Podcasts about Baptism

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260101dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4-5 The Greatest Christmas Gift Many people assume Christmas is just a single day, December 25th, or perhaps two if you count Christmas Eve. But it is, in fact, a season of twelve days. Today is the eighth day of Christmas, and God has another present for you to unwrap: the greatest gift of all. This gift arrives “when the set time had fully come.” Not a moment too late or too soon, the gift came at a specific, perfect moment in history, precisely when it was most needed. The gift came from God, because “God sent.” He did all the work; all you do is receive it. What did he send? “His Son, born of a woman.” The eternal God took on human flesh and blood. He who had no beginning suddenly had a birthday, an age, a hometown, and a body confined to time and space. The One who fills heaven and earth humbled himself to dwell among us. This humbling involved being “born under law.” That means he placed himself beneath the very commandments he authored and lived a life of perfect obedience. Jesus wasn’t your Savior only for the six hours he spent on the cross; he spent thirty-three years before that fulfilling the law in your place, as your Substitute. Every commandment you break, he kept flawlessly for you. Why this perfect obedience? “To redeem those under the law.” That’s all of humanity, including you. We are all under God’s law and guilty of breaking it. So, Jesus kept that law for us and bore its punishment on the cross, buying our freedom from our slavery to sin. The glorious result? “That we might receive adoption to sonship.” That’s amazing! In his Son, God the Father has given you the greatest Christmas gift of all: He made you a member of his family. No longer a slave, you are now an heir of forgiveness, peace, comfort, hope, and the everlasting riches of heaven. Prayer: Son of God, thank you for being born under the law to redeem me and make me an heir of heaven. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

SHOW NOTES To learn more about Brite Curriculum visit britecurriculum.com The post Teaching Kids About Jesus' Baptism and Temptation from Matthew 3 & John 1 (January 11) appeared first on Child Discipleship.

SHOW NOTES To learn more about Brite Curriculum visit britecurriculum.com The post Preschool: Teaching Littles About Jesus' Baptism and Temptation from Matthew 3 & John 1 (January 11) appeared first on Child Discipleship.

Join us LIVE for 5 Days of Prayer — every day at NOON.For the next five days, we will be coming together to pray, seek God, and believe for breakthrough, healing, freedom, and renewal.These livestreams are not sermons or debates — they are focused times of corporate prayer, worshipful intercession, and surrender before God. Whether you watch live or on replay, we believe God meets His people when they pray.Each day will have a different prayer focus, but every day is about drawing near to God and inviting the Holy Spirit to move.

In this episode we seek to give relatively short answers to some big questions we've received over the fall of 2025.ResourcesBooksChrist and Culture by H. Richard NiebuhrCenter Church by Timothy KellerPodcast Episodes142 - Should children sit through "big church"?292 - Why Parent Commissioning?164 - Creation (Genesis 1)304 - Baptism Q&APolitics250 - Our Public Posture251 - Life and Sexuality252 - Generosity and Hospitality253 - Unified in Christ072 - Our Hearts After the Election110 - What the Church Needs Today088 - Cultural ChristianityConnect With Us providenceomaha.org | Instagram | Facebook Email Us formation@providenceomaha.org

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251231dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Matthew 2:16 The Comfort of Christmas Herod, furious that the Magi left without telling him where Jesus was, went scorched earth and ordered every boy in the vicinity two years old and younger to be killed. Historians estimate that twenty to thirty children were murdered in his desperate attempt to eliminate the Christ child. It is uncomfortable to read this so soon after Christmas. Wouldn’t it be better to skip this part? Why remember such horror during Christmastime? Because it shows what happens when light enters a world of darkness. When the light arrives, the darkness does not politely step aside. It tries to snuff the light out. This is why Jesus came: to battle the darkness that rejected him from his very first days. This same battle between light and darkness continues in your own heart. When Christ’s light shines within you, your sinful nature fights against it. Yet God remains on your side—God rescued his Son from Herod’s sword so that his Son could rescue you from eternal darkness. Jesus’ death and resurrection became the ultimate light that conquers the darkness. And here lies one of the Bible’s hardest truths: though God possesses all power and hates evil, he still permits suffering. So here is the comfort of Christmas: God may save us from evil, or he may save us through evil. The boys of Bethlehem died tragically, but Christ the Savior was born not to save them from Herod, but from hell, and that is what he did. With God, wherever there is weeping, comfort follows. The grieving mothers of Bethlehem would see their sons again because their King came to save them through tragedy into heaven’s triumph. This is the comfort of Christmas. That even though the darkness could take the boys of Bethlehem away from their parents, it could not take them away from Christ. It cannot take you away from him either. Prayer: Merciful Father, thank you for the comfort of knowing that no darkness can separate me from the light of your Son. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Happy New Year to our listeners! In this episode, Father Anthony and Sister Catherine recap the events of 2025 and share what they are looking forward to in 2026. They also discuss the Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord, guided by the written Sunday Sermon from Bishop Giles Butler, OFM DD. Throughout the episode, they explore the profound significance of the Circumcision of Christ and the bestowing of His Holy Name. We delve into the "continual sacrifices" Jesus made from infancy and discuss how our own vows— in marriage, religious life, single life and Baptism — allow us to spiritually participate in His hidden Divinity. Link to Bishop Giles' Sermon: http://friarsminor.org/sermons/23circumcision.html

