments as we want to grow in this as Christians. And the first is we become people of the Word. That we should be a people that make the scriptures central in our lives and fight to do this over and over again. I have a few different ways we can do this. The first is we see that our worship is centered in the word of God. That our worship is centered in the word of God. That as we gather here on Sundays to realize and to celebrate that the Word is primary, that we begin with a call to worship that comes from the scriptures. When you hear the call to worship, you should not just be checking out and be thinking of other things, but should be thinking about the words that we are reading. That point to who our God is. That we have scripture readings, liturgy readings that we should not check out from. We should actually clue it and see the importance of reading the Word out loud together. That we should realize that our songs are chosen not haphazardly. There's a team that chooses songs that align with what we're teaching, that align with, that help teach us wonderful theology that we can sing deep into our souls and to sing that joyfully in a way that helps the Word be centered in our heart. This is why we preach sermons from the Bible and honestly why we do this. Most of our sermons are just going through books of the Bible. That's most of our teaching. Over 80% of our teaching is what's called expository preaching. For theology nerds, that'll mean something to you. For others of you, it just means that we're going through books of the Bible verse by verse, expositing the text, helping understand who our God is. And this. Most of our preaching is just going through books of the Bible. And every now and then we'll do a topical series like this. But we do that because a honestly topical series, not our best. Our best stuff is just being honest with you. It's harder for us. It's a lot easier, and it makes a lot more sense just to go through books of the Bible. But the more important reason is we just want to walk through the Bible. And if we're in charge and we get to pick text here, here, here and there, we're going to pick things that we want. I'd rather just pick books of the Bible, walk through them, not skip things, lean into the difficult stuff and get the Word into our hearts. And that's what our teaching is. Our teaching is scriptures centered in the scriptures. But we have to be, as a people, mindful of this and joyfully embracing this. The Word of God should be central in our worship. And when we leave here, every. Every time we leave on Sunday, we say the church is plan A for advancing the kingdom, for advancing the Gospel. There is no plan B. We mean that. Which means that our evangelism needs to be centered in the Word of God. That when we leave here and we take the word that we've been given, our evangelism needs to be centered in the Word of God. Which means that when we talk to people who are not believers, it cannot just be wise and persuasive arguments. Those can be helpful. But if you never get to the gospel that flows from the scriptures, you're not actually preaching the gospel. But if you think that preaching the gospel is just friending someone, befriending someone, which we should do as Christians, we should be the most hospitable, the best of friends, the most reliable. But being a friend to someone isn't the gospel. It's not. There's a phrase that gets thrown around quite a bit that says, use the gospel, preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words. And it gets attributed to somebody who didn't even say that. But that guiding ethos has for the last few decades just made us be, okay, I'll just share the gospel of my life. And it's like, no, you can live out the gospel in a way that makes the gospel compelling, but you have to say words. You got to declare who Jesus is. You should memorize some scriptures. You should know how to break down Romans 6:23 and sit with someone and help them see who God is. Our evangelism should be word centered. As we scatter into community groups. That's the third thing. Our groups are word centered. We come together as groups regularly and we study the Word because there's power in the word of God exposing the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. Hebrews 4:12 that we should see this. And as we are walking with other Christians, we should point each other to the Word. That means an accountability that when someone is sinning, we should lovingly and winsomely compel them from the scriptures to say, hey, here's what obedience looks like. One of the things we say is when we practice is we use the phrase good news before good advice. What that means is that when someone shares a problem, we don't want to jump to, okay, here's a bunch of life advice to be able to fix that. No, we want to start with the Gospel. We want to pause and say, hey, can I remind you of who you are in Christ? That your identity doesn't come from your work. It doesn't come from what you do in the office. Your identity comes from the God who saved you, who redeemed you, who set you apart to love him and delight in him. And one of the ways you do that is you actually glorify him in your work. But step one, like you need to believe that first. Now let's talk about your problem outside of that or flowing out of that. But that comes from the scriptures. Those ideas, the gospel comes from the Scriptures. We should be word centered in how we point one of the two Christ and our groups and our groups needed to continue in being word centered. We should be mindful of if the majority of things that we are saying are absent and detached from the Scriptures and we should course correct if that is the case. Fourth thing, our care is centered in the Word. The way that we care for one another is centered in the Word of God. That goes back to something similar. I just said that when someone has an idea about how to care for someone, we want to be able to take everything, every idea and filter that through the Word of God and see, is that biblical? Does that make sense in light of the teachings of the Scriptures? Because we want to be Bible people in how we care for one another. We want to be able to think scripturally and give Scripture when it's appropriate. Our pastoral counseling, which we do, is that at times it can be complex in the things that we go through, but ultimately at its root core, it's simply walking with other people who are struggling and helping them see. Do you see who God is in His Word? Do you see how knowing him and how delighting in