Podcasts about Blessed

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 Johnathon Eltrevoog, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. Rest in the guidance of the Holy Spirit as He leads you along peaceful shorelines, inviting you to remain in step with Him through patient endurance and trust. 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

Preacher: Jason Min Title: Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted Sermon Series: Life Reimagined Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV)

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 byJames Seawood, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. Don’t get lost! Meditate on Proverbs 10:17. 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.

A Prior “Independence Day Devotional” as We Prepare to Celebrate Again - We Must Have a Great Spiritual Awakening that Returns America to God MESSAGE SUMMARY: Will you "Stand in the Gap" and participate in a Great Awakening and Spiritual Renewal in America? The signers of the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, began a revolution which led to the formation of the United States of America. This Revolution was rooted in the belief that all people are subject to the rule of God, even the King; and leaders are not above man's law or God's Law. Also, everyone is endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Many people have tried to deny that America's founders created a country which wove together the concept of self-governance with Christian principles. Now, it appears the focus, of many political and church leaders, is to eliminate ideas, laws, policies, and objects that relate America to Christianity, the Bible, or anything that smacks of God. Today, this focus away from God is succeeding. We all need to hear what our founders said regarding America's Christian base. Not long after the enactment of the Constitution in the late 1700s, morality and church attendance declined drastically into a Spiritual Depression. The answer to this 1700s turn away from God became the nationwide implementation of "Concerts of Prayer", across all Christian denominations, which led to an American Spiritual Awakening. Today, through our actions, laws, and cultural revisions of our founding Christian principles, we have told God that we do not want Him around. Therefore, we must consider what God said He would do and what He has done in the past when people have turned away from Him, as told in Psalms 2:1-2,5,10-12: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed . . . Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying . . .  Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.". In the past, as indicated in Psalms 2, God has withdrawn His presence, including His protection and divine wisdom, when people have turned away from Him. God's presence has guided America for so many years, and the withdrawal of God's presence in America would leave us to reap the consequences of our focus away from Him. Also, consider what the Lord said, in Ezekiel 22:30-31: "And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore, I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.”. However, in Zechariah 1:3 and in many other promises throughout the Bible, God says to his people in the past and to us today: “Therefore say to them, Thus declares the LORD of hosts: ‘Return to me', says the LORD of hosts, ‘and I will return to you', says the LORD of hosts.". Will you "Stand in the Gap”, on behalf of your country, to participate in and lead a Great Awakening and Spiritual Renewal in America by returning America to God? We must have a Spiritual Awakening to return America to God.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I come this day inviting you to cut those deeply entrenched chains that keep me from being faithful to my true self in Christ. In doing so, may my life be a blessing to many. In Jesus' name, amen.      Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 44). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Anger. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Forgiveness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ezekiel 22:30-31; Psalms 2:1-12; Zechariah 1:3; Daniel 4:31b-32; Matthew 22:19-21; Isaiah 29:8-24; Psalms 127:1-5. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Interior Life – Maintenance of the Inner Man -- Part 8: The Body; Giving Life to the Spirit Soul”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

A sermon by the Rev. Canon Salmoon Bashir on the Sunday after All Saints' Day (November 2, 2025) at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta  

This is just us hanging out, packing our swag bags for the Witche's Ball in Salem. Come hang out with us. You know its always a great witchy time.  As always make  sure you send us your stories and questions. Email us at whatwitchesdopodcast@gmail.com We truly hope you all had a beautiful Samhain and Dia de la Muertos. Blessed be

Send us a textIn this episode, Pastor Dom challenges us to make sure that we are in a right relationship with God. Luke 13:33. …unless you repent you will all likewise perish.Luke 13:55 …unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”2 Corinthians 5:1717 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.2 Corinthians 7:1010 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted;  but the sorrow of the world produces death.Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.John 16:88 And when He (speaking of the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin,… John 16:99 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; Acts 3:1919 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,Romans 10:9-109 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.2 Peter 3:99 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering (patient) toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.Matthew 3:88 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Matthew 5:1-12. D.K. Meyer. All Saints Day & Reformation-C http://www.standrewlcms.org / Donate