In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 293) from our seven-part series, The Magnificent Seven, I walk through the astonishing life and ministry of John the Baptist. He stands as the last Old Testament prophet and the first man to publicly identify Jesus as Messiah. His voice rises out of four centuries of prophetic silence, set against the political brutality of Rome and the corruption of Herod. John does not emerge as a stylist or strategist, but as a singular, God-anointed voice preparing the way. He calls a nation to repentance and redefines the Messianic mission as sacrificial redemption. Standing in the Jordan, he declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire. His courage, clarity, and refusal to measure success by comfort or applause confront our modern assumptions about leadership and faithfulness. John's life reminds us that true success is obedience to God's call, even when it costs everything, and that the highest aim of any leader is to see Jesus clearly and point others to Him. – Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:26) - John the Baptist and the Taxation(00:01:26) - The Story of the Birth of Jesus(00:07:38) - The Life of Zechariah and the Angel Gabriel(00:15:17) - John 3: Behold the Lamb of God that taketh(00:15:56) - John the Baptist(00:20:25) - John the Baptist's Baptism(00:27:25) - Joel the prophet(00:35:21) - The Personal End of John the Baptist(00:41:06) - John Baptist: A Success or a Failure?

On this episode of CWF, Friend of the Show™ and Chaperone of the Year™ MattGPT joins the Boys for a bonafide nerd fest. This discussion is centered around Church History. We discuss Church History facts and figures, what's interesting to us, and most importantly we answer this question: why is learning church history important? History is important, and it's really important for Christians. You will also learn pretty quickly how and why Matt has earned his nickname. Long live John Harmon Melton!

The secret to success is learning to hear God's voice. Deep down, you must believe that God is speaking to you and wants to speak to you. The devil's voice should sound like a stranger to you, not familiar, and the Lord's voice should sound like your shepherd. Hearing the Lord's voice is not all-knowing on our part. It starts with a willingness to trust the leading of His voice, not knowing the outcome, but knowing that it will be good. 

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251230dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:14-15 Out of Egypt The words in our Bible reading today show that even as a baby, Jesus was already fulfilling prophecy and establishing his credentials as the promised Savior. When King Herod sought to murder the Christ child, God sent the holy family fleeing to Egypt. Seven hundred years earlier, Hosea had foretold that God’s Son would go there and return—and now Jesus, cradled in his mother’s arms, was living out that prophecy. To understand this fulfillment, though, we must recall Israel’s story. Over three thousand years ago, God adopted a nation of slaves and called them his son. He brought Israel out of Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and gave them a new home in Canaan. But Israel did not always return their Father’s love. The people he rescued turned to false gods and sacrificed to idols. Through prophets like Hosea, God warned his disobedient children what would happen if they refused to repent. They deserved punishment for their idolatry. Yet God could not stop loving his son. That is the backdrop for Matthew’s quotation. Jesus is the perfectly obedient Son of God—so fully identifying with God’s people that his life mirrors theirs. As Israel once went down to Egypt, so he went down to Egypt. As Israel was called out, so he was called out. Where Israel failed, Jesus succeeded; where Israel rebelled, Jesus obeyed. And he obeyed for you! When the time had fully come, God sent his beloved Son to be born in Bethlehem, to live as the obedient child you were meant to be, to die on the cross, and to rise again so you could be brought into God’s family. He loved you so much that he poured out his Spirit into your heart so you can cry, “Father!” and know that the Almighty delights to hear you, protect you, bless you, and save you. Even though you have been a rebellious child, God’s grace is greater than your guilt. His love at the manger and the cross is more than enough to bring peace on earth and good will to men. Prayer: Father, thank you for fulfilling your Word by calling your Son out of Egypt, so that I am your own dear child. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Necessity Of Baptism - 12-10-25 - Pastor Michael Mullings

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Baptism isn't a ritual for the perfect — it's obedience for the redeemed. In this message, we unpack why baptism isn't about proving your faith, but proclaiming it. Why Jesus Himself stepped into the water. Why the early church treated baptism as essential — not optional. And why going under the water is a public declaration that your old life is dead and your new life has begun. If you've ever wondered “Do I really need to be baptized?” — this message is for you.

The readings for this homily: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123025.cfmFather Chris Alar, MIC reflects on the coming Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and the Purification of Mary — a mystery often misunderstood, and sometimes misused, to challenge the Church's teaching on Our Lady. What appears, at first glance, to be a ritual of purification reveals instead a profound lesson in obedience, humility, and grace.Mary did not submit to the law because she was sinful. Her purification was legal, not moral — a requirement of Mosaic law tied to childbirth, not guilt. Just as Jesus did not need Baptism yet freely accepted it, Mary did not need purification yet humbly embraced it. Grace raised her above the law, Fr. Chris explains, but humility placed her beneath it. Together, Jesus and Mary show us that obedience to God's law is not weakness, but witness.The Presentation also reminds us that every child belongs first to God. In the ancient law, the firstborn was not owned by the parents, but lent to them by the Lord. Parenthood, therefore, is stewardship — a sacred trust for which we will one day answer. Faith must be passed on by example, just as Mary and Joseph lived the law faithfully before their Son.Father Chris then turns our attention to Simeon and Anna, the “quiet in the land.” They did not seek power, spectacle, or influence. They waited in silence, prayer, and hope. Their lives testify that holiness is not measured by activity, but by fidelity. This is a special word of encouragement for the homebound and forgotten: quiet prayer, offered faithfully, shapes salvation history.Finally, Simeon's prophecy confronts us with a sobering truth. Christ does not condemn us — we judge ourselves by our response to Him. When His law meets a heart that loves, it lifts us up. When it meets indifference or rejection, we turn away on our own. Salvation is not a one-time declaration, but a daily surrender. Like  St. Thérèse of Lisieux taught, we are not called to climb to heaven by our strength, but to place ourselves in Christ's hands and let Him do the lifting.Grace invites. Humility responds. And the hand of Jesus raises all who are willing to endure in Him ★ Support this podcast ★

