Podcasts about Blessed

He didn't break them, they were always defective.

Welcome to a powerful and heartfelt episode of the Compared to Who? podcast, hosted by Heather Creekmore. In this episode, Heather chats with three real women—Patricia, Diane, and Jess—who have courageously walked through coaching and programs to improve their body image and relationship with food. If you’re tired of feeling stuck in food obsession, diet culture, or shame around your body, this episode is for you! Episode Highlights: The guests share honestly about their lifelong battles with body image, food restriction, calorie counting, and the underlying fears and shame that kept them trapped for years. Patricia Reveals how she lived in “body image bondage” for nearly two decades, mistaking strict dieting for freedom until she discovered the faith-based approach of Compared to Who? and began her journey to genuine freedom. Diane At age 71, reflects on six decades of food obsessions and restricting behaviors, and how finally integrating her faith with her eating and body image struggles began her transformation. Jess Shares how she didn’t realize she even had body image issues until after having kids; she discusses the shame of living in a bigger body, the mental exhaustion of chasing diets, and how true freedom finally came through the support and tools offered in the coaching group. The women and Heather explore the themes of fear, idolatry, objectification, and the dynamic between self-worth and body size. Hear practical, inspiring stories about breaking the cycle of daily weigh-ins, obsessive thoughts, and moralizing food choices. Each guest describes how participation in the 40 Day Body Image Journey, the Body Image Freedom Framework, and intuitive eating coaching offered loving accountability, lasting mindset shifts, and deepened connection to God’s truth about their identity. The episode closes with encouragement for anyone who feels stuck, scared to start, or believes they’re “too old” or “too late” for change. Key Takeaways: Lasting body image freedom isn’t about reaching your “ideal weight”—it’s about shifting your perspective, breaking fear-driven cycles, and finding your worth in God, not a number on the scale. Healing comes in community: support, vulnerability, and shared struggle are powerful in bringing freedom from shame and isolation. No matter your age or how long you’ve struggled, there is hope and there is help. Resources Mentioned: 40 Day Body Image Workbook & Journey “Obsessed to Blessed” Mini Course Body Image Freedom Framework Ready to start your own journey? Go to improvebodyimage.com and sign up for the 40 Day Body Image Journey—launching January 20th! Take the next gentle, faith-filled step toward freedom. Connect & Share: If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and join the conversation in our community. You’re not alone in this journey! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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 Melissa Disney, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. We are all called by God to make an impact in this world. Meditate on Ephesians 2:10. 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.

Serving at the altar raised a live question: “If Eucharistic miracles make belief easier, why don't they happen more?” Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks walk through what the Church means by miracle, why visible phenomena (flesh/blood) are actually less than the Eucharist itself (the whole living Christ), and how forgiveness and transformed virtue are real—though often unseen—miracles. We also clarify roles at Mass (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion) and reflect on believing without seeing. Throughout, we keep the three lenses in view: honesty with self, charity with others, under a living relationship with God.Key IdeasMiracle ≠ rarity; miracle = beyond nature. The Eucharist is already a miracle: bread and wine become Jesus—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.“Less visible, greater reality”: a Eucharistic miracle (flesh/blood) is a sign; the Eucharist is the greater reality—Christ whole and living.Science points, faith receives: studies of reported miracles often converge (heart tissue, left ventricle, trauma markers, AB+), but signs serve the Sacrament.Unseen miracles: absolution, growth in virtue, and daily conversions are real works of grace you can't photograph—but you can live.Roles at Communion: clergy are ordinary ministers; laypeople assist as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion when needed.“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe”—ask for faith to recognize and receive the Giver more than the signs.Links & References“Scientifically Analyzed Eucharistic Miracles” (Truthly, 11-min video referenced by Father): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHO8L9477aUCTAIf this helped, please leave a review or share this episode with a friend.Questions or thoughts? Email FatherAndJoe@gmail.comTagsFather and Joe, Joe Rockey, Father Boniface Hicks, Eucharist, Eucharistic miracles, Real Presence, AB positive, heart tissue, left ventricle, signs and wonders, forgiveness of sins, confession, virtue, grace, believing without seeing, faith and reason, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, clergy and laity, Mass roles, altar ministry, miracle definition, Lanciano (discussion), conversion, prayer, interior healing, relationship with God, relationship with self, relationship with others, Benedictine spirituality, Catholic podcast, practical spirituality

Audio Download Questions Covered: 02:00 – Jesus says in John 20:28, ‘Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.' Why do Christians believe in Jesus when he commends belief without evidence, which is betrayal of the human intellect? 15:47 – Why don't Catholics believe that salvation is earned if it really seems like you […]

In this episode, we are reminded that the power struggles we see in the world are not the way of the Kingdom of God!