A sermon for All Saints' Sunday, November 2, 2025. Luke 6:20-31 Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Send us a textHello and welcome to our show. In this episode, Terri finally gets to lift her head up after spending a full week face down recovering from eye surgery — yes, a hole in her eye! She shares the not-so-glamorous details of the experience, from hearing every sound in the operating room to the absolute worst part: ripping that blue tape off her face. Then, we shift gears to talk about a surprising trend — how pickleball, America's fastest-growing sport, is also causing a rise in detached retina injuries. It's a mix of laughter, “ouch” moments, and lessons learned the hard way — all with our usual dose of real-life humor. Please leave us a text message or a voice message on Speakpipe. Thanks foe listening and have a Blessed day.Support the showFacebook https://www.facebook.com/justtalkinoutloudTwitter https://twitter.com/just_outloudWebsite https://justtalkinoutloud.buzzsprout.comEmail justtalkinoutloud@gmail.com https://www.buzzsprout.com/1925628/supporters/new https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1907869https://www.speakpipe.com/justtalkinoutloud

Faith Over Fear—Stand Strong When Doubt Creeps In | Blessed Morning Prayer To Start The 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™

What if the person you refuse to forgive is the very thing keeping you from freedom? In this week's message from our Good News for Hurting Hearts series, we explore Jesus' words: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Mercy isn't about excusing what's wrong — it's about releasing what's holding you back. Alan helps us see that resentment doesn't heal us, it hardens us. Bitterness isn't a strategy for life — it's a slow poison for the soul. Unforgiveness may feel like protection, but it closes the door on how God wants to show up for us. When we choose mercy, our hearts open again. When we forgive, we make room for God's grace to flow. As Scripture says, "With the merciful, You show Yourself merciful." (Psalm 18:25) If you've ever asked, "How do I let go?" or "Can I really forgive them?" — this is the good news: God has shown us mercy so we can live mercifully. And every time we forgive, we experience again the mercy that first found us.

This Red in 30: Red State Of Mind episode continues the journey through Matthew 4–6, where every person and place in Scripture is seen as a reflection of thought and mentality. The wilderness becomes the landscape of the mind—a place where thoughts are tested and stripped down. The temptation of Jesus is revealed as an inner dialogue, where false suggestions try to reshape perspective and redefine identity. The “devil” isn't an external enemy as much as a lower influence—an unripe thought urging the mind to act beneath its true nature. The victory comes not through resistance or panic but through recognition: answering every lie with identity, every suggestion with truth.Fasting, in this framework, is more than abstaining from food—it's a mental detox. It's allowing the mind to digest what it has consumed and to quiet the constant scroll of good and bad conversations. The process exposes inherited mentalities—family patterns, generational beliefs, cultural voices—that have layered over the pure mind of Christ. The Christ-mind isn't missing; it's simply buried under noise. Fasting becomes the stripping away that lets that divine awareness reemerge. Once those false voices are silenced, the soul begins to hear the Master thought again: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand—a call for every thought in the mind to turn toward divine order.The reading unfolds as a vision of the kingdom within. Jesus calling His disciples becomes a metaphor for thoughts aligning with purpose—ideas in the soul recognizing their true leader and following the higher consciousness of Christ. The miracles that follow—healing every sickness and disease—symbolize the restoration of distorted mentalities. The Sermon on the Mount then reads like a “State of the Union” address for the soul: every “Blessed are they” targets inner attitudes, every correction reaches internal behaviors before they ever appear outwardly. Lust, anger, envy, or fear—all are confronted as thought patterns to be healed and transformed.The episode closes with the practical outcome of this revelation: inner order. The “society of the soul,” as it's described, must be restructured from within so that peace, not chaos, rules. Thoughts that offend, accuse, or distract must be plucked out and replaced with the steady rhythm of divine awareness. Real change never happens on the outskirts of life but in the innermost place—the closet of consciousness where the Father sees in secret. When Jesus says, Take no thought for your life, it's not a call to apathy but to freedom: to stop letting stray thoughts run your world and let the kingdom rule from within. Get full access to REDIN30 at redin30.substack.com/subscribe

Luke 6:20-31   Jesus looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets." "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

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. Confession is good for the soul and the body. Meditate on James 5:16. 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.

