Podcasts about although jesus

We all have moments we wish we could take back—times when pride, frustration, or impatience gets the better of us. In this heartfelt devotional, inspired by Titus 3:4-5, we’re reminded that God’s grace and mercy aren’t earned by our own righteousness but are freely given through Christ. Through a personal story of conviction, apology, and reconciliation, we see how asking for forgiveness can restore broken relationships and reflect the gospel at work in our lives. ✨ Highlights Why asking for forgiveness is essential to living out our faith A personal story of pride, correction, and reconciliation How God’s mercy covers our shortcomings and restores relationships Practical encouragement for letting go of pride and seeking peace A reminder that Christ’s forgiveness empowers us to forgive others

NABRE 3 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

774 A Stranger They Will Not Follow, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 10:1-3 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  u can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation NABRE 3 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. KJV 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Reflection on Scripture: As we know, Jesus is the shepherd. We are the crazy sheep. Those who respond to the shepherd are the sheep of the shepherd. We hear the voice of that shepherd and respond. This analogy works if we look deeper also. From the perspective of the sheep they choose to trust the master. They choose to overcome their fear and respond to His words of calm. They think that it is a natural thing for them to be loved and protected. Of course they don't need to worry too greatly for predators because predators don't ever overcome them. The sheep that have put their trust in the shepherd may even think themselves quite clever.  Yet at the end of the day it is the wisdom of the shepherd that taught the sheep. The sheep would not have anyone to trust if it wasnt for the wisdom of the Shepherd. The shepherd has patience and has given protection. All the things that the sheep have learned to assume is just the normal way of things, are actually the agency of the shepherd. The decision of the shepherd is what makes the relationship meaningful. If the shepherd was uncaring or unreliable then the sheep would not trust that person.  The sheep do not trust a stranger because there is nothing trustworthy for them to see. The only reason we can even try and follow God's commands is because he is powerful enough to create a universe, he was wise enough to create a law and then a new law that would bless us, and ultimately he had the love enough to help us overcome our failures. It is the wisdom and agency of the shepherd that makes it even possible for the sheep to listen. The sheep would not even be alive without the shepherd.   Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. — Luke 8:51 Yesterday my daily-dictionary app sent me the word coterie. This word comes to us from the French language and refers to an “inner circle of friends.” Luke's story of healings in this passage introduces Jesus' coterie—his inner circle of disciples. News had spread about Jesus' teaching and healings, so a crowd gathered as he and his disciples returned to Capernaum. Jairus, a local religious leader, came and pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter. Then, on the way, Jesus was delayed by a woman who desperately needing healing from chronic bleeding. And by the time they reached Jairus's home, the young girl had died. Undaunted, Jesus entered her room anyway, followed by her parents and Peter, John, and James. Why does Jesus choose only Peter, John, and James to see him raise the little girl from death? Although Jesus' purpose isn't entirely clear, we see Peter, John, and James playing important roles later as they bear witness to the identity and power of Jesus, the risen Lord. Indeed, their testimony about Jesus in the New Testament helps to provide the foundations of the good-news message of God's love and salvation in Christ. Jesus has chosen each of us too to share about his amazing love and power so that people everywhere can have new life in him. Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith so that we too can be your witnesses in the world. Amen.

In this podcast episode we examine Jesus Christ's departure from Nazareth to Capernaum. Although Jesus grew up in Nazareth, they were not tolerate of his ministry and even tried to kill him. He made the difficult decision to move his basis of ministry to a city more accepting. Although he made a major investment into Nazareth, he had to move on to bigger and brighter things in Capernaum. In Nazareth they tried to throw him off of a cliff, in Capernaum they tore the roof to get to his gifting. It is time for you to move to Capernaum. In Nazareth they sabotage, in Capernaum they support.

When Royston’s daughter Hannah suffered a brain bleed that resulted in a coma, he and his family repeatedly turned to God in prayer. Over months of waiting they clung to each other—and to God. The family’s faith awakened, as Royston reflected: “Never has God felt closer.” Throughout the ordeal, they were given “a renewal of faith to persist in prayer” like the “widow of Luke 18.” Royston referred to Jesus’ story about a widow who continually sought justice from the town’s official, which He gave to illustrate “that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). This woman appealed repeatedly to the judge, who in weariness finally relented. Jesus contrasted that uncaring judge with God, saying, “Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?” (v. 7). Although Jesus’ story addresses an unjust judge, the family members felt spurred on by it to pray for Hannah, asking the truly just and loving God for relief and help. They found themselves being drawn ever closer to Him: “As we seek God . . . it’s almost as if we’re the ones really waking up from our slumber.” After many months, Hannah woke from the coma and is slowly recovering. When we draw close to God, He hears our requests and answers according to His grace. He invites us to cry out to Him day or night.

Text: Proverbs 27:12 (ESV) 12The prudent sees danger and hides himself,but the simple go on and suffer for it. BE PRUDENT It is always wise to try to avoid undue risks. We have to think many times over when making decisions. However, the simple-minded person is impulsive. He walks headlong into danger. God wants us to seek "wisdom." That is, a proper understanding of God and His will (Prov 1:7; 2:6–7). The exercise of being "prudent," or "sensible," is to gather a lot of related information and notice risks and to take appropriate steps. Those who are governed by mere grit and emotion tend to act out of bravado. They lack the intelligence or the self-control to be aware of dangers. Thus, they often suffer the consequences of bad decisions (Prov 6:5; 13:14; 22:5). This lesson applies both to physical and spiritual threats. Let us be aware that the Devil is deceitful to set dangerous traps. And, he tries to lure believers into them. An unwise person is prone to walk right into such snares and traps. But, a prudent believer heeds the apostle Peter's exhortation, that is, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith" (1 Pet 5:8–9). In a similar warning, the apostle Paul refers to the schemes of the Devil. He counsels believers to "take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm" (Ephesians 6:11-13).  Peter learned this lesson the hard way. Although Jesus warned him that the Devil planned to aggressively tempt him, he exuded with much arrogance and self-confidence. He strongly assured Jesus that he would never forsake Jesus (Luke 22:30-33). Before long, however, Peter slid into the Devil's trap and denied Jesus vehemently three times (Luke 22:60–62). The humble sees danger approaching and avoid it. Hence, he is prudent. Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast -------------------------Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram

Study 21 - Luke 17:1-18:8 Faith and its consequences. This next section of the Gospel contains a collection of small episodes mainly about faith and its consequences. We read about having to be careful not to hurt anyone else, being prepared to serve in any capacity, giving thanks and praising the Lord, looking forward and behaving in the light of the coming kingdom and being persistent in prayer. Please do read 17:1 – 10 The 'little ones' (v2) are not defined but we probably will not be far wrong if we take them to be any Christians young in faith. 'to sin' (NIV) is more literally 'to stumble'. Question 1: Is the advice of 17:4 realistic? Can we sensibly forgive someone seven times if they keep on repeating the same thing for which we need to forgive them? Compare 1 Cor 5:1, 3b-5. What is the significant difference between these two situations? Perhaps we should not forgive anyone 7 times if, by so doing, we encourage the persistence of the problem. There has to be a difference in our reactions when we are acting as private individuals and when we are acting on behalf of the church. In the situation in 1 Corinthians Paul is acting on behalf of that fellowship. Question 2: Jesus cannot be saying to the disciples in 17:5, 6 that they have no faith because they cannot throw a tree in the sea! However he must be saying something about faith. What? Perhaps this is just another example of Jesus' dramatic over statements to make a memorable saying. But even so Jesus was challenging the apostles to think bigger about prayer than they had been accustomed to doing. Probably we all need to think bigger about prayer - I certainly do. Question 3: What is the Christian service (17:10) you do, or have done, which you have found hardest to do - only doing it out of a sense of duty? Does asking that question imply a wrong attitude towards duty? You will have to answer the first part of that question yourself. Luke put the comment about duty immediately after the sayings about prayer. Perhaps what we think of as duty he is suggesting we should think of as prayer. Please do read 17: 11 - 19. The story of the 10 lepers is all about seeing and not seeing - a recurrent theme in this gospel. (see also Lk 8: 10; 10: 23, 24). It reminds us of the story of Balaam and his donkey. The seer who could not see and his donkey who could see. Does that mean we need to be donkeys and not seers, I wonder? Question 4: Who saw what here and with what effect? Who failed to see? What do we find the hardest things to see (in this sense)? What do you do when you see? The first person we are told 'saw' was Jesus. Then just one of the lepers 'saw' he was healed, although presumably all 10 of them had been. That one leper saw more deeply than the others what Jesus had done for him. And so he had faith. Probably the other 9 did not have faith, but went on their way as spiritually stupid as they came. He got far more out of his meeting with Jesus than the rest did. A clear warning to us. Please do read 17: 20 - 37. This section is about the Kingdom of God and is not easy to understand as Jesus seems to have made 2 sets of prophetic statements. The first is about what would happen to Jerusalem - and did happen to Jerusalem some 40 years later when, in response to a revolt by the Jews, the Romans attacked it, besieged and largely destroyed it with huge loss of life. The second set of statements is about what will happen at the end of the world. The fall of Jerusalem was the end of the world as they knew it; the end of the world will be the end of the world as we know it. It is not at all easy to know exactly which some of the statements refer to. The destruction of Jerusalem is a sort of prophetic foretaste of that still future end. The very important phrase that is used to summarize the teaching of passages like this is 'Now, but not yet' meaning that the Kingdom was there in the presence of Jesus and is here now in the presence of the Holy Spirit but is not yet evident in its full and final glory. Question 5: What does Jesus say here concerning the 'Now'? But the question of the Pharisees was about the future. What did Jesus say here about this 'not yet' aspect of the Kingdom? What do his words suggest our attitudes to these two aspects should be? The now of those days was as difficult as anybody's now of today, full of wars and rumours of wars. Mankind has not changed much in these last 2000 years. Although Jesus clearly knew there was to be a last day he offered no suggestions at all about when it would be. The 'not yet' has already stretched out for those 2000 years. That fact inevitably affects our thinking, making us careless when we should be preparing for it. Jesus is warning against such carelessness. Be warned. Please do read 18: 1 - 8. The parable of the unjust judge is difficult. It probably belongs more to what goes before, the sayings of Jesus we have just been thinking about, than what comes after. Its primary meaning is not about persistent prayer in general but of our attitude to the expectation of the final day for at least 4 reasons: It is about a judge - and the final day is one of judgment; There is a general Biblical expectation that the apparent inequities of this present life will be compensated in the future life as Luke 6:21 and Luke 6:25 teach us and that is evident here. 18: 7 is similar to Revelation 6: 9 - 11 which is very clearly about the future in heaven. 18: 8 is about the coming of the Son of Man and that reflects Dan 7: 13, 14, 26, 27 Question 6: What compensating justice in the future life would most please you? Is that wish one that will encourage the Lord to think that he has found faith in you, or were you just being rather selfish? It is a good job that only you know what your answers to those 2 linked questions are! It is too easy to read this story as teaching that the Lord measures prayer by its quantity. That seems inherently unlikely. What about its quality? Paul only prayed about his thorn in the flesh 3 times and then decided he was stuck with it. We might have been tempted to go on pleading with the Lord like the widow in this story. Somewhere between the two stories is the right balance. Right mouse click or tap here to save/download this as a MP3 audio file