Your spiritual need is your doorway into the kingdom of heaven because it prompts you to trust and follow Jesus. Fall asleep thinking about this tonight. You can contact me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠truesleepfeedback@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can support this ministry at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/truesleep⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Send us a textIn this episode, Pastor Dom begins his teaching series on Fasting for 2026. 1 Thessalonians 5:2323 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.Matthew 6:16-1816  “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18  so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.Matthew 6:1515 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Matthew 4:2-42 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4  But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' ”Matthew 17:14-2114 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16  So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18  And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21  However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”Matthew 10:11 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.Luke 10:1717 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”Hebrews 11:11 Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.James 2:1717 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.Mark 9:23-2423  Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”Matthew 13:5858Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.Matthew 8:1313 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.Mark 11:22-2322 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

“Why Does Jesus Praise Belief Without Evidence?” This question addresses the challenge of faith in light of Jesus’ words in John 20:28, which commend belief without sight. The discussion also touches on why Catholics view salvation as a gift rather than something earned, and whether it’s appropriate for a Catholic to participate in a memorial for a Freemason. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:00 – Jesus says in John 20:28, ‘Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.' Why do Christians believe in Jesus when he commends belief without evidence, which is betrayal of the human intellect? 15:47 – Why don't Catholics believe that salvation is earned if it really seems like you do? 29:03 – Would it be ok for me to play at a Robbie Burns memorial concert as a Catholic even though he was a Freemason? Why? 45:43 – Why do Catholics believe in the real presence? 49:15 – Why does the Church never teach any specific people who are in hell? 52:01 – The new papal document on Mary. Why did the pope come out with this document? How do we defend it against protestants?

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 Tyler Boss, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. Take a scenic journey to ancient Israel, explore tranquil streams, and marvel at the wonder and beauty of God’s creation. Journey through the Psalms, rest in the everlasting promises of God’s word, and drink deeply from His well. 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

Let God's Fire Fall On You—BURN AWAY WHAT'S BLOCKING YOU | 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™

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. Start the New Year right by meditating on Psalm 51:10. 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.

In this message from Matthew 11, we explore one of the more challenging moments in Scripture: John the Baptist, imprisoned and suffering, sends his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the one, or should we wait for another?" Was John doubting? Was he offended? Or was he boldly pressing Jesus about God's timeline? Jesus' response reveals a critical truth for every believer: He is indeed the Messiah, but He may not operate on our timeline or meet our expectations. The question we all must answer is, "Will we follow Jesus even if He doesn't do things the way we want or expect?" This sermon tackles the fine line between doubt and offense, showing how Satan uses our suffering to tempt us to turn away from God. But there's hope: God invites us to bring our hardest questions to Him, not in accusation, but in honest seeking. Whether you're wrestling with unanswered prayers, past trauma, or disappointment with God's timing, this message offers biblical wisdom and real-life testimony about finding peace in the midst of the wait.

Join Bay City Director Tamara Schlatter along with Senior Pastor Josh Pardee and Executive Pastor Nate Murray as they explore the message from week 1 of our current series titled Kingdom Manifesto. 

In Kingdom Manifesto: The Revolution of the Blessed, Jesus launches a movement that challenges the world's idea of success. His Beatitudes are a manifesto for a new kind of revolution—one built on mercy, meekness, and grace. Together, we'll discover what it means to live beautifully and courageously in a world desperate for something different.

Pastor Nathan continues the sermon series in the book of Matthew on Sunday morning, January 04, 2026. (Matthew 5:1-12)