him actually exposes some of the things in our own life? The brokenness, the sin, the struggles, the idolatry? We want to be a people whose care is centered in the Word of God. And lastly, we want to have spiritual disciplines that are centered in the Word of God. We want to be a people who stay disciplined in His Word in a way that truly takes the Scriptures, adores them, and meditates on them day and night. I want to be like that picture that we just read earlier and sang about in Psalm 1. It's planted in the streams of water that flow from our God and the living and abiding Word of God that bear fruit in our lives in wonderful ways. And I know over the years I've heard the popular rebuttal that says, okay, yeah, I mean, I get it, yeah, read your Bible. You know, I've been told that and I've done that and it didn't work. And as I've heard this over the years, I've thought about my own soul in this. What I've realized is I don't think we truly understand what it means to actually be rooted in the Word of God like we're supposed to. I don't think we truly understand what it means to meditate regularly in the Word of God. I think what happens is that, that our souls are so over entertained, so easily distracted, so glued to our phones that we are so now oriented to experience 20 second clips in a way that has made us so distracted, that the idea that we think is that alongside that we can Inject a few minutes of the Word in our day, here or there, every few days. And that. That somehow is supposed to counteract all of the things that we fill our soul with that rob us of joy in Christ. And God sometimes does, in those few moments, supernaturally, just in his wonderful power, work through the Word in that moment and reorient our souls. But often what happens in the lives of ordinary Christians in ordinary days is regularly meditating upon the Word of God in a way that seems saturates our souls so that when we are walking through whatever we're walking through, we're able to see it through the lens of the Gospel. And that's different, y'. All. When you study the faith of the people of old, of centuries ago, it's like they'd wake up and they'd read the Word of God and they wouldn't just leave it there. They'd pick it up and they meditated on it throughout the day. And they continue to think about it, continue to process it and chew on it and enjoy it. And then as the day closes, as their evenings close, they come back to the Word and they'd read it and they'd enjoy it. And even those Christians walked through seasons that were dry, that felt like a spiritual desert. But they persevered knowing that the path to getting to the other side of that is to continue to stay disciplined in beholding who our God is and His Word. So when I hear, yeah, I read my Bible, it didn't do anything for me. I'm just like, I don't know if we actually did. Not in the way the Scriptures outline, not in the way that we're supposed to. Not in the way that God invites us into. No, I don't. We cannot reject the power of God's Word as people under the authority of God's Word and make God the least influential position on our screens and in our souls. That cannot be. And I feel this, y'. All. I feel this personally right now. So as we look at our commitments, I know some of our commitment is going to cover this. We need to come back to being men and women who are disciplined in the Word of God, which means at times you're going to read things that you don't like. You're going to read the Scriptures and go, I don't know if I'd like that. One of the things I've appreciated over the years of walking with people is at times when you come up against something in the Bible that says, I don't like this. It's like that's okay. But in faith, trust the God who wrote it. And in faith what you'll see is that over time you may not like that, but at time you'll grow to believe that is actually ultimately what is good for you. And that God willing, he's going to change our hearts. That we might love the things that we once did not like at all. But that takes discipline and that takes some pursuit and that takes making God central in our lives. We should be people of the Word.The second and the last is we should become people of God, become Bible people and God centered people. People love God. I don't mean that in a way that says that this is how you make yourself a Christian. That's not what I mean. I mean that if you're in Christ, we should be just of God in a way that Jesus taught when he said, pursue God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul. That we should be a people. That our intellect and our affections, our emotions, our whole being is oriented towards our triune God. We should think about God the Father in a way that says, I love our heavenly, my heavenly Father. That he's a better Father than any earthly Father I could have. He's a better authority figure than any authority figure I could have. That I'm going to trust in my heavenly Father. That I want to behold Christ the Son and think about all the ways every day as I sin, every day as I struggle to remember Jesus. Thank you that you bled and you died for my struggles, for my brokenness. That we remember the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives in a way that helps us remember that every moment of our lives, in every room, God is present with us. To believe that, that God is present with us. That even when we can't feel it, we know by faith he's with us. We should think and dwell and enjoy our triune God. One of the normative ways to do this is through prayer is to seek our triune God in prayer. Jesus taught the normative pattern of prayer is to the Father. So we should pray normally to the Father. Most of the prayer you see in the New Testament is to the Father, our Father who lives in heaven. But we also should pray with the rest of the Trinity in mind with Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit and be trinitarian and how we think about prayer. To think about God the Father that we are submitting to and enjoying in prayer. And Christ our great High Priest who offers our prayers to the Father and the Holy Spirit who prays for us when we don't know what to say ourselves. Our God is wonderful and he is good and we should orient our souls to toward our triune God and be God centered people, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, one true God. And if we make him our pursuit, make him the goal of our affections, of our desires, God will form us in the people that he's called us to be. And I believe that if we build