Tuesday, 17 June 2025   He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. Matthew 10:41   “The ‘receiving a prophet' in a prophet's name, a prophet's reward he will receive. And the ‘receiving a righteous' in a righteous' name, a righteous' reward he will receive” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus said, “The ‘receiving you,' Me receives. And the ‘Me receiving,' he receives the ‘having sent Me.'” In a similar manner, He now steps down the level of reception, saying, “The ‘receiving a prophet' in a prophet's name, a prophet's reward he will receive.”   This is obviously referring to a true prophet of the Lord. Although the reciprocal could still hold true. Someone receiving a false prophet, if taken in and accepting of his message, will eventually receive the false prophet's same fate. But that is not the intent here.   Of the prophet, in the Old Testament, he was the highest form of believer in God, having a word issued from God through Him. Although not necessarily an ambassador, he is one who speaks the word of the Lord. In Genesis 20:7, Abraham is specifically said to be a prophet of God. Moses notes he is a prophet in Deuteronomy 18:18.   In receiving such a person, there is an acknowledgment that what the prophet receives, the person will also receive. Although Jesus is probably referring to the reception of rewards in the next life, it is a truth that accompanied some in their earthly lives.   In 1 Kings 17, the widow of Zarephath received Elijah. In turn, she received a supply of food during the drought that consumed the land. In Jeremiah 39, Ebed-Melech tended to Jeremiah the prophet, and the Lord promised to deliver him during the terrible siege upon the city.   Likewise, in Jeremiah 45, Baruch the scribe was given words of assurance from the Lord for his faithfulness to the word of the Lord through Jeremiah. As for a later prophet's reward, meaning at the resurrection, one is recorded in Daniel 12 –   “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” Daniel 12:13   Based on Jesus' words, it can be assumed that those who are saved and raised at the resurrection, and who received Daniel, would receive a similar inheritance. Next, Jesus says, “And the ‘receiving a righteous' in a righteous' name, a righteous' reward he will receive.”   This is another step down the ladder, going from the prophet to the righteous. The categories are set, just as they are in the list given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:28. This demonstrates the wisdom of God in apportioning out His gifts and His grace in various ways.   As for the righteous, the Bible, even during the times of the law, identifies them as those who are of faith. This is made explicit in Hebrews 11, where those of faith are spoken of as righteous. Rahab the harlot received the spies and received her reward because of that. As in the prophet, it can be assumed that this truth goes beyond this life, though.   Those who receive the righteous, holding to their standard themselves, will receive the resurrection of the righteous and what it entails. Jesus is making a point about rewards. This thought will continue in the next verse.   Life application: In Matthew 11:11, Jesus says –   “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”   One reason for Jesus' word is certainly that a person who has entered the kingdom of heaven, meaning that which is promised through the Messiah, has received all of what has been spoken of since the beginning, as outlined in the received word.   In receiving the word that speaks of God's plan, we have received the prophet through whom that word came. In receiving the words of the writings of the gospels, we have received those who authored those books. And in receiving the words of the apostles as written in the epistles, we have received those apostles who penned them.   But people receive the words at various levels of faith. There are those who say they believe Paul was an apostle, but they don't accept everything he says. For example, they may attend a church with a female pastor, something Paul's writings forbid.   This will not affect their salvation (assuming they are truly saved), but it will affect their rewards. They have not truly received Paul in the fullest sense. The judgment seat of Christ is something that lies ahead for all believers. Our eternal rewards and losses will be based on our faith and our deeds done in faith.   This must be inclusive of how we receive and apply the word of God to our lives. What level of understanding are you willing to attain concerning God's word? The church you select, the Bible studies you attend, the manner in which you accept the doctrines contained within the word, etc., are certainly all a part of how God is evaluating you.   Many in the world have never had a copy of the Bible. They lived by faith but without a fuller understanding of the word. Many today hunger for a copy of the word in their own language, waiting years to receive a translation to hold and cherish.   In Western countries, we have innumerable translations available at our fingertips. And yet, who among those who believe has read even a single translation from beginning to end?   The more you are willing to receive, the greater will be the return on your investment of time, doctrine, and closer fellowship. Be sure to make the word an integral and intimate part of your life.   Heavenly Father, help us to think clearly about how we tend to Your word. It is our connection to understanding You and what You have done in the stream of human existence, culminating in the coming of Christ Jesus. How can we ignore such a gift? May it not be so in our lives. Amen.  