PSALM 40 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. 5 Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you: were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. 6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. 7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come - it is written about me in the scroll. 8 I desire to do your will, O my God, your law is within my heart. 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. 11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me. 12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me. 14 May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!" 17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay. NIV 84 LESSON NOTES Waiting on the Lord Is a Posture, Not a Pause Waiting on the Lord is not passive inactivity but an intentional heart posture of trust, dependence, and surrender. Whether we are resting or working, our hearts can remain oriented toward God. God Responds Personally to Those Who Wait Psalm 40 reveals a personal God who turns toward us, hears our cries, lifts us from the slimy pit, sets our feet on solid ground, and puts a new song in our mouths. Waiting is worth it because God responds. Blessing Comes From the Object of Our Trust True happiness is found not in how strong our faith feels, but in who our faith is in. Even mustard-seed faith produces blessing when the Lord is its object. God's Wonders Always Outnumber Our Sins and Troubles David admits his sins and troubles are “too many to count,” yet he boldly declares that God's wonders are even greater. The sermon emphasizes this hope-filled truth: you cannot out-sin God's goodness, and grace always outweighs guilt. Delight, Not Duty, Is the Goal of Obedience Both David and Jesus teach us that true obedience flows from delight in God's will, not mere obligation. God opens our ears so that obedience becomes our joy, not our burden. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Where in your life are you currently being asked to “wait on the Lord”? How does viewing waiting as a heart posture rather than inactivity change how you approach that situation? 2. What are some “old mental tapes” that tend to play in your mind? How might God want to replace them with a “new song” of truth and praise this year? 3. Psalm 40:4 emphasizes trusting the Lord rather than people, success, or security. What objects are you tempted to trust in other than the Lord? 4. How might intentionally practicing gratitude (such as journaling God's wonders) help reshape your perspective when guilt, anxiety, or trouble feels overwhelming? 5. Of the three “songs” from this sermon— “Blessed is the one who makes the Lord their trust,” “Many are the wonders you have done,” “I delight in doing your will”— which one do you most need to put on repeat this season, and why?

Send us a textIn this episode, Pastor Dom teaches us what Christmas is all about. Luke 2:1-201 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.Matthew 1:2323 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”John 10:1010“ … I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”I Corinthians 15:33 “…that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”John 3:1616““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”John 3:1717 “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”Romans 10:9-109 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.Psalm 119:105105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.John 8:1212 …“I am the light of the world.Matthew 5:1414 “You are the light of the world…

Rev. Kim Klaudt Sunday January 4, 2026

The Power of the Word - Sunday, 28th December 2025. 1. The word is a light.2 Peter 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts2. The word prepares you for serving God.2 Timothy 3:15-17  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works3. The word makes your life prosper.Psalm 1:1-3  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper4. The word is our weapon against the enemyEphesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:5. The word gives us hope.Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.6. The Truth makes you free.John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

I experience social anxiety, and now I need to get back to work in an office. What can I do? I had a dream and was continually asked, "Why do you keep going back to the cross?" What does it mean to have the life of Christ within us? Are there levels of Heaven? Levels of rewards? What about crowns? I have tithed for 10 years and have been blessed by God. I want to encourage others to do the same. Your thoughts?

When Jesus opened the Sermon on the Mount with the words “Blessed are…,” He wasn't just offering inspirational quotes for wall art. These powerful statements, known as the Beatitudes, were spoken to people living under Roman occupation—people whose lives looked anything but “blessed” by worldly standards. Yet, through these words, Jesus extended a bold invitation to a radically different way of life: one that honors the values of God's Kingdom, not the world's. In this message, Pastor Shawn Williams unpacks the meaning behind Jesus' Beatitudes and explores how this call to countercultural, Kingdom-centered living still challenges and shapes the Church today.

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. Where is God working around you? Meditate on Isaiah 43:19. 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.

Trusting God in a Shallow World | Week 1: From Cursed to Blessed // Ryland Walter // This January, we'll get serious about the difference between relying on our own strength and fully trusting in God. Through the imagery of Jeremiah 17:5-10, we'll discover how deep spiritual roots, consistent discipline, and faith-filled dependence on God help us withstand life's challenges and bear lasting fruit. Grow deeper, thrive, and experience true spiritual health.

I Am Blessed (broadcast date: 01/04/2026)

Scriptures:Psalm 1:1-6, James 4:8, John 15:16, 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalm 92:12-15, Ezekiel 47:122 Words for Blessed in Hebrew:BaruchAshrayPoints:1. Position2. Productivity3. Perseverance

John 13:12–17,When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.In the year 1521, an artist named Lucas Cranach published a pamphlet of several woodcut images he had made of the pope. The printing press had been around almost a hundred years, but only a small fraction of the population could read, and so pictures were an important way to get a message across. And in these woodcuts images, Cranach, who was a good friend of Martin Luther, had two panels side by side: on the right side was a depiction of Pope Leo, but on the first side was a depiction of Jesus. And one of his most famous woodcuts features the scene of Jesus in John 13. The text beneath the image is our passage today, John 13:14–17.In this image of Jesus, you can see he is basically doing what the passage says: his disciples, a ragtag looking bunch, are huddled together in line, and Jesus is stooped down on his knees, by a water basin, washing their feet. We're supposed to contrast that image with the image on the other side: it's the pope sitting on an elevated platform, and there's a room full of dignitaries, and they're all in line to kiss his feet. It's clear that the pope is doing the exact opposite of Christ, which is why the heading at the top, on the right side, says, “Antichrist.” Some of you may know, our Reformation forefathers thought the pope was the antichrist — and I just wanna say they were not crazy to think that because the pope literally did antichrist things … And nothing made that more obvious than how the pope treated people so differently from how Jesus did. See John 13 was (and is) a standard of authenticity for every true disciple of Jesus. We should read this passage and ask ourselves: Does anything in my life look anything close to what Jesus is doing here? If you could put a picture of yourself on that right side, what would it look like?I believe it's God's providence that John 13 is our text at the very beginning of 2026. And we're gonna look closely at this passage today, but here's my goal: I want this passage to shape a prayer for our church for this entire year. The prayer is this: that we would grow as joyful servants of one another like Jesus is of us.That's the prayer — and there's a lot we could say about this — but I wanna start with the most basic this morning. Following the words of Jesus in this passage, I want to tell you three reasons we should serve one another like Jesus serves us. Here's the first. We should serve one another like Jesus serves us …1. Because Jesus is our Teacher and Lord (vv. 12–13)Look at verse 12. This is after Jesus has washed his disciples' feet. John tells us that Jesus basically cleaned himself up, sat back at the table, and then he began to teach with his words. See, the whole thing has been teaching, but now it's formal. And the first thing Jesus says, the end of verse 12, is:“Do you understand what I have done to you?”He's implying here that they don't understand, which is what he already said in verse 7. In verse 7, Jesus told the disciples: Hey, you don't get what I'm doing now, but you will later. And now is that later: Jesus is about to explain the meaning of his washing their feet — and we're on the edge of our seats for this!What Jesus did was shocking enough, but now he's gonna tell us the deeper meaning. He starts in verse 13. Verse 13:“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.”Notice the first thing Jesus does here is affirm the disciples. He starts by telling the disciples something they get right. And what they get right is who Jesus is. He is their “Teacher and Lord.”The word “Lord” here could be just a respectful way of talking to somebody with authority, but we know it's more than that in the New Testament. This is a confession of the deity of Jesus. Jesus is God the Son. He is the Lord Jesus. And we would expect this word to be front and center in what Jesus is called.But look at that word “teacher” in verse 13 — it's another way to say rabbi. And “rabbi” or “teacher” — that was something these early Jewish disciples called Jesus, but we don't really use that language today, at least not in our circles. I grew up in the church, and I've been a Christian for about three decades, and I don't know that I've ever heard anyone refer to Jesus as their “Lord and Teacher Jesus Christ.” But why don't we say that? That's a fair question to ask, isn't it? Because Jesus says it is right to call him Teacher, but we don't. So why not?It's actually a simple answer. It's because we combine Jesus as Teacher with his identity as Lord. This comes through in our third baptism vow: We affirm that, “with God's help, we will obey the teachings of Jesus and follow him as Lord, Savior, and Treasure.” “Learn from me”So we may not use the word “Teacher” but it is absolutely implied! This is the way we relate to Jesus as his disciples — we obey his teachings, we follow him. I think it's okay that we don't commonly call Jesus our “Teacher” — but it's okay only as long as we know he is that to us. He's certainly more to us than Teacher, but never less — Jesus teaches us how to live in this world!I think of Jesus's famous invitation in Matthew Chapter 11 to come to him and find rest. Remember he says: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me …” (Matthew 11:29). Learn from Jesus how to live!Or in the Book of Ephesians, Paul warns us not to live like the Gentiles — because their hearts are hardened and they're full of greed — and Paul says, “That is not the way you learned Christ!” (Ephesians 4:20). Hear that? We learn Christ. We learn from him! Jesus is our Teacher. It is right to call him that, but what matters most is that we know that's who he is. And when we know that, when that fact is established, then of course we're gonna do what he says. This is foundational: we should serve one another like Jesus serves us because Jesus is our Teacher and Lord, and he tells us to. And we could stop here, to be honest, because that's enough. But there's more. We should serve one another like Jesus serves us …2. Because Jesus has given us an example (vv. 14–16)This is verses 14–16, and it's really the central part of the passage. So let's read it again, and notice this whole unit is an argument. Verse 14: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.The logic of what Jesus says is grounded in the disciples' relationship to him — the Teacher/disciple relationship is implied, but Jesus names two more relationships in verse 16: master/servant, and then sender/messenger. We see that in verse 16.Now, what's the same in all of these relationships is that there's a hierarchy, and in each one, Jesus is the superior and we are the inferior. This is vital to the argument. Jesus is saying plainly in verse 14: If I, your superior, have washed the feet on my inferiors, then my inferiors ought to wash one another's feet.And in case we get stuck on the feet-washing part, in verse 15 Jesus explains that what he did was an example bigger than feet. Jesus has given us a model for how we treat one another.He has given us a pattern for all of life — it's not about one specific act of washing feet, but this is about a way of being. This is how we live together as the body of Christ: we serve one another the way Christ served us — which included washing our feet.And so, get this: if our Teacher, our Master, if he went that low to serve us, what would we consider too low in serving one another? See what he did there? Jesus has opened up for us endless possibilities of good works. Because now, following his example, nothing can be too low. Nothing can be too inconvenient. The degree of our serving is not determined by our station, but by the needs of