Podcasts about because god

Building God's Way According to Ezra & Nehemiah, Pt. 3God Has a PriorityEzra 3:1-13 | King's Chapel Live StreamAs God's people return to Jerusalem in Ezra 3, they have a lot to rebuild. But before they rebuild the temple, they build an altar.Why?Because God's priority is His worship and His glory.In this message from *Building God's Way According to Ezra & Nehemiah*, we see how Ezra 3 points us to a greater reality: worship isn't something we fit into our lives after everything else is taken care of. God Himself is our priority.The altar points us to the sacrifice God provided through Jesus. The temple points us to God's desire to dwell with His people, ultimately fulfilled through Christ and the Holy Spirit. And the joyful shouts and weeping of God's people remind us that our worship exists in the tension of the "now and not yet," as we look forward to the day when God will dwell with His people forever.If we're going to build our lives, our church, and our community God's way, we have to begin with what matters most: **God's glory and our worship of Him.**Connect with King's Chapel in Longwood, FL - ▶️ www.kingschapelfl.com▶️ https://www.facebook.com/KingsChapelfl▶️ https://www.instagram.com/kingschapelfl/For the GLORY of our Great GodFor the GOOD of our NeighborEzra 3 sermon, Ezra 3, Building God's Way, God has a priority, worship comes first, worship sermon, God's glory, Ezra and Nehemiah sermon series, Christian worship, Jesus sacrifice, Holy Spirit temple, God's presence, King's Chapel Longwood

When your adult child is going through heartbreak, it can be difficult to know what to do. You want to protect them, take away their pain, and somehow make everything better—but you can't walk through the heartbreak for them. Whether they are grieving a breakup, betrayal, disappointment, or another painful relationship experience, Christian parents can learn to support their adult children while trusting God to carry them through the storm. Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that God doesn't promise a life without painful seasons, but He does promise His presence in the middle of them: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” As a parent, that means you don't have to fix your adult child's heartbreak. You can listen, offer a steady and loving presence, pray for them, and give their pain and future to God, trusting Him to bring healing, wisdom, and hope in His timing. Highlights How to support an adult child through heartbreak without trying to fix everything Why parents must learn to trust God with their grown children's pain How Isaiah 43:2 offers hope in seasons of grief and emotional pain Practical ways to be present for an adult child who is hurting Why listening can be more helpful than offering advice or pity How to cast your own anxiety about your child's pain on God Finding faith, hope, and love while waiting for healing and redemption Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Giving Your Adult Child’s Heartbreak to God By: Lia Girard Bible Reading: When you pass through the waters,I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers,they will not sweep over you.When you walk through the fire,you will not be burned;the flames will not set you ablaze. – Isaiah 43:2, NIV As Christians, we know that Jesus doesn’t promise a trouble-free life here on earth. Which naturally means we can expect that there will be days or seasons of pain, heartache, confusion, or grief. However, just knowing that we’re human (and that hurt will find us eventually) doesn’t prevent the sadness and anger heartbreak causes—whenever and however it shows up. We can try to gird ourselves with gratitude, faith, and hope. Relying on this inclination can help us weather storms. But we can’t make the storms simply not come. Being a parent of two adult children, I deeply understand the desire to wish every hard thing away from your children’s lives. It starts early, before their very first injury, and continues through your entire parenting journey. And although you know that surviving struggles will help your children build compassion, wisdom, and strength, this can get dicey when it comes to someone mistreating them or breaking their heart. Because you’ve raised your child to be an adult, you know they’re “out there” in this world, taking chances, loving deeply, and making their own choices. Yet you still want to be there for them, whenever they may need you. But the role has shifted fully now, from daily provider to encourager as they chart their own path. You know it’s right to raise adults, and not “baby” your grown children, but it’s also a strange and somewhat tender passage. It means letting go of having a say-so and just being available for them as they seek direction from the ultimate parent, God. In Isaiah 43:2, God is reassuring the Israelites that he is carrying them through their exile, no matter how hard it seems. And he is assuring all of us today that no matter what your adult child is walking through, God promises to step right into the murky water with them. Later in Isaiah 43:18-19, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Some biblical scholars say that God is clearly stating here that when a situation is dire and feels unbearable, he will never abandon you and is working on something new for you. This is good news when your own heart is aching because someone has broken your adult child’s heart. It means you can be sure that God is in control of your child’s recovery. Remember, it’s a promise. And for your own heart, while you’re believing in God to carry your child through grief, you can lean into 1 Peter 5:7, and “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” When someone hurts your grown child’s heart, leaving them holding a heavy load of bewilderment or loneliness, let them know you love them and are right here for anything they want or need. Keep checking in and listening. It’s likely they’ve been through enough maturing to not want or need you to preach to them, offer them pity, or even cry with them—though I know you want to. Because God is with them, you can be the same present, interested, loving parent you’ve always been, and have faith in better days ahead. You may have been through to the other side of heartbreak yourself and seen the kind of redemption your child hasn’t. Yet. It’s certain they will encounter their own unique ups, downs, and renewals. So be patient. Be kind. And remember that the final verse of the famous 1 Corinthians 13 “love chapter” that tells us true love is patient and kind, also encourages us: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Remind your child that God loves them, and so do you. And that you believe God’s promise: that He will carry them through. Intersecting Faith & Life: When you want to “fix” your adult child’s relationship heartbreak, consider instead offering your loving presence in ways like these: Invite them to lunch, dinner, or dessert somewhere they’ve been wanting to try Find and suggest a nature hike to enjoy together Have them over to watch a show or sports game you both enjoy If they’re far away, send them something soothing, like socks, slippers, or a delivery dinner Interact with them the same way you always have—with love, joy, and interest in them Ask: Do you want to talk? And respect their wishes. Further Reading:Psalm 147:3 Psalm 55:22 Psalm 23 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” (Psalm 139:7–10 NLT) One of God’s perfections is His omnipresence. He is present everywhere all the time. The psalmist captured the essence and implications of God’s omnipresence when he wrote, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me” (Psalm 139:7–10 NLT). If we extend that line of reasoning, it’s not hard to see that the omnipresence of God can be comforting or frightening, depending on your perspective. If you’re not right with God and you’re trying to get away from Him, His omnipresence creates a huge obstacle. The Old Testament prophet Jonah could testify to that. God gave Jonah an assignment that Jonah found distasteful. The Lord wanted Jonah to warn the Ninevites that His judgment was coming if they didn’t repent. Jonah balked at the mission because the Ninevites were the enemies of Israel. He didn’t want them to repent. He was rooting for God’s judgment on them. So, he went down to Joppa and boarded a ship headed for Tarshish, away from Nineveh and presumably away from God. But you know how the story ends. Jonah recognized the error of his ways and repented in the belly of a giant fish. Because God was there, too. There’s an obvious lesson in there for anyone who’s trying to run from God. That is, you’re wasting your time and energy. It can’t be done. No matter where you go, God will be waiting for you. You can’t escape His presence. On the other hand, if you’re walking with God, you’ll find great comfort in the knowledge that you’re never alone. When you face fiery trials, when you go through times of difficulty, when you have to weather life’s storms, God is with you every step of the way. David memorably celebrated God’s presence in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (verses 1–4 NLT). You never need feel lost, scared, abandoned, or alone. If you’re walking with God, He will never leave you. Reflection question: When do you most appreciate God’s presence? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vision Series: The Truth & Story of the BibleAugust 23, 2026 • RD McClenagan • John 17:17On the third Sunday of the vision series God Has More, RD McClenagan introduces Fellowship's first value: to be a people devoted to and shaped by the truth and story of the Bible. Scripture is not simply a source of information or instruction, but God's living and active Word that reveals who He is, transforms us, and sanctifies us as we grow in Christlikeness. The Bible is one cohesive story of God's pursuit of His people, ultimately centered on Jesus, and reading it rightly means allowing that story to shape how we understand God, ourselves, and the world around us. Because God's Word is true and trustworthy, believers can anchor themselves in its promises through suffering, uncertainty, and the shifting circumstances of life, calling His faithfulness to mind even when what they see feels overwhelming. As we continually read, meditate on, pray through, and store Scripture in our hearts, God uses His Word to revive our souls, reshape our lives, deepen our love for Him, and mature us into the people He has called us to be. GOD HAS MORE PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRUh2XoKC-RcWEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipknox/

Romans 2:1–11 warns against the danger of judging others while overlooking our own sin. Everyday encounters show how quickly we can make assumptions based on appearances, only to discover we were wrong once we actually know someone's story. Paul reminds us that Scripture is not a weapon for pointing out everyone else's failures. It is a mirror meant to expose our own hearts. Like the Pharisee in Luke 18, religious people can become so confident in their own goodness that compassion is replaced by criticism and humility by self-righteousness. God alone is the perfect and impartial Judge because He knows every heart, motive, and circumstance. Our calling is not to police everyone else's soul, but to remain humble, repentant, compassionate, and willing to draw near to people others might dismiss. Because God has shown us patience, mercy, and forgiveness, we should extend those same things to others. A forgiven heart should stay soft, ready to pray, serve, forgive, and give people another chance while trusting God to judge perfectly.

What gives a Christian courage when circumstances are frightening, costly, or painful? It begins with how we see God. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that courageous faith rests on the character of God. He is sovereign, holy, loving, faithful, all-knowing, all-powerful, and always present. Because God cannot be wrong or defeated, those who fully trust Him can face an uncertain world with confidence and peace. Our view of God determines whether we walk by faith or by sight. Jesus promised that believers would experience trouble in this world, yet Scripture is filled with men and women who endured persecution, suffering, rejection, and even death because they believed God's eternal promises were worth more than temporary comfort. Hebrews 11 remembers saints who refused to abandon their faith even when obedience carried an enormous cost. They did not receive everything God had promised during their earthly lives, yet they persevered because they were looking toward something better—an eternal inheritance secured by God Himself. Following Jesus will cost us something. But courageous faith knows that knowing Christ is infinitely more valuable than anything we could lose. Trust the God who never fails, and follow Him with confidence, whatever the cost. Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times when I have put my desires before Your will and purpose for me. Help me to follow wherever You lead, no matter the cost. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26).  Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon They Were Just like Us, The Warring Faith: LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

God's restoration of Israel reveals His faithfulness and prepares the way for the promised Messiah. Because God always keeps His promises, we must trust Him in the waiting and keep looking for the King.

What is the true face of evil? When exploring what the Bible says about false teachers, we must realize that wolves in sheep's clothing often appear kind and highly appealing to the culture. In this message, Dr. Richard Caldwell explains the vital necessity of recognizing false teachers in the church by using biblical discernment rather than relying on our physical senses or emotional reactions. Because God judges perfectly and evaluates the hidden heart, believers must align their understanding with the biblical view of sin and evil. We are called to practice righteous judgment, cultivating a righteous hatred for false doctrine while maintaining a genuine, prayerful desire for the salvation of the lost.

Because God’s word carries the authority of heaven, obey it quickly and wholeheartedly, even when it’s hard.

Because God's word carries the authority of heaven, obey it quickly and wholeheartedly, even when it's hard.

This sermon explores the question, “What does it really mean to love God?” Through Deuteronomy 6, Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22, and 1 John, we see that loving God isn't about organizing our lives correctly or simply putting Him at the top of our priority list. Instead, God calls us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and strength- allowing our love for Him to shape every area of our lives. Because God loved us first, our love for Him naturally spills over into loving others. Ultimately, loving God isn't about a list; it's about all of life.

In this sermon from Exodus 20, Matt Sikes examines the Third Commandment: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." This commandment reaches far beyond simply avoiding careless uses of God's name. Because God's name is inseparably connected to who He is, believers are called to honor, reverence, and rightly represent Him in every area of life. The sermon explores the many ways Christians can profane God's name—in our thoughts, our prayers and praises, our words about God, our worship, and our outward actions. Taking God's name in vain includes empty or faithless prayer, careless speech, misusing Scripture, speaking falsely in God's name, hypocritical worship, and professing to know God while denying Him by our lives. The Third Commandment also positively requires believers to hallow God's name. Christians should speak of Him with reverence, worship Him sincerely, honor His Word, proclaim His truth, praise His works, and live lives of holiness that match their profession of faith. Ultimately, this commandment drives us to Jesus Christ. Every believer falls far short of perfectly honoring God's name, but Christ never once profaned the Father's name. He perfectly fulfilled this commandment, bore the penalty for His people's sin, and came to make the Father's name known. Through union with Christ, God places His name upon His people and enables them by His Spirit to live for His glory.

In today's homily, Fr. Anthony Gramlich, MIC, reflects on one of the central teachings of Jesus: forgiveness without limits. Because God has forgiven us first, we are called to forgive our brothers and sisters from the heart; not just with our lips. Forgiveness does not justify the wrong that was done, but it frees us from anger, resentment, and the wounds of the past. Fr. Anthony encourages us to make forgiveness a daily practice, asking God for the grace to forgive others as Christ forgives us. This teaching is especially important in a culture where relationships can easily be broken—siblings stop speaking to one another, children become estranged from parents, coworkers hold grudges, and people may quickly reject those who have hurt or offended them. Past wounds can continue to affect our present and future when we allow resentment to remain in our hearts. Fr. Anthony encourages us to make forgiveness a daily spiritual practice. Every evening we can examine our conscience: Did I sin against someone today? Is there someone I am refusing to forgive? We can ask God for forgiveness and for the grace to forgive others, praying with Jesus: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We can bring specific people before the Lord; family members, friends, coworkers, or anyone who has wounded us—and choose again to forgive them. Readings for August 13th 2026: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080626.cfm © 2026 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. All rights reserved. ⭐️ Support our Ministries: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/donate... ✝️ Explore Divine Mercy on Divine Mercy Plus! https://divinemercyplus.org/?source=YT ⛪️ Plan Your Visit to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy! https://www.shrineofdivinemercy.org/?... Follow Us on Social Media!

Midday Prayer Opening O Lord, open my lips And my mouth will declare Your praise. Make haste, O God, to deliver me; Make haste to help me, O Lord.   Candle Lighting   Prayer of Approach (from St. Augustine) Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, to love what is holy.   Psalm Reading - Psalm 117 - NLT (Pentecost) Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For his unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord's faithfulness endures forever. Praise the Lord!   Scripture Reading - Matthew 7:24-25 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.   Silent Meditation on God's Word   As we enter this time of meditation on God's Word, we pause to be still, to breathe slowly, to re-center our scattered senses on the presence of God, and to take a moment of silent prayer to ask the Holy Spirit to speak clearly to us through His Word.   -Pause-   As I read our text for today, listen for one word or phrase that is being spoken by God to you.   Ask yourself: Through which word or phrase is God wanting to speak to me today?   Allow that word or phrase to guide your meditation today. Repeat it over and over in your mind. Let it wash over you. Let it fill you.   Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.   As the Holy Spirit speaks to You today through His Word, take a moment now to pause and repeat that word over and over in your mind as you allow God's Word to wash over you and fill you.   -Pause-   Now we reflect on the word or phrase that God is highlighting for us today.   Ask yourself: What part of my life needs to hear this word from God?   The Spirit has highlighted something in this text for you today. What part of you really needs to hear that?   Here, I will read the text again, and then we will have a longer time of silence to reflect on what God is highlighting for you today.   Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.   Take a moment now to pause and consider: What part of your life needs to hear this word from God today?   -Pause-   Now we respond to God's Word.   As yourself, What is my response to God based on what I have encountered in His Word?   Because God speaks to us all in different ways, your response can also take on many different forms.   Maybe that response is in the form of a prayer. Use this time to thank and praise God. Speak to and listen to Him. Ask Him for something. Allow your prayer to flow from your heart freely and fully.   Or maybe God is reminding you of something. Maybe He's reminding you of your identity in Him. Or of His promises. Or of His presence in your life. And so I encourage you to sit in that reminder.   Or is God inviting you to respond in some physical way to the word that you have heard?   Maybe it's an encouragement to keep doing what you're doing. Maybe it's an encouragement to stop doing what you're doing. Maybe it's an encouragement to start doing something new.   We hear God's Word and respond to it.    Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.   Take a moment now to pause and consider: What is your response to God based on what you have encountered in His Word?   -Pause-   And now we rest in God's Word.   We have read God's Word. We have reflected on it. You have responded to it.   Now we return to a place of rest.    Remember that this rest is not based on your works. It is not based on your response to God's Word. But today and every day, we can rest in God's promises and His presence here with us today.   Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.   Take a moment now to rest in God's promises and His presence here with us today.   -Pause-   Lord's Prayer Our Father who art in heaven: hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven:  Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us:  and lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.   Benediction Eternal Creator of light, Yours is the morning and Yours is the evening. Draw us to Yourself so there will be no darkness within us. Amen. Let us go in peace. Thanks be to God. *Liturgy was compiled using resources from Lectio 365 and Ruth Haley Barton's "Invitation to Retreat."

Have you ever felt lonely and longed for the comfort of a friend or family?Join our Psalms 68-72 Bible study as we explore the tender ways God “sets the lonely in families.” We'll uncover why the heavy lament of Psalm 69 prophesies Jesus' own suffering and how God gives us confidence to trust Him through every stage of life. If you've ever felt worn down by non-stop trials, or life has felt lonely or overwhelming, you're in the right place. Grab a warm drink and join us for this Psalms 68-72 Bible study, as we wrap up Book 2 of 3 in Psalms.In our Psalms 68-72 Bible study, we cover:[3:13] Psalm 68: A Father to the Fatherless - How God tenderly cares for the lonely and vulnerable and why the church could be the answer to the loneliness epidemic.[14:12] Psalm 69: Prophecies of the Cross - How this intense lament predicts the rejection of Jesus, the Temple cleansing, Jesus bearing insults, and the crucifixion.[26:15] Psalm 70 & 71: Rescue for the Worn Out - How to find deep confidence and ongoing hope when you're exhausted by life's recurring trials.[31:48] Psalm 72: The Promise of the True King - How the coronation of Solomon points forward to Jesus as the ideal, eternal King who defends the needy.Psalms Show Notes:Psalms RoadmapPsalms Prayer ListPsalms Playlist on Apple MusicPsalms Playlist on SpotifyPhil Wickham - Psalm 8 (Hallé) [Official Music Video]ACTS Prayer GuideScene from The ChosenGroup Discussion Questions for Psalms 68-72[3:06] Psalm 68:6 says God sets the lonely in families. When in your life have you witnessed God place “the lonely” in a family, whether by blood, adoption, or church community?[14:50] Psalm 69 is fulfilled when people reject Jesus. Jesus warned us the world would hate us because it first hated Him. Have you ever shared your faith and watched someone's reaction turn cold? Or stayed quiet to avoid that awkwardness? How would it build your confidence if you truly believed their reaction wasn't personal but a reflection of their response to Jesus?[26:26] Psalm 71 is the prayer of someone worn out by years of trials who still trusts God to rescue him. Why? Because God has always rescued him in the past. In your own life, what is an example of a time when God has gotten you through a difficult situation, and does that build your trust He will get you through again?Contact Bible Book Club!Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comSocial: Instagram or FacebookWebsite: Bible Book ClubReview Us: Apple Podcast or SpotifyJoin the Fun: DONATE or Buy merchThis episode is part of our ongoing Bible Book Club series, starting with Genesis and journeying all the way through the Bible. Thanks for listening!

The Spanish verb Ignatius used in the Contemplatio, alcanzar, means not "to attain" but "to catch up to," revealing the exercise as an invitation to close a distance rather than reach a static goal. Because God has already been moving toward humanity in love, prayer becomes the act of running to catch up with a closeness that was in motion long before it was noticed.

Why does the Bible emphasize that Jesus is the Son of David? Because God promised David that an eternal King would come from his line and reign forever. Jesus is that King. He fulfilled that promise in His first coming—and Scripture points ahead to its ultimate fulfillment when He returns as King. This message connects the dots of God's covenant with David to Israel, Jerusalem, and the future return of Jesus. The promise God made to David still stands— the King is coming.

Broken leaders are rarely the people we expect God to use most. Our culture celebrates confidence, success, and self-sufficiency. Yet throughout Scripture, God repeatedly chose leaders whose greatest qualification was not their strength—but their dependence on Him. Before He expanded their influence, He first reshaped their hearts. In this episode, Ron Kelleher examines the lives of Moses, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Jeremiah, and Isaiah to reveal a consistent pattern in God's work: He often uses seasons of failure, waiting, weakness, and disappointment to prepare leaders for greater influence. This episode explores timeless leadership principles, including: Why God often breaks self-reliance before expanding leadership. How failure can deepen rather than destroy a leader's effectiveness. Why waiting is often preparation, not punishment. How weakness becomes the place where God's power is displayed. Why broken leaders often lead with greater humility, compassion, and dependence on Christ. Whether you are experiencing criticism, disappointment, unanswered prayers, leadership setbacks, or a season that feels confusing, this message offers biblical encouragement that God may be doing His deepest work beneath the surface. Brokenness is not always a sign that God has set you aside. Sometimes it is evidence that He is preparing you for something greater. Because God is not merely looking for stronger leaders. He is shaping surrendered leaders. #ChristianLeadership #BrokenLeaders #DependenceOnGod #LeadershipDevelopment #Faith #SpiritualGrowth

You don't need more talent, confidence, or permission. You need a revelation of the grace that's already on your life. One of the greatest reasons we strive is because we're trying to carry an assignment God never gave us. In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul makes a profound statement: "By the grace of God I am what I am..." He isn't talking about earning his purpose. He's talking about recognizing it. When you understand the grace God has placed on your life, everything begins to change. Comparison loses its grip. Performance gives way to peace. You stop trying to become someone else and begin faithfully stewarding who God created you to be. Because God never assigns a calling without also providing the grace to carry it. If you're tired of comparing yourself to everyone else and you're ready to become unshakable in who God created you to be, I'd love to invite you into Courage Co. Every month we help visionary leaders make sense of themselves, their faith, and what God is forming in their lives through live teaching, coaching, and a community committed to spiritual maturity. Because confidence doesn't come from becoming someone else. It comes from finally owning who God created you to be. Join Courage Co.: https://julianapage.info/couragecomembership If this message resonates with you, you're going to love my upcoming book, Full Capacity. It's about discovering the unique way God designed you, growing into the person He's forming, and learning to steward your life from His grace instead of striving. Because freedom isn't found in doing more. It's found in becoming the person God already created you to be. Grab the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Capacity-Ridiculously-Without-Limits-ebook/dp/B0GSD3B5GY 

Welcome to The Daily. We are 7 days away from beginning our next book of the Bible. We are moving to the New Testament, 1 Peter. We are going to discover how to live holy in a hostile world. Go ahead and pick up your 1 Peter Scripture Journal now. And if you are a Project23 donor giving $35 or more per month, this has already been shipped to you. So become a donor and partner with us in Project23. Our text today is Hosea 14:1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,     for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. — Hosea 14:1 Some of you need to hear four simple words today: It's not too late. Brother. Sister. It's not too late. To return, repent, start over, and come home. That is how Hosea ends. Thank God. After thirteen chapters of warnings, confrontations, judgment, and exposure, God does not close the book with the last chapter of condemnation. He closes it with an invitation. "Return." Think about it. Israel had chased idols. Ignored prophets. Rejected truth. Compromised with the culture. Trusted false gods. Forgot the God who rescued them. Yet God's final word is not, "Good riddance." His final word is, "Return." That tells us something remarkable about God. He is more interested in your return than your ruin. Some people assume God is looking for reasons to push them away. Hosea reveals the opposite. Throughout this entire book, God has been pursuing people who keep running from him. And we all stumble in our run from God. You may have stumbled into: pride, addiction, compromise, bitterness, greed, spiritual apathy, sexual sin, self-reliance, or years of drifting. But your stumble does not have to become your future. That is why this verse is so hopeful.  God is not asking Israel to pretend that nothing happened. He is asking them to stop running. And to turn around and return. And maybe that is exactly what some of you need to do today. The same God who confronted your sin is the God who welcomes your return. And here is what I love most: God does not say, "Return when you've cleaned your life up." He simply says, "Return," Because he is the one who will clean up your life. He is the one who will wash you clean. What you need to do is return. And you can do that right now. Today. Because God's grace always makes an opening for a person who repents. And if you can still hear God's voice calling you, then he is not done with you yet. So if you have drifted, compromised, wandered, or grown cold, hear the first words of Hosea's final chapter as if God is speaking directly to you: Return. DO THIS: Take five quiet minutes today and tell God honestly where you have stumbled, drifted, or resisted Him. ASK THIS: Where have I been running instead of returning? What is keeping me from coming home to God today? Do I believe God's grace is greater than my failure? PRAY THIS: Father, thank you that it is not too late. Give me the humility to stop running, the courage to return, and the faith to trust that your grace is greater than my failures. Amen. PLAY THIS: "We Repent"

If we can't control what happens in life, how can we trust that God is still in control and that our lives have meaning? Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that life unfolds through changing seasons, often beyond our control. Circumstances change, kingdoms rise and fall, and our plans do not always succeed, but God never changes. God remains forever on his throne. Because God is sovereign (in control with full authority), just, and good, we can trust Him even when we cannot understand His purpose or see what He is doing. Rather than looking to work, relationships, possessions, or accomplishments for lasting fulfillment, we can receive them gratefully as gifts from God. He has placed eternity in our hearts, pointing us beyond this temporary world toward what lasts forever. Therefore, when life does not follow our plans, when our calendar and schedule don't align with God's perfect timing, we can walk by faith, revere God, trust His promises, and confidently rest in His unchanging character.

What do you do when your emotions start calling the shots?Jonah 4 gives us one of the strangest endings in the Bible—and maybe one of the most relatable. Jonah obeyed God, watched an entire city experience God's mercy…and somehow ended up angry, miserable, and sitting outside the city wishing things had gone differently.In the final week of our Jonah series, Pastor Clint looks at what Jonah's story teaches us about anger, disappointment, comfort, obedience, and the danger of allowing our feelings to become our master.We'll discover that our emotions are real, but they don't always tell us what is true. God can use both the things that comfort us and the things that disrupt us to change us. And even when our hearts wander from His, we are never more than one turn away from a gracious and compassionate God.Ultimately, Jonah forces us to ask a bigger question: Do we only want the mercy of God for ourselves, or are we willing to join the mission of God for others?Because God isn't finished giving second chances—and every chance from God demands a choice from us.

Jude 24-25, Our Confidence to Fight for Truth Must Rest in God's Powerful Work Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Adam Godshall Speaker: Adam GodshallSeries: Jude: Fighting for the TruthText: Jude 24-25Theme: Our Confidence to Fight for Truth Must Rest in God's Powerful Work Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Because God is able... One: ...we are kept by steadfast love. Two: ...we will be perfected by Divine promise. Three: ...we are treasured for great joy. Four: ...we should be focused on matchless glory. Five: ...we are governed by sovereign lordship. Now to him who is able...be glory... ~ Jude 24-25

Because God's Word is true and has divine power to change lives, we who lead God's people must proclaim it faithfully and live it exemplarily while keeping it ever before the eyes and ears of our hearers. I. Keep Proclaiming the Truth with Authority v 11 II. Be the Example of the Truth You Proclaim v 12 III. Devote Yourselves to Hearing, Believing and Obeying God's Word v 13

What is God like? How does who he is impact what we do with our lives? In "Now Showing," we walk through some of the attritbutes of God and why they matter for our daily living. In Part 2, Pastor Matt teaches about God's power, presence, and knowledge.Omniscience - God Knows Everything.God possesses perfect, complete knowledge of all things—past, present, future, actual, and possible. Because of this, he knows exactly what is happening in our minds and hearts at any moment. Nothing is invisible to him. While this can be a terrifying realization if we are not right with God, it can also be a comfort. If we reject God, his perfect knowledge means he knows all our wrongdoing. However if we have accepted Christ as our Lord then his perfect knowledge means he is able to comfort us perfectly. He knows our struggles and can help us through them.Omnipresence - God Is Present Everywhere.God is fully present everywhere; there is no place in creation where God is absent. As with the last attribute, this can be a terror or a comfort depending on your perspective. If we reject God, his inescapable presence is cause for trembling and fear. For Christians, his ever-present guidance is a delight. God is always near to us and able to help us in times of trouble. Because of this, we can trust him with our fears.Omnipotence - God Is All-Powerful.God possesses unlimited power and is able to accomplish everything consistent with His nature and will. As has been a consistent theme, this too is either terrible or magnificent news depending on our relationship to God. Those who rebel against God rightly fear punishment, knowing that God has the power to administer it. Those who trust in God rightly rely on his strength to defend and uphold us in our weakness.Because God is Omni, submit your life to Him.These three attributes reveal an incredible binary between those who follow God and those who reject him. On one hand, the one who rejects God knows God's reach is inescapable, that he sees all sin, and that he can punish that sin. The Christian, on the other hand, rests safely in the knowledge that those infinite attributes are on his side. God's power, presence, and knowledge are a comfort, not a curse to the one who trust in God. Will you place your trust in God today?

Because God sets apart His own people for Himself, they can be confident in His Fatherly care for them through all their troubles from those who are not His. Trust in Prayer God Cares for You.

If God is a God of blessing – then what about all the suffering we go through? And anyway, if God does bless, does that just mean a new car and a bigger house?   Does God want to Bless Me? It is just great to be with you again this week and we are starting a new series that I've called "Blessed to be a Blessing". There's some really important teaching going to happen over these next four weeks on the subject of God's blessing. Why is that important? Because I see so much misunderstanding about God and His heart and where He stands on blessing us. There seems to be a couple of extreme positions on this whole subject of God's blessing – two opposite ends of the spectrum, if you like. On the one end, it goes something like this. God wants to bless me, therefore, I should believe Him for the new Mercedes convertible, more money and a bigger house and a big diamond ring. In effect it kind of reduces God down to some sort of sugar daddy: it's all about me, I am at centre stage – I name it and I claim it. And you know something, lots of Christians believe that. Now the problem that I have with that end of the spectrum is that when I take that and I hold it in one hand and I hold the cross of Christ in the other – when I look at Jesus, this Jesus that gave up everything for me; this Jesus who was nailed to a cross, beaten and bruised and brutalised, not even with the clothes on His back – and I compare those two things, you know something, this end of the spectrum over here, jars with that, don't you think? And it leads to some of the worst excesses – the tele-evangelists pressuring people for money and flying around in their private jets. Is that where that should end up? I mean is that what God's blessing is all about? The other end of the spectrum is you have to be poor to serve God. Money is evil. In fact, we just had a phone call, just the other evening, in the middle of the night, someone responding to a program, saying, "money is evil". Well, no that's not what the Bible says. The Bible says, "The love of money is the root of all evil", but money itself isn't evil. "People who are rich are evil." I was talking to a man in India recently. India by and large, is a country of extremes – there is the very rich and there's a large, large number of very, very poor people. And this man was being very critical of a Christian leader who just happened to have a nice house in a nice area. He believed that it was wrong for him to have money. Then I looked at this end of the spectrum – you have to be a pauper to serve God. And then I go to the Bible and I read about Abraham, who was God's chosen man; he was very wealthy. I read about King Solomon, he was very wealthy. Yet King Solomon was still God's anointed leader over Israel. He was full of God's wisdom. Do you see the problem? You go to either end of the spectrum and you take teaching about God's blessing to the extreme and you know, I think you end up with the wrong answer. God is a God of balance and when we look at our lives, what we see is that we go through times of blessing, where there's joy and everything seems to be going well and we all go through difficult times. You see the problem. At one end you can have people getting the extreme prosperity thing in their heads and we can end up thinking it's all about us. It plays right into the hands of the world; it's the me, me, me – the next plasma TV, the next car, the next big thing. If you don't have that, obviously you don't have enough faith. On the other hand, if you have this perception that you have to be poor to be a Christian, well if that were the case, who would ever fund the work of the Lord on this planet? God has always chosen to fund His work through His people. And then on top of the pure monitory thing, there's the reality of tragedy and pain and suffering. I mean some of these things are indiscriminate – earthquakes, tsunamis, a young person who loves God dies of cancer, in a car crash or there's divorce or there's retrenchment or there's all that stuff of life that we all experience some times. Are you with me? So what's God's plan? Does God want to bless me or not? Is it okay for me to ask for His blessing? Is it okay for me to expect His blessing, or is that presumptuous? This is an important question. It is in a sense where the 'rubber' of faith hits the 'road' of life. It's when it comes to faith in God being active, right in the midst of life's realities today, the things we all have to face. We get up in the morning, we pray, we look forward to the day … How do I pray, what do I give thanks for? That difficult situation that's going be confronting me at work today, can I ask God to help me with that? Is God in all of that? That's why we are doing this series "Blessed to be a Blessing". I'm a simple man. I open the Bible, I see what God's Word says on a subject and you know God is largely a God of balance. I love to be empowered with God's Word and hopefully as we share these next twenty, twenty five minutes together we will both be empowered by God's Word. The problem with teaching on blessing is that you just can't take one verse and say, "That's it! See, God is a God who blesses; therefore I can ask Him for the next big car". You end up with an extreme position. Just as if you say, "You can't have any money to serve Jesus. You have to sell everything you have, give it all away", because Jesus did say that to one young ruler. I'd like to look at God's perspective; the whole thing. Is God a God who blesses? Well, let's just start with what we mean by the word "bless"? It has a number of different meanings but the main connotation is God's divine favour – God intervening to make something better or to give us something that will bring us joy or happiness, financial blessing, spiritual blessing, physical blessing, healing, anything and everything. God's divine favour – His blessing becoming active in our lives. The question is, is God in the blessing business? The word "bless" or "blesses" or "blessed" or "blessing", appears three hundred and fifty eight times in the Bible. The first time you see it is in the first chapter of the Bible, Genesis chapter 1, verse 22. Let's go there and have a bit of a look at what God's up to. Genesis chapter 1 is the account of God's creation. He creates the light out of darkness and the heavens and the earth and the oceans and the dry land and the plants. And the first time He creates a living creature, this is what He says: So God created the creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems. According to all their kinds and every winged bird according to its kind and God saw that is was good and God ... Listen to this: ... and God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas and let the birds increase on the earth'. The second time that the concept of 'blessing' happens in the Bible is in that same chapter, a few verses on, verse 26: Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image and in our likeness and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air, over the livestock over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.' So God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him, male and female, He created them. God blessed them and said to them" – see, there it is again – "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth and subdue it and rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over every living creature that moves on the ground.' And then God said, 'I give you every seed bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it, they will be yours for food and all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground; everything that has breath of life in it, I give every green plant for food.' And it was so. That's creation! Let me ask you something – do you think God's in the business of blessing us?   If God Blesses why do we Suffer? So we've looked at God's own account of His creation, Genesis chapter 1. The very first living creatures He creates, He blesses them. He says, "Go and multiply, increase in number and fill the earth." And He creates humanity, man and woman, and He hands the whole of that creation over to them. What an enormous blessing! You and I are joint owners in creation! Why? Because God created us in His own image and then He handed the whole thing over to us. Just stop and think about that for a minute. What a huge blessing! Right at the point of creation, God was in the blessing business. That's profound! And His plan for us was to live in relationship with Him – Adam and Eve. Genesis, chapter 2, verse 15: The Lord God took the man and put him is the Garden of Eden to till it and to keep it. A perfect plan of blessing and as you probably know, Adam and Eve rebelled. They did the one thing that God said, 'don't do' and there were consequences. Rebellion against God always has consequences. To the woman He said, "I will greatly increase your pains in child bearing, with pain you will give birth. Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you." To Adam He said, "Because you listened to your wife and you ate from the tree about which I commanded you 'you must not eat', cursed is the ground because of you. Through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you and you'll eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken – for dust you are and to dust you will return." Enter pain and suffering because humanity rebelled against God. And for the rest of the history of humanity, there are consequences. Now you might say to me, "Berni that is so insensitive. If there's a still born baby, if tens of thousands are killed in a tsunami, if some young teenager is raped and murdered, how can you say that?" Here it is, God made us in His image but when who He is doesn't suit us, we try and remake Him into our image. God is a God of blessing – that was His plan, that's why He put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. But they rebelled and when that happens there is an interruption of blessing, there's an interruption in the relationship with Him. Have a look at it. In Leviticus chapter 26 is a perfect summary of where God stands on this. It's a summary of the old covenant; the relationship between God and Israel. And He lays out the relationship in this chapter. Let's go there and begin at verse 1. He says: Don't make idols or set up a sacred stone for yourselves, don't place a carved stone in your land to bow down to it because I am the Lord your God. If you observe my Sabbaths and have reverence for my sanctuary, I am the Lord. If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commandments, I will send rain in its season and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field will be full of fruit and your threshing will continue until grape harvest and grape harvest will continue until planting and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. I will grant you peace in the land and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid of them. I will remove savage beasts from the land and the sword will not pass through the country. You will pursue your enemies and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. I will look on you with favour and make you fruitful and increase your numbers and I will keep my covenant with you. You will still be eating last years harvest when you have to make room for the new one. I'll put my dwelling place among you and I won't abhor you and I walk among you and be your God and you will be my people. I'm the Lord God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians. I broke the bars of your yolk and enabled you to walk with your heads high. But, but if your won't listen to me and carry out all these commandments and if you reject me and my decrees and you abhor my laws and fail to carry out those commandments and so violate this covenant, then I will do this - I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease and fever will destroy your sight and drain away your life. You will plant seed in vain because your enemies will eat it. I will set my face against you so that you will be defeated by your enemies, those who hate you will rule over you and you will flee, even when there is no one pursuing you. See, God first and foremost is a God of blessing. He wants to be in relationship with His people and He is God – He gets to say this is how it is. And when Israel turned against Him, there were consequences. And you and I both have rebelled against God; we both have turned our backs on God at some point in our lives. I was talking to a man just the other day. He's my own age, he's a good friend of mine and he was talking about his three adult sons. This man had a dream to bless his sons. He's an entrepreneur. He's good at making money. He worked as a team with his sons; he wanted to build a business empire and to see them blessed and their children blessed. But one by one, they rejected him and his plans – they didn't honour their father. They went their own way; they turned their backs on him. It sounds like a parable, doesn't it? This is a true story – a friend of mine. And this is what my friend said to me, he said, "Berni, I really wanted to bless them, I wanted to give to them but now that they have rejected that, in their self-centered, selfish ways, I can't bless them." and it's the greatest sadness of his life. That man is made in the image of God. What he said about his heart to bless his sons is exactly, exactly where God is coming from. God is a God of blessing, but when we reject Him, when humanity rejected Him, when you and I as individuals rejected Him, it interrupts the relationship. And it's in that relationship that we are blessed – that's God's plan. So we've all done that. Can we still go to God and ask Him to bless us?   Can I ask for God's Blessing? I hope that as we have looked into God's Word so far on the program, it's had a profound impact on you. God's heart is to bless us – it's in His very nature. That's what creation was all about. A huge abundant, indescribable blessing from Him to us. But when we reject Him, when we try to reconstruct God in our own image rather than accepting Him for who He is, we interrupt that blessing. It's as simple as that. Now we have all done that, so can we still ask God for His blessing, for His favour, for His grace? Absolutely, because God is a God of forgiveness. I'd like to take you to a place, a prayer by a man called Jabez. Someone wrote a book about this a few years ago and it became very prominent, but this prayer is in the Old Testament. If you have a Bible, grab it. We are going to First Chronicles, chapter 4, verses 9 and 10. It's in the middle of nine chapters of genealogy, you know, so and so begat so and so who begat so and so who begat so and so - nine chapters - riveting! Smack bang in the middle of that God stops and tells us the story of this Jabez. Obviously He thought it was important enough to break this riveting flow of the genealogies. Good stuff, thank you Jesus. Here's the prayer of Jabez: Jabez was honoured more than his brothers and his mother named his Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, "O God, that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory and that your hand might be with me and that you might keep me from hurt and from harm." And God granted his request. Jabez gets called "You're a pain" by his mother. Imagine if your mother or my mother named us that. Not a great start in life is it? Mustn't have been for Jabez because Jabez cried out to God. He cried out to Him in desperation, out of his pain, out of his imperfect life. We don't know much more about him but what we do know is that everybody has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and he rejected God in his life at some point, just the way that you and I have. And in his desperation he calls out to God. You might say, "Berni, how do you know that Jabez rebelled?" Let me ask you, if you're a parent, what's the first or the second or the third word that every child learns? "No!" Isn't it? And God's Word clearly teaches that we all have turned our backs on Him. So Jabez is a fallen man just like you and I are fallen human beings. What does Jabez ask God? "God, that you would bless me indeed." Not just any sort of blessing an 'indeed' blessing; not just an ordinary blessing of God, "I really, really, God, want you to bless me." Secondly he asks God to enlarge his territory. In the Old Testament, land was very important, in terms of blessing. I mean, land is somewhere we live. If you have a house in the suburbs, you might take that for granted. If you happen to live in a Liberian refugee camp in Sierra Leon, where you are listening to this program, you won't be taking land for granted. Jabez asks God to enlarge his territory. Thirdly that God's hand might be with him. What a great blessing that is! And fourthly, that God would keep him from hurt and harm. And listen to what it says, (Jabez is a person just like you and me) listen to what it says next. It says, "And God granted his request." This man put his faith in God and he asked God for a blessing. Once I discovered this prayer, I started praying it regularly, with my own twist. I said, "God, that you would bless me indeed today. I want to see your presence; I want you to be with me. God, that you would increase my borders and my territory. That more and more people would listen to these programs." You know, I started praying that two years ago when these programs were being listened to by a few people on a few stations and now they are listened to by hundreds of thousands, even millions of people in over eighty countries around the world. God answers those prayers. "God that you would send your hand with me that doors would open for the work that we do and that you would keep me from evil that I wouldn't cause any pain." It is just the Lord laid on my heart. The point is we can ask God for blessing. God is a God of great blessing and blessing happens in relationship with Him. When we reject God – listen to me – when we reject God it breaks the blessing. Just like that friend of mine that I was talking about with his sons. God wants to bless you … God wants to bless me and there's a purpose; there's a reason for His blessing. It's not just for us but as we will see over the next few weeks on the program, God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. But right from the beginning, right from the first creature that He created on this earth, He wanted to bless them. And when he created humanity, He wanted to bless them. And when He had a relationship with His people, Israel, He wanted to bless them. And we all turned our backs on Him and so God then gave us the greatest blessing that there could possibly be – He opened the door to a relationship with Him through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. God is a God of blessing. Yes, we go through ups and downs in our lives, and we're going to have a look at some of those things over the next few weeks, but when I open the Bible I see a God who wants to engage, not just with humanity as a whole, but with little people like you and me and His heart is to bless us.

Read OnlineJesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Matthew 17:1–3Jesus' Transfiguration, which we celebrate today, is cloaked in glory and mystery. Only Peter, James, and John were invited to witness the event. One might think that if our Lord were going to do something so spectacular, He would have invited great crowds to ascend the mountain and witness the splendor of His divine glory. Such a public manifestation would surely convince all who saw it that Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of God, the promised Messiah. But that's not what He did. Why not?It is also quite mysterious that both Moses and Elijah were present. These two figures were among the greatest spiritual giants in the history of Israel. Why would they appear and converse with Jesus? And why, when the voice of the Father spoke from the cloud, were the apostles “very much afraid”? One might think that the voice of God would inspire jubilation, not fear.Though we often seek answers to such questions, it is sometimes more fruitful to approach the mysterious aspects of Christ's life not as a problem solver, but in wonder and awe—acknowledging the mystery as something glorious that will never be solved, only entered into with admiration and love. Let us consider these three mysteries of the Transfiguration through that lens.First, consider the great blessing these three apostles received in spending this sacred time with Jesus. They were given a glimpse of His divine glory that undoubtedly strengthened their faith for what lay ahead. Rather than focus on why others were not present, we are invited to stand in awe of the grace shown to them and to recognize that we, too, are invited through faith, contemplation, and the Sacraments to ascend the mountain of prayer and behold the Lord's glory in hidden ways God ordains.Second, rather than trying to figure out why Moses and Elijah were present, consider the Transfiguration from their perspective. They were privileged to speak to the Son of God face-to-face. Both had encountered God on Mount Sinai (also known as Horeb), and now, once again, they found themselves on a mountain, summoned by God, in the Person of the Incarnate Son of God, to behold the fulfillment of all they had proclaimed. It must have been an unspeakable joy to witness firsthand the glory of the One whom they had foreshadowed.Finally, consider the holy fear that overtook the apostles at the sound of the Father's voice. Though fear may seem contrary to joy, this was not fear of punishment but of overwhelming awe before the mystery and holiness of God. It was the fear that arises when one realizes he is standing in the presence of the Eternal. And when Jesus touched them and said, “Rise, and do not be afraid,” He was not dismissing that awe but transforming it into a confident love. The mystery remained, but now it was a mystery embraced.When you read Scripture, do you approach it more as a problem solver or as a contemplative? While both approaches have their place, the contemplative always draws us more deeply into communion with God. Why? Because God is the greatest Mystery of all. He cannot be reduced to concepts or fully grasped by reason alone. We will never “figure out” God; we can only come to know and love Him as He chooses to reveal Himself.Reflect today on how you approach divine mysteries. Receive them not merely with your intellect but with your heart. Savor what He gives, treasure the glimpses of His glory, and remain in humble awe before the mystery. For in reverent contemplation, we are not solving God, we are being drawn into His divine life.My Transfigured Lord, I stand in awe before You—before Your majesty, Your glory, and the radiant splendor of Your divine presence. I rejoice in the great Mystery of who You are. Grant me the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, so that I may enter more deeply into all the mysteries of faith. But above all, fill my soul with wonder and awe, so that I may never cease to marvel at You, now and for all eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: The Transfiguration of the Lord, by Dominicus NolletSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Paul, Jon, and Liz continue their study of how Jesus lives in the world and what we can learn from him about living as God intended for us to live. "Because God loves me so much and has the best in mind for me no matter what, then I want to do what he says. When the Circle of Love is working, it is a beautiful love relationship. For example, a husband loves his wife, and then she loves her husband. You can't tell where it begins, even on any given day. It's a continuous thing, but it always begins with one person. For us as believers, at the heart of it is the Father's love for me in Christ." "Romans 8 is Paul's Mount Everest. It's just magnificent. And it's all on our reception of God's love for us. Because input love, that's faith, comes before output love." "Think of this as the Circle of Love: 'And this is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us and gave himself for us as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.' We couldn't begin with our own love. We have to begin with our Father's love for us."

Welcome to The Daily. We are 11 days away from beginning our next book of the Bible. We are moving to the New Testament, 1 Peter. We are going to discover how to live holy in a hostile world. Go ahead and pick up your 1 Peter Scripture Journal now. And if you are a Project23 donor giving $35 or more per month, this has already been shipped to you. So become a donor and partner with us in Project23. Our text today is Hosea 13:7-8 So I am to them like a lion;     like a leopard I will lurk beside the way. I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs;     I will tear open their breast, and there I will devour them like a lion,     as a wild beast would rip them open. — Hosea 13:7-8 People love the idea of God being loving. Fewer people are comfortable with the idea of God opposing them. But that is because people misunderstand God's love. It is not soft indifference. God is holy. And when people persistently resist Him, reject Him, harden themselves against Him, and refuse every warning He gives, eventually they experience not only His kindness but His opposition. In our text, God is pictured as: Lion. Leopard. Bear. These are not random animals. They are kings of the jungle. Hunters. Protectors. Violent. Protective. They describe the seriousness of what happens when people continue resisting the God who loves them. And this is difficult for many modern believers because we have created a version of God that only affirms, comforts, and accommodates. But the God of Scripture also confronts, disciplines, restrains, and judges because He knows where rebellion ultimately leads. A loving Father does not stand by while destruction consumes His children. That is why this passage should not merely scare us. It should wake us up. And yet, even here, the warning itself is mercy. Because God is still speaking. If He truly wanted to abandon His people completely, He would stop warning them altogether. But Hosea exists because God keeps confronting people He still wants to rescue. And maybe that is what this moment is for you. Maybe God has been pressing on something in your life for a long time: a compromise, an addiction, bitterness, pride, a relationship, a hidden sin, or an area of stubborn resistance. Do not keep hardening yourself. The longer the compromise is defended, the harder surrender becomes. But hear this absolutely: God's confrontation is not proof He hates you. It is proof that He still loves you enough to stop you from destroying yourself. So stop resisting Him. Respond while your heart is still soft enough to surrender. DO THIS: Stop defending one area of compromise or resistance today and honestly bring it before God. ASK THIS: What conviction have I been resisting repeatedly? Where has my heart started growing numb? Am I treating God's warnings as mercy or annoyance? PRAY THIS: Father, do not let my heart grow hard toward you. Help me respond quickly to your conviction, surrender honestly, and trust that your correction comes from your love for me. Amen. PLAY THIS: "Nothing Else"

Jesus never invited people to become more religious. He invited them to be born again. In this message from THE SEND Philippines, Francis Chan teaches from Ephesians 2 and shows that the heart of the gospel isn't self-improvement, it's new life. Because God is rich in mercy, He doesn't simply forgive our sin. He makes us alive through Christ, fills us with His Spirit, and begins transforming us from the inside out. This message is a compelling reminder that following Jesus isn't about trying harder. It's about receiving the new life that only God can give.

Physical hunger is not your only craving. You also possess a spiritual hunger. This appetite also cries out to be fed. Both types of hunger were created by God. Physical hunger can only be satisfied by food. Spiritual hunger can only be satisfied by God.Main Points:1.  You have a longing in your soul for God. Many feel the yearning but do not recognize that it is spiritual in nature. They feel a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction with life. So many people are thinking, “There must be something more to life. What am I missing?”2. In an attempt to satisfy their hunger, they go on a search. Attempts are made to gratify this spiritual emptiness with temporary, earthly things, only to be left with greater hunger.3. So, let me give you the good news. Only Jesus can satisfy our spiritual hunger. Why? Because God designed us in such a way. Only God can fill the void in our souls. A relationship with Jesus is so nourishing and so satisfying that we will wonder why we neglected Him for so long. We will wonder why we bought into the deception of this world that it could offer what we needed.Today's Scripture Verses:Psalm 107:9 - “For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness.”Matthew 5:6 - “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

Kazuto and his wife Migiwa waited with trepidation for the ultrasound exam results. Migiwa’s liver had been failing for more than nine months, and she urgently needed a liver transplant. Kazuto could donate a portion of his liver to his wife, but there was one condition: Migiwa’s heart had to be strong. The last ultrasound had shown slight improvement to her heart. Would it show more this time? To their disappointment, the results were the worst yet. Kazuto shared: “After I comforted my crying wife, I also cried by myself. But . . . waiting isn’t a waste of time because God is nurturing something wonderful . . . while we wait, even though we can’t see anything on the surface.” Kazuto’s confidence in God paralleled that of King David, who wrote, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). Because God is our “light”, “salvation”, and “stronghold” (v. 1), we can trust Him to offer hope amid darkness (v. 3), comfort us during our trials (v. 13), and secure us safely in “his dwelling” (v. 5). When God seems to delay in answering our prayers, we can still put our complete trust in His unchanging attributes. As we bring our heartaches to Him, let’s also instruct our hearts: “Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (v. 14). He is with us and always working for our good.

Grace Upon GraceAugust 2, 2026 • Greg Pinkner • Ephesians 1:3–18This Gospel Sunday, Greg Pinkner teaches from Ephesians 1, explaining that grace is the foundation of the Christian life—extending from before creation, meeting us at salvation, and carrying us into eternity. Salvation cannot be earned through good works because it is entirely God's gift, given for the praise of His glory. While Christians often focus on the grace that saved them in the past, the gospel also promises future grace through the Holy Spirit, spiritual growth, resurrection, and an eternal inheritance with God. Discipleship is the ongoing process of learning to live in this grace, trusting God through sin, weakness, suffering, and the difficulties of following Christ. Because God's promises are secured by His power and glory, believers can have an unshakable hope that there is more grace ahead of them than behind them and that God will faithfully bring them home.WEBSITE: https://fellowshipknox.org/INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fellowshipknox/

Who has the authority to define who we are? In a culture where identity is often shaped by feelings, desires, and shifting opinions, Pastor Jon reminds us that our truest identity isn't discovered within—it's received from our Creator. Because God made us, He alone defines us.In this message from our This We Believe series, Pastor Jon explores the biblical foundation of sexuality and gender through Genesis 1 and 1 Corinthians 6. Our bodies aren't random or accidental—they carry meaning, dignity, and design. As Pastor Jon said, “A mirror can show you what you look like…but it cannot reveal your identity.”He also spoke to every season of life—whether you're navigating questions, carrying wounds, or walking with loved ones—reminding us that temptation is not the same as sin, and that grace doesn't affirm everything we feel; grace redeems everything we surrender. True freedom begins when we belong fully to Jesus.This message is part of This We Believe: Exploring the Essential Truths That Shape Our Faith and Who We Are, a series on the authority of Scripture, who God is, the person and work of Jesus, the power of the Holy Spirit, the purpose of the Church, and our mission in the world.NEXT STEPS:Whether you're exploring faith, growing in your relationship with Jesus, or looking for a church community, we'd love to help you take your next step. Visit zionchurch.com to learn more, plan your visit, and connect with the Zion family.ABOUT ZION CHURCH:Zion Church exists to see the lost saved, the saved ignited, and the world changed. We are passionate in our love for God and relentless in our love for people. We believe Jesus is over everything, God's presence changes everything, and we are called to live on mission together. Whether you're new to faith, searching for a church home, or looking to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus, there is a place for you at Zion.JOIN US SUNDAYS: 8:00AM  |  9:30AM  |  11:00AM LOCATION:1201 Puerta Del Sol, San Clemente, CAFOR MORE INFORMATION:www.zionchurch.comSTAY CONNECTED:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zionsanclementeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/zionsanclemente/YouTube: https://youtube.com/@zionsanclementeSupport the show

How much power do other people's opinions have over your peace? In Luke 12:1-12, Jesus warns His disciples that the fear of people can lead to hypocrisy, image management, and spiritual bondage. AK Kuruvilla explains how fearing and trusting God frees us from the need to control how others see us and allows us to live with honesty, integrity, and courageous faith.• The fear of people becomes a trap when we depend on others to provide our acceptance, approval, significance, love, respect, or security.• The fear of God shifts our attention from managing our image to living faithfully before the One who already sees and knows everything.• Because God values us, cares for us, and gives us His Spirit, we can acknowledge Jesus confidently without being controlled by rejection or opposition.Key Scriptures:Luke 12:1-12Proverbs 29:25Luke 11:42-43Romans 10:9-10Identify the people whose opinions seem to control your peace. Whose approval makes your heart rise, and whose rejection causes it to fall? Ask what you may be believing about God that gives that person so much influence over your soul. Then choose to trust the God who knows you completely, values you deeply, and frees you to pursue integrity. If this message encouraged or challenged you, share it with a friend or family member who may be struggling with people pleasing or the fear of rejection.Bayou City Fellowship Spring Branch Campus | AK Kuruvilla | August 2, 2026https://linktr.ee/bayoucityfellowship

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION“There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.”~Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), Scottish writer “God's goodness is a communicative, spreading goodness…. If God had not a communicative, spreading goodness, he would never have created the world. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost were happy in themselves and enjoyed one another before the world was. But that God delights to communicate and spread his goodness, there had never been a creation nor a redemption. God useth his creatures not for defect of power, that he can do nothing without them, but for the spreading of his goodness.”~Richard Sibbes (1577-1635), Anglican-Puritan theologian “So why did God create? Because God delights to spread His goodness. In other words, He is like a sun of goodness, blazing out with love. God didn't create because He needed to, because of any lack. He created because He was so happily bursting with goodness. God is so overflowingly, superabundantly full of life in Himself that He delighted to spread His goodness. His innermost Being is a sun of light, life, and warmth, always shining out; radiant and outgoing!”~Michael Reeves, theology professor and author “God is wonderfully generous by nature; to give is His delight. His gifts are immeasurably precious and are given as freely as the light of the sun. He gives grace to His own because He wills it, to His redeemed because of His covenant, to the called because of His promise, to believers because they seek it, to sinners because they need it. He gives grace abundantly, seasonably, constantly, readily, sovereignly; the value of the blessings is doubled by the manner in which it is given.”~C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), famed London preacher “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”~Amy Carmichael (1867-1951), Irish writer and missionary to India “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.”~Helen Keller (1880-1968), author and activist “Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.”~Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), Lebanese writer, poet, and artistSERMON PASSAGENumbers 6 (NASB95)24 The Lord bless you, and keep you;25 The Lord make His face shine on you,   And be gracious to you;26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,   And give you peace.' Psalm 67 (NASB95)1 God be gracious to us and bless us,  And cause His face to shine upon us—          Selah.2 That Your way may be known on the earth,  Your salvation among all nations.3 Let the peoples praise You, O God;  Let all the peoples praise You. 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy;  For You will judge the peoples with uprightness  And guide the nations on the earth.                  Selah.5 Let the peoples praise You, O God;  Let all the peoples praise You. 6 The earth has yielded its produce;  God, our God, blesses us.7 God blesses us,  That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.Revelation 7 9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 22 1 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. Matthew 28 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Because God's Word is our sufficient authority, believers must hold fast to it so that we may mature in the faith and be equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 21 teaches that every leader, circumstance, and outcome remains under the sovereign authority of God. Although people may believe their actions are right, the Lord weighs the heart and calls His people to righteousness, justice, humility, generosity, and trust. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains why righteousness is more acceptable to God than outward religious activity, how pride and selfishness lead to destruction, why God's justice is certain, and why true security cannot be found in human wisdom, preparation, or strength. We may prepare the horse for battle, but victory belongs to the Lord. Because God rules over all things, Christians can walk faithfully, pursue what is right, and rest confidently in His sovereign purposes. For more episodes of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/reading-the-bible-daily-with-dave/

Why should God's people remain confident when the world seems consumed by conflict and uncertainty? Amos 1 and 2 remind us that God is always in control, even when the world is filled with violence, injustice, and uncertainty. He sees everything that happens, judges every nation with perfect justice, and remains faithful to every promise He has made. Because God rules over all people and all nations, believers do not have to live in fear. Instead, we can trust His sovereign plan, rest in His faithful care, and find confidence in His unchanging character. As we study His Word, our faith grows stronger and we are better prepared to stand faithfully, no matter what the future brings. During this class Dr. Dean referenced Raymond Ibrahim, a Coptic Christian, who has great insight into Islam. Check out his Substack page.

Send us Fan MailIt is better to be righteous than it is to be right. Therefore, put on the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14b.Hello and welcome to CGM Presents: In the Word. This is Episode 14, Spiritual Warfare Scriptures, Season 14.Our spiritual warfare scripture for this episode is Ephesians 6:14b. Put on the breastplate of righteousness.I attended an event with a group of ladies, and one of the women made the statement. “It is better to be righteous than it is to be right.” I do not recall to whom the statement was originally attributed and could not find the author after researching the quote.Nevertheless, it is a powerful statement which caused me to think about what righteousness means in the biblical sense. Why is it better to be righteous rather than to be right? Because God is righteous, Jesus exemplified righteousness when He was on earth, and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live righteously.My simple definition of God's righteousness is that He always does what is right. He does what is right, holy, faithful, and true. Here are just a few of the over 500 scriptures derived from the root word “righteous” or “righteousness” in the Bible.Psalm 11:7 — “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds.”Psalm 97:2 — “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.”Psalm 119:137 — “Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules.”Psalm 145:17 — “The Lord is righteous in all his ways.”Deuteronomy 32:4 — “A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright ishe.”Daniel 9:14 — “The Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done.”Romans 1:17 — “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith.”Romans 3:21–22 — “The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from thelaw… through faith in Jesus Christ.” God is righteous, and because he is righteous, he expects us to be righteous, and when we are righteous, we are able to wage spiritual warfare more effectively. Let's consider the breastplate of God's righteousness.The breastplate in the military sense was a metal vest that guarded the vital organs, in particular the heart. In comparison, the breastplate of righteousness is the spiritual armor that protects the heart and vital organs from spiritual attacks designed against you. It is your Holy Ghost armor.The Holy Spirit uses the breastplate of God's righteousness to cover your heart from attacks that prevent you from waging spiritual warfare. Whatever you are going through right now, you can focus on the spiritual fight instead of being concerned about other influences because God has your heart covered. Proverbs 4:23 tells us, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."Desiring righteousness will make you want to serve God and be pleasing to Him; being righteous will help you to walk more closely with God. It will make you want to be more like God. We have a tendency as human beings to want to be right. Nobody really wants to be wrong, and it's very difficult for us to admit when we are wrong.Basically, we would prefer to always be right or right most of the time; consequently, because we have difficulty admitting when we are wrong, it could cause us to be puffed up and not be humble. Humility, as we have already discussed in a previous podcast, is important. So, righteousness keeps us humble as well because righteousness takes precedence over being right. So, the next time you want to be right about something, ask yourself the question, is it righteous? If the answer is “no” tighten up your righteousness breastplate and move forward into the next spiritual warfare battle.  Thank you for joining us today. Now, Dr. Charles Wright will close us out with information on how you may contact us and access other podcasts.Until next time.If you want to contact us or comment on this podcast, please visit our website and select www.cgmissions.com/podcasts, where all episodes are available by category in series format. You can see some video and audio podcasts at: www.youtube.com/@cgmissionsinc then select from the video or podcast"Playlist."   CGM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations may be made on our website:https://www.cgmissions.com/donate-here-general-and-wecare/

What you believe about God affects every part of your life. Today, Joel Kim opens a beloved passage of Scripture that displays the Lord's glorious character. Because God is faithful, powerful, and good, we are safe in His hands. Give today to receive Heroes of the Christian Faith, a new hardcover book featuring teaching from R.C. Sproul. You'll also get the companion digital study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Get the Heroes of the Christian Faith ebook and digital study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   Joel Kim is a Ligonier Ministries teaching fellow, president and assistant professor of New Testament at Westminster Seminary California in Escondido, CA, and a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

We are exploring Mark 5:35-42. In this passage, a 12-year-old girl dies while Jesus is on His way to heal her. After the father hears the bad news, Jesus tells him, "Be not afraid, only believe." The main revelation we are going to process from this text is that when we receive bad news about our vision, we are to not be afraid, but only believe. Because God anointing on our life overcomes bad news. __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