Luke Looks Back Chapter 7 Luke 5: 27 – 6: 16 The Way of Jesus: people and problems This passage is a mix of good things about people and some problems Jesus has for us to consider before we start on his positive teaching in the next passage. The Call of Levi First there is the story of the call of Levi and a strong suggestion that what he did was good. Then two more stories in which Jesus was challenged over the things he did that people thought he should not do: Luke 5:27 - 32 Eating with those with whom one should not eat! Luke 5:33 - 39 Eating when one should not eat! Luke 6:1 - 11 Doing what one should not do! Finally Luke gives us the complete list of the Apostles. First Jesus was eating with those with whom one should not eat - according to those we will call 'the serious' because they were serious about their religion. We read Luke 5:27-32: eating with those with whom one should not eat! Levi seems to be the same person called Matthew in the other gospels and therefore the person who wrote what we call Matthew's Gospel. Question 1: What Jesus said to Levi was extremely brief. Just two words: "follow me". How does that differ from what one would expect a religious teacher to say to a possible disciple? This is not a call to follow a system, a philosophy, or a religion. It is a straight call to follow one person: Jesus. The true call to discipleship is just the same today. There are many half-hearted Christians in the world today. A good question for them is "do you follow Jesus?". Question 2: Meals are particularly important in Luke's Gospel. Only Luke calls this one a "great banquet" and says the serious people "complained" about who was there. Why does Luke emphasise what happened here so much? Luke recognises that, for Jesus, life and faith were all about including people in as much as possible rather than turning them away as not good enough, not learned enough, not old enough - anything else for which people are 'not enough'. Doing that still upsets people who consider themselves serious in matters of religion! Jesus and rules! In the next story Jesus did not argue against the principles of the Law of Moses but against all the many little rules that people had added to it. He knew that if people are given many rules they will forget the greater principles they should be thinking about. So concern for all these detailed rules would hide the new things he was teaching, particularly those relating to the work of the Spirit. The challenge to us is to identify which of our rules, written or unwritten, get in the way of what we should really be doing. All too often we continue to do the things that our parents and grandparents decided were the right things to do when they were young. But the world we are living in is changing all the time, perhaps faster than it has ever done before. The things that are not part of the necessary centre of our faith may need to be changed. Jesus explains that in some very vivid and exciting short sayings. Read Luke 5: 33 - 39 : eating when one should not eat! Question 3: What would you identify as your problems - as a group or as an individual? What are your 'old wine skins' that need to be changed? How? In what way? The answers to both this and the next question are going to depend very much on your circumstances. Jesus said "the old wine is better". He is being sarcastic. He knows many think old things are better than new things as old wine is better than new wine but he is challenging his followers to new and better things. Question 4: What are the things that tend to prevent you, together or individually, moving on to the new and better things of faith? Remember Paul said "if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" The last two stories Luke 6: 1 - 5 and Luke 6:6-11 are both about Sabbath keeping. The Sabbath was the Saturday religious day of the Jews. The early Christians changed their day of celebration to Sunday, the first day of the week, in memory of the resurrection of Jesus. This was one of the three things (keeping the food laws, Sabbath keeping, circumcision) Jews of that time did to show that they really were the people of God. We read Luke 6: 1 - 11: doing what one should not do! Question 5: What do Christians in your culture do to show that they are Christians? In particular, what things do they do that are really just a matter of custom and tradition and not really necessary to show they are Christians? Are those things good things of themselves or do they really hinder other people becoming Christians? Question 6: What did Jesus think about Sabbath keeping? What did Jesus think was more important than rules like that? What would Jesus think about the rules you have identified in your world? Micah, an Old Testament prophet said "what does the Lord desire of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" and said that the Lord did not want offerings and sacrifices. Although Jesus never actually quoted those words he often alluded to them. Jesus chooses and appoints his disciples. Read Luke 6: 12 - 16. Of those 12 men only one, John, is certainly known to have died of old age. Peter was crucified upside down (because he did not want to be crucified the same way up as Jesus) in Rome, Thomas probably got the furthest and was killed in south India, the rest died here and there in the ancient world as they proclaimed the good message of Jesus. Question 7: In calling the Twelve Jesus commissioned them not only to action on his behalf but imitation of him in both life and work. So it is today. Which part of the Christian way do you find most difficult? Tap or click here to download as an audio mp3

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - John 10:1-10 - Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what He was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through Me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3) Who was Pope Leo XIII, the father of social doctrine? https://catholicreview.org/who-was-pope-leo-xiii-the-father-of-social-doctrine/ 4) What you should know about Saint Augustine and the new Augustinian Pope https://aleteia.org/2025/05/08/what-you-should-know-about-st-augustine-andthe-new-augustinian-pope

Jesus said:“Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gatebut climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.When he has driven out all his own,he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,because they recognize his voice.But they will not follow a stranger;they will run away from him,because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”Although Jesus used this figure of speech,the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,I am the gate for the sheep.All who came before me are thieves and robbers,but the sheep did not listen to them.I am the gate.Whoever enters through me will be saved,and will come in and go out and find pasture.A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

† Holy Gospel according to John 10: 1 – 10 Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.The Gospel of the Lord

Jn 10:1-10Jesus said:“Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gatebut climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.When he has driven out all his own,he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,because they recognize his voice.But they will not follow a stranger;they will run away from him,because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”Although Jesus used this figure of speech,the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,I am the gate for the sheep.All who came before me are thieves and robbers,but the sheep did not listen to them.I am the gate.Whoever enters through me will be saved,and will come in and go out and find pasture.A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Hebrews 13:7, 17-21 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider their way of life, and imitate their faith. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. 18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom by the glory forever and ever. Amen. NOTES ON THE LESSON ON FOLLOWERSHIP Three Questions of Followership: 1 Whose faith are you imitating? 2 Are you willing to submit to someone else? 3 Are you a joy to lead? A Call to Imitate: 1 Corinthians 11:1 - "Be imitators of me, just as I imitate Christ." It is beneficial to have people in our lives whose faith we can imitate. Jesus Learned Obedience: Hebrews 5:8 - “Although Jesus was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” Obedience and submission are learned behaviors. The Whole of Christianity: The whole of Christianity is about learning to surrender and yield every aspect of your life – every part of it – all of it – to the lordship of Jesus Christ. That's what the Christian faith is all about. The Followership Continuum: The Hebrew writer makes a continuum for following leaders. On one side of the continuum is joy and on the other side of the continuum is burden. NOTES FROM THE LESSON ON SOUL CARE Book on Church Leadership: The Care of Souls:Cultivating a Pastor's Heart by Harold L. Senkbeil The task of the leader in the church is to maintain a constant watch over the souls who have been committed to his care. The Role of the Watchman in the Old Testament: Watchmen were individuals who were appointed to their role and given the responsibility to watch over a city. Typically, they would be posted on a high wall or a tower so that they could see either a messenger or the enemy coming from long distances. The Primary Task of the Church Leader is to "Tend to the Soul" Humans do not have souls, humans are uniquely souls. We are both physical and spiritual, mortal and immortal, ordinary and unique in all of creation. There is nothing else like us in all of God's creation. We are souls.  The Shepherd and His Sheepdog: The relationship of the shepherd and his sheepdog beautifully illustrates the work of the shepherd in the local church with his ears tuned attentively to the voice of the Great Shepherd and his eyes focused carefully on the Great Shepherd's sheep. The Because of Submission: We submit to the shepherds of the local church because they are in a position of responsibility and accountability to the one who is in a position of authority – our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep.  Discussion Questions 1. Who are some people who you have imitated in your life (in any aspect of life)? Who are two or three people whose faith you imitate? What is it about their faith that you imitate?  2. Are you willing to submit to someone else? Can you think of a time when it was hard to submit to someone else? What made it so difficult? Can you think of a time when it was a good thing to submit to someone else? What made it good? Does knowing the "because" of submission in verse 17 help you to be someone who is more willing to submit to them?  3. Where might you place yourself on the followership continuum? Can you think of an example when you or another person was a joy to lead? Can you think of an example when you or another person was a burden to lead?  4. What aspect of the lesson on soul care helped you to better understand the role of the leader in the church?  5. Spend some time praying for the shepherd nomination process at Southside. The shepherd selection team has provided us with a great prayer guide. There is a link to the prayer guide on church center. 

Although Jesus sympathises with our weaknesses, He still is determined to make us strong and fruitful. A text copy is available on the website.

Hebrews 13:7, 17 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider their way of life, and imitate their faith. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.  Notes from the Lesson Three Questions of Followership: 1 Whose faith are you imitating? 2 Are you willing to submit to someone else? 3 Are you a joy to lead? A Call to Imitate: 1 Corinthians 11:1 - "Be imitators of me, just as I imitate Christ." It is beneficial to have people in our lives whose faith we can imitate. Jesus Learned Obedience: Hebrews 5:8 - “Although Jesus was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” Obedience and submission are learned behaviors. The Whole of Christianity: The whole of Christianity is about learning to surrender and yield every aspect of your life – every part of it – all of it – to the lordship of Jesus Christ. That's what the Christian faith is all about. The Followership Continuum:  The Hebrew writer makes a continuum for following leaders. On one side of the continuum is joy and on the other side of the continuum is burden.  Discussion Questions 1. Who are some people who you have imitated in your life (in any aspect of life)? Who are two or three people whose faith you imitate? What is it about their faith that you imitate?  2. Are you willing to submit to someone else? Can you think of a time when it was hard to submit to someone else? What made it so difficult? Can you think of a time when it was a good thing to submit to someone else? What made it good? 3. Where might you place yourself on the followership continuum? Can you think of an example when you or another person was a joy to lead? Can you think of an example when you or another person was a burden to lead?  4. Spend some time praying for the shepherd nomination process at Southside. Pray specifically for the Lord to bless our church family with a spirit of followership. 

In our special Resurrection Sunday message, Pastor Neli reflects on the significance of Easter, focusing on the period between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.  Although Jesus had been crucified and placed in a tomb, God was still at work behind the scenes. We can find comfort in the idea that waiting seasons are not wasted, as God often works in the unseen and unknown. This is a reminder of God's presence even when He seems silent.  Resurrection is always on the way. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.- 1 Corinthians 15:16-19 (ESV)

Welcome back to another episode of Stay True Podcast! In a culture that celebrates busyness, Madi reveals the power of a simple and quiet life. Although Jesus could have been the busiest person, He chose to be unhurried. He never let the chaos of life get in the way of resting in the presence of the Father. As Christians, we are to follow that example. In this episode, Madi tells us how! She uncovers the secret to a simple life and the blessing that comes from it! Don't forget to stay you and stay true! Questions/topics discussed and answered: - How to stay peaceful and unhurried in a fast-paced world - The impact of a quiet life on your soul and spirit  - How to eliminate hurry and stress in your life  - Practical ways to rest in the presence of God AND SO MUCH MORE! Helpful Resources! The Love Everybody Wants by Madison Prewett Troutt: https://a.co/d/36EkEhT  Stay True Website: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/ Stay True Merch: https://www.staytruepodcast.com/merch Connect with Stay True!

 Ordained minister, Dr. Dennis Hall, uses the recent violence aimed at Tesla dealerships and Tesla vehicles along with the 2020 Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA ransacking of over 200 American cities to demonstrate how violent and destructive protests have become commonplace. He points out the correlation between the acceptance of these attacks on our citizens and decline in church attendance. He uses recent surveys that shockingly reveal that more than half of US adults believe Jesus is not God. Furthermore, the surveys demonstrate that only 51% of Americans consider God to be “all powerful, all-knowing, perfect and just creator of the universe who still rules the world today” Dr. Hall uses this backdrop to talk about who Jesus is. Although Jesus never said, “I am God” his words and miraculous feats were things that only God could do. Dr. Hall addresses accusations made about Jesus that come from doubters. The podcast ends with an explanation about why Jesus came. Can be seen on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/kk80deeedR8.

Believers are under constant attack from the devil. Although Jesus has already defeated the enemy through His finished works, Satan continues to focus his attacks on our minds in an attempt to convince us that those works have not been finished. He uses fear and intimidation, with the intent of introducing doubt as to whether God's promises will come to pass for us. Our thoughts carry great power; this is why we must think about what we're thinking about. Satan is sneaky and devious; he tries to move us away from listening to God's Word, and toward paying more attention to his philosophies. He knows that if he can capture our attention, he can distract us from paying attention to Christ and push us out of operating in the realm of the supernatural. To maintain the victory Jesus won for us, we must therefore be mindful of who we are looking at. To support the ministry financially, text "CDMPodcast" to 74483 or visit www.worldchangers.org.

According to Open Doors, 1 in 7 Christians around the world were persecuted for their faith in 2024. Statistics show Christian persecution is on the rise. Although Jesus warned us the world would hate us because it hates Him, does that mean our response to persecution should be passive? In this episode, we look back at the attitude of bystanders during the Holocaust, and the reaction of the German church who went with the status quo. What can we learn from their example and what is the appropriate response of Christians in the West even though "it doesn't happen here"?  Stats mentioned from: https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/just-not-bearable-70-christians-beheaded-in-democratic-republic-of-congo/ https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/persecution/countries/ Book Recommendation:  Bystanders: Conscience And Complicity During the Holocaust Find Shanda www.shandafulbright.com Instagram & Facebook: @shandafulbright Email: hello@shandafulbright.com Free Resources: https://shandafulbright.com/links YouTube: http://bit.ly/ShandaYT2021 Store: www.Shandafulbright.com/shop  

The family that serves together stays together! Although Jesus was rejected by religious leaders...and even his own family...he created a new family that still exists today, and YOU can be a part of it!Our Scripture comes from Mark 3:20-35. Click here for the message notes.

In the Gospel of Mark, the disciples experienced a massive storm one night on the Sea of Galilee. This storm came without warning and with great severity. Although Jesus was with them in the boat, He was asleep. What would they do? In the storms of life, you and I will either walk in fear or walk in faith. While fear is a natural response, it must be confronted with faith. In this message from Pastor Jeff Schreve, discover how to put your trust in the Lord and walk by faith, even in the worst of storms.

Although Jesus healed many people, and almost never denied kindness to others, this passage in Mark shows Jesus stating his most important mission on earth: to preach.

In the Gospel of Mark, the disciples experienced a massive storm one night on the Sea of Galilee. This storm came without warning and with great severity. Although Jesus was with them in the boat, He was asleep. What would they do? In the storms of life, you and I will either walk in fear or walk in faith. While fear is a natural response, it must be confronted with faith. In this message from Pastor Jeff Schreve, discover how to put your trust in the Lord and walk by faith, even in the worst of storms.

Anyone can read the pages of the Bible repeatedly and still miss many themes and chunks of valuable information. One of these subjects which is found threaded throughout, especially in the New Testament, is the matter of two groups of people—those who are Jewish and those who are not ... referred to as Gentiles. Although Jesus came to minister primarily to Jews under the Mosaic law during His time on earth, He would drop some hints that salvation would not be limited to the people of Israel. Of course, the book of Acts and epistles that followed revealed even more about this within the message of the gospel. One example is the parable known as the prodigal or the prodigal son. Just who was this guy? He was left for dead and came seeking life without needing to lift a finger to do anything to earn it ... even though he felt obligated to do so. And then there is the older brother who worked so faithfully and diligently, declaring he never neglected a command while refusing the Father's invitation to a celebration. How offensive that the younger brother be treated as an equal! In the previous chapters leading up to this parable, Jesus alluded to some things about Jews rejecting the Messiah, turning down an invitation to an eternal fellowship with free food, and then ordering that the unwanted and ignored from the city be invited. But that wasn't all ... the invitation would also extend to those far off, beyond the highways and the hedges. The hedges? The prodigal was described as being *far off.* All of this is carefully planted evidence, providing us with exciting answers from Ephesians chapter 2 ... and it's worth celebrating. --Available on Amazon - "Clash of The Covenants: Escaping Religious Bondage Through the Grace Guarantee" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0713ZSKY7

Today's Promise: Matthew 2:1-2 After the birth of Jesus, wise men show up, asking where the King of the Jews was born. Although Jesus came to the Jews, some of the first people who came to worship Him were not Jews but Gentiles. What a wonderful example of how Jesus was the Savior for all people. Jesus invites you and me to seek Him with all our hearts. He promises that when we seek Him, we will find Him. (Matthew 6:33,7:7) The wise men sought out Jesus. The wise men and women of today still seek with all they are.

From the Gospel acclamation: "Come and save us, LORD our God; Let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved." A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 8:5-11) When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." He said to him, "I will come and cure him." The centurion said in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." Although Jesus is willing to go to the servant's house, the centurion feels unworthy to have him under his roof. He asks Jesus to simply speak a word of healing, drawing on his experience as a leader and as one who leads others. He trusts the authority of Jesus and has faith in him. Jesus is amazed by this and turns to those following him, witnesses to the centurion's faith, and says, "Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven." We hear also in the first reading the hope of having the Lord enter under our roof, as Isaiah prays, "O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!" God, let me follow the centurion's example of faith and trust in the word of Jesus to heal me. In the Gospel, the servant is "lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." I am sure there will be moments throughout the day when I am completely stuck, stifled by uncertainty and wondering where you are and how to move toward you. I may be paralyzed in that moment, but you are not. Give me the grace to remember this prayer and bear witness to your mercy: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lectio-divina-daily/support

Thursday, 28 November 2024   Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, Matthew 5:23   “If, therefore, you might offer your gift upon the altar, and there you might remember that your brother – he has something against you” (CG).   The previous verse conveyed Jesus' words about the strictness of God's judgment in matters such as anger and reviling others with words like Raca and moronic. With that remembered, Jesus continues with, “If, therefore, you might offer your gift upon the altar.”   Everything about this conveys the idea of interacting with God. First, the word prospheró is a word generally used when referring to the offering of gifts, sacrifices, etc. In this case, it is an offering of a dóron, a gift. More often than not, the word is used when referring to gifts or offerings presented to God. Finally, the offering is offered “upon the altar.” This is specifically referring to an altar for sacrifice.   As such, the meaning is that a person is bringing an offering to God at the temple. The purpose of the offering depends on the type of offering. It could be for atonement, fellowship, as a freewill gift (an expression of honor), etc.   Regardless of the type, the person is coming before God. In such an instance, he is to be right with God. However, Jesus next says, “and there you might remember that your brother – he has something against you.”   There in the temple, while about to offer to the Lord, a person is taking a moment for self-examination. One can think of the words of Paul concerning the taking of the Lord's Supper –   “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-29   The Christian is now coming before the Lord to symbolically partake in the offering of Christ as his means of reconciliation with God. In essence, he is about to fellowship with God through the remembrance of Christ's death. Although Jesus' words in Matthew 5 are dealing with Jews under the Law of Moses, the parallel is valid.   Both are coming before God in anticipation of a friendly meeting. However, God is there searching the hearts and minds of His people. The Jew, coming to the altar, realizes that he has something wrong between him and his brother (meaning another Jew or even another human in general).   Rather than presumptuously continue with his offering, he will need to get the matter with his brother settled first. This will be seen in the coming verse. Likewise, when a Christian comes before the Lord, he needs to be in a right standing with the Lord and with those he interacts with. To not do so would then be to come forward in “an unworthy manner.” In such an instance, he would then “be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”   Before taking the Lord's Supper, there should be a time of reflection and even confession between the person and the Lord. To not have such an attitude would be presumptuous. The result of such an attitude is explained by Paul –   “For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:30-32   We are to “judge ourselves” and acknowledge that we are unworthy of the great favor of partaking in the Lord's Supper. This does not mean, however, that we might lose our salvation. This is a matter of fellowshipping with the Lord in a right standing. When our attitude is not proper, our fellowshipping is tainted. Paul noted that in such a state, many were sick and “many sleep,” meaning they had died.   Life application: Remember what precipitated Jesus' words of this verse. He has been talking about righteousness before the Lord. The scribes and Pharisees trusted in their own righteousness before God because of their adherence to the law. Jesus never told Israel that the law was unimportant or could be disobeyed.   However, He noted that unless a person's righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and Pharisees, they would not enter the kingdom of the heavens. He then gave an example of past teachings on the issue of murder. He then showed that hating one's brother or maligning him with caustic words was like murdering him in God's eyes.   Now, Jesus is telling them that if their hearts are in a bad state with their brother, it is affecting their fellowship or right standing with the Lord. In bringing an offering at such a time, the offering would not be accepted by God. John explains this type of situation for us to understand how God views such things –   “If someone says, ‘I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” 1 John 4:20, 21   Lord God, You are looking at our hearts, searching us out, and finding out where our failings are. And yes, our hearts can be deep, dark places of hatred, enmity, and iniquity. Help us, O God, to search ourselves out, cleanse the impurities of our hearts, and come before You, acknowledging that only through Jesus are we worthy of fellowship with You. How thankful we are that You have sent Jesus. Amen.  

In Matthew 20:20-24, the mother of James and John asked Jesus to allow her sons to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in His kingdom. This request, and their assertion that they were able to 'drink the cup' that Jesus was to drink reveals they did not grasp the suffering that Christ was about to endure. Although Jesus did not grant their request, His answer makes clear that His followers will suffer for His name's sake. This sermon was preached at Legacy Reformed Baptist Church in East Grand Forks, MN. For more information, visit LegacyRBC.org.

Preaching on the healing of the "Daughter of Abraham" (Luke 13:10-17), Sr. Christine Schenk, CSJ offers a reflection on the abundant love and vision of our healing God: "Jesus decries the rigidity of the rule keepers—a perennial affliction of religious leaders of every denomination even to our own day— 'Don't you understand? Freeing this woman, this daughter of Abraham is more important than freeing the ox and ass as your religious rules allow?'   The phrase 'Daughter of Abraham' occurs nowhere else in either the Hebrew or Christian scriptures.  Jesus is saying 'This woman is a fully equal member of God's own people,  and her dignity and well-being must be the priority here.'" Hidden Sister: The Gospel of Luke is the only one that recounts Jesus' healing of a woman who had been bent over for eighteen years (Luke 13:10-17). This passage is assigned to Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time. Although Jesus recognizes her as a “daughter of Abraham,” this touching story of her faith and Jesus' willingness to break the Sabbath law in the synagogue and heal her is not proclaimed on any Sunday. Moreover, in 2024, this reading is replaced by the proper readings for the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude. Christine Schenk, CSJ has worked as a nurse midwife to low-income families, a community organizer, an award-winning writer-researcher, and the founding director of an international church reform organization, FutureChurch. Schenk also writes a regular column for the National Catholic Reporter and is one of three nuns featured in the award-winning documentary "Radical Grace."

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together. Join us each Sunday @ 10:45am for our latest teaching series "Better Together."

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together. Join us each Sunday @ 10:45am for our latest teaching series "Better Together."

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together. Join us each Sunday @ 10:45am for our latest teaching series "Better Together."

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together. Join us each Sunday @ 10:45am for our latest teaching series "Better Together."

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together. Join us each Sunday @ 10:45am for our latest teaching series "Better Together."

In this Bible Story, Jesus speaks hard truths about being the bread of life. He speaks of how he was sent by God from heaven, and whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood would inherit eternal life. Although Jesus spoke metaphorically, his words cause many to leave. However the disciples stayed, for they knew that only Jesus held the words of eternal life. This story is inspired by John 6:22-71 & Matthew 15:21-28 & Mark 7:24-30. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is John 6:35 from the King James Version.Episode 194: The very next day as He and His disciples were on the other side of the sea, the crowd had tracked Him down. They wanted another miracle but Jesus cared more about their hearts than their bellies. And as Jesus was trying to teach them these things, they became confused and frustrated. The teaching was too hard for many of those in the crowd to accept, so they left. Later on, the disciples that stayed learned a lesson about God's grace to those outside of the family of Israel, as a Canaanite woman begged the Jewish Messiah for help, hope, and healing.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world's greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together.

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together.

If Jesus were living in America today, would He even vote? The answer is emphatically “yes.” Although Jesus wasn't born into a constitutional republic like the one we live in and doesn't have a voting record, we do have His Word, in which He reveals His values, standards, priorities, and desires. We can look at what God says, look at what He did, and then apply His wisdom to our lives.

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together.

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together.

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together.

As a member of the Jewish ruling council, Nicodemus would have much knowledge of the scriptures and God's promises to send a rescuer for His people. But his knowledge lacked understanding and when Jesus came on the scene his curiosity overcame his fear enough to visit Jesus at night. Jesus' answers to Nicodemus' questions led to more questions, as Jesus sought to draw Nicodemus away from the inadequacy of his intellect, proclaiming to him the necessity of spiritual re-birth. Later in the gospel of John we see Nicodemus defending Jesus before his peers on the basis of Jewish law. John gives us one last glimpse into Nicodemus with his open act of reverence in providing the hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes with which the body of Jesus was embalmed (Joh 19:39) Finally Nicodemus is willing publicly associate with Jesus, the King of the Jews.The Hero of this story is Jesus who met Nicodemus where he was at, challenging him to embrace the truth of Jesus identity and Nicodemus' only source of righteousness and rescue. Although Jesus gave Nicodemus everything he needed to believe and be reborn, it took Nicodemus time to understand and be willing to commit to Jesus in a public way. Jesus helped Nicodemus when Nicodemus was afraid for people to know he was Jesus' friend. Our own intellect is inadequate to lead us to Faith in Jesus and active obedience in following Him and sometimes it takes us time to fully grasp His character and His worth. Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit to show us our need and to understand His sufficiency in meeting that need. Jesus' keeps His promise to be found by all those who seek Him and to save all those who call on His name.

Not all miracles of Jesus were to heal people who were sick or broken because life in the Kingdom of God will not just be about us having resurrected life. Some miracles were done to glimpse how we will relate to God in resurrected life. Although Jesus has hit a dark place in his ministry, his transfiguration showed his disciples, and us, that this was part of his rescue plan to lead his people into the ultimate freedom and glory of the Kingdom of God.

Although Jesus ministered to multitudes, His circle was a small group of 12. Following Jesus' example is how we find community as believers. Too many Christians are isolated in their Christian life, but God has created us to share life together.

Pastor preached “First Born Part 2” and taught us the truth of Jesus' death and resurrection. We learned that:✨ Just as death came through one man, resurrection also came through one man (Jesus).✨ The nature of sin is what leads us to produce sin.✨ Jesus experienced our penalty for sin so that we could experience His perks of righteousness.✨ Jesus didn't renovate us or repair us; He renewed us.✨ Although Jesus never sinned, He bore our sins, taking on our responsibility and punishment.PARTNER WITH US Thank you for your generosity! To give, visit https://www.radiantchurchtxk.com/give____ PRAYER We would be honored to pray with you. Text the word "Prayer" to 903-201-0606. ____ FIRST TIMEIs this your first time visiting Radiant Church Online? Text the word "First Time" to 903-201-0606.Connect With Us: Website: https://www.radiantchurchtxk.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Radianttxk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiantchurchtxk/DOWNLOAD OUR APP https://apps.apple.com/us/app/radiant-txk/id6473744016https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.pushpay.radiantchurchtxk&pcampaignid=web_shareCatch us LIVE on Youtube at 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. CST to experience powerful worship and a life-changing message!Support the Show.

Today's Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel - Jn 10:1-10 - Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. Bishop Sheen quote of the day Father Chars Murr joins Terry to discuss the stabbing of Assyrian Orthodox Bishop Mari Emmanuel, and how most Catholics neither know nor understand their Catholic Faith.  Why is that, and how can this be rectified?

Gospel John 10:1-10 Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers." Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Reflection Jesus uses the role of Shepherd to instill within his disciples an understanding of who they will be once Jesus fills them with the truth. God is the source of all truth. Jesus is filled with God. The way you enter into the Kingdom of God is through an acknowledgment of what is true, what is real, what is unchangeable. And what we see in this story is that Jesus is also saying that those who have not opened their heart to the truth are thieves and robbers when they try to take care of people. And he is obviously talking about the people of the temple. The Scribes and Pharisees were thieves and robbers keeping people from truth. And God has come in the form of Jesus to change all of that. Closing Prayer Father, so many voices speak to us about who you are and what you call us to be. Ground us in your truth. So we hear your truth, we will open our hearts to it, when we hear lies and half truths, we will turn away. Bless us with wisdom to know the difference. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.