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251229dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt. Matthew 2:13-14 God’s Purpose in Herod’s Fear One moment, the baby Jesus had magi laying treasures at his feet; the next, Joseph was taking him into the night and headed for Egypt. The Light of the world had come, but the darkness fought back. You see, the Magi had first come to Jerusalem and told King Herod that they were looking for the King of the Jews. Herod viewed the baby as a threat, and he didn’t like that. He had already killed three of his sons, his favorite wife, his mother-in-law, his uncle, some cousins, and the high priest for being threats to his crown. Now he targeted a baby. But God saved his Son from an early death because the plan of salvation required that he die on the cross when the time had fully come. He fled as a child so that he could later say, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The world did not change the night Jesus was born, but everything changed the morning he walked out of the tomb. The power of Jesus’ resurrection is already removing the darkness, and he will completely remove it on the Last Day. When evil touches your life, remember it also touched him. The child who fled Herod is the Savior who was “despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain” (Isaiah 53:3). At Christmas, God gifts you his Son, Jesus. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for stepping into this dark world so that you can call me out of it and into your wonderful light. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

BELIEVER'S BAPTISM (Acts 8:35-39) In today's message I want to show you what the Bible has to say about Believer's Baptism. I want you to understand the importance of the ordinance of Believer's Baptism, because we dare not minimize it. Baptism has a message in it, and it speaks primarily of three things.   First, it speaks of our past redemption. What I mean by that is, baptism is a portrayal of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.   Second, it pictures my present regeneration. Because, I have died to the old way, and I have been raised to walk in a new life. I died with Him. I was buried with Him. I rose with Him. I am now living in the power of His resurrection. Third, it pictures my prospective resurrection.  One day I will die, and they'll carry my dead, empty, body out to some cemetery, and they will put me beneath the ground.  And one of these days, our Lord Jesus is going to “[come] in the glory of [the] Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38) And, there will come “the voice of the archangel, and … the trump of God: and the dead in Christ [will] rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16) And, just as I came up out of that water when I was baptized, I am going to come up out of this ground. I am going to be raised with the Lord Jesus in a glorified body, and that glorified body is going to meet up with my spirit and soul to be with Jesus forever and ever. That is what baptism is all about. Baptism pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is a liquid tomb. And, when a person is baptized and he is put beneath the water, that symbolizes a burial. When he comes up out of the water, that symbolizes a resurrection. Now, it symbolizes primarily the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  And every time a person is baptized, he is preaching that he believes what literally happened is that Jesus died, that Jesus was buried, and that Jesus rose again. And, while baptism does not bring salvation, it is an answer of obedience to our Lord. And, when you obey our Lord, that is when the joy begins. If you are having trouble, difficulty, in your Christian life and you are not growing—you are saying, “What's wrong with me?”—then why don't you go back and do a check up—not just with the command to be baptized, but any command in the Word of God. And when you begin to obey, God begins to manifest Himself to you. Click on the link below to hear a message on the meaning of Believer's Baptism and why it is important to you. This is a live recording of The Master's Class Bible Study at LifeChange Church Wichita, KS. Amen.

A new MP3 sermon from Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Born of Water and Spirit Subtitle: Baptism Speaker: Rev. Todd Ruddell Broadcaster: Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Event: Sunday - AM Date: 12/28/2025 Length: 60 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Born of Water and Spirit (2) Subtitle: Baptism Speaker: Rev. Todd Ruddell Broadcaster: Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Event: Sunday - PM Date: 12/28/2025 Bible: John 3:1-8 Length: 46 min.

He lived during the years when Constantinople was held in captivity by the Crusaders, and the Imperial government was in exile in Nicaea. Simon fled the world at a young age and traveled to the Holy Mountain, where he submitted himself to a strict but wise Elder for many years. In time, seeking greater seclusion, he moved to a small cave on the western side of Mt Athos, near a cliff that towered a thousand feet above the sea. One night, a few days before the Feast of the Nativity, he saw a star move across the sky and come to rest above the cliff near his cave. Taking this as a demonic delusion, he ignored it; but on the Eve of Nativity, the star once again took its place above the cliff, and Simon heard a voice from heaven saying 'Be in no doubt, Simon, faithful servant of my Son! See this sign, and do not leave this spot in search of greater solitude as you have in mind, for it is here that I want you to establish your monastery, for the salvation of many souls.' Soon afterward, three young monks from wealthy Macedonian families, who had heard of the Saint's holiness, came and laid their wealth at his feet, asking that he accept them as disciples. Simon sent for builders and ordered them to construct a monastery on the very edge of the precipitous cliff. The builders at first refused, saying the work was much too dangerous; but, persuaded by a miracle worked through the Saint's prayers, they were convinced. As soon as the building was finished, the monastic community began to grow rapidly.   In his own lifetime St Simon was the source of many miracles, prophecies and healings. Once the monastery was attacked by Saracen pirates. Simon went to meet them with gifts, hoping to dissuade them from attacking. When the pirates attacked him, they were blinded, and the arm of one of them was paralyzed when he attempted to strike the Saint. All of them were healed when the holy man prayed for them, and at this wonder they all repented, received Baptism and became monks.   Saint Simon reposed in peace. A fragrant, healing balm afterwards flowed from his tomb in great quantities, so that he came to be called Myroblytis, 'Myrrh-gusher' or 'Outpourer of Myrrh.' In subsequent years, the monastery was destroyed and rebuilt more than once, and no trace now remains of the tomb.