Pastor Christian Powell preaches to the Faith Church congregation on Sunday morning, November 2, 2025. This message is the fourth in his ongoing series titled "Happy Life" and it is titled "Blessed Are The Starving Ones". It comes from Matthew 5:6.

Jesus Followers Should Fear, Respect, and Praise God's Power, Sovereignty, and Holiness; but in Life's Trials They Should “fear not for I {Jesus} am with you always” MESSAGE SUMMARY: You should fear, respect, and praise God's power, Sovereignty, and Holiness; but, as a Jesus Follower, you should “fear not” in life's trials and tribulations or at your time of judgment. As David's praise tells us in Psalms 103:13: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.”. David models again and again, in Psalms, how we should praise God. For example, in Psalms 146, David says: "Put not your trust in Princes; Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, Oh my soul!". When we are wondering how to praise the Lord, we can read one of David's Psalms to God like David's praises to the Lord in Psalms 112:1-2: “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.". Also, we learn in Proverbs 1:7, the “fear of the Lord” and “wisdom” are closely linked: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.".   These verses from the Old Testament point to the fear, respect, and praise that God warrants and demands from His power, sovereignty, and Holiness. On the other hand, as we see when the Apostle John quotes Jesus from Revelation 1:17-18, when Jesus, in all His power and Glory, reassures us of God's Grace and His plan for working out the Salvation and Eternal Life for all those that have accepted Jesus as their Savior: “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.'”.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, Sabbath rest is truly an unbelievable gift! Thank you that there is nothing I can do to earn your love; it comes without any strings attached. As I close my eyes for these few minutes before you, all I can say is, thank you! In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 133). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM A CHILD OF GOD. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12f SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Revelation 1:17-18; Psalms 118:1-20; Proverbs 1:7; Psalms 73a:1-14. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Interior Life – Maintenance of the Inner Man -- Part 8: The Body; Giving Life to the Spirit Soul” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

     Scripture identifies two main forms of suffering that promote spiritual growth: corrective suffering, which restores the disobedient to fellowship, and perfective suffering, which refines the obedient toward greater maturity in Christ.      Corrective suffering arises from divine discipline when believers deviate from God's will and wander into disobedience. Such discipline is the measured response of a loving Father who seeks to restore His children to fellowship and fruitfulness. Israel's history provides a vivid backdrop to this principle. When the nation violated the Mosaic covenant, God responded with covenant curses designed to bring them back to Himself (Deut 28:15–68). Hosea depicts God hedging up Israel's path with thorns, frustrating her sinful pursuits so that she might return to Him (Hos 2:6–7). The author of Hebrews interprets such experiences as evidence of divine love: “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb 12:6). According to Warren Wiersbe: "Chastening is the evidence of the Father's love. Satan wants us to believe that the difficulties of life are proof that God does not love us, but just the opposite is true. Sometimes God's chastening is seen in His rebukes from the Word or from circumstances. At other times He shows His love by punishing us with some physical suffering. Whatever the experience, we can be sure that His chastening hand is controlled by His loving heart. The Father does not want us to be pampered babies; He wants us to become mature adult sons and daughters who can be trusted with the responsibilities of life."[1]      Divine correction is not rejection but affirmation of sonship. Paul also recognized this principle at work in the Corinthian church, where some believers suffered weakness, sickness, and even premature death because of their irreverence and selfishness at the Lord's Table (1 Cor 11:30–32). Even kings were not exempt, as seen in Solomon's later years when God raised up adversaries against him after his heart was turned away to idols (1 Kgs 11:14, 23–25). Corrective suffering, therefore, functions as God's gracious intervention to arrest further decline and restore obedience. It is the shepherd's rod that redirects the straying sheep. Yet this discipline, though loving in design, can be resisted if the believer hardens his heart. Still, the intention remains clear: corrective suffering seeks to break the power of rebellion, humble the soul, and lead God's child back into the blessing of fellowship with Him.      Perfective suffering, by contrast, is not punitive but refining. It does not arise from disobedience but from God's sovereign intention to deepen faith, expand endurance, and produce spiritual maturity. When a believer is walking faithfully with the Lord, obeying His Word, God may still permit suffering in order to shape character, purify motives, and equip His servant for greater usefulness. Job exemplifies this reality. Though declared blameless and upright, Job was permitted to endure severe affliction under Satan's hand, yet through the ordeal he came to a fuller appreciation of God's majesty, confessing at the end, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5). Job's knowledge of God had grown because of what he'd learned through his sufferings. Paul's thorn in the flesh illustrates this same category. Though he prayed repeatedly for its removal, God left it in place to keep him humble and dependent, declaring, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). Rather than crushing Paul, this suffering became the very platform by which God's strength was displayed through his weakness. Perfective suffering, then, is a divine gift, the furnace in which faith is purified and the believer is transformed into greater conformity to Christ.      While suffering in Scripture may be manifold, the categories of corrective and perfective suffering provide a helpful lens for understanding God's purposes. In both, His love and sovereignty are evident. Corrective suffering restores us when we stray, and perfective suffering strengthens us as we obey, with the unifying aim that we be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:28–29). The Integration of Blessings, Trials, and Sufferings      In God's perfect plan, blessings, trials, and sufferings are divinely orchestrated means for advancing the believer toward spiritual maturity. Blessing manifests the very essence of God's goodness and generosity, cultivating gratitude, humility, and faithful stewardship in the believer's life (Jam 1:17; 1 Tim 6:17–18; 1 Pet 4:10). Trials test faith under pressure, refining endurance and strengthening spiritual stability (Jam 1:2–4; 1 Pet 1:6–7). Sufferings train the soul to be dependent upon divine grace (1 Pet 5:10; 2 Cor 12:9). Each is a facet of divine pedagogy: blessing manifests God's grace and entrusts resources for service (2 Cor 9:8); trials expose and perfect faith (Gen 22:1; Heb 11:17; Jam 1:2–4); and suffering cultivates humility, patience, and deeper fellowship with Christ (2 Cor 12:7-10; Phil 3:10). Together, they form an important part of God's training program for His children, proving that prosperity and adversity alike are instruments of His unfailing love. As Job testified in the midst of both abundance and loss, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Regardless of the circumstance, God is always at work conforming His sons and daughters to the likeness of Christ (Rom 8:28–29). What follows are biblical examples of suffering that helped advance believers to spiritual maturity (Jesus being the unique example). Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.   [1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 324.

Pisgah Sunday Service - All Saints Sunday - 11/02/2025 - 10:45 AM ---------- Today's Readings: First Reading: Daniel 7: 1-3, 15-18 Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 11-23 Gospel: Luke 6: 20-31 ---------- Prayer List: Bishop Ginny Aebischer Otis Amick Wanda Amick Mike Bush Patsy Caldwell Rick Cartner Donald & Janette Clamp Betty Harmon Patricia Harmon Family of Josh Knutson Eleanor Rawl Michael Rawl Richard Roof Barbara Watson Ricky Whisenant Damian Williams ---------- The flowers on the altar are given in celebration of Rik & Tracey Hall's wedding on November 1. ---------- Pastor Stephen Mims Rev Bekah Boatwright Pisgah Lutheran Church 1350 Pisgah Church Rd, Lexington, SC 29072 www.pisgahlutheran.org @pisgahlutheran https://linktr.ee/pisgahlutheran 803-359-2223 We Share Our Gifts to Show God's Love ---------- THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. ---------- #shareourgifts #lutheran #pisgahlutheran #faith #goinpeace

Luke 6:20-23 Rejoice, You Who are Blessed! - Rejoice in that Day - You Who are Blessed Today   Preacher: Ronny Nguyen

Preached by Bishop David Yalleh.

Beth Davis shares how her relationship with Jesus has deepened over the years — from growing up in the Church to discovering the beauty of prayer and the Holy Spirit in a whole new way.As she opens her heart, we hope you see your own story in hers and feel the gentle invitation to go deeper with God.

What does it really mean to be Catholic?Fr. Matt Lowry walks us through the Nicene Creed and the four marks of the Church — one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic — in a way that's both simple and profound.His reflection invites us to see not just what we profess, but who we belong to: a Church united in love, holiness, and truth.

On this feast of All Saints (which is not a Holy Day of Obligation this year,) we remember that we are blessed in the highs and lows of life when we are closely connected to Christ. (Lectionary #667)  November 1, 2025 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven." Reflection Jesus giving his disciples a list of what he would call blessings, things that come from the love of God for us. And it's interesting because they are not always things that we would want, but they are the things that we need. And so what Jesus is trying to describe is living in the kingdom of God is not living in a place of judgment and condemnation of what's going on in ourselves or the world, as much as it is searching for what is valuable in everything. The good things, the difficult things, the bad things, we are blessed because God is with us. The Holy Spirit inspires us for both enjoying all that we are given and accepting all the pain that is part of that process. Closing Prayer Father, awaken us to a disposition of acceptance, even curiosity, and wonder about all the things happening around us, both positive and negative. Help us to have a conviction that you are in charge and that nothing, nothing will keep us from your kingdom. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Do you wait to hear the whole story before deciding what you think? Meditate on John 7:24. 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.

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain,and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him.He began to teach them, saying:"Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.Blessed are they who mourn,for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the land.Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be satisfied.Blessed are the merciful,for they will be shown mercy.Blessed are the clean of heart,for they will see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute youand utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me.Rejoice and be glad,for your reward will be great in heaven."

This podcast covers episodes 11,705 to 11,710. The Rover's new owners arrive on the Street, marking a return for a familiar face. Hope is sure that Jake is the one responsible for sending her bullying messages on social media. Todd inadvertently does Theo a favour by getting him a job working a maintenance job at the factory. Leanne and Toyah are forced to face each other after Nick's proposal. It's finally the quad's sixth birthday party which proves too much to bear for Asha. Cassie is offered a job working the switch at the cab office but worries if that means seeing too much of Steve. Carla comes home from Ireland to find that Becky has been busy trying to woo Swain. Kev's handy with a wrench. Tracy's coat's back. What's in Ken's sideboard?

We would love to hear from you!!! In this episode of 'Blended, Blessed, and Always a Mess', Angie and Aric reflect on the themes of gratitude and grief as they prepare to take a pause from the podcast. Angie shares personal stories from the Grit with Grace event, discusses the signs from her late daughter Hallie, and emphasizes the importance of community support in navigating loss. The conversation highlights the emotional journey of grief, the need for self-care, and the power of connection through shared experiences.Thank you for all the love and support you have given us. It has lifted us up more than you can imagine. Love, Angie & Aric #grief #gratitude #podcast #selfcare #podcastclipswww.blendedblessedalwaysamess.comwww.sevensboutique.comwww.milesforhim.comSupport the show

An immersive gratitude rant to raise your vibration. Press play and feel the blessing move through you. Not an episode — an activation.   Send me a DM on Instagram ! https://www.instagram.com/anniecowden/ To Book a Private Singing Lesson with me- check out my Voice Coaching Page https://www.facebook.com/anniecowdencoaching/ My music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE95wcQPeJc

 1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.Videns autem Jesus turbas, ascendit in montem, et cum sedisset, accesserunt ad eum discipuli ejus, 2 And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:et aperiens os suum docebat eos dicens : 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Beati pauperes spiritu : quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum. 4 Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.Beati mites : quoniam ipsi possidebunt terram. 5 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Beati qui lugent : quoniam ipsi consolabuntur. 6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.Beati qui esuriunt et sitiunt justitiam : quoniam ipsi saturabuntur. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.Beati misericordes : quoniam ipsi misericordiam consequentur. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.Beati mundo corde : quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.Beati pacifici : quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur. 10 Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam : quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum. 11 Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:Beati estis cum maledixerint vobis, et persecuti vos fuerint, et dixerint omne malum adversum vos mentientes, propter me : 12 Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.gaudete, et exsultate, quoniam merces vestra copiosa est in caelis. Sic enim persecuti sunt prophetas, qui fuerunt ante vos.We can pay no greater honor to the Saints than by offering up to God in their name the Blood of Jesus. The efficacy of their past merits and present prayers is greatly increased when offered to God in close association with the merits and prayers of our Lord. Therefore the Church commemorates on this day all the Saints in heaven without exception , and thus honors also those who are unknown and who have no public recognition in the Liturgy.

Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help.”Ps. 30:11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,Ps. 30:12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks for ever. CHAPTER 31FOR THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC. A PSALM OF DAVID.Ps. 31:1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.Ps. 31:2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.Ps. 31:3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.Ps. 31:4 Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.Ps. 31:5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.Ps. 31:6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD.Ps. 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.Ps. 31:8 You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.Ps. 31:9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.Ps. 31:10 My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, [Or guilt] and my bones grow weak.Ps. 31:11 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbours; I am a dread to my friends - those who see me on the street flee from me.Ps. 31:12 I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.Ps. 31:13 For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.Ps. 31:14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”Ps. 31:15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.Ps. 31:16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.Ps. 31:17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. [Hebrew: Sheol]Ps. 31:18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.Ps. 31:19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.Ps. 31:20 In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.Ps. 31:21 Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.Ps. 31:22 In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.Ps. 31:23 Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.Ps. 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD. CHAPTER 32 OF DAVID. A MASKIL. [TITLE: PROBABLY A LITERARY OR MUSICAL TERM]Ps. 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.Ps. 32:2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.Ps. 32:3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.Ps. 32:4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. SelahPs. 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD” - and you forgave the guilt of my sin. SelahPs. 32:6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.Ps. 32:7 You are my hiding-place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. SelahPs. 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.Ps. 32:9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.Ps. 32:10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.Ps. 32:11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! CHAPTER 33Ps. 33:1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.Ps. 33:2 Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.Ps. 33:3 Sing to him a new songBUY MY SUPERNATURAL NOVEL!https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Romance-Episode-1-ebook/dp/B07ZRJV6SHDOWNLOAD THE APP!fringeradionetwork.com DON BASHAM MINISTRIES 1,000,000,000 GIVE SEND GO:https://www.givesendgo.com/bashamPAYPAL:spiritforce01@gmail.comBITCOIN:3H4Z2X22DuVUjWPsXKPEsWZmT9c4hDmYvyVENMO:@faithbucksCASHAPP:$spiritforcebucksZelle:faithbucks@proton.mePATREON:Michael BashamHOME BASE SITE:faithbucks.com

November 1, 2025Today's Reading: Matthew 5:1-12Daily Lectionary: Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Matthew 21:1-22“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Imagine the disciples and the huge crowd gathered around Jesus for the Sermon on the Mount. They nod to each of the Beatitudes, maybe with a little less boldness as Jesus continues. Perhaps they even look around to see how the other 11 are reacting. “Maybe I'm not perfect, but I've been pretty good at this one or that.” “I think I'm good enough; I don't talk without thinking. Like Peter.” “I think I'm good enough; at least I haven't cheated people in the past, like Matthew.” But Jesus isn't talking about being good enough in other people's eyes, He is speaking of holiness before God – pure in heart – a holiness in the heart.The thing is, there is nothing pure in your heart. The Lord declares, “Out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.” (Mark 7:21-22)  There is One who is pure in heart. Jesus Christ, our Holy God in the flesh – He alone is truly pure in heart. At your Baptism, in the Blessed Exchange, the Lord cleansed you entirely, taking all of the filth and wretchedness from your heart and trading it for all the righteousness, holiness, and purity of Jesus' heart!That Baptism was “not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's word.” (Small Catechism, Baptism, 1). So with God's Word, that water delivered Jesus and His forgiveness, rescue, and salvation. You were made blessed and holy by the Holy Spirit. There is daily war against the new creature – the saint that God made at your Baptism. You face horrible hardships all of the time; some of them known only to you in the recesses of your emotional health. Non-Christians harass the Church and her baptized saints. We are weak when facing temptations. We all have our great afflictions. Before Christ returns, the afflictions will increase.You are not good enough. But Christ is perfect and pure. And He gifts you with being pure in heart, holy, and blessed. You belong to Him as His baptized saint. You sing with those saints now in the Church Militant, and one day, Christ will resurrect you and gather you with all His saints to stand before Him, arrayed in white, washed in the Blood of Jesus, and singing His praises forever.In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.Behold a host, arrayed in white, Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright! With palms they stand; Who is this band Before the throne of light? These are the saints of glorious fame, Who from the great affliction came And in the flood Of Jesus' blood Are cleansed from guilt and shame. They now serve God both day and night; They sing their songs in endless light. Their anthems ring As they all sing With angels shining bright. (LSB 676:1)Rev. Richard Heinz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lowell, IN.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Harrison Goodman is the Executive Director of Mission and Theology for Higher Things.Step back in time to the late Reformation and learn about a divisive yet inspirational figure: Matthias Flacius Illyricus. His contributions to Lutheranism still echo in our teachings today, from the Magdeburg Confession to parts of the Lutheran Confessions. Learning about Flacius's life will help you understand more intricacies of the Reformation than ever before.

Great Story Great Saints: Patrick explores the lives of saints with vivid storytelling and answers questions about Old Testament figures, canonization mysteries, and whether it’s right to seek the prayers of Blesseds, letting sharp details and unexpected dialogue spark curiosity. St. Irenaeus of Lyons (04:34) Robert - My 2 favorites are Fulton Sheen and Romano Guardini. Is there any movement for the canonization of these two individuals? (24:19) Is All Saints Day a Holy Day of Obligation? (28:19) Scott - I believe the Blessed Mother is very powerful and saved this man I was praying for. (29:39) St. Athanasius of Alexandria (36:29) Luke - Are the older prophets in the Bible considered Saints? (46:20) Monica - At my Church we do a Saint and Blessed party. Someone from our group thought it was incorrect to not ask Blessed to pray for them. Is that Correct? (52:32)

Today’s Bible Verse:"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" — Isaiah 30:18 Isaiah 30:18 reminds us that God is not only just but deeply compassionate. Even when we face delays, difficulties, or unanswered prayers, His desire is to show grace. Waiting on Him is not passive—it’s a posture of faith that positions us to receive His blessings fully. “Want to listen without ads? Become a BibleStudyTools.com PLUS Member today: https://www.biblestudytools.com/subscribe/ Meet Today’s Host: Jennifer Slattery Discover more devotions with Jennifer at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio Jennifer Slattery is a national speaker, multi-published author, and founder of Wholly Loved Ministries. She’s passionate about helping believers live with bold faith, rooted in surrender to Christ’s purpose. Jennifer co-hosts both Your Daily Bible Verse and Faith Over Fear, encouraging listeners to step into their God-given identity. Her teachings blend Scripture with personal insight to help others embrace God’s power over fear and move forward with confidence.