our lives on these first two commitments we walk through that we will set a foundation that is meant to last. That we will build our lives on a foundation that will not crumble. Y', all, I have. I'm serious. I have watched friends who seemed like they were on fire for Jesus, that raised their hands and worshiped and knew all the right phrases and knew all the right correct answers, who did not build their life on this foundation, who began to question the Bible, who began to question the validity of it, who became skeptical, who began to slowly drift in a way that they didn't just walk away from God, they became enemies of God and to this day are still throwing stones at Jesus and his movement. It is important for us to evaluate what are we building our life upon. What is the foundation that everything is built upon? These two commitments are vital for building a foundation that will last.Let me close with the words of Jesus at the end of the Sermon on the mount in Matthew 7 and I want you to hear these if you have to close your eyes to focus, do so. But I want you to hear what Jesus says to us. He says, everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.> Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:24–27 ESV)What he just said is that everyone who hears my words hears Christ's words, believes, trusts, obeys, and builds their life upon them. It's like a wise person who built their house on the rock. Verse 25 and the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock. That when the storms of this life shift you and beat upon you, when you feel suffering and trials and the storms of temptation, everything that begins to shake, you won't shift off of the rock because you were built on a solid foundation. He goes on to say, and everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house and it fell. And great was the fall it that Jesus warns and says, if you don't build your life upon me, upon Christ, upon our triune God who's revealed himself in his word. If you don't, it will not last. And when the storms of life come, you will be shifted. But we as a church resolve to commit ourselves to be built upon the rock that is Christ. These two foundational commitments are vital. And if we will build our lives upon pursuing and knowing and delighting and trusting our God and His Word, so that we might know who God is and respond to him in faith and repentance and delighting in him and trusting him and walking out joyfully in obedience, we will stand.Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I pray that you might help us begin. Some of us begin to see the beauty of the scriptures that reveal who you are. That we would not believe in anything else, in anyone else, that we would build our lives upon you as our solid rock and faith foundation. But Lord, that comes through your redemptive work in our hearts, through helping us to see you more clearly and growing in us spiritual fruit that helps us know you in Jesus name. Amen.We're going to respond here by taking the Lord's Supper. I want to read from Mark chapter 14 to prepare our hearts to take the Lord's Supper. Here Jesus.> And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." (Mark 14:22–25 ESV)That when Jesus was sitting with them and he took the bread and he broke and he took the cup of the new covenant, he said, this is my work done for you. The second member of the Trinity looking at us saying, I love you so much that I came to have my blood shed for you. And if you're a Christian and your life is built upon the rock that is Christ, you get to in a moment joyfully come to the table confessing our sin, but confessing our wonderful Savior as revealed to us in the word of God. So in a moment, prepare your heart. There's gluten free back in that back corner over there. But come and take the Lord's Supper. But hear this. If you are not a Christian, if you haven't trusted in Christ My hope is this morning is you would not come to the table, but you would come to Christ. You would place your faith in him, and you'd build your life on the wonderful foundation that is our God. But when you're ready, come.

Jim Franks discusses 2 Timothy 3:16—“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

There are days when words flow easily in prayer—and then there are days when silence feels heavy, and you don't know what to say. But here's the gift: God has already given us the perfect words to pray—His Word. When we pray Scripture, we're not just reciting verses; we're aligning our heart with His truth and declaring promises that will never fail.Our springboard for today's discussion is:“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)Praying Scripture is one of the most powerful habits you can form in your prayer life. When you feel anxious, you can pray Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When you're weary, you can declare Isaiah 40:31: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.”This practice does three things:* It roots your prayers in God's authority. Instead of praying based on emotion, you're praying based on unshakable truth.* It transforms your mind. As you pray His Word, you're also meditating on it, letting it rewire your thinking.* It increases your faith. Romans 10:17 tells us, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” When you pray Scripture, you're speaking life into your spirit.Praying Scripture also protects you from praying selfishly. Instead of asking only from your perspective, you begin to align with God's heart and His will. It becomes less about “Lord, do what I want” and more about “Lord, let Your Word be fulfilled.”Here's a practical step: pick one passage of Scripture today, personalize it into prayer, and speak it out loud. For example, take Psalm 23:1—“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”—and pray: “Lord, thank You that You are my shepherd. Today, I trust that I lack nothing in You.”Question of the Day:What Scripture do you need to begin praying over your life and family right now?Mini Call to Action:Choose one verse today, write it down, and pray it morning and night this week.Prayer:Father, thank You for giving me Your Word as a foundation for my prayers. Teach me to pray it daily, not as ritual but as relationship—so that Your truth fills my heart, my home, and my future.Let's Get To Work!Pray the Word, and you'll always pray His will. Scripture isn't just to be read—it's to be declared.Thanks for reading My Reasons To Believe! This post is public so feel free to share it.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe