Podcasts about Blessed

SummaryIn this episode of 'All Set for Sunday', hosts Scott Williams and Father Rosko discuss the significance of the Feast of the Epiphany, exploring the journey of the Magi, the gifts they brought, and the spiritual implications of their visit. They also delve into traditions such as chalking of the doors and the use of blessed salt and holy water in Catholic homes, emphasizing the importance of these practices in deepening one's faith and connection to God.TakeawaysThe Epiphany celebrates God's revelation to the world.The Magi's journey symbolizes our spiritual journey towards God.Every encounter with God transforms us in some way.Chalking of the doors is a tradition that blesses homes for the new year.Blessed salt is a powerful sacramental used for protection.The gifts of the Magi hold deep spiritual significance.The number of Magi is debated, highlighting the mystery of the story.Home blessings can be a way to evangelize and share faith.Spiritual experiences should lead to concrete changes in our lives.Traditions like blessed chalk and salt enrich Catholic practices. Chapters02:43 The Epiphany of the Lord07:01 The Magi's Journey and Spiritual Significance11:11 The Gifts of the Magi and Their Meaning15:12 Traditions Surrounding the Epiphany19:25 Chalking of the Doors and Home Blessings20:56 Blessed Salt and Its Uses

A new year often feels like a fresh start, but our relationship with God isn’t seasonal—it’s ongoing and steadfast. As uncertainty, trials, and world events compete for our attention, our hearts can easily drift into worry and anxiety. Yet Scripture promises that peace is available, even in the middle of storms. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that God keeps those who remain steadfast and trust Him in perfect peace. As the new year begins, we’re invited to fix our focus on the Lord, quiet our minds, and trust His promises. Peace isn’t the absence of hardship—it is the calm assurance that God is in control and already ahead of us. Main Takeaways You’ll learn how fixing your mind on God produces peace even when life feels uncertain. Discover why God’s peace is available in trials, grief, and fear-filled seasons. Understand how trusting God’s promises steadies your heart when storms come. Reflect on practical ways to quiet your mind and resist worry through prayer and Scripture. Be encouraged that perfect peace comes from knowing God’s character and trusting His control. Today’s Bible Verse: Isaiah 26:3 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/26-3.html“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Bible Verse References Isaiah 26:3 – https://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/26-3.html John 20:29 (Referenced: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”) – https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/20-29.html Your Daily Prayer Almighty God and Father, thank You for the peace You give that surpasses all understanding. As this new year begins, help me keep my mind fixed on You and trust You even when I can’t see the outcome. Quiet my anxious thoughts and draw me back to prayer when worry rises. Remind me that You are in control and already ahead of me. Strengthen my faith and help me rest in Your promises, knowing that true peace comes from You alone.In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily Scripture-based encouragement. Leave a rating or review to help others discover the podcast. Visit LifeAudio.com for more Christ-centered podcasts. Read more devotionals and biblical encouragement at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Study today’s Scripture and explore devotionals at:BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com Faith, prayer, and spiritual growth resources:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What are the seven sacraments… and why do they matter so much for our life with God?In this video, Steph Salinas walks us through the beauty, meaning, and lived reality of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church and how they root us in God's grace, strengthen us for the journey, and draw us into deeper union with Christ and His Church.Steph shares from her years as a Director of Religious Education, witnessing countless young people and families encounter Jesus through the sacraments. From Baptism to Matrimony, she reflects on what we see—water, oil, vows, laying on of hands—and the invisible grace that's truly taking place beneath it all.Whether you're preparing to receive a sacrament, guiding someone else, or rediscovering the beauty of your own, this teaching will help you see the sacraments not as rituals… but as God's outpouring of love.Check out the rest of our Catholicism for Catholic series on YouTube!

God Is Already Waiting in Your Tomorrow—NO NEED TO FEAR | Blessed Morning Prayer To Start Your DaySUBSCRIBE to catch all the latest prayers uploaded to the Daily Effective Prayer Podcast!For more powerful daily prayers and to connect with the ministry visit:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org© Copyright DailyEffectivePrayer.com  SUPPORT THE MINISTRY: (We are listener-supported)https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/donate/ DO YOU NEED PRAYER? Send us a prayer request right now:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/prayer-request-online/ CONNECT WITH US:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/connectYouTube (1M+ SUBSCRIBERS)X / TwitterInstagram ThreadsInstagramFacebook Daily Effective Prayer™

It's New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1st, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Hindus guilty of 80 anti-Christian incidents on Christmas in India Hindu nationalists attacked Christians across India over the Christmas week. International Christian Concern reports over 80 incidents of violent attacks, hate speeches, and tensions during Christmas celebrations. In one case, a group of children in a Christmas carol procession were attacked, and their instruments were destroyed. Shashi Tharoor, a parliamentarian with the Indian National Congress, expressed “deep concern over the rising fear and anxiety among Christians in India. Sadly, there are attacks on Christians in different places of the country.”  India is ranked 11th on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most difficult countries to be a Christian. Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” China continues massive military drills near Taiwan China carried out massive military drills around Taiwan this week. They were the most extensive war games to date, involving live fire, warships, and fighter jets.  Taiwan functions as an independent nation. However, China claims the territory as its own and uses military drills as an intimidation tactic.  The recent drills came after the United States agreed to an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan last month. Australian church attendance virtually recovered post COVID Church attendance in Australia is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Church Pulse Check 2025 report surveyed 10% of Australian churches. An estimated 1.35 million Australians attend churches services every week. That's up from one million in 2021. It's almost back to pre-pandemic levels of 1.4 million in 2016. First two Trump vetoes In the United States, President Donald Trump issued the first vetoes of his second term on Tuesday. President Trump vetoed the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act. It would provide taxpayer funding to a local water project in Colorado. He wrote, “Enough is enough. My administration is committed to preventing American taxpayers from funding expensive and unreliable policies. Ending the massive cost of taxpayer handouts and restoring fiscal sanity is vital to economic growth and the fiscal health of the nation.” President Trump also vetoed the Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendment Act. The bill would expand the area reserved for the Miccosukee Tribe in Florida. Abortion Pill Rescue Network saved 7,000 babies Heartbeat International reports its Abortion Pill Rescue® Network has saved the lives of over 7,000 unborn babies. Using a progesterone protocol, Abortion Pill Reversal allows many mothers to save their pregnancy after starting down the path of a chemical abortion.  An estimated 79% of abortions in the U.S. last year were done through the abortion pill. However, Heartbeat International is seeing more and more women every year start the reversal process to save their babies.  Proverbs 24:11 says, “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.” Matthew top Bible book studied through Logos platform The Bible study platform Logos released a report on how people around the world studied the Bible in 2025. Listen to comments from Chris Migura, president of Logos. MIGURA: “We saw some incredible outcomes this year. There were over 76 million study sessions in Logos so far this year. Of the 10 countries with the most Logos users, five are non-English speaking. We're thrilled to see that global impact. “We reach new audiences. We're seeing more and more everyday believers -- not just pastors, students or scholars -- doing meaningful Bible study in Logos.” Logos had over four million users across 164 countries last year. The top countries for Logos usage were Brazil, Germany, Mexico, South Korea, and Singapore. The most-studied book of the Bible was the Gospel of Matthew. And the top Bible verse of the year was 2 Timothy 3:16. The verse says, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” Only 31% of U.S. adults plan New Year's resolution And finally, a new YouGov survey revealed the top New Year's resolutions of Americans. Only 31% of U.S. adults said they planned on making some type of resolution or goal for 2026. Of those, the top resolution was exercising more followed by being happy and eating healthier. Spending more time with family and praying more made it into the top 10 resolutions. Close And that's The Worldview on New Year's Day, Thursday, January 1st, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Wishing you and your Victory Couch a very blessed year ahead! Happy 2026! We'll catch you next Thursday for a fresh, new episdoe of The Victory Couch.

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Lonein Lara, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. How do you make an impact on others? Meditate on Acts 11:23-24. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Download This month, Mike and Roger look at using current events in games, and think about what player skills we find most useful as GMs.

(This podcast was previously published on February 22, 2021)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   Jesus said:  John 16:13   Howbeit when HE, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE will guide you into all truth: for HE shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever HE shall hear (from God), that shall HE speak: and HE will shew you things to come.   Jesus says:  14  HE shall glorify ME: for HE shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.   We glorify ourselves when we speak our own ideas and our own opinions.   We glorify God when we share God's Word and those things told us by God's Spirit.   I've found the majority of church people do not want to hear that which God has said and that which God has done.   They want to praise their pastors and other humans.   I Corinthians 2   1  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.   2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and HIM crucified.   3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.   4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:   5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.   12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.   13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.   14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.   *****   Concerning homosexuals and lesbians:  God's views:   Romans 1:26-28   26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:   27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.   28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;   ***   Concerning divorce and remarriage, God's views:   Matthew 5:32 Jesus said:   But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.   - The divorced woman who remarries commits adultery but her husband who divorced a faithful wife is the cause of her adultery.   - The man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.     I Corinthians 7:10-11   And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. I Corinthians 7:39   The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.   Mark 10   2 And the Pharisees came to HIM, and asked HIM, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting HIM.   3 And HE answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?   4 And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.   5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.   6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.   7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;   8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.   9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.   10 And in the house HIS disciples asked HIM again of the same matter.   11 And HE saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.   12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.   Romans 7:1-3   1  Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?   2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.   3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.   ***   Concerning fornication, God's views:   I Corinthians 6   15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.   16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith HE, shall be one flesh.   17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.   18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.   ***   Sins committed by a "brother":   I Corinthians 5   1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.   2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.   3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,   4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,   5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.   6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?   7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:   11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.   12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?   13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.   ***   Concerning those who will not go into heaven, God's views:   I Corinthians 6   9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,   10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.     Galatians 5   19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,   20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,   21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.   ***   Revelation 3:5   Jesus says:   He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before MY Father, and before his angels.     Revelation 22   Jesus says: 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and MY reward is with ME, to give every man according as his work shall be.   13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.   14  Blessed are they that do HIS commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.   15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. ***   If you share your own opinions or opinions of other people, you glorify humans.   But if you share what God says, you glorify God.  

An early Happy New Year, and an early episode to all our listeners! The Frontispiece Four converse with Canopus Hiryu, Apatea, Slagpie, and one another about the Dreamers and their plans, as well as what to do about a captured friend... (Bonus New Year's alternate title in the filename!) Adam is still experimenting with some new editing/production approaches this time, so please let us know what you think of those in this one. As the poet once said… "Blessed are the Landmines" by Brave Saint Saturn. "Augment or Die" is by Emerson Boatwright and Drew Messinger-Micheals. Cover art by Joanne, aka Anything Sews. Visit us on the web at dicepunks.com and on BlueSky & Tumblr at @dicepunks, or email us as dicepunks@gmail.com! Our Patreon is www.patreon.com/DicePunks — backers can gain access to our patron-only Discord, Dice Peeks after-show, and more!

Get the NEW APP - Apple Google PlayFinished, Raised, Restored: When Failure Isn't the End(John 19–21)What happens when you fail God?In this final Listen + Learn episode of the Gospel of John series, Ron walks through John chapters 19–21 — the cross, the resurrection, and the powerful restoration of a fallen leader.This episode speaks directly to men carrying shame, regret, doubt, or the weight of past failure — and reminds us that Jesus doesn't just forgive failure, He redeems it and restores calling.Ron unpacks:“It is finished” — what Jesus actually accomplished on the crossThe empty tomb and why doubt doesn't disqualify youJesus appearing first to the overlookedBreakfast with Peter — and how Jesus restores broken menWhy your worst moment may be the doorway to your callingKey Verses:John 19:30 – “It is finished.”John 20:29 – “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”John 21:17 – “Feed My sheep.”If you've ever wondered whether your failure disqualified you, this episode is your answer.

“Blessed be the LORD, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” (Psalm 68:19) As we come to this year’s end, it is salutary for the believer to think back... More...

If you consider yourself a religious person, boy, have I got good news for you! Recent research indicates that those who consider themselves religious tend to have lower blood pressure than the rest of the population, they are less likely to be obese, to have cancer, to be hospitalized, and they have a 29% greater chance to live longer! And religious people (it says) tend to have lower rates of depression, less suicide, greater sexual satisfaction in their marriage, and overall a greater sense of well-being. What do you know, Jesus was right when He said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness" and "Blessed are the pure in heart" (Matthew 5:6, 8). Lots of good news if you're a religious person, and some very disturbing bad news. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Bad News About Being Religious." That bad news comes through loud and clear and it's in our word for today from the Word of God. It's in Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus is describing some horrible surprises when some religious folks stand before God. Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.'" The unsettling bad news is this: some very religious people will be stopped at the gates of heaven! These are clearly people who know a lot about Jesus...who've done a lot of things in Jesus' name...who are, no doubt, considered to be Christians by the people who know them. Except for one thing - Jesus says, "I never knew you." Somehow, in the middle of lots of Christianity, it is possible to miss Christ. It's possible to be very religious, very involved with Christian things, and to miss Jesus and to miss heaven! How does this happen? Jesus said that what these people missed was "doing the will of my Father in heaven." Well, in John 6:40, Jesus tells us exactly what that is. "My Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life." That's what God the Father wants. That's what He demands as the only way to get into heaven. It's not doing Christian things or believing Christian beliefs or observing Christian rituals. It's putting your total trust in His Son as your only hope of having eternal life. That's the problem with some of us church folks - we're actually counting on our Christianity, our church attendance, our spiritual track record as the thing that will make us right with God. But none of it can do that. That's why Jesus came. Your sins and mine carry a horrible, eternal death penalty in hell; one which can't be paid by any amount of human goodness, but only by Jesus' death on the cross. It may be that for all your years of being around Jesus, of agreeing with Jesus, you've never grabbed Jesus like a drowning person would grab a lifeguard. You've never told Him you're abandoning any trust you have in your religion or your goodness and you're putting your total trust in Him to be your rescuer from your sin. If you've never taken that step, if you're not sure you've taken that step that makes all the difference, would you do it today? "Jesus, I abandon all hope but You. I now come to you totally on the basis of your death on the cross and your resurrection. I turn from my sin to You controlling the rest of my life." I hope you move Him from your head to your heart today. You know what? I'd love to help you make that commitment to Christ and cross that line to belonging to Him. That's actually why our website is there. It's ANewStory.com. Would you go there today?

Describe your 2025. My year and my 2025 podcast releaseschedule can be wrapped up in this Yiddish phrase, “Mann tracht un Gott lacht.” Man plans and God laughs.  Sounds much like Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”I had planned to share a podcast episode each month in 2025.After April, that didn't happen! Listen in as I reflect on God's provision around my work life and my personal life in 2025. Consider the unexpected joys in your year as well as themesses that occurred, despite your hopes or your planning. Where was God while your year was unfolding? That question is worthy of our reflection as we consider the yearahead.Let's talk about a “posture” for 2026. Posture isn't a goal;it's an intention. Especially when life is messy, I've found adopting a posture to be so helpful. Consider your posture for the New Year. I've got an idea toshare, and I hope it encourages you to think about God's presence in your life in the past and the way you'd like to approach the future, knowing he'll meet you in every circumstance…the joys as well as the messes.Happy New Year!Resources:Proverbs 19:21: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2019%3A21&version=ESVInfo about GriefShare: https://www.griefshare.org/Lowen message on Surrender: https://www.wschurch.org/watchMy website: www.lorischlosser.comMy Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lorischlosserspeaksMy Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/lorischlosserspeaks/Blessed in This Mess can be accessed on all major streamingplatforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by James Seawood, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Want to change the world? Meditate on Galatians 3:28. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Morning lessons: Psalms 1, 2; Genesis 1; John 1.  Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, and had not sat in the seat of the scornful.

Hope Church - It's More Blessed to Give than to Receive - 12_28_25 by Hope Church Utah

Our Election in Christ (1) (audio) David Eells 12/31/25 I'm going to talk to you today about our election in Christ. There is much false teaching and many misconceptions in Christianity about the doctrine of predestination, which includes calling and election, yet it's actually been a general power in my life to understand it. It's given me more faith in the Lord and more fear of the Lord. Much of the church, especially in America, rejects and even fights against it. Predestination is opposed by the Armenian doctrine or the “freewillers,” as they are called, but when you look around, you don't see the free will that people say that they have because everybody is serving something. Jesus said in (Mat.12:30) He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. So you are either serving Him or you are serving the devil. (Psa.51:5 KJV) Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Someone who is bound in sin is not free to make a godly choice; the ability to do that comes from God Himself and it's a gift. (Joh.15:16) Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. Although experientially it does seem to us that we chose Him, that just lets you know how easy it is for God to put His will in you. (Joh.15:19) If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. You see, not only did He choose us, but in effect, He didn't choose someone else. Out of the whole world, He chose us. Several years ago, I heard something that has really stayed with me. I was listening to a lady talking to her adopted son, and she was trying to explain this to him. She said, “Most moms and dads don't have much of a choice. They just have to settle for what they get. But we chose you; out of all that we knew, we chose you.” That's the way it is between God and us. He didn't just settle for what came along. God knows how this universe goes on the way it does, and He foreknows the end of it. He's the God (Rom.4:17) … who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were. And He tells us, (Isa.46:9) … for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; (10) declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. He chose us and He put His will in us. He chose us for what we will be; He chose us for what we will become by the grace of God. It was not the will of man that caused us to come to Jesus, it was the will of God. Paul writes (Php.2:13) … it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. And He's been doing that since before our Christian beginning. (Joh.1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he the right (The Greek word there is exousia and it means “authority.”) to become children of God, [even] to them that believe on his name. You need to have authority to become a child of God, and only God gives authority to everyone who believes on His name because faith is a gift of God. (Joh.1:13) Who were born, not of blood (Our new birth is not like the Israelites, who had to be born into a family who made them a part of the Covenant.), nor of the will of the flesh.... Now, nothing in our flesh causes us to come to God. (Rom.8:7) Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. Our flesh is the enemy of God, and you would never choose to come to God, especially when you were totally bound in sin. The only One who could set you free is Jesus. (Joh.8:36) If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Back to (Joh.1:13) Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. This choice to come to God was no part of man; it came from God. God put a holy choice in an unholy person. If we had gone on doing our own will, our will would have always led to sin and to never serving anyone else but ourselves. It was God who reached in from the outside and put a will in us to come to Him. Romans 9 is one of the most avoided chapters in the Bible because of all the false teaching coming from the pulpits. People read Romans 9 with their preconceived ideas from their religion, so they can't understand it. If you drop all that and just read what it says, you will be able to understand it. (Rom.9:6) But [it is] not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel (The same thing can be said about the Church.): (7) neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (8) That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed. (Rom.9:9) For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. (10) And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac– (11) for [the children] being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth, (12) it was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (13) Even as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. Before any of their works Jacob was chosen. The doctrine of Arminianism says that God foreknows the future, and He predestines according to what He foreknows is going to happen or what we will do in the future. This is ridiculous when you think about it. If it was foreknown to happen anyway, why would He have to predestine it? “Predestine” or “foreordain” are two translations of the same Greek word proorizo, which means “to decide the destiny before it comes; to ordain the destiny before it comes to pass.” It doesn't mean that God looked ahead and saw what was going to happen and who would do good. Salvation would have been by works. Truly, God already knows what's going to happen because He does not dwell in time. Jacob didn't always do good but God chose him for what He would make out of him. Remember, God speaks the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). (Rom.8:29) For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained (or “predestined”) [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. That means those whom He knew before the creation, He ordained at that point, so it's not because of their works. It's not based on whether they had done anything good or bad as we just saw. I did a diligent search when I first discovered this in the Scriptures. I decided I was going to be open-minded, and I was going to see what the Bible really had to say about the subject. I wanted to see why God chose me. So I searched and I searched for the reason why God chose me above someone else and I found out, (Eph.2:3) Among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. You see, there is no reason, physically speaking, why God would choose one person over another. I discovered that one “dirt” is just as good as the next “dirt.” It's not the dirt that counts; it's what you are sowing in it. God is interested in creating the spiritual man, which has nothing to do with your old life. The new life is born-again from above and that's the spiritual man. The spiritual man, who is created in the likeness of Christ, is born of the Word. He's born from above and has nothing to do with the old nature. I was looking for a reason why God would choose me above someone else and found there is no reason. (Rom.9:21) Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? God claims the right to make whatever vessel He wants out of this same lump of clay. That means there was no difference in our natural life that caused God to choose us above anybody else. (Rom.9:14) What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. (15) For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. (16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that hath mercy. After we are born again, I think God spends a lot of time teaching us that it's not by our willpower. We try to save ourselves by our willpower and it doesn't work. We eventually learn that we are to walk by faith, or we won't receive what we're looking for. Some people think grace starts after you choose God, but it starts before you choose God. Otherwise, you wouldn't choose God. (Eph.2:8) For by grace (This is the Greek word charis and it means “unmerited [or unearned] favor.”) have ye been saved.... It's not that you are saved but that you have been saved. The ancient manuscripts and the Numeric text both say this, but the KJV says, “are saved.” No, you were saved, and it was by grace. (Eph.2:8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God. So, since we were saved by grace and it's a gift of God, that doesn't give us a reason to look down on anyone else, does it? And it doesn't give us a reason to condemn anyone in the world. It's strictly a gift from God and this gift is given to us (Eph.2:5) Even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.... When Christ was resurrected is when He “made us alive together with Christ.” (5) … (by grace have ye been saved), (6) and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly [places,] in Christ Jesus: (7) that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (And now, we are the benefactors of this grace that was given in Christ 2,000 years ago. The people who were saved, were saved 2,000 years ago. People who are manifesting salvation now were saved then.): (8) For by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; (9) not of works, that no man should glory. Nobody will be able to brag about this salvation. We are depending upon God now as much as we were then. We have to cry out to God to give us grace to be obedient and to serve Him. He says in (Joh.15:4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. God prepared the works of His Chosen. God wrote your name in the Book of Life from before the foundation of the world (Psalm 69:28; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 20:12). Manifestly, it's being written in the Book of Life when you come to God, but your name was written from before the foundation of the world, just as God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” (Eph.1:4) Even as he chose (This is the Greek verb eklego of the noun eklektos and it means “I pick out for myself, choose, elect, select.”) us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love. God chose us in Him and that means He didn't choose all. Some of you are probably asking, “But what about the ‘calling'?” I was told that God's call goes out to the whole earth to bring people to Christ. Well, that's just not true. I looked up every verse in the New Testament about “calling,” and that word is not used that way at all. (2Ti.1:9) Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal. Notice it says here, “who saved us, and called us.” According to the doctrines of most religions, we are called and then saved; however, this invitation is to Christians only. The Greek word for “called” here is kaleo and it means “invitation.” We see in the parables of Jesus that only His people are kaleo, or “invited,” to partake of the Marriage Feast (Matthew 22:1-14; Revelation 19:9). Every place in the Bible where the word kaleo is used, everyone who was called came to Christ. They were already a Christian. When we go out and call (or invite) people through the Gospel to come to Christ, some accept and some don't, and we're finding out that those who accept are those who have His calling and the others do not. (Eph.1:18) Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. So He saved us, then He called us and we're going to see that all the called are not necessarily going to be chosen, but all the elect will be chosen. (Mat.22:14) For many are called, but few chosen. The word “chosen” there is the same Greek word used above; it's the word eklektos, and it means “elect.” The difference between the called and the elect is that all of the elect are called, but not all of the called are the elect. Those who are saved have an invitation to partake of all of Jesus. As Christians, we are called to partake of His body and blood, which is His nature, His character and His power. The world cannot partake of that invitation; it's not even extended to them because this invitation is a Covenant offering. (Rom.10:20) And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me. That shows the power of God because we did not seek Him. That shows we were not seeking Him when we found Him. It was Jesus Who came for His lost sheep. (Luk.19:10) For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost. We were the lost sheep. Think about the conversion of Apostle Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-30), You say, “God can save anybody!” God went to extremes in order to make Paul His child and His emissary to the world. Truly, God can save anybody He wants to, and He will. We didn't seek Him and the Gentiles didn't seek Him. (1Co.4:6) Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not [to go] beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other. (7) For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? Why should we be puffed up about our salvation? What do we have that we didn't receive? Nothing. We think that we chose Christ. Some people look upon the lost and wonder why they cannot understand what's being said. They're thinking, “Why won't the lost be reasonable?” In a way, they're condemning the lost because they don't realize that only by the grace and mercy of God did they receive what they have. When you understand that you can't convert anybody by your works, you know to first go to God. By your works, you can fill up churches, but you can't convert anybody that way. Salvation is a gift from God. (Rom.11:35) Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? Everything comes from Him. There is nothing that God is ever going to owe anybody. (36) For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him [be] the glory for ever. Amen. Everything came from Him and