our brothers and sisters. That is not the way it is in the world! Seriously, don't try this at work! Stick to your job description.What About Spiritual Gifts?But the local church is different. And this is where, heads up, we need to be careful with the topic of spiritual gifts. Now we're gonna get there one day in First Corinthians, but let me just offer a word of caution here … There is a school of thought that says it's incumbent that every Christian find a church where they can use their spiritual gifts. But see, the problem with this thinking is that it can lead individual Christians to hop from church to church asking the questions, “Can I use my gift here? … Can I use my gift here? What about here? Here? Who wants this gift?” And look, it's not bad to want to use your gift, but, instead of looking for the church where you can use your gift, how about commit to a church and let the first thing you ask be: What are the needs? Where can I help? Show me the places where I can follow the example of my Teacher and wash some feet!Look, I'm not gonna mention names (because I don't wanna embarrass anybody), but I've seen that kind of needs-first serving in this church over and over again. And when the whole church serves one another this way — in the example Jesus has given us — it is one of the most beautiful, compelling realities on the planet. Because Jesus is the only reason it makes sense. He is our Teacher and Lord, and he gave us an example.Here's the third reason. We serve one another the way Jesus served us …3. Because there is a blessing that comes through doing (v. 17)This is verse 17, and it's a verse that I want everybody to see. There are few keywords in this verse that we're gonna focus on, but first, everybody find verse 17. Chapter 13, verse 17, Jesus says:“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”First word to see here is “blesséd.” This is a wonderful word. It's used 50 times in the whole New Testament, and 40 of those times are by Jesus himself. I think that counts as one of his favorite words! And the most famous place Jesus used this word was during his Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew Chapter 5, Jesus starts that sermon with what's called the Beatitudes. You've heard these before …“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” …Jesus goes on to mention nine different blesséds, and none of them are what you'd expect. They turn the way of the world upside down — which tells us that Jesus's idea of “blessedness” is probably different too. To be blessed, according to Jesus, does not mean to be comfortable or to have things easy — it does not mean more power, money, and fame (that's the world's idea). But to be blessed according to Jesus means to be truly happy in relation to God — it's about the ‘good life' under the kingdom of God, which is the only ‘good life' that is true and lasting. To be blessed according to Jesus is not cheap fun, but it's a deep joy in God, given by God.Don't we want that? I'll take some of that in the New Year! The Way to BlessingWell, good news! Jesus is gonna tell us how we can get it. Everybody track with me — Look back at verse 17: Jesus starts, “If you know these things” — what things? He's talking about what he has just said. He's talking about the explanation he just gave in verses 14–15 for what he was doing in washing their feet. Jesus is saying: If you know I've given you an example! Or: now that you know I've given you an example! — Hey, it's good to know things isn't it? I'm so thankful that we can read the Word of God and know things about God and about life. It is a gift to know, amen. And we wanna grow in our knowledge! (2 Peter 3:18).But in verse 17, where does Jesus saying the blessing is?Verse 17: “If you know these things — or, now that you know I've given you an example … Blessed are you if you [have a Bible study and talk more about it] …Blessed are you if you [listen to a sermon and take good notes] …All goods things. But what does Jesus say in verse 17?“If you now know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”Do them. Like in real life, actually do the thing. Do what Jesus did!But Your Neighbor DoesYou know, thanks be to God, the heart of the gospel is that we are saved by grace, not by works. Romans 4:4, Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.Amen! We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. It's like Martin Luther said:“God does not need your good works … but your neighbor does.” Your brother does. Your sister does.Listen: there is a blessing from Jesus that you can only have when you serve others the way he serves us. That's why we're joyful servants!And again, the blessing is not comfort. It's not ease. It's not convenience. It's not power, money, and fame. In fact, in the serving it's pretty much the opposite of all those things. There are at least moments of discomfort, difficulty, and inconvenience. You stoop low, at a cost, with no fanfare. But Jesus says, in doing that you will be blessed.And we all raised our hands and said we want that blessing. All that's left is the doing. How Does That Look?What does that look like for you? (Come back at 5 tonight to hear more about this), but I want to ask you now: in this New Year, in what ways are you gonna follow the example of Jesus, and do what he did? Where are the needs in our church, the needs around you, that God would call you to meet?Hey, let me just say: for those of us who are worried about our church growing this year, if we just do this, we're gonna be okay. The question is not: Am I going to be cared for with all these people here? The question is: How can I serve all these people the way Jesus served me?And when we're all asking that … it's beautiful.And look: it starts here. It starts with me; it starts with the pastors. All of us are in the same boat in that we all want to be more like Jesus. I'll tell you a story I thought of last week, and this is kinda crazy, because I haven't thought of this in 22 years, but it popped in my head a few days ago. When I was a freshman in college and trying to figure out God's calling on my life, I went to an FCA event to hear this guest preacher who was talking about calling. And I don't remember his message other than this one story he told, about a dream he had. This guy has preached to people all over the country, and seen a lot of fruit, and he had this dream where he was sitting on a white horse … He is sitting on this horse, looking out over all the people he had preached the gospel to. And then he sees Jesus walking up to him, through this crowd of people, and when Jesus finally gets to him, Jesus looks up and says, “Hey, would you get off my horse?”The guy said: Hey, whatever Jesus is calling you to in life, it's never to be on his horse.We've actually seen in John 13, Jesus calls us to serve like he serves. And I want you to know: your pastors are in this for that. That's my heart for you. And what I'm about to say — I don't mean this as anything different from the past, but I just wanna tell you: with God's help, I'm gonna serve you the best I can this year. With all the grace that God supplies.And that's our prayer together, for all of us. It's that God would grow us as joyful servants of one another like Jesus is of us.That's what leads us to the Table.The TableI want us to sense in a new way the wonder that we are children of God. We are brothers and sisters of Jesus, and one another, and we live by him and for him. It's all grace! All gift! And at this Table we rest in that.We come here to thank Jesus for his cross and resurrection, and to receive afresh all that he is for us — Lord, Savior, Treasure, and Teacher.