SEXAGONAL PHRASE - EPISODE 2 "Baptism of Fire" Written and Produced by Viktor Aurelius Rated: PG-13 It starred: Deborah Adams as Lucy Sharp Ted Wenskus as Bud Daniels Jeff Niles as WAD-O C. Wayne Owens as Stiletto Jonithan Patrick Russell as Kreghono Cary Michael Ayers as Guy Sharp aka G'Una Voslo Alex Gilmour as the Gray Alien Katrina Clifford as High Priestess Tharla J'Quantus Mary Genevieve Fortier as the Woman being Baptized Katie Loftin as WAD-U Lisa Michaud as Xarrissa O'Facto Mat Weller as Larrzo Pete Lutz as Korpax Spawill Viktor Aurelius as Tokham and the Tech Bot Gary Scales as Killa Joss

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251228dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. Isaiah 63:7 Mercy and Compassion A highly respected running coach was once asked what he would do if he wanted to make his own son an Olympic runner. He responded, “I would get him a coach that believed he could be an Olympian.” After all his years of training runners, this man had learned that having a coach who believed in his runner was a key component to helping that athlete reach his true potential. Isaiah describes the Lord looking at his people and saying, “Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me.” How could the Lord say this when Israel had turned its back on him again and again? It wasn’t that God thought he could make his people better simply by believing in them. No, God calls Israel his people because in his love and mercy, he made them his people. “He became their Savior.” A coach might help an athlete achieve his greatest potential by believing in him, but God has done much more for us. Simply believing in us would not have been enough, because left to ourselves, our only potential was to go our own way and stray further away from him. So, God in his love and mercy redeemed us. By sending his only Son, he bought us back from our destiny of being sinners forever separated from him. This truth causes our Christmas joy to overflow every day of the year. In his loving kindness, the Lord has made us his people, who are given the righteousness and obedience of his Son. What’s our response to such mercy and compassion? We can join with Isaiah in saying, “I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us.” Prayer: Merciful and compassionate God, I thank you for being my Savior. You have made me your child through the redemption that comes through Jesus Christ. Help me to speak of your kindness, of all that you have done for me. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Send us a text. If you would like a response, please send us an email to bcoc@suddenlinkmail.com.Jim Laws

Inspiration, Christianity, Guidance, Blessing, Religion, Help, Worship, Motivational, Bible Teaching, Self Help, Family, Church, Sermons, Testimonies, Word, Preaching, Salvation, Revelation, Holy Spirit, Baptism, Holy Ghost, Prayer, Love, Compassion.