everything is going back to Him. It didn't come from us and this takes away all room for pride. The first choice we made for God, the first desire we had for God, didn't come from us. It came from Him, and He can put that in anyone. This takes away all reason for pride because it's totally, 100% by God's grace. A good example is (Psa.65:4) Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee,] That he may dwell in thy courts.... The choice comes from God first. He causes us to approach unto Him and dwell in His courts. Salvation from the curse in every form has already been given to us by faith. We need to pray to God to give us the grace to be what we need to be. (Joh.10:16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring (Notice that Jesus is talking about doing this in the future. These sheep weren't saved yet because He said, “I must bring.”), and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd. In the days ahead, we are going to see that one flock and one shepherd, but when we study Ezekiel 34, we find that the Lord talks about how His flock was spoiled by shepherds who were doing their own will. (Eze.34:2) Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel (a type of the Church), prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord God: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep? (3) Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep. (4) The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them. The Lord says that He is going to take all those fruitless shepherds away, and He, Himself, has promised to personally be the Shepherd of His flock. (Eze.34:11) For thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. (12) As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (13) And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country. (14) I will feed them with good pasture; and upon the mountains of the height of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie down in a good fold; and on fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. (15) I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God. (16) I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice. So, the Lord is going to have physical shepherds to do this. They will be men who are vessels through whom the Spirit of the Lord is going to flow, and they will not be doing their own will. In that way, God is going to have one flock and one shepherd. But the point I want you to see here is that when Jesus says, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold,” these are people in the future who are going to come because they were given to Him back then; you belonged to Jesus back then. (2Ti.1:9) Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal. Some people think, “Okay, I'm predestined and there's nothing I have to worry about. I can just sit back and take it easy.” They are justifying their doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” They don't understand that God has methods to predestine. He uses those methods to predestine, and if you ignore His methods, you will not be predestined. Calvin and Luther, the people who made predestination famous, were accused of believing “once saved, always saved,” but that's not what they believed. They taught God's methods of predestination and here's one of them: Jesus said, (Joh.10:26) But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep. The people who didn't believe Jesus were not His sheep. (27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.... Jesus' sheep have ears to hear. They hear and they follow, and the rest do not. If you teach only what Jesus taught, you will be able to recognize those who are His sheep and those who are not. Those who do not hear are the self-willed. They're going to be like the son of perdition who sits in the temple of God. (2Th.2:3) Let no man beguile you in any wise: for [it will not be,] except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, (4) he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God. He is his own God for he does his own will. We've seen that here with the Unleavened Bread Bible Studies. Some people have their own ideas and as long as we adhered to the Scriptures, they just left, which needed to happen. If it wasn't that way, a little leaven would leaven the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9). Jesus said, (Luk.12:51) Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division. And the way He came to bring division was to use the Word like a sword. (Eph.6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And so He says, (Joh.10:27) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. You probably recognize that verse the “once saved, always saved” crowd uses to justify their doctrine, but Jesus is talking about His sheep. “No one shall snatch them out of my hand” and no one can snatch them out of His hand. These are the elect; they are the chosen of God. It's not possible for them to be snatched out His hand because they hear and they follow. (Jas.1:18) Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. By His will, not our will, He brought us forth by the Word of truth. His method is to give you the gift of ears to hear the Word of truth (Deuteronomy 29:4; Matthew 13:15; Romans 11:8; etc.) In the latter days of Israel, having ears to hear is what separated those Israelites who were going into the New Testament from those who would not. And in these latter days of the Gentile Church, having ears to hear is once again separating between those who are going to go on with God and those who do not belong to God. Those who are not part of the elect are going to be drawn aside. (Joh.8:31) Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him ... (43) Why do ye not understand my speech? It's amazing to me how sometimes people just can't understand you when you are saying something very simple, but if they have ears to hear, they understand, and if they don't have ears to hear, they can't understand. Now, sometimes, because of someone's age in the Lord, their understanding may not be very deep; however, anyone who knows God should be able to understand the basic principles. (Joh.8:43) Why do ye not understand my speech? [Even] because ye cannot hear my word. They didn't have the gift of ears to hear. (44) Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do.... I've learned that most people have a blockage for why they don't hear. I know because it's happened to me when I was young and had a false doctrine. To the extent that someone clings to a pet doctrine, to that extent they won't hear and they won't believe anything that challenges their doctrine. Then also there can be a bigger blockage. (47) He that is of God heareth the words of God: for this cause ye hear [them] not, because ye are not of God. That's how God divides between the sheep. People who don't hear the Word of God, people who don't put the Word of God before their own thinking and their own religion, they are not of God. That's how Jesus discovered who was of God, and it's still the same today. Jesus says in (Joh.13:17) If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them. (18) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen (This is again the Greek eklego, which is the verb of the noun eklektos, and it means “I pick out for myself; choose, elect.”): but that the scripture may be fulfilled: He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me. Jesus knew whom He had chosen, and He knew Judas was going to fall away. Judas was “called,” kaleo, but he was not “elect,” eklektos. (Joh.6:70) Jesus answered them, Did not I choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil? (71) Now he spake of Judas [the son] of Simon Iscariot, for he it was that should betray him, [being] one of the twelve. Jesus understood that Judas was a son of the devil, yet He chose him to walk among the 12. (Joh.13:18) I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen.... He went on to explain that He was not speaking of Judas, who never had ears to hear. (Joh.6:63) It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who it was that should betray him. (65) And he said, For this cause have I said unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it be given unto him of the Father. Let me point out to you that it's not who receives the call and starts out with you who is chosen; it's who is still with you at the end. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world.... John is talking about leaving Christianity. (1Jn.2:18) Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. “They” here is referring to antichrists. The Beast is antichrist in the world, but antichrist in the Church is this son of perdition. (2Jn.7) For many deceivers are gone forth into the world, [even] they that confess not that Jesus Christ cometh in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. (8) Look to yourselves, that ye lose not the things which we have wrought, but that ye receive a full reward. (9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. So it's not “he who began with you” who is chosen; it's “he that abideth in the teaching.” Some people say they love the Word and seem very eager to study the Word, but there comes a point where they decide not to go any deeper, usually because it comes against their flesh. You know, lost people like knowledge. They like knowing things that other people don't know because it gives them a reason to be puffed up. The son of perdition likes knowledge, but when it comes to knowledge that demands a change in their life, that's where those people start filtering out, as the Bible says: (1Jn.2:19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but [they went out,] that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us. (2Jn.9) Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. “He that abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God.” This is saying you have to be obedient to have the Father and the Son. Antichrist are those who go out from among you and are denying the Father and the Son because they are not obedient to the Word. Remember that Jesus said, (Joh.14:15) If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. (23) Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. That's not a promise to those who are disobedient or to those who start out and don't finish the course. That's a promise to those who endure until the end. (Mat.24:13) But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (1Co.1:23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; (24) but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. People who are called understand the wisdom of the Gospel, but to the rest, it's foolishness and a stumblingblock. You may preach the Gospel to somebody today, and they won't come, but they might come later on because the right foundation was finally laid and the right timing has finally come. Just because someone doesn't accept the Gospel today doesn't mean that they're forever lost but only the called are going to come. Only the called have salvation. A good example of that is, (26) For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called:].... It's not many who are called to begin with. The calling is not to all. The calling is internal; the calling is a gift from God to those who are saved. The Bible never says all are called. Everything in this world was created for the purpose of manifesting sons of God and everything that Paul did was toward that purpose. He said in (2Ti.2:10) Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. God called His Son out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1), but then He tried Him in the wilderness to find out who was going to go on to the Promised Land. Those who went on into the Promised Land were God's elect. His whole purpose was for the elect, not for those who fell away in the wilderness. You see, God's grace has been given to all those who are called, but it's the elect among the called who are going to take advantage of it and that's the difference. Paul dealt with many, but everything he did was for the few, the elect. God used Paul to fulfill His purpose. (Joh.6:37) All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. You will know those who the Father gave to Jesus because they shall come to Jesus. This is very interesting because the phrase “come to me” is used many places in Scripture. Jesus told the Jews in (Joh.5:39) Ye search the scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of me; (40) and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life. That was obvious about most of the Jews then, who totally rejected everything that Jesus said. And it's obvious about those people today who reject everything that Jesus said, but did you know that some of those people who walked with Jesus, even as disciples, wouldn't come to Him? (Joh.6:66) Upon this many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Notice: 666. Only Father can cause a person to come to Jesus: (Joh.6:39) And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. (40) For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (44) No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It's not possible for anyone to come unto Jesus, except the Father draws them. It is possible for them to come to church and to believe many doctrines. They can go to an altar and accept Jesus as their Savior, even though we don't see anything in the Scriptures about that. But people will not come unto Jesus unless they are drawn by God.