Read OnlineWhen Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5: 1–3Today we celebrate one of the most glorious solemnities within our Church! Every saint, canonized or not, is honored today. Our Gospel passage lays out the path by which these saints entered Heaven. While on earth, these great men and women lived lives that were poor in spirit, filled with a holy mourning, meekness, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, mercy, peace, purity of heart and even persecution. Each one of these Beatitudes concludes by stating the reward that those who lived these qualities obtains: Heaven, comfort, satisfaction, mercy, seeing God, being children of God and rewards beyond what we can imagine in God's Kingdom.The Beatitudes invite us to the heights of holiness. They are not for the faint of heart or for those living a lukewarm spiritual life. These Beatitudes present us with the pinnacle of holy living and challenge us to the core. But every effort put into living these Beatitudes are worth it here on earth and ultimately in Heaven. Let's look briefly at two of these Beatitudes.The second Beatitude states that those “who mourn...will be comforted.” This is an interesting Beatitude. Why is it holy to mourn? Simply put, this form of holy mourning means that you not only have a holy sorrow for your own sins but that you have this holy sorrow as you see the many evils within our world. This is crucial today. First, it should be quite obvious that we must have holy sorrow for our own sins. Doing so means your conscience is working. And when your conscience is working, you will be compelled, by this holy sorrow, to acknowledge your offenses against God and work diligently to change. But we must also have a holy sorrow as we see the many evils within our world. Too often today there is a tendency to undermine this Beatitude by presenting universal acceptance of all things as a good. We are told we must not judge, and though that is true when it comes to judging another's heart, a worldly presentation of this secular “virtue” attempts to lead us to downplay the objective nature of sin. Our secular world tempts us to ignore many objective moral truths by which God guides us into all truth. But as Christians, our first approach must be to despise all that our Lord taught was objectively morally evil. And when we do come face-to-face with immoral lifestyles, the appropriate response must be holy sorrow, not acceptance of grave sin. To mourn over another's poor choices is a true act of charity toward them. The fourth Beatitude calls us to “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” This means that we not only have a holy sorrow over our sins and the objective evils of our world, but that we also allow ourselves to be filled with a hunger and thirst for truth and holy living. This drive must become a burning motivation within us to do all we can to further the Kingdom of God everywhere. This Beatitude enables us to overcome indifference, inspiring us to bring about change in the face of all opposition. And this drive is fueled by charity and every other accompanying virtue. Reflect, today, upon the beautiful truth that you are called to become a saint. And the surest path to sainthood is the Beatitudes. Read them carefully. Meditate upon them and know that they reveal to you how God is calling you to live. If one of these Beatitudes stands out to you, then spend time focusing upon it. Work to internalize these graces, and God will work wonders in your life, one day making this solemnity within our Church a true celebration of your life well lived. My most holy Lord, You reign now in Heaven and desire that Your glorious Kingdom be firmly established upon earth. Give me the grace I need to seek holiness with all my heart and to especially use Your revelation of the Beatitudes as the path by which I travel. I pray that I will become a true saint in this world and that You will use me to further Your Kingdom now and for eternity. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Sebastiano Conca, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsSource of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Big Al Mack from the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show and his crew — The Broken Bow Bible Brothers — keep it real about faith, fellowship, and life after heartbreak. From Big Al's recent divorce to each man's own trials and tribulations, Broken but Blessed dives deep into how God uses broken seasons to build stronger men. With humor, honesty, and brotherhood at the center, they remind us all that fellowship isn't just important — it's how the healing begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Healed and Whole Through Jesus—Pray This RIGHT NOW | Blessed Daily Effective 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™

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. God is worthy of all of our praise! Meditate on Deuteronomy 10:21 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.

Today Pastor Stan shares with us some of the Prophecies that paints a picture of what is to come in the near future. His topics include Suitcase Nukes, Nuclear War, Massive Arrests and much more! 00:00 The Show has Begun 07:24 Active Prophecies 09:10 Suitcase Nukes & Earthquake 14:07 Food Shortages & Dollar 15:58 Massive Arrests 21:24 Nuclear War 24:10 Blessed or Cursed

Today Pastor Stan shares with us some of the Prophecies that paints a picture of what is to come in the near future. His topics include Suitcase Nukes, Nuclear War, Massive Arrests and much more! 00:00 The Show has Begun 07:24 Active Prophecies 09:10 Suitcase Nukes & Earthquake 14:07 Food Shortages & Dollar 15:58 Massive Arrests 21:24 Nuclear War 24:10 Blessed or Cursed

A major thank you goes out to the Eschaton Vigil for his second edition release of The Eschatological Visions of the Blessed. This book is the ULTIMATE compendium of prophecies made available for the first time in English. In this stream I read through some of these prophecies. Make sure to check it out and let me know what you think. God bless Buy Here: https://eschatonvigil.org/product/the-eschatological-visions-of-the-blessed-second-edition/

All Saints Day

Morning lessons: Psalms 1, 15; Hebrews 11:32-12:2; Acts 8:26-40.  Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of the scornful.

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 Keaver Brenai, helps your body relax and your mind rest on the truth found in scripture. Take a Scriptural journey to the riverbank where a life was changed by the Gospel message. Be encouraged by this story, and let it rekindle the joy of your salvation — the day your life changed! 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

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Luke 13:31-35 - Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill You." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish My purpose. Yet I must continue on My way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord." Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3, 4) Terry discusses what must be done to foster vocations to the Priesthood, and the influences of the Saints and others