Inspiration, Christianity, Guidance, Blessing, Religion, Help, Worship, Motivational, Bible Teaching, Self Help, Family, Church, Sermons, Testimonies, Word, Preaching, Salvation, Revelation, Holy Spirit, Baptism, Holy Ghost, Prayer, Love, Compassion.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251227dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:22-25 God With Us Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah that he would be born of a virgin. God inspired the apostle Matthew to write about the fulfillment of that prophecy. Joseph had no sexual relations with Mary until Jesus was born. Joseph was not Jesus' father; God was. Isaiah said that “they will call him Immanuel”—(which means, “God with us).” The baby born of the virgin Mary is God with us—God became a human being because we are unable to save ourselves. We are unable to keep his commandments. We are unable even to do the one thing he requires of us: “Be holy” (Leviticus 19:2). The baby born of the virgin Mary is God with us—God became human to be one of us. To feel like we do. To eat and drink like we do. To walk and talk like we do. To go through what we go through. He didn’t do this because he needed to, but because we needed him to; so that “God with us” would show us that a human could do what God demanded. And so that “God with us” could suffer and die, and in doing so, pay for our sins. Since he is human, he could die. Since he is God, his payment is for all of us, for all time. Joseph gave him the name “Jesus.” His name declares his great purpose for coming from heaven to be with us on earth. He is our Savior who came to take us from earth to heaven! Prayer: Jesus, you came down from heaven to be with us. Your life and death accomplished my salvation. I worship and honor you for your great love. Come again and take me to be with you in heaven. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Before you lean in and read, take a moment to settle into your body. Take a few slow, deep breaths, extending your exhale a few extra seconds. Let your shoulders drop. Give yourself a moment to arrive in your space. ✨ Ponder…… “What am I ready to release and anoint as this year comes to a close?”The idea of being “hand-picked” or “destined for greatness” has a certain allure. We want to believe our purpose will be revealed to us, that we'll be graced with a special calling. However, this passive mindset can keep us stuck, forever hoping to be discovered.Authentic anointing, on the other hand, demands that we step forward and declare our own worth. It's about taking responsibility for our gifts, claiming our unique voice, and consecrating ourselves to our highest vision. No one can do this work for us - we must anoint ourselves.This may feel daunting, even arrogant. But it's the only way to catalyze the transformation we seek. When we courageously choose ourselves, we unlock an inner authority that transcends external validation. We become the vessels of our own sacred purpose.Being Anointed Isn't Passive – You Choose YourselfThe World of Scent: Holy Lessons from NatureAnimals live in a world defined by scent. Their survival depends on their ability to pick up the aroma of life, danger, food, and other creatures. This innate ability guides them through the world.Humans, on the other hand, often rely on sight, sound, and belief—tools that are powerful, but limited compared to the sensory richness of scent.The Spiritual Scent: The Fragrance of DominionAnointing is more than a symbolic act; it represents a “fragrance of dominion”—a spiritual frequency that all creation recognizes. Where animals sense the world through scent, the spiritually anointed carry an invisible signature: a powerful presence, a vibration of authority, life, and divine energy.This “spiritual scent” opens doors, commands respect, and grants protection in ways that words and appearances can't.But emotions like fear can mask this fragrance, distorting your spiritual signal and pulling you out of alignment with creation. That's why the process of anointing is also about recalibrating your internal state, aligning your frequency with the divine, and carrying that vibration into the world.Anointing: Ritual and Meaning through the AgesHistorically, anointing has meant the application of oil—signifying consecration or elevation into a new role or status. Spiritually, it's about being covered with the “oil of the Divine”—a frequency that conveys dominion and a status equal to the gods.This anointing shifts you at a cellular level, acting as a kind of spiritual “hazmat suit” that allows you to interact safely with higher realms and energies, protecting you from spiritual harm.This tradition has deep roots in Ancient Egyptian (Kemetic) spirituality. The ankh is the symbol for “life” or “breath of life.”The ancient had spiritual gatekeepers, ushering initiates through a process of purification called the Baptism of Fire. This baptism isn't about punishment—it's a refiner's crucible, burning away the ego and anything that keeps you from growth.Growth: The Balance of Challenge and NurtureTo grow, you need both challenge and rest. Opposition strengthens you; safety gives you space to heal. Walking the path of the anointed means balancing these two forces—embracing spiritual awareness (what the tradition calls “Heru's Sunship”) while remaining engaged in the world.Prophecy in a Modern AgeIn today's world, especially on platforms like YouTube, prophecy can sometimes lose its depth and integrity. The true intention of prophetic work is deep intimacy with the Divine, and its purpose is alignment, not entertainment.Authentic prophecy isn't about showing off or reinforcing personal agendas. It's about humbly sharing the heart and mind of God, and creating realignment—not manipulation. When prophecy is rooted in ego rather than Spirit, it loses authenticity and becomes a form of control.Discernment is vital.True prophetic leadership creates a mirror of the heavenly government structure on earth—what Christ called the “Eklesia,” and what we call positions like Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Pastor, or Evangelist. These are functions for the purpose of collective guidance, not religious rank.A Time for Self-InquiryAsk yourself:What distracts me?What am I trying to prove?What am I afraid to lose or let go?What stands in the way of my spiritual vision?Bring these questions to the Divine and listen for the answers.If nothing comes through at first, that's okay. These questions work on you over time.In Closing Anointing, Dominion, and Living as an ImmortalAnointing isn't just a ritual; it's the receipt of a divine frequency—a kind of “OIL of Dominion” that aligns you with the divine. The anointed state is a state of spiritual immortality, carrying a fragrance that commands respect from creation itself.Ancient Kemetic symbols remind us that with Life (the ankh) and Dominion (the was scepter), the anointed one finds the power to break limits. Growth comes by balancing the opposing forces of challenge and nurture. This is the path to stewardship in the Golden Era: spiritual awareness united with effective, purposeful action in the world.All my love, Kassandra This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thelightbetween.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode of The Federalist Radio Hour, author Amanda Bauch joins Federalist Executive Editor Joy Pullmann to discuss the inspiration behind her newly published devotional book, explain how she escaped a manipulative cult, and detail her journey to becoming a Lutheran pastor's wife.You can find Bauch's book One Nation Under God here. The Federalist Foundation is a nonprofit, and we depend entirely on our listeners and readers — not corporations. If you value fearless, independent journalism, please consider a tax-deductible gift today at TheFederalist.com/donate. Your support keeps us going.

Hour 2 for 12/26/25 Drew and Brooke pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (1:00). Then, Carl Olson covers altar calls and salvation from a Catholic perspective (27:54). Calls: knowing what we're saved from (35:53), the importance of Baptism (42:28) and free will (48:40). Link: https://www.amazon.com/Called-Be-Children-God-Deification/dp/1586179470 Original Air Date: 9/22/25

Mark 16:9-20 (NKJV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss Jesus's statement about baptism and it's connection with salvation.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=23894The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Friends of the Rosary,Today, December 26th, one day after the joyful celebration of the nativity of Jesus, is the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr and deacon. Above all things, even life itself, we love Christ the Lord, as St. Stephen showed us.As we read in the Acts of the Apostles today (6:8-10; 7:54-59), when he, thrown out of the city, was about to be stoned, Stephen, "filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."St. Stephen showed perfect conformity to Christ. He said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit; do not hold this sin against them."Merry Christmas!(Until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Sunday, January 11, 2026, marking the conclusion of the Christmas season and the beginning of Jesus' public ministry).Ave MariaCome, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• ⁠December 26, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251226dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2 He Has Spoken by His Son When people want to know God’s will, they often search for a voice. Some look for signs in nature, others for whispers in their hearts. Some chase after visions or dramatic experiences. But the writer to the Hebrews reminds us that we don't need to guess where God speaks. We already have his clear Word. Long ago, God spoke through prophets like Moses and Isaiah. Their words were true, and they pointed forward to something greater. All those voices prepared the way for the day when God would speak through his Son. And that day has come. In Jesus, God has spoken once for all. Do you want to know how God feels about you? Look at his Son. See Jesus reaching out to touch the untouchable leper. Hear his voice calming the fearful. Watch him carrying your sins to the cross. Listen as he cries out, “It is finished!” That is God's message to you. No uncertainty. No guesswork. God loves you, forgives you, and calls you his child. Notice also how Jesus is described. He is the heir of all things, the One through whom the universe was made. This is no ordinary messenger. When he speaks, it is not merely advice or suggestion. It is the voice of the eternal Son of God. And that means you can trust his promises with complete confidence. So, when doubts arise, when your heart longs for assurance, you don't need to wait for a special sign from heaven. You already have the greatest sign: God has spoken by his Son. Open the Scriptures. Hear him there. His Word is living and active, still speaking forgiveness and peace into your life today. Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the final and full Word of God. When I am tempted to look elsewhere for assurance, turn me back to you. Let me rest in your promises, for in you I hear God's love loud and clear. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

It's Christmas, Thursday, December 25th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by Jonathan Clark and heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (contact@eanvoiceit.com) Millions of Christians Persecuted at Christmas Time Millions of Christians around the world must celebrate the birth of Christ in secret or face persecution this year. For example, China bans children from Christmas church celebrations. In Iran, Muslim converts to Christianity who attend unregistered house churches face arrest at this time of year. Christmas worship and displays are banned in North Korea. And Somalia completely bans Christmas observances. International Christian Concern noted, “For those of us blessed with the freedom to celebrate Christmas publicly, let us also remember and lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who cling to him, regardless of the cost.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 says, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” U.S. to Support Faith-Based Health Care Providers in Nigeria The United States agreed to support faith-based health care providers in Nigeria on Saturday. The U.S. committed over two billion dollars to the five-year bilateral health agreement. Two hundred million dollars of the funding will go to 900 Christian health care facilities. Christian clinics represent about 10% of providers in Nigeria, but they serve nearly a third of the country.  Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians with tens of thousands of believers being killed there in the last decade.  LA Governor to Lead Envoy to Greenland President Donald Trump named Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland on Sunday.  The president expressed interest in buying the territory from Denmark during his first term. Listen to his recent comments. TRUMP: “We need Greenland for national security. And if you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it. And he wanted to lead the charge, so we're making him [inaudible] a special envoy to Greenland. Greenland's a big deal.” The leaders of Greenland and Denmark continue to reject efforts to make the territory part of the U.S. Rand Paul Releases Report on Government Waste Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky released his annual “Festivus Report” on government waste. The report shows $1.6 trillion in waste up from one trillion dollars last year. Dr. Paul identified most of the waste with the $1.2 trillion spent on interest payments for the U.S. debt.  Highlights from the remaining $400 billion in waste included funneling money to social media influencers, drug experiments, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Abortion Mills Decline for 4th Year in a Row Operation Rescue reports the number of abortion mills declined for the fourth year in a row. There were 657 abortion mills in operation this year, down from 718 in 2021. Meanwhile, the number pro-life pregnancy centers is growing. Heartbeat International is the largest network of pregnancy help organizations. The network reached 4,000 locations globally last month. Gallup Releases New Survey on How Americans Celebrate Christmas Gallup released a new survey on how Americans celebrate Christmas. Most U.S. adults still celebrate the day, but fewer do so religiously. The majority of people who celebrate Christmas participate in activities like exchanging gifts, gathering with family and friends, and decorating their homes. However, only half of Americans display religious decorations or attend religious services for Christmas. That's down from two thirds of the population in 2010. Anniversary of Baptism of 1000s of Brits And finally, today is the anniversary of when thousands of people in Britain received baptism. Augustine of Canterbury was a Christian monk who arrived in Britain in the year 597 A.D. He is known as the “Apostle to the English.” Augustine preached to the local ruler, King Æthelberht who led the Kingdom of Kent. The king converted to Christianity from Anglo-Saxon paganism. He allowed Augustine and his missionaries to evangelize the people.  On Christmas Day in 597, Augustine reportedly baptized thousands of people who turned from paganism to Christ. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  Close And that's The Worldview on this Christmas, Thursday, December 25th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (contact@eanvoiceit.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Mark 16:9-20 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss the debate regarding the ending of Mark 16 and provide some comfort and confidence even in the midst of the confusion.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=23878The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Friends of the Rosary,Today, December 25th, the Church joyfully celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, the Birth of Jesus Christ, and the First Day in the Octave of Christmas.Throughout Advent, the faithful longed for the coming of our Savior. Today, with ecstatic wonder and amazement, we celebrate His birth."The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." The Son of God became man to give us a share in that divine life, eternally His in the Blessed Trinity.Christmas time began on December 24 with the first Vespers of the feast and ends on the feast of the Baptism of Christ.The radiance of the birth of Christ lights up the world, and in the luminous silence of the Nativity, Emmanuel, God with us, continues to speak to every one of us.Ave MariaCome, Holy Spirit, come!To Jesus through Mary!Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.Please give us the grace to respond with joy!+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New YorkEnhance your faith with the new Holy Rosary University app:Apple iOS | New! Android Google Play• December 25, 2025, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Merry Christmas from the Disciple Hinson Podcast! We are continuing our walk through the statement of faith meditating on what we believe as a church family. You will be helped by following along with this handout. In this episode, we dive into Article 14: Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to think about how baptism declares our allegiance to Christ and how we feed on Christ by faith our family meal the Lord's Supper.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251225dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 Give Glory to God How do you know what God is really like? Some imagine him as distant, powerful but far removed from daily life. Others picture him as a stern judge, always ready to condemn. Still others think of him as a vague spiritual force, too abstract to know personally. But John tells us something remarkable: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The eternal Son of God didn't stay far away. He didn’t just send messages through prophets or appear in visions. He came down to live with us, fully human, yet still fully God. That changes everything. In Jesus, we see exactly what God is like. He is not cold or distant. He is not waiting for us to climb up to him. Instead, he comes down to us. He steps into our weakness, our suffering, even our death. He takes on flesh so that he can carry our sins to the cross and give us his righteousness in return. John says we have seen his glory. But notice how that glory shines. It is not in earthly splendor or political power, but in humble service, in compassion for the broken, in sacrifice for sinners. The manger, the cross, and the empty tomb reveal God's glory most clearly. There, we see a God full of grace and truth. Grace, because in Jesus, we receive forgiveness we could never earn. Truth, because in Jesus, we see God's faithfulness to every promise. This means you don’t have to wonder whether God loves you. You don’t need to search for hidden signs of his presence. The Word became flesh. He lived among us. He still comes to us today through his Word and sacraments. And he will dwell with us forever in heaven. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for becoming flesh and making your dwelling among us. Help me to see your glory in your life, death, and resurrection. Fill me with confidence in your grace and truth. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Saving women and babies from poverty report shows pregnancy resource centers provided $358 Million in Services Last Year. (2:57) Heaven (in our 4 last things series). (13:56) 12 Days of Christmas Song’s hidden Catholic meaning. (25:44) Resources mentioned: 10 commandments https://relevantradio.com/faith/catholicism-101/the-ten-commandments/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA4Y-sBhC6ARIsAGXF1g4OjyXEbbYp5T5IF9kHWLzDxwPLEN9dtHyBeW-mnP1LEj9isOA-FvgaAgJNEALw_wcB Catechism of the Catholic Church 1023-1029: 1023 Those who die in God's grace and friendship and are perfectly purified live for ever with Christ. They are like God for ever, for they "see him as he is," face to face:598 By virtue of our apostolic authority, we define the following: According to the general disposition of God, the souls of all the saints ... and other faithful who died after receiving Christ's holy Baptism (provided they were not in need of purification when they died, ... or, if they then did need or will need some purification, when they have been purified after death, ...) already before they take up their bodies again and before the general judgment — and this since the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ into heaven — have been, are and will be in heaven, in the heavenly Kingdom and celestial paradise with Christ, joined to the company of the holy angels. Since the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, these souls have seen and do see the divine essence with an intuitive vision, and even face to face, without the mediation of any creature.599 1024 This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity — this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed — is called "heaven." Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness. 1025 To live in heaven is "to be with Christ." The elect live "in Christ,"600 but they retain, or rather find, their true identity, their own name.601 For life is to be with Christ; where Christ is, there is life, there is the kingdom.602 1026 By his death and Resurrection, Jesus Christ has "opened" heaven to us. The life of the blessed consists in the full and perfect possession of the fruits of the redemption accomplished by Christ. He makes partners in his heavenly glorification those who have believed in him and remained faithful to his will. Heaven is the blessed community of all who are perfectly incorporated into Christ. 1027 This mystery of blessed communion with God and all who are in Christ is beyond all understanding and description. Scripture speaks of it in images: life, light, peace, wedding feast, wine of the kingdom, the Father's house, the heavenly Jerusalem, paradise: "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him."603 1028 Because of his transcendence, God cannot be seen as he is, unless he himself opens up his mystery to man's immediate contemplation and gives him the capacity for it. The Church calls this contemplation of God in his heavenly glory "the beatific vision": How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ your Lord and God, ... to delight in the joy of immortality in the Kingdom of heaven with the righteous and God's friends.604 1029 In the glory of heaven the blessed continue joyfully to fulfill God's will in relation to other men and to all creation. Already they reign with Christ; with him "they shall reign for ever and ever."605

Today is day 358 and we are studying the Section on Justification and Sanctification: Living in Forgiveness and Healing. 359. What do you receive through Christ's sacrifice? I receive the unmerited gift of God's grace. If I confess my sins, God grants me forgiveness and pardon through Christ's blood shed for me. (Psalm 32:1–2; Isaiah 53:10–11; John 3:16–18; 2 Corinthians 5:19–21; Hebrews 9:11–15; 1 John 1:8–9; 2:1–2) 360. How does God enable you to live in his forgiveness? Through faith, repentance, and Baptism, I am made a member of Christ, a child of God, and an heir of the kingdom of heaven. Washed of sin and united to Christ, I am “justified,” being declared righteous by God, and I am given the grace to live continually in repentance and faith. (Psalm 130:4; John 15:26–16:1; Acts 22:16; Romans 5:12–21; Titus 3:3–8) Our prayers today are the Collect for Friday of Easter Week found on page 611 and Proper 21 on page 620 of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). If you would like to buy or download To Be a Christian, head to anglicanchurch.net/catechism. Produced by Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison, MS. Original music from Matthew Clark. Daily collects and Psalms are taken from Book of Common Prayer (2019), created by the Anglican Church in North America and published by the Anglican Liturgical Press. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Catechism readings are taken from To Be a Christian - An Anglican Catechism Approved Edition, copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Merry Christmas Eve, friend. Today on Pursuing God, we're tracing the journey of Jesus from the manger to the Jordan River — and what it means for your life right now. He wasn't just born to be admired in a nativity scene; He came to be followed. Born in a manger, buried in baptism, and raised to bring new life to anyone willing to say yes. As we light the final Advent candle and reflect on His birth, I want to invite you to consider the personal invitation Jesus offers: to be made new. And for some of you, that next step might be baptism. Let's talk about what it means to go all in — to identify with the One who identified with us.Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside's conviction that God's grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God's presence and activity in your life.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251224dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 A Savior Has Been Born to You The shepherds weren’t expecting anything that night. They were just doing their jobs. They watched their flocks, kept predators away, and tried to stay warm in the darkness. Then suddenly, the night sky blazed with God’s glory, and an angel stood before them. Terror filled their hearts. Who could stand in the presence of God’s holiness? But the first words they heard were not words of judgment. They were words of comfort: “Do not be afraid.” Why not? Because God had not come to condemn. He had come to save. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.” Notice the angel’s message. This Savior is for you. Not just for kings or priests. Not just for the powerful or important. For shepherds, for sinners, for all people. And the sign? Not a mighty warrior or dazzling throne, but a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. God’s Son came in humility so that no one would be too lowly to approach him. On this holy night, the same message comes to you: Do not be afraid. Whatever guilt weighs on your conscience, whatever darkness troubles your heart, your Savior has been born. Rejoice! The good news of great joy is for you. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into this world for me. Drive away my fears and fill my heart with your peace and joy this Christmas Eve. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Patrick guides listeners through raw stories of faith, candid questions, and practical Catholic wisdom, drawing callers into urgent topics like daily Mass, prayers after liturgy, sacred tradition, and family conversion. Unexpected stories from across America surface, ranging from heartfelt reunions with the Church to urgent advice for end-of-life sacraments. Personal, unscripted, and intensely real moments populate each call. Pat - Can we talk about the movie called 'Not Without My Daughter'. Gives you an inside look into what being a Muslim is like in Iran. (00:36) Mike - My local parish priest is ending Mass with the St. Michael Prayer at our parish. (02:42) Ann - I have been praying for 12 years for one of my sons to come home to the church and my son recently called me to say he would be going back to Mass. I was so happy. (10:59) Michelle - I worked as a hospice chaplain. Sometimes it takes 30 years, but people do come back. I have seen this in my work. (13:34) Sarah - My priest brings up children to the altar during the Consecration. Is that ok? (15:17) Matt - I have heard that Catholics don't have a list of infallible traditions that we need to follow. How are we recording traditions? (22:58) Leo - I have been married for 10 years but was not active in the Catholic Church. I just came back because of my wife's prayers. (35:53) Jason - What is the purpose of Daily Mass? Is it optional? (43:23) Calista - My relative is dying and the only person available to see her is an Episcopalian priest. If she accepted Baptism, would it be valid? (46:53) Starr - Can we distribute blessed salt for Thanksgiving Dinner (49:12) Originally aired on 11/11/25

On this episode of Coffee With Friends, the Boys are back with Friend of the Show™ Gabe Short to discuss all things Christmas. Specifically, we get into the traditions and implications of the Christmas Holiday. But that all comes after a debate over the future of the Chiefs and the Panthers playoff hopes. Also, for about 8 minutes in the middle, the microphone is picking up someone's heart beat, so don't freak out when you hear it. Anyway, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! #EggNog

Dr. Craig discusses his latest research on the meaning and importance of baptism.

Fr. Mike reflects on the powerful reality that the sacrament of Baptism makes us partakers of God's Divine nature, fundamentally changing us into beloved sons and daughters of God the Father. He also highlights how the second coming of Christ will come like a thief in the night, how Christians grieve with hope, and how we have to test the prophecies we hear from seers. Today's readings are 2 Peter 1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4-5, and Proverbs 30:17-19. For the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/bibleinayear. Please note: The Bible contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children - parental discretion is advised.

FROM TODAY'S RECAP: - Video: 1 Peter Overview - Article: Is the Priesthood of All Believers Biblical? - Article: A Royal Priesthood in Christ - Article: Does 1 Peter 3:21 Teach That Baptism is Necessary for Salvation? - Article: What is Baptism and Does it Save? - Video: Hebrews Overview - TBR Bookshelf Graphics - Finishers Page - Prep for Next Year: 2026 Episode - Sign up for the NEWScap - Sign up for PREcap Emails Note: We provide links to specific resources; this is not an endorsement of the entire website, author, organization, etc. Their views may not represent our own. SHOW NOTES: - Follow The Bible Recap: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube - Follow Tara-Leigh Cobble: Instagram - Read/listen on the Bible App or Dwell App - Learn more at our Start Page - Become a RECAPtain - Shop the TBR Store - Credits PARTNER MINISTRIES: D-Group International Israelux The God Shot TLC Writing & Speaking DISCLAIMER: The Bible Recap, Tara-Leigh Cobble, and affiliates are not a church, pastor, spiritual authority, or counseling service. Listeners and viewers consume this content on a voluntary basis and assume all responsibility for the resulting consequences and impact.