In this clip, you’ll hear: Unquestionably, the best plan for your life in 2026. God’s Vision for our church and His plan for your life are incredible. Our biblically sound teaching will inspire and challenge you to discover it all. You need sincere worship and a church community that loves God and that loves you. At Passion, you will find opportunities for growth through discipleship and personal development. Your children will also have fun and learn about God. At Passion Church, we believe in creating an environment where God's presence is felt, His Word is preached, and lives are transformed. We are a happy and fun church, but are also very committed to being biblically sound. We are led by the Holy Spirit and dedicated to sincere worship. Our mission is to build authentic relationships, disciple individuals, and passionately pursue God’s purpose for our lives. We also have a powerful Missions Program and a commitment to soul-winning. We invite you to join us at 983 Goodman Rd W, Horn Lake, MS 38637. Our Sunday services begin at 10:30 a.m.! You’ll love our Pastor Guy Sheffield, and you’ll find us all happy to see you! All we’re missing is YOU! Let’s grow together in God’s purpose and love. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay connected with Passion Church Desoto. Like us on Facebook & Subscribe to our YouTube page @ ‘Passion Church Desoto’. #Jesus #PassionChurch #GodsPresence #Worship #Discipleship #ChurchFamily #HornLakeMS #GuySheffield #SundayService #Preaching #Bible #encouragmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sermon on Matthew 5:10-12 by pastor Andrew Dionne. Preached on January 4, 2026, evening service, at Trinity Presbyterian Church (Evangel Presbytery) in Spartanburg, SC.