(47) Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed Are the Persecuted

This is the time of year when we often say, “Merry Christmas”and “Happy New Year.” Christmas has already passed, and now we are preparing tobegin a new year. I'm not so sure that “Happy New Year” is always the bestexpression, because happiness, for the most part, is based on happenings. Ifeverything goes well—if things turn out the way I want them to—then I'm happy.If something happens that I don't like, then I'm unhappy. What we really oughtto say is, “Have a blessed New Year.” Jesustells us what it means to be blessed in Matthew 5. “Blessed are the poor inspirit. Blessed are the meek. Blessed are the pure in heart. Blessed are thepeacemakers.” He gives us about eight “blesseds.” What He is teaching us isthis: when you are blessed by God—when you do what you ought to do in the powerof the Holy Spirit—you will experience true happiness. You will have joy inyour heart. Why? Because you are trusting the Lord with every area of yourlife. To be truly blessed is to have God's smile on your life and even in thetough and difficult times you know the God has your back and that all thingswill work together for good (Romans 8:28).  Thatkind of life happens as we discipline ourselves as disciples of Jesus Christ todo the right things. That is why we are talking about 1 Timothy 4:7, where Paulwrites to Timothy and says, “Have nothing to do with worldly fables fit onlyfor old women.” In other words, don't waste your time with worldly stories,distractions, or ideas that have no lasting value—and often aren't even true.We can get so distracted by what's going on socially, economically, orpolitically. Paul says, Don't give your time and attention to those things. “Onthe other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. For bodilydiscipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for allthings.”We want to talk about what it means to be disciplined for the purpose ofgodliness. As we said yesterday, discipline means that you go to the spiritualgym, so to speak. You put yourself in the pathway of God's grace. You do thethings that build spiritual growth in your life. You establish a foundation forliving each day by doing what you ought to do, rather than simply what you feellike doing. My friend, that takes discipline to be in the Word of God. TheApostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 2:3-6, told Timothy to be a good soldier of JesusChrist. That speaks of the discipline of a soldier. Then he goes on to talkabout an athlete—how an athlete trains and disciplines himself in order to winthe prize. He also speaks of the discipline of a farmer—a hardworking farmerwho gets up early, sows at the right time of year, and does what he may notalways want to do, but must do if he is going to reap a harvest in the fall.  Myfriend, that is description of the Christian life that pleases the Lord. Wedon't do this in our own strength. We do it in the strength and power of theHoly Spirit and by the energy He supplies as we set our hearts on pleasing Himand doing what is right every day. Yes,physical exercise profits a little. It is good to eat right and to exerciseproperly. But my friend, it is far more profitable to pursue godliness.Godliness affects our relationship with God. It shapes our character. Itinfluences our relationships with others. It impacts our peace, our wisdom, andour joy—and ultimately, even our eternity.  Noticethat Paul says godliness holds “promise for the present life and also forthe life to come.” It matters now, and it matters forever. When youdiscipline yourself for this purpose, you are not only living to please theLord today—you are living with eternity in view. Your sights are set on heaven,on the day when you will stand before the Lord and hear, “Well done, thougood and faithful servant.” 

What do you do when you see a leader, a parent, or a spiritual covering in a moment of weakness? In this prophetic teaching, Dr. Delisa Rodgers unpacks the sobering revelation behind Noah's nakedness and the son who chose exposure over honor. This is not a story about sin alone. It is a story about discernment, restraint, and the spiritual consequences of how we handle vulnerability. This episode reveals why Ham exposed Noah, what was really operating beneath his actions, and why dishonor produces generational fallout. You will learn the difference between access and assignment, revelation and rebellion, and why some people are trusted to cover while others are exposed for exposing. This episode is a warning and a wisdom key for leaders, sons, daughters, and anyone navigating proximity to an anointed life. If you have ever struggled with how to respond when you see flaws in people God is using, this teaching will reset your understanding of covering, honor, and spiritual responsibility. This is not gossip. This is discernment. This is about protecting what God is restoring. Blessed by this message, check out The Prophet's Recovery. Available everywhere

December 31, 2025Today's Reading: Luke 12:35-40Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 60:1-22; Luke 1:39-56“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes…You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:37, 40)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Awake and ready! These are the words our Lord Jesus uses to describe the mission of His disciples, you and I included. In other words, Christ Jesus has served us with His everlasting love and mercy given on the cross, and He has summoned us to Christian vigilance. How different it is in the world on this day they call “New Year's Eve.” The past is drowned in licentiousness and over-indulgence in libations, the future is ushered in with revelry, and the next day brings the same old-same old. The same sinner led astray by the same sins and the same empty promises. Christian vigilance is different, though; it is a sanctified sobriety! When we hear the word “sober,” it's easy to think it means somber, overly serious, or no fun. But go back to those words of our Lord, “Awake and ready.” To be awake means your eyes are open; open to the truth of the Gospel, open to the truth of what is pleasing in the sight of the Lord, and open to the joy of eternity with Christ. You are not lulled with the sleep of sin or the numbing pleasures of a passing era because your eyes are on the splendid promise of Christ Jesus. To be ready means that your eyes are not only opened, but you are dressed in your baptismal identity as servants of righteousness. Your belt tightened, your lamp of faith lit, and your hands ready to serve Him in the places He has given you responsibility. Jesus is not calling us to earn our salvation in watchfulness, but to live as those who by grace, belong to Jesus the master, and to live as those who know the joy that is coming. For when the Master returns, it is He who will dress Himself in action and serve us. This passage is not just a warning; it is a joyful promise of what is to come. He will serve us with resurrected bodies. He will serve us by gathering us unto His presence forever. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.“Wake, awake, for night is flying,” The watchmen on the heights are crying; “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!” Midnight hears the welcome voices And at the thrilling cry rejoices; “Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?” The Bridegroom comes, awake! Your lamps with gladness take! Alleluia! With bridal care Yourselves prepare To meet the Bridegroom, who is near.” (LSB 516:1)Author: Rev. Matthew Synnott, associate pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois.Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN.Work through the first ten chapters of Matthew and learn more about who Jesus is. As you move through this study, you'll ponder the theological, practical, and historical considerations of the text. With ample room for personal notes, this study will have you feeling confident in your understanding of Matthew's Gospel. Matthew 1:1-11:1 of the new Concordia Commentary Bible Study Series is available now.

What should believers expect as we exit 2025 and prepare to enter 2026?In another special holiday episode, Pastor Rod Parsley and Ashton Blaire reflect on the past 12 months and share their excitement for the turn of a new year. Our hosts discuss whether they believe in New Year's resolutions, what significant events of 2025 changed them (including what wasn't on their “bingo card”), as well as the importance of both the mountaintop AND the valley. This episode will encourage you to praise your way out, through, and TO the new year that's ahead; reminding you always to trust the same God that delivered you before, because He'll do it once more. He's brought you a mighty long way, so celebrate! Happy 2026!!!