Read OnlineEntering and Becoming the House of GodJesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples approached him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.” Matthew 13:36Today's Gospel begins with a subtle yet significant detail: “Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house.” This transition from the public to the private reflects a recurring pattern in the Gospels: Our Lord teaches the crowds in parables, veiling the mysteries of the Kingdom, while reserving their fuller explanation for the disciples in the quiet intimacy of the house. In this context, the house becomes a symbol of the Church—the inner sanctuary where Christ reveals His secrets to those who follow Him not only outwardly, but with humble faith and spiritual hunger.Though the disciples—likely the Twelve Apostles—were uniquely privileged to share this moment with Jesus, in which He explained the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat in precise detail, this sacred setting is not closed to us. Each of us is invited into this “house” through the life of the Church. Though the Apostles were weak and sinful like all of us, they were nevertheless chosen to be the first bishops—visible shepherds who would continue Christ's mission after His Ascension. Through their fidelity, the Word of God went forth to the ends of the earth, a proclamation that continues today through their successors.While each of the baptized is called to proclaim the Gospel in accord with his or her vocation and mission, the bishops—and their co-workers, the priests—uniquely form the spiritual household through which Christ continues to speak with clarity. Through their preaching, governance, and sacramental ministry, the hidden mysteries of Christ's teaching are continually made known. This is not due to their personal merit, but because of the sacred office entrusted to them by Christ through Apostolic Succession. They became the foundation of the Church—the spiritual House of God—in which Jesus continues to minister.Place yourself in this Gospel scene. You, too, are called to draw near to Christ, to enter the house with Him, and to seek understanding with the heart of a disciple. In the Church—this household of faith—the Master still teaches, still explains, still reveals the mysteries of the Kingdom to those who desire to listen.As you prayerfully see yourself in this scene, unite it with your experience of your parish church and other sacred places where God has spoken to you, nourished you, and transformed you. When the Gospel changes us, the Sacraments nourish us, and the Church guides us, it is always Christ who is teaching, feeding, and leading. We must, therefore, learn to see beyond the minister or the building, recognizing Christ's presence, speaking to us and sanctifying us through His Church.Though the Church—the visible presence of the Kingdom of God on earth—is the privileged place where we encounter Christ, each of us, in our own unique way, is also called to be this “house” for others. Because God dwells within us, His Kingdom is present within our souls. Thus, this Gospel scene is not only about entering the house—it is also an invitation to become that house: a dwelling place where others may encounter Christ, hear His Word, receive His mercy, and be drawn into His love through the witness of our charity.Reflect today on this house. First, see the Church as the house in which Christ speaks to you most clearly. Give thanks for the many ways our Lord has spoken to you and fed you in this sacred House of God. Reflect also on your own soul as a dwelling place of God. Believe that Christ desires to use you to bring others into His presence, dwelling within your soul. Give thanks for this gift, and pray that you may be both a faithful disciple within the house and a radiant house of grace for others to enter and meet Christ our Lord.Most intimate Lord, You desire to reveal to me—and to all Your children—the deep and profound mysteries of Your Kingdom of grace. Draw me to Yourself, to Your House of Grace and Mercy, which resides within Your holy Church. Teach me, sanctify me, and form me according to Your holy will. As You make Your dwelling within me, make my soul a place where others may encounter You, hear Your Word, and receive Your grace. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles, by Duccio di BuoninsegnaSource: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Hard seasons have a way of making us wonder if we should take the easier path.In "Where Are You With Doing Hard Things? | Doing Hard Things During Hard Times," we discover that while the world tells us to avoid discomfort, Scripture invites us to embrace faithful obedience—even when life is difficult. James reminds us that hardship isn't something to fear or avoid. It's often the very place where God develops endurance, strengthens our faith, and shapes us into the people He's called us to become.Following Jesus has never been about choosing the path of least resistance. It's about trusting Him enough to obey, even when obedience is costly. The good news is that while God calls us to do hard things, He never expects us to do them in our own strength. Jesus offers His presence, His peace, and His strength to carry us through every season.In this sermon, you'll discover:Why God calls His people to do hard thingsHow we often make difficult seasons heavier than they need to beThe difference between carrying the weight of obedience and the burden of disobedienceWhat it means to take on the yoke of Jesus and find rest in HimHow God meets us with strength when we faithfully follow His leadingThe question isn't whether life will be hard, the question is: Who are you trusting to carry you through it?Because God never promised an easy road.He promised to walk with us every step of the way.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20260727dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.” 1 Kings 3:7 Candor Here’s the setting for today’s Bible passage. The great King David is now an old man. The Lord has just anointed David’s son, Solomon, to be the next king of Israel. At this time, Solomon is about twenty years old. To be twenty years old is to be in a fantastic moment in your life. You’re an independent adult. Your physical and mental powers are at their peak. Countless possibilities lie before you. But this can also be a dangerous moment. For a variety of reasons, it can be easy to presume that you know much more than you really know. And ignorance, coupled with arrogance, can quickly open doors to all kinds of disaster. And so here is twenty-something Solomon. He has just experienced the indescribable thrill of becoming king. What to do first? One of the first things Solomon does is to speak to the Lord in profound candor. “I am only a little child, he prays. I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.” Candor in prayer. To talk to my God without candor is to run the ultimate fool’s errand. He is, after all, the One who has searched me and who knows me. To talk to my God without openly acknowledging my frailties, my weaknesses, my sinful flaws—to talk to him in such a way is not only an insult to him; it robs me of the assurance of forgiveness, comfort, and strength that my Savior purchased for me at Calvary’s cross. Which brings us to the beautiful truth we possess through the power of the good news of Jesus Christ. Because God the Son has lived a perfect life on my behalf; washed my every sin away through his suffering and death, and risen from the tomb, I now have the priceless privilege to speaking to God without fear. I can speak to him in the greatest of openness. I can talk to him in candor about anything. For through faith in the Messiah, I am secure. I am his. Prayer: Lord, through faith in your blood I am secure in you. Move me to speak in candor. 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.

In “Give Me This Mountain,” Ryan Leak asks, “What if God doesn't remove the mountain but gives us the strength to climb it?” No matter what we go through, we can choose our perspective, our posture, and our persistence. Because God is with us, every mountain can be faced. Thank you for partnering with Social Dallas! To GIVE Online- head to our website: www.socialdallas.com/give Make sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE! Also follow us on all Social Media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/social_dallas

PASTOR MARSHALL OCHS | JULY 26, 2026In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Deuteronomy 12-13, which calls God's people to worship Him according to His design rather than adopting the practices of surrounding cultures, emphasizing that true worship flows from wholehearted devotion and ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice. Because God has graciously chosen and saved His people, they are called to respond with lives of complete worship, joyful community, and unwavering faithfulness, guarding themselves against anything that would lead them away from Him.

Because God is sovereign, there is a purpose for your pain. Today, R.C. Sproul considers how Christians should understand suffering and how to respond to it faithfully. Get R.C. Sproul's video teaching series Dealing with Difficult Problems when you donate today. You'll receive the DVD, digital access to all 6 messages, and the digital study guide: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/   Live outside the U.S. and Canada? Request the digital teaching series and study guide with your donation: https://www.renewingyourmind.org/global   Meet Today's Teacher:   R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew's Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Here’s my prayer for you today: May you be led by what is in you, not by what is around you. Because what is around you is loud. Distractions. Drama. Disappointment. Fear. Bad news. Negative people. The invitation to live a small, defeated, mediocre life is everywhere. But daughter of God, you were never created to live looking down. Downcast. Downtrodden. Down in the dumps. Down is not your direction. And here’s how I know: Because of what is in you. Romans 8:9 says, “You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.” Then just a few verses later, Romans 8:15 says, “You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.” Did you catch that? God’s Spirit lives in you. Not beside you. Not near you. Not occasionally visiting you. In you. The mountain-moving, sea-parting, chain-breaking, prison-shaking, death-defeating power of Almighty God lives in you. Let that sink in. Because the enemy works overtime trying to make you forget it. He wants your attention on your failures instead of your Father. He wants your focus on your flaws instead of God’s power. He wants you obsessing over your weight, your money, your job, your house, your image, your circumstances—anything that keeps your eyes off the greatest reality of your life: The Spirit of God lives within you. If you’re consumed by what you see in the mirror, you’ll forget what Jesus placed inside of you. If you’re focused on your problems, you’ll forget you already have access to the power to overcome them. If you’re drowning in negative thoughts, you’ll start believing you’re stuck. But you’re not stuck. You’ve just forgotten what’s in you. The Spirit of God has already given you power to rise. Power to heal. Power to overcome. Power to keep going. Don’t sacrifice your power by entertaining pitiful. I know I’ve done it. I’ve had seasons where I focused more on my problems than my power. More on my circumstances than my Savior. And every single time, I felt defeated. Because when I play pitiful, I stop walking powerful. So let me ask you: Have you been focused on your problems? Have you been rehearsing your disappointments? Have you been sitting in self-pity? Because here’s something I learned a long time ago: You can be pitiful or you can be powerful, but you cannot be both. (Thank you Joyce Meyer.) At nineteen years old, I suffered a massive stroke. I was unable to walk or talk. While I was in the hospital, my newlywed husband kept my family away. He told them I was okay. At the time, I couldn’t understand why my mama and daddy weren’t by my bed. But he understood something I didn’t. Pity would have paralyzed me. Pity would have kept me in that bed. Pity would have convinced me I was a victim instead of a victor. My parents would have given me pity. So my young husband pushed me. He challenged me. He refused to hand me pity. And today I walk, talk, and live whole because I was offered God’s power instead of people’s pity. So why would we choose pity now? Girl, pity never looks good on you. But God’s power? That looks absolutely beautiful on you. Because of the Spirit living in you, defeat is no longer your identity. Mediocrity is no longer your calling. Fear is no longer your master. You don’t wake up expecting less. You don’t settle for surviving. Jesus didn’t die so you could live a little life. He came that you might have life—and have it abundantly. So stop sitting in pity over everything that’s wrong. Not when the Spirit of the Almighty lives in you. Oh no. You have every reason to get excited about today. Every reason to expect good things. Every reason to believe that what stands before you is smaller than the God within you. Why? Because God’s Spirit lives in you. You are not controlled by your feelings. You are not a slave to fear. You are a daughter of the King. And daughters of the King don’t walk through life defeated. They walk with authority. They walk with confidence. They walk knowing who they belong to. So remember this today: Nothing you face is greater than the Spirit within you. You are not helpless. You are not hopeless. You are not stuck. And if you feel that way, you’ve believed a lie that was never yours to carry. Don’t buy what the enemy is selling. A daughter of the King should never settle for the leftovers of a defeated devil. Remember what’s in you. The same power that spoke the universe into existence lives in you. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. The same power that shattered prison walls and broke chains lives in you. The same power that turned water into wine lives in you. That means life is in you. Healing is in you. Freedom is in you. Victory is in you. Change is in you. Hope is in you. Power is in you. So don’t let what is around you make you forget what is in you. The circumstances are real. The challenges are real. The obstacles are real. But none of them are greater than the Spirit of God dwelling within you. That Spirit does not make you a fearful slave. That Spirit makes you a daughter. He brings you into the family. He places a crown upon your head. He declares, “You belong.” So straighten your crown, girl. Life may have knocked you around, but it has not changed who you are. You are chosen. You are loved. You are redeemed. You are a daughter of the King. And the power of Almighty God lives within you. So today, be powerful. Not pitiful. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com