“Who Do You Say That I Am?”Matthew 16:13-2013 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/

Blessed Is The Word Filled Life

Let God SHOW YOU What to Do Today–DON'T GUESS | Blessed Daily Effective Prayer 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™

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 Ben Little, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Let your life be transformed! Meditate on Romans 12:2. 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.

In this episode, we look at the Beatitudes and realize that, rather than being a list of rules to follow, they are a statement about the nature of reality!

Appetite in Hebrew is Nephesh or could be translated life itself or soul – no appetite no life, it works that way…. Better and exciting really More Appetite – More Life …. IF and its a big IF your appetite is for life… "Blessed are those who HUNGER and Thirst" – I have come that you may have LIFE and Life Abundantly" Challenging right? In a recent survey by Life way discovered these advantages to being truly hungry for the Word of God at least four times a week resulted in these tangible effects. Feeling lonely drops 30% Anger issues drop 32% Bitterness in relationships drops 40% Alcoholism drops 57% Sex outside of marriage drops 68% Feeling spiritually stagnant drops 60% Viewing pornography drops 61% Sharing your faith jumps 200% Disciplining others jumps 230% An old adage in the Car Business is .. "The first and most important sale is the one you make on yourself!" Once you actually hear from God in the Bible you will be more than sold… You will be in LOVE… I promise and Oh so Hungry…. What Sold You? call us today 866-348-7884

27 And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck.Factum est autem, cum haec diceret : extollens vocem quaedam mulier de turba dixit illi : Beatus venter qui te portavit, et ubera quae suxisti. 28 But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.At ille dixit : Quinimmo beati, qui audiunt verbum Dei et custodiunt illud.

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

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 Bonnie Curry, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Are your relationships stronger than a three-stranded cord? Meditate on Ecclesiastes 4:12. 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.