Trust God's Hand—You're His Masterpiece In The Making | Blessed Morning To Start Your Day With GodSUBSCRIBE to catch all the latest prayers uploaded to the Daily Effective Prayer Podcast!For more powerful daily prayers and to connect with the ministry visit:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org© Copyright DailyEffectivePrayer.com  SUPPORT THE MINISTRY: (We are listener-supported)https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/donate/ DO YOU NEED PRAYER? Send us a prayer request right now:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/prayer-request-online/ CONNECT WITH US:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/connectYouTube (1M+ SUBSCRIBERS)X / TwitterInstagram ThreadsInstagramFacebook Daily Effective Prayer™

Have you been avoiding confrontation in order to keep the peace? God calls us to MAKE peace. Jesus confronted the thing that an entire city avoided to keep the peace, so that He could MAKE peace. What is it in your life that you need to confront so you can have true peace?  PRE-ORDER HOLY GHOSTED HERE! https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Ghosted-Teaches-Surviving-Spiritual/dp/1636415431    Monologue: Autumn recaps the year and all of its high peaks and low valleys.    Message: Autumn encourages believers to decide to do what has to be done in order to make peace, rather than to live uncomfortably for the “sake of peace.”    Question: “Santa Claus… How do you talk about it as a Christian who doesn't want to take away from Jesus?” Bible References Matthew 8:28-34, 5:9 Links from the show BOOKS: www.autumnmiles.com/resources SPEAKING: www.autumnmiles.com/speaking MERCH: autumnmiles.square.site   If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the show, send us an email at hello@autumnmiles.com   If you have a suggestion for the ministry, a question for Autumn, a testimony to share, or other inquiry for the Autumn Miles Ministries, click here and fill out the form, or send us an email at hello@autumnmiles.com    Join us on social media! Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheAutumnMiles/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/autumnmiles/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AutumnMiles   Click here to join our weekly and monthly newsletters and get updates on our podcast and exclusive content!   If you feel led to give to the Autumn Miles Ministries, click here to donate. Thank you for supporting Autumn Miles Ministries! 

Start your new year with hope that goes beyond new diets, fitness programs, and the relentless pursuit of body perfection. In this heartfelt episode, host Heather Creekmore sits down with her former client, Lesley, to share her transformative journey from food and body image bondage to genuine spiritual and emotional freedom. Lesley spent years as a health and wellness coach, tracking every calorie, restricting food, and chasing a number on the scale—all while struggling with her own body image issues. She candidly shares how these patterns began in grade school, persisted into adulthood, and continued even as she helped others pursue their health goals. Despite her expertise, she found herself trapped by obsession and shame surrounding food, weight, and self-worth. Through Heather Creekmore's Body Image Freedom Framework, Lesley began to untangle the deep connection between identity and body image. Her story is honest about the challenges—grief, fear, letting go of control, and even stepping away from her coaching business—but it's also filled with hope and victory. Lesley discovered that true freedom came not from changing her body, but from changing her beliefs, surrendering her idol of body image, and learning to trust God’s gentle guidance through all the lows and highs. In this episode, you'll hear: How body image struggles often start early and shape identity The dangers of moralizing food, restriction, and attachment to the scale The life-changing power of shifting focus from external rules to internal cues and grace The role of faith and community in healing, surrender, and practical recovery How Lesley found peace, joy, and presence in her body—without chasing weight loss goals If you’re tired of repeating the same health resolutions and want lasting change, this episode is an inspiring invitation to start your body image freedom journey. Resources Mentioned: Get your FREE Obsessed to Blessed mini-course here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/obsessed-to-blessed 40 Day Body Image Workbook & Journey: improvhttps://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge Body Image Freedom Framework Course Connect & Share:Loved this episode? Leave a review, share it with a friend, and keep the conversation going. Let's build a community that chooses grace and freedom over comparison and striving. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

December 30 | Malachi 3:1-18; Revelation 22:1-7; Ps. 150:1-5; Prov. 31:10-24 For more on the book of Revelation and understanding end times, check out the Wisdom Words podcast with Pastor Dale and Pastor Joel. lifereachresources.com/wisdomwords  

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Tyler Boss, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Let God fill your mind with peace. Meditate on Colossians 3:2. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Blessed Are The Eyes | Eduardo Ovalle | December 28, 2025https://www.newcityep.com

Hello fabulous Coven. We are back talking more about correspondences for yule and the other winter solstice celebrations. We truly hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for sharing with us and taking time to put us in your schedule.  As we come into this new gregorian calendar year, we have alot of fun new things to bring you. Please keep your eyes and ears peeled for fabulous new things. Blessed be. as always please send us your stories and ideas to whatwitchesdopodcast@gmail.com 

119.1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,    who walk in the law of the Lord!2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,    who seek him with their whole heart,3 who also do no wrong,    but walk in his ways!4 You have commanded your precepts    to be kept diligently.5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast    in keeping your statutes!6 Then I shall not be put to shame,    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.7 I will praise you with an upright heart,    when I learn your righteous rules.8 I will keep your statutes;    do not utterly forsake me!

(46) Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the Peacemakers

Listen along as Anthony shares some reflections from the Proverbs. Notes//Quotes: Title: Where's Wisdom Slide 1 “That excuse is implicitly rejected here. Wisdom is not some hidden treasure that has to be dug from the depths of the earth (compare Job 28) or the sole possession of the lonely sage sitting atop a mountain. To the contrary, Wisdom roams the streets looking for someone to instruct. The ways of right and wrong, as presented in this word of God, are open for all to read and follow. At the same time, this section is a true appeal from the Spirit for whoever has ears to turn and listen.”  - Duane A. Garrett Slide 2 Proverbs 13:20: "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm" (ESV).  Slide 3 Psalm 1:1-2: "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers" (ESV).  Slide 4 Proverbs 12:26: "The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray" (NIV/NKJV). Slide 5 Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” (ESV) Slide 6 Proverbs 17:3, “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” (ESV) Slide 7 1 Corinthians 9:27: “It is my own body I fight to make it do what I want. I do this so that I won't miss getting the prize myself after telling others about it.” (ESV) Slide 8 Colossians 1:28-29: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”  Slide 9 Well, I'm coming to the edge of the widest canyon My companions dear I'm starting to question my manifest destiny My claim to this frontier And I'm coming to the brink of a great disaster The end just has to be near The Earth spins faster, whistles right past you Whispers death in your ear Oh, don't pretend you can't hear Don't pretend you can't — Manifest, by Andrew Bird

Remember God loves you so much he sent his Son Jesus Christ to take the punishment for your sins. You are of great value. Jesus loves you and He is just a prayer away! 

Elyssa and Raffi sit down with Chase Durkin to unpack the words of Jesus in our beatitudes series. Hope it helps!

Sleep better and Stress Less— with Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. We hope this biblical sleep meditation, narrated by James Seawood, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. Fall asleep to a miraculous account inspired from 1 Kings, where an act of faith as simple as baking bread unveils abundant provision from God. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for better sleep is right here: https://abide.com/peaceDiscover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us

⚜️ A clip from the Man of Peace Podcast featuring Kyle Thompson (@undauntedlife). Biblical masculinity isn't vague or passive. It's clear, ordered, and demanding. A man is a male who cultivates spiritual, mental, and physical resilience daily. He submits to God, leads his household, protects and provides, and takes responsibility for the legacy he's sending into the future through his children. This isn't about setting low goals like “don't mess up.” It's about holding a standard — godly husband, godly father, godly worker — and working as unto the Lord. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” To see more, be sure to subscribe to the podcast at

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Dianne Jackson, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Let your body and spirit be clean! Meditate on 2 Corinthians 7:1. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of Jehovah, and on His law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

Send us a text In Episode 2 of our slow-and-deep journey through the Sermon on the Mount, we linger over the first Beatitude: Matthew 5:3 — “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What does “blessed” (makarioi) actually mean? What kind of “poverty” is Jesus talking about (ptōchoi)—and why does He begin His kingdom teaching here? We explore the Greek language, Old Testament echoes, and the spiritual posture Jesus calls the doorway into kingdom life: open hands, honest need, and surrender. This episode isn't about self-hatred or spiritual performance—it's about the freedom of dependence and the surprising promise that the Kingdom belongs to those who stop pretending they can earn it. Support the show If you have any questions about the subjects covered in today's episode you can find us on Facebook at the links below or you can shoot me an email at joe@buddywalkwithjesus.com One Stop Shop for all the links Linktr.ee/happydeamedia

Pastor Nathan continues the sermon series in the book of Matthew on Sunday morning, December 28, 2025. (Matthew 5:1-12)

12.28.2025 | Genesis 11:27-12:9 | Rev. Bill Smith

God's Plan Will Prosper Every Area Of Your Life—KEEP BELIEVING | Blessed Morning Prayer For TodaySUBSCRIBE to catch all the latest prayers uploaded to the Daily Effective Prayer Podcast!For more powerful daily prayers and to connect with the ministry visit:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org© Copyright DailyEffectivePrayer.com  SUPPORT THE MINISTRY: (We are listener-supported)https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/donate/ DO YOU NEED PRAYER? Send us a prayer request right now:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/prayer-request-online/ CONNECT WITH US:https://www.dailyeffectiveprayer.org/connectYouTube (1M+ SUBSCRIBERS)X / TwitterInstagram ThreadsInstagramFacebook Daily Effective Prayer™

In this episode, Sathiya Sam shares his journey from addiction to freedom, highlighting the biblical call to sexual integrity and holiness. This episode focuses on how believers can establish their hearts and live as integrity ambassadors in a broken world. Through his testimony and practical insights, Sathiya explains why overcoming sexual sin is not about surface-level solutions, but a heart transformation that aligns convictions with lifestyle. He challenges listeners to pursue true freedom through the Holy Spirit, not just behavior modification, and emphasizes the importance of building self-awareness, healing the heart, and embracing a new identity in Christ.   Know more about Sathiya's work: Join Deep Clean Inner Circle - The Brotherhood You Neeed (+ get coached by Sathiya) For Less Than $2/day Submit Your Questions (Anonymously) To Be Answered On The Podcast Get A Free Copy of The Last Relapse, Your Blueprint For Recovery Watch Sathiya on Youtube For More Content Like This   Chapters: (00:00) Be Patient: Establishing the Heart (James 5) (01:00) Testimony: From Addiction to Freedom (03:00) Salvation vs. Sanctification (05:30) A Wicked World & a Spotless Bride (08:20) Blessed but Broken: Integrity vs. Success (10:45) Why Deep Clean Exists (12:45) The Sexual Sin Crisis in the Church (15:10) Integrity Ambassadors Explained (16:45) What Integrity Really Means (18:15) Sexual Sin: A Sin Against the Body (20:40) Jesus on Lust: Heart Before Behavior (23:10) Sexual Morality vs. Immorality (26:45) Early Exposure & Long-Term Damage (28:30) Why Common Solutions Don't Work (29:00) Pillar 1: Building Self-Awareness (37:15) Pillar 2: Healing & Transforming the Heart (45:00) Pillar 3: Shifting Identity in Christ (49:55) Living Patiently as Jesus Returns (55:15) Commitment, Confession & Costly Obedience (01:12:05) Becoming Integrity Ambassadors

Blessed are the eyes that look at Him. Are you looking at Him? From now on these eyes will not be blinded by the lights…look at Him and come alive!

This final week of the year carries a sober, luminous tone. Mind, faith, and healing are tested against reality, mystery, and emotional truth. What remains after illusion falls away is not certainty—but something more trustworthy.Mon, Dec 29 — Mercury in Sagittarius square Saturn in PiscesBeliefs meet consequence. Words meet responsibility. This is a moment to discern which truths can be lived—and which were aspirational but ungrounded. Sobriety sharpens wisdom.Reflection Question: Which beliefs am I being asked to mature, simplify, or release as this year closes?Thur, Jan 1 — Mercury in Sagittarius square Neptune in PiscesVision blurs, certainty dissolves. This is not confusion for its own sake, but an invitation to loosen the grip on meaning-making and listen for subtler guidance. Not all truth arrives in words.Reflection Question: Where can I loosen my grip on meaning and allow deeper truth to emerge without forcing clarity?Fri, Jan 2 — Chiron turns direct in AriesAfter months of inner review, the work of healing identity turns outward again. This marks the final full retrograde chapter of Chiron in Aries—an initiation nearly complete.Reflection Question: What kind of courage now feels rooted rather than reactive?Sat, Jan 3 — Full Moon at 13° Cancer (Sun conjunct Venus & Mars in Capricorn | Moon conjunct Jupiter in Cancer)Emotional truth swells against structures of duty and ambition. What nourishes you seeks recognition—not as indulgence, but as essential fuel for the road ahead.Reflection Question: What does emotional nourishment ask me to protect and prioritize as I step into the year ahead?Podcast Poem: How the Light Comes by Jan RichardsonSupport the showGo to Sheila's website for information for transformational resources: https://www.ontheedgesofchange.com/home-page This episode was co-created with generative AI, engaged as a soul-aligned ally in service of transformation. At the edge where technology meets myth, I choose insight over noise, and alchemy over automation. Thank you for dreaming the future with me.

Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Chloë Elmore, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Where do your good gifts come from? Meditate on James 1:17. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). What is godly mourning, and why does Jesus promise that it will bring us divine happiness? Join Rabbi Schneider and discover the rich truths of the beatitudes.