Darrell Castle ushers in 2026 by talking about the world as he sees it today along with some year-end thoughts about the past, the present, and the unknown future. Transcription/Notes BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS Hello, this is Darrell Castle with today's Castle Report. This is the 2nd day of January in the year of our Lord 2026. In this Castle Report I will be talking about the world as I see it today along with some year-end thoughts about the past, the present, and the unknown future. “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” Those are the words of the Prince of Peace whose birth we just celebrated, and his words have been the bed rock of Western Civilization for over 2000 years. The decorations, gifts, and celebrations are just one of our connections to a Christian culture that has held Western Civilization together throughout its history. My thanks once again for Dr, Ron Paul's recent Liberty Report where he so eloquently sets these concepts out. Somehow it all seems different now. The mayor of New York City has been sworn in on the Quran rather than the bible. The nation itself with debt having surpassed $38 trillion Continues its enforcement of the Wolfowitz Doctrine which is part of the project for a new American century. Paul Wolfowitz put his name on a policy that still seems to drive the American government even under the America first president. Simply put, that doctrine says that American hegemony will dominate the world and no competitor which threatens that policy will be allowed to rise. The U.S. military will be used to destroy any competition. In practical terms, it means that the U.S. government will continue to use its military to bankrupt the country while exporting misery and suffering to others in pursuit of a global military empire on the framework of ancient Rome. My argument for you today is that this policy places the U.S. government in direct opposition to the title of this Castle Report. This year marked the first time the Defense budget item has surpassed the $1 trillion mark. Congress was so enthusiastic about it that they voted more money than the president asked for. The $1 trillion doesn't include interest on the defense related debt, veteran's affairs such as hospitals and lifetime care for the wounded and components of other agencies and departments with items related to defense so it is much larger than the published amount. Those who are responsible for such things probably still have a chance to save the economy if they did the responsible thing but instead they repeatedly do the opposite of the right thing. President Eisenhower was the last president to recognize what was happening and to refuse its allure. He also warned President Kennedy who tried to heed the warning but he died for those efforts. I paraphrase President Eisenhower's famous speech from 1953 entitled “The Chance for Peace” each of these dollars spent on military offense and the maintenance of the US global empire rather than on defense of our own nation is taken from the mouths of the hungry and off the backs of hardworking American families.” The new National Security Strategy document recently released by the Trump administration has set off a firestorm among those who favor warfare to solve every perceived problem. The document seems to be a reversal of the foreign policy doctrine that has existed since the end of World War ll. That policy included the formation of NATO with the US as the unofficial guarantor of military security. The US would accept responsibility for the defense of Western Europe and ensure that the Soviet Union was held intact. In return the US would have reserve currency status and would through that status control the world's economy. Reserve currency status ensured that the US would have the means through the accumulation of debt to fund its military in all circumstances. This was also a recognition by Europe that it was free to devote virtually all of its resources to rebuilding and to the welfare projects that would keep its citizens comfortable and thereby avoid revolution. The new strategy document seems to refute that policy and it appears to place Europe in some responsibility for its own defense. The Europeans don't like the policy shift at all but they are at least verbally adjusting to it. They came up with a way to obtain loans of up to $100 billion for Ukraine to continue the war to the last Ukrainian. The last few years have seen them trying to provoke a new war with Russia and this new policy might have a chilling effect on that desire. The US also included $800 million in the defense bill for Ukraine. Joan and I were talking about all this over breakfast the other day and she pointed out that people are starting to see fraud despite media refusal to discuss it. Some of those things like the fraud of the Somali community in Minnesota and the election fraud in Georgia now freely admitted are obvious. We also have the American people seeing their standard of living eaten away by inflation and an economy declining because it's burdened by debt. People are becoming aware of all this more and more as they see their country committed to the defense and foreign policy of a country far away. The people have come to realize that if they express criticism of that country's foreign policy the argument requires them to defend a charge of antisemitism instead of the policy. The same is true of the billions of fraud in Minnesota because the Governor of that state said that criticism was white supremacy so the argument is a defense of that charge instead of the fraud. Joan's position is that people are not ignorant despite media's refusal to report and investigate they are aware of what is going on. My response to her was yes, you are right but that puts us in the most dangerous position possibly ever. People see rampant crime and theft by government and they see government saying America first but its foreign policy seems to put another country's interest first, and that creates a dangerous, revolutionary atmosphere. I'm afraid that people are becoming aware that one of the founding principles which helped make America great is being erased and that principle is the empowerment of the individual over the power of the collective to demand obedience and compliance. In the American culture the individual counts and I'm afraid many are losing sight of that. The individual can take a stand against injustice without fear of reprisal from government. When governors have no argument against fraud except those who uncover it and point it out are white supremacists, and when senators have no response to pointing out the foreign policy faults of another country except to accuse those who object of antisemitism it means thee government officials have lost the argument because they have nothing to say. The real problem happens when government loses the argument as it has currently, which makes fraud and waste obvious to anyone. People try to change the system through voting but they see that it does not change very much. The worst frustration is that the dangerous revolutionary civil war tension is created when people see it, understand it, but nothing is ever done. They see fraud costing billions and they know that is just the tip of the iceberg. They see their money taken by the IRS to fund the wars in favor of other nations. They see fraud at every level and yet they are struggling to get by and they cannot get by without accumulating debt, which becomes unpayable. They know the difference between their debt and government debt is that they actually have to answer for theirs. Some of the things which have changed the lifestyles of the American people since the end of the covid confinement are really startling for the American families. Since covid, gas for utilities up 48.8%, car maintenance and repair 48.8%, car insurance 56.1%, coffee 46.1%, electricity 40.4%, meat 38.1%, used cars 33.6% bread 29,4%, milk 24.1%. I could go on and on with these numbers but just ask yourself if your income since covid has increased by anything close to these numbers. So, we can see the elements of an explosion building and smoldering. Couple this to the knowledge people have that they must send their children to schools which are run by people who hate them. Their children will be indoctrinated by teachers who hate them so their children will become like those who hate them and look to people who have caused the problem for the answer thus the inauguration of the mayor of our greatest city on the Quran. I know what you must be thinking, it's not everyone of them and there are some officials who really do care. Yes, I know about those people, but the truth is that the ones who claim to care make some angry speech to that effect and then go on about their business as if nothing happened. That is the demoralizing truth that we face here in the first month of 2026. In conclusion, whether we know it or not, we are all beneficiaries of the religion created by the one who is the author of the title of this Castle Report. The moral doctrine created by that religion has curbed power and defended the weak and helpless for over 2000 years. When you lay aside those moral principle you have power unleashed, enforced through force, and not limited by anything, to paraphrase Lenin. Finally, folks, as we start 2026 I close with another quote from President Eisenhower or at least I paraphrase him,” the people of the world are so desperate for peace that sooner or later the governments will have to step aside and let them have it.” At least that's the way I see it, Until next time folks, This is Darrell Castle, Thanks for listening.

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.

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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.